Bahasa Inggris (Direct Indirect)

Women’s economic role vital to national development.

Increasing women’s participation in economic activities has been vital to improving the lives of their families and entire societies as well as their countries, the US Ambassador at Large for Global Women’s Issues Catherine M. Russell says.

In an interview with The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Women and Economy Forum in Nusa Dua last weekend, Russell said that promoting gender equality and advancing the status of all women and girls around the world, including those living in the Asia-Pacific region, remained the biggest challenges at the present time.

“It is important to enable women to participate in economic activity. It is one of the ways for any country in the world to accelerate development and to eliminate poverty as women will invest their incomes in their child’s health, nutrition and education that will in turn improve their family’s living condition,” said Russell, who was in Bali from Sept. 5-9 on her first overseas mission since being appointed to her present position.

“Attending the APEC Women and Economy Forum in Bali, Indonesia, is my first overseas duty and I am very excited to learn about women’s conditions in the country,” she said.

During her stay in Bali for the APEC Women’s Forum, Russell made the opening remarks for the APEC WEF Young Women’s Innovators Awards during the Public-Private Dialogue on Women and the Economy. 

She addressed the APEC Joint SME-WEF Ministerial Meeting, which included SME ministers and ministers responsible for women’s issues, highlighting the US State Department work in support of women’s entrepreneurship. 

Russell also discussed bilateral issues with government officials from APEC economies and met with private sector leaders to examine ways to strengthen women’s economic participation in the region and further integrate gender considerations into the APEC process.

She praised Indonesian women’s entrepreneurship upon visiting a silver jewelry factory owned by Balinese businesswoman Nyoman Desak Suarti in Ketewel village, Gianyar, which employs more than 100 workers, mostly women. “She can become a role model from Indonesia for women’s entrepreneurship. I will share her success story,” the ambassador said. 

In efforts to boost participation in the public sphere, she underlined the need to give wider access to girls and women to education, health, job opportunities and working capital.

The US has strongly committed to raising the status of women and girls around the world and underscores its commitment to preventing and responding to gender-based violence, including domestic violence and violence against girls and women.

“Domestic violence has been so pervasive even in the US,” she said, adding that such violence undermined the safety, dignity and human rights of the millions of individuals who experience it, as well as threatened public health, economic stability and security.

Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy Kristen F. Bauer noted that the US government had supported various girls and women’s empowerment programs, such as sports exchange for girls, gender equality in athletics, training for young female entrepreneurs, education and scholarship. 

“Half of our scholarship recipients are girls and women,” Bauer said.

“Despite our [US government] strong commitment and the commitment of every world government to address women’s issues around the world, it is the women in every country who have to stand up, to raise their voices and to fight for their basic human rights,” stated Russell.

Through the APEC platforms, governments, private sectors and all stakeholders must work together to enhance the lives of girls and women, to increase their participation in economic and political fields to achieve gender equality and to eliminate any form of discrimination against women and girls, she said.

    1.)    “Attending the APEC Women and Economy Forum in Bali, Indonesia, is my first overseas duty and I am very excited to learn about women’s conditions in the country,” she said. ( Direct Speech = Present Continues )

Embracing a devout life

On stage with her new look, singer Dewi Sandra Killick entertains her crowd energetically.

It’s been around five months since she decided to wear a cover-all outfit and a headscarf.

Deep down, the 33-year-old confessed that she’s still a bit nervous performing like this but tried her best to combine the clothing, choreography and music.

“I used to be in miniskirts or backless dresses, so now, I’m really, really nervous. But, I hope I can still entertain you all,” Dewi said in between songs during a recent show with Wardah cosmetics, which has appointed her as its new brand ambassador.

Today Dewi, the wife of Agus Rahman, is embracing her new way of life. She was once the popular subject of gossip columnists who documented her divorces from her ex-husbands actor Surya Saputra and singer Glenn Fredly.

She seems to not mind expressing how she feels or casually interacting with her fans, including posing for pictures with them.

“I hope I will stay istiqamah [consistent in right direction],” says Dewi in her trendy white headscarf, ruffled blouse, pants and long black vest.

Without hesitation, the singer, who started her career as a teen model, shared her path to her life today.

“The main trigger was I wanted to fix myself. I was utterly aware I wasn’t a perfect person. I’ve made lots of mistakes, been down several times and I failed in many ways. So, I thought I needed to look inward and learn more. Hence, the spiritual journey began,” she reveals.

Dewi said she had joined a Koran studies group in her local neighborhood in South Jakarta.

“To be honest, I started in a group for children. Kids at 2, 3 and 4 years old fluently answered the [religious] questions, while I knew nothing,” she said.

“I mean, even children have a dedicated place to learn religion. Where have I been? It was the trigger. I realized I had something missing, so I learned.”

She shared that she had become to feel uncomfortable showing her skin a year prior to her transformation.

“Not many people knew but I began to wear skin colored pants while I was wearing miniskirts or hot pants. I even told my management that showing off didn’t suit me any longer,” Dewi said.

“One night during my night prayers, I opened the Koran and read a verse [about covering up] and bam! I was like, OK!” Brazil born daughter of Englishman John Killick and Betawi Prihartini says.

“I like wearing a hijab that is simple, without a pin,” fashion lover Dewi explained.

“Some nights while I have been busy styling my headscarf I have brought tears to my eyes because I skewered myself with the pins, but hope it’s worthwhile,” says Dewi with a laugh, adding that she makes more of an effort for big events.

“I used to spend about 30 minutes getting ready. But now, maybe it is because I’m a newbie, I have to be more careful to not miss a layer.”

She spoke about the several basic parts — such as the ninja (an inner layer shaped like a ninja veil but minus the face cover), ciput (an inner layer for a veil, shaped like a beanie or mini scarf) and manset (thin long-sleeved innerwear or compression sleeves) — of on-trend covered fashion.

Getting a suitable style for her stage performance is an ongoing project for her.

“Performing on a stage is actually like going back to square one. I’m still looking for the right formula, the best one,” Dewi says.

Her week is filled with activities in up to three Islamic studies groups, besides regular work.

“Those groups are for kids, teens and mothers. I often attend study groups that invite a famous ustadz [teacher for Islamic studies] in Bumi Serpong Damai [in Tangerang, Banten].”

During Ramadhan, Dewi plans to seek a teacher of Koran and Islamic studies.

“I would prefer not to work during Ramadhan: To remind me that the main goal in life is actually about devotion to God,” she says.

“I’m grateful that my husband, friends and fans have supported my decision.”

   2.)    “Not many people knew but I began to wear skin colored pants while I was wearing miniskirts or hot pants. I even told my management that showing off didn’t suit me any longer,” Dewi said. ( Direct Speech = Past Continues )

   3.)    “Some nights while I have been busy styling my headscarf I have brought tears to my eyes because I skewered myself with the pins, but hope it’s worthwhile,” says Dewi with a laugh, adding that she makes more of an effort for big events.
( Direct Speech = Present Perfect Continues )

   4.)    Dewi said she had joined a Koran studies group in her local neighborhood in South Jakarta. ( Indirect Speech = Present Perfect )

Myanmar gets its first investment bank

Alisher Ali knew on the morning of his second day in Myanmar that the long-closed country was a risk worth taking. Less than two months later he moved his wife and four children to crumbling, tree-lined Yangon and opened Myanmar's first-ever investment bank with $1 million of his own money.

This places him in sparse company. While many chatter about the economic potential of one of the world's last frontier markets, very few foreigners have actually set up shop. The first thing Ali had to do was explain to people in Myanmar, including some of his new employees, what an investment bank is.

Decades of isolation have left Myanmar with a weak education system, feeble banks, questionable courts, uneven electricity supply, entrenched corruption and an underdeveloped mobile phone network. In the last two years, sweeping political change has resulted in the release of hundreds of political prisoners, the election of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi to Parliament, and the lifting of most U.S. and European sanctions.

Today, the Southeast Asian country's bureaucracy is scrambling to keep pace with multiple transitions, from socialism to capitalism, dictatorship to democracy, and conflict to peace. The legal environment for investors remains murky, and beneath the flurry of reforms, many feel a tug of doubt: Will this change endure? Have the country's military rulers, under the leadership of reformist president Thein Sein, really surrendered the power they grasped with such violent fervor for nearly 50 years?

These things don't bother Ali.

Looking at the early sun on Yangon's Inya Lake from a hotel balcony on his second day in Myanmar, Ali saw a country with enormous untapped potential, a bit like Mongolia — where he made his name and his money — only with 20 times more people and in a better location.

"It's an enormous bet," he said. "Over the last 20 years, you don't have any precedent where an economy of 65 million people is joining the global economy."

Ali sees his investment bank, Mandalay Capital, as a bridge between foreign investors keen to find their way into Myanmar and local companies that need capital and guidance. The business is modeled on Eurasia Capital, a boutique investment bank in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, which has attracted loyal clients and a raft of awards since Ali founded it in 2008. Ali, who was born in Uzbekistan and educated at Columbia and Oxford universities, has also raised $25 million for Myanmar's first dedicated investment fund, which closed its fundraising last month.

Many things are missing in Myanmar. There is no local equivalent of a Securities and Exchange Commission that might grant Ali a license. There is not even a provision for an investment bank in Myanmar's existing financial services law, according to Sean Turnell, an economist at Australia's Macquarie University. A much debated foreign investment law was recently sent back to Parliament for further modification.

Such deficiencies scare off some people, particularly Westerners who tend to seek safety in the letter of the law. But to others, like Ali and his investors and clients from Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia and Uzbekistan, they look like opportunities.

Marat Utegenov, executive director of Mongolia Development Resources, a property developer based in Ulan Bator, is one of Mandalay Capital's first clients. Utegenov wants Mandalay to help him find and structure real estate deals in Myanmar, where foreigners need a local partner, or nominee, to own property, he said.

"If we wait until the rules are in place and I can legally buy property without nominees, I will have to give up a sizeable amount of profit because prices will be different," said Utegenov, who is planning an initial investment of around $5 million.

Oil and gas and mining account for 99 percent of foreign investment into Myanmar's $52 billion economy. But Mandalay Capital is staying away from extractive industries, in favor of fast-growing sectors more likely to be free of cronyism, corruption and political baggage, like information technology, telecom services, media, education, health care, real estate and financial services. Ali said he's targeting a rising generation of local entrepreneurs, rather than cultivating relationships with established crony businessmen.

Htet Nyi is one of Mandalay Capital's first local clients. The son of a clinical psychologist and a doctor, Htet Nyi started Myanmar Finance Co., a trading company, 17 years ago. He launched a business specializing in small loans for the poor in March and is now in talks with foreign companies about setting up a joint venture or raising capital to grow the microfinance business. "So far I'm financing it from my own pocket," he said. The only funding he can get now is a local bank loan at 14 percent interest a year, down from 18 percent last year, he said.

Mandalay Capital's five employees work from a bungalow in a residential neighborhood, rather than an office. Yangon has just 63,000 square meters (678,126 square feet) of office space — that's less than half as much as in a single skyscraper, Empire Tower in Bangkok, according to Colliers International, a real estate company. With such limited supply and rising demand, prices have shot up.

"The landlords demand rates that don't exist anywhere besides Singapore," Ali said. Rather than pay $150,000 a year for a small office, he rented a bigger house for a sixth the cost in Yangon's coveted Golden Valley neighborhood.

Ali said the biggest challenge has been finding the right people to hire. The local education system withered under military rule and Mandalay Capital has found it difficult to convince Myanmar nationals educated and living abroad to return to the country.

Alyor Khasanov, head of human resources at Silk Road Finance, Mandalay Capital's parent company, said he has been trying to convince a Myanmar expat that his career opportunities in Papua New Guinea pale in comparison to what Myanmar has to offer, but it's been tough to overcome the man's skepticism.

"My task is to make him understand this dramatic change, because here is a country of tremendous opportunity," Khasanov said.

Khine Zyn Tha, 25, returned to Yangon after studying accounting in New Zealand and became Mandalay Capital's first research analyst.

She has no investment banking experience, but did manage to explain to her parents what an investment bank is.

"I had to explain it's not a bank bank," she said. "It involves finance. There are investors who would like to invest and there are people who need funds to develop their business. We are the intermediaries."

She wanted to stay in New Zealand — the good medical care and ability to get a mortgage, an impossibility in Myanmar, were deeply tempting — but had to return for family reasons. At first she was unhappy, discouraged by the lackluster professional standards of the local auditing firm where she worked.

"I wanted to become a professional," she said. "I have a huge appetite for higher education. If I go to Bangkok and I see my peers from other countries, if I can't speak at the same intellectual level as them, I feel inferior."

Now that the world is coming to Myanmar, Khine Zyn Tha's ambition is finding a new outlet. With each passing day, the possibility that this opportunity will be curtailed strikes her as ever more remote.

"We've already tasted freedom," she said. "They cannot take it back."

    5.)    "If we wait until the rules are in place and I can legally buy property without nominees, I will have to give up a sizeable amount of profit because prices will be different," said Utegenov, ( Direct Speech = Future Perfect )

New faces join Indonesia’s Thomas and Uber Cup teams

The Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) has decided to include new talent in its 20-strong team for the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup championships, which will take place from May 18 to May 25 in New Delhi, India.

Among the new names is Ihsan Maulana Mustofa, who will turn 19 in November. As the youngest player in the Thomas Cup team, PBSI has high hopes that Ihsan — who brought home a bronze medal during the BWF World Junior Badminton Championships last year — will be able to help the team snatch the coveted trophy.

“I was surprised to be included in the team because there are many senior players,” Ihsan said on Wednesday.

Ihsan was chosen from 33 candidates, ousting 2007 World Championships silver medalist Sony Dwi Kuncoro, and more experienced players such as Wisnu Yuli Prasetyo and Riyanto Subagja.

As Indonesia aims to bring home the Thomas Cup, the men’s team will be spearheaded by men’s singles world number five Tommy Sugiarto as well as the world’s top men’s doubles team Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan.

The last time Indonesia won the Thomas Cup was in 2002 in Guangzhou, China, by defeating Malaysia 3-2. Since then, Indonesia only managed to reach the final in 2010, bowing down to China 3-0.

Indonesian is in Group A with Thailand, Nigeria and Singapore, while defending champion China is in Group D with Chinese Taipei, Russia and France.

Last tournament’s runner-up South Korea is in Group C with Malaysia, Germany and host India. Group B consists of Japan, Denmark, Hong Kong and Britain.

During the 10-day simulation program for the Thomas Cup in Kudus, Central Java, last March, Ihsan outplayed Sony in a straight game 21-19, 21-18.

“I don’t know why I was chosen, but I am grateful for the trust they put in me and I hope I can contribute to the team should I play in the tournament,” he said.

According to team manager Christian Hadinata, they selected the players based on several factors, not only experience but also improvement over the last few months.

“They all are good players but since we have limited quota [only 10 players each for Thomas Cup and Uber Cup], we can only choose 10 players [out of 33]. Hopefully with this team, we can bring back the Thomas Cup,” he said.

As for the Uber Cup team, captain Adriyanti Firdasari will be fighting to bring back the title after a hiatus of 18 years, as it was last won by Indonesian in 1996 in Hong Kong.

“I really did not expect to be selected for the Uber Cup team this year. But I’m grateful. Therefore, the team members and I will give our best to Indonesia,” she said.

Firda, as she is affectionately called, left the PBSI training camp in Cipayung, East Jakarta, in January after struggling with a foot injury over the past two years. Skipping several tournaments due to the injury, her world ranking dropped to 82 from 31 in September 2013. Her highest ranking was 15 in 2009.

Fifth-ranked Indonesian is in Group B with runner-up Korea, Australia and Singapore. Defending champion China is in group A with Chinese Taipei, Britain and Singapore. Group C consists of host India, Thailand, Canada and Hong Kong while group D comprises of Japan, Denmark, Malaysia and Germany.

    6.)    we can only choose 10 players [out of 33]. Hopefully with this team, we can bring back the Thomas Cup,” he said ( Direct Speech = Modals )

    7.)    But I’m grateful. Therefore, the team members and I will give our best to Indonesia,” she said ( Direct Speech = Simple Future )

Zivanna to promote safer side to Indonesia

JAKARTA: The 2008 Puteri Indonesia winner Zivanna Letisha Siregar will have a tough job at the Miss Universe event in the Bahamas next month as she tries to assure the world that Indonesia is a safe place to visit following the bomb attacks last Friday.

Zivanna said the Miss Universe event presented the perfect opportunity to launch the campaign and she’s ready to spread the word.

“I think it [Miss Universe event] will be a great opportunity to revive Indonesia’s reputation,” said the 20-year-old. “I am going to tell the world that there is no need to be afraid [of visiting Indonesia].”

Another key message she will try to convey to international audiences, she said, is that those who carried out the attacks do not represent the majority of Indonesians or any religion. 

“I am going to explain that the terrorists only wanted to damage peace in Indonesia,” said the Jakarta-born beauty. “As Indonesians, we want peace.”

Zivanna is currently preparing for the 58th Annual Miss Universe event, which will be held at the Paradise Island Resort in the Bahamas on Aug. 23. She will leave Indonesian on Aug. 2nd to ensure she is ready for the presentation.

Although having mixed feelings as the event draws nearer, Zivanna said she is confident she could win first place.

“[My aim] is to win,” she said, “though I am sure every contestant is on an equal playing field and aiming for the same thing.” — JP

   8.)    “I am going to explain that the terrorists only wanted to damage peace in Indonesia,” said the Jakarta-born beauty. “As Indonesians, we want peace.”

( Direct Speech = Simple Future (be going to) )

RI's economy likely to grow by 7% in 2019

The Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) has predicted that Indonesia's economy will grow by 7 percent in 2019, but only if the government changes its economic policy.

"To reach the target, we need policy consistency, as well as commitment and synergy among sectors and institutions and between the central and regional governments," Indef director Enny Sri Hartati said Thursday as quoted by Antara news agency.

Enny said that Indonesia needed to employ good strategies in food security, energy and infrastructure as well as maintaining a trade balance surplus.

She said she was afraid that Indonesia would fall into the middle-income trap if the government did not implement strategies and fundamental policies to help improve the economy.

Indef also projected that inflation could reach 4 percent and unemployment 3 percent in 2019 if the government utilized momentum over the next five years.

    9.)    She said she was afraid that Indonesia would fall into the middle-income trap if the government did not implement strategies and fundamental policies to help improve

the economy. ( Indirect Speech = Present Continues )

RI sets 2015 growth target of 5.5–6.3%

National Development Planning Minister Armida S.Alisjahbana says the government has set an economic growth target of between 5.5 and 6.3 percent in the 2015 Government Work Plan (RKP).

“The development target we want to achieve by the end of 2015 is economic growth of 5.5–6.3 percent,” she said during the opening of the 2014 National Development Planning Conference (Musrenbangnas) in Jakarta on Wednesday as quoted by Antara news agency.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Vice President Boediono, United Indonesia Cabinet II ministers, governors and heads of regencies and municipalities across Indonesia attended the conference.

Armida said other development targets included an inflation rate within a range of 4.5 percent plus or minus one percent, a 9 – 10 percent decline in the poverty rate and an unemployment level between 5.7 and 5.9 percent.

She said continued reforms for just economic development acceleration had been chosen as the theme of this year’s conference and this target would be achieved through inclusive development and improved justice in all aspects of life for all Indonesians.

“Ongoing reforms need to be continued in all aspects, including politics, law and security, economy and people’s prosperity, which will be followed by comprehensive economic development accelerations in all fields by highlighting achievements in competitiveness,” said Armida.

She added that the compiling of the RKP 2015 referred to the National Middle-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) for 2015-2019.

The RPJMN was composed by considering the evaluation results of the previous RPJMN and mid-term strategic issues and themes that had been outlined by the National Long Term Development Plan (RPJPN) 2005-2025.

“The theme for the RPJMN 2015-2019 is consolidating development comprehensively by highlighting the development of economic competitiveness based on the superiority on natural resources, human resources and science and technology capacity,” said Armida. (idb/ebf)

    10.)                        She said continued reforms for just economic development acceleration had been chosen as the theme of this year’s conference and this target would be achieved through inclusive development and improved justice in all aspects of life for all Indonesians. ( Indirect Speech = Present Perfect Continues )