"With music and choreographed laser beams, the project is simply an embarrassment.

8,455 toddlers in the city are suffering from chronic undernourishment..."

the Jakarta Post newspaper

in Jakarta, where  1.5 billion dollars is regularly splashed on sprucing up monuments to national pride, the revelation that thousands of the city's children are underfed has drawn anger.  Jakarta mayor Sutiyoso recently lavished 2.7 million dollars  on a "Las Vegas-style" fountain alone. Source: Newly affluent Indonesians' taste for fast food leaves children malnourished
 

Foreign workers to be tested on language to land job in Indonesia: minister
"Foreign workers must master the Indonesian language before they can work here," just as Indonesians have to master English before working abroad, Idris was quoted as saying by the Post. "This is to ensure that jobs that could be carried out by Indonesians don't fall to foreigners." Currently around 30,000 foreigners work in Indonesia. (Yahoo)

Indonesia eases visas from first of August (Travel Daily)
Indonesian President campaigns for traditional clothing (Deccan Herald)
Indonesia energy crisis shows old habits die hard (Reuters AlertNet)
 

In the fight to save on energy resources, some government officials in Makassar, Sulawesi,  used alternative transportation to go to their offices yesterday.
 

Business is buzzing again in battered Bali
Sun-bathing topless on Bali's famed Kuta beach, Joanna Lee seems unfazed by the sight of giggling Indonesian tourist policemen buzzing by on a golf cart. (Reuters)

Indonesia football fans reprieved  -  Indonesian TV stations are to go off air overnight to conserve energy - but the screening of European football has been excluded from the ban. (CNN)

Reports of Bombs in Small Packages Lead to Warnings in Jakarta
"It was the scenario we were planning for here," said a security official with a major international company, who maintains close ties with Western intelligence services here and in London. This would be a change from past tactics, which had involved the use of car bombs. He agreed to discuss the issue only if neither he nor his company were named because it involved intelligence matters. (New York Times)

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TONIGHT in BUGILS ANOTHER NIGHT WITH FAT DONY AND THE JAYA PUB BAND !

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FROM THE EDITOR:

From the moment she stepped in, I noticed directly her fierce and almost proud look. Over the years I considered myself impressive good in predicting at first sight from what country people originate, but this one was difficult. British ladies normally come in in pairs and always decide at the first meter where they want to sit.  Dutch female 'first timers' often have this superstitious look on their face. Probably from the moment they enter they are afraid that they will be overcharged. Italian and French don't come to BuGils; not classy enough. So this beauty was clearly not from Holland,UK or any other European country. And American ladies always give a friendly nod to  the staff when they enter. Not this one. She ignored them and calmly walked forward, her head slowly moving from left to right.

She intrigued me and I had to find out where she was from. 'Your first time in BuGils?' I offered my hand to introduce myself, but she looked straight over my shoulder to the bottles behind the bar, ignoring my raised hand. 'Do you sell Russian vodka?', she asked. 'Yes, we have.' I replied. She seemed relieved and now happily shook my hand. 'My name is Natasha. I am from Siberia'. I could never have guessed that. I never met anyone from Siberia and a bit overwhelmed by her origins I made the most stupid remark: 'Wow, is that why your hands are so cold?'. She looked me fierce and straight in the eyes. Her accent sounded German but it could just as well have been the voice of an angry Yeltsin addressing the Russian parliament.  'Why do all people always think Siberia is a cold far away place?' She was clearly irritated. She spoke in a powerful but slow tone. 'Do you also think we have bears running on the streets? Many people think that in Siberia there are bears walking on the streets.' I hastily shook my head and hands. 'No, no! I just....'. I couldn't find the words. The Vodka came just in time. She finished it in one long gulp. 'I buy tea', she said, while putting her empty glass back on the bar. 'Do you think people in Siberia only drink Vodka?' She looked at me again. 'No, no.. But...' Again I couldn't finish my sentence. 'Well actually they do. But lately they start to drink tea as well and that is why I am here...'. The lady was beautiful but her German like accent scared the hell out of me. She ordered another vodka. I slowly moved away from her. Interesting people, these Siberians. I am sure the bears moved away long time ago...

Picture right: A BuGils customer in trouble...

Later that night I had to deal with staff problems. One waitress was crying because she did not understand why she was scheduled for a few dayshifts. 'I have been working for a year and they still place me in the day-shift!? Am I not good enough!?' She was very emotional.  Outside on the terrace I hoped she would cool down. She didn't. I went back inside and asked the seniors if they knew what the real problem could be. Apparently one of the other, more senior staff members, had been sick for the first time in her life. She suspected that one of her colleagues had put a spell on her, so she placed the suspects in the morning shift making it unable for them to put something in her food. In Indonesia it is common for parents to change their children's name if a child is often sick. This is normally done in a little ceremony with yellow rice offerings. I suggested to the senior staff that we should change the name of the person in question. Natasha would be a nice name. 'Bule gila...', they said. My offer was fallen on deaf mans' ears. Guna-guna or black magic a serious matter in Indonesia and has to be dealt with accordingly. Even my offer to a little 'name changing ceremony' with Russian vodka was not welcomed.

The last customer had paid his bill and left. The staff was sweeping the floor, while others counted their tips. Widi put the beer offer for Kuntilanak on the bar as she has done it every day for over a year now. I decided to go home. The one waitress was still sobbing on the terrace. The poor girl. Victim of their own beliefs in guna-guna. I reckoned it was time for an outing again, but this time far away from the guna-guna. Singapore? No guna-guna there and also no running bears in the streets. Could The Siberian Teahouse be a nice name for my new bar in Mega Kuningan? It was the last thing I remembered before I fell asleep. Another BuGils day had passed.... - Bartele

PS. I proudly inform you that my book BULE GILA (published by Equinox Publishing) is currently number 3 on the bestseller list of Indonesia after Dan Browns' Davinci Code and Adam Swarzs' his Nation in Waiting! You can buy it in BuGIls over the counter or in any major bookstore in Indonesia. Online orders can be done through Amazon.com or equinoxpublishing.com

On the picture: some regulars with the infamous Mr.Tong (one chapter in the book) in front. Latest news is that another person in the book, namely The Colonel, will return to Indonesia and thus BuGils... Ai....
 

ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD: 

Eatery Puts 'Mr. Ed,' of Course, on Menu  -WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Some customers say wild horses couldn't drag them to the table at a New Zealand restaurant that's offering a chargrilled horsemeat dish called "Mr. Ed is Dead." (Yahoo)

Food means having to say you're sorry - Japanese customers must apologize for their country's wartime occupation of China before getting a seat at a restaurant in former Manchuria or find another place to eat (Yahoo)
 

Tokyo Governor Sued for Insulting French  -  TOKYO - A group of teachers and translators in Japan on Wednesday sued Tokyo's outspoken nationalist governor for allegedly calling French a "failed international language," a news report said.

FOR SALE: KRIEK BELLEVUE and FRAMBOISE beers

InterGlobal is a specialist expatriate healthcare insurance provider offering a full range of quality international private medical insurance products. In Indonesia they are represented by Mike Woolf, who has over 18 years insurance experience in Jakarta. You will be able to talk to him on policy and claims issues. 4 new plans will be available as from July 2005 with competitive pricing. Click on their logo, advise them of your date of birth and receive a quotation. Or call 526 1221 ext 102/149.

Setback to US's Indonesian ties (Asia Times)

Aceh peace talks grapple with thorny political issue
Peace talks between Indonesian officials and Aceh separatists stumbled slightly over the thorny issue of political participation, dampening hopes that their decades-long conflict would soon be over. (AFP)

COMMENT: Taking from the poor to help the rich  -
ANYONE seeking an explanation as to why we Indonesians as a nation are so corrupt while still professing to be a very religious people — a question that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono posed when opening the Muhammadiyah congress just over a week ago — should not look further than our collective attitude toward the Government’s policy to subsidise domestic fuel prices. Does anyone still believe that Indonesia is serious about eradicating corruption? (Straits Times)

EXPAT TIP: We recently started a Cultural Agenda (supported by Starbucks). To subscribe to this free service, email here

 

 Ten Types of Expats (part 1)  -  By Tom Johnson

To be continued...
Source: (expatexchange.com)

----------------------------------------

This camp is illegal according to the Indonesian Centre for Environmental Law (www.icel.or.id <http://www.icel.or.id> ) and the Wave of Change Foundation believes that it is unethical to exploit a World Heritage Site.

John Strain
Manager Yayasan GUS
Jl Legian no. 138  Kuta Bali (Ph) ++ 62 (0)361 759323
www.waveofchange.org <http://www.waveofchange.org>

CAR RACING...

For those who want to hear the engine roaring, get pushed by the horse-power and feel the tremendous grip of a real race car, this is the ultimate challenge…!   

Slide your ways through the corners at Sentul international circuit and experience driving a touring car as it is raced in the Indonesian Touring Car Championships nowadays!

Expat Managed. For info email Leo at  leo@forty-one.nl  or got to: www.forty-one.nl

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TONIGHT ANOTHER NIGHT WITH FAT DONY AND THE JAYA PUB BAND !

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Bintan Resorts – Indonesia

It has a charming range of resorts catering to all tastes and budgets. Bintan Resorts is a favourite amongst tourists for many reasons – as a relaxed beachside getaway, golfing on some of the best designer courses in Asia, watersports like windsurfing and diving, or a spot of body-and soul pampering at any of the numerous exotic spas. Add to these are the flavour of Riau-Indonesian cultural heritage tours and captivating nature tours.

371 Beach Road, #01 - 09, KeyPoint , Singapore 199597 - Tel:+65 6293 3191 Fax:+ 65 6293 3375 - Email: tours@brf.com.sg Website: www.bintan-resorts.com

SILADEN RESORT & SPA

Siladen Island, Bunaken Marine Park / Manado / North Sulawesi

SILADEN RESORT & SPA

siladen_resort@hotmail.com / info@siladen.com

www.siladen.com
Tlp/fax: 0431 856820
ADVENTURE INDONESIA - Jakarta Office:
Wisma 31, Jalan Kemang Raya No.31
advindo@cbn.net.id
Tlp/fax: 62-21-7182250, 7182256 /Fax.7180438

For more info on the Newspaper Direct service, click here 
For more info on the Beer Delivery Service, click here
For more info on the Stroopwafel Delivery Service, click here
For more info on the Unibind Document Binders, click here

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