Semalam aku coba untuk mengedit template blogku ini, coba-coba latihan aku kan masih pemula yang harus banyak latihan. ini adalah saat pertama aku mencoba, mumpung ada waktu liburan hari natal.
Aku coba untuk mencari artikel tentang template Blogge, dan hasilnya aku menemukan diblognya Mas Isnani, aku mulai mencoba edit sana edit sini dan jreng ini lah hasilnya, ternyata ngak jelek-jelek amat.
Selanjutnya aku ke blognya Mas Bayu yang keren habis dan setiap hari aku buka untuk mencari sesuatu yang bermanfaat, sebenarnya aku belum paham sama sekali dengan semua tulisan nya Mas Bayu itu, ngak ngeh sama sekali sampai sekarang...ya mungkin aku perlu banyak waktu untuk belajar dan belajar, bagi ku ngeblog adalah sesuatu yang amat baru, mending disuruh belajar kimia deh...capek dech.
Semoga para pakar bisa memberikan petunjuk kepada pemula seperti aku ini.
Sebenarnya aku pingin banyak menulis, tapi ini adalah pertama kali asli postingan aku lhooo...jadi grogi nich ngak pede...
wis lah...mudah-mudahan bisa lebih baik...
Jumat, 26 Desember 2008
Sabtu, 20 Desember 2008
Inna lillahi wa inna lillahi rojiun
Inna lillahi wa inna lillahi rojiun
Telah berpulang ke Rahmatullah di Tanah Suci
Bapak HAJI R.D.H. SOEWARNO
Pada hari Kamis 18 Desember 2008 pukul 05.00 WIB
Ya Alloh Ya Tuhan kami,
Hanya do'a dari lubuk hati sanubari kami mengiringi kepergian 'Bapak Haji Raden Djimat Hendro Soewarno' Bapak kami yang tercinta kembali keharibaan-Mu. Ampunilah dosanya dan maafkanlah semua kesalahannya, muliakanlah kedatangannya, lapangkanlah kuburnya, terimalah amal kebaikannya, limpahkanlah kasih sayang-Mu kepadanya ''Amin Ya Robbal 'alamin''
Radar Madiun
[ Jum'at, 19 Desember 2008 ]
Sesepuh PSH Winongo Berpulang
MADIUN - Warga Madiun khususnya warga Persaudaraan Setia Hati Winongo berduka. H. R. Suwarno, 84 tahun, sesepuh sekaligus ketua salah satu perguruan silat terbesar di Madiun itu kemarin wafat. Mbah Warno, sapaan akrab H. R. Suwarno wafat sekitar Pukul 05.00 WIB di rumah sakit Indonesia di Kota Azizia Mekkah, usai menjalani rangkaian akhir ibadah haji. ''Beliau (H.R. Suwarno) meninggal setelah menempuh semua syarat dan rukun haji, jadi dia sudah haji,'' terang Ulul Azmi, perwakilan KBIH Jabal Rahmah yang mendampingi Mbah warno.
Menurut Ulul Azmi, selama menjalani rangkaian ibadah haji, H.R. Suwarno sempat masuk rumah sakit dua kali. Pertama saat di Makkah sebelum tanggal 10 karena kelelahan. Kedua mulai tanggal 16 kemarin. ''Beliau kelelahan dan sesak nafas,'' ujarnya.
Dikatakan, selama proses ibadah haji dan menjalani perawatan di rumah sakit, H.R Suwarno ditemani istrinya Hj. Sri Aminah dan putra ketiganya H. Agus Wiyono. Sebelum di makamkan di Mekkah, jenazah korban disholatkan di Masjidil Haram. ''Pihak keluarga yang meminta pemakanan di sana,'' katanya.
Sementara, menurut R.R. Endang putri Mbah Warno, firasat kepergian Mbah Warno sudah dirasakan sebelum berangkat haji. Sebelum berangkat, kepada dirinya ia minta agar diikhlaskan jika tidak bisa pulang. Mbah Warno menyatakan ingin dekat dengan Rasullullah. ''Sepertinya bapak sudah punya firasat sebelum berangkat, makanya pesan seperti itu,'' katanya.
Meski jenazah Mbah Warno dimakamkan di Mekkah, ribuan warga PSH Winongo kemarin memberikan penghormatan terakhir di kediamannya Jl. Doho Kelurahan Winongo Nomor 123. Tak hanya dari Madiun, banyak warga PSH Winongo dari berbagai kota yang datang memberikan penghormatan terakhir. Ada yang dari Surabaya, Nganjuk, Kediri, Solo, Ponorogo dan berbagai kota lainnya. ''Beliau sudah pergi untuk selama-selamanya. Kini, tugas kita sebagai anak asuhnya untuk terus melestarikan dan menjunjung tinggi ilmu yang telah beliau ajarkan,'' kata Sutino murid kinasih Mbah Warno.
Hingga kemairn sore, di tengah guyuran hujan, karangan bunga untuk memberikan rasa duka terus berdatangan di kediaman Mbah Warno. Hadir pula beberapa pejabat di lingkungan Pemkot Dan Pemkab Madiun. (dhy/mik)
Hanya do'a dari lubuk hati sanubari kami mengiringi kepergian 'Bapak Haji Raden Djimat Hendro Soewarno' Bapak kami yang tercinta kembali keharibaan-Mu. Ampunilah dosanya dan maafkanlah semua kesalahannya, muliakanlah kedatangannya, lapangkanlah kuburnya, terimalah amal kebaikannya, limpahkanlah kasih sayang-Mu kepadanya ''Amin Ya Robbal 'alamin''
Radar Madiun
[ Jum'at, 19 Desember 2008 ]
Sesepuh PSH Winongo Berpulang
MADIUN - Warga Madiun khususnya warga Persaudaraan Setia Hati Winongo berduka. H. R. Suwarno, 84 tahun, sesepuh sekaligus ketua salah satu perguruan silat terbesar di Madiun itu kemarin wafat. Mbah Warno, sapaan akrab H. R. Suwarno wafat sekitar Pukul 05.00 WIB di rumah sakit Indonesia di Kota Azizia Mekkah, usai menjalani rangkaian akhir ibadah haji. ''Beliau (H.R. Suwarno) meninggal setelah menempuh semua syarat dan rukun haji, jadi dia sudah haji,'' terang Ulul Azmi, perwakilan KBIH Jabal Rahmah yang mendampingi Mbah warno.
Menurut Ulul Azmi, selama menjalani rangkaian ibadah haji, H.R. Suwarno sempat masuk rumah sakit dua kali. Pertama saat di Makkah sebelum tanggal 10 karena kelelahan. Kedua mulai tanggal 16 kemarin. ''Beliau kelelahan dan sesak nafas,'' ujarnya.
Dikatakan, selama proses ibadah haji dan menjalani perawatan di rumah sakit, H.R Suwarno ditemani istrinya Hj. Sri Aminah dan putra ketiganya H. Agus Wiyono. Sebelum di makamkan di Mekkah, jenazah korban disholatkan di Masjidil Haram. ''Pihak keluarga yang meminta pemakanan di sana,'' katanya.
Sementara, menurut R.R. Endang putri Mbah Warno, firasat kepergian Mbah Warno sudah dirasakan sebelum berangkat haji. Sebelum berangkat, kepada dirinya ia minta agar diikhlaskan jika tidak bisa pulang. Mbah Warno menyatakan ingin dekat dengan Rasullullah. ''Sepertinya bapak sudah punya firasat sebelum berangkat, makanya pesan seperti itu,'' katanya.
Meski jenazah Mbah Warno dimakamkan di Mekkah, ribuan warga PSH Winongo kemarin memberikan penghormatan terakhir di kediamannya Jl. Doho Kelurahan Winongo Nomor 123. Tak hanya dari Madiun, banyak warga PSH Winongo dari berbagai kota yang datang memberikan penghormatan terakhir. Ada yang dari Surabaya, Nganjuk, Kediri, Solo, Ponorogo dan berbagai kota lainnya. ''Beliau sudah pergi untuk selama-selamanya. Kini, tugas kita sebagai anak asuhnya untuk terus melestarikan dan menjunjung tinggi ilmu yang telah beliau ajarkan,'' kata Sutino murid kinasih Mbah Warno.
Hingga kemairn sore, di tengah guyuran hujan, karangan bunga untuk memberikan rasa duka terus berdatangan di kediaman Mbah Warno. Hadir pula beberapa pejabat di lingkungan Pemkot Dan Pemkab Madiun. (dhy/mik)
Jumat, 19 Desember 2008
Visitors new well for 'ojek' peddlers
PEDALING THROUGH THE PAST: The antique-style bicycle, locally known as sepeda ontel, is in tune with its Old Town surroundings. (JP/Mariani Dewi)
operators are not as traditional as the bicycles themselves -- most of them are former ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers that were unable to make ends meet.
"In the past, many people used our service. But slowly it has declined (in popularity). The business has become even worse since the busway service started," says Sunaryo, who moved to Old Town, West Jakarta, in the 1980s.
He says that when he was an ojek driver, he used to pick up office workers going for lunch and office boys running errands.
He also used to transport people to and from the fish markets in the northern part of Old Town.
A ride on his bicycle to the nearby bus station costs around Rp 4,000 (33 US cents), while a trip to the nearby Sunda Kelapa seaport, fish market or Maritime Museum costs more. Prices are negotiable.
"But it doesn't mean that I can't go far. I took a passenger to Slipi once, you know," says the man who hails from Tumenggung village in Central Java.
The road from Old Town to Slipi, in West Jakarta, has many ups and downs, just as his income does.
"Rationally, I shouldn't have been able to afford bringing up my four children, but somehow I did. They are good kids and my wife never complains about my wavering income. We take out loans when my earnings are low on some days and pay it back when I get more on other days. So I just leave everything to fate," he says lightly.
Another antique bicycle taxi driver, Siib Riyadi, takes a more somber view of things. He says his income has dropped to around Rp 20,000 per day from Rp 50,000 a day since the busway was launched.
"Some days I get nothing. There is nothing I can do about it. If you are not strong enough, you will get really stressed out," he says with a hint of distress in his voice.
He claims to have worked as a two-wheel taxi driver since 1995, and was introduced to the profession by a friend.
"I did other jobs but they were no good. Then a friend of mine asked if I would do this and I have been in the business ever since," he says.
"I want to get away from the small room near the fish market I rent with my wife but it is so hard to save," he adds.
However, not all is bad news. The development of Old Town has brought its own blessing on him and his peers, as they now rent out bicycles to visitors.
Occasionally, they are hired to transport groups of tourists around the area.
"It is good when that happens. The organizer pays us and sometimes the tourists will take pity on us and give us tips," he says, adding that he does not know enough about the area to be able to impart the history of the area on tourists.
Daryono, the local manager of the bicycle taxis, says the riders can brush up on the history of the area by going to museums and talking with historians.
"The passengers are happier if we can explain. Hopefully we can pick up more tips that way to top up the decreasing number of passengers," he says.
-- JP/Mariani Dewi
Selasa, 16 Desember 2008
AirAsia offers 100,000 free tickets to Thailand
The Associated Press , Kuala Lumpur
AirAsia said it would collaborate with Tourism Authority of Thailand to bring back tourists and businessmen by "reinstating the core message that it is now safe to travel back to the Land of Smiles."
Under its campaign themed "Get Your Baht To Thailand" - a play on the Thai currency - AirAsia will give away 100,00 free tickets to Bangkok from Vietnam, Cambodia, Myammar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and China, as well as for flights within Thailand.
Passengers will only have to pay airport taxes and administration fee. AirAsia last month abolished fuel surcharges on all its flights.
"We hope that this campaign will instill the confidence among travelers and also help to boost tourism which is vital at this juncture," Group Chief Executive Tony Fernandes said in a statement.
Tickets can only be purchased online at AirAsia's Web site over the next three days from Wednesday for travel between Jan. 6 and March 31.
AirAsia operates over 400 international weekly flights that connect Thailand to the rest of Southeast Asia and China. Within Thailand, its affiliate, Thai AirAsia, operates 378 flights weekly.
Thailand's tourism industry is suffering after months of anti-government protests culminated last month with demonstrators taking over Bangkok's two main airports for a week.
A measure of political stability has returned to Thailand after the parliament selected a new prime minister Monday, but the political turmoil and airport shutdown are expected to discourage travelers from visiting Thailand.
Sabtu, 13 Desember 2008
AGO detains website developer in justice ministry graft case
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta
The Attorney General's Office (AGO) detained Friday business owner Yohannes Waworuntu for his alleged role in setting up a website to allowed service fees to be skimmed from the Justice and Human Rights Ministry.
AGO's investigators questioned the director of PT Sarana Rekatama Dinamika (SRD) for about seven hours before placing him in the detention center at South Jakarta's prosecutor's office.
Upon leaving the AGO, Yohannes said investigators were blaming him for having signed a cooperative agreement between SRD and the ministry representatives in 2000.
"But I didn't know anything about the embezzled funds that got siphoned off to SRD and the directorate officials, he told tempointeraktif.com Friday.
He said SRD shareholders Hartono and Harry Tanoesoedibjo had directed him to sign a letter saying he was one of the company's shareholders.
"In return, Hartono released me from the debts I owed him," he said.
Responding to Yohannes's statement, AGO spokesperson Jasman Pandjaitan said Friday investigators would examine it to further their investigation
The case revolves around the embezzlement of fees paid through the website for setting up new legal entities, as required by the Directorate General of Legal Administration. The system has been operational since 2001 and is accessible through the ministry's website www.sisminbakum.com.
The AGO has said the fees collected should have gone to the state as nonrevenue. Instead, officials at the directorate general allegedly transferred 90 percent of the revenue to SRD, with the remaining 10 percent going to public officials. The AGO says the
case has caused Rp 400 billion (US$ 35.3 million) in state losses. (ewd)
The Attorney General's Office (AGO) detained Friday business owner Yohannes Waworuntu for his alleged role in setting up a website to allowed service fees to be skimmed from the Justice and Human Rights Ministry.
AGO's investigators questioned the director of PT Sarana Rekatama Dinamika (SRD) for about seven hours before placing him in the detention center at South Jakarta's prosecutor's office.
Upon leaving the AGO, Yohannes said investigators were blaming him for having signed a cooperative agreement between SRD and the ministry representatives in 2000.
"But I didn't know anything about the embezzled funds that got siphoned off to SRD and the directorate officials, he told tempointeraktif.com Friday.
He said SRD shareholders Hartono and Harry Tanoesoedibjo had directed him to sign a letter saying he was one of the company's shareholders.
"In return, Hartono released me from the debts I owed him," he said.
Responding to Yohannes's statement, AGO spokesperson Jasman Pandjaitan said Friday investigators would examine it to further their investigation
The case revolves around the embezzlement of fees paid through the website for setting up new legal entities, as required by the Directorate General of Legal Administration. The system has been operational since 2001 and is accessible through the ministry's website www.sisminbakum.com.
The AGO has said the fees collected should have gone to the state as nonrevenue. Instead, officials at the directorate general allegedly transferred 90 percent of the revenue to SRD, with the remaining 10 percent going to public officials. The AGO says the
case has caused Rp 400 billion (US$ 35.3 million) in state losses. (ewd)
Selasa, 09 Desember 2008
Forgotten Tengger ritual an untapped tourism goldmine
Indra Harsaputra , The Jakarta Post , Probolinggo
Standing on the peak of Mount Bromo in Probolinggo to partake in the Tengger tribe's karo ritual, encircled by the towering mountains of Banyuwangi, Malang and Kediri, one feels that time can be transcended.
A sublimity that makes you feel small, powerless, such that you are compelled to doubt your existence and that of the human race.
The sight has had its effect on the culture of the Tenggerese, who confess during the ritual their nothingness before the Creator -- Sang Hyang Widi Wasa -- who in turn endows upon them eternal life.
During the religious ritual, Tenggerese praise the one Creator with special food and beverages and remember their ancestors.
The ritual, which dates back to East Java's pre-Islam culture, has never received much attention from the public or the local tourism industry.
No foreign or local tourists took part in or witnessed the ritual on the mountain.
On the day of karo, which is usually celebrated a month after the annual ritual of kasada, hundreds of Tenggerese families, whether Hindhu or not, prepare food and beverages to present to their guests.
The families treat all visitors as kings and queens, regardless of their ethnic, social, religious or political backgrounds.
"Come in please and receive your free meal and drinks. This house is your palace where you can have any food or beverage for free and take more for your journey back home," Sukariyadi, a 21-year-old Tenggerese father told The Jakarta Post when it visited his bamboo house following the karo ritual.
The food and drinks did not only taste delicious but appeared far cleaner and more hygienic than food served in restaurants in many of Indonesia's cities.
Sukariyadi and his wife ate colorful traditional food and drank bitter coffee and coca while his parents Asih and Orip ate baked chicken flavored with chilies.
"We are all a big family, there is no difference between Jews and Javanese, whites and blacks. No individualism nor social segregation. We are all one in the same world and on the same earth," said Orip, aged 72, who has many grandchildren.
Following the ritual, the Tenggerese placed food and colorful flowers packed inside banana leaves on the graves of their ancestors in their gardens.
Although the majority of those taking part in the ritual were Hindu, there was a considerable number of Muslims and Christians.
In despite of their religious pluralism, Tenggerese people still perform the traditional rituals that have been integral to their culture for centuries.
As opposed to Hindus in Bali, Tenggerese tribes are not based on a caste system, but originally were part of the ancient Majapahit kingdom.
According to the Sundajaya epigraph, the vast mountainous region that once made up the kingdom belonged to Majapahit king Gajahmada, who inherited the lands from king Hayam Wuruk for his dedication to the kingdom.
Tenggerese believe they are descendants of the last king of Majopahit, who ruled in the 16th century.
Sutomo, the informal leader of the Tenggerese -- who many believe has paranormal powers -- said the traditional beatings that are part of the karo ritual stemmed from the Mojopahit age.
During the ritual, youths hit one another's shoulders with bamboo sticks. Anyone who is struck in the tradition is allowed to have their revenge but must first show patience.
Anderson, a Norwegian tourist doing his PhD about the community, said he was fascinated by the ritual but questioned why the government did not try to promote the tradition as a tourist attraction to tourists who came to climb the mountain.
Executive director of the Surabaya Tourism board Yusak Anshori said the ritual was not included on its list of Tenggerese annual tribal rituals advertised to international tourists.
"There is a government misperception about local cultural performances in the Tenggerese community. Karo is a marketable cultural performance by the Tenggerese community that could attract foreign tourists to visit the province. It is an alternative Javanese Hinduism ritual to those in Bali," he said.
Standing on the peak of Mount Bromo in Probolinggo to partake in the Tengger tribe's karo ritual, encircled by the towering mountains of Banyuwangi, Malang and Kediri, one feels that time can be transcended.
A sublimity that makes you feel small, powerless, such that you are compelled to doubt your existence and that of the human race.
The sight has had its effect on the culture of the Tenggerese, who confess during the ritual their nothingness before the Creator -- Sang Hyang Widi Wasa -- who in turn endows upon them eternal life.
During the religious ritual, Tenggerese praise the one Creator with special food and beverages and remember their ancestors.
The ritual, which dates back to East Java's pre-Islam culture, has never received much attention from the public or the local tourism industry.
No foreign or local tourists took part in or witnessed the ritual on the mountain.
On the day of karo, which is usually celebrated a month after the annual ritual of kasada, hundreds of Tenggerese families, whether Hindhu or not, prepare food and beverages to present to their guests.
The families treat all visitors as kings and queens, regardless of their ethnic, social, religious or political backgrounds.
"Come in please and receive your free meal and drinks. This house is your palace where you can have any food or beverage for free and take more for your journey back home," Sukariyadi, a 21-year-old Tenggerese father told The Jakarta Post when it visited his bamboo house following the karo ritual.
The food and drinks did not only taste delicious but appeared far cleaner and more hygienic than food served in restaurants in many of Indonesia's cities.
Sukariyadi and his wife ate colorful traditional food and drank bitter coffee and coca while his parents Asih and Orip ate baked chicken flavored with chilies.
"We are all a big family, there is no difference between Jews and Javanese, whites and blacks. No individualism nor social segregation. We are all one in the same world and on the same earth," said Orip, aged 72, who has many grandchildren.
Following the ritual, the Tenggerese placed food and colorful flowers packed inside banana leaves on the graves of their ancestors in their gardens.
Although the majority of those taking part in the ritual were Hindu, there was a considerable number of Muslims and Christians.
In despite of their religious pluralism, Tenggerese people still perform the traditional rituals that have been integral to their culture for centuries.
As opposed to Hindus in Bali, Tenggerese tribes are not based on a caste system, but originally were part of the ancient Majapahit kingdom.
According to the Sundajaya epigraph, the vast mountainous region that once made up the kingdom belonged to Majapahit king Gajahmada, who inherited the lands from king Hayam Wuruk for his dedication to the kingdom.
Tenggerese believe they are descendants of the last king of Majopahit, who ruled in the 16th century.
Sutomo, the informal leader of the Tenggerese -- who many believe has paranormal powers -- said the traditional beatings that are part of the karo ritual stemmed from the Mojopahit age.
During the ritual, youths hit one another's shoulders with bamboo sticks. Anyone who is struck in the tradition is allowed to have their revenge but must first show patience.
Anderson, a Norwegian tourist doing his PhD about the community, said he was fascinated by the ritual but questioned why the government did not try to promote the tradition as a tourist attraction to tourists who came to climb the mountain.
Executive director of the Surabaya Tourism board Yusak Anshori said the ritual was not included on its list of Tenggerese annual tribal rituals advertised to international tourists.
"There is a government misperception about local cultural performances in the Tenggerese community. Karo is a marketable cultural performance by the Tenggerese community that could attract foreign tourists to visit the province. It is an alternative Javanese Hinduism ritual to those in Bali," he said.
Kamis, 04 Desember 2008
Oil falls to 3-year low below $46 on weak economy
Alex Kennedy , The Associated Press
Oil prices sank to fresh 3-year lows Thursday in Asia as more bleak news from the world's largest economy signaled that crude could tumble below $40 by the end of the year.
Light, sweet crude for January delivery was down 88 cents to $45.91 a barrel - the lowest since closing at $45.42 on Feb, 10, 2005 - in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange by midday in Singapore. The contract fell 17 cents overnight to settle at $46.79.
"You could see prices testing $40 by the end of the year because the economic data is really ugly at the moment," said Christoffer Moltke-Leth, head of sales trading at Saxo Capital Markets in Singapore. "Demand destruction is still very much the concern."
Oil prices have tumbled about 69 percent since peaking at $147.27 in July.
Investors were dismayed at more poor economic news from the U.S. The Institute for Supply Management said Wednesday its services sector index fell to 37.3 in November from 44.4 in October. The reading was significantly lower than the 42 the market expected.
The Labor Department reported that productivity rose at an annual rate of 1.3 percent in the July-September quarter, down from a 3.6 percent growth rate in the second quarter.
Investors took little solace from a report showing U.S. crude inventories fell last week. For the week ended Nov. 28, crude inventories fell by 400,000 barrels, the Energy Department's Energy Information Administration said Wednesday.
Analysts had expected a boost of 2 million barrels, according to a survey by Platts, the energy information arm of McGraw-Hill Cos.
"People are really looking at economic figures right now and how bad a shape the world is in," Moltke-Leth said.
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries has signaled it plans to lower output quotas at a Dec. 17 meeting, adding to a production cut of 1.5 million barrels a day in October.
Analysts are skeptical that an output reduction by OPEC can reverse the fall in the prices.
"I don't think it will have a major impact in the near term," Moltke-Leth said. "However, low prices will increasingly lead drilling and exploration projects to be postponed or canceled, so supply will become a concern in the medium term."
In other Nymex trading, gasoline futures fell 2.12 cents to $1.02 a gallon. Heating oil dropped 1.65 cents to $1.57 a gallon while natural gas for January delivery slid 2.7 cents to 6.32 per 1,000 cubic feet.
In London, January Brent crude fell $1.24 to $44.20 on the ICE Futures exchange.
Oil prices sank to fresh 3-year lows Thursday in Asia as more bleak news from the world's largest economy signaled that crude could tumble below $40 by the end of the year.
Light, sweet crude for January delivery was down 88 cents to $45.91 a barrel - the lowest since closing at $45.42 on Feb, 10, 2005 - in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange by midday in Singapore. The contract fell 17 cents overnight to settle at $46.79.
"You could see prices testing $40 by the end of the year because the economic data is really ugly at the moment," said Christoffer Moltke-Leth, head of sales trading at Saxo Capital Markets in Singapore. "Demand destruction is still very much the concern."
Oil prices have tumbled about 69 percent since peaking at $147.27 in July.
Investors were dismayed at more poor economic news from the U.S. The Institute for Supply Management said Wednesday its services sector index fell to 37.3 in November from 44.4 in October. The reading was significantly lower than the 42 the market expected.
The Labor Department reported that productivity rose at an annual rate of 1.3 percent in the July-September quarter, down from a 3.6 percent growth rate in the second quarter.
Investors took little solace from a report showing U.S. crude inventories fell last week. For the week ended Nov. 28, crude inventories fell by 400,000 barrels, the Energy Department's Energy Information Administration said Wednesday.
Analysts had expected a boost of 2 million barrels, according to a survey by Platts, the energy information arm of McGraw-Hill Cos.
"People are really looking at economic figures right now and how bad a shape the world is in," Moltke-Leth said.
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries has signaled it plans to lower output quotas at a Dec. 17 meeting, adding to a production cut of 1.5 million barrels a day in October.
Analysts are skeptical that an output reduction by OPEC can reverse the fall in the prices.
"I don't think it will have a major impact in the near term," Moltke-Leth said. "However, low prices will increasingly lead drilling and exploration projects to be postponed or canceled, so supply will become a concern in the medium term."
In other Nymex trading, gasoline futures fell 2.12 cents to $1.02 a gallon. Heating oil dropped 1.65 cents to $1.57 a gallon while natural gas for January delivery slid 2.7 cents to 6.32 per 1,000 cubic feet.
In London, January Brent crude fell $1.24 to $44.20 on the ICE Futures exchange.
Compensation deal reached in lengthy Lapindo debacle
Desy Nurhayati , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta
Victims of the East Java mudflow disaster have reached a deal with the Bakrie family-controlled PT Minarak Lapindo Jaya and the government agency handling their case to settle a long outstanding compensation payout.
Victims’ representatives held lengthy talks Wednesday with the Sidoarjo Mudflow Mitigation Agency (BPLS) and Nirwan Bakrie, head of the Bakrie Group of companies, at the State Secretariat, finally agreeing to settle the remaining 80 percent of compensation through monthly installments of Rp 30 million (US$2,500) to each affected family.
The victims are residents of four villages — Renokenongo, Kedungbendo, Jatirejo and Siring — included in the map of affected areas as stipulated in a 2007 presidential decree. They have been in Jakarta since Monday to pressure the government over the delayed payments.
Following the meeting, Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto confirmed the three parties had reached an agreement, and blamed the current financial crisis for not allowing the outstanding payments to be settled at once.
“There should be no deadlock, because the families need this compensation. That is why we have agreed on this scheme. Each family will get Rp 30 million per month until the payments are settled,” Djoko said at a press conference at the presidential office.
“We will start disbursing the installments this month, with the period differing for each family depending on the due date of their rent.”
In addition to the Rp 30 million, the families are also entitled to Rp 2.5 million to allow them to extend their rent periods.
“We have settled the disputes over the compensation payments through this negotiation without violating the presidential regulation,” Nirwan said.
Earlier Wednesday, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono urged the three parties to settle the outstanding payments immediately.
“I feel inconvenienced by this problem. If we can resolve the Aceh issue, why can’t we resolve this?” the President said, referring to decades of separatist conflict in the country’s westernmost province.
After the three-party negotiations, Yudhoyono met with the victims’ representatives, including Kus Sulaksono, who said they had accepted the agreement despite initially demanding each family receive Rp 75 million to enable them to buy their own homes, with Lapindo only willing to pay Rp 15 million installments at first.
“We agree with the scheme, and after being convinced by the President that the current crisis has hampered the compensation payment, we understand,” Kus said.
The mudflow disaster, which engulfed four villages and hundreds of hectares of farmland, was fed by hot mud that began spewing from Lapindo’s gas exploration site on May 29, 2006.
In October, a meeting of renowned international geologists concluded the disaster was caused by Lapindo’s drilling activities.
Victims of the East Java mudflow disaster have reached a deal with the Bakrie family-controlled PT Minarak Lapindo Jaya and the government agency handling their case to settle a long outstanding compensation payout.
Victims’ representatives held lengthy talks Wednesday with the Sidoarjo Mudflow Mitigation Agency (BPLS) and Nirwan Bakrie, head of the Bakrie Group of companies, at the State Secretariat, finally agreeing to settle the remaining 80 percent of compensation through monthly installments of Rp 30 million (US$2,500) to each affected family.
The victims are residents of four villages — Renokenongo, Kedungbendo, Jatirejo and Siring — included in the map of affected areas as stipulated in a 2007 presidential decree. They have been in Jakarta since Monday to pressure the government over the delayed payments.
Following the meeting, Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto confirmed the three parties had reached an agreement, and blamed the current financial crisis for not allowing the outstanding payments to be settled at once.
“There should be no deadlock, because the families need this compensation. That is why we have agreed on this scheme. Each family will get Rp 30 million per month until the payments are settled,” Djoko said at a press conference at the presidential office.
“We will start disbursing the installments this month, with the period differing for each family depending on the due date of their rent.”
In addition to the Rp 30 million, the families are also entitled to Rp 2.5 million to allow them to extend their rent periods.
“We have settled the disputes over the compensation payments through this negotiation without violating the presidential regulation,” Nirwan said.
Earlier Wednesday, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono urged the three parties to settle the outstanding payments immediately.
“I feel inconvenienced by this problem. If we can resolve the Aceh issue, why can’t we resolve this?” the President said, referring to decades of separatist conflict in the country’s westernmost province.
After the three-party negotiations, Yudhoyono met with the victims’ representatives, including Kus Sulaksono, who said they had accepted the agreement despite initially demanding each family receive Rp 75 million to enable them to buy their own homes, with Lapindo only willing to pay Rp 15 million installments at first.
“We agree with the scheme, and after being convinced by the President that the current crisis has hampered the compensation payment, we understand,” Kus said.
The mudflow disaster, which engulfed four villages and hundreds of hectares of farmland, was fed by hot mud that began spewing from Lapindo’s gas exploration site on May 29, 2006.
In October, a meeting of renowned international geologists concluded the disaster was caused by Lapindo’s drilling activities.
Senin, 01 Desember 2008
Govt: no price cut for diesel fuel, kerosene
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta
The government said Sunday it would not cut the prices of subsidized diesel oil and kerosene, currently at Rp 5,500 (46 US cents) and Rp 2,500 a liter, respectively, despite cuts in gasoline prices starting Monday.
Even though the price of subsidized gasoline will be lowered to Rp 5,500 from Rp 6,000 a liter from Monday, prices of diesel fuel and kerosene will remain the same, head of the Legal Affairs and Public Relations Bureau at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry Sutisna Prawira said in a press release Sunday.
The price of subsidized gasoline is being cut because of a slump in global crude oil prices to below US$60 a barrel in the past month. The price hit $147 a barrel in mid-July.
But the price cut may not last long, as the energy and mineral resources minister will continue to monitor and evaluate changes in global prices.
Critics have urged the government to lower the price of subsidized diesel fuel by Rp 500 a liter to help boost the economy. (dre)
The government said Sunday it would not cut the prices of subsidized diesel oil and kerosene, currently at Rp 5,500 (46 US cents) and Rp 2,500 a liter, respectively, despite cuts in gasoline prices starting Monday.
Even though the price of subsidized gasoline will be lowered to Rp 5,500 from Rp 6,000 a liter from Monday, prices of diesel fuel and kerosene will remain the same, head of the Legal Affairs and Public Relations Bureau at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry Sutisna Prawira said in a press release Sunday.
The price of subsidized gasoline is being cut because of a slump in global crude oil prices to below US$60 a barrel in the past month. The price hit $147 a barrel in mid-July.
But the price cut may not last long, as the energy and mineral resources minister will continue to monitor and evaluate changes in global prices.
Critics have urged the government to lower the price of subsidized diesel fuel by Rp 500 a liter to help boost the economy. (dre)
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