BATAM NEWSBelow is a list of the latest Batam news. It will help to keep you informed of all the latest happenings and events in Batam. It covers a broad range of information and I hope it is helpful Batam News ArticlesResigned doctors back to workMarch 10 2010Seventeen doctors, who resigned from the state-owned Karimun hospital because of unpaid welfare payments in February, have returned to work after the regency administration agreed to meet the doctors' demands. 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. "I can assure today that all the previously resigned doctors will be back to work again," Afrizal told The Jakarta Post. Afrizal, however, declined to confirm whether the regency administration would fulfill all the doctors' demands. 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. 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. (Batam News Source: Jakarta Post) Batam fishermen fight losing battleMarch 9 2010The Batam Maritime Affairs and Fishery Office (DKP) has expressed concern over the presence of foreign fishermen working in the fishery sector in Batam due to the inferior skills of local fishermen compared to those from Thailand and Vietnam. So far, many local fishermen involved in the apprenticeship program on fishing vessels in the open seas have quit the program, citing physical weakness. Batam DKP Fishery and Maritime Resources Supervision division head Dasril Talani told The Jakarta Post recently that based on the 45/2009 Law on fishery, the presence of foreign fishermen on fishing vessels owned by local and foreign joint ventures was legitimate. According to the law, the composition between fishermen in a vessel initially regulated by the government was between 30 percent local and 70 percent foreign fishermen. A year later, the composition should become 50:50 and subsequently, the year after, 70 percent local and 30 percent foreign fishermen. The law requires that the transfer of technology to local fishermen must take place every year. “But the aim of the law is not being reached,” Dasril said. “Last year alone, 40 local fishermen were recruited and placed on foreign fishing vessels quit, saying they were not physically strong enough to work for months on fishing ships. “That’s why there are more foreign fishermen than local ones.” Riau Islands Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office secretary Misni said earlier 58,000 families in the province depended on fishing as an income. The provincial adminsitration also plans to start building a fishing port in Natuna regency to help tap the province’s resources. The port is expected to increase the number of fishing ships operating in the region, offering fishermen both fish auctions and warehouse facilities. The port will also make it easier for the province to directly record fish exports from the region. So far the province has recorded fish exports of only 5,000 tons per year, far below its reputed potential of about 20,000 tons. According to DKP data, two fishing companies from Thailand and Vietnam currently operate modern fleets and technology in Batam. Each fleet accounts for around 100 vessels, each of them manned by around 30 foreign crew members, most of whom are from Thailand. The fleets use modern technology and operate 12 miles beyond the coast. “Most of local fishermen operate only up to four miles from the coast because they could not endure farther from that,” Dasril said. “If the situation continues we are concerned that the presence of foreign fishermen would be more preferable than local fishermen.” He said efforts have been taken to improve human resources but that local fishermen lacked skills. Dasril said that fish caught within four nautical miles are worth less than fish caught above 12 miles, which contributes to local fishermen’s lower standard of living compared to foreign fishermen. “The Batam municipality alone could not improve the welfare of local fishermen due to limited funds, while taxes from foreign fishermen’s marine products are completely handed over to the central government.” The law requires that the transfer of technology to local fishermen must take place every year. (Batam News Source: Jakarta Post) Naval base on Malacca strait terror alertMarch 7 2010The chief of the Tanjungpinang main naval base, Commodore SM Dorojatun, has confirmed units under his command had been alerted to a terror threat in the Malacca Strait, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. He said the Singapore Navy had recently issued a warning that a terror group was planning to attack tankers passing through the Malacca Strait. "We received the information two days ago from Singapore`s Navy and Indonesian intelligence agents," Dorojatun said here on Friday. But Dorojatun said there was no need to panic over the news since the Indonesian navy was increasing its patrols in the strait to prevent terrorists from disturbing traffic in the waterway. "We are alert and ready to take action against the threat," he added. He said 12 to 15 Indonesian naval ships were now regularly patrolling Malacca Strait waters stretching from Sabang off the Aceh coast to the Natuna islands group. The frequency of the naval patrols would be increased to prevent or overcome any possible terrorist activity in the Malacca Strait, he said. Meanwhile, the chief of Riau Islands province`s sea police, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Yassin Kosasih, also confirmed the recent terror alert from the Singapore navy. Yassin said he had assigned four members of the local police`s anti-terror unit, six security personnel and 21 officers of the provincial sea police to conduct regular patrols in the Malacca Strait. "The team from the anti-terror unit also includes several sharp shooters," he said. (Batam News Source: Antara) Hatta Rajasa skips HIPMI conference in BatamMarch 4 2010Coordinating Minister for Economy Hatta Rajasa failed to attend the 14th national working conference of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) in Batam on Wednesday. The minister postponed his attendance to the HIMPI`s national conference because of the escalating political situation in Jakarta. "It is impossible for Minister Hatta Rajasa to leave Jakarta for Batan to attend the HIPMI conference because of the political situation," local HIPMI spokesman Indra Gobel said here on Wednesday. But Indra Gobel added that without Hatta Rajasa, the agenda of HIMPI`s working conference would continue to proceed as scheduled. He said three ministers, namely State Minister for Public Housing Suharso Manoarfa, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, and Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad had confirmed to attend the meeting. Besides, former Vice President Jusuf Kalla would also be present as a speaker at the meeting. "The former vice president has confirmed his plan to attend the conference as a speaker but I still don`t know what he is going to speak about," Gobel said. Presient Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono offically opened HIPMI`s 14th national working conference at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Jakarta on Tuesday. The meeting was themed "National Commitment in Accelerating National Economic Development." With such a theme, the Young Indonesian Entrepreneurs Association expressed hope that the government would support the micro small and medium businesses by lowering the credit interest rate, overcoming taxation problems, and providing stimulus policy for the business sector. HIPMI also hoped that the government would have a friendly policy for business players to keep the economic growth momentum in Indonesia. The event was attended by more than 300 representatives from across the country.After the meeting was opened at Ritz Carlton Hotel in Jakarta, the conference`s business sessions take place in Batam from March 3 to 5, 2010. (Batam News Source: Antara News) ‘Cap Go Meh’ strengthens ties of friendship and brotherhoodMarch 3 2010For Andi Wirakusuma, 45, celebrating Cap Go Meh is a long-held family tradition. "That is why I also take my children to the event every year," said the father of three, who attended the celebration in Kemoro Island, South Sumatra, last week. The island is located in the middle of Musi River, 5 kilometers from the popular Ampera Bridge. Andi used the occasion to meet members of his extended families, relatives and friends, thus strengthening friendship and brotherhood. "It's rare opportunity. That's why we have this event, to make and meet friends." The celebration of Cap Go Meh or Yuan Xiao Jie 2561 was held at the Hok Ceng Bio temple on the island. Celebrated every 15th day, or the last day, of the Chinese New Year Imlek celebration, the event included traditional ballet performance, barongsai (lion dance), liong (dragon dance) and tanjidor. "Visitors are not just coming from South Sumatra but also from Batam, Riau and Bangka as well as from the neighboring countries of Singapore and Malaysia," chairman of the Tridharma Councils' South Sumatra chapter Chandra Husin said. Kemaro Island has been a regular venue to celebrate Cap Go Meh in Palembang, due to its attractions including the graves of Siti Aisyah and Prince Ceng Ho. Many of the Chinese-Indonesian community in the region believe that prayers said in that place would be answered. Spectators had flocked the site since the afternoon although the peak celebration was only held at midnight. Thanks to the celebration, the only access road to the site was completely jammed. "Historically, Cap Go Meh was to celebrate the first full moon of every New Year, during which Chinese people held big parties and celebrations," Chandra said. He added during such celebrations Chinese people used to install colorful decorative lamps, which is why the event was often referred to as the decorative lamp celebration (Yuanxi, Yuanye or Shang in Chinese). (Batam News Source: Jakarta Post) Chinese ambassador cancels Batam visitMarch 2 2010Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Zhang Qiyue cancelled her planned visit to Batam where she was to attend the inauguration of Indonesia China Business Council (ICBC) of Riau Islands. The inauguration of Cahaya as the new chairman of Riau Islands' ICBC was supposed to have taken place at Ocarina tourism resort last Friday. However, the cancellation was leaked to press Sunday. Rumors abounded that the cancellation was triggered by the controversies over Radio Era Baru. The radio station has been ordered to stop broadcasting activities with the authorities citing rule violations, although the radio management believes the ban was due to their news content about Fallun Gong, a political organization banned by Chinese government. "We don't know if the cancellation is related with the Radio Era Baru issue," said Dewi, a member of the organizing committee. Radio General Manager Rahmat Pudiyanto said he and the station's employees would prepare themselves for talks with the ambassador, to probe the embassy's intervention in the affair. (Batam News Source: Jakarta Post)
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