Two Children Killed in Flood in East Java
At least two residents of Grajagan village, Purwoharjo subdistrict,
Banyuwangi district, East Java province were found killed
and sank into the mud after a flash flood hit the region,
a witness said. The victims were identified as Waras (17)
and Ambarwati (7), an official of Purwoharjo sub district
said here on Monday. Ambarwati`s was found in Waras`s embrace.
The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) Maritime in Tanjung
Perak harbour, Surabaya earlier warned the local people about
the threat of the major flood and landslide following the
heavy rain. Eddy Waluyo, chief of the local BMG office has
predicted that windstorms would continue to hit East Javas
areas of South Banyuwangi, South Malang, Tulungagung, Trenggalek
and Pacitan. Gale force winds could also cause tidal waves,
which would hit the Islands of Madura, Masalembo and Bawean.
(December 19th 2005, Antara News)
Indonesian Boy Dies of Suspected Bird Flu
Indonesian health authorities say an eight-year-old boy has
died of suspected bird flu four days after being admitted
to a Jakarta hospital. A hospital spokesman says he was initially
thought to be suffering from dengue fever. Records show the
boy came from the same area of east Jakarta as a bird flu
victim who died on November the 8th. If confirmed, the latest
death will be Indonesia's 11th known fatality from the virus.
(December 16th 2005, AP)
Payne Given Nine Months Jail over Drugs
An Indonesian court has sentenced Australian Graham Payne
to nine months in prison for possessing small amounts of crystal
methamphetamine and heroin. The 21-year-old Adelaide man has
been in custody since his arrest in August in Medan on Sumatra.
With time already served, Payne - who had taught English at
a school in Indonesia - could be released from Medan's Tanjung
Gusta Prison in April.
He was also fined one million rupiah ($A137). Indonesian prosecutors
had asked the Medan District Court earlier this month to jail
Payne for one year. On Thursday (22/12) they said they were
considering whether to file an appeal for a tougher penalty.
Payne's defense lawyers were also considering whether to appeal
to have him freed. They had previously called on the trial's
three-judge panel to show leniency, saying Payne had psychological
problems and was not a trafficker. (December 22nd 2005, AP)
Earthquake Rocks Jembrana, Negara
An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale rocked Jembrana
in the Negara regency on Wednesday (21/12) at 8.21 am. According
to local BMG authorities the epicenter of the quake was 12
km east of Negara, and 33 km under ground. The quake was felt
in the villages of Yeh Embang and Mendoyo as the residents
ran from their homes fearing that the quake would strengthen.
Residents said that up to 6 aftershocks were felt throughout
the day, but none as strong as the initial tremor. (December
22nd 2005, Bali Post)
Mini Tornados Lift Roofs / Trees in Singaraja
Tornado like winds swept through the villages of the Anyar
region in Singaraja at approximately 8am on Saturday
morning (17/12). The twisters were about 20 meters high and
came off the coast sweeping through the seaside village of
Kayu Buntil. One group of villagers that were watching the
winds approach the coast ran for safety as the twisters took
a sudden turn and headed for the shore. The winds caused extensive
damage to 10 homes ripping roofs from their rafters and up-rooting
trees in the surrounding area. (December 18th 2005, Denpost)
Indonesian Police Ask Churches to Start Digging Bomb Holes
Police told churches to prepare for possible Christmas attacks
by digging holes, saying all suspicious objects should be
stored underground until a bomb squad arrives. Suspected militants
from the al-Qaida-linked terror group Jemaah Islamiyah bombed
11 churches on Christmas Eve in 2000, killing 19 people, and
police have said more attacks were being planned this year.
Police in the central city of Solo ordered churches to start
digging holes 10 meters from their buildings and to prepare
steel boxes in case suspicious items are found, said the local
police chief, Abdul Madjid. Anything that looks like it might
be a bomb should be placed in the one-meter (three-foot) -deep
holes or in the boxes until the bomb squad or anti-terror
unit can get there, he said. Indonesia is the world's most
populous Muslim nation, but most people practice a moderate
form of the faith. Attacks against Christians,
who form just 8 percent of the population, have increased
amid a global rise in Islamic radicalism. (December
16th 2005, AP)
Garuda Plane Makes Emergency Landing
A Garuda plane carrying 322 hajj pilgrims from Yogyakarta
made an emergency landing at Sukarno-Hatta Airport in Cengkareng,
Banten, at 01.40 p.m. on Sunday due to engine trouble. The
plane took off from Adisumarmo Airport in Solo, Central Java,
at 12.10 p.m, the spokesman of the Adisumarmo embarkation
point, H. Akhmad Su`aidi said. To carry the hajj pilgrims
to Saudi Arabia, Garuda replaced the plane with another one
with the same crew attendants, he said. He said the substitute
plane was originally planned to carry hajj pilgrims from Kudus
district, Central Java, who will depart for the Holy Land
on Monday.( (December 18th 2005, Antara News)
Jimbaran Hills Burglar Shot Dead
22 Year old Syahrul originally from East Lombok was shot dead
during an armed hold up at a Gatot Subroto property on Sunday
(18/12), a police spokesman said. Police suspect that Syahrul
was also involved in the armed robbery of Jimbaran Hills woman
Julie McNally in November of this year. Ms. McNally suffered
multiple stab wounds requiring over 3 hours of surgery to
repair the gashes. Syahrul has also been implicated in the
robbery / murder case that occurred in March of 2004 when
security guard, Johanes was fatally stabbed at the Perumahan
Gatot Subroto Estate. Johanes was apparently viscously attacked
when he disturbed Syarhul during a robbery. Police suspect
that Syharul had been involved in over 6 armed robberies over
the past 2 years. Police have been given a directive to “shoot
to kill” if they are confronted with armed aggressors
or those suspected of vicious or excessively aggressive crimes.
(December 19th 2005, Denpost)
DFAT Updates Indonesia Travel Warning
The Department of Foreign Affairs has changed its travel warning
for Indonesia amid concern terrorist groups are planning kidnappings
and church bombings. Indonesia has warned that terrorists
could target foreigners for abduction over the Christmas New
Year period and there has been intelligence suggesting that
there may be attacks on Christian churches. Australia was
already urging travelers to reconsider trips to Indonesia
because of the very high threat of terrorist attacks. Updated
advice says churches are a serious potential target. Foreign
Affairs Minister Alexander Downer says Indonesia's warnings
about kidnapping have also been included, with most concern
for business people and those working for non-government organizations.
"If this were to happen it would be of course a terrible
further development," he said. "It hasn't obviously
been such a tactic used in South-East Asia as it has been
in the Middle East, but never-the-less, it's something we're
very aware of." (December 22nd 2005, AP)
15 Year Old Girl Falls Pregnant to Her 70 Year old Grandfather
15 year old Made Sandat of Karengasem has fallen pregnant
to her 70 year old Grandfather after she had been sexually
abused by the elderly man for more than 3 years. Sandats parents
had become suspicious when they noticed the girls waistline
becoming larger. On questioning she admitted that she had
not had her period for 7 months; the pregnancy was later confirmed
by a local doctor. Sandat then confessed that her 70 year
old Grandfather Made Sukarma was the father of the child.
Only a matter of days after Sandat’s parents had
been made aware of the situation, Sandat’s baby was
stillborn. Police are still investigating the case. (December
24th 2005, Denpost)
183,000 killed in East Timor Under Indonesian Rule
An investigation into human rights violations has found at
least 183,000 people were killed in East Timor during its
24 years of occupation by Indonesia. The report by the Commission
for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation, says 70 per cent
of the deaths were at the hands of Indonesian security forces
or East Timorese militias trained by Jakarta. The report was
delivered to East Timor's President Xanana Gusmao in October,
who suggested to parliamentarians last month that its findings
and recommendations should not be made public. The commission
was set up in 2002 as an independent authority to investigate
rights violations from all sides during Indonesia's occupation.
Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 but the country's people
voted in favor of breaking away in a UN-sponsored ballot in
August 1999, and it gained full independence in May 2002 after
more than two years of UN stewardship. Militia gangs, which
the United Nations has said were recruited & directed
by Indonesia's military, went on an arson and killing spree
before and after the East Timorese referendum, killing about
1,400 independence supporters. (December 22nd 2005, AFP)
Aussies Find Web Site to Teach Terror
Australian security forces have discovered an Indonesian Web
site teaching how to murder Westerners. The Indonesian site,
which was discovered last month, gives potential terrorists
highly practical and simple instructions on how to shoot Westerners,
throw grenades into cars and attack pedestrians on footbridges
in the Jakarta suburb where the Australian embassy is located,
The Australian newspaper reported Saturday. The Web site,
called Anshar El Muslimin, warned of attacks against foreigners
at shopping centers, sports venues, hotels and Jakarta's zoo.
It showed detailed maps and diagrams of attack sites, as well
as escape routes. The site singled out the Kuningan area of
Jakarta, which hosts the Australian embassy, the International
Trade Centre and the Marriott hotel, the newspaper said. The
site may be linked to the Jemaah Ismailiya group and its most
prominent current leader, the Malaysian-born Noordin Top,
who is seeking revenge for the death, apparently by self-inflicted
explosion, of his chief bomb-maker and right-hand man recently
to prevent capture by Indonesian security forces. (December
23rd, UPI)
Dengue Fever Claims 3 More Lives in Bali
12 year old Endra Saputra of Kuta died at Sanglah General
Hospital on Thursday (22/12); 22 year old Putri Kartika Sari,
and 5 year old Ketut Juniari passed away on the previous Tuesday
(20/12). All three victims had been suffering from Grade IV
Dengue Hemorrhagic fever (the disease had progressed to cause
severe bleeding and dehydration in the victims). According
to Dr. Putu Andrika all 3 of the deceased victims had sought
medical attention too late and urged any persons suffering
from high fever (39 - 40 degrees Celsius), bone pain, headaches,
nausea and loss of appetite to seek medical attention immediately.
Over 700 people have been treated at Sanglah General Hospital
alone between the months of January and November this year,
and Sanglah, Bali’s largest hospital, currently has
over 70 in-patients suffering from the disease. (December
23rd 2005, Bali Post)
Santa Joins Indonesian Security Sweep
Santa isn't just filling stockings in Indonesia. He's also
checking packages for bombs in the world's most populous Muslim
nation, where authorities are gearing up to prevent possible
militant attacks. More than two dozen hotel security men dressed
like Santa Claus in red outfits with white trims used metal
detectors to inspect cars entering a five-star hotel in the
heart of Jakarta, where malls and hotels are all dressed up
for Christmas. As policemen with machine guns looked on, some
of Jakarta's Santa’s frisked visitors and opened bags
to check for any unwanted Christmas gifts. "We're doing
this to celebrate Christmas. Hopefully, we can do this again
next time," said Nyoman, one of the 27 security guards
dressed up as Santa Claus at Mandarin Hotel. Indonesian police
are gearing up to prevent possible terror attacks during the
Christmas and New Year's celebrations, deploying 61,000 personnel
throughout the archipelago, a senior police official said.
(December 24th 2005, AEDT)
Bali Airport Doesn't Meet Standards
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration said the Bandara
Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia, does
not meet security standards. Based on an assessment by a team
of security experts from TSA, the Department of Homeland Security
has determined that the airport does not currently maintain
security measures consistent with the standards established
by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Homeland
Security has directed air carriers issuing tickets for travel
between the United States and Indonesia to notify ticket purchasers
in accordance with this determination. Homeland Security also
directed that the identity of this airport be displayed prominently
at all U.S. airports and published in the Federal Register.
U.S. and foreign air carriers that fly directly between the
United States and Indonesia are temporarily providing additional
security measures that counter the deficiencies identified
at the airport. (December 24th 2005, UPI)
Earthquake Causes Panic in Sulawesi
An earthquake of magnitude 6.3 caused panic among residents
of Indonesia's eastern island of Sulawesi Wednesday
(21/12). Officials said there were no immediate reports
of casualties or damage. An official at Japan's Meteorological
Agency said chances of a tsunami were low. The earthquake's
epicenter was located in the Molucca Sea between Sulawesi
and the Moluccas islands, Indonesia's Meteorological and Geophysics
Agency said. The quake struck around 2 p.m., causing some
residents in the city of Manado in northern Sulawesi to flee
their homes. (December 21st 2005, UPI)
Infants Suffer from Malnutrition in Makasar, Sulawesi
At least 20 children under the age of five in Makassar, South
Sulawesi, are believed to have suffered malnutrition but the
local administration said it did not want to be blamed for
the case. The infants came from poor families living in suburbs
of the city, sources said here on Sunday. Zohra Daeng Tati
said she knew her son Agus (1.5) suffered malnutrition after
bringing him to a nearby clinic. "We only get medication
from the clinic to lower my son’s temperature. No other
assistance like milk or other food is provided," she
said. Sabil (1), Syaifullah`s son, also suffered from the
same disease. Syaifullah, father of three children, admitted
he never brought his son to a hospital or clinic though Sabil
weighs only three kilograms. "I have no money to pay
Sabil`s medical bill," said Syaifullah, a pedi-cab driver.
Makassar mayor, Ilham Arif Sirajudin, meanwhile expressed
regret over the case and said that he did not want to be blamed
for it. According to him, Makassar is known as a rice bowl
and his office has prepared facilities and medical equipment
for hospitals and clinics which could be used by poor families.
"However, they do not use what the administration has
provided. They tend to be passive and always ask for pity
from the government without taking preventive measures by
using the available medical facilities," he said. (December
19th 2005, Antara News)
