Indonesia Expat - issue 134

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J A K A R TA • J A V A • B A L I • L O M B O K • K A L I M A N TA N • S U M AT R A • S U L A W E S I • W E S T P A P U AI S S U E N O . 1 3 4 | 2 8 J A N U A R Y – 1 0 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 15 W W W . I N D O N E S I A E X P AT. B I Z

Rp. 25.000

KEN PATTERN: ARTIST & ENVIRONMENTALIST

AN INVESTOR'S GUIDE TO

INDONESIA: RED TAPE FOR

FOREIGN CASH

INDONESIA'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE

MITIGATION OF GLOBAL WARMING

EXPAT CHEFS BEHIND

THE BURNERS OF JAKARTA'S EATERIES

READ ME!

indonesia expat issue 1342



Editor in ChiefAngela [email protected]

Editorial [email protected]

ManagementEdo Frese [email protected]

SalesDian MardianingsihBetty de [email protected]

DistributionJuni Setiawan

GraphicsFrederick NgKatarina Anindita

Finance & AdminLini Verawaty ContributorsVictoria BannermanSophie ChavanelGail G. CollinsLeighton CosseboomBill DaltonAnnali HaywardDaniel PopeHans RooseboomEamonn SadlerAntony SuttonKenneth Yeung

Editorial [email protected]

Circulation [email protected]

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[email protected]

Published byPT. Koleksi Klasik IndonesiaJl. Kemang Raya No. 29AKemang, Jakarta,IndonesiaPhone: 021 7179 4550Fax: 021 7179 4546Office hours: 09.00 – 17.00 Monday – Friday

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The recent executions of six convicts from Brazil, Vietnam, The Netherlands, Malawi, Nigeria and Indonesia for drug-related crimes caused worldwide outrage towards President Joko Widodo, the leader so many people —in Indonesia and abroad — had pinned their hopes on to improve human rights in Indonesia. Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff reached out to Jokowi prior to the executions, pleading to save their citizen Marco Archer, but Jokowi ignored her plea. As a result of the executions, the ambassador to The Netherlands and Brazil were recalled in what seemed like a political statement, showing their discontent with Indonesia’s decision.

On social media, Indonesians have shown their support of the President’s decision, urging foreign governments to “go ahead”, and “see if we care” to the threat of recalling ambassadors. President Jokowi responded to criticism by stating, “The war against the drug mafia should not be half-hearted measures [sic], because drugs have really ruined the good life of the drug users and their families.” President Jokowi has declared that Indonesia is in a state of emergency over drugs, with 4.5 million users requiring rehabilitation. He added that 1.2 million drug users could not be rehabilitated and nearly 50 of them die each day.

Angela RichardsonEditor in Chief

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Letter to the Editor

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Indonesia's Largest Expatriate Readership Dear Readers,years without execution, and has been of good behaviour, the sentence should be commuted to life in prison or 20 years. In April of this year, two Australian members of the Bali Nine who are now on death row for drug-related crimes, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, will have been in prison for 10 years and have shown themselves to be remorseful and rehabilitated men, even helping other convicts in their prison to change.

In September of 2003 one of the Bali Bombers, Ali Imron, received a verdict of life in prison after showing remorse for his involvement in the terrorist attack that killed 202 people in two nightclubs in Bali. If a man capable of blowing up hundreds of innocent people receives life in prison for showing remorse, how can it be consistent that Sukumaran and Chan—whose recent pleas for clemency were denied—be shot to death, especially after showing rehabilitation and serving nearly 10 years in jail already?

This brings us to the question: who decides what one man’s life is worth over another’s?

60 more convicts, including Sukumaran and Chan—and several other foreigners—are in line for further executions. The question is, what message will Jokowi send if he executes these remaining convicts and what retaliation will Indonesia receive from the countries of these foreign convicts? Has he jeopardized his relationship with the international community so early in the game?

Unfortunately for everyone involved, only time will tell.

Drug trafficking is a serious crime in Indonesia, and we’re all made well aware of it when arriving from a foreign country; announcements made on flights and billboards warn travellers of the death penalty in airport terminals. Many people are arguing that the convicts knew what they were getting themselves into when they got involved in the world of drugs. What many others are having difficulty accepting is that there seems to be an inconsistency within the law.

Capital punishment in Indonesia is carried out for terrorism, murder and drug-related crimes. Last year, Indonesia paid $2.1 million to save Satinah, a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia found guilty of murdering her employer in 2007, yet on home turf Indonesia has shot five foreigners for a crime which most people would agree is far less grave than murder. Human Rights Watch has called this a “double standard”.

In 2007, the Indonesian Constitutional Court recommended legal changes stating that if a prisoner has been on death row for 10

RegardsSulistia

Dear Angela,

Hi, my name is Sulistia and I often read Indonesia Expat, which I find very interesting because although I am an Indonesian citizen and was born in Jakarta — working in a multinational company among several expats and also spending some childhood years in the U.S.—the magazine provides lots of insight into the "bule" world, which is familiar yet unfamiliar to me.

So, to put it in sum, it helps me quite a lot and entertains as well.

Thank you and I wish you and your family an outstanding New Year!

Dear Sulistia,

Thank you for writing to us.

Our Indonesian readership are very important to us here at Indonesia Expat and we are so happy to hear that you find the publication interesting and relatable.

We try to bring value to our readers, both foreign and local, by providing insight into the business world in Expat Business, offering fun in Expat Lifestyle, and uplifting the reader in Expat Outreach. Our focus is providing stories with an expat slant.

We hope you continue to enjoy reading and find value in our publication. All the best to you in 2015!

Warm RegardsAngela

“Trust is built with consistency.”

– Lincoln Chafee


Issue 134

Contents

20 2106

06

14

08

16

10

12

Feature StoryTurbulent Times for Aviation in Indonesia

Expat Business: InvestingAn Investor's Guide to Indonesia: Red Tape for Foreign Cash

Business ProfileWINZ Design

Meet the ExpatPatrick Legrand

Expat Lifestyle:Food & DrinkExpats Behind the Ovens of Jakarta's Top Eateries

TravelChiang Mai: Rose of Northern Thailand

LiteratureWhat Do You Pack?

FashionJakarta's Fashion Faux Pas18

17

20

19 Scams in the CityFailing to Buy an Income

Meet the ExpatKen Pattern

Expat Outreach:SportsYoung Guns Cut Their Teeth in Jakarta Schools Football Club

Worthy CausesIndonesia's Contribution to the Mitigation of Global Warming

Announcements

Light EntertainmentThe Death of the Movie Star

ObservationsWater, Water Everywhere

Events

Business Directory

Classifieds

21

24

252627

28

22

23


Indonesia suffered a national tragedy when AirAsia flight QZ8501 crashed into the Java Sea in December, killing all 162 souls on board. It was a sombre end to an otherwise upbeat year, and the country mourned together. But as the tears dry, tough questions must be asked. Why does Indonesia remain Asia’s deadliest country statistically for aviation safety, and what must be done about it?

Indonesia’s tourism market is booming, fuelled no doubt by the burgeoning middle classes. According to IATA’s latest passenger forecasts, Indonesia (singled out among Asian nations) will grow to be the fifth largest domestic air travel market in the world by 2034, growing at 6.4% to 191 million passengers. And yet we place a dismal ninth-worst in the Aviation Safety Network’s global rankings, ahead of the rest of Asia, with 95 accidents and 2,212 fatalities in the last 70 years.

The issue is as complex as a Rolls-Royce jet engine. First among equals, the spectre of cost looms large — as it does for all industries; but few see the meagre 1-2% profit margins most airlines bear. Since fuel can represent up to 40% of an airline’s total costs, it is not surprising many Indonesian carriers were unprofitable last year in the face of fluctuating oil prices.

Practically, there is little to be done about this, besides hedging. But in a cost-related move—hot on the heels of the crash—the Transport Ministry raised the price floor chargeable by local airlines to 40% of the maximum fare, ostensibly to increase profitability and therefore safety. On the surface, travellers may feel comforted by this. Conventional wisdom says earnings impact the hiring and training of quality staff, and aircraft maintenance — perhaps why Icelandic CEO of local carrier Xpress Air, Sigurdur Gislason, who has over forty years’ experience in the industry, supports the measure: “Profit relates directly to safety; it’s a fact.”

But some in the industry remain unconvinced. Paul Preston is a former RAF pilot with over twenty years’ experience flying frontline aircraft across the UK, Germany and Saudi Arabia, now using his aviation expertise as a coach for a global oil-and-gas services consultancy based in Bali. “I don’t feel price rises will have any immediate effect,” says Preston, “and I don’t believe the money would be directed to flight safety issues.” Consider that safety

requirements are supposedly the same nationwide regardless of airline, business model or fare paid, and you see his point.

Increasing revenue is one thing, but reducing cost is another—some say darker—area of focus. “Economic pressure is felt by the crew…decisions can be swayed,” warns Preston, with “aircraft maintenance an area where I fear some corner-cutting may take place.” A source in the local industry (who did not wish to be named) concurs, citing the varying standards of private aircraft maintenance companies performing safety audit inspections.

Conversely, First Officer L. A. Garcia of Xpress Air has only witnessed adherence to standards: “procedures and SOPs are always followed.” At the same time, pilots like Garcia and colleague Senior First Officer Yudhy Mustari are nonetheless encouraged (like all airlines) to be mindful of cost when flying; for example minimising brakes usage to reduce wear and tear, flying at optimum levels, and ensuring the flight is on time.

The cost argument is logical on the surface, but time will tell whether it delivers material improvements in safety. Until then, our source suggests more Indonesian carriers may succumb to economic pressures in 2015.

Aviation in Indonesia suffers the same malaise as many industries here: complex regulation, bureaucracy, and even corruption. First to regulation. Indonesia has a convoluted system of categorising airlines, depending on the level of service they offer, passenger numbers, and whether they are scheduled. Gislaslon feels “regulation in the industry could be simplified,” and indeed, having fewer rules for companies to navigate should improve transparency.

This non-standardised approach also allows unscrupulous operators to find loopholes in the system, or simply not comply with regulations, as evidenced by the 61 routes

besides QZ8501 found operating without proper licenses. Though AirAsia President Director Sunu Widyatmoko admitted “administrative negligence”, a missing piece of paper shouldn’t down an Airbus A320.

At this stage, speculation remains dangerous. But as Preston fears, “acceptance of non-compliance to set rules” could be the key here. It points to systemic issues in the industry, and the inevitable question for travellers will be, what other rules are not being followed?

Particularly, one imagines, when the lines between official bodies and private businesses seem occasionally to be blurred. Our source speaks of regulations suddenly changing depending on who is in power and what their business interests are. One aircraft maintenance inspector recently turned out to be employed as a pilot by the company whose aircraft he was inspecting.

Hearing this, safety feels remote. But Xpress Air President Director Henny Kurniawan is confident Transport Minister Ignasius Jonan is “going in the right direction”, by freezing those 61 routes, putting pressure

on regulators as well as airlines, suspending officials suspected of violations, and seeking Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (Corruption Eradication Commission) assistance. Whether he gets the support he will need from all corners is another question. One thing is clear: the aviation industry in Indonesia needs to start thinking as a single entity rather than in individual fiefdoms.

After all, this is a people business: travellers today must trust the crew they fly with. So, how does Indonesia approach pilot training to produce the world-class standards its growing market needs?

With many new planes on order, and a fast-growing market, it’s no surprise there’s a lack of Indonesian pilots. According to Preston, schools too — and of those existing, he is “not convinced their graduates would pass testing standards in other countries.” And yet, ostensibly for safety, the Government recently increased the number of flying hours required for expats to work as pilots in Indonesia. It’s a move lauded by Garcia and Mustari, but time will tell its efficacy.

T u r b u l e n t T i m e s f o r A v i at i o n i n I n d o n e s i a

The aviation industry in Indonesia needs to start thinking as a single entity rather than in individual fiefdoms.

“”

By Annali Hayward

Feature Story


Cost is a culprit again. Hasan Taufik’s 28 years as Garuda crew inspired his son to join the industry. Attempting to mitigate the cost of pilot training in an Indonesian flight school, Taufik sent his son to Cebu in the Philippines, at a cool US$50,000 for the year. When the school’s owner and a government minister were killed in a small plane crash, Taufik’s son returned to finish his training at the Government-funded flight school in Curug — much harder to get in, but with far better job prospects. Not a bad result for the Taufiks. But many other graduates, after an expensive education, pin their hopes on joining an airline who will fund them through the specific training required for their fleet — and not many are willing, when they can hire pilots coming off contracts with other airlines who already have this. Not hard to see, then, why Preston feels the system “clearly [allows] more opportunity for those with the ability to pay rather than those with better skills.”

weather conditions in person prior to take off—should also help here, by requiring the pilot’s health is checked too.

Consumers should remember aviation safety is improving all the time. Casualties have been in decline for two decades, whilst passenger flying hours have been increasing since the 1950s. “Aircraft themselves are more inherently safe than ever before,” notes Preston. When something as tragic as QZ8501 happens, it happens to the whole industry, and the media reacts — often overlooking that flying remains the safest form of travel statistically by distance, and accidents are very rare. Consider this: in the past 35 years, just six of the worst marine disasters in Indonesia totalled almost 2,500 fatalities — in half the time period over which the Aviation Safety Network records 2,212 aviation fatalities. Good job Jokowi is turning his spotlight on that particular area.

Annali Hayward is a freelance writer based in Asia. You can get in touch at [email protected]

Garcia feels the expat community can be biased against local pilots, but finds this “in my experience untrue; training here is really good.” Indeed it is encouraging that a local operator such as Xpress prioritises pilot rest days, ensuring at least two days off between flying. Garcia adds, “After five days of flying, you’d be really tired.” No low-cost carriers would comment, but local airlines overworking pilots was widely reported in 2011-2013, during a shocking spate of Lion Air pilots found to be using methamphetamines. Thankfully such stories seem to have died down recently, and another of Jonan’s measures in the wake of the crash—ensuring airlines brief pilots on

Preston continues to choose his frequent domestic flights based on price and schedule, and so should we. “The airline industry here is far less mature than the West,” he says, “and will for many years lag [in applying] ever-developing flight safety processes, purely because they are not developed here.” But the tailwinds of change are slowly being felt. Garcia sees “an effort to make things better” across the board, such as the new regulations on expat flying hours and pilot briefings. It may take more time yet, but with the right intentions, persistence and—importantly—support from both Government and private factions, glimmers of hope can be kindled.


An Investor’s Guide to Indonesia: Red Tape for Foreign Cash

By Leighton Cosseboom

For foreign investors looking to capitalise on Indonesia’s future, here are some things to think about before jumping into the archipelago with both feet.

Indonesia also clocks in among the lowest in terms of its ability to enforce contracts.

Leighton Cosseboom is an American journalist based in Jakarta. He covers a variety of topics related to

business and economics in Southeast Asia

Expat Business Investing

If you’re a foreigner sizing up the investment potential of young businesses in Indonesia, it would be naive to think that there are any safe plays, guarantees, or easy wins. If you’re looking for certainty in Southeast Asia, your best bet is to stay in Singapore where the political climate has a stable track record and the regulations are more efficient.

But if you’re looking toward the future and prefer the road less travelled, there are certain things you’ll need to familiarise yourself with before jumping into Indonesia’s business world with both feet.

In Singapore, it takes about one to two days to incorporate a new business entity. According to Hawksford Singapore, one of the nation’s leading business portals, this brief timeframe applies to most cases, provided that the entrepreneur has the necessary documents, a company name, director and shareholder details, along with a registered address in the country, and a couple of other easy-to-come-by verifiers.

In contrast, until recently it took around 53 days to start up a business on paper in Indonesia, according to recent data from the World Bank. A local market entry service for foreigners called Indosight highlights some of the pain points associated with starting a business in Indonesia, which included processing a PT-registered letter with the local government and a 21-day waiting period to get things squared away with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. Foreigners looking to set up shop in Indonesia must also become well-versed with the country’s Negative Investments List.

Indonesia’s Negative Investments List specifies sectors of the local economy in which foreign investment is limited or even

blocked completely. It imposes seemingly arbitrary ownership limits and caps across a variety of industries. These limitations range between zero and 95 percent ownership allowance. The list is broad, but some of its sectors include marine affairs and fishery, public works, transportation, energy and mineral resources, healthcare, financial, communication and informatics, tourism and others.

In May, Andrew White, managing director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia ran an opinion piece in the Jakarta Globe, which explained that the list was first issued in 1998 and is supposed to be revised every three years, although the government has not kept to the schedule as promised.

White believes the limitations imposed by the list are arbitrary. He claims that its red tape serves as both a stumbling block and a source of confusion to investors, as most companies, venture capitalists, and private equity firms are looking for long-term certainty, and an investment permissions list that is subject to change every three years can only create uncertainty. “The investment limitations in oil and gas are particularly ill-timed given Indonesia’s desperate need to spur production and reduce its reliance on imported fuel,” says White.

In September, Indonesia’s Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform announced that registering a company in the archipelago just became easier with a single online submission form that offered a one-stop-service and aggregated processes from several different ministries. In theory, these one-stop-services cut the amount of time down from 53 days to a mere six days.

But some folks still remain sceptical. “The idea is always good but the execution is always determined by action plans they have in place and what sort of concrete steps they will do,” Euben Paracuelles, a Singapore-based economist at Nomura Holdings told Bloomberg about the one-stop-service. Paracuelles believes one-stop permitting would require “very strong coordination” between the ministries and the investment board, which Indonesia simply doesn’t have yet.

The plan signalled the first effort by President Joko Widodo, aka Jokowi, to tackle the red tape responsible for the World Bank naming Indonesia as one of the hardest economies in which to start a company, according to Bloomberg. In

from different departments, including the Indonesia Investments Coordination Board for approval to start operating. They also have to go to various ministries for land use permits, import duties, and exports. Companies that want to come to Indonesia to look for oil need 289 permits.

Indonesia also clocks in among the lowest in terms of its ability to enforce contracts. This is important for investors to think about, as each potential funder is going to have a different risk tolerance when it comes to hiring employees and dishing out salaries. If you’re the kind of investor that needs to know your employees are legally bound to your company for a predetermined period of time, you may want to rethink setting up shop in Indonesia for now.

Many foreign investors find that the best way to cope with all of the archipelago’s red tape is to simply incorporate in Singapore or choose companies that are Singapore-registered but which are allowed to operate in Indonesia.

According to International Enterprise Singapore, the government agency responsible for driving the nation’s external economy, bilateral trade between Indonesia and Singapore has remained warm throughout the years. Singapore has been one of the top three foreign investors in Indonesia for the past few years, while the archipelago is the second largest trading partner for Singapore in ASEAN.

As Indonesia continues to attract interest from foreign investors, Singaporean companies are in a unique position to tap into sectors such as infrastructure, utilities, consumer goods and services.

hopes that Jokowi will replicate his policies as governor in throwing out unnecessary bureaucracy, digitizing tax collection, and revving up infrastructure efforts in Indonesia, investors have gone ahead and grabbed nearly US$4 billion worth of Indonesian stocks this year.

However, with regard to foreign investment, much scepticism remains. Foreign investors need dozens of permits

World Resources Institute (CC) Djembar Lembasono (CC) Aaron G (CC)


What isWestern Union?

HistoryWESTERN UNION was �rst established in 1851 as New York & Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Co., later changing its name to WESTERN UNION in 1856. The �rst trans-US telegraph line was completed by the company in 1861, introducing a money transfer service a decade later. In the 1900s, the company launched the first tele-fax, city-to-city facsimile service, direct-dial teleprinter service, as well as launching Westar I & II satellites in the 1970s. In 1989, WESTERN UNION began transferring outside of North America, achieving 100,000 agents in 2001, and a further 100,000 by 2004.

Inbound Target MarketToday, WESTERN UNION’s target markets are overseas migrant workers and families of overseas migrant workers, providing a money transfer service for domestic, factory, construction, plantation and retail workers in oftentimes dif�cult to reach places. Also parents of overseas students, with their children (students) predominately studying abroad. Another target group are small importers working in trade sectors, importing goods from overseas. Expatriates are also one of WESTERN UNION’s main markets..

Business PartnersToday, Indonesia WESTERN UNION works with many well known brands, such as CIMB Niaga, Indomaret, Bank BII, Bank Danamon, JNE, Pos Indonesia, to name a few.

Where is WESTERN UNION?WESTERN UNION has cooperation agencies scattered all over the world, with more than 500,000 locations in more than 200 countries and teritories. In Indonesia, there’s 19,000 locations.

Why should I use WESTERN UNION?WESTERN UNION provides the answer for people who do not have bank accounts, but require money transfer services to various parts of the world, so they are able to share with their families in their hometowns.

Is WESTERN UNION reliable?Security is assured because it is supported by a world-class security system.

How fast is the WESTERN UNION transfer service?The process of sending money via WESTERN UNION takes place within minutes around the world by using an online system.

How easy is it to use WESTERN UNION?Simply by showing valid proof of identity (ID / Passport), the customer is able to send and receive money. There is no need for a bank account to make a transaction, sending/receiving money.

How affordable is WESTERN UNION?Fee is relatively affordable and recipients are not charged. WESTERN UNION agents have spread to remote areas of Indonesia in over 19,000 locations, so outlets are easily accessible to customers.

Where can customers make a transaction via WESTERN UNION?Senders and receivers can send/receive money at locations marked with the WESTERN UNION sign.

WESTERN UNION is a money transfer services company, for send and receive all around the world.

Send and receive money in 4 easy steps

SendingVisit your nearest WESTERN UNION agent.Fill in the ‘send money’ form.Your WESTERN UNION will process your order.Your sender will inform your designated receiver.

ReceivingThe receiver visits their nearest WESTERN UNION agent.The receiver �lls in a ‘receive money’ form.The receiver shows their ID.Money will be received within minutes.

Beware if you are going to use money transfer services

for the following reasons:

• Purchasing via the Internet or an online auction

• Taxes or other fees to claim lottery prizes or sweepstakes

• Advanced payment or charges for loans

• Investment opportunities of a lifetime

• Collection of pets or retrieving lost valuables

• Electronic goods or other expensive equipment

Ask yourselves:

• Who is this person?

• Does this money need to be sent in a hurry?

• Can this offer be trusted?

WU.COM VISIT FOR MORE INFO|


Business Snippet

Following the government’s policy to waive tourist visa fees for visitors from Japan, South Korea, Russia, Australia and China, Bali’s provincial administration expects to attract four million foreign tourists in 2015, an increase of 500,000 visitors compared to 2014’s estimation of 3.5 million.The head of Bali’s Tourism department AA Gede Yuniartha Putra was optimistic, stating that he believes the new visa policy will help to reach this target.

“So far, the number of foreign visitors to Bali has shown significant increase, although last year was a political year

Bali Targets Four Million Foreign Tourists in 2015

By Angela Richardson

WINZ Design, a part of WINZ Group International, was founded in Sydney in 2009 by young Indonesian entrepreneur Erwin Winata. Winata

decided to open a branch in Jakarta in 2013 to grow the business in response to Indonesia's strengthening economy. Their clients include big

players such as Vodafone, Renault, Jaguar and Telstra.

WINZ DesignErwin, please tell us how WINZ Design was born in Australia and why you decided to bring it to Indonesia. WINZ Design was founded in 2009 in Australia as a freelance consultancy in advertising. It was created with a passion for creativity. Starting from freelancing, we gained more and more projects until it grew into a company, with more team members and clients involved. We grew more specialised in the development of branding implementation of a business. We took it to the next level by expanding to Indonesia in 2013. Our decision to bring it to Indonesia was based on Southeast Asia’s recovery in the world’s economy being very strong, at 5.2%. McKinsey has calculated that Indonesian’s economy will be around 1 trillion USD by late 2015, which is a huge market for a business to develop in.

What services does WINZ Design offer its clients and what makes your company stand out from the crowd?We offer an integrated branding, marketing and advertising service to our clients, providing strategic solutions and implementation. We do not only give you strategic planning and suggestions, but also a solution. We always try to grow in terms of what we can offer to our clients. From a consultancy business, we developed other business units to support our clients and provide a multimedia solution for displaying their marketing strategy in video wall and LED display videotron. We also provide helicopter transportation memberships for our clients to boost

their company profile, depending on the requirement of their business.

Can you please explain what branding business development is exactly?We treat a business as a human being. What we say is that branding is actually creating a story, reputation and awareness of the business to its consumer. Brand is reputation. The easiest example is when you are thinking of one person in particular, you will have an image of attributes that the person has. It is no different for branding in business.

Your job involves ideas generation, development and implementation of digital projects in oftentimes complex, technical environments. How are you able to continuously come up with fresh ideas for your clients?The most important aspect is to have a highly motivated creative team. We like to learn, innovate and understand what’s going on around us. This creates a learning environment every day that is the basis of getting fresh ideas all the time.

Indonesia is famous for ‘jam karet ’ (rubber

time), but being on time is something your company prides itself for. How were you able to train your team to provide results on-time, every time?It is correct that here in Indonesia there are differences in terms of punctuality compared to Australia, for instance. The first step to practicing being on time is in our company value. From the first day you start working in our business, punctuality and speed are number one aspects that we focus on. We always aim to exceed customer expectations by delivering a project ahead of the due date. When our turnaround time for a project is 10 working days, we will inform our client that it will be 15 working days, which gives us time to solve any problems should something unexpected occur.

If I came to you with a new brand and wanted to take it to the next level, how would you help me to do that? What does it take to ‘make’ a brand?The first step is to do an assessment of the value of the brand itself. We have to know if the brand is living up to the expectations of its founder(s), members and consumers.

After understanding the current situation, the next target for development has to be put in place. Strategic development and implementation of marketing and advertising plans will be required to achieve the target.

You studied and then developed your brand in Sydney, Australia. How do you feel this affected the way in which your business operates and runs today? What can we learn about digital media, branding and advertising from our neighbours down under? The way Australians think is very direct and straightforward, which in Indonesia is not always the case. However, we have tailored this direct approach to the Indonesian market and have received a positive response from some of our clients. Branding and media in Australia has developed into a mature stage, as it is a developed country, across small to large businesses. In Indonesia, it is mostly implemented by medium-to-large-sized businesses.

Is there any cross-country collaboration between your offices in Sydney and Jakarta?We share our ideas and knowledge between our Sydney and Jakarta team to create a very unique way of working.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is one of the services your company offers, and is a term we hear almost daily in this era. Could you explain to us why you believe

Expat Business Business Profile


for Indonesia, when the legislative and presidential elections were held,” said Putra.

Nearly 3.5 million foreign tourists visited Bali between the months of January to November in 2014, which is a rise of 14.74 percent compared to 2013. In the month of December 2013, Bali Tourism office estimated the arrival of 340,000 foreign tourists, bringing the total number of foreign visitors to around 3.7 million, 106 percent of the year’s target.

Putra stated, “Based on last year’s achievements and the new visa policy for those five countries, we are confident about setting a target of four million foreign tourist arrivals this year. Of course,

we hope that the state of internal and external security is favourable.”

According to data in 2014, Australia ranked number one in tourist arrivals to Bali at 893,873, followed by China with 539,252, Japan with 195,444, South Korea with 131,975 and Russia with 66,140.

“To reach the target, internal elements, such as security, cleanliness, traffic congestion and services in a tourist destination are also essential,” added Putra. In the past several years, he said, the number of tourist arrivals to Bali had further increased, thus indicating an elevated level of trust from the international community.

it’s crucial to get a company’s SEO right? Basically, a great SEO will boost your business, making it easy to find on Google and other search engines, which increases traffic to your website. With 42 million internet users in Indonesia, everyone searches online for things they want to know. It is best if your business can be a solution for what your consumers are looking for at the top of the search results. Having a bad SEO for your business means you are losing potential customers.

What other challenges do you face in your industry?This industry is fast-paced, with new information and technology always being updated. We have to always be highly motivated and creative to be able to keep up with this pace.

Being a young entrepreneur, do you feel it is easy or difficult to launch a startup in Indonesia? Are there any support systems in place to encourage the birth of startups? There is no easy way of starting a business. To become a successful entrepreneur, you will need to have these eight habits:1. Be pro-active — understand your mistakes quickly and find solutions2. Start from the end — think about how you want to be in 30 years’ time and create a plan in your business, living backwards3. “First things first” — the ability to prioritise.4. Always increase capacity5. Synergise6. Think win-win solutions7. Be the first to understand then to be understood8. Inspire people

Our government supports start-ups,

especially in the creative industry, and you can learn more by attending business start-up events available. The government provides start-ups an entrepreneurship training program and is helping obtain seed capital and mentoring during the start-up process. Kredit Usaha Rakyat (KUR) guarantees 70% of loans made under the program, with the bank bearing the risk for the remaining 30%. There are also one-stop shops to consolidate and simplify the process of applying for permits and licenses.

Most importantly, a start-up needs to find a mentor; someone who can give you advice and reduce your trial-and-error in running a business.

What role do small and medium-sized enterprises play in Indonesia’s economy?Small and medium-sized enterprises will play a major role in Indonesia’s economy. We need 2% of entrepreneurs from the total population of Indonesia to be able to build the economy and take it to the next level. We need around 5 million entrepreneurs, mostly in small and medium enterprises.

How do you reward and motivate your staff? Do you find this to be different between Indonesia and Australia?There are cultural differences between Australia and Indonesia, however in motivating and rewarding the team it is not that different, since when you understand human nature, you will understand what your staff and team really want in their careers. We always apply the ‘start from the ending’ technique in order to motivate our team. We try hard to find out what they want from life and their careers and enable them to achieve these within our company.

Thank you, Erwin. To get in touch, please e-mail: [email protected]

“This industry is fast-paced, with new information and technology always being updated. We have to

always be highly motivated and creative to be able to keep up with this pace.”


Patrick, tell us a little about your background and how you came to be in Indonesia. My background is in hospitality. I studied in Paris and have worked for both the Hyatt and Accor groups. I moved from hotels to serviced residences because I feel you can be closer to the guests in this environment. I’ve now been with Ascott for over ten years. Previously I was Area Manager of 11 properties in the South of France before the opportunity came up in Indonesia in October 2014.

As a group, Ascott founded the concept of international-class serviced residences in Asia, by opening the Ascott Singapore in 1984. How has Ascott distinguished itself from new competition since then, to retain its pioneering position?We offer tailored ‘extras’ for our guests based on property location, clientele and context. Along with regular sports and children’s activities, we offer Bahasa Indonesia classes (including going out into the markets for practice); Chinese New Year celebrations, and even Russian New Year parties in some properties. It’s about finding the peripheral extras that make the guests feel welcomed, special, and at home.

At the World Travel Awards in 2014, you won Leading Serviced Apartment Brand in eight countries, including Indonesia (where Ascott Jakarta also won Leading Serviced Apartment). What do you think contributed to these achievements?The group’s approach is strongly customer-centric — you cannot achieve anything without your customers, it is like trying to run a car without gasoline! We have formal feedback mechanisms, but we also spend time talking and listening to our customers and sharing learnings back to the team, so they can try to pre-empt guests’ behaviours and habits, making their stay even more comfortable.

What groups make up your customer base in Jakarta?The majority of our customers are expats, but we also have Indonesian guests, perhaps working in Jakarta temporarily. Around 10-15% come from Europe, and the rest are Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian, Singaporean, Indian, or American. 50% of our customers come here with families — usually they are from places that are further away, like Europe — and of the remaining 50%, half are single, whereas half travel back to see their families at the weekend.

If many of your customers are international businesspeople here for a short time, what impact do you think Indonesian government regulations on foreigners doing business here will have for you?

I don’t think there is anything looming which will significantly deter expats or have a large impact on our business. I also think the possibility of a language test for workers wanting to come here is fair enough. You must respect and adapt to the culture you are joining — something I try to bring into my own work.

What’s a typical day’s work like for you — if it exists? My morning ritual is reading the French and Indonesian press with a green tea — in France it is hard to find green tea! Then I watch local TV, to help with my Bahasa Indonesia. At the office, I make a point of greeting everyone; it’s important. I catch up on emails and meet with my team. In the afternoons I might focus on one of our development projects; maybe a new restaurant in one of the properties — or even a brand new site. Each evening I like to try a new Indonesian delicacy, if I can!

Last year Ascott secured one of its first franchise agreements in Asia to open Citadines Kuta Beach Bali. Is franchising the way forward for Ascott in Indonesia, and if so, why? Yes, this is one of the ways we will continue to grow our business. Franchising works because we have a reputation as a transparent, trustworthy company — there

Patrick LegrandPatrick shares with us his experience from France to Indonesia, and what it’s like managing five properties across three brands (Ascott, Somerset and Citadines) in Jakarta.

Expat Business Meet the Expat

By Annali Hayward

I found I needed to take time to listen and understand people so I could adapt my approach accordingly — for both colleagues and clients, who are sometimes of nationalities I have not worked with before. Otherwise, just the usual — the traffic, and the sticky tropical weather!

Does Ascott have plans for further expansion in Indonesia? If so, where do you see growth and why?Two projects coming up in 2015 are the Ascott Surabaya, and the Somerset Pondok Indah. I can’t divulge any projects still in the confidential stages, but we are open to opportunities to grow in Indonesia, for example in regional cities outside of Jakarta, where we have been approached by customers to consider opening.

How do you motivate staff, and have you found this to be different in Indonesia than in France? We offer a lot of training for all levels, from basic English and IT courses, to cross-department exchanges, to the chance to get involved in green initiatives. For high performers, the opportunities are the same worldwide whether you work in Indonesia or France.

Tell us a funny story that has happened to you in one of your hotels.Once, in Cannes, we had a guest that looked just like a famous French actor, Jean Dujardin. All the staff were wondering if it was really him. When the guest checked out the next morning, we didn’t know there were a couple of photographers waiting outside! He was very understanding, as it wasn’t the first time. He came back inside and offered to sign a few ‘autographs’. Then he said he had his fifteen minutes of fame and went on his way. The funny thing is, it was April Fools’ Day!

is a certain savoir faire we can bring to the table. Other ways we expand are via management contracts, and owner-management.

You were previously Area Manager for Ascott in France. What did you find to be the major differences on transferring to Indonesia? Before coming I read up on Indonesian culture, but there is still much to learn.

Thanks Patrick! To get in touch, e-mail: [email protected]



Expats behind the Ovens of Jakarta’s Top EateriesThere is a vibrant culinary scene in Jakarta and expats are no strangers to it. French, German, Italian, Australian expats work in kitchens across the city, sharing the same passion for food in what can sometimes be a challenging environment. Sophie Chavanel visited seven expat chefs in their kitchens to find out how they ended up in Jakarta and what makes each restaurant stand out from the crowd.

Expat Lifestyle Food & Drink

By Sophie Chavanel

What brought you here? My son Daniel has been living in Jakarta for many years now. One day I told him I wanted the family to be together again. He came up with this idea of a restaurant. At first I was supposed to come only for a few months just to teach my recipes and train the staff, but I decided to stay.

What is the most difficult ingredient to find? Marsala, a sweet Italian wine; it is just impossible to find here.

Chef’s recommendation?Anything with pesto, which is freshly made every two or three days, with carefully chosen basil leaves from Bandung.

If you haven’t been to Mamma Rosy yet, stop whatever you are doing and go there! It is absolutely delicious and in my opinion, one of the best Italian restaurants in Jakarta. Our order of burrata served with pesto and spices; salmon carpaccio with lemon, black pepper and marjoram served with fresh tomato chunks and goat cheese; pesto lasagna with bescamellia cheese and parmesan; and pizza with gorgonzola cheese and bacon was delicious. The wine list offers a diverse choice of good Italian wine at fair prices. You can either sit on the very cool terrace overlooking Kemang’s main street, near a calming fountain, or inside within air-conditioning. If you sit near the kitchen you will probably be able to sneak a peek at Mamma Rosy working away. But Mamma Rosy is a family story and you will also meet her son Daniel, her daughter Stefania and her son-in-law Rodolpho, who will all welcome you as if you were part of the family. Exactly what we expect from an Italian trattoria!

Rosa Vignolo, aka Mamma Rosy

Restaurant: Mamma RosyAge: 66Nationality: ItalianMoved to Jakarta: 2013

Jl. Kemang Raya no. 58, Jakarta+62 (0) 21 7179 1592www.mammarosy.com

Jl. Kh. Mas Mansyur No.24, Jakarta+62 (21) 5794 1500www.cassis-gourmand.com

What brought you to Jakarta? After eight years in Bali, I was looking for a new challenge. Where were you working before? Kori restaurant Bar in Kuta.

What is the most difficult ingredient to find? Quark, it’s a cheese from Germany we use for baking.

Chef’s recommendation?Roast pork knuckles, but make sure you order in advance. This fine German delicacy takes three hours to prepare.

It is with a very ungerman broad smile that Chef Ralf welcomes us to Die Stube, a classic German pub tucked away in a little alley at the entrance of Kemang. Everything about this Bavarian restaurant makes you feel as if you have stepped into ‘little Germany’ in the middle of Jakarta. The Tudor-inspired building facade, the big wooden picnic tables inside, the authentic menu and the German beer selection is similar to what you would find in any classic pub in Germany, and it’s all about meat! The spatzles and roasted potatoes are very tasty. I also recommend the platter of homemade sausages to share. Die Stube is a noisy and lively place where expats and Indonesians, regular customers and curious newbies, mingle. Be ready to share your table and meet new friends! Great spot to gather with a big group of people, to watch sports or for a family dinner.

Restaurant: Die StubeAge: 49 Nationality: GermanMoved to Jakarta: 2012

Ralf Schmidt

Plaza Bisnis Kemang 1, Jl. Kemang Raya no. 2, Jakarta+62 (21) 7179 3486www.diestube.co.id

What brought you to Jakarta? The adventure.

Where were you before Cassis? I was the owner of a restaurant in France: Le Cilantro (1 Michelin star).

What is the most difficult ingredient to find? It is not one single ingredient but different ingredients: one day it is available, the next it is gone.

Chef’s recommendation?The degustation menu which changes every month allows you to taste a bit of everything.

Michelin-starred Chef Jérôme Laurent is a friendly, passionate culinary artist from Arles, in the south of France. After working in world-class restaurants and opening his own, he needed another kind of adventure, so he decided to move to Jakarta with his family. From his home region of Provence, he brought a light French cuisine to Cassis, featuring fresh fish, seafood, delicate meat and he is particularly fond of shaved truffles. If you’re not tempted by the degustation menu, I recommend the white asparagus veloute, ricotta and goat’s cheese and the seared black cod, truffle vegetable blanquette, snow pea and arugula. The deserts are fantastic. Cassis is a chic, fine dining French restaurant. The decor is refined and the service surpasses what you may find in many restaurants in Jakarta. For a romantic night out. Restaurant: Cassis

Nationality: FrenchMoved to Jakarta: 2013

Jérôme Laurent

Sophie Chavanel is a Canadian communications girl and a confirmed globe-trotter. As a Journalist, she has worked for different media outlets in Canada and overseas. She moved to Indonesia in March 2013 with her husband and daughter.


What brought you to Jakarta? A friend asked me to come more than 15 years ago and I have stayed since then.

Where were you before KOI? I was managing my own restaurant in Belgium.

What is the most difficult ingredient to find? A nice quail.

Chef’s recommendation?Classic duck confit.

Chef Benoit Claeys adopted Jakarta as his second home more than 15 years ago and he is now a part of it. He is well known among the expat community who frequent the two KOIs: Koi Kemang and Koi Mahakam. We met him at Koi Kemang, where he greeted us with a strong hand shake and laughter. Koi is a casual, trendy bistro with chalkboard menus hanging on the walls and a European brasserie style. The place is always busy, therefore reservations are strongly recommended, but you can always find a seat at the bar or on the terrace. The menu is a hybrid, offering French bistro food and Asian dishes. I recommend the ‘À la minute’ smoked salmon salad and the beef tartare. For breakfast, lunch dinner with family or friends — with or without kids — KOI has a little something for everybody.

KOI Kemang: Jl. Kemang Raya no. 72KOI Mahakam: Jl. Mahakam I no. 2+62 (21) 5794 1500www.koiindonesia.com

Restaurant: KOI Age: 54 Nationality: BelgianMoved to Jakarta: 1999

Benoit Claeys

What brought you to Jakarta? I had the opportunity to move to Indonesia more than 15 years ago now, to introduce Turkish cooking to Jakarta. Since then, I have had the unbelievable chance to cook for high profile people such as ambassadors, ministers and presidents of Indonesia and finally, realize a dream of mine to open my own restaurant.

Where were you before Turkuaz? I was in Singapore running four restaurants with my father.

What is the most difficult ingredient to find? Most ingredients are available in Jakarta. However, we import some key ingredients such as tahini directly from Turkey.

Chef’s recommendation? Chef’s Signature Lamb Shank. It is an original recipe from my village, overnight wood oven-baked, fork-tender shank of lamb with home dried herbs and spices.

Turkuaz is one of the favourite spots among expatriates in Jakarta. Chef Zorlu and his wife Yanti have been on-the-nose on several things; the restaurant is very pretty, the location is great, the food is really authentic and the service, which is normally the bête noire of restaurant owners in Jakarta, is good! I love the Bademli Balik, pan-grilled fillet of dover sole with roasted almond and paprika trio and the classic mezze platter, consisting of hummus, babaganush, cucumber, tomatoes and walnut salad with pomegranate sauce, extra virgin olive oil, spinach, cheese borkek and bread. There is no visit to Turkey without baklava and Turkuaz’s baklava alone are worth the trip!

Sezai Zorlu

Jl. Gunawarman no. 32, Jakarta+62 (21) 7279 5846 www.turkuazrst.com

Restaurant: TurkuazNationality: TurkishMoved to Jakarta: 1999

What brought you to Jakarta? I am married to an Indonesian woman and I got an opportunity to join Hacienda as the Executive Chef and Operations Manager in 2009.

Where were you before Hacienda? Before coming to Jakarta, I worked as a chef and manager in different restaurants in Mexico and the United States.

What ingredient is the most difficult to find in Jakarta? Cornflour-dried chillies.

Chef’s recommendation? Tacos al Pastor.

Hacienda is not your generic neighbourhood Mexican restaurant. The ambience of this restaurant is convivial and the quality of the ingredients brings it to a completely different level. Chef Gerardo brought his unique savoir-faire from Morelia city in Mexico and created a menu that will surprise every palate. I recommend starting with the sharing table-side guacamole, which is made in front of you with carefully chosen avocados and tomatoes, fresh herbs spices and chilli. For mains, I second Chef Gerardo and recommend everything with chilli pasilla, imported from Mexico. The quesadillas with your choice of filling accompanied by homemade guacamole and pico de gallo and sour cream are a must. Desserts are not my favourite, but that is not why one goes to Hacienda: happy hour is!

Restaurant: HaciendaAge: 36 Nationality: MexicanMoved to Jakarta: 2007

Age: 42Nationality : SpanishMoved to Jakarta: 2010

Plaza Senayan Arcadia X-105, Jl. New Delhi+62 (21) 5790 1469Street Gallery, Pondok Indah Mall 1st floor+62 (21) 2952 9719www.haciendajakarta.com

Gerardo Milan

Oskar Urzelai

Where were you working before here? Thailand. I have worked in 11 countries.

What brought you to Jakarta? I worked in Bali 10 years ago. I already knew Indonesia very well and I was looking forward to coming back.

What ingredient is the most difficult to find here in Jakarta? Saffron.

Chef’s recommendation? Squid in black ink sauce.

Plan B is a cool, casual Spanish Bistro located in Senayan, in an interesting block where there are sidewalks and large streets. The concept is young and cool; seats are covered with jeans and walls with newspapers. The menu is simple and offers typical Spanish food: tapas and paellas. I loved the egg and chicken croquettes, the broken egg with beef chorizo, potatoes and red pepper sauce and

the prawns sautéed with garlic and parsley. But the best thing about Plan B is the friendly owners who take the time to greet each guest and make sure everything is to their liking. The next best thing about Plan B, last but not least, is the good and reasonably priced wine list. The sommelier’s recommendation: Paternina Banda Roja Reserva 2008 - purely delicious for Rp.400,000! Another pro is that the dining room is non-smoking and there is a cute little terrace outside.

Rukan Permata Senayan Jl. Tentara Pelajar Blok D22+62 (21) 57940821www.planbspanishresto.com


It is said that in 1296, when King Mengrai saw a large mouse and four smaller ones scurry down a hole under a holy Bodhi tree, he established this city to stand as the heart of his Lanna Kingdom. A moat surrounds old Chiang Mai, and its corner defensive bastions remain, reminders of early battles for control. After more than 700 years, this population of 200,000 on the Ping River still boasts the greatest concentration of handicrafts in Thailand.

My husband and I chose Chiang Mai for its historic sites and welcoming hospitality. With an ethnically diverse population and treasures matching Bangkok, this transportation hub offers a concentrated, user-friendly package. The old city makes a good base to reach local attractions on foot or by tuk

tuk with easy day trips to the mountains. Our timing coincided with the annual Flower Festival, set to mark the end of the cool season in early February. The month’s warm, comfortable days and refreshing nights average only one rainy day, making it perfect for every outdoor pursuit.

We arrived two days before the festival, and within minutes of stepping onto the street, we passed through the gate of our first wat, or Buddhist monastery. There are over 120 wats within the city limits, and two famous temples are only blocks apart. Wat Chedi Luang has a massive, ruined chedi, or memorial, from the mid-1400s pointing skyward. Wat Phra Singh holds the most revered Lion Buddha. In honour of the event, the grounds boasted festival finery with pennants flapping and altar offerings that

CountryThailand

ProvinceChiang Mai

Land Area510,890 km2

Highest ElevationDoi Inthanon 2,565 m

Largest cityBangkok

Population65 million

How to get thereNo direct flights. Air Asia flies through Phuket, and most large carriers, like Thai Airways fly via Bangkok.

What to bringWalking shoes and an umbrella

Chiang Mai◊ Fast Facts

Chiang Mai

CAMBODIA

LAOSVIETN

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included pig heads and floral displays. Wizened monks meditated in the chapel.

Hiring a taxi made day trips flexible and is cheaper than standard tours. Negotiate with drivers and plan a personalized outing. On one day, we took the winding road to Doi Suthep. Wat Phra That sits atop the mountain, above the city congestion, projecting calm. Pilgrims pray to the gold-plated, gleaming chedi, which enshrines a Buddha relic. Pushing further up the road to Bhubing Palace, we visited the royal winter residence with acres of rose, fern and formal gardens, offering picturesque strolling.

West of Chiang Mai, we enjoyed Maesa Elephant Camp, where the chang, or elephant, showed great strength and personality. Mahouts live and work with the chang in their forest homes, and the trained animals entertain audiences by kicking a ball, painting a picture and more. Nearby are the Hill Tribes, set in traditional villages, where guests can interact and buy vibrantly-hued handiwork. Among them are the famed Karen people, whose women’s necks are elongated with a long, copper band. On our return, we stopped at Bai Orchid Farm to see vivid, alien blooms hanging in hothouses in bushy rows.

City sights beckoned, too. We hopped on the Scorpion-Tailed River Cruise for a historical and cultural lesson on the Ping River, visited the night markets and enjoyed the traditional Khantoke dinner and ceremonial dances at the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre.

Flower Festival events were scheduled Friday through Sunday with night music and food stalls at Suan Bak Hat, the city park. These included an open-air exhibition of judged flowers and plants, a beauty contest, mini-concerts and endless food stalls, hawking every delectable delicacy. We sampled stir-fries, grilled pork, stews, coconut dumplings, plus spicy peanuts with lemongrass.

The festival’s signature floral affair is the parade. It would begin before Nawarat Bridge, rolling to

Tha Phae Gate and along the inner moat road to finish at the park. Beforehand, we had scored a preview as parade floats pushed vehicles off the road, trundling to the staging site. On Saturday afternoon, thirty-five floats—bedecked in blooms, seeds and beauty queens—slowly made their way along the route, stopping often for photographs by the dazzled crowd. Marching bands, some costumed in riotous gear, showcased their brass. Masses lined the main roads, cheering, sipping fruit shakes or munching satay.

As Thailand’s tourism bureau had promised, “a magnificent tapestry of f loral splendour blanketed” every main street, bridge and corner. The streets pulsed with a vibrant energy and the perfume of a million blooms permeated the air.

In the Tha Phae Gate area, speeches and narration echoed across the throngs. Day gave way to pinky twilight, cuing fairy-lit trees and glistening swans and serpents. The gathering place held a stage, where dance teams performed later. After walking the length of the parade route, we stood on Nawarat Bridge, surveying the last float as it scooted along. Earlier that day, the elephant on top had lost its trunk to some low wires on the road. Men had pegged it together, but, already, it had fallen the wrong way down and made us laugh at the happy delights our Chiang Mai visit had held. On a patio along the river, we supped and watched the fireworks shoot above the trees. The city’s many festivals are celebratory affairs.

This cultural capital of the Lanna Kingdom wows visitors with ancient wonders while keeping pace with a modern enthusiasm for adventure, all set amongst the fragrant backdrop of the city’s annual Flower Festival.

Expat Lifestyle Travel

ROSE OF NORTHERN THAILANDChiang MaiBy Gail G. Collins

Gail Collins writes internationally for magazines and has co-written two books on expat life. She feels writing is the perfect

excuse to talk to strangers and know the world around her better.


Expat Lifestyle Literature

By Bill Dalton

Bill Dalton has been writing travel features, book reviews, interviews and guidebooks about Indonesia for more than 40 years, starting with his

groundbreaking Indonesia Handbook first published in 1976. Bill lives on a farm with his Indonesian family deep in the countryside of west Bali.

Roberto Di Marco was born and grew up in Rome, Italy. He attended a liceo in Rome, earning degrees in philosophy, psychology, criminology and forensic psychiatry. Roberto has worked as a teacher for handicapped children, taught literature in secondary school and history and philosophy in high school. From 1982 to 1989, he was a lecturer in the Department of Neurological Science in an Italian University and has also worked as a counselor for couples and the mentally ill. To research an anthology of expat life, Roberto lived six months in Cebu in the Philippines and two years in Phuket in Thailand. In 2014, Orchid Press published Roberto’s What Do You Pack If You Are Never Coming Back, a compilation of 15 true stories of expats who left their past behind to start a new life in a foreign country.

What do you think motivates people to move to another country to live and work?People often have very established habits and need a strong motivation to leave their country. The most common reason to make a radical geographical change is a desire to improve their economic conditions. But there are many other reasons: to move from a rich country to a poor country where their money is worth more; men looking for wives and lovers; the increased economic power that offers a greater choice; the allure of a more temperate climate; the attraction of a more natural way of life, free from constraints and formalities. A minority, mostly dissatisfied artists and writers, are interested in discovering new dimensions in their lives. Bali, for example, is more suited to the artist than to the business person.

Why does living abroad change us?Knowledge of different countries and new ways of life helps people become masters of their fate and not a victim of the system. At home, each of us exists in a limited environment, confined to only what we can see and experience in our immediate surroundings, i.e. what our neighbours, friends and co-workers are doing. We all think that this is normal and perhaps even the best way of living. But often we want something more, sometimes without even realizing it.

Which Asian countries are the most favourable for expats to live in? I personally like busy international tourist centres like Bali in Indonesia and Phuket in Thailand where you find fantastic nature and eternal summer but also services for people from all over the world. In these places you find a different way of life, yet you are able to enjoy almost all the habits and comforts found in your home country. In countries such as Laos, Cambodia, Philippines and in northern Thailand, an expat can live for less than 1,000 Euros per month. In a town or area with few expats and tourists, you can live even cheaper.

Can you give examples from your book of expats who have made successful lives for themselves overseas?I always liked the story of a Spanish man who was leading a boring life in Spain as a clerk, then he became a seaplane pilot in the Philippines, which — to say the very least — opened up new vistas for him. Another story is about a man who was chased by the mafia and ended up in Bali.

What are the best practices and attitudes to have to make a success of living abroad? Be open to changing your habits, don’t judge others and don’t be inflexible in your opinions. Take the opportunity to test yourself in unknown situations. Try to understand different ways of seeing and thinking. Visit places other than

those in which you can meet your fellow countrymen. Many compatriots meet often in the same places, which predictably just recreate in an overseas setting the lives that they lived in their home country. This is understandable. We all want a sense of belonging in a familiar group, but it’s also important to be part of the culture of ‘the other’, to come in contact with different people from other countries and walks of life. This doesn’t mean of course that you have to renounce your identity or accept blindly everything that is culturally new.

What are the most important steps an expat should take after arriving in his or her adopted country?Get as much information as possible beforehand on the new country’s culture, customs, health services, retirement life, tax laws, visas, ways to save money, etc. It’s important to know what kind of dangers exist, such as risks of disease or criminality, as well as which areas and neighborhoods are safe to live in. Expat blogs are especially good for tips and useful information for those who want to fit in. Studying the language of the adopted country will make it a pleasure to mix with the locals, so buy a dictionary and phrasebook.

What are the most frequent causes of an expat’s failed attempts to live abroad? Sometimes expats behave as if they are still in their own country, ignoring the rules and what is acceptable behaviour in their adopted country. Often conf licts occur in mixed marriages, for example when a Catholic marries a Muslim. I know of one instance in which an Egyptian married to an Italian woman took his 12-year-old daughter on vacation to his country where he forced her to undergo a clitoridectomy. His wife was outraged and asked for a divorce. Now the daughter does not want to see him, is burdened with a serious identity crisis, acts like a male and eats pork in defiance of the Muslim religion.

What should one be prepared for when marrying an Asian woman?Marrying a Filipina, Javanese or a Thai woman may mean that relatives and friends will be frequently visiting or living in your home, which may require you to sacrifice privacy. Expats may have to reconcile the sense of community that an African or Asian wife feels with the individualism that a European prizes. For an English person, family difficulties are resolved in private, but for an Ethiopian it is normal to involve relatives and friends in the resolution of family problems. Will your African or Asian spouse be amenable to a Westerner’s tendency to criticize everything? Would he or she be willing to become passive in order to keep the peace?

Are there any good movies about expat life?The film The Song of Carla is an eye opener for those thinking of marrying someone from a different culture. In the course of hero Ken Loach falling in love and taking a journey into the unknown world of his partner, he is swept up in the political cause of her people.

So, what do you pack when you go to live in a new country? An Italian-English dictionary as well as an Italian-whatever-language-of-the-new-country dictionary. I also carry books on a wide variety of subjects about the adopted country.

How can you be contacted? Email me at [email protected], or visit my website www.bobdimarco.com


Being a stylista, I am always intrigued by people’s choice of attire, and when wandering around Jakarta’s malls, I have to say I have encountered a few fashion faux pas that are simply not acceptable!

Get your sartorial act together and let your imagination take charge. Mix-match, clash it, f lower power it, drop the black (well, occasionally), leather it, and just don’t be scared to be different. No ubiquitous, hoi polloi attire please. Be stylish and not a slave to fashion — just because it’s in, it doesn’t mean you’ve got to have it!

The way you present yourself is important. It is like your calling card; first impressions and all that jazz. Raise the bar, my fashion friends. For fear of being controversial, I have to say that there is something lacking in the fashion individuality stakes of Jakarta. The uniform of ill-fitting straight/skinny jeans and a non-descript top seems to be the choice of garb, with shoes that don’t fit!

Just to let you know, there are a multitude of jeans in enticing hues of blues, fantastic prints, a rainbow of colours, some embellishments with angry rhinestones, scary zips, lace, tuxedo stripes and even melted coins and fabric paint. The cuts are varied too, so you don’t have to stick to skinnies, which really don’t work for everyone!

Take advantage of the smorgasbord of denim designs and be super-duper stylish. Try G-Star men’s ARC 3D shorts or the A-crotch shorts (wear them fitted or loose), team them with a chemise top, silk shirt, or an embellished tee with sky-high shoe boots, a fedora and waistcoat and ta-dah, you are style personified. How about some denim overalls? They would look cool with either a boob tube or a billowing-sleeved blouse and high-top platform, funky trainers like those from Giuseppe Zanotti. Less expensive pairs are available, but I adore Giuseppe! No bling jewellery required, just gold hoops and a cuff will suffice.

On the end of the skinny jeans tends to be a vertiginous pair of designer shoes, often from Christian Louboutain. Now ladies, if you are going to buy “them here shoes”, you had better darn well know how to sashay in them. In the catwalk of the malls, this indeed is not happening.

Remember you are not wearing your flip-flops! And don’t buy them two sizes too big either — you will not be growing into them. It will only make you look like you are borrowing your mamma’s big-old shoes. There are other shoe designers like Sophia Webster, Jimmy Choo and Charlotte Olympia, whose designs are happiness-inducing and interesting.

No more big hair that resembles heavy black-out curtains. Ditch the brown, auburn and chestnut! Dye it, f lick it, fringe it, layer it, plait it, bob it, crimp it, and please lay off the lacquer; that bird’s nest has to go — we don’t want a curious fowl perching on your barnet! No just-taken-out-curlers looks either. Be experimental with your dyes — try copper, fiery red, midnight blue, hot chilli red, purple, or dip-dye. Bring life to your beautiful face.

I also see a sea of impossible-looking false lashes, as though they are about to sweep the floor! You are not about to set the stage alight as a drag queen extraordinaire. Stop! Enlist the help of a professional who can put individual lashes in so you look like you were born with a set of a natural, luscious-looking lashes. Tone down the cement-like make-up, no cadaver would be seen in war paint like that! Less is more. No more cartoon-character eyebrows, naturally shaped please. Get them threaded, and remember no two eyebrows are the same, so honour each brow. If you have to have semi-permanent make-up, employ an expert who is also gentle and kind with a lifetime of experience.

If you insist on wearing shorts, please make sure they fit perfectly. It is a scary world in the malls when shorts have been cajoled to wrap around a generous thigh and booty when there is clearly not enough material to go around! Don’t hurt the shorts, go a size up and wear them on your hips. You do not want to have that appalling crotch-caught-between-chafing-thighs scenario! Equally, if you are skinny, that does not give you the right to show the world your ‘hoo-ha’. So cover your beautiful bits and start to show your lovely pins mid-thigh!

I am watching you. Keep fashion tidy.

I also see a sea of impossible-looking false lashes, as though they are about to sweep the floor!

Fashion Faux Pas

Expat Lifestyle Fashion

Jakarta’s

By Victoria Bannerman

Victoria Bannerman people-watches in Jakarta's malls to bring you the fashion rights and wrongs to be found in our capital city.

Being around glamour all her life, Victoria developed a sense of style that has led her to fashion styling, journalism and designing

her debut collection. Email her at [email protected]

Dungarees (available at Zara)

Giuseppe Zanotti python sneakers

(available in Plaza Indonesia)

Jimmy Choo — Avril pump (available in Plaza Indonesia)

Sophia Webster Finn Red Hound Sandal 2014 (available online)

Sophia Webster Sabrina Blue Sandal 2014 (available online)


Kenneth Yeung is a Jakarta-based editor

Failing to Buy an Income

It has long been alleged that entry to the police academy can cost upward of Rp.200 million, while the going rate for becoming a civil servant starts at about Rp.100 million. The bribes are invariably paid to intermediaries, known as calo, who then distribute the money to officials. Sadly, this crooked system discourages the nation’s best graduates from joining the civil service.

Police in September arrested a civil servant and two Mobile Brigade police officers, who were taking bags containing Rp.1.9 billion ($152,600) in cash from Sumatra to Jakarta. The money comprised of bribes, each ranging from Rp.170 million to Rp.200 million, paid by aspiring civil servants.

Recruiting crooked people to run the civil service is grossly counterproductive if Indonesia wants to halt institutionalized corruption. Yet President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo this month tried to appoint a corruption suspect, Budi Gunawan, as the National Police chief. Budi is alleged to have been nominated for the position because he was extremely close to former president Megawati Sukarnoputri when serving as her adjutant. The House of Representatives’ approval of the nomination only shows the utter putrefaction of the system.

Some scammers pretend to be connected to the president or a minister, claiming they can provide access to government funds, for a fee, of course. Countless victims fall for these scams because the process of obtaining a civil service position, a promotion or state funds is often facilitated by bribery.

Police in East Java last week arrested the leader of a gang that had amassed at least Rp.6 billion ($480,000) from thousands of people who had tried to buy their way into the bureaucracy. Sumarno and his two cohorts had posed as members of the State Intelligence Agency and claimed to be close to government officials. The trio usually collected Rp.100 million per victim.

One of Indonesia’s biggest problems is law enforcement, or more accurately, the lack of it. Part of the problem is that recruitment and promotion within the police and civil service is not always based on merit, but sometimes on the payment of bribes. Yet many of those soliciting bribes are scammers, taking money from people trying to buy prestigious positions for themselves or their children.

In the South Sumatran capital of Palembang, police last month arrested a former legislator for taking bribes ranging from Rp.100 million to Rp.500 million from aspiring civil servants. Doni Romadhona (34), who served in the Palembang City Legislative Assembly from 2012-1013, took money from at least 11 people, promising positions in the bureaucracy without undergoing requisite tests. None of them became civil servants. After his arrest, Doni threatened to douse reporters with urine if they tried to ask him questions. Charged with fraud and embezzlement, he now faces a maximum penalty of four years in jail. He had previously served only three months in jail for the same type of crime.

Also in South Sumatra, a woman studying for her master’s degree, Astria Anindita (30), last week complained to police that she had paid a bribe to get a job with the National Civil Service Agency but the recipient had absconded with her money. Astria said an old high school friend, Yusman Reza (32), claimed he was working for the Agrarian Affairs Minister and could help her if she paid him Rp.100 million. She transferred Rp.30 million in August 2014 and promised to pay the remainder after starting work. She was never recruited. When she requested a refund, Yusman asked her to pay an additional Rp.2.5 million, which she duly transferred, and still her money was not returned.

In North Sumatra, police in October arrested Julius Silalahi (50), who served as deputy chairman of the Simalungun Regional Legislative Assembly for the 2009-2014 period, for the same type of offense. He was accused of accepting sums of up to Rp.150 million from people who wanted their children to join the bureaucracy. He also allegedly received a bribe of Rp.690 million from a businessman seeking projects from the local government.

Julius told police that most of the bribe money had gone to Agustiar Saragih, the brother of Simalungun Regent J.R. Saragih.

Julius was never brought to trial. He was released in November after reaching settlements with his victims. He was back in the news this month for refusing to return his official car to the state.

Civil servants who speak out against corruption can end up in jail. Take the case of Fadli Rahim (33), who worked for the Tourism and Culture Office in Gowa regency in South Sulawesi. He has been behind bars since 24 November after criticizing the Regent of Gowa, Ichsan Yasin Limpo, in a group conversation on the popular messaging app Line.

Fadli had claimed that investors were reluctant to come to Gowa because they had to pay bribes to the regent. He also accused the regent of cheating in elections and using strong-arm tactics to benefit one of his affiliated companies.

Police responded by arresting Fadli, accusing him of defamation and libel, indiscipline and failure to respect his superiors. He is now on trial for defamation and faces a six-year jail sentence under the 2008 Law on Electronic Information and Transactions. This law was supposed to punish online scammers but is instead being used to silence people who expose corruption or incompetence. Meanwhile, Fadli’s mother, a senior high school teacher, has been transferred to a distant school.

Regent Ichsan warned journalists that if they make accusations against him, they will also be punished. There is little protection for those who blow the whistle on corruption.

The Minister for Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration, Marwan Jafar, this month urged all village heads to ignore offers from brokers who claim they are connected to the president and can disburse village assistance funds from the central government — in return for bribes of Rp.15 million.

Marwan said he had been informed of fraud related to the assistance program, in which the country’s 73,000 villages can each receive Rp.1 billion for economic and infrastructure development.

The minister said the disbursal of village funds need not be done via intermediaries, although all village heads must prepare a Local Government Medium-Term Development Plan and a Local Development Work Plan to qualify for the assistance, which will start being distributed in April.

One slight ray of hope is that Jokowi himself is not pulling the strings of nepotism. His daughter last month failed to make the grade for applicants to join the civil service.

By Kenneth Yeung

“It has long been alleged that entry to the police academy can cost upward of Rp.200 million, while the going rate for becoming a civil servant starts at about Rp.100 million.”


By Angela Richardson

Expat Lifestyle Meet the Expat

You seem to have a fascination with, or love of Indonesia. When did this affair begin? We moved to Jakarta for one year, 25 years ago, because my wife was offered a job here, working in the educational sector. My wife has a Dutch background, so this was one place she couldn’t say no to. I had never been to Indonesia before, although I had travelled much of the world. After one year here, we felt it wasn’t long enough, so we stayed one more year, and one more year, and after a while we just stopped counting!

Have you always known you wanted to be an artist? Pretty much, yes. I was fascinated with the world, so I spent four years in the sixties travelling everywhere and in 1967, I thought I had better make something of myself and went to university with the idea of getting a degree in sociology. During my time at university, I began questioning what a Bachelor of Art in Sociology was going to get me. It was a very interesting time to be in the world; things were changing and it allowed me to get involved with theatre, and do my art again after not having done anything for six years.

Tell us about how you first got involved with environmental movements.The environmental movement was just starting in the 60s and a grassroots organization in Vancouver asked me to join them on a voluntary basis as their graphic artist. This was around the time that Greenpeace was born. In fact, when Greenpeace started, the group I belonged to gave them a cubicle in our office.

There was a lot of student unrest at the time, and the government started giving grants to produce educational materials, which was an opportunity for me to learn and hone my technical skills.

How did your very first exhibition come about?I got a job as a graphic artist for the Canadian government and saved my earnings. After three years, I quit and went to the public library in Vancouver to book a space for my first exhibition, scheduled for two years’ time. I took off and travelled around Europe for eight months. When I came back, I sat in a basement and produced my exhibition, which opened at the library in 1978. By this time, the money had nearly run out, but I made enough from the first exhibition to make the next one at a commercial gallery in 1979. It just kind of grew from there.

You’re known for your stone lithograph prints. How did this technique become your niche?When I was drawing, once the piece was sold, that was it. I became familiar with works by the artist M. C. Escher, who produced what looked like pencil drawings but in multiples, which were in fact lithographs. I went to art school to learn the process of lithography, after which I joined a print-making cooperative and I started making my own. I was able to make multiples, which meant that I wasn’t dependent on one gallery and could have my work at a string of galleries all over the place, which I still do now.

Print is called ‘the democratic form of art’ because you can buy an original piece of art at a much cheaper price. This became the backbone that allowed me to survive as an artist. Every year, I go back to Vancouver for three or four months and work in that same studio to make the lithographs, even though most of my subject material is Indonesian.

What exactly is stone lithography?It started in the 1700s in Germany and is the method of planographic printing from a stone surface in which the image and non-image areas are on the same plane and not physically separated. The separation of the image and non-image areas is achieved primarily through the principle that oil and water repel each other, together with a chemical reaction resulting when a solution called an ‘etch’ is applied to the stone.

Is it hard to make a living being an artist? Were you supported by your parents?For everyone who has a hit play, movie, book or painting, there are tens of thousands struggling to do it. Going to school in the 50s and 60s, it wasn’t something that most responsible parents were going to encourage because it meant a life of debauchery and poverty. I think my parents appreciated it, I’m sure my mother does, but I wasn’t encouraged to go anywhere with it.

Why have you focused so much on scenes of kampung in Indonesia?There was a real boom here in the early 90s and during these years I would innocently walk through kampungs, taking pictures of things that interested me. It might be six months or a year later that I would go back to the site to look at the subject matter more closely. Sometimes I’d go back to a site and the thing that had interested me was gone, left with a construction site of a big building.

Just behind the police headquarters in Semanggi, Jakarta, was a huge, well-established kampung, which was demolished for the central business district.

I wanted to show the difference between old and new, rich and poor, symbolically very much black and white. These places with no historical or architectural value had social value, so I started recording what I thought was a social heritage.

Is there a message you’re trying to convey?I guess it’s to appreciate the heritage and traditions that define a place. You could say I’m a little anti-globalization because I don’t want to see the same things in every city of the world. Change happens and you can’t deny people progress, but hopefully old ways won’t be discarded for something that looks nice and shiny and new.

Ken is a Canadian artist specializing in stone lithography, producing iconic prints of scenes from Indonesia. Ken first arrived in Indonesia in 1989 and has strong environmental ideals, producing works that oftentimes have hidden meanings.

Ken Pattern

Your poster titled ‘Eviction Notice’ is a stark reminder of our effects on the rainforests and your series on the Marina Bay Sands complex in Singapore was quite controversial. What were you trying to achieve with these works?In our lifetime, we may see that orangutan are not going to have any natural habitat left because of illegal logging and the palm oil industry. We are sacrificing so much of what has taken so long to make this world the place it is for the sake of materialism. All proceeds from the sale of this poster go to Jakarta Animal Aid Network, a charity that protects animals in Indonesia.

I did the Marina Bay Sands complex as a satire. The whole complex is dedicated to consumption and gambling, which is very foreign to me. I lampooned it. I’ve received a very mixed reaction, but I think a lot of people don’t understand the puns and double meanings.

Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring artists out there?You have to do what your heart says. If you find something that you love, it would be really remiss not to follow that. Talent is nice, but the biggest single factor in making success is luck, coupled with discipline.

Is Indonesia your home for good?Eventually I think we will move back to Canada. Any year now!

Ken Pattern’s lithographs are available to purchase at Galeri Hadiprana on Jl. Kemang Raya no. 30, Jakarta. Visit www.kenpattern.or.id for more information.

“We are sacrificing so much of what has taken so long to make this world the place it is for the sake of materialism.”


By Antony Sutton

Antony is a freelance writer based in Jakarta. Please send comments and suggestions to

[email protected]

It was hot, very hot. Hardly the best conditions for playing football anywhere, let alone a school in South Jakarta offering little in the way of natural protection from the rays. But who lets the weather and all its idiosyncrasies get in the way of a game of football?

Last year, the FIFA World Cup was held in Brazil. The road to Brazil was long and expensive and the festival was the culmination of a two-year journey that began with 207 teams from around the world sharing the same dream. Along that road, the great and good from the world of politics and sport were expensively wined, dined and possibly even seduced before Brazil got the final nod and the football could begin.

The Jakarta Schools Football League (FSFL) has more teams than the FIFA World Cup and a single season lasts just a few short months. In that time, fixture lists need to be drawn up, fields booked, match officials organised and all by a hardy group of folks whose day jobs and families mean free time is at a premium.

Yet somehow the league works and keeps expanding. Matt Wheeler was one of the guys who made the league happen, working tirelessly behind the scenes, so that young people in Jakarta had something to look forward to at the weekend. When Matt was tragically killed in a car accident last year it seemed appropriate that his memory and his efforts were remembered.

On the eve of the 10th season of the JSFL, a special round of matches was held to commemorate the life of Matt Wheeler at the Matt Wheeler Community Shield event.

One of the teams was Singapore School United, or SIS United. Drawn from the SIS chain of schools across Jakarta, SIS has been tirelessly coached by Gareth Jones for the last four seasons. A passionate believer in youth football, Jones doesn’t just talk the talk, he has the badges to prove it. He has an FA license, a Coerver Diploma, Arsenal module 1 and two LMA (League Managers

Association) Certificates. He has also helped coach numerous clinics with Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, LA Galaxy and STARBOL, as well as organising JSFL coaching education clinics.

Towards the end of 2014, Gareth had taken his youthful charges to Singapore to compete against academies from around the region and was delighted to see his lads more than hold their own.

With the players spread around the points of the compass in Jakarta, the only time Gareth gets with his players is a weekly training session in Senayan, but even with the new year break interrupting valuable work on the training ground, the coach was confident his team had more than enough in the tank to take on Victory Plus.

With the mercury hitting thirty, Jones had his lads doing some gentle exercises to loosen their limbs ahead of the game. It was all very low-key, an approach Jones carries on into the game itself, preferring to stand pitch-side and watch quietly rather than shouting and waving like many coaches.

With the referee getting ready to start the game, there was time for one final team talk before the coach sent the players on their way. He made some adjustments to the iPad he was using to film the game and it was soon show time.

Despite taking a 2-0 lead into half time, Victory Plus rallied in the second half and when the final whistle blew, the final score read 3-3, Victory Plus going on to win on penalties.

“Unfortunately our boys lost a little focus in the second half and we conceded a soft goal before Jing Yao restored our two-goal lead with a good finish past the oncoming keeper. Again, we took our foot off the gas and allowed Victory Plus to play in our half, eventually forcing an accidental handball in the box and conceding another soft goal through a penalty,” said Gareth after the game.

Young Guns Cut their Teeth in the Jakarta Schools Football League

“We picked up the tempo once more, but showed some naivety and left big holes in midfield, trying to force another goal. This allowed the opposition to counter under minimum pressure due to a lack of cover and they won a few corners in the last 10 minutes.

“As a result of one of these corners, we failed to clear our lines in the last minute of the game and it fell to one of their players on the edge of the box who smashed it into the top corner for the best goal of the day,” Gareth continued.

While it was frustrating to be pegged back in such a manner, the coach could perhaps take some relief from the fact that even at the highest level, poor defending in the final moments of a game continue to cost teams points.

As the players considered the rest of their weekend, Gareth knew his work was just beginning. Being a good teacher, he made sure the students had some homework to do. Although disappointed to lose in such a way, the team will be shown video clips and photos of key moments in the game to work on their transition, from attack to defence during their midweek training to prepare for the next game.

“My coaches and I always emphasize performance over results at this age and although there were many positives, we will continue to work on individual and team weaknesses to benefit their development. I am also looking forward to reading their log books, which they use to analyze themselves each week and share their thoughts with the coaches.”

Gareth packed up his iPad and headed for home. His work was not done yet, but for now, at least, it was family time.

Expat Outreach Sports

If you want to keep up-to-date with the Jakarta Schools Football League, check out their website www.jakartafootball.com

Matt Wheeler in orange shirt

Coach Gareth Jones and his team SIS United


By Hans Rooseboom

Expat Outreach Worthy Causes

Indonesia’s Contribution to the Mitigation of Global Warming

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Conference of the Parties, 20th Session (UNFCCC COP 20) was held in Lima, Peru, during the first half of December 2014. The results of the conference offer a glimmer of hope for the future.

Green shows oil palm estates. Black shows mining concessions

At present the world has warmed 0.8°C since pre-industrial levels (1750). It is, however, predicted that under current conditions, the increase could reach 4°C. The results of the Lima conference do, however, offer hope. The delegates from the nearly 200 countries and territories that attended have agreed on a framework for setting national pledges to achieving a global climate deal at next year’s summit in Paris.

The main stumbling block remains the financing of the programme. The richer nations are not only requested to lead the way in making cuts in emissions, but also to help finance the programmes of the developing countries — the agreement calls for “developed countries to provide financial support to ‘vulnerable’ developing nations”.

At a global scale, the key greenhouse gases resulting from human activities are: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and fluorinated gases (F-gases). Methane and nitrous oxide are mainly caused by agricultural activities, while f luorinated gases result from industrial processes and the use of a variety of consumer products. But the main contributor to greenhouse gases is CO2. The way in which land is used is also an important source of carbon dioxide (17%), especially when it involves deforestation and degradation of land, like the draining of peat swamps.

Forests and land can also absorb CO2 through reforestation, improvement of soils and landscapes, and other similar activities. It is in respect of this land use and forestry-related carbon dioxide emission that Indonesia has an important role to play.

On the world list of global warming contributors (2012), Indonesia ranked ninth at 490,000 tonnes of CO2, or 1.29% of total world emission. It can be safely assumed that these emissions are mainly due to deforestation and changes in land use, rather than the burning of fossil fuels. The numbers one and two in the world emission rankings—China and America—contributed 24.65% and 16.16% respectively, mainly due to their burning of fossil fuels for the generation of electricity and transportation.

One of the programmes designed to reduce Indonesia’s greenhouse gas emissions, therefore significantly contribute to a reduction in global warming is REDD+ (Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation, with the “+” standing for sustainable management of forests, and conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks). This partnership programme has been concluded with Norway and provides financial rewards, initially USD1 billion, for Indonesia’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Payment will depend on verification of the efforts and corroboration of the results achieved.

Global emissions in 2012 resulted in a concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere of 397 parts per million (ppm), or a 43% increase over the pre-industrial level of 278 ppm. The current annual increase in CO2 concentrations is about 2.2 ppm. This means that the CO2 concentrations will exceed 400 ppm this year or next. And 400 ppm constitutes a threshold. Contrary to earlier climate models, which assumed that concentrations below 550 ppm would — with a relatively high certainty — limit global warming to 2°C above pre-industrial levels, recent climate research argues that the 2°C limit can only be reached when concentrations are kept below 400 ppm. Heated arguments about the projected levels of these concentrations and their effect on global warming are continuing unabated.

The first phase of REDD+ was the collection of data in nine pilot provinces. Progress has been much slower than initially projected; currently the achievements have drawn down less than 5% of the total pledged, caused by bureaucratic red tape and confusion when new projects are initiated, combined with a lack of direction and prescriptions on how to implement a programme of this magnitude and complexity.

Anto Haryuatmanto, GM of PT Waindo SpecTerra, a company specialising in spatial information, informed me that the main difficulty is the lack of a map that is accepted by every stakeholder as representing the actual situation on the ground. Maps differ in respect of land use and vegetation cover, forest boundaries, watersheds, and road alignments. Consequently, authorities and agencies at national, provincial and district level do not accept the maps used by their peers, or the maps used by their technical counterparts at other levels, each stakeholder insisting that its version is the correct one.

Conflicts, such as overlaps of conservation forests and oil palm estate permits, are thus insolvable. As the map shows, forests—only 50 years ago covering 90% of Sumatra and Kalimantan—have been squeezed out.

When contracted for the REDD+ pilot project in the province of Riau, Waindo SpecTerra started with producing a new and highly accurate map for each district, using remotely-sensed data and GPS-supported ground verifications. Detailed discussions were then held in the districts to explain the techniques and methodology used to produce the maps. Juxtaposing the existing maps with the new one and highlighting the differences quickly led to an acceptance of the new map.

A second obstacle remains, which could be described as the absence of political will. REDD+ directly involves a fairly large number of stakeholders: 1) government authorities at all levels from Jakarta to the villages, 2) agro-estates, 3) logging companies, 4) smallholder farmers, and 5) indigenous forest dwellers. The first four generally prefer a dead tree to a living one, because a tree, once felled, can be sold for timber, burned to make room for plantation crops and the expansion of smallholdings. Indigenous forest dwellers are the only ones with an interest in preserving the forests. Their voices are, unfortunately, hard to hear, as the money is in the other camp. The REDD+ compensation for leaving a tree standing will thus be weighed against the profits derived from cutting it down. During the next phase of REDD+ the amount paid as compensation (per hectare) for not disturbing forest and land will need to be set with the extractive uses in mind.

On the world list of global warming contributors, Indonesia, in 2012:

rankedat =#9

tonnes of CO2

of total world emission

490,000

1.29%

Hans Rooseboom is a long term resident of Jakarta. He now enjoys a leisurely life, playing tennis most mornings and writing his blogs and other articles.

The pie chart shows that 77% of greenhouse gases

consist of carbon dioxide and that

its primary source (57%) is use of fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal).

Many believe that burning trash is the easiest way to get rid of it; just set it on fire and ‘poof’, it disappears! But have they cared to uncover the truth behind this? In reality, do these flames consume every single bit of trash? I’m sorry to disappoint you, but it’s a big no! Instead of resolving the issue, it transforms it into poisonous gases and fumes, leading us to worse problems taking longer to solve.

In ancient times, the traditional method of ‘burning to clean’ was considered the best solution to manage trash — and maybe it was! But today’s garbage is a lot more challenging, as it contains more plastic and chemical-coated items, which cannot be completely removed. For example, look at how coffee or tea used to come. Now, for our convenience, they come in smaller plastic packets, generating more waste. And where does all this plastic go? They all reach wayside garbage dumps where they are burnt. However, these don’t burn completely, instead, they transform into smoke and fumes which are very hazardous to all life forms and are released primarily into the air, where they are easily inhaled.

I noticed in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, everyone burns trash: hospitals, offices and even schools! Even the children are not spared, for they are regularly exposed to these perilous gases during their play hours. This inadvertently takes a toll on their health. Moreover, the ash that is left behind contains concentrated amounts of toxic materials that blow around and even seep through the soil into the groundwater tables. This ultimately pollutes the very source of drinking water too. Furthermore, these together—the air and water pollution—can aggravate the risk of heart disease, respiratory ailments such as asthma and emphysema, and cause allergies, or headaches. There was a new regulation issued in February 2005 making trash burning illegal, but just having laws isn’t enough unless they are enforced. It’s time for the people of Indonesia to adopt better practices to ensure a safe and clean environment, to lead a long and healthy life.

“If we don’t burn trash, then it will just fill up landfills and dirty the city,” many may say. So why don’t we find another solution? Why don’t we recycle some of the things found in our trash? Yes, maybe most items found in our trash are not degradable, but I’m sure there are many that can be recycled.

For example, recently the dailies applauded the efforts of an Indian senior citizen who successfully set up a roof garden reusing discarded plastic bottles alone! Isn’t this a very innovative way of reusing plastic, which otherwise poses a threat to the environment and even to our lives? In addition to this, voluntary organizations can be invited to lend a hand in tackling this issue. We should even promote small-scale industries which collect, recycle, and reuse this waste.

Trash management has always been a pain in the neck. The sooner we tackle this issue, the safer the planet will be for life. Hence, we need to adopt better ways to manage trash than burning it. The three Rs, ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’, should be our slogan in these modern times, not ‘burn and clean’. It’s time for a change. It may not be easy, but it all has to start somewhere, so why not now?

Aradhya Sharma, a 10th grader at Singapore School, Bona Vista reminds us of the hazards of burning rubbish and the importance of practicing the three Rs for the future of our planet.

Don’t Burn Our Future!

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By Aradhya Sharma


Announcements

European Commission Statement on Executions

INDONESIA"The execution of six death row inmates in Indonesia, including a Dutch citizen, for drug offences is deeply regrettable. This is the second round of executions since November 2013.

The EU is opposed to capital punishment in all cases and without exception, and has consistently called for its universal abolition.

The death penalty is a cruel and inhumane punishment, which fails to act as a deterrent and represents an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity. The European Union calls on the Indonesian authorities to stop all pending executions and consider establishing a moratorium on the use of death penalty as a first step towards definitive abolition.”

BALINusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa proudly announces it has ended 2014 year on a high, receiving three prestigious hospitality awards in December.

The EarthCheck Silver Certified status is awarded in recognition of the high standard of environmental performance practiced by the hotel, which joins industry leaders from over 65 countries in the accolade. To achieve this, the resort reported their environmental footprint to independent auditors and adhered to internationally-recognized standards of Best Practice.

In receiving a Platinum Medal in the Tri Hita Karana Awards 2014, the hotel has proven that it continues to follow the principles of a lifestyle philosophy that is totally unique to the island of Bali. Tri Hita Karana is a concept based on the belief that a balanced existence contributes to physical and spiritual wellbeing, maintains a harmonious relationship between mankind, his environment and the gods of Hindu faith, and gives back to the local community.

Finally, the Indonesian Travel & Tourism Awards (ITTA) is an annual initiative carried out to recognize excellence within the nation’s evolving hospitality industry. Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa was officially awarded “Indonesia’s Leading Island Resort — Bali” during a gala ceremony.

Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa celebrates three prestigious hospitality awards

BALIParador Hotels & Resorts (Parador) began groundbreaking for its first hotel in Bali, under the brand name FAME and located in the Sunset Road area.

FAME Hotel Sunset Road will have 99 deluxe rooms, a restaurant, a swimming pool as well as meeting room facilities. The hotel is planned for an end-2015 opening.

Local religious and spiritual leaders attended the groundbreaking ceremony along with Mr. Ricky Theodores, Chief Operating Officer of Parador Hotels & Resorts, who said, “We are very pleased with the opportunity here. FAME Hotel Sunset Road will be different to its competitors, creating an experience based on creative artistic trends. We create the ambience of a celebrity’s humble abode — but surrounded by bits and pieces pertaining to our favourite celebrities from the 60s up to the Y2K generation.”

Parador announces groundbreaking for FAME Hotel Sunset Road

www.parador-hotels.com

SURABAYAThe Australian state of Victoria recently opened its business office in Surabaya, East Java, to further strengthen trade relations with the province.

“This office will help strengthen both government-to-government relations with Indonesia and relations between businesspeople,” said Brett Stevens, Victoria state commissioner for Indonesia.

Stevens was reported to have been impressed by the economic growth of East Java, which reached up to 7 percent, while Victoria saw 2.3 percent growth.

Victoria State opens office in Surabaya

GLOBALSanta Fe, the global mobility services company, announced the appointment of Robert Fletcher to the role of Group Director Relocation & Assignment Management Services. Robert will take responsibility for the continued development of Santa Fe’s global solutions. He will focus on the consistent management and delivery of all relocation and assignment services.

Robert has over 20 years of global mobility experience. His customer centric approach and global experience ensures that Santa Fe’s global mobility offering continues to deliver service excellence and consistency worldwide.

www.thesantafegroup.com

Santa Fe’s new Group Director – relocation & assignment management services


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Of all the great technological advancements that have taken place in the history of mankind, the ability to record things must surely be among the most significant. I don’t mean writing and drawing pictures, I mean capturing actual images and sounds by some permanent means and then being able to show them or play them back at will for the information and amusement of the masses. Putting a man on the moon was also quite significant, but there would be a lot more conspiracy theories if the only records we had of it were some notes taken by Neil Armstrong and a few sketches by Buzz Aldrin.

Before we had the ability to record pictures and sounds, things were certainly very different for musicians and actors. Musicians were barely more than specially trained servants who could make agreeable noises with their voices or cunningly fashioned pieces of wood and metal, and actors were little more than performing monkeys who pranced about doing their best to bring to life the stories written by the really talented people. These were not glamorous occupations—in fact they were quite vulgar—and those engaged in them were never going to get rich. To earn a living they had to perform live for payment, either for a flat fee or for what they could earn from ticket sales. This remains the case for the majority of musicians and actors today, but at least these occupations are more respectable these days.

Musicians were the first to benefit from recording when clever clogs Thomas Edison came along with his phonograph under his arm in 1878. For the first time, the noises made by the tuneful servants could be captured and then played back at will. I am sure the servants thought this would be a disadvantage at first, meaning they were only needed once and then the music they produced could be played forever. I imagine the servants very soon started asking for higher fees for their services, but they were probably largely ignored and sent to empty his Lordship’s bedpan. But then the public started liking some music more than other music and buying it in larger quantities and the music industry, and its first stars, were born.

Then, in 1896, Edison stuck his head round the door again with his Vitascope, which became the first commercially viable moving picture projector in the US. Now the efforts of actors could be recorded and played back at will and ‘the movies’ quickly

became a popular form of entertainment. The good actors (or the best-looking ones) started becoming more popular than the others and the movie industry and movie stars were born. So, thanks to Edison, musicians and actors have had it pretty good for just over a century.

Things have changed now. The original, digitally recorded work of musicians and actors can be recorded again (or ‘copied’ — it’s the same thing) by almost anyone and shared free of charge with millions of people in the blink of an eye via the Internet. So, even though this ‘piracy’ is highly illegal and the owners of the work are doing their very best to stop it, there is less and less value in the recorded work and more and more value in live performance. Famous musicians used to go on tour doing live performances to promote sales of their recorded work. Now, by necessity, more and more are giving away their recorded work online in order to promote sales of tickets for their live shows. Ironically, modern recording methods are eroding the fame and fortune the original recording methods gave them just over 100 years ago.

But what are actors going to do? Can you imagine Brangelina on Broadway or Bruce Willis in the West End? It’s a possibility, but they wouldn’t make the multiple millions of dollars per year that they make now from movie fees. Clearly the West End production of Armageddon would not have quite the same impact as the movie, so movies will always be necessary, but with computer graphics going the way they are, pretty soon the digital wizards of Hollywood will be able to take a 3D picture of any movie star (or even design their own) and make it do whatever they want on the big screen and we won’t be able to see the join — and it will stay young forever.

Going to the movies remains something we like to do with other people, so even though we could easily (but illegally) watch the latest movies at home for free, we still like to make it a night out. For this reason computer technology is a far greater threat to the Hollywood actor than recording technology — but their days are certainly numbered. Live stage actors will come to the fore and Oscars will be given only for writing, directing and digital wizardry, etc. Imagine the awards ceremony with no dramatic, tearful, glamorous people, just short, fat, bald men and nerds thanking their mums.

Light Entertainment

The Death of the Movie Star


Observations

No other start to the day can compare with waking up at dawn on a wooden cabin

cruiser tied to a sun-scorched jetty in the Thousand Islands, a chain of small islands extending from Jakarta's coast out into the crystal-clear waters of the Java Sea. The hours stretch out lazily ahead of you, and may be filled with sunbathing, snorkelling, fishing, exploring the island, or simply drinking coconut juice under a palm tree with a good book until you slumber and the book slips from your hand.

But the day hadn't started out well for Judd, the boat's American skipper. He had been floating contentedly in the water at the stern of the boat, when someone — his Indonesian wife was the prime suspect — had flushed the toilet. He was now thrashing about trying to evade the lumpy brown slick that had gushed out of the toilet pipe to engulf him. Several passengers had used the toilet that morning, but had followed the rules of etiquette and not flushed it while the boat was moored. This meant there had been a large build-up of bowel movements in the lavatory system. Judd was shouting and spitting.

After thoroughly rinsing himself by swimming out into clear water, he clambered onto the wooden-slatted jetty and stomped up and down among the disembarked passengers, who were either fishing with long rods or sunbathing. He wiped his face with a towel, leering at everyone, daring them to stop suppressing their laughter or to so much as snort.Then he turned to his wife, who was by no means contrite. The blaming of each other —“You shouldn't have flushed the toilet” and “You shouldn't have been swimming so close to the outlet”—turned into a big argument. Judd and his wife were evenly matched verbally and, there being no one around to disturb—the only 'neighbour' was the next island along—they felt free to shout as loudly as they pleased, to abandon all inhibitions, to enjoy a colossal row of operatic proportions under the palm trees.

By midday the boat's stock of beer was running low—it was never the food, never the drinking water, never the fuel, never the cigarettes—always the beer that ran low. This was a chance to separate the quarrelling couple by getting Judd to skipper the boat out to the nearest inhabited island for a spot of shopping. A

few of us went along on the trip, leaving the majority behind, happily playing beach ball.

The magic of these Thousand Islands trips was that Judd's boat, being non-commercial and not bound by a timetable, was free to explore. Essentially we'd turned up at some privately owned island whose owner inevitably was absent, and ask the security guard if we could tie-up and use the beach. If he said yes, we'd slip him some money, if he said no, we'd just chug to the next island and ask again. Eventually we would find somewhere where we were welcome. Though on this occasion we had tied up at a deserted island with derelict buildings owned by a government ministry.The boat never went very fast. In fact Judd was proud of how slow it was. He likened his boat to a pleasantly plodding horse. He used to scorn the glinting fibreglass speedboats that would thunder past his wooden vessel like sea-stallions, reaching any destination on the map in a fraction of the time. He claimed they ruined the pace and quality of life. Once when coming across a speedboat that had mysteriously sunk, Judd was rapturous, as though he'd torpedoed the craft himself.

As soon as the beer had been replenished, we headed back to our island. The sun was high in the sky, the glare surreal, making us listless. The first time I came on one of Judd's trips I mistakenly believed that sitting in the shade sufficiently protected me from the sun. Oh how wrong I was, as I was subtly cooked for two whole days by the sun's reflection on the surrounding water. Back in Jakarta I woke up the next morning with my face swollen like baked bread and with a high fever. For the next fortnight I was picking shards of skin off my peeling face. I now get through a family-size tub of high-factor sunblock each trip.

Approaching the jetty we had departed from three hours earlier, we were puzzled by the reception we got. Those we had left behind seemed overly keen to wade out to greet us. In fact they had an air of desperation, even hostility, about them. I was reminded a bit of the enraged natives that battered Captain Cook to death in Hawaii.

We heard thuds about the boat. Saw splinters appear at the edges of the wooden cabin as projectiles struck it. A stone bounced along the deck. Then another. The

people onshore were venting their displeasure about something by throwing stones at the boat. Judd had no doubts about what had happened. "It's her. The missus. She's turned them against me while we've been gone. This is a mutiny!"

The idea of dealing with a mutiny clearly exhilarated Judd. He possibly had been waiting for this event all his brief seafaring life. And now his time had come. One imagined that somewhere on the boat was a padlocked chest containing cutlass, grappling hook and keel-haul harness — a chest he had always dreamed of breaking open.

But the anger onshore had not been instigated by Judd's wife. It was due to the boat having gone off in search of beer without leaving any drinking water behind — the Aqua drums were all on deck. Furthermore none of those left behind had realised the drums were missing until they had finished playing their strenuous game of beach ball under the blazing sun, and were hot, panting, and streaming with sweat — just the sort of condition where a long drink of water is not only desirable but imperative.

A few of them could hardly be blamed for throwing stones at the returning boat; they were delirious from ravaging thirst, or suffering from heatstroke. Judd quickly offloaded a drum of water, rolling it directly into the sea. It was pounced upon and fought over. Judd made an apologetic speech from the boat's prow rather in the manner of a misunderstood tyrant, unabashedly blaming his wife, claiming that being covered in excrement had put him out of sorts and muddied his thinking. His wife didn't hear the accusation. She was busy guzzling her share of the water.

The rest of the weekend passed without incident. The argument between Judd and his wife subsided. The water remained plentiful and the beer didn't run out again. People lay back and enjoyed the sunshine and serenity of the island. Playing beach ball, of course, was out of the question — far too traumatic. And whenever anybody had a swim they made sure to stay well clear of the boat's stern.

A weekend getaway to the Thousand Islands brings these seafaring friends more than they bargained for.

Water, Water Everywhere

By Daniel Pope

Daniel Pope is a part-time hedonist, residing mostly in Jakarta, where he still finds everything a bit of a rum do.


If you want your event to be posted here, please contact (+62) 0 21 7179 4550 or e-mail: [email protected]

Lenny Kravitz – Strut World Tour 2015

26 March 2015Another major star is drawn to Indonesia’s burgeoning gig-going fanbase in March, in the shape of gorgeous American god of rock, Lenny Kravitz. No doubt thrilling the crowds with his electric riffs, moves and choruses the world over on his Strut tour, Lenny is set to bring his special brand of devil-may-care charm to the Big Durian, to the delight of fans. Book now! variant-entertainment.com/

BANDUNG

JAKARTA

‘Voices for the Jungle’ Orang Utan Fundraiser 6 March 2015Orang Utan Republik Education Initiative Indonesia (OUREII) presents a fundraising event for those most-loved of jungle creatures, Orang Utans, on March 6th 2015 at Warehouse82, Seminyak from 8pm. Receive

Music

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Fashion

Networking

BWA Presentation to Newcomers

9 February 2015The British Women’s Association of Jakar ta ex tends a warm welcome to any and all new arrivals in our city. Professional guest speakers will cover health, security and other tips on settling down in Jakarta. Also a great chance to meet a nice group of people. Open to members and non-members. Email [email protected]

IABC Members Gathering

25 February 2015The Indonesia Australia Business Council will hold a gathering for members and non-members alike involved in bilateral business between Indonesia and Australia. The venue is still TBA but the event will be from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. and is usually very well attended. Cost: Rp. 250.000/person (Members), and Rp. 400.000/person (Non-Members). RSVP: [email protected]

Java Jazz Festival 2015

6-8 March 2015The jazz festival going strong in the capital since 2004 is back in March this year at the JIExpo in Kemayoran. Confirmed acts so far as usual include a mix of local and international musos, to name a few: the Benjamin Herman Quartet, Blue Note Tokyo All Stars, Brad Mehldau, Courtney Pine, Harvey Mason, Hendrik Meurkens, Michael Lington, Akiko Tsuruga, Alain Caron, Jumanee Smith, Luca Carla & Chris Jarret, Warren Hill, and Jarrod Lawson. www.javajazzfestival.com/2015/ticket.php Buy 1 get 2 tickets with BNI at http://t.co/W6N6bOdzuS

Indonesia Fashion Week

26 February – 1 March 2015With 32 fashion shows, 665 brands, and 1,920 outfits to see

One Fc: Odyssey of Champions Boxing Match

14 February 2015Mixed Martial Arts is another sporting trend gaining traction in the archipelago, and the Istora Senayan will host an extravaganza for enthusiasts in February. Thousands of fans can enjoy 10 boxing matches of world-class action, spearheaded by local hero and host Fransino ‘The Pitbull’ Tirta, who fights against MMA legend, American Jens ‘Lil Evil’ Pulver. Sure to be a knockout. www.kiostix.com

United: LIVE Fan Festival

31 January 2015Calling all Reds fans! Unmissable Manchester United fan party, United: LIVE, will be held at Balai Kartini Kartika Expo, Jakarta, on the 31st January from . You can have the chance to meet club legends Denis Irwin and Louis Saha, have a kickabout with MU Soccer School coaches, and

Indonesia Summit 2015

11 February 2015Entitled ‘New Light or false dawn’, this event (from The E c onom i s t Event s , a t t he Shangri-La) will bring together leading voices from Indonesia’s new gover nment , business communit y, academia and international organisations for a frank and provocative discussion. Asking the big questions and probing the issues on everyone’s lips for the archipelago in 2015 – will it be a new light or a false dawn? Book online. www.economistinsights.com/event/indonesia-summit-2015

Social Media Week Jakarta

23-27 February 2015Social Media Week is a global tech conference that celebrates the impact of social media and technology in the way people live, work and create. For the first time in 2015, Jakarta will be host city along with New York, Milan, Hamburg, Lagos and Bangalore. The week will be held in partnership with Pacific Place Mall. Everybody from marketing professionals, branding and social media strategists, brand managers, tech entrepreneurs, students and government officials can attend and be inspired by how Social Media create a better Jakarta. www.socialmediaweek.org/jakarta

Sport & Health

Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Business

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Ushering in the Lunar New Year

18-19 February 2015Indulge in a feast as the Meridien’s culinar y experts whip up a host of sumptuous dishes to celebrate the Lunar Year at the resort’s signature restaurant – Bamboo Chic. Buffet dinner at IDR999,000 net per person. Guests will also be entertained by the extraordinary performance of Barongsai/Lion Dance on Thursday, 19 February 2014. Dine at Bamboo Chic in February and sample Wanton Noodles, Yang Chaw Seafood Fried Rice and Hainanese Chicken Rice, or try WALA for Chinese themed Afternoon-tea from 14.00-17.00 at IDR100,000 net per person. www.lemeridienbalijimbaran.com

Valentine’s Day at Le Meridien Bali Jimbaran

14 February 2015Have a romantic celebration at either Bamboo Chic, in the comfort of a luxurious room or by the rooftop Celebration Pavilion (limited to 5 couples only). Indulge in a 4-course dinner promising a romantic evening for just the two of you. Available Valentine’s Day 18.30-23.00. IDR1,100,000 net per couple at Bamboo Chic and IDR1,250,000 net per couple at either Celebration Pavilion or in-room. Includes dinner,

Chinese New Year Prosperity Dinner

18 February 2015Celebrate is the coming Year of The Goat with your family at Swiss-Café, Swiss-Belhotel Mangga Besar. The extensive special buffet features selections of Chinese New Year themed dishes as well as the iconic Yusheng. The celebration will open with a Lion Dance performance and entertained w i t h a G u z h e n g m u s i c a l performance. A lucky draw will also be held from the wish tree with various wonderful prizes. The buffet dinner is offered for Rp198,000++ per person. There are also monthly promotions on food, cocktails and mocktails across the hotels’ other outlets,

Four Seasons ‘Bali Hope for Life’ Fun Run

1 March 2015Bringing hope and inspiration for people in Bali who are battling cancer, Four Seasons Resorts Bali is hosting “Bali Hope for Life”, on Sunday, 1 March 2015. All proceeds raised from Bali Hope For Life will be donated to Yayasan Kanker Indonesia and Yayasan Kasih Anak Kanker Indonesia. Everyone is invited to take part in the 5 km fun run, starting at 6:00 a.m. The route begins and finishes at the Lapangan Puputan Niti Mandala Renon, Denpasar. A celebratory party will follow the challenge, providing a light snack and live music. Tickets are available at Rp 100,000 per person at either Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay or Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, or call the number above. Call Dewi Fadmawati at (0361) 701010.

The 90’s Festival @Bandung

14 February 2015Children of the 70s and 80s, rejoice! Reject Valentines’ Day and instead indulge in an evening of (somewhat recent) nostalgia at Bandung’s The Venue Hall, Eldorado. Featuring acts such as Sheila on 7, P Project and Java Jive, you can dance the night away enjoying the finest of the decade. Hair scrunchies and tracksuits obligatory. www.the90sfestival.com

One Direction – On The Road Again Tour

25 March 2015If your (or your teen daughter’s) nerves can stand it, the chance to bathe in the presence of the golden ones of pop will grace Jakarta in March. The beautiful-haired boys will rif le through their hits at Gelora Bung Karno Senayan. Expect copious macet, ear-shattering screams, and lots of fun. Selamat Datang, Harry and co.! www.1dindo.com

World Education Festival 2015

27-28 February 2015The W EFest , organised by AGORA Indonesia and MSW G loba l , a i m s t o showc a s e educational institutions (as well as selected companies from the private sector) from home and abroad. The aim is to help young prospective students and employees to make solid decisions to prepare themselves for the world of further study, and of a working life beyond. www.worldeducationfest.comTel: +62 21 293 19384

ReTreat Yourself

5-14 March 2015This is a 10-day retreat for the purpose of relaxing and exploring the Balinese culture. Pa r t ic ipa nt s w i l l have the beautiful opportunity of doing daily meditations, daily yoga with health coach Jennifer Moore, as well as enjoying bike rides along the rice paddies of Ubud and raw food classes with Avara Yaron, founder of Living Food Lab. This retreat is priced at £1,450 with a monthly payment plan available upon request . Reg ister by emailing [email protected] or v isiting w w w.healthcoachandcook.com.

A Healthy Woman is a Happy Woman Retreat

7-14 March 2015G ek ko Retreats presents a program based on the Mulier Art of Health from European holistic healing expert Meri Bura. Yoga and nutrition-led, the course draws on the female archetypes hidden in all women, to ‘wake the goddess inside’ – from wife to seductress to amazon. Personal health evaluation and medical check-up included. The activities leave plenty of free time to enjoy the resort too. Find your inner goddess this spring! www.gekkoretreats.com/holiday/healthy-woman-is-a-happy-woman/

Health

visit the website for details. www.swiss-belhotel.com

cheer on the boys vs. Leicester City at a free screening, as well as an exclusive screening of movie ‘The Greatest Football Story Ever Told’! Ballot for free tickets open now online — get going!

two glasses of sparkling wine, chocolate praline and a rose. www.lemeridienbalijimbaran.com

over four days, IFW is not to be missed by any fashionista worth their sartorial salt. The Jakarta Convention Centre will be taken over by international and local designers, retailers and more, to celebrate and showcase all that the growing Indonesian fashion industry has to offer. http://indonesiafashionweek.com/

a welcome jungle cocktail, a short movie, an art auction, danceshow and raf f le draw all to jungle sounds from the DJs. Meet conservationists who work with the organisation in Sumatra and learn about what we can do to raise funds and awareness for these critically endangered beauties. w w w.orangutanrepublik.org


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G4S Indonesia has a broad range of customersaround the country and we focus on sectors where

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A very trustworthy, hardworking, responsible, polite and mature d r iver w ith g reat sk i l l s in English is looking for work around the Jakarta area. Have worked with expats for 16 years. Have experience with Oil and Multinational Companies. Able to adapt to various situations. A person that really loves to work. Contact 0857 8116 9110.

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Ja kar ta Islamic Guidance.Umroh & Haji Travel Service w i t h M a n a s i k / D e p a r t u r e Preparation using English. Quran Lesson & Islam Understanding with English speaking teacher.Contact Mahdina Safira, email [email protected].

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Day care help. Hi, I offer you my service in helping you keeping your kids while you are busy running your business life or when you are working. I have a place you can drop off your baby since i have a day care. Yet, i've been doing this since 1990. So i know exactly what i'm doing professionally. My phone is +622178842588. And my place is at JL.D 45B (Police Complex) A mpera , Jakar ta Selatan. INDONESIA. Provide you with everything needed. Just call me up.

I am Farzanah Aumeer. I have a BSc(hons) in Marine Science and Technology and an MSc in Environmental Management Technology. I am a native English and French speaker. I also speak other languages like Japanese, Hindi and Urdu. I am IT literate. I can teach any subjects that I studied and also do consultancy jobs. Please contact me on [email protected]

Looking for an experienced Bahasa Indonesian teacher.I am looking for an experienced Bahasa Indonesia teacher that can come to my home in Setiabudi for some private classes 2-4 hours

For R E N T: E xc lu s ive a nd spacious unit in Hamptons Park Apartments, Pondok Indah. 164m2, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, maid's bedroom and bathroom. Large living and dining room. Fully furnished, secure access card, low floor, perfect for family. Strategic location. Call/sms Melly 08121110668.

For Rent : Beautiful 2 storey House in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta. Nearby Pondok Indah Mal. Land 400 sqm/Build.sz 500sqm/ 4BR/3Bathrm/Swimming Pool/ Price USD 4500/mo/min 2years/Call 087877285755 or email: [email protected].

Hampton's Park Apartment, For rent by owner 16th FLOOR, 3 - B E D R O O M , F U L L Y FURNISHED APARTMENT. 104 sq.m. Golf v iew. Third bedroom suitable for office. Two bathrooms, one ‘en-suite’ with bathtub. Large fitted cupboards in main bedroom. Washer in Maid’s area with bathroom . Fully equipped kitchen, fridge, gas cooker with oven, microwave, small appliances and f itted cupboards. Crockery, cutlery and utensils. Secure basement parking. Faci l it ies include swimming pools, fitness room, tennis courts. Opposite Kristal Hotel, walking distance to JIS, Hero, Starbucks and ATMs. All you need is your suitcases!Available Feb 2015. Min 6 months. USD 2,400/month.Phone: Merry 021-7592-4334Email: [email protected]

F OR R E N T : HOU S E A t Kuningan, COMPLEX TAMAN PATRA 5, 800sqm, 4 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom, 2 Maid Room, Swimming Pool, Big Garden, Parking 4 Cars. Please Call : 0815-8765-938 / 0812-1000-1228

FOR RENT : At Sudirman Area, BATAV I A A PA RT MEN T, 1 Bedroom, Furnished, Avaliable 2 Unit, Please Call : 0815-8765-938 / 0812-9141-6908

Cityloft Apartments - For Rent - Two newly renovated luxurious 1 bedroom apartments available for rent. Further info : Ellen 021.2555.8740.

FOR RENT/SALE: Hampton's Park Apt. Tower A, 7th Floor, Unit 7H. 58m2 (2 BR, 1 Bath) Furnished. City v iew. Rent: $1300/month, Sale: Rp. 2M. CP: 087878010799/081380233399 (Ibu Mahmuda - Owner).

FOR RENT: Hampton's Park Apt. Tower A, Ground Floor, Unit GFD. 80m2 (2 BR, 1 Bath, 1 Office, 1 Maid's Room + Bath) Furnished. Pool view. $1600/month. CP:

R E N T A L A PA R T M E N T K U N I N G A N C I T Y – KINTAMANI SUIT EMBASSY OR TOP MANAGEMENT Brand

Learn French the easy way - with a native speaker. Private lessons, tutorial & remedial, For people of all ages. Modem teaching methods from an experienced, dedicated instructor. Available at : JI. RS. Fatmawati No. 52 Wisma Subud No. 22B Cilandak Barat Jakarta Selatan 12430. Please contact: 021-7690216

Expat Superiors, do you work with staff that need to improve their English? A trustworthy female who grew up in the U.S. and has been teaching in International companies for years can provide excellent various programs. Informal environment is also welcome. Have been teaching in a Multinational company. Call 0815 8410 9845.

Learn Spanish at your place with a DELE-certified Spanish tutor from Spain. Most of my students come from International Schools (JIS and BIS). Please call me (Raúl) 082110502786. Email: [email protected]

Hi, I'm Ricky. I am offering Indonesian language lesson. I use well structured books, lesson plans & modules with 2 years active teaching experience. The cost is Rp 200.000 per meeting for 90 minutes. Yes, it is negotiable depends on the numbers of students and meetings within a week. We can schedule the meeting based on your availability. Ask me to find out more by call 08176055511 or [email protected].

Learn BAHASA INDONESIA easy and fast for Foreigners/Expatriates at your place/house/office. Flexible time. Call: 0811 899864 / [email protected]

Bahasa Indonesia lessons for expats living in South Jakarta, Kuningan, Countr y Wood, BSD, given by instructor with 20 years’ experience. Flexible S chedu le . Ple a se c a l l Pa k Chairuman 08121037466 email [email protected].

week. Immediate start required. Please contact Renee on [email protected] or SMS/whatsapp on0811 125 2934.

Piano Lesson, Classic or Pop for People of all ages @ your placeby one of experienced. Piano Teacher. Don't hesitate, please send message forfurther details to 085714411832 or send email to [email protected].

Learn Italian the proper way from an Italian from Firenze.My teaching method is perfect for who approaches the study of Italian for the first time. I also provide lessons of advanced italian for who has already someknowledge of the language and italian for business and for travelers. Learn how to interact with native Italian speakers from the first lessons! For infos: R ic c a r do +6281310881157 (whatsapp)

087878010799/081380233399 (Ibu Mahmuda - Owner)

Looking for a good property agent. If you have the contact of a good property agent in Jakarta, I would greatly appreciate if you could send his or her contact by text to 0811 910351 or email at [email protected].


PROPERTY

BALI

OTHER

For Sa le! Honda Spa c y Helm in-matic. 3 wheels ( m o d i f i c a t e d ) . G o o d c o n d i t i o n . Ye a r 2 01 3 . K i lometer 2658,8. Ta x: August 2015. Price 1000 USD (negotiable). If you are interested, feel free to contact: 0856 922 96 186.

Speed Dating ! Open to all, staying or living in Jakarta, who is Single and over 20 years. Seats is limited. Plan ea rly for R S V P ! R S V P and Question : admin@

OTHER

UKAWATI UBUD. Unique Resto site overlooking a river from a 200msq Lantai. In the centre is 10 x10 m ancient 3 tier Joglo with huge teak pillars waiting for full development by ambitious entrepreneur, with IMB and

PROPERTY

Exercise Equipment For SaleOffering these two fine pieces of exercise equipment, Golds Gym weight station and an elliptical trainer for sale. Rp 1.5 juta for the Golds Gym Set and Rp 500,000for the elliptical trainer. Phot os ava i lable at t he Flickr link below. I live in Pondok Indah. Call me at 081881380078 if interested

2008 Toyota Kijang for SaleSilver, only 42km/25,000 miles. Well-maintained, garage kept , reliable, in excellent condition, recently replaced battery. Available now, $5800.00. Contact Chris Morgan at [email protected] or 0811-924-894

SERVICES

Jogja

Cebuano / Tagalog Tutor Wanted in Yogya. Hi. Kumusta ka? My name is Don. I'm seeking a tutor to help me with Visayan-Cebuano and/or Tagalog, in the Yogyakarta area. Sa una, nituon ko og binisaya og gamai sa Sugbo. I am currently working as an English teacher here. Selamat po. Contact me Don H by email [email protected].

Haden brand dripping coffee maker, model 10608, 750W, 10 cup capacity, in good condition. If interested, please call or text at 08111728201.

2 x queen size beds $200 each2 x king single white trundle beds - mattress not included $200 each or $400 each with mattress. If you are interested please SMS me on 0813 9923 9352.

Honda CRV year made 2003,C o l o r : M e t a l l i c B r o w n , Tr a n sm i s s ion: Aut om at ic ,

Accessories: Audio and TVPlate license until July 2015,

150,000 km. Price: 95,000,000 Rp. negot iable . C ont a c t # 081219807553

Experience staying at a beautiful original antique Javanese Joglo villa in the foothills of Mount Merapi. Joglo Ago is a three double bedroom v i l la w ith gardens perfect for a weekend retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. In close proximity to Mount Merapi and Borobudur Temple. Visit www.jogloago.com for more information, or call Indah 08123563626 (owner).

FOR SA LE. Japanese made step- up/step down transformer 110v>240v. 300 watts. 1 juta, Sanur, Bali. 081999571288.

FOR SALE. Meissener electric current stabiliser with heavy battery, 4 outlets. 750,000, Sanur, Bali. 081999571288.

Tiny brilliant diamond 0,016 ct colour F with international certificate, for nose or bellyButton decoration. Call Sanur, Bali for good price.081999571288.

FOR SALE. brilliant diamond 0, 33 c t colour G v vs2 w ith international certificate.Ideal lady's finger priced rp 9 juta, Sanur, Bali, 081999571288.

FOR SALE. Brilliant diamond 0.40ct colour H vvs2 lovely size with international certificatefairly priced to sell at 12,5 juta. Sanur, Bali. 081999571288.

TECO GA S. From Ita ly gas operated 5 top burners, large oven recently serviced as new12 juta . Sanur, Bali. 081999571288.

For Sale; Surfboard: 6‚7” x 19’ x 2-1/2 rounded pin tail. Condition is excellent. Rp 3-million; easy and great board to ride. Australian shaper. Negotiable. Txt 0813 2601 6945 or email [email protected] for pictures. Canggu.

For Sale; 1unit Italian espresso machine 2 group semi automatic include coffee grinder. Recently over haul (clean scale inside boiler

loads of land to build villas, total 21,7 are prime position. Call Wally +6281999571288. e)[email protected] or Jeff +6282237099969. e)[email protected].

Massage Chair for SaleSeldom used massage chair for Rp10M. Can fully recline, just changed cover, good as new, user's manual in English and Bahasa. Pick-up in Cipete area. Please sms 08111980272.

match0800.com Information : ht tp://w w w.meetup.com/jakartadating/

Tecno table top electric oven, model TEO 3400, bought in Singapore, barely used. Please call or text at 08111728201 if interested.

For sale: Louis Vuitton Bags. Hardly used, a lmost brand n e w, e x c e l l e nt c o n d i t i o n . Serious buyers, please email [email protected] for pictures.

New, Fully Furnished, Top Floor (39), 300 M2 +/-, Huge Living Room, 3 Bedrooms, Fully Equipped Kitchen, Studio, Maid’s Room, Security, Parking. US$4,500 per month nego, Min 12 months. Call ow ner 0818 699424 NO AGENTS.

FOR RENT : At Kuningan A r e a , T H E W A V E APARTMENT, 1 & 2 Bedroom, F u r n i s h e d , & TA M A N RASUNA APARTMENT : 1,2,3 Bedroom, Furnished, Please Call : 0815-8765-938 / 0812-9141-6908

If you want your classified posted here, please e-mail: [email protected]




Documents

Indonesia Expat - issue 134