Disappearing traces of the 'Son of Dawn'

ID Nugroho
The Jakarta Post, Tulungagung, Fri, 06/06/2008 9:47 AM

The great name of the late Sukarno, one of the two people who proclaimed Indonesia's independence, is inseparable from East Java.

This province -- where Sukarno was born, first became acquainted with political circles and was eventually buried -- holds fond memories of the former first president.

The Jakarta Post visited the province to trace a number of locations where Sukarno, dubbed the "Son of Dawn", spent his days.

At a glance, there is nothing special about the house located on Jl. Pandean IV No. 48, in Surabaya. The sitting room directly faces a four-meter-wide alley. The front wall is dull with the paint peeling off in several parts; water stains on the ceiling from a leaking roof are visible; and the color of the wooden door frames fails to match that of the window frames.

However, it is believed that this is the house in which Sukarno was born on June 6, 1901.

At least two leading biographies about Sukarno, namely Cindy Adams' Soekarno the Spokesperson of the People and Shohirin's The Son of Dawn, refer to Surabaya as the birthplace of Sukarno, who was born Koesno.

"The books were published when Sukarno was still alive and Sukarno did not deny (what was written). So, perhaps, what the books say is true," said Budi Kastowo, the caretaker of the Soekarno Museum and Library in Blitar.

Locals are rather uncertain about where exactly Sukarno was born, because he did not stay long in Surabaya. At the age of two, Koesno moved to Mojokerto with his parents.

Again, there is no exact information about Sukarno's second home. It is often said, however, that it was frequently hit by flashfloods from the Brantas River, which flows past Mojokerto.

It is very likely that the house was located on a low-lying plot of land near the river.

Koesno was often sick as a child and was left in the care of his grandfather, Raden Hardjodikromo, who lived in Tulungagung.

In his grandfather's house and third place of residence (located on Jl. Mayjend Suprapto), Koesno was given traditional Javanese medication. While Koesno was regaining his health, his grandfather was said to have received divine inspiration and soon after changed his grandson's name from Koesno to Karno, and later Soekarno.

Today, the house is not occupied. Locals around the house refer to it as the house of Eyang Hardjo. "That is the house of Eyang (Hardjo), Bung Karno's grandfather," said Joko, a local residents, adding the house had been vacant for quite some time.

"People say Eyang's family is no longer there."

Sukarno went to the Inlander School until he was 11, after which time he continued his studies at the Europe Lagere School in Mojokerto. Four years later, or in 1915, Soekarno joined the Hoogere Burger School (HBS) in Surabaya.

It was when he was in Surabaya that he became acquainted with Haji Oemar Said (HOS) Tjokroaminoto, a boarding house landlord and also the chairman of Syarikat Islam. Tjokroaminoto introduced Sukarno to discourses on nationalism and the spirit of resistance against the Dutch colonial powers.

Sukarno continued his studies at the Technische Hoogeschool, which is now the Bandung Institute of Technology, where he graduated in 1926 and began his activities in politics.

"He was an ordinary boy. Few people know he was born in Surabaya. If I'm not mistaken, he was born in Blitar, right?" said Ashari, 75, a resident of Jl. Pandean, Surabaya.

Ashari told the Post he had once heard a story about Sukarno from his late mother.

"As far as I can remember, my mother once told me a story about Bung Karno. He used to stay in Jl. Pandean along with Ibu Inggit (Sukarno's second wife)," he said.

When Sukarno stayed at the house on Jl. Pandean, Ashari said, the house in front of it was used as the secretariat of Kepanduan Bangsa Indonesia, a youth organization under the Indonesian National Party (PNI), a party that Sukarno founded. Various political activities were said to have been carried out there.

The house now belongs to Jamila, the fourth owner of the house, who lives there together with his wife and elder sister.

HOS Tjokroaminoto's boarding house, where Sukarno stayed when he went to HBS, can still be found on Jl. Peneleh, alley VII, in Surabaya. This simple house, built in the uniquely East Javanese architectural style, is now taken care of by the Surabaya municipality administration and is one of the province's heritage sites.

Budi Kastowo, caretaker of the Soekarno Museum in Blitar, said traces of Sukarno are still very obvious in East Java because the East Javanese have a strong sense of belonging. Although the homes and other places where Sukarno frequented may no longer physically exist, the spirit of Sukarno is still felt, he said.

One example is the Gebang Palace in Blitar. Historically, Sukarno stayed in this home for only a brief period.

"Indeed, Sukarno's parents, Raden Soekemi Sosrodihardjo and Ida Ayu Nyoman Rai, lived there -- but not Sukarno," Budi said. This house, later occupied by Soekarmimi, Sukarno's elder sister, has always been associated with Bung Karno. Every June, Blitar commemorates Sukarno's birthday and Gebang Palace is the center of activities.

It is in Gebang Palace that Sukarno memorabilia is kept, such as the picture of Sukarno and his parents and elder sisters, photographs of a young Sukarno, statues and even a room containing household items originally belonging to Sukarno.

Sukarno, who was known to have nine wives, began his political activities in Surabaya and Bandung, where he made extensive networks. He established the PNI on July 4, 1927, formulated Pancasila on June 1, 1945, and along with Bung Hatta proclaimed the independence of Indonesia on August 17, 1945. He died on June 21, 1970 and was buried in Blitar.

Surabaya gears up to overtake Jakarta

Surabaya, the capital of East Java province, is one city that has seen rapid growth over the last decade. Economic growth in Surabaya, the second largest Indonesian city after Jakarta, has led to the emergence of discerning families that embrace a cosmopolitan lifestyle and who appreciate a comfortable life. This may explain the thriving malls, luxury houses, apartments and hospitality businesses such as hotels, cafes, discotheques and restaurants in Surabaya. To coincide with Surabaya's 715th anniversary, The Jakarta Post Surabaya correspondent I.D. Nugroho has prepared some feature stories on this City of Heroes for our Supplement section. The articles will give you a taste of the city's business potential, its people's unique traits, places of interest and the city's nightlife. ,

ID Nugroho | Sat, 05/31/2008 12:08 PM | Supplement

Surabaya, East Java

Surabaya has been dubbed the second metropolis after Jakarta and the city has made efficient use of this to expand and develop its role as a major business center. Growth in the 715-year-old city is fast speeding up. Despite criticism, apartments, malls and hotels are springing up everywhere. Is this an effort to get ahead of Jakarta?

It looks like Jakarta will have to watch out. The capital city will soon be rivaled by Surabaya, the second largest city in Indonesia. How could it be otherwise as in Surabaya, a city of more than 2.7 million people, there seems to be a race in construction projects. New malls, apartment buildings and elite housing estates are springing up everywhere.

The business world is the main yardstick. As the population increases, Surabaya, which has declared itself a city of trade, is honing its business development strategy by setting up Central Business Districts (CBDs). There are seven CBDs spread throughout a number of areas, from Kembang Jepun, which is the oldest trade center in Surabaya, to Ngagel, an industrial area.

"The regulation cannot be rejected as the city is moving ahead toward becoming a more modern city," said deputy mayor of Surabaya, Arief Affandi, to The Jakarta Post. In a CBD, there are various centers for business activities, such as shopping centers, markets, banks and modern offices. In addition, the CBDs also collaborate with a number of independently managed markets, such as Atum, Turi, Keputran, Paben and Genteng markets.

Malls and shopping centers have also become city landmarks, such as Surabaya Plaza, Mal Galaxy, Mal Surabaya, Tunjungan Plaza, Maspion Square, Jembatan Merah Plaza and Plaza Marina. There are also Pakuwon Supermall, Trade Center Pakuwon, Sungkono Trade Center, Royal Plaza and City of Tomorrow. "The construction of other business centers is now waiting. I hope the public can take advantage of them," Arife Affandi said.

The hotel industry is also experiencing a boom. Dubbed the city of heroes, Surabaya boasts 7,261 rooms in 136 hotels of various classes, ranging from the three-star or "jasmine" class to the five-star international hotels, namely Hotel Majapahit, Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Patra Surabaya Hilton, Shangri-La, Garden Palace, Sheraton Surabaya and J.W. Marriott.

Four-star hotels are represented by Surabaya Plaza Hotel, Novotel, Somerset and Hotel Ibis. Hotel Mercure Grand Mirama also entered the scene in February 2007. Managed by Acor, this hotel is located in the former Hotel Mirama. Mercure General Manager Neil Gow said the decision to build a hotel in Surabaya was prompted by the fact that demand always exceeds the number of hotel rooms.

"This means that it is still possible for the hotel business in Surabaya to develop fast," Neil told the Post. In just over a year of operation, Hotel Mercure Grand Mirama reports over 80 percent occupancy, in fact it claims to enjoy a higher occupancy rate than other hotels of the same class.

"As far as we know, we are still leading compared with the other four-star hotels," he noted.

Although there are many star-rated hotels in Surabaya, most are still located in Central Surabaya. However, hotels continue to offer employment opportunities. The Central Bureau of Statistics of Surabaya Municipality reports that in 2006 the hotel sector in Surabaya provided work for 8,130 people.

Aside from the property business, the housing and apartment business is also enjoying an upward trend in Surabaya. A number of elite housing estates in Surabaya are seeing an increase in sales. Take, for example, Wisata Bukit, Araya Bumi Mega, Taman Dayu and Perumahan Pakuwon. Each of these housing estates have experienced a 30 percent increase in sales. The apartment business is also experiencing a similar trend.

The apartment business is flourishing, especially since there is limited land available for construction and many people still find it important to live in urban areas. "Because of these two factors, Pakuwon Group has built apartment buildings in Surabaya," Sugema Nagasakti, Promotion Manager of Pakuwon Group, told the Post. Pakuwon Group has two apartment buildings, namely Grande Water Palace and East Coast Residence.

Most of 200 apartment units in the six towers of Grande Water Palace have been sold although the price is quite steep, at about Rp 400 million, Sugema said. "About 90 percent of all the units have been sold and will be handed over to the buyers in September 2008," he added.

In view of the flourishing property market in Surabaya, leading property agency Century 21 Indonesia has opened 12 branch offices in Surabaya. Information obtained by the Jakarta Post shows that property sales in Surabaya are of the same value as sales in Greater Jakarta. It is very likely that the value of these sales will soon exceed sales in Greater Jakarta.

The lifestyle of the urbanites in Surabaya has allowed the entertainment business and international fashion brands in Surabaya to flourish. Take, for example, cafes, karaoke centers and discotheques. There is a choice of 10 upmarket cafes and they are all located in downtown Surabaya. Likewise, there are also 13 discotheques.

There is no doubt about it, Surabaya is moving fast ahead. With its vision of "Development that is Smart and Cares", Surabaya is striving to accelerate growth in the flow of goods and services at the regional and international level. This is being done by connecting the urban area of Surabaya with an integrated spatial layout system supported by adequate infrastructure, transportation and information technology. It is no wonder then that Surabaya is looking even more attractive to the business world.

Surabaya marks its 715th anniversary

ID Nugroho , The Jakarta Post , Surabaya, East Java | Sat, 05/31/2008 12:08 PM | Supplement

The history of Surabaya began when Raden Wijaya, the first king of the Majapahit Kingdom, won a battle against Chinese troops in 1293. In those days, the area was noted for its water defense base with Kali Mas as its military base. In every period, Surabaya has been a strategic area to be reckoned with.

During the colonial times, for example, Dutch, British and Japanese troops all attempted to subjugate Surabaya. That is why, perhaps, Surabaya has as its symbol the fight between Suro (a shark) and Boyo (a crocodile). Philosophically, the fight represents the indefatigable spirit of its people.

It is in Surabaya that people of various ethnic and social groups live together in harmony. The city has no history of conflict based on ethnicity, religion or race. Adhering to the blokosuto (open) culture, Surabaya residents are noted for their tolerance although,they can also be firm. It is this high level of tolerance and brotherhood that have made it difficult for the colonial powers to subjugate Surabaya.

In addition to all this, Surabaya people are known for their talent for trading. Since the 18th century, Surabaya has been home to various manufacturing enterprises. The commercial network that was built reached China, Britain, the Netherlands and Portugal. In 1870, this city was an industrial center on a par with other international port cities like Shanghai, Calcutta, Singapore and Hong Kong.

This demand from the trading world also prompted the construction of the first railway linking Surabaya and the neighboring regions of Sidoarjo, Gresik, Jombang, Kediri and Madiun. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city developed into a service center for the estate economy.

Against the backdrop of this historical legacy, the municipal administration has decided to continue developing the city. Under the city mayor, Bambang DH, and his deputy, Arief Affandi, Surabaya aspires to be a "smart city that cares". It is this tagline that constitutes the city's spirit today.

Between 2006 - 2020, Surabaya aims to restore its former glory as a city of traders by responding to global opportunities and demand. Public support for the city administration is essential. That is why it is necessary to establish a democratic administration based on justice, transparency and accountability with the support of an integrated, competent, efficient and professional bureaucratic structure.

Accountability, which is a manifestation of responsibility toward the public, will result in a clean bureaucracy that will command respect. If this is realized, Surabaya citizens will enjoy efficient and orderly services and at the same time they will also abide by the regulations of the local administration.

In this respect, the development of cooperatives, micro, small and medium enterprises (UMKM) and cooperation between small and medium-sized businesses and large businesses supported by a business climate conducive to business development, is essential. People's welfare, particularly with respect to the poor through the provision of facilities to meet their basic needs, the organization of sidewalk vendors as well as informal businesses, cannot be ignored. In addition the city environment needs to be managed so that it is clean, green and comfortable.

Improving the quality of affordable health services along with educating the public about the importance of a healthy environment are also goals on the agenda. These efforts will be coupled with the strengthening of the local culture to develop a harmonious community life based on tolerance and high ideals. If all runs well, this ancient city will really become a new Surabaya,...

Following the tourist trail around the city

ID Nugroho , The Jakarta Post , Surabaya, East Java | Sat, 05/31/2008 12:08 PM | Supplement

Although Surabaya is not considered a tourist city, it is not difficult for people to find a change of scenery. Inside and outside the city, tourist spots, ranging from nature to religious sites, are just waiting to be visited. For those wanting to spend time out of the city, the beauty of Mount Bromo awaits.

Like residents in other major cities, the people of Surabaya view day trips as an activity that cannot be neglected. Fatigue brought about by daily routines may be relieved by surrounding oneself in natural beauty.

The problem is that Surabaya is better known as a city of trade rather than a city of tourism. But how true is this?

In Surabaya, which is known as the City of Heroes, there are many tourist spots that have distinctive characteristics. There are a variety of destinations for tourists, such as nature areas, ocean spot, religious sites and, of course, shopping centers. The terrific thing is, is that all these destinations spots are located within the city and so it is not necessary to spend much time getting to each place.

The Surabaya Zoo is one of Surabaya's top tourist sites and is one of the few zoos in Indonesia that is located downtown. Everyone who has visited Surabaya surely knows where the zoo is located. It is situated at the gateway to the city, not far from Wonokromo bus terminal. Boasting 2,806 animals of 351 species, the zoo was once ranked the most complete zoo in Southeast Asia.

Not far from the zoo, in the eastern part of the city, is Ria Kenjeran Beach. Here one can witness the early morning sun rise with Madura island as a backdrop. It is at this beach that you can witness the daily routines of the fishermen in Kenjeran. These fishermen produce traditional dishes of the local coastal people, such as grilled fish and salted fish. They also make handicrafts from sea products.

Today, efforts are being made to develop tourism related to the history of Surabaya because the city is home to a great number of old historical buildings dating back to the Dutch era, such as the Internatio Building, the Grahadi Building, Hotel Mojopahit, Bapai Pemuda and Balai Kota. Some of these buildings are still being used today.

"These buildings have been existence since I was a child, although some have been damaged. Many are still in good repair, though," said Kadaruslan, a cultural worker of Surabaya city.

Hotel Majapahit has high historical value. It was in one of the hotel's towers that the blue part of the red, white and blue Dutch flag was torn off so that the flag became the red-and-white flag of Indonesia. This incident served as a symbol of resistance of Surabaya freedom fighters, better known as Arek Suroboyo.

Artifacts kept at Mpu Tantular Museum and the Joko Dolok statue from the Singosari kingdom are also worth seeing.

Another place of interest is Ampel Mosque, which was built in the 15th century by Sunan Ampel or Raden Rahmad. Still in its original form, the mosque is still in use. The supporting wooden beams were made by Sunan Ampel and his disciples. At the rear of the mosque there is a graveyard where Sunan Ampel and his family are buried. Arabic and old European buildings surround the mosque.

St Mary the Virgin Catholic Church, Jagad Karana Hindu Tempel in Kenjeran, Hong Tiek Hian Buddhist Temple and Cheng Hoo Mosque are other popular tourist spots. Tourists find the original and unique shapes of these buildings of particular interest.

There are also various tourist spots outside the city of Surabaya. Mount Bromo in Pasuruan regency, about 100 km to the east of Surabaya, is one of the primary tourist spots. A trip to Mount Bromo takes about two hours from Surabaya, passing the Sidoarjo mudflow area.

Mount Bromo is one of the most well-known active volcanoes in Indonesia. At 2,392 meters above sea level, this mountain has cold weather and visitors are advised to take along warm clothing. Its valleys, crater and 10 sq m expanse of sand are easy to reach and therefore attract many visitors.

Climbing the stairway leading to the Bromo crater, a visitor can freely enjoy the sight of the crater with a diameter of 600-800 meters.

Sunrise is a popular draw at Mount Bromo. The sun looks beautiful as it rises, with a background of an expanse of sand, mist and the tops of Mount Bromo, Mount Batok and Mount Semeru. The life of the Tengger people of Bromo, who still use horses as their means of transportation, reflects the uniqueness of the local culture, something that is slowly disappearing in Indonesia.

The night comes alive with a roar

ID Nugroho , The Jakarta Post , Surabaya, East Java | Sat, 05/31/2008 12:07 PM | Supplement

As the sun disappears, the heartbeat of the nightlife in Surabaya begins. The bright lights lend greater festivity to the nightlife in this city. This is the time when dozens of cafes, nightclubs, karaoke centers and discotheques of various themes start to pulsate and the night comes alive with a roar.

Surabaya is always alive. Even nightfall cannot make the city, with a population of 2.7 million, stop pulsating. The heartbeat of the nightlife continues, although it is concentrated at a number of places only. The night's heartbeat is naturally the loudest at cafes, nightclubs and discotheques. And at karaoke centers, where people get together not only to sing but also to talk. In fact, karaoke centers are found in almost every entertainment area in this city.

Spending a few hours at a cafe, nightclub, discotheque or other nightspot has become part of the lifestyle of Surabaya residents. Almost every night, these places are full of activities among the bright lights, the booming sound of music and laughter. Most visitors are youths and young executives. Of Surabaya's 2.7 million people, more than 50 percent or 1.5 million people are teenagers and youths.

Adi Basko is one such person to frequent nightspots. A young executive in the publishing business, he said he has liked clubbing since he was a university student. "Every night my friends and I go clubbing," Adi Basko told The Jakarta Post.

It is not hard to find a place to "hear the night roar" in Surabaya. Almost every star-rated hotel has a cafe, nightclub or discotheque. Take, for example, the Tavern at Hotel Hyatt, Hugos at Hotel Sheraton or Vertical 6 (V6) at Hotel JW Marriott. There are also independent cafes and restaurants, such as Van Java in Taman Apsari, Colors Pub and Resto on Jl. Sumatra, Blow Fish in the Mex Building, Red Box at Pakuwon Trade Center, House of Sampoerna Caf* and Coyote at Plaza Tunjungan 6. "Every place has its loyal patrons, depending on market segmentation," Adi said.

Tavern and V-Six, for example, are where expatriates and affluent young executives hang out. The music, the dishes and the beverages served suit their tastes. Other places, such as Van Java, Colors Pub and Resto, Blow Fish, Red Box and Coyote in Plaza Tunjungan 6 are more popular among younger people. At these places, the music is louder, manifesting the dynamic life of younger people.

Tisa Nirmala, a single female executive in the communication business, frequents V6, Colors Pub and Resto. She chooses these two spots because they suit her tastes. "When there is a special event, for example taking people out, I usually choose V 6 but to relax, I prefer Colors Pub," she told the Post.

Tisa's colleagues also like going to these to clubbing spots for a night out and to wind down after a full day's work. "Our purpose is to have a night out and chill out after a hard day's work," she said. Tisa does not have a set budget for this purpose. However, when partying, Tisa, who loves Top 40 songs, may spend up to Rp 500,000 a night.

Kiki Andriani, the marketing manager of Blow Fish, said the nightlife business in Surabaya was promising. This is evident from the fact that nightspots are crowded almost every night.

"That's indeed the situation. Blow Fish and some other nightspots in Surabaya are always crowded. Each of these places has its own market segmentation," she said.

Blow Fish is mostly frequented by the upper class. Every night, hundreds of people enjoy the music played at the club and lounge. The establishment serves food and drinks. "The demand for foods and drinks, particularly alcohol, always rises. We have run out of stock several times," she said.

Victim of Flood Still Suffering

Iman D Nugroho
Situbondo, East Java

Victims of Situbondo’s flood, have rejected governments plan to relocated them to a new and safer places. Besides the new location is outlaying place, they though that plan is just a trick from “bad government officers” to corrupt a funds. That’s why Situbondo’s flood victims still living in suffer until now.

A small, old and faded blue tent was the only hopes for Suryotomo’s, 59, to avoid him from extreme daylight this Tuesday (04/03/08). Under that 4x4 meter tent, man who’s retired from Indonesia National Bank (BNI) a view year ago, was sit on broke closet and watched his worker toke his family’s stuff from his damaged house.

Suryotomo is one of Situbondo’s flood victims. His home in Merpati Street of Situbondo has gone when million cubic waters from Sampeyan River hit it, February 8. At that time, nine sub districts of Situbondo regency flooded with water. At least 15 people die on that tragic moment. “My home is gone, like u can see, nothing leftover in a surface,” he said to The Post.

Situbondo sub district was the worst flooded place. About 112 houses have gone with water and 703 houses got hard damages and impossible for the family to stay there permanently. Meanwhile 3248 houses sink. On other location, Panji sub district at least 62 houses have permanently gone. And hundred damages hardly. Thousands people became a refuges on main street or temporary stayed in a safety zone.

After water is gone, flood victims like Suryotomo back to their home wondered find their old stuff. Even that, tragedy which happens two months ago became scar and traumatic nightmare for Situbondo’s people. That scar getting deeper when the victims facing a new problems. “Government has plans to build a wider river and relocate us (flood victims) to a safety zone in a country,” Suryotomo said.

A new area located on Sliwung village, Panji sub district near border of Bondowoso regency about 10 Km from flooded area. “Can u imagine, we have to life there, 10 Km from here, of course we reject that silly idea,” said Tolak, one of flood victims. In their perception, move to Sliwung similar with killing them slowly. “Mostly, we are worked in town, so how can we working if we were life in Sliwung village?” Tolak said.

Nuryati, another victim said that they have told their aspiration about rejected of relocated plan. They also give another option to pay flood victims some money. “We never mention the number, it’s all up to government, but we wish we can use that money to buy or build our new home,” Nuryati said.

Woman who life with youngest her son in a small tent near the Merak street wondering that flood victims can organize their money by them self. Actually, Nuryati already build a new home near Patek beach. “My oldest daughter also life there, that’s why I build my new home near Patek beach,” she said.

Unfortunately, government still pushed their plan to relocate flood victims. Otherwise, government has started to build house foundation on that area. Their also fix road to a new villages. “Don’t blame us, if we “smell something” from it, the government see us like we are an object, not human being which suffered by flood,” Suryotomo said. “I can smell corruption on it.”

Head of People Protection Desk (Linmas) of Situbondo regency, Yamin Muazin saw flood victims rejected as a wrong decisions. Actually, government plan always base on flood victim’s necessity. “Its dangerous to stay near the river, better for them to accept governments plan,” Yamin said to The Post.

He also said, it’s not easy for government to build a new village and to decide which house design that will build in Sliwung. In fact, government has send team to Jember regency, which has build new village for flood victim which happened on 2006. “We hope that flood victims will change their decision after see new village of Jember,” he said.***

Possible tension ahead of E. Java elections

ID Nugroho and Wahyoe Boediwardhana
The Jakarta Post , Lumajang, Malang
Thu, 04/24/2008 12:35 AM | The Archipelago

Poll officials are concerned about potential friction ahead of the gubernatorial election in East Java, especially at the grassroots level, due to the synchronous schedule with regency elections, an internal rift within the National Awakening Party (PKB) and shifting political party coalitions.

The East Java gubernatorial election, scheduled for July 23, is likely to be heated given the political climate.

In addition, four regencies in East Java -- Malang, Bondowoso, Jombang and Lumajang -- are scheduled to hold regency elections simultaneously.

The East Java chapter of the General Elections Commission (KPUD) sees the gubernatorial and regency elections as a potential problem due to shifts in political alliances on the provincial and regency levels.

East Java KPUD member Didik Prasetyono told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday the commission was anticipating possible problems.

The party coalitions nominating the East Java governor hopefuls are unset.

Currently, the Democratic Party (PD) and the National Mandate Party (PAN) alliance is backing Soekarwo and Syaifullah Yusuf as its candidates. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has nominated Soetjipto and Ridwan Hisyam, the Golkar Party has named Soenaryo and Ali Maschan Moesa, and the PKB, affiliated with Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid has proposed Ahmadi.

In Lumajang regency, the party coalition map is less clear. Golkar Party and PAN are poised to join forces and nominate Indah Pakarti as regent candidate. The PDI-P is banking on Umar Basar in the race.

The Democratic Party and the Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB) alliance has yet to name its candidate, while the PKB, with the most seats in the Lumajang legislature with 15, is still waiting for the rift between Gus Dur and Muhaimin Iskandar to settle.

Lumajang KPUD head Munir also senses potential threats given party coalition differences. He said his office was doing what it could to prevent conflicts during the governor and regency elections.

"We view the problems to be the same, thus we will prevent any possible tension," Munir told the Post.

Despite the "relaxed" atmosphere ahead of the elections, Bondowoso KPUD head Muhammad Muniri expressed similar concern due to the close proximity between Lumajang and Bondowoso.

"So far, the PKB is the only party to nominate four of its candidates," said Muniri.

Strangely enough, the PKB's Bondowoso chapter has not been influenced by the rift between Gus Dur and Muhaimin at the party's central executive board.

The East Java KPUD decided in a meeting to take several anticipatory steps, such as prohibiting outdoor campaign rallies in the four cities where regency elections will be held, but giving candidates the opportunity to campaign in nearby cities.

In Lumajang, the campaign schedule for candidates contesting the gubernatorial election will be moved to Jember, while campaigning scheduled for Bondowoso will be moved to Situbondo.

"We will also rotate the schedules so candidates will not meet in the same city," said Didik Parsetyono.

In Malang, the political climate is getting hotter ahead of the mayoral election slated for July. An unidentified group on Sunday reportedly pelted rocks at the house of a campaign team leader for one of the mayoral candidates nominated by the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

The PKS has nominated party member Ahmad Subchan, currently a member of the East Java legislature, in the mayoral election.

Posters and signboards for Subchan were torn down several times during the past week.

Windmill brings water to E. Java residents

ID Nugroho
The Jakarta Post
Nganjuk | Wed, 04/23/2008 10:37 AM | The Archipelago

WATER AT HAND: Two women in Joho village in Nganjuk, East Java, carry containers of water from a nearby wind-powered water pump. Thanks to this new water source, they no longer face long walks to fetch water. (JP/I.D. Nugroho)WATER AT HAND: Two women in Joho village in Nganjuk, East Java, carry containers of water from a nearby wind-powered water pump. Thanks to this new water source, they no longer face long walks to fetch water. (JP/I.D. Nugroho)

The muscles of the right arm of Painem, 70, were stretched taut as the old woman lifted a jerrican of water, hoisting it first up to her shoulders and then onto her back.

"It's heavy, but it is much better now thanks to the operation of this windmill. Before this I was forced to fetch water down in the ravine," said Painem, pointing to steep ravine at the far edge of the village.

Residents of Joho village in Pace district, Ngajuk regency, East Java, now use a windmill to get water for their daily needs, making a long walk to a spring at the floor of the ravine a thing of the past. Instead, they now simply walk to the windmill and open a valve to release a steady gush of water.

Most homes are within one kilometer of the windmill.

The construction of the windmill was sponsored by the East Java provincial administration to meet water needs in the arid area. Joho was chosen for the project as the availability of water is very limited here, and villagers, who have lacked the financial means for other water systems, provided a 25-square-meter plot of land for its construction.

"Joho villagers need clean water. But as most of them are poor, it's impossible for them to buy water pumps," said Nugroho, head of the clean water infrastructure and equipment provision division of Nganjuk.

Villagers hailed the installation of the Australian-made windmill, which can pump 21,000 liters of water per day.

"I've dreamed of getting water as easily as this," said Mairin, another Joho villager.

His hope was made reality when the construction of the windmill was completed recently. Water can be pumped up from a depth of 80 meters.

Nganjuk's windy conditions make it ideal for the operation of windmills, said Geoffrey J. Moore, managing director of the West Australia company that built the windmill, W.D. Moore & Co.

"The windmill can still operate even in a soft breeze," Moore said.

Moore was in Nganjuk recently to oversee the installation of the windmill. He said the type of windmill was common in Australia.

"The Australians have used it for at least 146 years," he said.

Geographical conditions in this part of Indonesia, Geoffrey said, were nearly the same as in Australia.

The windmill, whose spare parts are produced by local company PT Steel Pipe Industry, cost some Rp 130 million (US$14,400).

Police arrest two alleged JI members

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Surabaya

Two alleged members of the Jamaah Islamiyah regional terrorist network have been arrested in Malaysia and handed over to Indonesian authorities for questioning.

The National Police's chief of detectives, Comr. Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri, told The Associated Press that Agus Idrus, alias Agus Purwantoro, and Abdurrahim, alias Abu Husna, were in police custody.

Agus is believed to be the leader of JI, which is reported to have links with al-Qaeda, in Poso, Central Sulawesi.

The two were handed over by Malaysian police over the weekend after their arrest in January.

Bambang said both men had been involved in religious violence in Poso between 2000 and 2001 that claimed more than 2,000 lives and displaced 100,000 others.

The two men are reportedly being held at the detention center of the police's elite Mobile Brigade in Kelapa Dua, Depok, about 25 kilometers south of Jakarta.

Agus graduated from Airlangga University's School of Medicine in Surabaya, East Java, in 1997.

He is reported to have served as a doctor for fugitive terrorist Noordin M. Top.

Noordin is one of the chief JI members in Central Java and is allegedly responsible for a string of bombings in the country. He has escaped arrest on several occasions.

Agus is also known to have been a student of the late terrorist Dr. Azahari, who was killed by the police's counter-terrorism unit during a raid in Malang, East Java, on Nov. 9, 2005.

Malaysian authorities arrested Agus and Husna in January for forging the passport of an executive at an Indonesian tobacco company, Deddy Achmadi Machdan.

A home belonging to Agus' mother, Sukarti Thamrin, on Jl. Petemon in Surabaya was deserted Monday. A neighbor said Sukarti had not been seen since news first broke of her son's alleged ties to terrorism.

Another neighbor, Satuman, recalled Agus as a quiet person who spent a lot of time in the mosque.

"He never caused trouble and was a devout Muslim, regularly praying at the mosque," Satuman said.

He said residents of the housing complex were more familiar with Agus' father, the late Muhammad Thamrin, and mother.

Satuman said Sukarti was actively involved in a local housewives group.

Agus married a woman from the neighboring town of Mojokerto in 2000. The couple later left Surabaya for Kalimantan.

Missing passport misused by terrorist
Tuesday, April 15, 2008

ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya

Beware if important documents like your passports are missing. Who knows, they may fall into the hands of a terrorist group to be later misused for illicit activities. This was experienced by Deddy Achmadi Machdan, an international communications executive of major cigarette producer PT HM Sampoerna.

Deddy was questioned by a member of the National Police's Anti-terror Detachment 88 because his missing passport was utilized by a member of a terrorist group.

The story starts back in 2003 when Deddy lost his passport in London. At the time Deddy was not aware that his backpack was open. His passport and a number of other important documents went missing.

"I only realized when I got back to my boarding house. I did not think anything more of it. What I knew was that my passport and other documents were lost," he said in Pasuruan, East Java, earlier this month.

Deddy immediately went to the Indonesian Embassy in London to inform them about the missing documents and to ask for a replacement passport.

Time passed and Deddy forgot about the missing passport.

Suddenly there was phone call from Jakarta Police Headquarters. During the conversation, police officers questioned Deddy about his missing passport.

"As I didn't know anything else, I just told them how I lost my passport in 2003," Deddy said.

The police officers later explained the case involving Deddy's passport. According to them, the passport had been misused by someone believed to be a member of a major terrorist network.

The man who misused Deddy's passport and his accomplice, who is also believed to be a member of the terrorist network, have now been detained in a Malaysian penitentiary for questioning.

Deddy was startled to find out that two Indonesians had lost their passports in London on the same day, September 19, 2003.

"I never thought about someone intentionally stealing Indonesian passports," he said.

"The man, who misused my passport, later claiming to be Achmadi Machdan', and confessed to hail from Malang, East Java," Deddy said.

As the police officers did not believe Deddy's explanation, they requested to further investigate Deddy at his house. As Deddy believed he was not guilty, he agreed to the request.

On the second-floor verandah of his house in Jakarta, the police officers showed Deddy a photocopy of his missing passport, which had since been falsified. He told the police the name was his, but the address and photo were not.

The police officers also asked Deddy to show his replacement passport. He showed his passport along with remarks about his missing passport.

According to Deddy, the police officers freed him of any further investigation. If he was unable to produce a replacement passport, the case would have become longer.

The officers later asked Deddy if he was willing to testify as a witness if needed.

Roy Marten gets 3 years in jail
Saturday, April 12, 2008

Roy Marten, one of the country's most popular movie stars in the early 1980s, was sentenced by a Surabaya court on Friday to three years in jail and a fine of Rp 3 million (about US$325) for using illegal drugs.

Berlin Damanik, the judge who presided over the trial, said the sentence was lighter than the 3.5 years demanded by prosecutors as the defendant was found guilty only of using and not selling the drugs.

Speaking to reporters following the reading of the verdict, Berlin said the court found no evidences that Roy, who was previously jailed for nine months on a similar charge, was involved in the distribution of the drugs.

"The defendant knew nothing about the distribution of the drugs as charged by prosecutors," he said.

Roy, one of many movie stars appointed by the National Narcotics Agency to promote an anti-drug campaign, was apprehended together with four accomplices in a hotel in Surabaya in November while taking crystal methamphetamine, locally known as shabu shabu.

He had reportedly been in Surabaya to witness the signing of an anti-drugs cooperation agreement between the agency and the Surabaya-based newspaper Jawa Post.

"The three-year sentence is too long. I am not a dealer," Roy told The Jakarta Post following the reading of the court's verdict. "Today's court session was only a formality. The verdict had been fixed before."

Four other defendants were earlier sentenced by the same court to between one and five years in jail. Windasari received one year, Fredy Matatullah 3.5 years and Hong Ko Hong aka Hartanto dan Didit Kesit five years.

The above picture shows Roy answering reporters' questions following the issuance of his verdict. (JP/ID Nugroho)