About 29,000 Believed to Have Contracted AIDS in Papua
Experts have predicted that the number of people infected with the HIV/AIDS virus in Papua reached 29,000, a National AIDS Commission (KPA) official said. KPA chairman for Papua Constant Karma said here on Saturday (9/5) that the spread of AIDS infection in Papua was like a tip of the iceberg where the largest part was not seen. He said that the latest data released by the local health service of Papua indicated that there were 4,305 HIV/AIDS carriers in the province. But it was estimated that the real number of carriers had reached 29,000. (May 10th 2009, Antara News)
Bali to Host Congress on AIDS
Bali is to host the 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) on August 9-13 this year. “The congress in August will be attended by AIDS experts, observers, and victims from various countries,” ICAAP organizing committee chairman Prof Dewa Nyoman Wirawan said here on Wednesday (29/4). He said the congress, scheduled to be opened by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, would be held for the participants to exchange views on matters related to HIV/AIDS epidemic happening in Asia-Pacific countries. At least 5,000 participants from ten countries in the congress would also exchange views on the HIV issue. Nyoman Wirawan said the committee had appointed two locations, namely the area around Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue at Jimbaran hill, and Bali International Convention Center (BICC) in Nusa Dua, Badung district, as the venue of the congress. (April 29th 2009, Antara Nerws)
Bali Public Alerted on Swine Flu
Bali’s provincial authorities have urged local people to step up alertness in order to prevent swine flu from breaking out in the resort island. People are urged to pay more attention to cleanliness, sanitation and the environment, particularly at pig farms, Dr I Nyoman Sutedja, head of the Bali provincial health office, said here on Wednesday (19/5). The measures taken by the Bali authorities were in line with the instructions issued by the United Nations (UN) which urged all nations to take anticipatory steps, he said. Bali, as a world tourism destination, has made early steps by preparing three hospitals to be able to give medical treatment to people suspected of having contracted swine flu or Singapore flu if necessary, Sutedja said. The three hospitals are Sanglah General Hospital in Denpasar, Gianyar General Hospital in Gianyar, some 20km east of Denpasar, and Tabanan General Hospital in Tabanan, about 21 km west of Denpasar. The hospitals have special isolation rooms and trained doctors and paramedics to handle influenza-like illnesses. Meanwhile, Bali`s Ngurah Rai International Airport is also now on a full alert to prevent swine flu from entering the world-famous resort island. Any passenger and aircraft crew member coming from a foreign country must pass a thermal scanner to determine his or her body temperature, Alex Pujianto, general and human resources manager of the Ngurah Rai unit of PT Angkasa Pura I, said here on Wednesday. Passengers coming from swine-flu affected countries would go through a special checking procedure, he said. In Mexico, swine flu is believed to have killed 149 people while 776 others have been hospitalized, according to Mexican government statistics. The number of infections in the United States rose to 65, Canada has 13, and new cases were also confirmed in Israel and New Zealand. (April 29th 2009, Antara News)
Two Rare Elephants Killed in Indonesia
Suspected poachers killed two endangered elephants on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island. The Sumatran elephants were found dead without their tusks Thursday (7/5) in Riau province. Police were looking for the poachers who are believed to have used cyanide-laced pineapple to kill the animals, said Sahimin, an official at the local nature conservation agency. In March, another two Sumatran elephants were killed in Sumatra’s Bengkulu province. Conservationists said widespread destruction of elephant habitat through illegal logging and uncontrolled conversion of forests into oil palm and pulp plantations has created conflict between humans and elephants, which are forced to feed on the crops that replaced their natural food resources. Poaching has also been blamed for the dwindling Sumatran elephant population, the smallest among the Asian elephants. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), a global conservation group, estimates there are only about 3,000 Sumatran elephants left on Sumatra, the only island in Indonesia where they can still be found. They are listed as an endangered species and protected by law. (May 8th 2009, Earthtimes)
AirAsia Announces Direct Flights from Perth to Bali
AirAsia will fly the first direct service from Perth, Australia to Bali in Indonesia with promotional free seats to mark the occasion following an overwhelming response from customers. The AirAsia Indonesia group (an associate of AirAsia) will service the Bali- Perth route. AirAsia Indonesia is the second Indonesian airline to pass the strict regulations of the Foreign Airline Operating Certificate of Australia. This means the airline has met the requirements of the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASAA), demonstrating AirAsia’s high safety standard. The new route will be served by AirAsia’s brand new Airbus A320 aircraft, as the distance will require maximum 4 hours of flight. The A320 is one of the most modern aircraft that boosts efficiency, enhances reliability, reduces costs and provides higher service levels to AirAsia’s guests. (May 12th 2009, EHL)
Narcotics kill 51,000 in Indonesia Annually
As many as 51,000 narcotic drug addicts die every year in Indonesia, an official from the National Narcotics Agency, Thamrin Dahlan, said here on Thursday (7/5). “The number is very concerning. On average 41 addicts die every day or two per hour,” the agency’s Taskforce 1 coordinator said.Thamrin said most of the victims died not in therapy and rehabilitation centers but in the streets or entertainment places. “Mostly they died of complications of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and TB,” he said. He said the addicts mostly consumed heroin and most of them were afraid to seek medication at therapy and rehabilitation centers because of their stigma. With regard to the situation Joko Sarwoto from the Supreme Court said that Article 46 of Law Number 22 of 1997 on Narcotics needed to be popularized. The essence of the law is anyone consuming narcotic drugs is required to report to health services and in the case of under-aged drug users their families must do it. He said the policy was made so that narcotic users could enjoy the facilities provided by the government free of charge. (May 8th 2009, Antara News)
Australian Man in Jakarta Cleared of Swine Flu
An Australian man was hospitalized in Jakarta with suspected swine flu but has tested negative to the virus. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the man was taken to hospital after exhibiting flu-like symptoms, but tested negative to the H1N1 virus. “It is expected the man will be released early next week following a period of observation,” a DFAT spokeswoman said. (May 8th 2009, AAP)
Expatriate Boy Found Dead in Kuta
American expatriate boy Isa Alexander Schwaebe (22) was found dead on the Padma beach road at approximately 01.00 hrs on Saturday morning (9/5). Isa’s body was found slumped next to his motorbike, although it did not appear that he had been involved in a road accident. No post-mortem was performed. Isa was an American citizen; however he was educated in Bali and had lived on the Island for most of his life. A farewell ceremony attended by family, friends and fellow surfers was held at his Kuta home on Tuesday 12th May. (May 10th 2009, Denpost)
VW Signs Agreement for Indonesian Assembly
German carmaker Volkswagen AG said Monday (11/5) it had signed an agreement to set up an assembly plant in Jakarta with Indonesian partner Indomobil. Wolfsburg-based Volkswagen said local vehicle assembly operations are to be set up and started this year as a first step toward the long-term development of local markets. VW said initial production of several hundred Touran minivans starting this summer will gradually be increased and could include other vehicles. VW said the plans see expanding market share in the region beyond Indonesia and broadening the product offering to include other VW brands like Skoda, Audi and Volkswagen commercial vehicles. “Current trends on world markets clearly show how important the timely development of new growth regions is,” said Christian Klinger, a VW sales and marketing executive. “The only way to secure global growth and safeguard jobs is to focus on tomorrow’s markets,” he said in a short statement. (May 12th 2009, AP)
Australia Provides AUD $2.5 bln for Indonesia Development Projects
The Australian government has allocated AS$ 2.5 billion in funds for development projects in Indonesia, especially for the poverty eradication program, according to an Australian official. “Of the 2.5 billion Australian dollars, 462 million dollars are allocated in 2008-2009,” Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance Bob McMullan said here on Wednesday. Through the development assistance program, Australia and Indonesia work in partnership to alleviate poverty and promote regional peace, stability and prosperity. Bob McMullan is on a two-day visit to West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) for various activities including inaugurating State Junior High School (SMPN) 5 Gerung, West Lombok which was constructed with the funds from Australia, and visiting a clean water project development at Geria Village, as well as a maternity post at Gerung village. Australia has provided assistance for Indonesia, particularly since the 2004 tsunami, with focus on 110 million poor people who earn less than two Australian dollars per day, he said. (May 6th 2009, Antara News)
