tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48800099895167627712024-02-25T16:37:26.236+08:00Tanjung Balai KarimunA beautiful Indonesian island.behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-33750140354600609302010-04-15T12:31:00.001+08:002010-04-15T12:31:43.092+08:00Businesspeople cry foul over policy on single tariff visa<div>Fadli , <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> The Jakarta Post<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> , <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> Batam<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> | Fri, 02/05/2010 10:54 AM | The Archipelago</div><div><br /></div><div>Businesspeople in Riau Islands are up in arms about the new visa-on-arrival (VoA), claiming it has led to increased operational costs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Companies at the economic exclusive zone in Batam, Bintan and Karimun have to pay more for corporate meetings, machine services and after-sale services, said General Manager PT Bintan Inti Industrial Estate (BIIE) Jamin Hidayat.</div><div><br /></div><div>The new policy, which has been in effect since Jan. 26, adopts a single tariff of US$25 for the first 30 days in Indonesia, to visitors from 64 countries. There is no longer a seven-day visa-on-arrival for $10.</div><div><br /></div><div>The new regulation stipulates that Indonesia will provide a 30-day visa-on-arrival, with a possible 30-day extension.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jamin, who chairs the Indonesian Entrepreneurs Association of Bintan, said top-level managers mostly came to Bintan for one-day meetings, and did not need 30-day visas.</div><div><br /></div><div>“The same applies when companies deal with overseas buyers who come to check after-sales services.”</div><div><br /></div><div>PT BIIE has 21 foreign investors with a total investment of $500 million, and employs 11,000 workers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jamin said there was a high rate of travel between Bintan and Singapore with many top-level managers making the island state their home base while working at companies in Bintan, Batam and Karimun.</div><div><br /></div><div>“We have sent a letter to the government, in this case, the coordinating economic minister, asking for a special tariff at the border zones where we operate.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Jamin suggested either a return to the old tariff or a daily charge.</div><div><br /></div><div>“Those foreigners are not visiting for a holiday. They are here for two days at the longest. They do not need 30 days. This [VoA] tariff is not prudently implemented. It lacks socialization and has jolted us.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Tourism, tour and travel businesses are reported to be affected.</div><div><br /></div><div>Robert Iwan Loriaux, head of the Tourism Office of Riau Islands, said they had sent a letter of complaint to the Culture and Tourism Ministry.</div><div><br /></div><div>“There used to be 500 golfers visiting every weekend. The number has dropped by more than half.”</div><div><br /></div><div>The Jakarta Post’s previous reports cited tour and travel company PT Andika VIT as saying the new policy caused it to lose an order from a group of 38 tourists from India, who cancelled their visit to Batam through the Harbor Bay ferry port on Thursday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Robert said the policy was unfair compared to the government’s fiscal policy, in which Indonesian travelers who hold a Taxpayers’ Registration Number do not have to pay fees to the immigration office.</div><div><br /></div><div>“For Indonesians who spend money overseas, the government exempts them from taxes while foreigners who enter Indonesia and spend at least $100 must go through complicated bureaucracy.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Like Jamin, Robert supported a special policy for Riau Islands.</div>behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-38844238824707800312010-04-15T12:30:00.001+08:002010-04-15T12:30:39.927+08:00Riau Islands told not to worry about visa-on-arrival single tariffFadli , The Jakarta Post , Batam | Tue, 02/09/2010 1:44 PM | The Archipelago<br /><br />The Riau Islands' businesspeople and provincial administration have been told to stop criticizing the government's new visa-on-arrival tariff, and to drop their demands for special treatment in the matter.<br /><br />Visitors applying for visas on arrival have to pay US$25 which allows them to stay for 30 days, with the possibility of a 30-day extension for another $25.<br /><br />This new single tariff policy has been in effect since Jan. 26, and applies to visitors from 64 designated countries<br /><br />Businesspeople at the Riau Islands, especially those in Batam, Bintan and Karimun - known as the BBK economic zone - claim the new policy was forcing them to pay unnecessary extra costs and demanded that either the tariff revert to the old system, in which they could pay $10 for the first seven days, or incorporate a daily charge.<br /><br />I Gede Widiharta, head of the provincial Justice and Human Rights office, said the new tariff was part of the central government's prerogatives in foreign policy.<br /><br />He added the central government could not easily revert to the $10 tarrif.<br /><br />"The new policy prevails in every part of the Indonesian territory. Do not interpret regional autonomy disproportionately," Widiharta told The Jakarta Post, over the weekend.<br /><br />However, Governor Ismeth said the Justice and Human Rights Minister had given BBK a green light to implement the old tariff.<br /><br />Speaking to the media during the officiation of a swimming event on Friday, Ismeth said that the possible reversion had been conveyed by the minister on the sidelines of a meeting between governors from across the country and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Cipanas Palace on Tuesday.<br /><br />"The minister has approved the implementation of the old tariff in Batam, Bintan and Karimun, which is $10 for a week stay and not $25 for a month stay," he said, adding this only applied to the Riau Islands.<br /><br />Riau businesspeople argue the new policy has badly affected their businesses, predicting a potential loss of Rp 500 billion a year due to possible decrease both in the tourism industry and business sectors.<br /><br />Widiharta, however, said based on the data at his office, which also oversees the immigration affairs in the province, there had not been a significant drop of foreign tourist visits following the implementation of the new tariff in the province.<br /><br />He added that most of the 1.5 millions of tourists visiting the province came from Singapore and Malaysia, which require no visas.<br /><br />Only a small number came from Korea, Japan, Taiwan and India, which are included among the 64 countries.<br /><br />He said an evaluation on the impact of the new tariff would be conducted three months after its implementation. He expressed confidence in the new policy's effectiveness and merit.behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-12990891824645512902010-04-15T12:29:00.000+08:002010-04-15T12:30:23.365+08:00Mixed messages on visa-on-arrival policy<div>Sun, 02/07/2010 3:10 PM | Headlines</div><div><br /></div><div>INDONESIA: The central government has promised not to impose the new visa-on-arrival policy in Riau Island's province's exclusive economic zones, Riau Governor Ismeth Abdullah said.</div><div><br /></div><div>The governor said that the new policy would hurt businesspeople in the province, who earlier protested the new policy, saying it increased operating costs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ismeth said on Friday night Justice and Human Rights Minister Patrialis Akbar had informed him of the decision on the sidelines of a meeting between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the country's governors at Cipanas Palace in Bogor, West Java, on Tuesday.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Patrialis agreed to roll back the new visa-on-arrival tariff for Batam, Bintan and Karimun to the original US$10 for a seven-day stay, so there is no need to pay $25 for a 30-day visit," he said.</div><div><br /></div><div>"The revised decision is exclusive to the Riau Islands areas, which borders other countries, and from what I heard, the new visa-on-arrival rule still applies to other parts of the country." - JP</div>behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-74479823891177780212010-04-15T12:26:00.001+08:002010-04-15T12:26:54.276+08:00Investors pay attention to election<div>Fri, 02/12/2010 2:06 PM | The Archipelago</div><div><br /></div><div>BATAM, Riau Islands: Foreign investors at the Batam, Bintan and Karimun (BBK) special economic zone are alert to the upcoming direct gubernatorial election in July as they are looking forward to "friendlier" policies in the future.</div><div><br /></div><div>Head of the Riau Islands office of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, Johannes Kennedy Aritonang, said Thursday the investors did not care who would be the next governor as everything was still centralized in Jakarta. "The investors are just monitoring and looking forward to improvements in infrastructure and facilities ..." - JP</div>behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-36402960492724340102010-04-15T12:24:00.002+08:002010-04-15T12:25:16.724+08:00Doctors resign over payment<div>Fadli , <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> The Jakarta Post<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> , <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> Batam<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> | Tue, 03/02/2010 2:17 PM | The Archipelago</div><div><br /></div><div>Seventeen of the 22 doctors working at the state hospital in Karimun regency hospital, Riau Islands, have reportedly resigned, citing they had yet to receive welfare fees from the Karimun regency administration.</div><div><br /></div><div>The doctors tendered their resignation on Feb. 24, although the news was leaked to the press Monday. The Riau Islands police office has sent four doctors to the hospital to address the staff shortage.</div><div><br /></div><div>The doctors' resignation was triggered by the administration office's failure to pay their medical service allowances as part of the employee welfare package. The doctors have demanded the regency administration replace the hospital management.</div><div><br /></div><div>Medical team chairman Ridwan Abdullah told The Jakarta Post on Monday that the resignation was the last option chosen by the doctors after the hospital management and Karimun administration office had failed to address their complains about the allowance.</div><div><br /></div><div>Until their resignation, the doctors had not received the allowances due to the sluggish process of funds disbursement.</div><div><br /></div><div>"We were also concerned about the condition of medical equipment at the hospital, such as grubby surger wear," said gynecologist Ridwan.</div><div><br /></div><div>"We asked the hospital to replace them but to no avail. The budget for the hospital is substantial, but it could not fulfill the basic demand. We eventually decided to quit."</div><div><br /></div><div>The resignees are made up of eight specialists, two dentists and seven general practitioners. Their resignation, said Ridwan, had affected services, especially those for the low-income patients reliant on health insurance.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Our struggle apparently needs sacrifices. We also wish people to know that we also need attention. People outside might see consider our lives to be comfortable, but that's not the case," he said.</div><div><br /></div><div>"That's one of the reasons why the regency administration has cited that doctors can seek additional sources of income from other places, so much so that our rights are being deprived. That's definitely wrong."</div><div><br /></div><div>Ridwan said a team from the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) and its Riau Islands' chapter is currently mediating with the Karimun regency administration to discuss the issue. "If our demands are not met, we will resign and seek other places to practice."</div><div><br /></div><div>Karimun Regent Nurdin Basirun said the demands from the doctors were unreasonable. He deemed the doctors to be impatient with the regency administration's efforts to improve the hospital management.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Let them just quit. Their demands are beyond the limit. We will look for other doctors."</div>behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-51810683715096506022010-04-15T12:24:00.001+08:002010-04-15T12:24:19.731+08:00Resigned doctors back to work<div>Mon, 03/08/2010 1:53 PM | The Archipelago</div><div><br /></div><div>BATAM, Riau Islands: Seventeen doctors who resigned from the state-owned Karimun hospital because of unpaid welfare payments in Feburary, have returned to work after the regency administration agreed to meet the doctors' demands.</div><div><br /></div><div>The chairman of the Riau branch of the Association of Indonesian Doctors' (IDI), Afrizal Dachlan, said the agreement was made during a mediating meeting between the IDI, IDI's ethical code council and Karimun Regent Nurdin Basirun.</div><div><br /></div><div>"I can assure today that all the previously resigned doctors will be back to work again," Afrizal told The Jakarta Post.</div><div><br /></div><div>Afrizal, however, declined to confirm whether the regency administration would fulfill all the doctors' demands.</div><div><br /></div><div>Seventeen of the 22 doctors working at the hospital reportedly resigned, after claiming they had yet to receive welfare payments from the Karimun regency administration.</div><div><br /></div><div>Chairman of the hospital's medical committee Ridwan Abdullah, who was among those who resigned, said the resignation was actually the result of an accumulation of problems that the hospital's management had failed to properly address. - JP</div>behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-8325989532278707072010-04-15T12:21:00.000+08:002010-04-15T12:22:15.501+08:00Imported cars held in Batam<div>Fadli , <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> The Jakarta Post<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> , <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> Batam<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> | Fri, 03/26/2010 10:25 AM | The Archipelago</div><div><br /></div><div>Car dealers in Batam, Riau Islands, have imported and marketed hundreds of completely built-up (CBU) cars despite the absence of import regulations, leaving the cars being held by </div><div>the local Customs and Excise Office.</div><div><br /></div><div>An importer in Batam, PT GA, has recently received orders for 24 units of Wish, Harrier, Camry and Altise cars from Toyota.</div><div><br /></div><div>The cars, sent to Batam through Singapore, arrived early this month, but due to the lack of regulation on these particular types of cars, the local Customs and Excise Office said they could not be released from the port’s warehouses.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another importer experienced similar problems when it imported 60 units of VW Beetle cars at the end of last year.</div><div><br /></div><div>“We don’t understand why the technical regulations are not made clear by the government. Our customers are really disappointed. On top of that, we have already paid for the cars,” PT GA Batam’s marketing manager Antoni told The Jakarta Post.</div><div><br /></div><div>He said the market for luxury CBU cars in Batam was relatively good especially because they are cheaper compared to other places.</div><div><br /></div><div>He said a Toyota Harrier, for example, cost only Rp 400 million a unit in Batam, which, along with neighboring Bintan and Karimun Islands, is a Free Trade Zone.</div><div><br /></div><div>The same model of car sells for Rp 700 million in Jakarta thanks to value-added and luxury taxes </div><div>imposed on vehicles, electronics and liquor in the zone.</div><div><br /></div><div>Separately, acting head of the Batam Customs and Excise Office Heru Setioko called on importers to wait until the office issued its technical direction for the import of CBU cars before importing.</div><div><br /></div><div>“It’s not yet clear what form we have to use for CBU cars imported to Batam, as free trade in </div><div>Batam is provided for production activities and not for consumer goods,” Heru said.</div><div><br /></div><div>Many have expressed concerns that opening up imports of CBU cars to Batam would create a chance for the smuggling of these cars to other parts of the country. This is mostly due to the limited number of consumers of this commodity.</div><div><br /></div><div>Chairman of Commission II of the Batam municipal legislative council overseeing the economy, Yudi Kurnain, said that there was a chance that CBU cars imported to Batam would be sent to other potential markets, including Jakarta.</div><div><br /></div><div>“It’s surprising that such cars are not seen on the streets of Batam,” Yudi said.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yudi called on police, the Customs and Excise Office and the navy to tighten surveillance on the smuggling of luxury cars out of Batam.</div><div><br /></div><div>He said a single smuggled car could cause hundreds of millions of rupiah in state losses due to unpaid taxes.</div><div><br /></div><div>“The free trade zone is limited to industrial production activities, and not for consumption purposes. It’s completely wrong to have the concept benefit the consumer sector,” Yudi said.</div>behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-87594808436558431262010-04-15T12:12:00.003+08:002010-04-15T12:14:14.473+08:00Malaysian Woman caught Smuggling Drugs to Karimun IslandFrom <a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/01/20/malaysian-woman-arrested-smuggling-ecstasy-crystal-meth.html">Jakarta Post</a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; ">01/20/2010</span><br />A Malaysian woman has been arrested for smuggling Ecstasy and crystal methamphetamine, locally known as shabu-shabu, worth Rp 5.5 billion (US$ 589,300) at the International Ferry Port in Karimun, Riau Island, an official said Wednesday.<br /><br />Head of the port‘s Customs and Excise Office Nasar Salim said that officers had become suspicious of a purple bag belonging to 45-year-old Lim Chen Huat when it was passed through an X-ray machine shortly after she arrived from Kukup, Malaysia on Tuesday.<br /><br />“We then found 10,112 Ecstasy tablets wrapped in 10 packages and two kilograms of crystal methamphetamine wrapped in two plastic bags,” Nasar told The Jakarta Post.<br /><br />He added that she might be linked to an international syndicate as she had previously visited Karimun to ensure she could smuggle the drugs.<br /><br />“We handed her over to the Karimun Resort Police for further investigation,” he said.behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-24221399362720526372010-01-05T15:50:00.001+08:002010-01-05T15:51:58.702+08:00Indonesian Goverment urged to consider Singapore - Batam BridgeBATAM: A legislator has urged the Indonesian government to consider constructing a bridge connecting Batam to Singapore as part of efforts to boost economic development in Batam.<br /><br />Harry Azhar Azis, from the Golkar Party, said Monday the Indonesian government should talk to its Singaporean counterpart about such a plan.<br /><br />"The bridge would give our producers better access to the Asian continent following the implementation of the free trade agreement between ASEAN and China," he said. - JP<br /><br />Source: <a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/01/05/govt-urged-consider-batamsingapore-bridge.html">Jakarta Post</a>behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-80265961300358547762009-11-27T09:29:00.003+08:002009-11-27T09:36:49.916+08:00Bad weather stops ferry to and from Tanjung Balai KarimunOver the last week, ferries have been stopped from traveling to and from Tanjung Balai on two days where the weather have been really bad. This means all the ferries from Batam, Singapore and Kukup Malaysia were not allowed to ply their routes.<br /><br />Today (26th Nov) is another ferry ban day. The authorities are watching the weather closely and will lift the ban once they are confident it is safe enough to do so. However if the weather remains the same or worsen, the ban will be extended beyond 26th Nov.<br /><br />Waves up to 2.5 meters and strong wind have even stopped the local fishermen from going out to make their living. Since the sinking of the ferry Dumai Ekspres 10, authorities are being extra cautious.behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-76863531370123136602009-11-23T11:51:00.005+08:002009-11-23T12:38:48.647+08:00Ferry from Batam to Dumai sank near Karimun Island<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46778000/jpg/_46778822_boat_afp766.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 766px; height: 511px;" src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46778000/jpg/_46778822_boat_afp766.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The Dumai Ekspress 10, the sister ship of the boat here, sank near Karimum Island. This is the similar boat that plies between Kukup and Tanjung Balai Karimun.<br /><br />Over 25 bodies have been recovered. More than 240 people have been rescued and bought to Tanjung Balai Karimun.<br /><br />This is the monsoon season and high waves are common in the Melacca straits off Sumatra.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46778000/jpg/_46778509_arrive_afp766.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 766px; height: 511px;" src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46778000/jpg/_46778509_arrive_afp766.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46778000/jpg/_46778507_rescue_afp766.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 766px; height: 511px;" src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46778000/jpg/_46778507_rescue_afp766.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-20920378945873909762009-11-03T20:54:00.002+08:002009-11-03T20:57:36.898+08:00We're number 1 on googleOne of my goals when I started this blog was to be #1 on google for the search phrase "tanjung balai karimun".<br /><br />Well, this week we have achieved this aim after around 6 months. We've overtaken wikitravel and wikipedia.<br /><br />Thanks for supporting us..behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-28882641524526156542009-10-16T12:37:00.002+08:002009-10-16T12:46:54.431+08:00Contributors needed!!!Hi Everyone,<br /><br />I havent been able to update this blog lately because I havent been to Tanjung Balai lately due to personal commitments.<br /><br />So I am looking for contributors to this site. Anyone who lives in Balai or visit balai regularly (or even not so regularly) is welcomed to write for this blog.<br /><br />Please email me at mdbehappy(XXXX)gmail.com<br />Replace (XXXX) with @<br /><br />After 4 months online, this blog has been able to achieve #2 position in google search engine for the search key "tanjung balai karimun". Yay!! One day I hope to build this blog up to even overtake wikipedia which is at number 1.<br /><br />Looking forward to any contributions... Thanksbehappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-6138235319454514812009-08-12T11:36:00.001+08:002009-08-12T11:36:53.224+08:00Riau officers tired of checking for H1N1Officers monitoring arrival gates at airports and harbours in Riau have said they are tired from checking the temperature of incoming visitors, done in an effort to prevent the spread of the H1NI virus, despite the Health Ministry's call to continue doing so.<br /><br />The problem was revealed during a national meeting on the dissemination of Influenza A (H1N1) virus, held by the Health Ministry in Batam on Saturday.<br /><br />The meeting was attended by heads of hospitals across the country that were recently appointed as referral hospitals for the virus.<br /><br />Head of the Riau Islands Health Agency Munzir Purba disclosed the officers had to work from morning until 8 p.m., checking about 20,000 visitors entering the country from Singapore and Malaysia in five seaports and an airport in Batam, as well as a seaport in Karimun and two seaports on Bintan Island.<br /><br />"The officers are very tired of checking the temperature of the visitors. We think that the action is no longer effective," Munzir said.<br /><br />He said checking the temperature e of the visitors at the arrival gates was no longer effective because the H1N1 virus had spread across the country.<br /><br />Responding to the problem, director general of the Health Ministry's Medical Services, Farid Husein, said the checking must continue.<br /><br />"But the officers could do it in shifts, to avoid fatigue," Farid.<br /><br />He said the World Health Organization had not set a standard for the number of patients needed for a country to be categorized as affected by the H1N1 pandemic.<br /><br />So far, there have been about 400 H1N1 cases recorded in Indonesia, including three that were fatal.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Widjajanti Utojo, head of the Dr. Slamet General Hospital in Garut, West Java, said many patients possibly infected with H1N1 could not be bothered to wait for the results of their tests.<br /><br />"Many patients escape from the hospital while waiting for the results," Widjajanti said. She said her hospital had treated 60 people suspected of carrying the virus, but said only six were declared positive.<br /><br />Similarly, head of medical services at Bali's Sanghlah Hospital, I Gusti Lanang Suartana, said many foreign patients became angry when they were forced to stay for six days in the in the hospital's isolation room. "Many foreign patients get angry because of that, but it will continue as there is no solution from the ministry," Suartana said.<br /><br />Director of medical services at the Health Ministry, Marwan Nusri, said the laboratory testing should be conducted centrally, in Jakarta.<br /><br />"It's not about the lack of equipment. But we have to do the test carefully," Marwan said.<br /><br />He disclosed each test costs the central government Rp 4 million (US$400).<br /><br />From <a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/03/riau-officers-tired-checking-h1n1.html-0">Jakarta Post</a>behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-69146512000859913502009-08-12T11:31:00.000+08:002009-08-12T11:32:55.430+08:00MUI requests total closure for RamadanThe Riau Islands chapter of the Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI) has asked regencies and municipalities in the province to totally close entertainment centers, such as pubs, discotheques and massage parlours, for the duration of the upcoming Ramadan Muslim fasting month.<br /><br />MUI Riau Islands chapter chairman Azhari Abbas told The Jakarta Post on Thursday the council urged the administrations of Batam, Tanjung Pinang, Karimun, Bintan, Lingga, Natuna and Anambas to close entertainment centers, starting on Aug. 21, the first eve of Ramadan.<br /><br />"We have sent a circulating letter to the regency and municipality administrations. The administrations could use the letter as a basis on the closure of the entertainment centers during Ramadan."<br /><br />He claimed the Tanjung Pinang muncipality administration had agreed to the MUI's request and promised to implement the total closure of the entertainment centers in the city during Ramadan.<br /><br />According Azahari, the council was still approaching Batam administration and urged the municipality to close entertainment centers in the city along the fasting month.<br /><br />However, Batam has its own regulation that manages the closure of entertainment centers and will close them for just four days during Ramadan, ignoring the Islamic preachers' call for total closure.<br /><br />The regulation states that the closure is only the first day of Ramadan, the Koran Revelation Day on the 17th day of Ramadan and two days of Idul Fitri celebrations.<br /><br />"Batam is the only city in the province that does not involve ulema in the closure of entertainment centers during Ramadan. We are very disappointed," he said.<br /><br />He argued the closure of the entertainment centers along the fasting month was important to prevent immoral activities that could disturb the serenity of worship during Ramadan.<br /><br />During Ramadan last year, the Batam administration also closed the entertainment for four days. The closure of entertainment along the month was feared to decrease income of workers in tourism sector.<br /><br />Batam municipality spokesperson Yusfa Hendri said the closure of entertainment centers during Ramadan would be regulated through a muncipal regulation, confirming that last year the centers had been closed only for four days.<br /><br />"We have to consider workers who depend their incomes on the entertainment centers. It's impossible to close the entertainment centers throughout the month."<br /><br />However, he said the municipality would involve the ulema council in the planned closure of the entertainment centers during Ramadan.<br /><br />"We would involve ulema in the closing and opening policies of the entertainment centers," he added, responding to the council's call.<br /><br />From <a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/07/mui-requests-total-closure-ramadan.html">Jakarta Post</a>behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-5306689492288295212009-08-12T11:26:00.002+08:002009-08-12T11:28:57.313+08:00Riau Governor's plane lost in spaceA plane carrying Riau Islands Governor Ismeth Abdullah and 13 key officials was recently forced to hover above Sumatra for two hours due to the failure of a Global Positioning System (GPS), an official said Tuesday.<br /><br />Hang Nadim Airport’s aviation safety unit head, Elfi Amirm, told The Jakarta Post the governor’s chartered flight was bound for Sei Bati Airport on Karimun Island from Tanjung Pinang on Sunday when the aircraft encountered the technical problem.<br /><br />Elfi said the Sei Bati Airport noticed something was going wrong with the Cassa 212 plane operated by Sabang Merauke Air Charter, as it did not land an hour after takeoff at 8:10 a.m. It normally takes less than 15 minutes to reach Karimun from Tanjung Pinang by flight.<br /><br />“I reported the problem to the Singapore aviation authorities to direct the plane,” Elfi said.<br /><br />The governor finally touched down safely at Sei Bati Airport, thanks to the Singapore Air Traffic Control. There is no report about how the governor and the officials on board reacted to the aviation problem.<br /><br />The absence of a radar in all airports across the province has forced the province to rely on the Singapore-controlled Flight Information Region (FIR) for decades, Elfi said.<br /><br />The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requires the nearest member country that possesses a more sophisticated navigation system to help another member country in need.<br /><br />From <a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/11/governor%E2%80%99s-plane-lost-space.html">Jakarta Post</a>behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-75896235674031717292009-07-01T13:24:00.018+08:002009-07-04T12:12:53.835+08:00Other blogs and useful sites about Tanjung Balai<div style="height:150px; clear:right;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i-luv-travel.blogspot.com/2006/09/tanjung-balai-my-first-impression-of.html"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sXZ--ZRnR0M/Skr95Gvjb1I/AAAAAAAAAFU/HV0j7rw0AQo/s200/thb_street.jpg" border="0" alt="Tanjung Balai Street"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353370264587693906" /></a><br /><a href="http://i-luv-travel.blogspot.com/2006/09/tanjung-balai-my-first-impression-of.html">Travel diary for a first time traveller to Tanjung Balai </br></a></div><br /><br /><div style="height:90px; clear:right;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://gohtk.blogsome.com/2006/08/25/tanjung-balai-karimun-exploration/"><img style="clear:left; float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 75px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sXZ--ZRnR0M/Skr-nTchf6I/AAAAAAAAAFc/phYku4MLvBI/s200/thb_temple.jpg" border="0" alt="Tanjung Balai Karimun Temple"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353371058271518626" /></a><br /><a href="http://gohtk.blogsome.com/2006/08/25/tanjung-balai-karimun-exploration/">Tanjung Balai Karimun Exploration</a></div><br /><br /><div style="height:90pxclear:right;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.wyattwang.com/HTML/Balai/Balai_may2006_1.html"><img style="clear:left; float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 75px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sXZ--ZRnR0M/SksAioy99JI/AAAAAAAAAFk/8WkwBfdQARA/s200/thb_wyatt.jpg" border="0" alt="Tanjung Balai Travel blog"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353373177126712466" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.wyattwang.com/HTML/Balai/Balai_may2006_1.html">Wyatt Wang TBK travel adventures</a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="height:90pxclear:right;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://handrestamps.blogspot.com/2008/11/tanjung-balai-karimun.html"><img style="clear:left; float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 75px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sXZ--ZRnR0M/Skser1pW_wI/AAAAAAAAAFs/y6HM6EOpum4/s200/thb_stone.jpg" border="0" alt="Strange stone carvings on Karimun Island"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353373177126712466" /></a><br /><a href="http://handrestamps.blogspot.com/2008/11/tanjung-balai-karimun.html">Interesting rock formation around Karimun island</a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="height:90pxclear:right;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/2007/04/15/indonesia-karimun-inscription/"><img style="clear:left; float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 75px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sXZ--ZRnR0M/SksiRUgDuZI/AAAAAAAAAF4/gW9DRZbgyg0/s200/thb_archaelogy.jpg" border="0" alt="Archaelogist visit to Karimun Island"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353373177126712466" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/2007/04/15/indonesia-karimun-inscription/">Visit by an archaelogist.</a> Sanscript inscription and rock carvings</div><br /><br /><br /><div style="height:90pxclear:right;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thebakerwhocooks.blogspot.com/2006/06/tanjung-balai-mission-trip.html"><img style="clear:left; float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 75px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sXZ--ZRnR0M/SksokraP6MI/AAAAAAAAAGA/vkpeK76XpjU/s200/thb_kids.jpg" border="0" alt="Kids of Tanjung Balai Karimun"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353373177126712466" /></a><br /><a href="http://thebakerwhocooks.blogspot.com/2006/06/tanjung-balai-mission-trip.html">Lovely blog by a food lover on a visit to Tanjung Balai</a></div>behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-87172023473095046422009-06-27T12:07:00.004+08:002009-07-03T14:12:20.376+08:00More shutdown<a href="http://karimun-tanjungbalai.blogspot.com/2009/04/tanjung-balai.html">Tanjung Balai</a> economy seems to be slowing down. From a visitor's perpective, I see some <a href="http://karimun-tanjungbalai.blogspot.com/2009/04/hotels.html">wismas and hotels</a> shutting down. One of my favourite restaurants, the Silver Fish (next to Rasa Sayang Hotel) is now closed. This is quite sad. One thing about an economy downturn is that people have to adapt. Some people have taken on extra work, change jobs or have better marketing. One surprise I saw was Hotel Maxi being fully booked on one night when other hotels were very quiet. Hotel Maxi seems to be able to cater for bigger groups like wedding parties, conventions and seminars.<br /><br />I was at Hotel Paradise which used to be one of the top hotels in Tanjung Balai. It was the quietest I have ever seen it. There seems to be a mosquito plague there... The whole place smells of baygon! If you are at the lounge area, you are practically eaten alive by mosquitoes!<br /><br />Santana is now a Karaoke lounge, opposite Paradise hotel. They have dangdut singers there now. Also plenty of pretty looking PR ladies. I found out that they used to work at other places but now have to supplement their income by working at Santana. Just another sign of how bad things are now.<br /><br />Durian season is in full bloom! The price is around IDR 8,000 per kg now. Try it!behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-1066464189522802082009-06-05T13:11:00.005+08:002009-06-05T13:21:46.620+08:00Deadly Rough Sea for Returning Illegal ImmigrantsThis is a bad month for seafarers. Over the last 2 weeks, 3 boats have sank whilst carrying returning illegal immigrants from Malaysia. More than 10 lives have been lost. This is due to the high waves as well as the lack of safety measures in the boats that carry these illegal immigrants. Tanjung Balai is a destination for returning illegal immigrants from Malaysia who do not carry any proper travel documentation.<br /><br />These boats come from Kukup, Tanjung Piai Pontian and Tanjung Pelepas Port, Malaysia. Their destintation is Tanjung Balai Karimun, Indonesia.behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-68492953981092807262009-06-05T13:02:00.003+08:002009-07-03T14:12:54.289+08:00Tourists numbers descendingFrom <a href="http://batampos.co.id/KEpri/KEpri/Kunjungan_Turis_Menurun_.html">Gustia Benny, Batam Pos</a><br /><br />The Department of transportation, Karimun regency reviewed the application of the increase in port tax. There was a decrease in foreign tourists but the number is not too significant, only about 5 percent.<br /><br />The port authorities have decided to keep the increase in port tax and will only review the increase if the number of foreign tourist drops by 30 percent or more.behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-25473549685048469672009-06-05T12:36:00.004+08:002009-07-04T12:31:38.834+08:00Karimun street curbs freed from traders<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tribunbatam.co.id/images/stories/photoberita/karimunregion/2009/Juni/krm.011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 213px;" src="http://tribunbatam.co.id/images/stories/photoberita/karimunregion/2009/Juni/krm.011.jpg" alt="Side walk of Tanjung Balai. Blocked pathways forces pedestrians to walk dangerously on main road." border="0" /></a><br />From <a href="http://tribunbatam.co.id/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32286&Itemid=1027">Tribun Batam</a><br /><br />Most of Tanjung Balai's street curbs/walkways are being used by traders as places to store merchandise, flower pots and also used for motor cycle parking. In fact the walkways main purpose is for pedestrian use.<br /><br />There was a raid by local authorities on Mon, 1st June. This was to impress upon the traders that the walkways is for pedestrian use only, not as part of the trader's selling area.<br /><br />Roads such as Jln Nusantara, Jln Pramuka and Jln A Yani are not very pedestrian friendly. Pedestrians are forced to walk on the main roads, which can be quite dangerous with the heavy flow of traffic.<br /><br />The local authorities have given warning that this will not be tolerated and action will be taken soon if the traders do not clear up the problem.behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-68832167397772579572009-05-29T12:05:00.003+08:002009-07-04T12:33:30.930+08:00Checks on Foreign workers in Tanjung Balai<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tribunbatam.co.id/images/stories/photoberita/karimunregion/2009/Mei/krm.272.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 213px;" src="http://tribunbatam.co.id/images/stories/photoberita/karimunregion/2009/Mei/krm.272.jpg" alt="Immigration checks on foreign workers in Karimun. PT Saipem workers." border="0" /></a>29th May 2009, from <a href="http://tribunbatam.co.id/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31980&Itemid=1027">Tribun Batam</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Immigration: There are about 200 foreign workers in Karimun.</span><br /><br />From 23rd May to 2nd June, Karimun police will be checking on foreign workers as part of the security operations in preparation of the Karimun Regency presidential election on the 8th July.<br /><br />The Police Commissioner Guruh Arif, Deputy Chief Police Karimun reported to the Tribune after leading the code of ethics assembly in the police Mapolres Karimun, on Wednesday.<br /><br />Based on data from Karimun, there are about 200 foreign workers in Karimun. <span style="" onmouseover="_tipon(this)" onmouseout="_tipoff()">Meanwhile, there are 41 foreign citizens with a Limited Stay Permit Card (KITAS). There are 34 person who are new KITAS owner and 7 foreign citizens who are in the process of renewal.<br /><br />Of the 34, 12 are Malaysians, then followed by citizens of Italy and France as much as 4 people each. India with 3 people, while Australia, Portugal, Philippines, China each accounted for 2 people. Colombia, Sri Lanka and Ukraine each person 1.<br /><br />Those on extension visa must report to us once a month.<br /></span>behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-36910173353819278712009-05-29T11:46:00.005+08:002009-07-04T12:35:24.513+08:00PT Saipem perfect safety record<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tribunbatam.co.id/images/stories/photoberita/karimunregion/2009/Mei/krm.282.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 213px;" src="http://tribunbatam.co.id/images/stories/photoberita/karimunregion/2009/Mei/krm.282.jpg" alt="PT Saipem workers in Karimun Island" border="0" /></a><br />29th May 2009<br />From <a href="http://tribunbatam.co.id/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32067&Itemid=1027">Tribun Batam</a><br />PT Saipem Karimun Yard recorded 2 million work hours without a single accident. PT Saipem management announced the achievement during an appreciation ceremony last Wednesday(27th May). According to Susilo Hasto, PT Saipem Public Relations Coordinator, said that accidents reduce working hours(lost time injury or LTI).<br /><br />In the event, the Head of Department of Labor Karimun Regency, Syafri Salisman, represantative of Karimun Regent, hopes Saipem can become an example for other companies in Karimun, even throughout Kepri province.<br /><br />In Karimun itself there are 12 large companies and also other average size foreign companies. Saipem's safety in the workplace should be an example of course. The top project leader of PT Saipem, Fox Roll thanked Saipem employees and contractors working for Saipem. "Leader in safety," he said his motto in the safety of foreign companies.<br /><br />He hopes Saipem has contributed to all the companies in the Karimun. "Treat safety work as a need and not a compulsion," said Fox. In the ceremony, Head of Department of Transportation, Representative Lanal Karimun closed by giving awards to the Saipem's employees and employees of contractors, PT Multi Adverindo, Waskita PT Karya, PT Boskalis, PT Putra Tidar brave and so forth.behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-76796679547943513952009-05-29T11:24:00.003+08:002009-07-04T12:36:29.372+08:00Tighter Inspection of Passengers in Tanjung Balai<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tribunbatam.co.id/images/stories/photoberita/karimunregion/2009/Mei/krm.283.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 213px;" src="http://tribunbatam.co.id/images/stories/photoberita/karimunregion/2009/Mei/krm.283.jpg" alt="Health check for H1N1 at Tanjung Balai's Pelabuhan (Ferry)" border="0" /></a>29th May 2009<br />From <a href="http://tribunbatam.co.id/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32066&Itemid=1027">Batam Pos</a><br /><br /><div left=""></div>In anticipation of Swine Flu from infected areas, the Karimun port health authorities have tightened the inspection for incoming visitors.<br /><br />"With confirmed cases in Malaysia and Singapore, the checks on people from these areas are have tightened," said Rizaldi, Section Head of Control and Quarantine Port Health Office Class II Tanjungbalai Karimun, Thursday.<br /><br />Previously only body temperature was taken from incoming passengers. Additional steps now include passengers filling in health cards which will make it easier to contact the visitors if they are in Karimun for a longer stay.<br /><br />As a result of these checks, a resident from Bulu disrict Safri (31) , who just returned from visiting Malaysia was taken to the local hospital after recording a body temperature of 38 Deg C.behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4880009989516762771.post-34532331548899580282009-05-24T14:07:00.003+08:002009-05-26T00:35:12.770+08:00Port tax to be reviewed in JuneRead from <a href="http://batampos.co.id/KEpri/KEpri/Juni%2C_Pass_Pelabuhan_Dievaluasi.html">Batam Pos</a><br /><br />The Department of Transportation Karimun promised to review the port tax by early June.<br /><br />This was in response to the protest from members of the <a href="http://karimun-tanjungbalai.blogspot.com/2009/05/indonesian-hotel-restaurant-org-tourist.html">Indonesian Hotel and Restaurants (PHRI) Karimun, </a>with regards to the increase of the port tax from Rupiah 25k to 60k for foreign visitors, mainly from Malaysia and Singapore.<br /><br />Edi Sontek, the Chairman of PHRI complained to </span><span style="" onmouseover="_tipon(this)" onmouseout="_tipoff()">Batam Pos recently that <a href="http://karimun-tanjungbalai.blogspot.com/2009/04/hotels.html">many hotel and wisma</a> rooms are empty since the implementation of the new port tax.<br /><br />Hotel operators are happy </span><span style="" onmouseover="_tipon(this)" onmouseout="_tipoff()">just </span><span style="" onmouseover="_tipon(this)" onmouseout="_tipoff()">to be able to survive on a daily basis, said Edi. However if there is no review of the port tax, many hotels will have to shut down. "If the visitor numbers continue to decrease, hotel closures will definitely happen. So we ask the government to understand our situation," explained </span><span style="" onmouseover="_tipon(this)" onmouseout="_tipoff()">Edi who accompanied PHRI Karimun </span><span style="" onmouseover="_tipon(this)" onmouseout="_tipoff()">Secretary</span><span style="" onmouseover="_tipon(this)" onmouseout="_tipoff()">, Tantimin SH.</span>behappyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10154483692884224495noreply@blogger.com5