INDONESIA a

No. 1/ IV, April 2009

n ek
ANewsletter of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Bern, Switzerland

The Art of an Indonesian Artist in Liechtenstein

Indonesian Embassy, Elfenauweg 51, 3006 Bern
Tel. +41 31 352 0983 Fax. +41 31 352 6565
 Aneka Indonesia No. 1 / IV, April 2009

In this Issue
Disclaimer: the views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and complete information, we cannot guarantee that there will be no errors.

News & Features

4 News Roundup

8 Celebrating Mother’s Day

10 The Art of Fauzie As’ad

4
12 Revitalitations of weaving Songket

15 Potentials and Oppurtunities

Business & Political Affairs

7 Indonesia Economic Outlook 2009

18 Heimtextil 2009

17 Destination Indonesia
20 South Sumatra

24 Recipe: Mpek-mpek Palembang

25 Quick tips for travelers

26 Calendar of Events

The Embassy
28 3
9
Message from the newsroom
About us
28 Activities

Front cover:
The Art of Fauzie As’ad

Published by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, Elfenauweg 51, Bern 3006, Switzerland.
Tel: +41.31.352.0983-4 Fax: +41.31.351.6765 Website: www.indonesia-bern.org

2
Aneka Indonesia

From the Newsroom.....

Dear readers,
It’s spring time! Shiny and colorful, resembles our magazine Aneka Indonesia. We are hop-
ing that you and your family are in good health to enjoy the upcoming summer. In this
edition, we highlight the revitalization of Sumatra Songket weaving, one of the most fas-
cinating handicraft from Sumatra, by a Swiss, whose desire is to revive the old motives of
Songket Indonesia. In the tourist destination section, we invite you to take a closer look to
the province of South Sumatra, which is not only famous for its Songket, but also for its
bridge and its traditional cuisine, Pempek, which recipe you can try on page 24.

Meanwhile, this spring edition of Aneka Indonesia will also provide the readers with a re-
port on the painting exhibition of Indonesian famous artist in Switzerland, who currently
lives in Liechtenstein, Fauzie As`ad, as well as a report on the second Indonesian Diashow
in 9 cities across Switzerland and Germany, by Dominique Wirz, a Swiss, who has traveled
almost all provinces in Indonesia and collected memorable impressions in Indonesia, from
the marvelous island of Sumatra, then continued to the exotic island of Java, the paradise
island of Bali, the solely island of Sulawesi and lastly to the surprising island of Papua. In
this edition, we also bring you up to date on the situation in Indonesia, the Embassy’s activi-
ties and the progress of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Switzerland over the past
four months.

Last but by no means least, we would like to appeal to the readers to help improve Aneka
Indonesia both in terms and contents and make it more enjoyable to read. Therefore please
do not hesitate to send us your contributions and comments and we will endeavor to incor-
porate your ideas into future editions. Moreover, should you or your family and friends wish
to receive the publications on a regular basis, please complete and return the subscription
form on the last page.

In the meantime, all of us here from the newsroom of Aneka Indonesia would like to take
this opportunity to extend to you and your families, our best wishes.

The Editor

3
Aneka Indonesia No. 1 / IV, April 2009

News roundup

US eyes Indonesia as key partner

With its giant population and moderate brand
of Islam, Indonesia is fast emerging as a
cornerstone US partner for President Barack
Obama’s administration, observers say,
following the visit to Indonesia of the top US
diplomat, Agence France-Presse reported.

Obama spent four years of his childhood in

Jakarta and his secretary of state, Hillary
Clinton, took a nearly 6,000-km detour
to Jakarta from 18 to 19 February 2009,
between Tokyo and Seoul on her first official
visit abroad.

Clinton said the US is committed to building a

“comprehensive partnership” with Indonesia.
Clinton said in Jakarta, that Indonesia, being
the largest Muslim nation in the world, the
third-largest democracy, will play a leading
role in the promotion of that shared future.
In November, President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono also appealed during a visit to
Washington for a “strategic relationship” with
the United States.
Jonah Blank, the chief policy adviser on South
and Southeast Asia for the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, said Obama had a
“golden opportunity” to make Indonesia a
pivotal US partner. Blank said there is greater
optimism now than any other point since the
founding of Indonesia as a modern nation-
state.
Lt. Col. Desmond Walton, who handles
Southeast Asia policy at the Pentagon,
said the US relationship with Indonesia
was “underdeveloped” considering the
archipelago’s vast size and economic
potential. The US is not the only country to
heap more importance on relations with
Indonesia. Prosperous Switzerland said last
week it had chosen Indonesia as one of the
priority countries in Asia for development of a
new partnership, The Jakarta Post reported.
Source: Coordinating Minister for Economic
Affairs Republic of Indonesia
Swiss-Indonesian relations soar to
new heights
Bilateral relations between Switzerland and
Indonesia have never been better, particularly
in the economic sector. Bilateral trade has
reached record double-digit growth, helped
by growing Swiss-Indonesian diplomatic
and business networks and initiatives.
Some 75 Swiss companies are currently
operating in Indonesia in sectors such as
banking, chemicals, foodstuffs, insurance
and pharmaceuticals, and many more are
expressing an interest to join them. As a
result, cumulative investments in Indonesia
have, to date, reached US$ 2,2 billion, with
increased growth expected in the future. Both
countries are also debating the possibility of
establishing a Joint Economic Commission to
further strengthen the partnership. Things
couldn’t get much better. Except they just
have.
Indeed, Switzerland has recently included
Indonesia on its list of seven priority countries
destined to benefit from increased cooperation
from 2008-2012. The Swiss decision was
motivated by Indonesia’s impressive economic

4
Aneka Indonesia No. 1 / IV, April 2009

growth--which recorded 6.1 percent in

2008 despite the global slowdown--and its
desire for greater integration in the global
economy. Southeast Asia’s largest economy
will therefore be joining those of Colombia,
Egypt, Ghana, Peru, South Africa and Vietnam
in sharing some 800 million Swiss francs,
which the Swiss Federal Council has already
provided to the State Secretariat for Economic
Affairs (SECO) to implement the program. The
latter will consist of mobilizing both domestic
and foreign investment, strengthening
competitiveness and trade diversification, as
well as stabilizing basic economic conditions
and improving basic infrastructure.

Swiss investments in Indonesia are already

much higher than in other Asian countries such
as India, South Korea, Malaysia or Vietnam.
Realized Swiss investments reached US$21
million for the first six months of 2008 and
Swiss cumulative investments topped US$ 2,2 This will entitle Indonesian passport holders
billion and are expected to continue growing. with a valid Schengen visa to enter Switzerland
Bilateral trade has also increased. Indonesia without the need for an additional Swiss
imports mostly machinery, foodstuffs, visa, as well to enter all the other Schengen
chemicals, medicine and medical equipment member states. The Indonesian Government,
from Switzerland, which in turn imports mainly for its part, seeks to encourage Swiss
furniture, textiles, garments and footwear, as visitors by including Switzerland on its list of
well as products such as tea, coffee and cocoa twenty-one countries whose citizens benefit
from Indonesia. Imports of textiles, garments from the Visa on Arrival (VoA) policy which
and footwear have seen the most significant it recently introduced. With both countries
increase, although Switzerland is also actively drawing ever closer on a number of fronts
cooperating with Indonesia’s National Agency and bilateral relations at new heights, the
for Export Development, particularly in the time has therefore never been better to
areas of fishing and seafood, agricultural invest in or visit Indonesia.
products, handicrafts, educational toys and
furniture. Data from the Indonesian Central
Statistics Agency (BPS) show that bilateral
trade jumped from US$339.38 million in
2003, to US$668.90 million in 2007. However,
the year 2008 will remain a milestone in the
trading history between the two countries,
with trade increasing 64.4 percent in the first
10 months of 2008 to US$907.03 million,
up from US$551.74 million during the same
period in 2007.

Also in 2008, Switzerland became a member

of the Schengen Area, entitling it to issue
Schengen visas valid for up to three months.

5
Aneka Indonesia No. 1 / IV, April 2009

Bandung declared most pleasant

city
Bandung has been elected the most pleasant
city by an international survey institute,
Mercer.

“I was informed by Regional Administration

Secretary Edi Siswadi that Bandung has been
elected the most pleasant city by Mercer,
an international survey institute,” Bandung
Mayor, Dada Rosada, said here Thursday.

He said that Mercer released the result of the

survey on February 2, 2009 in Jakarta.

The Mercer survey is unlike the data of the

KPK (corruption eradication commission) that
Bandung has the poorest public services.

He said that unlike the KPK survey about

public services, the Mercer survey covered
the facilities of cities. (*)

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Aneka Indonesia No. 1 / IV, April 2009

Indonesian Economic Outlook for 2009

The dynamics of the Indonesian economy are
very closely interlinked with the global and
regional economy and influenced by progress
improvements in the investment climate, in-
frastructure, productivity, competitiveness
and domestic supply constraints. Therefore,
due to the recent global economic crisis,
Indonesian government has revised its eco-
nomic growth target downward to 4.7% from
the previous level of 5% under the impact
of slackening global demand for Indonesian
products, according to Finance Minister Sri
Mulyani Indrawati on January 2009.

“The worst-case scenario for Indonesia’s ex-

port growth would be zero expansion. The to-
to the dollar, after weakening due to global Goeltom said that inflationary pressures as a
tal value of exports could grow by 0% to 5%,
factors. result of administered commodity and volatile
much lower than the 9% to 10% in 2008,”
food prices would decline as well. “This will
she said. The initial growth target was no
Bank Indonesia cut interest rates by 50 basis be in line with guaranteed supplies and food
longer realistic as the decrease in export and
points from the current 8.75% to 8.25%, in distribution in 2009,” she added. She said the
import volumes has been biting since October
line with analyst expectations. It was the third impact of fuel oil cuts in December 2008 and
2008, earlier than expected, Indrawati said.
cut in as many months. January 2009 was reflected in the deflation
The government meanwhile replaced Ari Soe- recorded in the past two months. If this was
Inflation for full-year 2008 was recorded at
marno as president director of state oil and followed by a cut in transport fares, inflation-
9.17% and fell to 0.07% on-month in Janu-
gas company Pertamina, installing upstream ary pressures could be minimized.
ary, The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS)
director Karen Agustiawan in his place. Agus-
reported. Exports slumped 9.57% month-on-
tiawan pledged after her inauguration to in- Goeltom said she was convinced that the in-
month in December, after falling 11.09% in
crease oil production and to improve the dis- flation target set at 6.2% in the state budget
November. On an annual basis, value dipped
tribution of oil products in the country. would be achieved. “These conditions are ex-
20.56% in December, compared with a 2.36%
pected to give a chance to BI to lower its rate
fall in the previous month, BPS said. Import
2009 inflation estimated at 5%: BI and banks are also expected to follow suit,
value fell 11.67% on a monthly basis in De-
including BI’s three-month certificates (SBI),”
cember, after falling 17.87% in November.
Inflation in 2009 could be at the lower range she said.
of the Bank Indonesia (BI) projection of 5%
Bank Indonesia Senior Deputy Governor, Mi-
to 7%, according to BI Senior Deputy Gover- The Central Bureau of Statistics said that con-
randa S. Goeltom confirmed the country’s
nor Miranda S. Goeltom. “BI’s latest assess- sumer prices rose 9.17% on-year in January
economy might be expanding more slowly
ment indicates inflation can be at the lower and fell 0.07% on-month. Finance Minister
than expected. She said the fiscal stimulus
range of BI’s projection,” she told a hearing Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the result was “the
prepared by the government could signifi-
with House of Representatives Commission XI, best” in many years and put Indonesia on
cantly boost public consumption and help to
which deals with financial affairs. She said that course for inflation of around 5% by August.
sustain the desired level of economic expan-
inflation could be curbed to a lower level of
sion.
5% as a result of reduced imported inflation Source :
Both Goeltom and the finance minister said
and declining international commodity prices Trade and Investment News, Ministry Coordi-
inflation was likely to come in at 5% in 2009,
as well as minimal output gap pressures and nator for. Economic Affairs, Republic of Indo-
while Indrawati added that the rupiah had
controlled inflation. nesia
found a new equilibrium at around Rp 11,000

7
Aneka Indonesia No. 1 / IV, April 2009

Celebrating Mother’s Day

On 20 December 2008, the Indone-

sian Embassy in Bern and Dharma
Wanita Persatuan KBRI Bern (the
Union of Indonesian Diplomat’s
Wives, who stationed in Bern) or-
ganized its annual Mother’s Day
which aimed at appreciating the
role of mother in raising the chil-
dren and taking a good care of the
family not forgetting its role in sup-
porting the husband as a Diplomat.
The event was held in Petruskirche
Gemeinde, Bern, from 12 pm un-
til noon, which were attended by
nearly 200 guests. The Ambassa-
dor, H.E. Lucia H. Rustam delivered
her speech at the ceremony which
marked the opening of this event.
After the ceremony, Dharma Wanita
Persatuan KBRI Bern, performed
Indonesian popular songs, such as
Antara Anyer dan Jakarta and Jali –
jali and salsa dance. The children
were also participated in the event
by playing Angklung and perfomed
Indonesian modern dances. Lastly,
the visitors were allowed to enjoy
Indonesian cuisines, prepared by
Dharma Wanita Persatuan KBRI
Bern, and musical entertainment by
Mr. Candra Darusman, Indonesian
famous singer.

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Aneka Indonesia No. 1 / IV, April 2009

About Us
The Embassy details

Address: Elfenauweg 51, 2006 Bern, Switzerland

Opening hours: 09.00—12.00 (consular section)
Telephone: + 44 (0) 31 352 0983-5
Telefax: + 44 (0) 31 351 6765
Email: kbribern@bgb.ch
Website: www.indonesia-bern.org

INDONESIAN EMBASSY OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS FOR 2009

1. Friday, 10 April, Good Friday (Wafat Yesus Kristus)

2. Monday, 13 April, Easter Monday, Ostermontag

3. Saturday, 9 May, Birthday Anniversary of Buddha (Hari Raya Waisak 2553)

4. Thursday, 21 May, Ascension Day of Jesus Christ (Kenaikan Isa Almasih)

5. Monday, 1 June, Whitemonday, Pfingsmontag

6. Monday, 20 July, Ascension Day of Prophet Muhammad (Isra Mi’raj Nabi

Muhammad)

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 No. 1 / IV, April 2009

The Art of Fauzie As`Ad

Fauzie`s Statement

“I have no doubt that Art is an interna-

tional Language for human beings to ex-
change emotion and express universali-
ties. Art has given me the possibilities of
combining the clear and definite north
geometric lines with free and dynamic flow
of south organic forms, as well as uniting
the east and west energetic influences in
my work until when I am working I can not
see the borderlines between the north,
east, south and west.”

Painting Exhibition in Brunnen

From February 1 to March 8, 2009,

Fauzie As`ad, Indonesian artist living in
Liechtenstein, has conducted his painting
exhibition at the Galerie am Leewasser,
Brunnen, Switzerland, with theme: Kunst
ist Grenzenlos möglich/ Art knows no
limit, which were attended by many arts
lovers in Switzerland, curators, and the
Ambassador of the Republic of Indone-
sia in Bern, H.E. Mrs. Lucia H. Rustam.
Many of his paintings, which price rang-
ing from 999 Swiss francs to more than
18000 Swiss francs, are sold out within
a week. His sculptures are to be seen at
the centre of Vaduz, Liechtenstein, mak-
ing Fauzie As`ad, one of Indonesian artist
with international reputation, we should
be proud of.

Biography

Born: September 1st. 1968 in Bekasi,

West-Java, Indonesia.

Living and Working since 1995 as an Art-

ist in Principality of Liechtenstein.

10
 No. 1 / IV, April 2009

Education
Workshops, Culture Exchange and Symposium
1974-1987 School in Bekasi and Tasik-
malaya, West-Java, Indonesia. Site Specific Art, Art Collaboration Indonesian-Australian in Yogyakarta (1993).

1987-1988 Student at the Academy of Experimental Art at Duta Plaza Bekasi, Bekasi West-Java (1993).
Interior Design in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Workshops at social work Program for Underdeveloped Village in Wonosari Yogyakarta
1989-1994 Study at Indonesian Art Insti- 0(1994).
tute of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Workshops-Art Collaboration with Militansi Seni Rupa Soboman 219 for Jogja Biennale
1997 Study How to work with Marble at VII (2005).
“Laboratorio Scultura Luigi Corsanini” in
Carrara, Italy. Artist Exchange Liechtenstein-Senegal (1998).

Artist Exchange Liechtenstein-Indonesien (2002).

Scholarships
Skulpturenwoche Bellevue-Quai Brunnen, Swiss (1999).
1987-1988 Scholarship from Pro Patria
Foundation at the Academy of Interior De-
Internationales Bildhauersymposion Berlin-Brandenburg, Germany(2001).
sign, Jakarta.
Internationales Bildhauersymposion in Mühlendorf-Teltow, Germany (2001).
1990-1993 Scholarship from Department
Dielsdorfer sKULpTUR Werkstadt, Zürich, Swiss (2003).
of Culture and Education of Indonesian
Government.
7th. China Changchun International Sculpture Symposium, Jilin Province, China
(2004).
1997 VP Bank- Cultural Scholarship from
VP Bank Vaduz, Liechtenstein.
“Man ist was man isst” Art Collaboration mit MSR S219 in Bukit Menoreh Yogyakarta,
Indonesia (2005).
2000-2001 Culture Scholarship from The
Government of Liechtenstein; Study tour,
Museums and Galleries Visit in Berlin,
Paris and London.

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Aneka Indonesia No. 1 / IV, April 2009

Revitalization of songket weaving

in West Sumatra

Bernhard Bart was born in 1947 in Bern. After having completed the regular schools in
Bern he studied architecture at the Technical High School in Burgdorf and then worked as
architect at different places in Switzerland until 1996. His only daughter from his first mar-
riage died from cancer in 2006. He has a grandson aged 12 years. Together with his second
wife he, now lives most of the year in Batutaba near Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, and visits
Switzerland from time to time.

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Aneka Indonesia No. 1 / IV, April 2009

During extensive travels in Asia together with

his wife, Bernhard Bart’s attention was drawn
to the weaving handicrafts, especially the art
of making textiles, the different techniques as
well as the patterns and motifs of textiles.

During six months (1977/78) they travelled

from Medan eastwards all through Indonesia
till Ambon and were overwhelmed by the many
different kinds of textiles produced: From the
west - the famous ulos of the Bataks in North
Sumatra - till far to the east - the tie-dyed
cloth called ikat on Tanimbar Island in South
East Maluku.

In 1996 he went to Padang, West Sumatra,

in order to learn Bahasa Indonesia. He not
only learnt the language, but also learnt a lot
about the special weaving technique called
“songket” of the Minangkabau people in West
Sumatra. Songket is a kind of “brocade”. It
is woven in supplementary weft technique,
which means that the supplementary, usually
metallic gold and silver threads form the pat-
terns.
In books he read that songket weaving in West
Sumatra almost completely stopped with the
Japanese occupation in 1942. The know-how
of the old techniques, the knowledge about
traditional patterns and pattern arrange-
ments was no longer handed down from one
generation to the other and therefore was al-
ready almost lost when, after independence,
the production started again. But the fineness
and extreme variety of the old motifs was
never reached again. He noticed that today’s
weavers no longer reproduce the old motifs
because old cloths, which could serve as ob- textiles he found in museums and antique fore World War II) have been photographically
jects of reference and comparison, are very shops he knew something had to be done in documented and more than eight hundred
hard to find. Besides, the weaving of the old, order to keep alive the knowledge about this patterns have been computerized and are
very intricate motifs and patterns is more dif- old artistic handicraft. ready to be woven again.
ficult, requires higher skills from the weavers
and, above all, is much more time consuming He began to collect data about Minangkabau By the way, his collection of songket textiles
than the weaving of contemporary patterns. songket - the patterns, the pattern arrange- consists mostly of photographs and he has
In West Sumatra, he found only three weavers ments, the materials used - wherever and only very few pieces of real textiles which he
at two places who still knew about the tradi- whenever he could. At first, the main task keeps as objects of reference for his work. In
tional way of songket weaving. was to photograph the old patterns and to his opinion, these old textiles, witnesses of a
transform them into computer patterns, which former time, should not be sold but kept in
When he saw the poor quality textiles avail- could then be used as templates for the weav- the families.
able on the market and compared them with ers. Up to now, more than one thousand two
the richness and fineness of the old songket hundred old Minangkabau textiles (woven be-

13
Aneka Indonesia
Another task was to look for the right materials
and he found it quite difficult to obtain threads
- cotton, silk and gold and silver threads - of
the same fine quality as used in former times.
He also had to construct new looms and to
engage and instruct the weavers.
In 2005, together with Indonesian friends,
he founded the Studio Songket ErikaRianti to
support him in his efforts and finally, in No-
vember 2006, the Studio Songket ErikaRianti
exhibited 46 cloths which are replicas of old
Minangkabau songkets in the “Galeri 6 Cema-
ra”, Jakarta. It also published a book entitled
“Revitalisasi Songket Lama Minangkabau”,
telling about this process of revitalising the
weaving of old Minangkabau songket.
What was the reason for Bernhard Bart to
keep these traditional motifs alive, to encour-
age their re-weaving and to revitalize the ones
already lost? First it was the wish to preserve
14
or revive something beauti-
ful, a fascinating handicraft,
including the techniques and
materials used in former
times. But then, through
his Indonesian friends, he
became aware that it was
also an important tool to
strengthen the identity of
the matrilineal Minang-
kabau people in view of
the invasion by economical
and cultural globalization,
because each motif has
a specific philosophical
meaning and does not
only serve as an orna-
ment as in other re-
gions. Each motif also
has a name and repre-
sents an object, which
is a symbol for an adat
saying. Thus, the song-
ket motifs are a means
to preserve the culture
and the identity of the Minangkabau people,
and they are as well a medium to transmit the
teaching of the adat, since the Minangkabau
tradition is not left on record.
Besides of producing replicas of traditional
songket textiles, the Studio Songket Erika-
Rianti also tries to transform the traditional
motifs used in wood carving in such a way,
that they can be used in songket weaving. An-
other goal is to create fashionable, contem-
porary songkets but still using the traditional
Minangkabau motifs, thus bringing their philo-
sophical meaning into a modern context. Also,
Bernhard Bart copied textile motifs carved in
stone on statues from the 13th century found
in Indonesia. For the first time such a carved
“stone textile” has now been woven with
threads.
Near Bukittinggi in the highlands of West Su-
matra he has designed and built a weaving at-
elier for the Studio Songket ErikaRianti and a
home for his friends and himself and his wife,
which has just been completed. When produc-
No. 1 / IV, April 2009
tion at this place will have started again and
is working well, he hopes to be able to have
another exhibition.
Tradition is still quite strong in West Sumatra
and he is convinced that, as long as the adat
is the basic foundation of the daily life of
the Minangkabau people, as long as certain
textiles are worn at certain occasions, and,
above all, as long as people are conscious
of the meaningfulness of these textiles, his
project will successfully go on and the art of
weaving sophisticated Minangakabau song-
kets will endure. But on the other hand, he
wishes more private initiative: Indonesia is
very rich at raw materials (wood, rattan, gam-
bir, palm oil, gas, rubber, and many more),
which should not just be exported as done
today, but processed first, thus creating more
labour and income. Then it would be possible,
for instance, to obtain silk “made in Indone-
sia”, which is quite difficult at the moment.
When asked why he - as an architect - is so
fascinated by the weaving techniques he an-
swers: “There are many similarities between
architecture and the weaving handicraft:
Whether building a house or creating a woven
textile, you have to consider the habits of the
people you work for. The house as well as the
cloth has to be designed and calculated, and
everything has to be planned in advance. You
have to know about the materials and their
special qualities, about the different tech-
niques and the colours. Building a house is
creating a home for people, weaving a cloth is
creating a home for the body”.
Studio Songket ErikaRianti
Komplek SMKN 1
Jorong Panca, Batutaba
Kec. Ampek Angkek, Kab. Agam
West Sumatra, Indonesia
Website: www.songketminang.com
E-mail: bernhardbart@yahoo.com
Aneka Indonesia
Potentials and Opportunities
Bernhard Bart, when was the first time
that you came to Indonesia?
I visited Indonesia for the first time in 1977.
Together with my wife I travelled during 6
months from Medan eastwards all through In-
donesia till Ambon, using public transport like
buses, ships, and the railway. Already then I
was overwhelmed by the many different kinds
of woven textiles produced.
What makes songket so interesting for
you?
There are two reasons:
First, the technique. Unlike other techniques
- for example batik where the pattern is cre-
ated on an already woven cloth, or ikat where
the pattern is made before weaving - in song-
ket weaving the pattern develops during the
process of weaving.
Second, the history: In the relatively small
area of the highlands of West Sumatra, the
heartland of the Minangkabau people, there
used to be many different weaving centres
(for example Koto Gadang, Limapuluh Kota,
Tanjung Sungayang, Batusangkar, Ampek
Angkek, Pandai Sikek, Silungkang, Solok,
Muara Labuh, Lintau, Padang Magek, Pitalah)
and each centre had its own very distinctive
typical motifs and pattern arrangements.
What is your favourite songket? From
which province? And why?
In Indonesia, songkets with metallic threads
were woven in Sumatra, West Kalimantan and
Bali. My favourite songket textiles are the
ones from the Minangkabau people in West
Sumatra. Within this area the old songkets
from Koto Gadang show the finest and most
intricate motifs. I think the old songkets from
No. 1 / IV, April 2009
West Sumatra are the finest in Indonesia and
belong to the finest hand-woven brocade tex-
tiles of the world.
Besides, for the Minangkabau people each
motif on a songket cloth has a specific philo-
sophical meaning and does not only serve
as an ornament as in other regions. Most
Minangkabau motifs have three meanings
(a literal, an implied and a hidden meaning),
which I shall explain by means of the following
example, the motif “bada mudiak” (fish swim-
ming upstream):
1. Literally, this motif is a symbol of courage
and determination, since it requires courage
to swim against the current. Also, the fish are
doing this in a swarm, which obviously means
that difficulties can be overcome more easily
by acting together as members of the com-
munity.
15
Aneka Indonesia No. 1 / IV, April 2009

2. What is the reason the fish are swimming

upstream? On its way to the sea the river gets
contaminated, therefore, the clearest water is
found at its source. This implies that in order
to solve a problem you have to find and ex-
amine its source.

3. Only very few old Minangkabau people still

know that there is a third, a theological mean-
ing hidden behind these values: seeking for
the pure truth, you have to go back to the
supreme source which is the truth of God.

What does this mean “Songket Revi-

talization”?

Today, only two weaving centres are left,

Silungkang and Pandai Sikek, and the former
richness of different typical patterns is lost.
The Pandai Sikek patterns have spread all
over West Sumatra and nowadays the major-
ity of songkets is woven in Pandai Sikek style.
Therefore, songket revitalization means to
produce sophisticated textiles which show the
same fineness, the richness and extreme va-
riety of patterns and the same intricate motifs
as they were woven about 100 years ago.
Moreover, by its production of replicas of old
traditional songket textiles the Studio Songket
ErikaRianti returns the significance to these
textiles, returns the meanings to the motifs,
revives one of the many local “colours” of
the Minangkabau cultural heritage, which is
unique in the world.

You founded the Studio Songket Erika-

Rianti, what kind of difficulties you’ve
found so far in operating the weaving
studio?
Together with Indonesian friends I founded
the Studio Songket ErikaRianti in 2005. First it
was difficult to find high quality metallic thread
(gold and silver) as well as high quality silk
thread. This problem has now been solved
but it is still very difficult to work together with
local suppliers of threads and weaving tools
since they often sell wholesale only. Still an-
other problem is to find weavers, which pos-
sess the high skills to weave the demanding,
very complicated old patterns and, on top,
have the patience to work on the same cloth
for 2 - 3 months. A simple cloth as it is woven
today is usually finished in only 2 weeks.
Do you sell your songket collection as
well?
My songket collection consists mainly of pho-
tographs. I possess only a few pieces of real
textiles which serve as objects of reference
for my work and as teaching material for our
weavers, and are not for sale.
The replicas produced by the Studio Songket

16
Aneka Indonesia No. 1 / IV, April 2009

ErikaRianti are intended for the market in or-

der to keep up the traditional handicraft of
songket weaving. Quite many Minangkabau
people living in Jakarta admire and purchase
our products and therefore support our ef-
forts to revitalise songket weaving.

How is the Studio Songket ErikaRianti

progressing and what are your plans
for the future?

In November 2006 the Studio Songket Erika-

Rianti had an exhibition in the “Galeri 6 Ce-
mara” in Jakarta, showing 46 cloths which are
replicas of old Minangkabau songkets. The
originals which served as models for these
replicas are to be admired in the Museum der
Kulturen in Basel, in the Fowler Museum in
Los Angeles, in the Museum Adityawarman in
Padang and in private collections. This was
the first step: To prove that it is still possible
to produce songkets of the same high quality
and as fine and complex as they were woven
long ago.
Having reached this goal the Studio Songket
ErikaRianti tries to produce fashionable con-
temporary songkets still using the traditional
Minangkabau motifs. It also adapted tradi-
tional motifs used in woodcarving and motifs
found on a stone statue in East Java (13th
century) in such a way that they could be
used in songket weaving.
At the moment the Studio Songket ErikaRianti
is training local people to weave these sophis-
ticated songkets in order to restore this tradi-
tional handicraft to a centre (Ampek Angkek)
where songket weaving was once flourishing.
Do you have any plans to promote Mi-
nangkabau Songkets in Switzerland?
Not really. The typical Minangkabau songkets
(that is our replicas) are intended for the Mi-
nangkabau people; they do belong to their
culture. Certainly, I would like to show and
make known this handicraft product to the
Swiss people, since they are in general inter-
ested in foreign cultures. But I don’t think that
there will be a big market for songket because
Swiss people don’t have a tradition to wear
textiles showing such a lot of gold.
Do you think Minangkabau Songket
can get the attention of the internation-
al market?
Certainly. Especially the Arab countries like
golden textiles. But the Studio Songket Erika- building the basis for further development.
Rianti is too small a firm to produce for an Moreover, when the patterns are still woven
international market. the knowledge about their meanings is kept
alive. Tradition has to live and as long as
the adat (custom) is the basic foundation of
Lastly, what is your hope for Minang- the daily life of the Minangkabau people and
kabau Songket? as long as people are conscious about the
meaningfulness of these textiles, the art of
I hope that the richness and variety of song- weaving sophisticated Minangkabau songkets
ket textiles, the fine and complex patterns of will endure. To achieve this it is important to
former times and the know-how of the differ- further the Indonesian people to take pride in
ent techniques can be restored again, thus their own cultural heritage.

17
Aneka Indonesia No. 1 / IV, April 2009

Heimtextil 2009
Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO),
facilitated three of Indonesian Small and Me-
dium-sized Enterprises (SMEs); Aneka Tusma,
PT Piviko Manunggal and PT Retota Sakti to
participate in a collective stand, together with
4 Vietnamese companies at the International
Trade Fair, Heimtextil, Frankfurt on January
14-17 2009. At the invitation of SIPPO, Indo-
nesian Ambassador to Switzerland, H. E. Mrs.
Lucia H. Rustam on January 15-16 2009 were
visiting the exhibition.

HEIMTEXTIL is the world’s largest internation-

al trade fair for home and contract textiles.
The Heimtextil presents the latest develop-
ments from the fields of fashion, design and
architecture for exhibitors and visitors. This
year’s fair featured a total of 2,700 exhibitors
from 60 countries.
Swiss Import Promotion Programme is a man-
date from the State Secretariat for Economic
Affairs of Switzerland (SECO), carried out by
Osec. The programme supports SMEs from
emerging markets and markets in transition
to access the Swiss and European markets.
Due to an increasing demand for home-textile
products in the international market, since
1999 SIPPO has been participating every
year at the Heimtextil. SIPPO has also been
supporting Indonesian SMEs in several Euro-
pean International Fairs for many times now.
Participation in these fairs is a good chance
for Indonesian SMEs to enlarge their relation-
ship and promote their products within Euro-
pean buyers.
The products of Indonesian SMEs that were
exhibited in HEIMTEXTIL 2009 including ta-
blewares, interior accessories, upholstery,
handbags, baskets & boxes, housewares,
fashion accessories, gifts & accessories,
which are made of textile and various fibres
such as mendong, pandan leaf, enceng gon-
dok and seaweed.
This year’s exhibition was dominated by three
Asian countries : India, Pakistan and China.
Whereas for Europe, was mostly dominated
by Germany as the host country, followed by
Italy and Spain. Products that were exhibited
was grouped into:
1. Window, consists of : fabrics, curtains, tex
tile curtains accessories;
2. Upholstery, consists of : upholstery fab-
rics, upholstery leather, decorative cush
ion;
3. Floor, consists of : carpets, floor covering;
4. Sun, consists of : sun protection systems
(internal and external sun protection sys-
tems), non-textile curtain accessories;
5. Wall, consists of : wallpapers, wall cover-
ings, accessories;
6. Decor, consists of : Non-textile and coated
table coverings, films and foils, colours,
varnishes, wall design;
After coming to Frankfurt under the shadow
of the worldwide economic downturn and a
sense of crisis, numerous exhibitors found
their expectations of the fair to have been
exceeded by a significant margin. The wide
range of products and themes covered at
Heimtextil 2009 was also well received on the
visitor side with 91 percent of visitors from
home and abroad saying they were highly sat-
isfied with the results of the fair and praised
the quality of the innovations and marketing
incentives offered by exhibitors for the com-
ing season.
Although Heimtextil 2009 attracted fewer
visitors than in 2008 (74,000 from 121
countries), SIPPO reported that their collec-
tive stand were able to receive valuable new
contacts and they were especially satisfied
with the customer frequentation on the sec-
ond day. In total the companies made 205
new contacts. Several offers and even orders
could be noted directly at the fair. The follow-
up consists in preparation of 60 offers and
the companies hope to establish approxi-
mately 25 new business-relations within the
next 7 months.
The visitor profile of the exhibition included
purchasers, retailers, hotel and restaurant,

18
Aneka Indonesia
designers, interior design and decorators.
The top ten visitor nations after Germany are:
Italy, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Spain,
France, Belgium, Turkey, Poland, Greece and
the USA. Against the trend, some African
countries, such as Egypt and Algeria, regis-
tered an increase in visitor numbers, albeit a
very small one.
According to the three Indonesian SMEs that
joined HEIMTEXTIL 2009, their appointment
by SIPPO not only because of their experi-
ence in the field of fashion, the size of com-
pany’s export, and activity in product devel-
opment and design; but also because their
companies utilize a lot of manpower from
the local inhabitants, and the use of environ-
mentally friendly material in their production.
These three SMEs employ approximately 100
– 600 people, and have also exported their
products to the United States, Japan and sev-
eral European countries (Germany, Sweden,
Denmark and Switzerland).
Beside the trio, there were actually two other
Indonesian companies participated at the ex-
hibition at their own expense, i.e. PT Indah
Jaya from Jati Uwung Tangerang-Banten and
PT Paberik Tekstil Kassrie from Pandaan-East
Java. They have participated in the Heimtextil
many times before, and this year both compa-
nies exhibited towels.
Apart from the exhibition, this event was also
accompanied by seminars and workshops that
covered the latest development and trend of
design, colour, etc., which offer visions for de-
sign in the coming season. In these regard,
participation of Indonesian exhibitors, re-
lated government officials, and private sector
leaders would be an excellent opportunity to
acquire an in-depth knowledge on latest de-
velopments in the textile sector, obstacles fac-
ing the sector and means to overcome them,
which in turn will improve the development of
textile industry in Indonesia.
Other Trade Fairs which will be supported by
SIPPO in 2009 are :
• CEBIT – Information Technology (IT), Han
nover, March 3-8, 2009
• Hannover Messe - Technical Products,
Metal Processing, Automation
Hannover, April 20-24, 2009.
Indonesian SME which will be participated
in the event is ATMI from Surakarta, a man
ufacturer of plastic injection molds for their
molast and thermoset, plastic injection
parts, precision parts (automotive, elec
tronic and medical parts), and automation
engineering.
• European Seafood Exposition (ESE), Brus-
No. 1 / IV, April 2009
sel, April 28-30 2009
• Vitafoods International - Nutraceutical, Cos
meceutical and Functional Food Ingredi-
ents industry, Geneva, May 5-7 2009
• Interzum - event for suppliers of the fur
niture industry, exhibited Wooden Products,
Parquet, Panelling, Doors, Windows, Semi-
Finished Products,
Köln, May 13-16 2009. Two Indonesian
SMEs will be participated in the exhibition.
• Tendence Lifestyle Decorate Life – Inter
national consumer goods fair for the au
tumn, winter and Christmas, Frankfurt, July
3-7 2009
• CPD – Womenswear, Düsseldorf, July 26-28
2009
• Spoga – Garden Furniture, Köln, August
30– September 1, 2009
• Travel Trade Workshop (TTW) in Montreux,
November 4-6 2009
• FiE - Food Ingredients Europe und Ni-
Natural Ingredients Europe,
Frankfurt, November 17-19 2009
19
Aneka Indonesia
Destination
SOUTH SUMATRA
One of the greatest kingdoms in Indonesian
history, the Buddhist Empire of Sriwijaya,
prospered along the banks of Musi River in
South Sumatra over a thousand years ago.
Located on the southern-most rim of the
South China Sea, close to the one of the
world’s busiest shipping lanes linking the
Far East with Europe, the Region’s historical
background is rich and colourful. The
Sriwijaya kingdom practised a bustling and
incrative trade with ancient China during its
era of powerful dynasties. In 672 the Chinese
scholar, I Tsing, recorded that a thousand
monks and scholars could be seen translating
and studying Sanskrit in Palembang. Few relics
of this memorable are remain. Stretching
20
from the foothills of the mighty Bukit Barisan
mountain range, this province is relatively flat
but very fertile, with numerous rivers cutting
across the landscape and meandering their
way to the sea. Coffee and tea plantations
are scattered across the province, but area’s
enormous wealth comes from oil, natural gas,
coal, tin and quartz reserves.
South Sumatra Province is situated on the
eastern side of Bukit Barisan mountain
range South Sumatra province is relatively
flat, nevertheless fertile, as numerous rivers
crisscross and meander through out the
region. Palembang is its capital city and as
the gateway to the province, lies right on the
banks of the great Musi River, 60 km upstream
and navigable by oceangoing vessels. No
wonder that most major social and economic
activities should center in Palembang and
Musi River where the region’s pride, Ampera
Bridge, is found as well.
South Sumatra is famous for Songket wearing
which are made of silk thread combined with
gold thread. Palembang also famous for its
wood carving motifs which are influenced
by the chinese and Buddhist. The carving
are dominated by decorations in the form
of jasmine flower and lotus that can be seen
in the furnitures and lacquers. Palembang’s
famous fruits are pineaple and duku (Lansium
domisticum).
Because of its sheer location on the
Aneka Indonesia Dream destination No. 1 / IV, April 2009

southernmost rim of the South China Sea

and close to one of world’s busiest sea-
lanes linking the Far East with Europe, the
region’s historical background is undoubtedly
rich and colorful. Once the very site of the
Buddhist Kingdom of Sriwijaya, it practiced a
bustling trade with then ancient China during
its era dynasties. Inevitable of course, were
the interacting forces of the two different
cultures at the time, which nowadays are still
noticeable as consequences of the past.

The visitors can easily reach South Sumatra by

air through four major airports at Palembang,
Pangkal Pinang, Bangka and Belitung islands,
all having direct connections with Medan,
Batam, Padang, Jakarta, and not long from
now with Singapore too. Air-conditioned buses
from points North and West of Palembang are
regularly available, as well as from cities on
Java and Bali.

Geographically

Geographically, South Sumatra province is

located between 1o and 4o South Latitude and
between 102o and 108o East Longitude.

The boundaries of the area is:

North side: South China Sea
West side: Jambi Province and Bengkulu
Province

South side: Lampung Province

East side: Java Sea
Administratively

South Sumatra Province is divided among 8

regencies, 2 municipals and 3 administrative
towns with Palempang as its capital city.

Temperature

The humidity of south Sumatra province is

78%. The rainfall range is variation between
2,000 - 3,000 mm per year and an average
wind velocity of 3.23 km per hour. And the
temperature ranges between 21.8o C and
32.2o C.

21
Aneka Indonesia No. 1 / IV, April 2009
Dream destination

Demography

A migration flow to this province is supported

by the existence of heavy plantation exertion,
mining and transmigration program. The
population density of this province is 58,8
people per Km2 (1994). Compared to the
average national population growth amounted
to 2.144% per year, this province was on the
lower level with 1.10% per year.
Wide Area

The area of south Sumatra province is

103,688 sq. km width.

Medan and other towns of North Sumatra.

Its largest groups are Chinese and Indian,
being naturalized Indonesian citizens.
Other Indonesian tribes like Acehnese,
Minangkabau, Javanese, etc. also live in many
parts here. Each of the mentioned tribes as
well as the ethnic groups has its own dialect,
religion, beliefs, traditional customs, etc. Arts
and cultures make this region, a paradise
for social scientists. Among the ancient
Indonesian cultures which can be seen at
Samosir island are the centuries old tombs of
Batak Toba kings and a stone-table with its
benches, where meetings were formerly held
by the Siallagan chiefs.

HERITAGE SITE in Palembang, South

Sumatra

1. Kuto Besak Fortress

An interesting fact about this museum is that it
took 17 years to build it, started in 1780 and
inaugurated to use it in Monda 21st Februari
1797. The idea of f this fortress development
was Mahmud Badaruddin Sultanate I (1724
- 1758).
It has 288,75m length, 183, 75 m width,
9.99 m height and 1.99 m thick. Each
corner provide entrance, the Northwest side
entrance is different with three others. The
same 3 entrances represent the characteristic
of Kuto Besak Fortress. The main entrance,
Lawang Kuto allowed visitors to look out to
Musi River. While the entrance in the back
door called Lawang Buritan.
This fortress has become Palembangnese
proud since its the biggest and the only
fortress made-up from stone wall and strongly
related as the witness of their successes
fought against European enemy.
2. Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin Museum
This museum was the former Kuto Lama
Fortress where the Sultan Mahmud
Badaruddin Jayo Wikramo and Sultan Mahmud
Badaruddin I (1724 - 1758) stated their
Keraton (palace).

22
Aneka Indonesia No. 1 / IV, April 2009
Dream destination

In 1821, this palace attacked by the Dutch

Colony and in October 17th, 1823 demolished
under Dutch Commissaries requirement, I.L
Van Seven House as the revenge to Sultanate
who burnt Aur rive Loji. The museum rebuilt
in 1825 and become Dutch government
secretariat and resident.

In 1942 - 1945 during Japanese expansion,

this building ruled by Japanese armies
and handed over to Palembangnese after
the independence proclaimed in 1945. In
1949, Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin Museum
renovated and punctuated the function as
Sriwijaya II Toritorium and used as central
rezimen of Sriwijaya IV. Based on the research the water so daily household activities can be
conducted by National Archeological team in done in privacy. These very ornate wooden
1988, the Kuto Lama brick foundation found houses are raised on stills, and usually 15-20
under the scalded wooden-block. meters in width and from 30-60 meters, from
Colums; door and window frames to ventilation
3. Water Tower Office panels are intricately carved.

This building was founded in 1982 and
previously used Syuco office during Japanese
era in 1942-1945 and then used as city hall
untuil 1956. This building provided water
treatment supplies for public office. In 1963
Water Tower Office changed into Palembang
Government Central Office.
4. Ampera Bridge
Built above Musi River which has 1.777 m
length, 22 m width and 11.50 m height funded
from war confiscation of Japanese Government
by Soekarno instruction, Indonesia President
started in April 1962 and finished 1964.
Previously named Musi Bridge then changed
to Ampera Bridge since it operated on New
Era period. AMPERA word stands for Amanat
Penderitaan Rakyat (Message of Folks
Tribulation).
Before 1970, the center part of Ampera
Bridge could be lift up and passed by big ship
with 44.50 m height on maximum. Now days,
for maintenance reason ship isnt allowed to
cross over.
5. Limas Traditional House
Built along the river banks, facing away from
Natural Beauty of South Sumatra
Curup Tenang Waterfall
Curup Tenang Waterfall is 2 hours drive from
Palembang. It is a land of rivers and waterfalls,
where the water cascades from a height of 90
meters into deep pool.
Putri Cave
Putri Cave is situated at the edge of Padang
Windu Village, 35 Km from Baturaja. It is 156 there are a complete facilities to see the
m long and 8-20 m wide. The maximum height natural tea plantation in Pagar Alam it is the
is 20 m. In the cave there are many stalagtites highest peak in South Sumatra and might be
and stalagmites and a stream which empties reached directly from Palembang city by car
into River Ogan. about 6 hours drive (295 kilometers). Enjoy
the mountain bike, camping, tea walk and
Ranau Lake hiking.
Ranau Lake is 125 Km from Baturaja. It is Sembilang National Park
8x16 sq km and surrounded hills and valleys
in Mount Seminung. Sembilang National Park. has a 45.000 sq
hectares wildlife reserve. It is a paradise for
Mount Dempo various kinds of birds (pelican, hornbill, milky
stork, etc) there are two kinds of Sumatran
Mount Dempo. On the skirt of Mt. Dempo Crocodile and numpback dolphins.

23
Aneka Indonesia No. 1 / IV, April 2009

Cuisine
MPEK MPEK
PALEMBANG
Serves: 6 persons
Ingredients:
• 300 g flesh of Spanish mackerels, grinded
• 100 cc warm water
• 1 tsp salt
• 200 g sago palm flour
• 100 g wheat flour
• 6 eggs, broke into a bowl
Sauce:
• 750 cc water
• 5 cloves garlic, crushed
• 5 chilies, chopped
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 150 g sugar
• 150 g brown sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp vinegar
• 2 cucumbers cut into cube sized pieces
• 100 g wet noodles
• 150 g dried shrimps, grinded

Directions:
1. Mix flesh of fish, warm water and salt. Add sago palm flour and wheat flour little by little while mixing
until it is mixed.

2. Form it oval (about 75 g); make a hole in the middle by point finger. Then turn it around while pressed
until it becomes a pocket and put some broke raw egg in. Shut and close the hole tightly.

3. Boil some water and put pempek one by one. Wait pempek until it floats at the surface. Take them out
and drained.
4. Soup: Boil some water. Put in garlic, chilies, soy sauce, sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Boil them and
sugar was soluble. Filter the dregs. Add vinegar and mix it.

5. Fry pempek in much oil enough. Take them out and drain when they are brownish.

6. Serving: Cut fried pempek into bite sized pieces and put in a plate. Add noodles and cucumbers above
them and pour the soup. Pempek kapal selam is ready to be offered.

24
 Quick tips for travellers
Traditional canoes, Bali
Immigration
Foreigners planning to visit Indonesia should
be aware of recent developments in the
laws, regulations and procedures concerning
visas that have been set by the Indonesian
Government, such as the new immigration
regulations concerning the new Index of Visa
and Visa on Arrival.
As of 12 June 2006, the nationals from the
following 52 countries can apply for visas on
arrival for short visits (tourist purposes):
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium,
Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China,
Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos,
Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Maldives,
Malta, Mexico, Monaco, the Netherlands, New
Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal,
the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Spain,
South Africa, South Korea, Surinam, Sweden,
Switzerland, Taiwan, Qatar, the United Arab
Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United
States of America. The visa on arrival facility is
valid for a maximum of 30 days and costs US$
10 for 7 days and US$ 30 for 25 days. The
visa can be obtained from all major airports
and seaports across Indonesia. In addition to
the visa, all visitors to Indonesia must be in
possession of a passport valid for at least six
months and have proof of onward passage.
Rice paddies, Ubud, Bali Senggigi Beach, Lombok
Customs and border regulations
Before entering Indonesia, be sure to respect
Indonesian Government customs regulations.
A maximum of one liter of alcoholic beverages,
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 grams of
tobacco, and a reasonable amount of perfume
are allowed per entry, per adult. Cameras,
video cameras, portable radios and cassette
recorders, binoculars and sport equipment
are allowed provided they are taken out on
departure. They must also be declared at
customs. Firearms, narcotics, pornography,
Chinese printing and medicines, transceivers
and cordless telephones are prohibited. The
penalties for smuggling drugs are severe and
include the death penalty. Films, pre-recorded
video tapes and laser disks must be screened
by the Censor Board. While there are no
restrictions on the import or export of foreign
currencies and travellers checks, the import
and export of Indonesian currency exceeding
Rp. 5 million is prohibited.
Transport
Metered taxis exist in Jakarta, Surabaya,
Bandung, Solo, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Bali
and Lampung. Although the fares fluctuate
with the price of oil, they range from Rp.3,000-
5,000 for hailing an air-conditioned cab
(approximately Rp. 2,800 for each additional
kilometer) to Rp. 6,000 for Silverbird taxis.
Great Mosque, Medan
Photos by Jill Gocher and Bambang Wijanarko
Rental car rates vary from area to area—ask
at your local hotel for more information on
rates and distances. Other forms of transport
in Indonesia are the bajaj for two passengers,
the becak, and small buses and vans plying
regular routes—all of which require advanced
bargaining in order to come to a mutually
accepted fare. Buses are very crowded,
particularly in the cities. Trains are available
on the island of Java and in parts of Sumatra.
To cut down on travel time, Garuda Indonesia
flies daily to all major cities of the archipelago.
Other companies such as Merpati Nusantara,
Bouraq, and Mandala, Lion Air, Awair and Pelita
also have an extensive network of domestic
routes. Airport authorities levy airport taxes
of Rp. 50,000 for travellers on international
routes and Rp. 11,000 for those on domestic
routes. Visitors arriving in Soekarno-Hatta
airport should be aware of the fact that
taxi drivers add road tolls of Rp. 7,000 and
surcharges ranging from Rp. 7,500 to Rp.
14,000 depending on the destination within
Jakarta. Buses also run from the airport to
five destinations within Jakarta every 20
minutes and charge Rp, 5,000 per person
plus luggage. At other airports there are
transport counters with fixed fares for taxis.
Communication and electricity
Long Distance, IDD, facsimile and internet
services are available in all major cities and
25
Aneka Indonesia
Lombok Sunset
hotels, as well as in the telecommunications
offices (Wartel). While most hotels in big
cities use 220 volts and a two-pronged plug,
a number of establishments in the provinces
may still use 110 volts, so it is better to check
before using an appliance.
Weather
The dry season in Indonesia lasts from
June to October and the rainy season lasts
from November to March. The temperature
fluctuates between 33°C (62°F) and 21°C
(41°F) and humidity is high at all times.
Tipping and bargaining
A service charge of 10% is added to the bill
in most hotels. Tips of between 5 to 10% are
deemed reasonable in restaurants where no
service charge has been added. Airport or
hotel porters expect to receive Rp. 5,000 per
bag. Tipping taxi drivers or leaving the change
is appreciated but not mandatory—make
sure to carry small change as taxi drivers
frequently run out. Shops and department
stores in the big cities have fixed prices
and are open from 8.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.
everyday, including sometimes Sunday, but
be prepared to bargain in smaller shops.
Food and drink
Restaurants specialising in European,
American and Oriental cuisine including
fast food restaurants can be found across
Indonesia. Many of Indonesia’s traditional
dishes are hot and spicy; be sure to ask both
how hot and how much they will cost before
ordering. Imported and local beverages are
widely available, stick to bottled drinks when
in doubt.
26
No. 1 / IV, April 2009
Calender of Events
May
Waisak Festival at Borobudur
Indonesians celebrate the Waisak Festival,
remembering the birth, enlightenment and
death of Buddha, at Borobudur, the world’s
largest Buddhist monument.
The five-mile pilgrimage from Mendut to the
serene sitting Buddha on the top of Boro-
bodur is walked by hundreds of monks in
saffron robes carrying offerings of flowers
and candles. As the moon rises over the ho-
rizon, throwing white light onto the smooth
stone exterior of the ancient temple, candles
are lit and the monks begin praying, medi-
tating and chanting well into the evening, a World Ocean Conference 2009 to build com-
vision guaranteed to remain with you for- mitment
ever. Borobodur is an amazing place at any for sustainable management of marine re-
time of year, but the holiness of the site is sources
particularly apparent during this important
religious festival. Indonesia has taken the initiative to organize
the World Ocean Conference (WOC 2009) in
ISEM MULANG A DAYAK ART AND Manado, Noth Sulawesi Province, Indonesia,
CULTURAL FESTIVAL from 11 to 15 May 2009. WOC 2009 will be
attended by Ministers and High Level Govern-
ment Officials as well as by Senior Officials
Isen Mulang is an Art and Cultural Event, it
from Multilateral Organization. It is aimed at
is the representation of the Dayak art and
developing a common understanding and
culture, it is also the blending of Indonesian
firm commitment to face up to the impact of
art and culture under the spirit of Bhinneka
Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity). It is an an- climate change on the state of the world’s
nual agenda in Central Kalimantan province oceans and to increase our understanding of
that is always conducted in the spirit of sim- the role of the oceans in determining the rate
plicity and away from the glamorous living. of global climate change. The city of Manado
Be yourself and lets go to discover the will also host the Coral Triangle Initiative/CTI
unique world of art and traditional culture of Summit 2009 scheduled to be held on 15
beautiful land of Dayak in Central Kaliman- may 2009. Heads of state/government from
tan on 19 to 23 of May 2006 at Palangka six member countries (Malaysia, the Philip-
Raya city, the capital of central Kalimantan pines, Papua new Guinea, Solomon islands
Province - Indonesia. Timor Leste and Indonesia) and two observer
countries, namely Australia and USA, are ex-
pected to attend the Summit. President of the
World Ocean Conference 2009
Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Susilo Bambang
Manado, Indonesia, 11-15 May 2009
Yudhoyono, scheduled to officially open WOC
2009, will invite a number of world leaders to
Indonesia is proudly hosting the
attend the conference.

www.woc2009.org
June
Sriwijaya Festival
June 16 – 23
Palembang, South Sumatra
The main goal of this festival is to increase the
appreciation of the locals to their own culture.
One of the annual events in Palembang, this
festival includes traditional and contemporary
cultural performances, speed boat races,
boat decorating contests, and exhibition of
old Sriwijaya (the ancient kingdom in Palem-
bang) boat and other entertainments.
July
Bali Arts Festival
The Bali Arts Festival is a full month of daily
performances, handicraft exhibitions and oth-
er related cultural and commercial activities
during which literally the whole of Bali comes
to the city to present its offerings of dance,
music and beauty. On display are trances
from remote mountain slopes, forgotten or
recently revived village dances, food and of-
fering contests, classical palace dances, stars
No. 1 / IV, April 2009
of Balinese stage, odd musical performances,
“kreasi baru” (new creations) from the dance
schools of Denpasar, as well as contemporary
choreography and dance companies from
other islands and from abroad.
http://www.baliculturefestival.com/home.htm
Toba Lake Festival
Parapat and Samosir Island, North
Sumatra
Lasting a whole week, this festival is centered
around Toba Lake, the largest lake in Asia, southern tip of Sumatra.
and situated in the highlands of North Sumat-
ra. Featuring traditional sports, boat races, Borneo Festival
cultural performances and contemporary
shows, horse racing and water sports com- Banjarmasin, South Kalimatan
petition, also local handicrafts exhibition
Honoring the Dayak and Melayu culture, the
August event is participated by all the provinces in
Kalimantan, as well as Malaysia and Brunei
Krakatau Festival Darussalam as honored guests.
Lampung
This annual event is held at the end of Au-
gust to remember Krakatau`s eruption in the
late 19th century. The volcano is located in
the Sunda Strait, South of Lampung, in the
27
 c t i
Aneka Indonesia

v i t i e s No. 1 / IV, April 2009

A
In this section, Aneka Indonesia states on the main activities and events organised
and attended by the Embassy during the months of January to April 2009.

January

World Economic Forum Annual

Meeting 2009

Founded in 1971, the Geneva-based World

Economic Forum (WEF) meets annually in
Davos, Switzerland to bring together top
business and political leaders as well as mostly
neoliberal minded intellectuals, economists,
journalists, and others.

Began on January 28th 2009, amid one of

the worst global financial crisis in decades,
the objective of WEF’s 39th annual meeting
is in line with this year’s theme “Shaping the
Post-Crisis World”, to catalyse a holistic and
systematic approach to improve the state
of the world in a manner that integrates all
stakeholders of global society.
Indonesian contingent to the meeting included
Trade Minister, Mari Pangestu and Bank
Indonesia Senior Deputy Governor, Miranda
S. Goeltom.
Concerning the issue of protectionism, in
an interview with Reuter in Davos, Mari
Pangestu mentioned, “Indonesia is also
beginning to encounter barriers to its exports
from developed and developing countries”,
she said, echoing concerns about growing
protectionism from many trade ministers as
the economic crisis intensifies. “However, these
measures are quite sector-specific”, she said,
pointing to anti-dumping measures by Turkey,
Egypt and Brazil against Indonesian textile
yarn, and by Australia against Indonesian
paper. “We are concerned that there will
be increases of such measures, including
possible other kinds of regulations that would
appear to restrict imports,” she said.
Pangestu added that Indonesia wanted a
conclusion of the World Trade Organisation’s
Doha round to free up world trade, which was
even more important now to shield developing
countries from protectionist moves by rich
nations, but this would require a push from
political leaders. “The relevancy and the
existence of the WTO is even more imperative
now. We should not reinvent architecture,
because it’s still the best architecture we
have, and it’s still the fairest architecture we
have for developing countries,” she said.

28
Aneka Indonesia No. 1 / IV, April 2009

March

Pasar Senggol

Following the success of the first Pasarsenggol in

2008 at Schützenhaus Thalwil, the third Pasarsen-
ggol was held on March 21, 2009, which took place
at the same venue as last year. Pasarsenggol then
becomes an annual event, held twice a year, aimed
at promoting Indonesia culture, traditional Indone-
sian food and drink as well as Indonesian home
products to Indonesian society in Switzerland.

There were around 300 visitors participated in

this event. Besides presenting traditional Indone-
sian food and drink stands, there were also some
stands presenting Indonesian home products, such
as Indonesian pearls and batik. Visitors had the
opportunity to enjoy various Indonesian culinary
delights and buy Indonesian unique products.

The Embassy of Indonesia in Bern also opened a

stand as to promote Indonesian tourism and cul-
ture by giving free flyers and brochures of Indo-
nesia tourism with theme: “VISIT INDONESIA YEAR
2009”. H.E. Mrs. Lucia H. Rustam, Ambassador of
the Republic of Indonesia to Switzerland, and H.E.
Mr. Dian Triansyah Djani, Head of Indonesian Per-
manent Mission to the United Nation Organizations
in Geneva, also attended this event. Pasarsenggol
continued until 11 pm, allowing the guests to meet
some new and old friends and enjoy the Indone-
sian atmosphere.

Indonesia Diashow – Across the Mysterious Archipelago

By Dominique Wirz

From 2nd to 15th of March 2009, Dominique
Wirz has performed his renowned picture
show “Indonesia – Across the Mysterious
Archipelago”, in 9 cities across Switzerland,
such as in Winterthur, Zug, Zürich, St. Gallen,
Wil, Bern, Biel, Olten, Effretikon and in Efre-
tikon, Germany. Around 500 visitors attended
the show on March 10, at Hotel Jardin in
Bern. The show consists of splendid images
projected onto a big screen, arranged with
excellent music, original sounds and exciting
live comment from Dominique Wirz. He start-
ed his presentation by showing the guests his
adventurous journey throughout the island of
Sumatra, then continued to the exotic island
of Java, the paradise island of Bali, the mar-
velous island of Sulawesi and lastly to the sur-
prising island of Papua, allowing the guests
to discover the natural beauty of Indonesia
and to reveal some of the last secrets of this
mysterious archipelago.

29
Aneka Indonesia No. 1 / IV, April 2009

Top Indonesian Badminton players, such as

Joko Riyadi, Candra Wijaya, Nova Widhian-
to, Lilyana Natsir, Hendra Setiawan, Taufiq
Hidayat, and other Indonesian Badminton
top players have competed with 300 Bad-
minton top players from 35 countries at the
annual prestigious badminton champion-
ship, Wilson Badminton Swiss Open 2009,
which took place from the 10th to the 15th
of March 2009 at St.Jakobshalle in the city
of Basel. Despite its excellent performance,
the Indonesian team has to admit the suc-
cess of other teams, as three top Indone-
sian players have lost during the semifinals,
making it unable to following the success
of Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan, who
won the second place at the men’s double
category of Wilson Badminton Swiss Open
in 2008. However, visitors of Wilson Bad-
minton Swiss Open have shown great en-
thusiasm, as Indonesian team performed,
particularly during the performance of Tau-
fiq Hidayat, which got a huge applause from
the audience. Some audiences at the St.
Jakobshalle Basle were coming from neigh-
boring countries, such as Germany, France
and England

30
 Aneka Indonesia - December 2006 Volume 1, No. 3

o n t he
e
Insid edition
a
next
Indonesia
An
e k
Aneka Indonesia will be featuring Komodo and Lombok
Island as main topic in its Dream Destination section in
the next edition.

Komodo and Lombok Island will be presented in details

which include its famous art and culture.

The next edition will also be featuring the Pencak Silat

(Indonesian traditional martial arts) Association in Swit-
zerland.

Last but not least, the traditional recipe of Ayam Taliwang

has been chosen as the recipe of the next edition for its
famous among the tourists and Indonesians.

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