Brebes, Central Java (ANTARA News) - Farmers in the onion producing district of Brebes, Central Java, urged the government to stop import of onion because it was hurting them very much.

“Onion farmers in Brebes have actually been requesting the stoppage for years ago but it was always ignored,” Suratmo (50), the chief of Tani Makmur farmers group, said in a dialogue with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here on Friday.

President Yudhoyono was in Brebes as part of his Ramadhan tour of several regions in Central and West Java.

Suratmo said farmers had made the request several times to ministers that had come to the region including the minister of agriculture and the minister for people`s welfare but until now imported onions are still circulating and abundant.

He said it was reported that imported onions that entered Brebes were for seedling purposes but the fact was that they were freely sold in the market and not used as seedlings.

“If they are used for seedling they must have leaves but the onions that came had no leaves,” he said.

He said although the price of red onion had stabilized in the past three days at Rp6,500 per kilogram farmers remained restless because supply of imported onion remained abundant to make the price of local one to drop and hurt the farmers.

He said the arrival of imported red onion to Brebes had made the price of local onion to drop because the price of the imported onion was lower than that of the local one although in terms of quality onion produced in Brebes is better.

“Farmers sincerely hoped that the President would stop the import of onion so that farmers in Brebes could have better welfare,” he said.

In response President Yudhoyono said he would ask the minister concerned to regulate the distribution of imported onion as well as fruits.

“The price of local red onion has now been stable at Rp6,500 per kilogram. It is hoped farmers could enjoy the profit with the abundant harvest and standard price,” he said.

He said price of red onion should be able to give profit to farmers but at the same time not burden consumers.

President Yudhoyono said the government would continue increasing the budget for agriculture for use in increasing agricultural production.(*)

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Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono already knows the contents of a Wikileads report on the allegedly close relationships a number of cabinet ministers have been enjoying with the US, presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said.

“Yes. He already knows it but it was not directly reported to him,” he said at the presidential palace here on Friday after a fast breaking function hosted by President Yudhoyono with media leaders.

Julian however also said that President Yudhoyono had no plan yet to summon the ministers concerned.

He said there was nothing negative in the report. He said if a minister had good relations with the US government it meant he had no problem with the super power.

“The word `alliance` there means there is no friction or political problem with the US. That is good,” he said.

As an example, Julian referred to the case of Marty Natalegwawa who received a congratulatory message from a US official after he was named foreign minister. He said this was a common thing in international diplomacy.

“If it was said Marty Natalegawa as foreign minister is supported by the US because of non-institutional closeness that, I think, is exaggerated,” he said.

Julian said the closeness of environment minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta with a number of parties in the US was also something positive in the context of the two countries` friendship relations.

He said Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro had also been maintaining a wide network of relations with the US since the time he was minister of energy and mineral resources.

“Having good relations with US officials is not bad, is it?,” Julian he said.(*)

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Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A number of lecturers of state University of Indonesia (UI) and non-governmental organization activists have voiced a protest against the awarding of an honorary degree to Saudi Arabian King Abdullah by the university recently.

“The presentation of the award is very embarrassing and degrading the Indonesian nation. Moreover, the presentation of the award was done not at UI but in Saudi Arabia,” Thamrin Amal Tamagola, a lecturer at the university`s department of social and political sciences, said when reading out the protest statement at the parliament building here on Friday.

The statement was read in the presence of a number of UI lecturers such as Saparina Sadli, Taufik Bahauddin and Effendi Ghazali as well as activists from NGOs such as Anis Hidayah from Migrant Care and Agus Pambagio from the Indonesian Consumers Protection Foundation (YLKI).

Thamrin said the decision of UI Rector Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri to give the honorary degree to the Saudi King was never discussed before with the board of professors.

“The rector has embarrassed UI and the Indonesian nation with his action,” he said.

He said Saudi Arabia was a country that did not respect human rights, especially the rights of Indonesian migrant workers.

Various human rights violations had happened in Saudi Arabia including sexual abuse, torture and murder.

“One of the latest victims (of human rights violations in that country) was Ruyati who was beheaded for violating the country`s law which is against international norms,” he said.

Thamrin said the UI rector`s decision to give the Saudi King an honorary title for humanitarianism was against the conscience of the Indonesian nation which had not yet forgotten the fate of Ruyati.

He said it was even suspected that the UI rector`s action had been part of some kind of a deal he had made with the Saudi King.(*)

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Ist Half Report - 2011

     Jakarta, 25 August 2011 (ANTARA) - PT Timah (Persero) Tbk reported today’s its Company performance on first half 2011.

     Business Situation:

     * The highest refined tin price in LME on the first semester 2011 was US$ 33,255/mt and the lowest was US$ 24,600/mt with the average price of US$ 29,337/mt, or 67% higher than that on the same period in 2010 of US$ 17,529/mt.

     * Global demand of refined tin expected to continue to rise over the next few years. Moreover, global refined tin consumption on 2011 is estimated 2% higher than last year the same period.

     * Company seek to increase revenue by focusing on premium tin sales as well as downstream product development.

     Production and Sales:

     * Company seek to reduce dependence from onshore mining by increasing offshore production capacity. Meantime, company is constructing new type of dredge called Bucket Wheel Dredge (BWD) with better technology that able to mine deeper compare to our existing Bucket Line Dredge (BLD) in order to support company management strategic plan to go offshore go deeper.

     * Tin ore production volume from offshore operation during first semester is 8,255 ton Sn, 9% decreased from the same period in 2010 which is 9,085 ton. Sn. Meanwhile, tin ore production from onshore operation is 9,446 ton Sn or 11% higher than that of the same period in 2010 of 8,503 ton. Sn.

     * Refined tin production by the end of June 2011 is 18,455 mton while refined tin production on first semester 2010 is 19,501 mton.

     * Refined tin sales on the first half 2011 is 17,457 mton or 12 % lower than that of same period in 2010 which was 19,760 mton.

     Financial:

     * Refined tin price average received by the company during the first half 2011 is US$ 29,541 which is 69% higher than that of the same period in 2010 of US$17,529.

     * Company consolidation income on first semester 2011 is Rp 4,830 billion or 29% higher than the same period on 2010 was Rp3,749 billion. Gross profit and net income on first semester 2011 is Rp 1,253 billion and Rp 689 billion respectively. While gross profit and net income on first half 2010 was Rp 689 billion and Rp 322 billion respectively.

     * The company balance sheet for period ended of 30 June 2011, amount of total assets Rp 6,528 billion or 11% higher, compared with the position on 31 December 2010 which was Rp 5,881 billion. Increase in value of these assets is also accompanied by an ascension of current liabilities to 32%. Value of current liabilities on 30 June 2011 is Rp 1,675 billion and the same value of debt on 31 December 2010 is Rp 1,269 billion.

     Annual General Meeting of Shareholder

     * On June 2011, the corporate conduct AGMS, and one result on its decisions is the determination of devidend, 50% of the net profit or Rp. 94.17 per share. Total cash dividends is Rp. 473,968,000,000.- paid in cash on 4 August 2011.

     * 65% from the dividend of Rp. 308,079,200,000.- is paid to Republic of Indonesia government and 35% is paid to public shareholder which is Rp. 165,888,800,000.-

     Tins Shares [ tins ]

     * On the first semester 2011, tin shares price fluctuated on the highest position at Rp 2,925.- and the lowest Rp 2,375.- per share. On 30 June 2011 ths closing price was Rp 2.500 slightly decreased compared to the opening price on 3 January 2011 of Rp 2,850.-

     
PT Timah (Persero) Tbk and Subsidiaries
Summary of Operation Performance on 2nd Quarter and 1st Semester of 2011 and 2010

                                                          2nd Quarter                                  1st Half
                                                    2011                2010                 2011                    2010
Production
* Earth Moved - m3     
   * Onshore                           1,120,942        1,154,573            2,015,870      2,168,077                                        
   * Offshore                           7,769,139        8,968,309          15,021,906    17,941,535
      Total                                 8,890,081      10,122,882          17,037,776    20,109,612

* Tin-in-concentrate
- tonnes Sn
   * Onshore                                  4,793                3,262                   9,446            8,503
   * Offshore                                  4,779                6,929                   8,255            9,085
      Total                                       9,572              10,191                 17,701          17,588

* Refined Tin Production
- Mton                                           9,952              10,236                 18,455          19,760

* Sales                  
   Refined Tin Sales timah
- Mton                                           9,465                9,990                17,457           19,760

* Inventory
   * Tin-in-concentrate
   - tonnes Sn                                 1,294                1,757                   1,294            1,757
   * Slag - ton                                 5,363                6,888                   5,363            6,888
   * Refined - Mton                         3,685               2,722                   3,685             2,722
   * Tin Solder - Mton                        188                  392                      188                392

Performance Parameter

Exchange rate -end- Rp / US$        8,597               9,083                   8,597              9,083
Exchange rate -av - Rp /US$          8,621               9,114                   8,771              9,192

Tin Price Received -av-
US$/Mton                                   29,435               17,959                 29,541            17,529

Production cost
- US$/Mton                                 22,426               15,288                 22,136            14,118
Delivered cost
- US$/Mton Timah                       24,294               16,495                 23,676            15,123
Delivered Cash cost
- US$/Mton                                 24,664                15,591                22,876            14,289

Margin per ton - US$                   5,141                 1,465                  5,865               2,406

For Further Information please contact:
Abrun Abubakar, Corporate Secretary
Tel : +62 21 2352 8000
Fax : +62 21 344 4012
Email: corsec@pttimah.co.id
www.timah.com

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Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. (ANTARA/Prasetyo Utomo)

Tegal, Central Java (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono left Tegal for Jakarta by train on Friday afternoon, ending his five-day Ramadhan safari which took him to several places in West Java and Central Java.

The President left Tegal railway station at around 12.00 western Indonesian time, accompanied by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and a number of ministers, including Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, National Education Minister Mohammad Nuh, Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto, and State Minister for Cooperatives and Small Businesses Syarif Hasan.

During his five-day Ramadhan safari, the President visited a number of places in West Java and Central Java, such as Ciawi, Cianjur, Cipatat, Padalarang, Nagreg, Tasikmalaya, Wanareja, Majenang, Purwokerto, Banyumas, Brebes and Tegal.

The President said he held the safari to see for himself the activities carried out by the public in a number of places.

“The objective of my safari was to meet and hold get-together with local residents,” he said.

Yudhoyono said he used the safari to inspect the conditions of several elementary school buildings which were no longer fit for learning because they were damaged lightly or heavily.

According to him, 10-15 percent of elementary school buildings in Indonesia were in bad condition and no longer fit for learning. Therefore, the government intended to improve elementary school buildings across the country in three years` time by making efficient use of the existing budget.

During the safari, the President also visited public health service posts in remote areas to see the condition of health services for the local people.

He also held dialogs with farmers and fishermen in Cilacap, Brebes and Tegah districts. The President said the government had committed itself to improve the living standard of farmers and fishermen.

“We also inspected the offices of village heads to see how they serve the public,” he said.

(Uu.S012/HAJM)

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(ANTARA/Muhamad Nasrun)

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Bank Indonesia (BI) has prepared a combination of dollar sales and purchase of state securities (SBN) in the secondary market to maintain financial market stability, a BI official said.

The central bank`s director of monetary research and policy, Perry Warjiyo, said here on Friday so far the mechanism was selling US dollars and buying SBI (Bank Indonesia Certificates) at a different time when the rupiah exchange rate and the price of government securities (SBN) were under pressure.

“With the new policy BI could act simultaneously namely selling US dollars while at the same time buying SBNs. This is a new mechanism and will be taken in case of pressure such as capital outflow,” he said.

He said if a huge capital outflow occurs the new mechanism would be applied so that the exchange rate of the rupiah and the price of SBNs could be maintained.

“We have never done it before because so far the intensity of pressure has never been very big and could still be overcome using the old procedure,” he said.

He said BI would apply the new mechanism based upon indicators such as how much investors withdraw their funds in shares, bonds and SBI and the drop in the price of SBN and shares and the development of liquidity in the money market and interest rates.

“We would monitor the indicators every day and weekly,” he said.

In view of the current world economic situation Perry said BI would continue maintaining the stability of the rupiah exchange rate which tends to continue to appreciate.

“The rupiah is already stable. We will keep maintaining it as capital inflows have started to happen again through bonds although its volatility would tend to be high,” he said.

(Uu.H-YH/HAJM/S012)

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Purnomo Yusgiantoro. (ANTARA)

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro saw off around 700 employees of his office and their families who embarked on a trip to their home towns or villages to celebrate the post-fasting holiday of Idul Fitri here on Friday.

They left in 36 buses which the ministry normally uses for the daily transportation of employees from home to office and vice versa.

“We wish to help them in their travel as they are members of the ministry`s extended family,” the minister said after seeing-off the employees and their families to areas around Yogyakarta and Solo in Central Java.

He hoped the employees would not be wasteful in using their money while on the holiday. “Do not let it happen that they have to continue to fast after returning to Jakarta again (because they lack money). They have a lot of money coming from their salary, Idul Fitri allowance, remuneration, September salary and others,” he said.

The minister gave the assurance that the buses although not air-conditioned were all road worthy. “We have checked them all and even briefed the drivers with regard to safety,” he said.

The employees were expected to return to their respective jobs on September 5. Those who did not return to the office on schedule would be given a sanction, he said.

“So far no employee has failed to come on schedule (after the holidays). Those who did fail to come happened to be sick,” he said.
(T.S037/H-YH/HAJM/F001)

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Sampit, Central Kalimantan  (ANTARA News) - The bodies of nine people who drowned after a speed boat with 40 passengers on board capsized in Central Kalimantan on Wednesday (Aug 24), have been found, a police officer said.

The speed boat accident killed nine people and the bodies of all of them have been recovered, Adjunct Commissioner Sumarya of the Central Kalimantan water police, said here on Friday.

The last two bodies were found by local fishermen on Friday morning at a location not far from the accident`s site.

The nine victims were identified as Krisno Mulyo Utomo, Tugiyati, Rudi, Rumaningsih, Doni, Sri Wilujeng, Nur Huda, Nisa and Wika Mareta Pangesti.

On the day of the tragic accident (Aug 24), five bodies were found and later buried in Sampit on Thursday (Aug 25) in one grave. Another body was discovered on Thursday.

The victims were members of one family who had just arrived from Surabaya, East Java, to celebrate Idul Fitri in Pegatan, Katingan Kuala sub district, Katingan District, Central Kalimantan.

“The joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team involving personnel of the Central Kalimantan water police, the Katingan Kuala police office, the Kotawaringin Timur and Pegatan ferry seaport authorities, the Samuda Naval post, Mentaya Hilir Selatan sub district, Kotawaringin Timur District, has stopped the search efforts because all of the victims` bodies were found,” he said.

Executive Administrator of Sampit Seaport Edi Sumarsono said the operation of the ill-fated speed boat to carry passengers was illegal because it did not have a permit.

Katingan water police spokesman Adjunct Commissioner Sudirman said here on Thursday that the speedboat carrying Lebaran holiday travelers was engulfed by huge waves at Cemeti strait between Kotawaringin Timur and Katingan districts at 8.30 local time on Wednesday.

Sudirman said the ill-fated speed boat, skippered by Aliansyah, left Mentawai Baru Hilir in Kotawaringin Timur district at 7 in the morning for Pegatan in in Katingan district but 90 afterward it was hit by big waves and then capsized at Cemeti strait.

(Uu.F001/HAJM)

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Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News/IRNA-0ANA) - Malaysian Ulama Association president Abdul Ghani Shamsuddin said on Friday that the World Quds Day is the day of Muslims’ call for justice and independence.

Talking to IRNA, Shamsuddin said the Middle East nations are today suffering from problems caused by the yoke of the Zionist Regime and the US over the region.

He said the World Quds Day provides the world people with an opportunity to voice their hatred of the main source of corruption in the world and the region.

He noted that the World Quds Day does not belong to Palestinian people only because it is a legacy of the late Founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini.

He said designation of the last Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan as the World Quds Day indicates the great personality, lofty ideas and far-sightedness of the late Imam Khomeini.

He noted that the World Quds Day is in fact the day of the campaign of the oppressed against the arrogance.

(T.A045/H-AK)

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Muhaimin Iskandar. (ANTARA/M. Agung Rajasa)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar has expressed concern over the arrest of two of his ministry`s officials by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) as bribery suspects.

“The arrests have shocked and disappointed me. Why could it happen in the ministry of manpower and transmigration,” he said after seeing off Idul Fitri holiday travelers going to their home towns or villages in a program financed by PT Indofood here on Friday.

Muhaimin said he was ready to allow the KPK to conduct its investigation of the two officials at his office.

He said he saw the arrest as a good momentum for all ministry officials to make improvements and not to fall to bribing attempts by outside parties.

“I am ready and will fully cooperate, if the KPK also wishes to question me. I have also ordered all officials to give whatever the KPK wants in connection with the investigation of the case,” he said.

He said he would continue monitoring existing manpower and transmigration ministry programs to prevent possible irregularities and also to ensure that its people`s resettlement programs in 19 districts were not hindered.

On August 25, KPK arrested the head of evaluation and planning department, Dadong Irbarelawan, the secretary of the Directorate General of Transmigration Area Development Supervision, I Nyoman Suisanaya, and businessman Dharnawati in three different places over bribery allegations.

(Uu.ANT-273/H-YH/HAJM/F001)

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