Stop extortion, harassment at airport: Migrants

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 11/23/2009 1:37 PM

New Gateway: Passengers pass a security check at the newly opened Terminal 3 at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport which, for the time being, is only servicing two airlines – Air Asia and Mandala Airlines. JP/Multa Fidrus

Troubled migrant workers have cried out against rampant extortion and sexual harassment at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on their return to Indonesia.

Marwa Yati, a migrant worker who was employed in Syria, was stranded at the airport for weeks since she had no money left to buy a plane ticket to her home village in Central Sulawesi.

After her two-year working contract ended, Marwa arrived in Jakarta penniless. She said she had been a victim of fraud at the hands of her agent and received no pay for all her work.

Marwa had spent more than two weeks in Terminal 4 after her remaining Indonesian money was given to officers at the special terminal. The National Agency for Labor Placement and Protection (BNP2TKI) has given her three food coupons a day, each worth Rp 8,000 (less than US$1).

Marwa failed to convince BNP2TKI of her case and has nobody to help her get home.

"My child offered to send me money to buy a ticket, but I told to him it was too expensive at Rp 2 million for one-way ticket to Sulawesi, *unless you buy it outside*" she said.

Marwa had previously filed her complaint many times at a center in Pasar Rebo, East Jakarta, concerning abuse she endured during her placement, however, the center had apparently refused to believe her.

"I went to the center and they told me they could not deal with me. *So* I said I was going to the Manpower Ministry and I asked for a letter. They told me to wait and not to go the ministry and to take a nap instead. I told them they could not sit on my complaint. I was abused for four months there," she told Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar and his entourage when they made a snap inspection of the migrant worker terminal.

"They said it was my fault for staying there two years. But, for me, it is not my mistake but the fault of the labor export company that sponsored my departure," she said.

Marwa was one dozens of troubled migrant workers who filed complaints that day. The center receives at least 30 complaints every day, but most are unable to get quick responses either from employers or related authorities.

The center only responds once migrant worker activists learn of migrants' stories and troubles. Unlike Marwa, some migrant workers return with loads of money. Such people are sitting ducks in Terminal 4 and are often forced to exchange their real or dollars with rupiah at low exchange rates, said Elly Anita, a former migrant worker who is now an activist in Migrant Care, an NGO providing advocacy for troubled migrant workers.

"I saw a migrant worker from Bandung who tried to hide her money in her underwear. Several people had found out and forced her to exchange it with rupiah. She came to us and we went straight to the police to make a report, but she decided not to go through with the process because they were not sure if police would process the case," she said.

Migrant Care executive director Anis Hidayah, who was among the minister's entourage, said officers at the terminal were liars because the extortion was committed in a systemic manner.

"*The workers* do not voluntarily exchange their money, but are forced and intimidated to do so. With these workers having rupiah to spend on souvenirs and other stuff, businesses in the terminal is thriving. So they are a kind of business syndicate that systematically extorts *migrant workers*," she said.

Anis questioned why a money changer offering a low rate was positioned precisely behind the terminal's waiting room, when a state-onwed bank was a long way from the terminal.

More than 1,000 migrant workers return to Indonesia via the terminal every day. The complaints center receives around 100 complaints on a daily basis, ranging from sexual harassments and rape to unpaid salaries, abuse and other violence. However, the cases are often shelved once migrant workers get insurance claims and can afford flights home.

Muhaimin declined to allow workers to leave the airport via Terminal 2 (which is for general passengers) because the terminal was deemed prone to extortion. "It would be better to isolate the workers' problem," he said.

Muhaimin said he was considering posting supervisors at the terminal to ensure better service for returning workers and troubled ones.

Rieke Diyah Pitaloka, a member of House's Commission IX on labor and health affairs, said the terminal should be closed down to allow the public to scrutinize the safety of returning workers.

Related Article:

Issues: `I was extorted at Terminal 3'

Govt eyes finalization of key airport projects

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 11/23/2009 9:14 AM

Airport development projects will be one of the priorities of the Transportation Ministry next year, including the finalization of ongoing expansion projects at three international airports, and constructing up to 31 smaller airports.

The three international airports being upgraded are Kuala Namu International Airport in Medan, North Sumatra, Lombok International Airport in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, and Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar, South Sulawesi — with a combined project value of more than Rp 5 trillion (US$509 million).

The ministry’s director of airports, Bambang Tjahjono, said over the weekend that the completion of these projects was urgent and would play vital roles in the economy, both in those regions and the nation as a whole.

“Lombok Airport, for example, will act as buffer for Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, which is already very busy,” Tjahjono said in an interview.

Lombok is a resort island situated around 70 kilometers east of the world-famous island of Bali.

With a 2,750-meter runway, Lombok Airport will be suitable for larger aircraft such as the Boeing 747, Tjahjono said.

The Lombok Airport complex is built on a 551-hectare plot of land, which is almost twice the size of Ngurah Rai. The project is estimated to cost Rp 802 billion, which is being jointly funded by state airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I and local provincial and regional administrations.

The project has been accelerated, with the government hoping to make it partly open for the public between December or January at the latest.

To the west, Medan’s Kuala Namu Airport is scheduled to be opened next year, following several delays triggered mostly by land acquisition problems.

“However, all the required land has been cleared. We are now stabilizing the land before beginning the construction of the 3,750-meter twin runways,” Tjahjono said.

With a 6.5-hectare passenger terminal, the airport will be the country’s second-largest airport after Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

The runway construction alone, funded by the state budget, is anticipated to cost up to Rp 1.2 trillion, with an overall cost of Rp 4.4 trillion.

“The passenger terminal and other facilities are the responsibility of PT Angkasa Pura II,” he said.

The construction of Kuala Namu began in 2006 and was targeted to replace Polonia International Airport that is situated near the center of Medan and has a difficult takeoff path because of its short runway.

Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport project in Makassar is now around 80 percent complete and is scheduled to be fully operational by 2010.

“Overall, the airport is 80 percent complete. We are now finalizing some minor infrastructure elements and facilities,” Tjahjono said. The 52,000-square-meter airport, the largest airbase in Sulawesi, can accommodate up to 8 million passengers per year.

In addition to the expansion of airports in those three cities, the government also plans to construct and develop 31 smaller airports across Indonesia.

“Most of the smaller airports will be funded by local administrations. The central government is only approving their proposals,” Tjahjono said. (bbs)

Reigning Champs Set Quick Pace for Tour d'Indonesia Field

The Jakarta Globe, Ami Afriatni

DKI Jakarta riders passing through the Semanggi area in Jakarta during the opening team trial on Sunday. DI Jogjakarta emerged as the fastest local team in the first stage, finishing fifth overall. (JG Photo/Safir Makki)

Defending Tour d’Indonesia champion Tabriz Petrochemical wasted little time setting itself apart from the rest of the field.

Averaging 48 kilometers per hour, the Iranian team blew away the field in the first stage in Jakarta on Sunday and won the opening team time trial in 15 minutes.

Another Iranian team, Azad University, finished second in 15:28.368, with the Japanese national team third with a time of 16:02.659. Plan B of Australia was fourth in 16:03.045, and DI Jogjakarta was the fastest Indonesian side after it took fifth in 16:14.757.

Tabriz’s riders are confident they can continue having success in the race, including the sprint events, despite one less mountain stage this year.

The Iranians dominated in the mountains in 2008, but organizers removed a steep climb from the fifth stage, from Purwokerto to Yogyakarta, because of safety concerns.

“We’re not really happy with the route because basically we’re all climbers,” 2008 individual champion Ghader Mizbani Iranagh said.

“But we’ll also try in the sprints. I hope we still can win the yellow jersey and I myself can defend my title.”

Mehdi Sohrabi of Tabriz, who claimed top spot in the Asian rankings this month, won the yellow jersey after posting the fastest time. Azad sprinter Amir Zargari took the green jersey for being the top sprinter.

Though there was no climb in the first stage, organizers awarded the polka-dot jersey to Kazuki Aoyanagi, who was the fastest on the third-place Japanese national team. Nugroho Kisnanto of DI Jogjakarta took the red and white jersey, which is awarded to the top Indonesian rider.

Nugroho, runner-up for the green jersey last year, said he has a chance to do one better after 2008 sprint champion Anuar Manan of Malaysia did not enter this year’s race.

“This is a good opportunity for me. I want to win the green jersey this year,” the 25-year-old said.

The 19 participating teams were transferred to Bandung following the time trial. Today’s second stage runs from Bandung to Tasikmalaya, West Java.

Sunday’s results

1. Tabriz Petrochemical (15:00.068)
2. Azad University (15:28.368)
3. Japan National Team (16:02.659)
4. Plan B Racing (16:03.045)
5. DI Jogjakarta (16:14.757)
6. Polygon Sweet Nice (16:21.158)
7. United Bike Kencana Kota Malang (16:28.000)
8. Putra Perjuangan Kota Bandung (16:33.327)
9. Road Bike Phils-7 Eleven (16:34.331)
10. Customs Cycling Club (16:35.017) Cycling
    
    

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One Reported Dead as Ferry Sinks off Indonesia's Sumatra Island; Rescue Underway

The Jakarta Globe

Ferry accidents are common in Indonesian waters. The 'Senopati Nusantara', above, sank off the coast of Java in late 2006 with some 500 people aboard. (Photo: EPA)

A ferry carrying 213 has sunk in rough seas near Indonesia's Riau islands, killing at least one person, police said.

Search teams are looking for survivors from the Dumai Express 10 which was sailing from Batam near Singapore to Dumai island in Riau when it ran into massive waves, Riau police chief Puji Hartanto told Metro TV.

The victim was a small child, according to kompas.com.

Survivors were spotted floating at sea, Hartanto said.

Separately, another ferry, the Dumai Express 15 with 278 people on board, ran aground after it was hit by large waves, said Riau police spokesman Yasin Kosasih.

All passengers and crew survived, he added. The ferry was travelling between Batam and Moro island.

Indonesia relies heavily on ferry services to connect the many islands in the sprawling archipelago, but accidents are common, largely due to years of under-investment in infrastructure and a tendency to overload ferries.

Reuters JG

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'Computer glitch' hits US flights

BBC News

Delays are affecting Atlanta airport, one of the world's busiest

A computer glitch affecting aircraft flight plans is causing cancellations and delays across the eastern US.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a computer system in Atlanta, Georgia, which processes flight plans is not working properly.

As a result, controllers are being forced to enter flight plans manually, the FAA says.

Delays will occur until the problem is solved, it says, but the safety of planes in the air is not affected.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been worst affected, according to US media reports.

"We are investigating the cause of the problem," the FAA said in a statement. "We are processing flight plans manually and expect some delays."

"We have radar coverage and communications with planes," it added.

Last August a similar computer failure delayed hundreds of flights across the US.

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'Cosmic rays' may have caused Qantas jet's plunge

Airport operator reaffirms unpopular policy

Desy Nurhayati, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar | Mon, 11/16/2009 10:27 AM

Island hospitality: Tourism and Culture Minister Jero Wacik (right), and Justice and Human Rights Minister Patrialis Akbar (second right) talk to tourists at Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar, Bali, on Sunday. The government promised to improve services for foreign tourists at the airport. JP/Ni Komang Erviani

The Ngurah Rai International Airport management has reiterated a flight policy that passengers transferring from international to domestic flights should conduct a series of procedures before boarding the second flight.

Last week, airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I was rebuked by an upset passenger, who had boarded at Narita Airport in Tokyo, Japan, heading to Jakarta, with a stopover at Ngurah Rai Airport for a transfer to a domestic flight.

The passenger complained about having to pay additional airport tax and conduct check-in procedures before moving to his Denpasar-Jakarta flight.

The passenger sent a furious message to the newly installed Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi, complaining about what he described as “improper services” and even asked the minister to dismiss Angkasa Pura’s director.

PT Angkasa Pura I general manager Heru Legowo said Friday that his company had already received similar complaints.

“We need to clarify this to avoid further misinterpretations.”

The passenger apparently thought he had used a transit flight and could directly move to the next flight without paying additional airport tax and undergoing custom and immigration clearance procedures.

In fact, Heru underlined, the passenger had used a transfer flight, which has different procedures to that of transit flights.

“In transfer flights, passenger should conduct another security check, customs clearance, and pay another airport tax. Passengers also use different aircrafts. While in transit flight, passengers use the same aircraft and they don’t need to conduct such procedures.”

In this particular case, he went on, the passenger used an international flight from Tokyo to Denpasar, and continued with domestic flight serving Denpasar-Jakarta route. Both flights belong to the Garuda Indonesia carrier.

“Transferring between international to domestic flights requires passengers to undergo such procedures, especially as we withdrew the mixed flight policy in May,” said I Wayan Sudiarta, Garuda Indonesia’s station manager for Bali.

He added that there was not yet a direct flight from Tokyo to Jakarta.

“The direct flight is only from Tokyo to Denpasar.”

To improve services, Angkasa Pura will expand the airport’s domestic and international terminals, as well as supporting facilities.

The Rp 1.6-trillion expansion project is scheduled to commence in January next year after being delayed for months, and is expected to finish within 30 months.

The 15,000-square meter domestic terminal will be expanded into 120,000-square meter international terminal, said Heru Legowo.

“The domestic terminal has been overcrowded. It only has a capacity of 1.5 million passengers per year, but now we have had around 4.5 million passengers per year.”

He said the expansion would allow the airport to accomodate around 20 million passengers per year, from around the current nine million passengers per year.

The airport operator also asked Bali administration to improve access around the airport to overcome traffic congestion.

Indonesian Ministers Find Bali’s Airport in Sad Shape

The Jakarta Globe, Made Arya

Denpasar. Long visa lines, broken computers, filthy bathrooms and leaky roofs. Such was the situation at Bali’s international airport on Sunday during a snap inspection by two cabinet ministers.

The woeful state of Ngurah Rai International Airport is threatening to become a national embarrassment and a liability for the nation’s top tourism destination. And some tourists gave an earful to Tourism Minister Jero Wacik and Patrialis Akbar, the minister of law and human rights, during their surprise visit.

“I heard some [immigration] officers say to the minister that it only takes 45 seconds to issue a visa on arrival. But I queued for 15 minutes just now,” said one Australian tourist named Lizza.

It was easy to see why. Six of the 25 visa on arrival counters at the international arrivals hall were closed because their computers were broken, officials said.

Patrialis and Wacik witnessed first-hand the long queues. “We want all the counters to be well-functioning and manned by officers. Tourists should be in their [taxi] cabs within 15 minutes if we have good service,” they said.

One Indonesian tourist told the ministers the domestic terminal had its own problems, including leaky roofs as the air-conditioners dripped water, dirty entrance and walls in the toilets, and many broken luggage trolleys.

Just two years ago, Ngurah Rai was named the country’s best airport by the Ministry of Transportation. But last week, the airport’s operator said it could no longer handle the huge volume of travelers, 45 percent of who are domestic travelers. It processes more than nine million passengers a year.

Patrialis said the surprise inspection was part of his ministry’s 100-day program to improve airport immigration services. There were many complaints about Ngurah Rai, he said. “Do not let the tourists down. We must give our best service,” Patrialis said.

Wacik also suggested limiting the shops at Ngurah Rai, because it is not a transit airport. “Ngurah Rai is not like Changi in Singapore. If the tourists want to shop, let them shop in Sukawati [handicraft] market instead,” he said.

KPPU Targets Airlines with Unfair Business

Kompas, Jimbon, FRIDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2009 | 3:48 PM

Boeing 747 refueling at Internasional Airport Juanda, Surabaya, East Java Timur (KOMPAS/IWAN SETIYAWAN)

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — Efforts from The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) to prove the existence of a cartel in fixing the fuel surcharge is quite serious. Now, the KPPU intends to charge a number of airlines with a new chapter of law.

Previously, KPPU accused a violation of fuel surcharge by 12 airlines. KPPU considered this practice to be in violation of Chapter 5 of the Law No. 5, 1999, regarding the prohibition of monopoly practices and unfair business competition. The conclusion was, that there were indications that the airlines made a unilateral agreement to fix the price.

Now, the KPPU will charge with another chapter. "We will have a new chapter, which is chapter 21. The indication will be that an airline has done an unfair practice by fixing unilaterally the fuel surcharge price," said the Communications Director of KPPU, Ahmad Junaidi, Thursday.

Based on chapter 21, the KPPU will charge the airlines for fixing the unilateral fuel surcharge price that tends to go up every year.

Seeing that the indication of unfair practice of the fuel surcharge case getting worse, now the KPPU has elevated the status of this case from preliminary investigation to follow-up investigation by upholding No. 1036/KPPU/PEN/XI/2009. "It was decided on November 9, with an investigation period of 60 days, plus 30 working days if required," said Ahmad.

However, so far only some of the 12 airlines have fulfilled KPPU's summons. Six other companies are still waiting for the reschedule of their summons - PT Kartika Airlines, PT Trigana Air Services, PT Mandala Airlines, PT Travel Express Aviation, PT Linus Airways, and PT Sriwijaya Air.

The effect of KPPU's investigation has caused the airlines to adapt with the situation. Currently, the Department of Transportation and the airlines has planned to include fuel surcharge price as a tariff component.

Not all airlines agree yet with the plan. But at least there is an effort to clarify the fuel surcharge.

"The calculations have been set, it's only a matter of setting the agreement. We will discuss this with the KPPU," said Managing Director of Lion Air, Edward Sirait some time ago. (Yudho Winarto, Gentur Putro Jati/Kontan/C17-09)

RI to purchase trainer, attack aircraft from Russia, China

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 11/13/2009 8:58 AM

Indonesia will purchase new trainer/light attack aircraft from Russia and China as part of an effort to revitalize its primary defense system, says newly sworn-in Air Force chief of staff Vice Marshal Imam Safaat.

He said the new jets, consisting the Yak-130 from Russia and the FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle from China, would replace the squadrons of British Hawk Mk-53 jets and American OV-10 Bronco.

The Air Force has 20 Hawk Mk-53, and eight turboprop-driven OV-10 Bronco aircraft that are around 30 years old.

“We plan to replace them in the next couple of years. We have done feasibility studies for the purchases, and will propose them to the government soon,” Imam said after the handover ceremony at Halim Perdanakusumah Air Force Base in East Jakarta. Imam replaced Marshal Subandrio.

It would be the first time Indonesia purchases warplanes from China and the second from Russia after the United States embargoed the supply of spare parts for its F-5E Tiger II and F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighters and C-130 Hercules transport planes in 1999 due to human rights abuses mainly East Timor.

The Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman, Rear Marshal Sagom Tamboen said the reshuffle in the Air Force leadership was conducted to improve its professionalism through the regeneration of leaders.

Sagom added the new Air Force chief was assigned to boost the country’s air defense system by increasing the quality of aircraft and equipment.

“It is our mission to reduce accidents during training and operational work conducted by Air Force personnel to zero,” he said.

Iman said the military aircraft had to be replaced soon because the Air Force had used the existing planes for more than 30 years.

Imam said further that the Indonesian Military had also planned to replace the old F-5E Tiger II jets.

“We expect to replace them by 2013,” he told The Jakarta Post.

Imam declined to mention the prices of the new aircraft, saying he had not yet discussed it with the government.

“They are expensive,” he said, adding the aircraft would be purchased using foreign aid.

Indonesia bought three Sukhoi fighter jets in February this year to strengthen aerial defense following a series of deadly accidents caused by outdated military aircraft.

The country now has seven Sukhoi-type fighters, all of which were purchased from Russia through a credit scheme. Three more are expected later this year.

Indonesia purchased the seven fighter jets from Russia through the seven-year credit scheme at a total price of US$335 million, but does not have to start making payments for five years.

TNI chief Gen. Djoko Santoso said the Air Force would focus on increasing the operational quality of its basic equipment and maintenance.

“That includes the improvement of the Air Force’s radar systems and air control power,” he said.

Sagom said the Air Force would also focus on improving personnel welfare, despite its limited budget, in addition to increasing safety standards for its primary weaponry defense system.

Sagom added that 70 percent of the Air Force’s budget was geared toward the welfare of personnel. The other 30 percent was for the maintenance of equipment and spare parts.

He said the Air Force budget was expected to increase to between Rp 5 trillion ($531.6 million) and Rp 7 trillion next year, up from Rp 4 trillion this year. (nia)

Car Free Day in the Old City

Thursday, 12 November, 2009 | 16:45 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The West Jakarta government is organizing a Car Free Day in the Old City area this Sunday at 06.00 AM to noon. “This is to control air pollution and provide space for the public,” said Mayor Mas Djoko Ramadhan yesterday at his office.

Different events will be held, such as fun cycling, physical exercises, music show, slow cycling race, drawing competition for children, museum tour, indoor football competition, bazaar, and quiz on the environment. “The first 100 visitors of the historical, puppet, and art museums will get free lunch coupons,” said Ramadhan.

Sofian

Karim Raslan: A Fresh Face for Garuda?

The Jakarta Globe, Karim Raslan

Even in the age of Ryanair and easyJet, a national carrier still plays an important role. (Photo: Globe Asia)

Even though I fly a couple of times a week — and should be sick of traveling by now — I’ve never lost my childhood fascination with airplanes and airlines. (I can still remember long-departed carriers such as MSA, BOAC and Pan Am.) So when I read that Garuda was undergoing a transformation, I became curious.

Of course, the changes were taking place on many levels: new routes, new planes and a new image as seen in the moody and evocative TV ads by Dentsu Start, not to mention the more prosaic but intriguing ads on print. (You know, the photo of the fully reclining seats and the list of international destinations being served by the new wide-bodied, Airbus 330-200 planes.)

Given that Garuda has been underwhelming for years, I was intrigued by the idea of a rejuvenated national carrier. Frankly, was it possible?

Since I had to make a quick trip to Hong Kong to speak at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, I decided to test the Indonesian flag carrier by booking a business class seat — just for good measure.

The past few months have witnessed a major shift in the way I travel, and I suspect I’m not alone in this respect. Trading down has become a fact of life for most of us. Before the financial crisis, I used to be a certified full-fare paying, business-class passenger. I would sit at the front of the plane, nibbling on roasted peanuts and sipping my orange juice. Nowadays, I’m a low-cost carrier man. I book online, select my seat then order my nasi lemak or sandwich (or pandesal when I’m on the Philippines’ Cebu Pacific Airlines) before I fly. It’s a very different experience, sitting alongside squalling kids, overseas-based workers and a photography club from Bogor going on its annual trip.

I’ve also started noticing minute differences among the carriers. The food on Jetstar sucks. Mandala’s planes are amazing. Cebu Pacific’s schedule is weird. (Its Jakarta-Manila flights depart after midnight, arrive at dawn and leave you jet-lagged.) And Air Asia’s flight attendants appear to wear the tightest of uniforms.

Even the terminals they use are different, reflecting their more plebeian market. Landing at Kuala Lumpur’s low-cost carrier terminal is not unlike stopping at a cheery, if crowded, suburban mall on a Saturday afternoon, except that there are a lot of people sleeping everywhere. (I haven’t tried Jakarta’s Terminal 3, but it looks sleek from the outside.)

While the flights aren’t so rarified, most of the crew are incredibly friendly. There’s a real buzz when you step onto the planes and the youthful zeal is infectious. By way of comparison, the legacy carriers — Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines and Garuda — are more restrained and at times, plain boring and listless.

Having said that, my Jakarta-Hong Kong trip on the new Garuda A330-200 was a pleasant surprise. The attendants were more energized and enthusiastic. One of them even took the time to explain to me how my seat and the in-flight video system worked, while I was served countless espressos and hors d’oeurves. When I mumbled disparagingly about the meal service, she looked downcast but insisted that I fill out a form “so that we can learn and improve, Pak .” Huh? That was new.

The seat was far more comfortable than either the Malaysia Airlines or even Cathay Pacific’s claustrophobic cabin set-up. (And yes, it really was flat.) The Airbus’s internal design was understated and subdued. If anything, the elegance was overly international and insufficiently Indonesian. Sadly, the stewardesses’ uniforms have not been updated, as they should be wearing kebayas instead. As I settled in to watch the in-flight movies, I soon forgot about the minor hitches and enjoyed the flight.

Even in the age of Ryanair and easyJet, a national carrier still plays an important role. It is a country’s flagship, embodying and, in turn, expressing the social, cultural and historical attributes of a people. Given the Indonesian culture’s diversity and scale, the responsibilities of a national carrier aren’t easy. Nevertheless, as the republic emerges from a “lost” decade, it is important that Garuda captures the enthusiasm and the warmth of its people. The airline needs to project itself as the “face” of its nation.

Garuda’s new planes and its new livery are great. But for me, the change in attitude, as demonstrated by the flight attendants, is far more important. They exuded pride and were genuinely excited with what they were doing. This kind of enthusiasm is infectious. It’s also transformational.

Karim Raslan is a columnist who divides his time between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Merpati prepares fund for leasing new planes

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 11/11/2009 3:15 PM

Merpati Airlines, revealed Wednesday that the company will lease seven ATR-72 aircraft in the first quarter of 2010, costing US$80,000- $90,000 each per month, and that it planned to further lease a total of 22 planes by 2011.

“We will start with 7 planes in the first quarter of 2010 first. Hopefully by the beginning of 2011 we will lease all of 22 planes,” Merpati President Director Bambang Bakti told reporters at the office of state ministry for state enterprises in Jakarta.

He said that the company had allocated a budget for leasing those planes, which are from France, at about Rp 1 billion per aircraft per month.

“We also have prepared Rp 3-5 billion as additional an budget per aircraft for training for pilots and co-pilots, technicians, stewardesses, including maintenance and flying approval,” Bambang said.

Merpati is targeting to increase its routes from 150 to 200 routes using the new armada. The company also plans to create a hub, which will provide flying services to remote areas for its consumer.

Iranian attempts to smuggle meth inside fake leg at Jakarta airport

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang | Wed, 11/11/2009 3:51 PM

Customs and excise officers have seized 1.6 kilogram of crystal methamphetamine, locally known as shabu-shabu, worth Rp 3.6 billion (US$380,000) from an Iranian at the Soekarno-Hatta Interantinoal Airport.

Head of Banten Customs Office Bachtiar said Wednesday that the suspect, identified only by his initials MV, is 32 years old and concealed the drugs in an artificial leg he was using.

“Officers conducting profile analyses on passengers became suspicious when the suspect who arrived at the airport on Tuesday evening with Emirates Airways (EK-358) suddenly became nervous with an unusual way of walking,” he said.

Suspicion then led officers to examine the suspect’s luggage to no avail. When search was directed to is body, a package containing the drug attached to his artificial leg was found.

“Hiding drugs inside artificial leg to smuggle then into the country is a new modus,” he said.

According to Bahctiar, the suspect claimed that this was his first visit to Indonesia and he planned to stay at a hotel in Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta.

Meanwhile, Gatot Agung Wibowo, head of intelligence section at the custom office said after being interrogated, officers concluded that the suspect was only a courier who would be paid Rp 15 million should he manage to submit the drugs to someone at the hotel.

“The suspect claimed that he would use the money he would receive to pay for loan to the company where he work. He owed the company after a car accident and used the money for treatment fees at a hospital,” he said.

Gatot said the suspect had violated the 2009 law on drugs and if proven guilty, he will likely face death penalty.

Last month, officers foiled a dozen drug smuggling attempts by Iranians. Officers have seized more than 50 kilograms of shabu-shabu in crystal and liquid forms and have arrested 15 Iranians, most of them housewives.

Robust local economy to fuel demand for air travel: INACA

Rendi A. Witular , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Tue, 11/10/2009 9:41 AM | Business

JP/Irma

A booming economy at the provincial level, coupled with an expected global economic recovery, is becoming the main driver of growth in the local airline industry next year, an association says.

Chairman of the Indonesia National Air Carriers Association (INACA) Emirsyah Satar told The Jakarta Post recently that because Indonesia’s economy remained heavily dependent on the local economy, local airline operators would tap more opportunities from business activities at the provincial level.

“This year, the legislative and presidential elections helped keep local airline operators afloat amid the global financial crisis.

But next year, the driver will be economic activities at the provincial level,” said Emirsyah who is also president director of state-owned flag carrier Garuda Indonesia.

Emirsyah forecast growth in domestic passenger traffic will reach as much as 10 percent this year and at least another 10 percent next year.

According to the Transportation Ministry, domestic passenger traffic reached 46.3 million flights in 2008.

Domestic flights account for 60 to 70 percent of all services provided by the country’s aviation industry.

Emirsyah also said international air travel was expected to start recovering next year from the current 8 percent decline in passengers and to reach upwards positive growth.

JP/Irma

The number of international passengers traveling in or out of Indonesia topped 3.37 million last year, according to the ministry.

A roadmap designed recently by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has forecast the revival of the provincial economy to help fuel national economic growth despite an expected sluggish international market, including international business travellers into Indonesia.

Kadin believes that increased economic activities have started to reach the provinces outside Java since 2007, and are likely to gain better momentum next year as more business infrastructure is expected to be built, coupled with stable security and political conditions.

While Jakarta and Java now account for 55 percent of the national gross domestic product (GDP), this trend is likely to diminish as North Sumatra, Riau and Jambi will play a greater role as economic powerhouses in agriculture, particularly in palm oil, according to Kadin.

East Kalimantan will strengthen to become a hub for mining, oil and gas along with the Riau Islands.

The lobby group also indicated a shift in the spread of financial benefits from accumulating mainly in Jakarta towards accumulating in other provinces outside Jakarta, as indicated by shrinking third party funds in Jakarta banks.

It was not until 2007 that Jakarta lost its decades-long dominance in contributing the lions share of bank’s third party funds, falling from 67 percent to 36 percent of the total.

Provinces in Sumatra and the eastern part of Indonesia now account for more of these funds, according to Kadin. This means

more people in these areas have managed to set aside some of their income in banks as they are getting more prosperous.

This reflects that Indonesia is rich in natural resources, including palm oil, coal, tin, gold, spices, nickel, gas, and oil and that more of this wealth is now being retained in the provinces.

Garuda to spend $100m on expansion, new aircraft

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 11/10/2009 12:38 PM

Garuda Indonesia will spend US$100 million next year as part of its five-year expansion plan, which aims to increase the national flag carrier's fleet from 67 to 116 aircraft by 2014, to serve 27 million passengers.

"We plan to spend $100 million in capital expenditure in 2010 to buy more planes as well as to fulfill Garuda's other operational expenditure," Garuda finance director Eddy Purwanto told reporters on Monday.

He said Garuda still requires yet more capital to improve its infrastructure to provide its passengers with wider and better services.

If it manages to achieve this expenditure target , then it will be the third time the airline spent has $100 million in capital expenditure or more in one year,. It also spent over $100 million on capital expenditure in 2008.

The 2009 capital expenditure (so far) used in part to purchase new Airbus aircraft from Toulouse in south western France and from Boeing in Seattle in the United States.

Next year's proposed spending will be part of the airline's ambitious five-year expansion program to make it not only the largest airline in the country, but also one that can compete with its regional rivals.

On Monday, Garuda received one new Airbus 330-200 and one new Boeing 737-800.

Garuda has ordered 10 new Boeing 777-300ERs and 50 Boeing 737-800s. Previously, the company has received three Airbus 330-200s and one Boeing 737-800.

"Until today, we have about 67 aircraft. So, by 2014 we will be targeting to have at least 116 aircraft," Garuda president director Emirsyah Satar said, adding that the expansion program called for the modernization and revitalization of the Garuda aircraft fleet.

With this larger fleet, Garuda will be able to strengthen and expand it regional presence, flying more routes and with greater flight frequency.

"We will increase our routes and our increase the number of flights from 1,700 times per week in 2009 to 3,000 times per week in 2014," Emisyah said.

He said that the company was targeting to serve 27 million passengers by 2014, up from 10.1 million passengers recorded in 2008.

Emirsyah is confident the company would be able to achieve its operational targets and make Rp 3.75 trillion ($397.5 million) in profits by 2014.

In 2008, the airline booked Rp 669 billion in profits, out of total revenue of Rp 19.4 trillion.

For this year, Garuda has set a minimum 10 percent growth target for net profits compared to a year earlier. In the first half of this year, net profits stood at Rp 612 billion.

The company is now preparing to sell 40 percent of its stake though an initial public offering (IPO) next year (in 2010), in a process Garuda expects to bring in $300 million to $400 million in proceeds.

"Our target is still on these figures," he said.

The planned IPO is part of a debt restructuring agreement between the company and its creditor Bank Mandiri to settle a previously unpaid debt of about $100 million.

The few, the wet

The Jakarta Post | Tue, 11/10/2009 11:47 AM

The Indonesian Military’s Marines clean up part of the Ciliwung River in the Juanda area, Central Jakarta, on Monday. The activity, involving more than 3,000 marines, was held in conjunction with the 64th anniversary of the corps, which falls on Nov. 15. JP/Nurhayati

Transport Safety in Eastern Indonesia Tops Ministry’s Goals in First 100 Days

The Jakarta Globe, Putri Prameshwari

Passenger safety, especially in the eastern part of Indonesia, remained one of Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi’s priorities for his first 100 days in office, top officials at the ministry said over the weekend.

Sunaryo, director general of maritime transportation, said that safety inspections would be carried out on ships throughout Indonesia.

“The priority areas include Medan, Batam, Pontianak and the eastern part of Indonesia,” he said, adding that the inspections were to ensure safe sea transportation for the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s holiday.

Sunaryo also said several routes would be reorganized to avoid a back up of passengers at certain ports.

“Some ships will be relocated from less crowded ports to busier ones,” he said.

Herry Bhakti Singayuda, the Transportation Ministry’s director general of civil aviation, said that improving air transportation in Papua would be another of the ministry’s priorities over the next three months.

“We are focusing on airports in Papua,” he said.

Herry said the ministry would expand and improve about 90 airports in the province, including transforming small air strips into commercial runways.

“Not all airports in Papua have air traffic controllers,” he said, “and that is what we are going to improve.”

He also said that several airports would be upgraded to create major hubs to link the province with other cities in Indonesia. He said the first of these hubs would be in Jayapura, Merauke, and several other large cities.

As part of the 100-day plan, the ministry’s railway and road departments aim to integrate mass transportation in metro areas.

Suroyo Alimoeso, director general of road transportation said the integration would begin in Jakarta by instituting a one-ticket policy for commuter trains and the busway.

“I think that this is one of the crucial points to be accomplished,” Suroyo said.

He also said transportation networks in bigger cities would be reworked to make them more environmentally friendly.

“Jakarta has done this by using some compressed natural gas-fueled public transportation,” he said, adding that other cities were expected to follow suit.

Tundjung Inderawan, director general of railways, said programs for railway revitalization would continue, including an improvement in rail corridors in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok and Bekasi.

“We will continue to clear the [areas close to the] tracks of houses,” he said.

Danang Parikesit, secretary general of the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI), said the ministry should have set more practical goals for its first 100 days.

“They should prioritize building better regulation as the basis of transportation,” Danang said, adding that the minister should focus on improving transportation services to all the country’s remote areas, not just those in the eastern part of the country.

“This is very important for Freddy, in order to get people to trust him as the new minister,” he said.

Police aircraft feared missing in Papua

Nethy Darma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua | Mon, 11/02/2009 5:55 PM

A skytruck airplane belonging to the Papua Police lost contact with the Sentani Airport tower as it was flying to Mulia Airport in the highland regency of Puncak Jaya on Monday.

Jayapura Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Matheus Fakhiri said the aircraft with the flight number P 4202 took off at 11:38 a.m. local time and should have landed at Mulia Airport at 1:30 p.m.

Piloted by Adj. Comr. Yunus, the plane was carrying four crew members and basic commodities for the mobile brigade police personnel on duty in Puncak Jaya.

Dozens of search and rescue team members were seen on preparing for a search mission at Sentani Airport later in the day.

“The search will start tomorrow morning,” head of Jayapura Search and Rescue Agency Suyatno said.

At least three airplanes have crashed in the foggy mountainous regency of Puncak Jaya this year.