(Subjects: Religion/Worship, Lightworkers, Food, Health, Prescription Drugs, Homeopathy, Innate (Body intelligence), New Age movement, Global Unity, ... etc.) - (Text version)

“…… Should I use Doctors and Drugs to Heal Me or Spiritual Methods?

"Dear Kryon, I have heard that you should stay natural and not use the science on the planet for healing. It does not honor God to go to a doctor. After all, don't you say that we can heal with our minds? So why should we ever go to a doctor if we can do it ourselves? Not only that, my doctor isn't enlightened, so he has no idea about my innate or my spiritual body needs. What should I do?"

First, Human Being, why do you wish to put so many things in boxes? You continue to want a yes and no answer for complex situations due to your 3D, linear outlook on almost everything. Learn to think out of the 3D box! Look at the heading of this section [above]. It asks which one should you do. It already assumes you can't do both because they seem dichotomous.

Let's use some spiritual logic: Here is a hypothetical answer, "Don't go to a doctor, for you can heal everything with your mind." So now I will ask: How many of you can do that in this room right now? How many readers can do that with efficiency right now? All of you are old souls, but are you really ready to do that? Do you know how? Do you have really good results with it? Can you rid disease and chemical imbalance with your mind right now?

I'm going to give you a truth, whether you choose to see it or not. You're not ready for that! You are not yet prepared to take on the task of full healing using your spiritual tools. Lemurians could do that, because Pleiadians taught them how! It's one of the promises of God, that there'll come a day when your DNA works that efficiently and you will be able to walk away from drug chemistry and the medical industry forever, for you'll have the creator's energy working at 100 percent, something you saw within the great masters who walked the earth.

This will be possible within the ascended earth that you are looking forward to, dear one. Have you seen the news lately? Look out the window. Is that where you are now? We are telling you that the energy is going in that direction, but you are not there yet.

Let those who feel that they can heal themselves begin the process of learning how. Many will be appreciative of the fact that you have some of the gifts for this now. Let the process begin, but don't think for a moment that you have arrived at a place where every health issue can be healed with your own power. You are students of a grand process that eventually will be yours if you wish to begin the quantum process of talking to your cells. Some will be good at this, and some will just be planting the seeds of it.

Now, I would like to tell you how Spirit works and the potentials of what's going to happen in the next few years. We're going to give the doctors of the planet new inventions and new science. These will be major discoveries about the Human body and of the quantum attributes therein.

Look at what has already happened, for some of this science has already been given to you and you are actually using it. Imagine a science that would allow the heart to be transplanted because the one you have is failing. Of course! It's an operation done many times a month on this planet. That information came from the creator, did you realize that? It didn't drop off the shelf of some dark energy library to be used in evil ways.

So, if you need a new heart, Lightworker, should you go to the doctor or create one with your mind? Until you feel comfortable that you can replace your heart with a new one by yourself, then you might consider using the God-given information that is in the hands of the surgeon. For it will save your life, and create a situation where you stay and continue to send your light to the earth! Do you see what we're saying?

You can also alter that which is medicine [drugs] and begin a process that is spectacular in its design, but not very 3D. I challenge you to begin to use what I would call the homeopathic principle with major drugs. If some of you are taking major drugs in order to alter your chemistry so that you can live better and longer, you might feel you have no choice. "Well, this is keeping me alive," you might say. "I don't yet have the ability to do this with my consciousness, so I take the drugs."

In this new energy, there is something else that you can try if you are in this category. Do the following with safety, intelligence, common sense and logic. Here is the challenge: The principle of homeopathy is that an almost invisible tincture of a substance is ingested and is seen by your innate. Innate "sees" what you are trying to do and then adjusts the body's chemistry in response. Therefore, you might say that you are sending the body a "signal for balance." The actual tincture is not large enough to affect anything chemically - yet it works!

The body [innate] sees what you're trying to do and then cooperates. In a sense, you might say the body is healing itself because you were able to give it instructions through the homeopathic substance of what to do. So, why not do it with a major drug? Start reducing the dosage and start talking to your cells, and see what happens. If you're not successful, then stop the reduction. However, to your own amazement, you may often be successful over time.

You might be able to take the dosage that you're used to and cut it to at least a quarter of what it was. It is the homeopathy principle and it allows you to keep the purpose of the drug, but reduce it to a fraction of a common 3D dosage. You're still taking it internally, but now it's also signaling in addition to working chemically. The signal is sent, the body cooperates, and you reduce the chance of side effects.

You can't put things in boxes of yes or no when it comes to the grand system of Spirit. You can instead use spiritual logic and see the things that God has given you on the planet within the inventions and processes. Have an operation, save your life, and stand and say, "Thank you, God, for this and for my being born where these things are possible." It's a complicated subject, is it not? Each of you is so different! You'll know what to do, dear one. Never stress over that decision, because your innate will tell you what is appropriate for you if you're willing to listen. ….”

Monsanto / GMO - Global Health


(Subjects: Big pharma [the drug companies of America] are going to have to change very soon or collapse. When you have an industry that keeps people sick for money, it cannot survive in the new consciousness., Global Unity, ... etc.) - (Text version)
"Recalibration of Free Choice"– Mar 3, 2012 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Caroll) - (Subjects: (Old) Souls, Midpoint on 21-12-2012, Shift of Human Consciousness, Black & White vs. Color, 1 - Spirituality (Religions) shifting, Lose a Pope “soon”, 2 - Humans will change react to drama, 3 - Civilizations/Population on Earth, 4 - Alternate energy sources (Geothermal, Tidal (Pedal wheels), Wind), 5 – Financials Institutes/concepts will change (Integrity – Ethical) , 6 - News/Media/TV to change, 7 Big Pharmaceutical company will collapse “soon”, (Keep people sick), (Integrity – Ethical) 8 – Wars will be over on Earth, Global Unity, … etc.) - (Text version)
"The Recalibration of Awareness – Apr 20/21, 2012 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Old Energy, Recalibration Lectures, God / Creator, Religions/Spiritual systems (Catholic Church, Priests/Nun’s, Worship, John Paul Pope, Women in the Church otherwise church will go, Current Pope won’t do it), Middle East, Jews, Governments will change (Internet, Media, Democracies, Dictators, North Korea, Nations voted at once), Integrity (Businesses, Tobacco Companies, Bankers/ Financial Institutes, Pharmaceutical company to collapse), Illuminati (Started in Greece, Shipping, Financial markets, Stock markets, Pharmaceutical money (fund to build Africa, to develop)), Shift of Human Consciousness, (Old) Souls, Women, Masters to/already come back, Global Unity.... etc.) - (Text version)
"THE BRIDGE OF SWORDS" – Sep 29, 2012 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: ... I'm in Canada and I know it, but I will tell those listening and reading in the American audience the following: Get ready! Because there are some institutions that are yet to fall, ones that don't have integrity and that could never be helped with a bail out. Again, we tell you the biggest one is big pharma, and we told you that before. It's inevitable. If not now, then in a decade. It's inevitable and they will fight to stay alive and they will not be crossing the bridge. For on the other side of the bridge is a new way, not just for medicine but for care. ....) - (Text Version)

Pharmaceutical Fraud / Corruption cases

Health Care

Health Care
Happy birthday to Percy Julian, a pioneer in plant-drug synthesis. His research produced steroids like cortisone. (11 April 2014)

Monday, November 30, 2009

US, RI partnership to fight HIV/AIDS continues

Antara News, Monday, November 30, 2009 14:51 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Under the international theme of "Universal Access and Human Rights," the U.S. Government is once again standing in partnership with the Indonesian Government in supporting World AIDS Day, which is observed on December 1, the US embassy said here Monday.

Indonesia`s theme this year is "Working together community/civil society and government can accelerate access for information, prevention, care and support for all", according to the US embassy in a press release.

World AIDS day provides us with the opportunity to recognize the significant strides we have made in the fight against HIV/AIDS over the last 25 years, and recommit ourselves to joint efforts to overcome the obstacles and challenges that remain, the embassy said.

This year, the governor of Jakarta, with the Minister of Health, the Minister for People`s Welfare and the Secretary of the National AIDS Commission in attendance will launch a program to provide universal access to HIV/AIDS services to most-at-risk populations: injecting drug users, commercial sex workers, clients of sex workers and men who have sex with men.

Other events include the public announcement of the National AIDS Strategy and Action Plan 2010-2014, teleconferences between the President of Indonesia and district governors on making political commitments to HIV/AIDS, and a press conference with HIV/AIDS experts, it said.

The United States supports Indonesia`s National AIDS Program with an annual $8 million HIV/AIDS program, the embassy added.

The U.S. program focuses on prevention efforts and technical assistance and capacity building with NGOs and district governments to expand services for most-at-risk populations in eight provinces where local epidemics are escalating, including; Papua, West Papua, North Sumatra, East Java, Jakarta, Riau Islands, West Java and Central Java.

According to 2008 estimates by UNAIDS, the HIV epidemic in Indonesia is among the fastest growing in Asia. The epidemic is concentrated primarily among injection drug users (IDUs) and their sexual partners, people engaged in commercial sex and their clients, and men who have sex with men. Across Indonesia, there are an estimated 270,000 people living with HIV/AIDS this year, it disclosed.


Dengue affects 70 percent of Sukabumi`s subdistricts

Antara News, Monday, November 30, 2009 00:48 WIB

Sukabumi, W Java (ANTARA News) - The Health Service of Sukabumi district has declared 32 of the 47 subdistricts (70 percent) in Sukabumi as dengue fever endemic areas.

Head of Contagious Disease Control Section of the Sukabumi Health Service, Tejo Sriwijoyo, said that up to October this year a total of 593 people had suffered from dengue fever.

But the figure is smaller than that in the same period a year earlier. "Up to October last year, the number of dengue sufferers had reached over 1,000 patients," Tejo said.

He said that the number of dengue endemic areas continued to increase since 2007. Only in two years, the number of subdistricts affected by dengue fever had reached 32.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Solidarity and mutual help remain strong: Minister

Antara News, Sunday, November 29, 2009 18:53 WIB

Solo, C Java (ANTARA News) - Social Affairs Minister Salim Segaf Al Jufri has said that mutual cooperation and solidarity among human fellows in the country remain strong as can be seen in the handling of street children here.

The minister who was accompanied by the Surakarta mayor, Joko Widodo made the statement here Sunday when inaugurating "Our School" for street children run by the Foundation for Women`s Empowerment and Isolated Children (PPAP) in Petoran, Solo, Central Java.

"We are really touched that the mutual cooperation and social solidarity of the people in Solo are still strong, and this can be seen in the handling of free-of-charge schooling for the street children. These children previously had no hope and future, but now they have hope and future," he said.

A total of 19 institutions including the regional governments have been taking part in handling the street children due to the complexity of the problem, the minister disclosed.

The handling of this problem is part of the first 100-day work program of his office, and the working visit of Salim Segaf Al Jufri to Solo was the second after visiting North Sulawesi province following his appoinment as a minister.

On the occasion, the minister extended financial aid amounting to Rp295.5 million to the Seroja foundation which handles the street children and Rp109.8 million for the Al Iksan foundation.


Govt drafting bill on health workers

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sun, 11/29/2009 12:08 PM

A Must for Indonesian Doctors to Work in Remote Areas (KOMPAS/LUCKY PRANSISKA)

The government is drafting a bill that will help address shortage of health workers in remote areas, a minister says.

Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih told Antara on Saturday the bill on health workers would offer special facilities to doctors, specialists and other medical workers who are willing to serve in remote and disadvantaged regions.

The special treatment includes extra allowance, facilities to pursue further study and admission to the civil servants corps.

Endang said the bill, if passed into law, would solve the long-standing problem of poor access to health care facing people in less developed areas.

In the short run, the government will send 130 reinforcement health workers to a number of remote areas across the country, Endang said. The government will also assign senior resident doctors who are at the final stage of their specialist education to serve in hospitals in isolated regions.

Related Article:

A Must for Indonesian Doctors to Work in Remote Areas


Saturday, November 28, 2009

A tale of Indonesian migrant workers

The Jakarta Post, Indraswari , Kuala Lumpur | Sat, 11/28/2009 1:06 PM , Opinion

On Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, The Jakarta Post published an article written by Silvester *Syl'Asa, titled "Migrant workers: Have we done our part?"

The article reminds me of the stories told by some migrant workers whom I encountered when I traveled back and forth between Malaysia and Indonesia, which I have done quite frequently in the last few months.

Their stories support Silvester's views on the importance of tackling our domestic problems such as poverty and unemployment with regard to the high flow of Indonesian workers going abroad - legally and illegally - in search of a better life.

At one time I chatted with a female migrant worker who was on leave to visit her family in West Java. We were about to board in the same plane from Malaysia to Indonesia. This woman was in her early thirties, married, and had two children aged 10 and five years old.

She had been working as a maid for some years in Malaysia. Prior to working in Malaysia she worked in Saudi Arabia, also as a maid. Her husband remains in Indonesia and works as a pedicab (becak) driver whose income is hardly enough to be relied on for living.

She left her two children when they were months old, leaving them under the care of their grandmother. Her prolonged absence leads to the children regard their grandmother as their mother and call their mother teteh, which means older sister in Sundanese.

She recalls economic reasons for working overseas and leaving her family behind. She wishes for her children to pursue proper education as she said "I wish my children would become clever persons *orang pandai* so they can have a better life *than their parents*".

On another occasion I met a woman in her mid-forties who happened to sit beside me on the plane on our way back to Malaysia.

She had just visited her family in Indonesia, the first time after working as a maid in Malaysia for three years.

She is a widower with five children. The eldest child is married while the other four children who are still studying range from primary to high school.

Her husband died one-and-half years ago and worked as a security guard (satpam) in West Java. Since then she has been the sole breadwinner of her family and leaves the care of her four children in the hands of the eldest married child.

She was thinking of shortening her appointment in Malaysia in order to be able to stay with her children but wondered, "How can I pay their school's fees if I stop working?"

There are other stories from other migrant workers I encountered at the airports and on the planes. Also in these places I often met those who needed help to deal with simple tasks such as how to fill in arrival/departure cards and customs declaration forms.

Others asked me to translate what was written on their boarding passes. In fact these matters may not be that simple for them, which is why they asked for help.

Traveling frequently between Malaysia and Indonesia gives me this unique experience, which is less likely happen when I travel to other places such as Europe.

There are millions of Indonesian migrant workers overseas and most of them are blue-collar. Many of them come from poor families, unskilled and with low education.

Nonetheless if we look at them through a different lens, despite their limitations, these workers are brave people who make a huge personal sacrifice and dare to take the risks to fight poverty.

Just like everyone else, they wish for a better life for themselves and their families.

I agree with Silvester who writes that many of migrant workers working overseas were lured by the dream of improving their lives and those of their loved ones.

Migrant workers that I encountered at the airports and in the planes are all legal workers with employers who treat them well. But there are workers who are unfortunate, being mistreated and even dead at the hands of abusive employers.

Yes, the protection of our migrant workers overseas needs to be improved. Nonetheless at home it is a high time for the government to tackle the roots of the problem, namely poverty and unemployment.

We can do our part too. If we are one of those employing maids at home, at the very least we must treat them fairly.

When possible we can do more such as helping them improving their skills, supporting their children's education or doing other things to help them fulfill their dreams of having a better life for themselves and their families.

The writer is an Indonesian visiting senior lecturer at the Gender Studies Program, School of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. The opinions expressed are her own.


Friday, November 27, 2009

Indonesian Maid Arrested For Murdering 87-Year-Old Employer in Singapore

The Jakarta Globe

A 23-year-old Indonesian maid has been arrested on suspicion of murdering her 87-year-old employer in Singapore, the Straits Times newspaper reported on Friday.

The daily said Sng Gek Wah was pronounced dead by paramedics at her home on Thursday morning.

The maid, believed to be named Fitriah, began working last week for Sng, whom neighbors described as a 'fierce' woman who began supervising the maid as early as 6 am.

The newspaper quoted a neighbor recalling an incident a few months ago when Sng left her house screaming for help and claiming that her previous maid had tried to strangle her.

DPA

Thursday, November 26, 2009

UN officials call for intensified efforts to eliminate violence against women

www.chinaview.cn 2009-11-26 05:49:06

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday led a chorus of United Nations officials in calling on the international community to make greater efforts to tackle the global pandemic of violence against women and girls.

"In every country, women and girls continue to be plagued by violence, causing tremendous suffering," Ban said in a message marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, observed annually on Nov. 25.

He noted that such violence undermines development, generates instability and makes peace harder to achieve, stressing that the international community must demand accountability for the violations and take concrete steps to end impunity.

"Our goal is clear: to end these inexcusable crimes -- whether it is the use of rape as a weapon of war, domestic violence, sex trafficking, so-called 'honor' crimes or female genital mutilation," said Ban.

It is crucial to address the root causes of violence by eradicating discrimination and changing the mindset that reinforces prejudice, he said, highlighting his "UNite to End Violence Against Women" campaign that calls for nations to put in place strong laws, action plans, preventative measures, data collection and systematic measures to address sexual violence in conflict situations.

"Women around the world are the very linchpin keeping families, communities and nations together," he said. "On this International Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to women's human rights and let us do all it takes to end these horrific assaults once and for all."

On Tuesday the secretary-general marked the 10th anniversary of the International Day by launching a Network of Men Leaders, which brings together current and former politicians, activists, religious and community figures to combat the global pandemic.

"These men will add their voices to the growing global chorus for action," he said, noting that 70 percent of women experience in their lifetime some form of physical or sexual violence from men, the majority from husbands, intimate partners or someone they know.

The head of the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) praised women's rights activists around the world for harnessing broader support to combat the scourge, saying that it is now an issue of human rights and peace and security as well as a matter of urgent concern to both men and women.

"There are now more national plans, policies and laws in place than ever before, and momentum is also growing in the intergovernmental arena," said UNIFEM Executive Director Ines Alberdi.

She said that despite these achievements, it is "shocking" that up to 70 percent of women experience physical or sexual violence from men in their lifetime. "It happens everywhere -- at home and at work, on the streets and in schools, during peacetime and in conflict."

Alberdi said that the solution to ending violence against women and girls lies within each individual by raising "a generation that will not resort to violence, by volunteering to provide services, by raising funds and by raising our voices to say no to violence against women."

An independent UN human rights expert said that the reality on the ground around the world demonstrates that many forms of violence against women remain endemic, cutting across national boundaries, race, class, culture, tradition and religion.

"The consequences include the violation of dignity and also of the right to equality, non-discrimination, physical integrity and freedom from violence," said Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its causes and consequences Rashida Manjoo in her message for the Day.

States have a responsibility to eliminate violence against women through legal and policy measures, a robust criminal justice system, the provision of social services and economic policies that empower women, said Manjoo.

"The due diligence standard requires States to promote the right to be free from all forms of violence, both private and public; and also to develop and implement legislation, policies and programs that specifically address prevention, protection, prosecution and compensation," she said.

Editor: Mu Xuequan

Thirteen infants infected with HIV/AIDS in West Nusa Tenggara

Antara News, Thursday, November 26, 2009 17:27 WIB

Mataram, W Nusa Tenggara (NTB) (ANTARA News) - Up to November 2009, 13 infants have been infected with the HIV/AIDS virus in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

Of the 13 infants, nine have contracted HIV and nine AIDS, Muchtar of the NTB AIDS Control Commission, said here on Thursday.

The HIV/AIDS-infected babies were identified in 2008 and 2009, he said.

The babies were currently receiving intensive medical treatment from Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) clinics, he said.

Among adults, HIV/AIDS have infected 73 people aged between 25-29 years old, 48 between 20-24 years old, 48 between 30-34 years old, and 18 people above 40 years old, in the province.

Twenty people aged between one and 19 years old, including 13 babies, also suffered from HIV/AIDS, Muchtar said.

The number of HIV/AIDS cases in West Nusa Tenggara Province has significantly increased to 278 in 2009, from 220 cases in 2008, 88 in 2007, and 51 in 2006.

Of the total 278 HIV/AIDS sufferers this year, 115 were AIDS patients, including 68 of them who died and only 47 survived, he said.

Of the 278 HIV/AIDS patients, 127 live in Mataram, 48 in East Lombok, 40 in West Lombok, 24 in West Sumbawa, 27 in Central Lombok, four in Sumbawa, three in Dompu, two in Bima District, and another two in Bima town.


Four Indonesians Arrested Over Gruesome Murder in Malaysia

The Jakarta Globe,

Four Indonesians have been arrested over the gruesome murder of an Indonesian man whose severed genitals were found next to his body, police said Thursday.

The man, whose identity has not been released, was found dead at his flat in the northern state of Penang Tuesday, after neighbors who heard a loud quarrel earlier that day alerted police.

"We found the man lying in a pool of blood with multiple slash wounds, and the severed private parts were next to his body," Mohan Singh, acting district police chief, told AFP.

He said the case was being treated as a murder and police were attempting to establish the victim's identity and his immigration status.

"We arrested one Indonesian lady on Tuesday, and this morning we arrested three other Indonesian men who were staying in the flat. All of them are believed to be involved in the murder," Singh said.

The Indonesian woman was found injured in another bedroom of the same flat when the police arrived on Tuesday.

There are nearly two million Indonesian workers in Malaysia, including 800,000 who have traveled illegally from the neighboring country.

AFP

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Herbal remedy with a modern touch

I.D. Nugroho , The Jakarta Post , Surabaya | Wed, 11/25/2009 10:43 AM

Just as ginseng is synonymous with Korea, temulawak or Java turmeric is a natural medical treasure native to Indonesia.

As part of Indonesia’s centuries-old traditional healing practices, temulawak has long been used as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent in treating many ailments, including swelling, gastric and digestive problems, stiff muscles, coughs and runny nose.

“As far as we know, temulawak can only be found in Indonesia,” says Gunawan T., managing director of Helmigs Prima Sejahtera, a pharmaceutical and curcumin products manufacturer.

“There are some individuals in several countries, like Malaysia, who have done research on their own varieties of temulawak at Yonsei University in South Korea, but the results show these plants are nothing like temulawak.”

So even if the Java turmeric exists elsewhere, Gunawan says, “I can confidently say the best temulawak comes from Indonesia.”

Having the best variety is one thing, but Indonesia can also churn out the stuff by the truckload.

Central Java and East Java, for instance, are just two of several provinces that farm temulawak on a large scale.

East Java alone produces up to 9 million kilograms of ready-to-sell temulawak each year. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s hometown of Pacitan in the province is the country’s temulawak hub, recording harvests of 5 million kilograms of the tuber each year.

Other East Java towns, such as Trenggalek, Malang and Pasuruan, are also major producers.

The head of the Pacitan horticulture agency, Budiwahyuningsih, says the geographical conditions in the west of the province, where Pacitan is located, are perfect for growing temulawak. She points out the dry, hillside soil is ideal for the plant as well as for ginger and turmeric, which don’t really require water.

“There’s no special trick to growing temulawak,” Budiwahyuningsih says.

“Just plant them like normal in between teak or clove trees.”

She says temulawak plants grow to an average height of 1 meter, and are ready for harvest within seven to 12 months. The best time to harvest temulawak is toward the 10th to 12th months, when the leaves start dying.

“Temulawak is a unique because the plant has a long life cycle,” she says.

“So even if you don’t harvest it now, you can still do so at the next harvest season.”

After harvest, the rhizomes or tubers are cleaned and diced up into thin slices. They are then dried in an oven before being packed for the distributors who in turn sell them to manufacturers of temulawak-based products.

Gunawan’s company, Helmigs Prima Sejahtera, in the East Java capital Surabaya, is one of a handful of such manufacturers. Established in 1993, the company markets a range of products, including curcumin sugar-free effervescent, curcumin tablets, curcumin candy with Xylitol, and curcumin health drinks.

Factory manager Sutarko Tantra says the company processes several tons of temulawak extract into ready-to-consume products each day, combining traditional and modern methods.

The modern methods include the measurement of the properties contained in temulawak and the packaging of the curcumin extract into tablets and sachets using a machine imported from China.

“We follow high standards with high quality control because we don’t only market our products in Indonesia, but also overseas,” Sutarko says, adding the export markets include Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, Canada, the Netherlands, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.

He says most of the company’s products are exported, because based on their studies, foreigners are more aware of the health benefits of temulawak.

“The biggest demand for our products comes from Korea, for instance,” Sutarko says, adding most Indonesians are far less aware about the wonder herb.

In 2007, for instance, when the government launched the National Campaign for the Temulawak Drink, business such as hotels did not embrace the plan to serve the herb as a welcome drink. The opposite holds true in Malaysia and Korea, Sutarko says.

“In Malaysia, the government is endorsing the Tongkat Ali drink in really attractive promotional ways,” he points out.

Former Indonesian research and technology minister Kusmayanto Kadiman said in September that the government was working on making temulawak a part of Indonesians’ daily lives – in food, cosmetics, medicine and dietary supplements.

In efforts to promote temulawak to the world, Indonesian researchers and producers have shown their support for the government, as demonstrated through the first international symposium on temulawak in Bogor last year.

“The Indonesian government must work to promote temulawak among local residents and the world before any other country stakes a claim to temulawak,” Gunawan says.

Dian Kuswandini contributed to this story from Jakarta.


Labor's plea

The Jakarta Post, Antara, Wed, 11/25/2009 3:36 PM



A number of workers of the Indonesian Metal Labor Union hold a rally in front of the House of Representatives building in Jakarta on Wednesday, demanding that lawmakers to revise a law that regulates workers' pension, severance pay and health and lay-off insurance. Antara/Yudhi Mahatma


Japan to accept up to 500 Indonesian healthcare workers in Fy 2010

Antara News, Wednesday, November 25, 2009 13:37 WIB

Tokyo (ANTARA News/Kyodo) - Japan will accept up to 500 healthcare workers in fiscal 2010 starting April 1 under an economic partnership agreement, the health ministry said Tuesday.

Japan informed the Indonesian government of the decision the same day, said officials at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. The quota breaks down into 200 nurses and 300 caregivers.

In the 2008 and 2009 fiscal years, Japan set the quota at 1,000 and accepted 570 healthcare workers from Indonesia -- 277 nurses and 293 caregivers.

Japan International Corp. of Welfare Services, a health ministry affiliate, will recruit hospitals and nursing care facilities from across Japan that are willing to accept the Indonesian healthcare workers, the officials said.

Under a similar agreement with the Philippines, Japan has accepted Filipino nurses and caregivers.

Foreigners again targets of terror in Aceh

Hotli Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh | Tue, 11/24/2009 12:55 PM

Foreign citizens have yet again become the target of terror attacks in Aceh, this time against two American citizens staying in a house at the Syiah Kuala University lecturer's housing complex in Banda Aceh.

The shooting attack caused damage to several windows, but no casualties were reported.

The US citizens, both English lecturers at the university, were asleep when their home was riddled with bullets by unidentified gunmen.

According to Syiah Kuala Police chief Second Insp. Abdul Mutholib, both of the women were inside the house when the shooting took place at around 6:30 a.m.

"They dived for cover when they heard the sound of gunfire outside their home. They heard between five and six gunshots," said Mutholib.

The women did not immediately report the incident to police, leaving the house to shop for groceries after which they went to work, not far from where they live. Police only received reports of the shooting at around 10 a.m..

"They told their work colleagues about the shooting incident and later reported it to police," said Mutholib.

Police are currently investigating the scene of the crime at the women's house and searching for bullets from the gun used by the assailants.

Members of Aceh's civil society institutions said attacks against foreign citizens in Aceh could have serious impacts on the peace process.

According to the groups, the violence is part of a pattern of terror attacks against the peace, which target institutions that have been persistent in promoting the peace process.

"We are aware that the threats were politically motivated and not a random attack," said Shadiah Marhaban, head of the Inong Aceh League, a group that works with Acehnese women affected by the conflict.

The attack was the third of its kind this month. On Nov. 5, head of the German Red Cross for Aceh, Bernhard Bauer, was shot as he was driving along one of Banda Aceh's main roads. Although he sustained serious gunshot wounds, Bauer survived the ordeal after receiving treatment in Singapore.

Several days later, European Union representative John Penny was targeted when his home in Darul Imarah district, Aceh Besar regency was fired upon by unidentified assailants on Nov. 16. Penny and his wife avoided injury in the attack, which shattered the house's windows.

Indonesian Mother And Baby Detained By Health Center Over Unpaid Bill

The Jakarta Globe

A woman and her newborn baby have been detained by a public health center in Bandar Kedungmulyo, East Java, because she could not afford to pay the center’s bill.

Siti Yuliana gave birth to a baby girl at the health center three days ago but was not allowed to go home because she and her husband, a low-paid agricultural laborer, could not pay the Rp 633,000 ($64) bill.

The head of the health center’s labor ward, Sri Indayani told Metro TV that the family could only pay Rp 230,000. The family did not have public health insurance.

Yuliana’s husband, Darmaji, said he would try to borrow money to release his wife and daughter from the health center. Darmaji said he felt disappointed because he did not have access to free health services even though he and his family were poor.

JG

Related Article:

Detained Mother and Baby Allowed Home From Hospital After Medical Bill Paid


Survivors

The Jakarta Post, Tue, 11/24/2009 8:51 PM


Sri Wahyuni (in pink) answers questions from journalists at Sekupang seaport of Batam on Tuesday. She and her baby Davi AL were the lucky passengers of the KM Dumai Express 10 who survived floating three hours in a lifeboat. (JP/Fadli)


Tuesday, November 24, 2009

`Give haj management to private sector'

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 11/23/2009 1:36 PM

Observers said the government should hand over pilgrimage management to the private sector after failing to provide good services to Indonesian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia over many years.

Public administration expert from University of Indonesia, Eko Prasojo, said Sunday the government could still play a supervisory role if haj management was handed over to the private sector to ensure standards.

Eko said the government could hand over transportation, accommodation, or food supplies, which might not have been adequately managed by government officials.

Noted Islamic scholar, Ahmad Syafii Maarif, said this could result in a good solution resulting in optimum services for pilgrims.

The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) member, Ahmad Ramadhan Siregar, said the government "should tender the business to ensure the best services were delivered to the pilgrims".

"It may take at least five years for the government to improve its administration system," he said.

The legislative team monitoring the haj in Saudi Arabia said Wednesday its observation showed that Indonesian pilgrims were subject to unnecessary hardships.

The team discovered that pilgrims suffered from bad accommodation, inefficient transport systems and overcrowded dormitories.

Team members cited only one bathroom for 25 pilgrims in each dormitory.

Eko said the government should assess the performance of Religious Affairs Ministry's officials.

"The government should modernize the bureaucracy at the Religious Affairs Ministry," he said.

As of Saturday, 89 Indonesian pilgrims had died ,mostly of cardiac arrest, respiratory and circulation failures. Those who died were between 40 and 59 years old. Meanwhile, 150 pilgrims are being treated at the Indonesian Pilgrims' Health Center.

Public policy and consumer protection observer Agus Pambagyo said many officials did not seem open to transparency and good governance.

"The government should acquire accurate data and information related to the haj in the past five years to identify any shortcomings in service delivery," he said.

Agus said this would help prevent corruption in the ministry.

However, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono said Saturday that the haj arrangements were already transparent.

Agung had ordered the Haj Management Committee (PPIH) to facilitate transportation, health and food services during the pilgrimage.

Agus further urged the government to strictly supervise agencies sending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

"The government should issue strict regulations and set high standards required to be achieved by the private sector," he said. (nia)

Related Article:

Haj managers must reveal accounts, says watchdog



Monday, November 23, 2009

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'


Indonesia host training for Asia-Pacific disaster respond team

Antara News, Monday, November 23, 2009 17:10 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia recently hosted the 10th Asia-Pacific Induction Training for Regional Disaster Response Teams (RDRT) participated in by personnel from Red Cross organizations in 10 countries.

According to a press release from Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) received here on Monday, the activity was held at Puri Khatulistiwa, Jatinangor, West Java on November 12-22, 2009.

Participants of the training came from Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations in 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, namely the Philippines, Thailand, Nepal, Timor Leste, China, Japan, Cambodia, Afghanistan and Malaysia.

A staffer at the Indonesian Red Cross`s Disaster Mitigation Division, Ahmad Djaelani, said each country was represented by two or three participants in the training. All of them were selected from a previous regional disaster mitigation training program held in Bangkok, Thailand.

Participants of the training in Indonesia, he added, were urged to have an experience in joining national disaster respond team and ready to be sent to several disaster location in Asia-Pacific region for 2-8 weeks.

Among materials given to the participants was cultural knowledge and laws valid in each country where the two factors were considered an important reference to disaster response teams to be sent abroad.

The training also included a disaster response simulation where the scenario and atmosphere were made similar to an actual post-disaster situation starting from initial briefing, quick response at the disaster`s location and debriefing after completion of the humanitarian tasks.

Ahmad said this year`s training was different from the previous one held in Singapore where the local committee had not included more specific skiil training. All of instructor in the training were from experts and alumni from Indonesia.


Sunday, November 22, 2009

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



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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Officials to Investigate Riau Ferry Disaster

Indonesia passenger ferry sinks off Sumatra


Saturday, November 21, 2009

Indonesian Hero Budi Soehardi in CNN Spotlight

The Jakarta Globe, Emmy Fitri

Budi Soehardi was recognized by CNN for providing shelter to 47 children at his orphanage in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. (Photo courtesy of CNN)

After news about corruption at the highest levels of government and the persistent poverty among the nation’s masses, a story of an Indonesian man being honored in a prestigious international television special heralding everyday heroes brings some hope to his country’s citizens.

Budi Soehardi, 53, has been nominated as one of CNN’s Top 10 Heroes for 2009. The US-based news network’s Web site says that Budi, a former pilot living in Singapore, and his wife, Peggy, run an orphanage looking after 47 children. They give a home — and more importantly a family — to abandoned children and those orphaned by the East Timor conflicts.

Bayu Krisnamurthi, after receiving a Blackberry message from a friend, said he voted for Budi at once and felt a pang of pride upon reading the message.

“It’s something to be proud of because he beat thousands of other ‘heroes.’ The message from the nomination is clear — people appreciate real action. This [message] is for the public and government officials like me to act, not just talk,” Bayu, the deputy minister of the Agriculture Ministry, said on Friday.

“What has been done by Budi may not be that spectacular in terms of the number of people he helps, but it’s real,” he said.

Adeza Hamzah, Hotel Mulia Senayan’s assistant director of communications said: “I think it’s about time that our country had a true hero who is acknowledged by the world. Enough of all the corruption and turmoil that’s becoming our nation’s emblem. What we need as a nation right now is a bunch of Budi Soehardis to inspire all of us to do good in this morality malnourished country.”

Besides voting for Budi, Adeza took the time to forward the message to his friends, asking them to join the cause.

Toto Sugito — founder and chairman of the country’s largest cycling community, Bike To Work — said that the country needed more news about its citizens doing good for others so people can look up to them.

“There are a lot of unsung heroes who initiate and help their communities. But their stories don’t make it to the headlines or prime time so we can’t appreciate them. I hope that following this extraordinary news about Budi, our media will present more inspiring stories for us to learn from,” Toto said.

Meanwhile, Heru Nugroho, former chairman of the Indonesian Infocom Society (Mastel), said the world has shown that Indonesians can excel and be counted abroad not only through science competitions or sport matches.

“There are thousands of ways to stand up. Budi has shown us that helping others to have better lives is a heroic act. I hope our state officials are aware of [Budi’s nomination]. They should be ashamed, stop bickering and start working for the people.”

“It would be intriguing to know him better. We need more people like him to inspire us.”

Dian Argarini, an official at the National Commission for Avian Influenza Pandemic Preparedness, said: “It’s extraordinary. It’s a proof that Indonesians are empathetic. Budi represents many other Budis whose work to help the needy have not yet been recognized, let alone appreciated.”

Initiated in 2007, the “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” is a TV special created by the cable network to honor individuals who make extraordinary contributions to help others. It is hosted by Anderson Cooper. This year’s award show will be aired worldwide on Friday.

Thanks to the rapid growth of Internet social networking, not only can TV viewers nominate and vote for their heroes, but online users can join in too. The voting closed on Thursday.

A blue-ribbon panel of judges comprised of distinguished leaders and humanitarians who are themselves considered heroes, will select the award winners.

Included in the panel are the Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, author Deepak Chopra, primatologist Jane Goodall, Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and economist Jeffrey Sachs.

Related Article:

Filipino Wins CNN Hero Award; Indonesian Orphanage Founder Budi Gets $25,000


WHO official impressed by Indonesia`s disaster response

Antara News, Saturday, November 21, 2009 04:35 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Margaret Chan admired the Indonesian disaster response in dealing with the 7.9-magnitude earthquake which struck Padang, West Sumatra, recently thanks to effective government coordination.

"The response to the quake in Padang had been made under effective coordination between the government, local communities, and many disaster response agencies," Margaret said here Friday.

She said coordination and cooperation between the people, government and the relevant organizations and institutions in disaster handling is extremely necessary for rapid and effective recovery efforts.

"Only in six weeks after the disaster, the situation is now calm and peaceful which significantly contributes to making rapid progress in rehabilitation and recovery efforts," she said.

Margaret added that the biggest challenge in disaster handling is posed by establishing effective and efficient coordination to help the quake victims as quickly as possible.

As natural disasters may strike everywhere and at anytime, under such circumstances the country where the disaster struck did not have to ask for foreign assistance, because normally help would automatically come from other countries without being asked.

She admired the disaster response from other countries which is a sign of solidarity from the people of other countries.

International humanitarian aid arrived in Indonesia without being asked, and it would be necessary to establsh effective coordination of the relevant authories in the distribution of the relief aid to the disaster victims.

The WHO director general had recently visited Padang for an inspection of the recovery and rehabilitation efforts in the disaster-hit areas.

Related Article:

WHO calls on quake victims to sprinkle salt on ruins



Friday, November 20, 2009

WHO promises to recommend W Sumatra to donor countries

Antara News, Friday, November 20, 2009 12:08 WIB

(istimewa)Padang, W Sumatra (ANTARA News) - WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan has promised he will help West Sumatra province make a recommendation to the donor countries for assistance in the recovery of the healthcare facilities which had been damaged by the 30 September earthquake.

The statement was made by the WHO director general during a visit to the province Thursday in which he had a dialogue with West Sumatra deputy governor Marlis Rahman, and the regent and major in the quake-hit regions on the planned reconstruction of the healthcare sector.

Margaret suggested the West Sumatra provincial administration and regency and city administrations of the earth-hit areas to establish cooperation with the neighboring countries.

These countries include Australia and Japan which have special programs on health development, and even with the USAID under bilateral agreements.

He said this golden opportunity must be used in the rehabilitation of health infrastructure in West Sumatra.

WHO, however, he said can only assist the province make a good and detailed reconstruction plan to be brought to the donor countries for acceptance.


RI needs cooperation with int`l health bodies: Minister

Antara News, Friday, November 20, 2009 15:25 WIB

Palembang (ANTARA News) - Indonesia needs to cooperate with international health institutions, Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih said here on Friday.

To support the cooperation, the minister said , she had invited around 3,500 foreign doctors to conduct research in Indonesia in the near future as part of the government`s policy in the health field.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 27th Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) conference here on Friday, the minister said the government wanted to forge cooperation with both domestic and international health institutions.

But she added that although the foreign doctors would be permitted to do research in Indonesia and cooperate with the government, they should abide by all the existing regulations on medical research by foreigners.

"The foreign doctors should work professionally and abide by the rules and regulations made by the government," the health minister said, adding that the cooperation in the health field was urgently needed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

She said the cooperation with foreign doctors was expected to be of great benefit to Indonesia and therefore they were permitted to do research in the country.

The Health Ministry, she said, would , in principle, prioritize the public interest by realizing various public health programs in the country and ensuring they run optimally.

Meanwhile, a participant of the conference said that by permitting 3,500 foreign doctors to do research in Indonesia, the government was creating the impression it had no confidence in the capability of domestic doctors.