Tuesday, 31 March 2015

China building 'great wall of sand' in South China Sea

In this 25 Feb 2014 file photo taken by surveillance planes and released 15 May by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, a Chinese vessel, top centre, is used to expand structures and land on the Johnson Reef, called Mabini by the Philippines and Chigua by China, at the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, Philippines.
Manila released this photo in May appearing to show Chinese land reclamation at Johnson South reef
China's land reclamation is creating a "great wall of sand" in the South China Sea, a top US official says, leading to "serious questions" on its intentions.
US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Harry Harris made the comments in a speech in Australia on Tuesday night.
He said by pumping sand on to coral reefs and adding concrete, China had created "over 4sq/km (1.5 sq miles) of artificial landmass".
China has overlapping claims with neighbours in the South China Sea.
It has been reclaiming land in contested waters - something it said last year was "totally justified" as it had "sovereignty" over the area.
In recent months images have emerged of Chinese construction on reefs in the Spratly Islands to create artificial islands with facilities that could potentially be for military use, including an air strip.
Several nations, including Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan, also claim ownership of territory in the Spratly Islands.
BBC Map
Adm Harris described China's land reclamation as "unprecedented".
"China is building artificial land by pumping sand on to live coral reefs - some of them submerged - and paving over them with concrete. China has now created over 4sq/km (1.5 sq miles) of artificial landmass," he said.
"China is creating a great wall of sand with dredges and bulldozers over the course of months."
He said that considering China's "pattern of provocative actions towards smaller claimant states" in the South China Sea, the scope of the building raised "serious questions about Chinese intentions".
The row over territory in the South China Sea has escalated in recent years, raising regional tensions.
The Philippines has filed a complaint with UN's Permanent Court of Arbitration - but China says it will not engage with the case.
In Vietnam, anti-Chinese violence broke out last year after China moved a drilling rig into disputed waters of the Paracel Islands.
Last year, responding to a BBC report on the land reclamation, China's foreign ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said China's operations in the Spratly Islands fell "entirely within China's sovereignty and are totally justifiable".
Asked whether the reclamation was for commercial or military use, Ms Hua replied that it was "mainly for the purpose of improving the working and living conditions of people stationed on these islands".

Gaza family 'tricked' into selling Banksy painting for $175

A mural of a crying figure by British street graffiti artist Banksy in the Gaza Strip, 28 February 2015
Banksy created the artwork on a visit to Gaza in February
A Palestinian man says he was tricked into selling a mural by the artist Banksy that is estimated to be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Rabie Darduna told the BBC he was given less than $175 (£118) for the image drawn on the only remaining door of his house in Gaza.
It was one of thousands of homes destroyed during last year's war.
Banksy visited Gaza in February and used the rubble as a canvas for his politicised graffiti.
His paintings included a cat playing with a ball of mangled metal and an image of children swinging from an Israeli watchtower.
On the door of the Dardunas' ruined house, he left an picture of a weeping Greek goddess.
Mr Darduna said he was duped into selling the piece by a local man who was pretending to work for the artist.
"Really, we're depressed. It's a matter of fraud," he said.
The buyer told the BBC his purchase was legal. He said he paid $175 for the mural. But Banksy's artworks usually carry a much higher price tag.
In August a painting by the artist left on the wall of a social club in the English city of Bristol sold for more than $590,000 (£400,000).
Mr Darduna said his family was struggling to get over the loss of the piece.
Banksy's representative has contacted them to say the artist believes the picture should be returned.

Chinese manufacturing weak for second consecutive month

Chinese factory workers
Factory activity in China contracted for the second month, according to HSBC's private survey
Activity in China's vast manufacturing sector contracted for the second consecutive month, according to a preliminary survey on Friday.
The HSBC/Markit flash purchasing managers' index (PMI) was at 49.8 in January, up from 49.6 in December.
But the index was still below the 50-point level that separates growth from contraction in the sector.
Firms cut prices for six months in a row to sell products, impacting profit margins, said the private survey.
Economists had expected factory activity growth to continue to stall, with a Reuter's poll forecasting a reading of 49.6.
News of the contraction comes just days after Chinese authorities said growth in the world's second largest economy had slowed to its weakest in 24 years.
China's economy expanded 7.4% in 2014 from a year ago, missing its official growth target of 7.5% for the first time in 15 years.

Deflation fears

The recent data has stoked fears of deflation in China where producer prices have fallen for nearly three consecutive years.
On the back of that, China's annual consumer inflation hit a near five-year low of 1.5% in December.
"Today's data suggest that the manufacturing slowdown is still ongoing amidst weak domestic demand," Qu Hongbin, a HSBC economist told Reuters.
"More monetary and fiscal easing measures will be needed to support growth in the coming months."
Calls have been growing for more easing in China and the country's central bank did surprise markets by unexpectedly cutting interest rates in November for the first time in over two years.
Meanwhile, Asian markets ignored the weak data with both the Shanghai Composite and Hang Seng index up 1.8% and 1.3% respectively.

China's factory activity back to expanding in March

Chinese factory
Activity in China's factories expanded in March, but economists say the sector still remains weak
Activity in China's vast factory sector picked up unexpectedly in March, according to a government survey.
The official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) was up to 50.1 from February's 49.9, and higher than economists' forecasts of 49.7.
A reading above 50 points shows an expansion in activity in the sector, while one below indicates contraction.
China has cut interest rates twice since November among other measures to boost economic activity.
However, a private survey of the sector showed a much dimmer outlook, indicating that activity had contracted this month.
The final HSBC/Markit PMI came in at 49.6, slightly higher than a preliminary "flash" reading of 49.2 released earlier in March.

Weaker economy

Despite the contradicting surveys, economists said both continued to show the persistent weakness in the world's second-largest economy.
The Asian giant has been impacted by a downturn in its once red-hot property market, overcapacity in factory production and high levels of local debt, which contributed to growth of 7.4% in 2014 - a 24-year low.
Economists are now expecting growth to slow to around 7% this year.
On top of the manufacturing data, figures on China's services industry also added to concerns about slowing growth.
The official services PMI cooled in March, hovering around one-year lows.
The non-manufacturing index fell to 53.7 from February's 53.9, at the one-year low hit in January.
The service sector, which was expanding strongly last year while manufacturing struggled, accounted for over 48% of the economy in 2014, up from about 47% in 2013, according to Reuters.

Iran nuclear talks: Russia and Iran claim progress

A unknown delegate uses his smartphone in a room of the Beau Rivage Palace Hotel as Iran nuclear program talks continue into the night, in Lausanne, Switzerland 31 March 2015
Negotiators worked late into the night after a midnight deadline was Progress has been made in talks on Iran's nuclear programme, Russian and Iranian officials say.
Negotiations between six world powers and Iran will resume on Wednesday, overrunning a deadline for a deal.
Russia's foreign minister said "all key aspects" had been agreed, but western officials said there were still outstanding disagreements.
World powers want to restrict Iran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief.
Earlier, the US state department said that "enough progress" had been made to merit working through a midnight deadline but that "several difficult issues" remained.

'Agreement in principle'

It is still unclear whether the most contentious issues have been resolved.
But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying that "one can say with relative certainty that we at the minister level have reached an agreement in principle on all key aspects of the final settlement of this issue".
"It will be put down in writing over the next few hours, maybe during the day," he told Russia's Tass news agency.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that "quite a bit" had been accomplished.
Officials wait for a meeting with officials from P5+1, the European Union and Iran ahead of the opening of a plenary session on Iran nuclear talks at the Beau Rivage Palace Hotel in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 31 March 2015.
Some officials have said they are optimistic about securing a deal on Wednesday
EU's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini (L) and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif smile ahead of the opening of a plenary session on Iran nuclear talks at the Beau Rivage Palace Hotel in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 30 March 2015
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said he hoped an agreement could be finalised on Wednesday
"I hope that we can finalise the work on Wednesday," he said.
The so-called P5+1 - the US, UK, France, China and Russia plus Germany - are seeking to ensure Iran could not assemble a nuclear weapon in less than a year.
The Iranians insist that they have no such ambition.

Under pressure

Negotiations at Lausanne's Beau-Rivage Palace hotel continued into the early hours of Wednesday morning after a self-imposed deadline on a provisional agreement was extended.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius followed his Chinese counterpart in leaving Lausanne, but said he would return as soon as it was "useful".
Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama held a video conference overnight with the US negotiating team. He was briefed on the progress of the talks by Secretary of State John Kerry but no details were released.
A handout picture released by the White House on 1 April 2015 shows US President Barack Obama (L) and Vice President Joe Biden (R), with the national security team, participate in a secure video teleconference from the Situation Room of the White House in Washington.
President Obama was briefed about the talks late on Tuesday
The BBC's Barbara Plett Usher, who is at the talks, says that walking away from the talks would be difficult for the US.
The team is under pressure to return with something they can use to argue their case in front of a sceptical Congress, our correspondent says.

Sticking points

After months of negotiations, the basic outline of an agreement is well known.
Iran would scale its nuclear programme and subject it to rigorous inspection for at least 10 years. In exchange, there would be an easing and eventual end of crippling UN, US and EU sanctions.
However, there are some issues yet to be resolved. These are thought to include:
  • Length of restrictions - Iran's nuclear activities would be strictly limited for at least 10 years. After that, Iran wants all limits to be lifted. The P5+1 says they should be removed progressively over the following five years
  • Sanctions relief - Iran wants the UN sanctions suspended soon after an agreement. The P5+1 says they should be eased in a phased manner, with restrictions on imports of nuclear-related technology remaining for years
  • Non-compliance - The US and its European allies want a mechanism that would allow suspended UN sanctions to be put back into effect rapidly if Iran reneges on a deal. Russia reportedly accepts this, but wants to ensure its Security Council veto rights are protected
Graphic
line
Iran's desire to be able to develop advanced centrifuges is another point of contention.
The centrifuges could enrich uranium faster and in greater quantities. Enriched uranium is used as fuel for nuclear reactors, it can also be used to make nuclear bombs.
Adding to the list of issues to be resolved, Iran's lead negotiator has ruled out sending its existing stockpile of nuclear fuel abroad, a step demanded by world powers.
Any agreement would set the stage for further talks aimed at achieving a comprehensive accord by 30 June.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his opposition to the proposed deal, saying that the framework agreement would allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon quickly.
"In our estimate, it will be reduced to perhaps a year, most likely much less than that."

Radiasi Ponsel Tingkatkan Kejadian Tumor Otak?

Penulis : Kontributor Health, Dhorothea | Selasa, 31 Maret 2015 | 08:00 WIB

Shutterstock
Ilustrasi

KOMPAS.com - Ponsel di jaman sekarang mirip nyawa kedua. Banyak orang yang tak dapat berpisah dengan telepon genggamnya. Padahal radiasi ponsel cukup mengkhawatirkan. Apakah peningkatan kasus tumor otak disebabkan oleh penggunaan ponsel berlebihan?
Ahli onkologi medis dari Mayo Clinic, AS Timoty J. Moynihan, MD menegaskan hubungan antara ponsel dan kanker masih kontroversial. Studi bertahun-tahun mengenai ponsel dan kanker masih menemukan hasil yang bertentangan. Hingga saat ini belum ada konsesus para ahli mengenai kadar risiko kanker yang disebabkan penggunaan ponsel.
Sejumlah penelitian menunjukkan sedikit kenaikan tumor otak sejak 1970-an. Tentu saja ponsel belum digunakan pada 1970-an. Moynihan mengatakan, peningkatan kasus tumor otak mungkin terkait pada faktor lain seperti peningkatan akses terhadap fasilitas kesehatan dan semakin canggihnya alat diagnostic imaging untuk memotret keberadaan tumor.
Pernah dilakukan studi terhadap 420 ribu pengguna ponsel selama lebih dari 20 tahun. Peneliti menemukan tak ada bukti antara penggunaan ponsel dan tumor otak. Penelitian lain menemukan kaitan antara ponsel dan kanker kelenjar air liur. Namun penelitian itu hanya melibatkan peserta sedikit saja yang menderita tumor ganas. 

Studi lain menemukan kemungkinan peningkatan risiko glioma, sejenis tumor otak spesifik, pada pengguna ponsel yang berlebihan tetapi secara umum tak ditemukan peningkatan risiko tumor otak.
Setelah mengevaluasi beberapa kemungkinan penelitian mengenai ponsel dan glioma dan tumor otak non kanker yang disebut acoustic neuroma, sejumlah anggota International Agency for Research on Cancer yang merupakan bagian WHO - menyetujui hanya terdapat sedikit bukti yang mendukung radiasi ponsel bersifat karsinogenik atau menyebabkan kanker. Kelompok itu mengklasifikasikan bidang elektromagnetik radiofrekuensi mungkin bersifat karsinogenik untuk masyarakat.
Namun demikian, sejumlah penelitian terbaru itu tidak menggambarkan keseluruhan cerita. Seringkali dibutuhkan waktu bertahun-tahun antara penggunaan bahan penyebab kanker baru seperti misalnya tembakau, dan observasi peningkatan kejadian kanker. Sampai titik ini, mungkin baru sedikit waktu yang berlalu untuk mendeteksi peningkatan kanker yang langsung disebabkan penggunaan ponsel.
Menurut Moynihan, sampai sekarang belum ada kejelasan apakah ponsel menyebabkan kanker. Kendati riset jangka panjang masih berlangsung, hingga saat ini belum ada bukti penggunaan ponsel meningkatkan risiko kanker. Jadi kalau Anda khawatir ponsel menyebabkan kanker, batasi penggunaan ponsel atau gunakan peralatan hands free untuk menjauhkan ponsel dari kepala.




Sumber :
Editor :
Lusia Kus Anna

Menteri Yohana Penasaran Mengapa Relawan Jokowi Minta Dia Diganti

Selasa, 31 Maret 2015 | 10:23 WIB
TRIBUN NEWS / DANY PERMANAMenteri Pemberdayaan Perempuan dan Perlindungan Anak Yohana Yambise, diperkenalkan oleh Presiden Joko Widodo di Istana Merdeka, Jakarta, Minggu (26/10/2014). TRIBUN NEWS / DANY PERMANA

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — Akhir-akhir ini, Menteri Pemberdayaan Perempuan dan Perlindungan Anak Yohana Yambise menjadi sorotan relawan Jokowi. Sebagian relawan itu mendesak Presiden Joko Widodo untuk mengganti Yohana dengan berbagai alasan. Bagaimana komentar Yohana atas desakan itu?
Menteri asal Papua itu mengatakan sudah mendengar semua tanggapan negatif dari relawan Jokowi tentang dirinya. Yohana penasaran apa yang membuat para relawan itu begitu ngototmeminta dirinya diganti.
"Saya ingin tahu saja bagaimana hubungan saya dengan relawan itu," ucap Yohana di Jakarta, Selasa (31/3/2015).
Yohana mengaku tidak begitu dekat dengan kelompok relawan tersebut. Meski penasaran akan motif relawan ini, Yohana memilih tidak ambil pusing dan lebih fokus bekerja. "Saya mau cari tahu, tetapi itu buang waktu saya saja untuk cari tahu," kata dia.
Nada miring soal kinerja Menteri Yohana antara lain disuarakan oleh relawan Jokowi yang mengatasnamakan Barisan Relawan Jokowi for Presiden (Bara JP). Mereka mendesak Presiden Jokowi mengganti Yohana, yang dianggap tidak menunjukkan kinerja positif. (Baca Barisan Relawan Jokowi Minta Menteri Yohana Diganti)
Bara JP menilai ada sejumlah indikator yang menunjukkan bahwa Yohana nihil prestasi sejak dilantik menjadi menteri. Indikator pertama, Yohana terlalu banyak menghabiskan waktu ke Papua. Selama bulan November-Februari, Yohana tidak kurang dari 10 kali ke Papua.
Indikator kedua, Yohana mengangkat sejumlah staf ahli dari kalangan keluarganya. Indikator ketiga adalah sering muncul keluhan dari sejumlah pihak tentang ketidakfokusan program Yohana di bidang perlindungan perempuan dan anak di Indonesia.

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Penulis: Sabrina Asril
Editor: Laksono Hari Wiwoho

Investor Tiongkok Serbu Indonesia

Selasa, 31 Maret 2015 | 09:44 WIB
SHUTTERSTOCKIlustrasi


JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Inilah kado hasil lawatan Presiden Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ke China. Yakni  komitmen investasi yang besarnya mencapai 68,44 miliar dollar AS.   

Para investor asal Tiongkok itu berminat masuk ke sejumlah proyek infrastruktur, mulai dari proyek listrik, pelabuhan, jalan hingga membangun pabrik pengolahan (smelter) mineral.

Menteri Koordinator Bidang Perekonomian Sofyan Djalil menyebut,  ada sejumlah rencana kerjasama dengan investor China untuk meningkatkan nilai perdagangan kedua negara menjadi 150 miliar dollar AS per tahun. "Seminggu lagi akan ada pertemuan lanjutan dengan sejumlah pihak dari China," ujar Sofyan yang masih enggan menyebut detail rencana itu.  

Yang pasti, beberapa perusahaan China sudah merangsek masuk ke ke Indonesia.  Salah satunya:  PT Sulawesi Mining Investment. Ini adalah perusahaan patungan Bintang Delapan Group yang komisaris utamanya Sintong Panjaitan dan Tsingshan, anak usaha PT Dingxin Group.

Mereka berencana membenamkan investasi 5,5 miliar dollar AS untuk membangun kawasan industri berbasis feronikel di Morowali, Sulawesi Tengah. "April nanti akan diresmikan Presiden," tandas Saleh. 

Selain membangun smelter, perusahaan ini akan  membangun pembangkit listrik tenaga diesel 2×65 Megawatt (MW)di tahap pertama, dan selanjutnya menjadi 450 MW.

Selain itu, ada China Minsheng Investment Group yang akan mengeluarkan kocek 5 miliar dollar AS untuk membangun kawasan industri. Imam Haryono, Direktur Jenderal Pengembangan Perwilayahan Industri Kementerian Perindustrian bilang, hingga saat ini, pemerintah masih mendalami rencana ini. Makanya, ia belum bisa memastikan, lokasi serta jenis kawasan industri yang akan dikembangkan. 

Nanshan Alumina juga telah bekerjasama dengan PT Bintan Alumina Indonesia dengan investasi 1 miliar dollar AS. Zulnahar Usman Direktur Utama Bintan Alumina bilang, Bintan telah meneken kerjasama dengan Nanshan saat kunjungan Presiden Joko Widodo ke China pekan lalu.

Sumber Kontan di Kementerian ESDM menyebutkan, banyak investor China berminat menggarap proyek mega listrik 35.000 MW. Mereka: China Oceanwide yang berhasrat mencuatkan PLTU  di Sumatera Selatan, Jiangsu Saintry Machinery Imp & Exp Coorp Ltd ngebet membangun PLTU di Lombok. "Swasta asing lebih banyak ketimbang swasta nasional," ucap sumber itu. 

Makanya, Ketua Umum Asosiasi Produsen Listrik Swasta Indonesia A. Santoso minta pemerintah tak menyerahkan semua proyek listrik itu ke investor asing. "Jika proyek di bawah 100 MW, lebih baik  ke pengusaha nasional," kata dia. (Agustinus Beo Da Costa, Asep Munazat Zatnika, Benediktus Krisna Yogatama, Pratama Guitarra)

baca juga: Dari Jepang dan Tiongkok, Jokowi Bawa Pulang Komitmen Investasi Rp 962 Triliun



Editor: Erlangga Djumena

Kwik Kian Gie: Presiden Jokowi Langgar Konstitusi

Selasa, 31 Maret 2015 | 13:47 WIB
Kompas.com/Kurnia Sari AzizaKwik Kian Gie

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — Mantan Menteri Koordinator Ekonomi Kwik Kian Gie menilai Presiden Joko Widodo sudah bertindak menyalahi Undang-Undang Dasar 1945 karena menerapkan harga bahan bakar minyak sesuai dengan harga pasar.
"Presiden Jokowi sudah melanggar konstitusi," kata Kwik dalam sebuah diskusi di Kompleks Parlemen, Senayan, Jakarta, Selasa (31/3/2015).
Ekonom tersebut menjelaskan, pada 2003, Mahkamah Konstitusi telah membatalkan Pasal 28 ayat (2) Undang-Undang Nomor 22 Tahun 2001 tentang Minyak dan Gas Bumi. Ketentuan pasal ini menyerahkan proses pembentukan harga eceran bahan bakar minyak (BBM) dalam negeri sepenuhnya kepada mekanisme persaingan pasar. Pasal 28 ayat (2) UU Migas tersebut dinilai bertentangan dengan dengan UUD 1945 Pasal 33 yang intinya mengamanatkan cabang sumber daya alam yang penting dikuasai negara untuk kepentingan rakyat.
"Tapi, sekarang apa yang dilakukan pemerintah? Pemerintah mendasarkan harga minyak kepada mekanisme pasar, sesuai harga minyak mentah dunia," kata mantan Kepala Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Nasional tersebut.
Kwik menilai, perbuatan Jokowi yang melanggar konstitusi ini bisa mengancam jabatannya sebagai Presiden RI. Dia khawatir hal ini bisa dijadikan celah bagi partai oposisi di DPR untuk menjatuhkan Jokowi.
"Presiden bisa di-impeach kalau ada dua hal. Pertama pelanggaran berat dan kedua melanggar konstitusi," ujar Kwik.
Mulai Sabtu (28/3/2015), pemerintah menaikkan harga BBM jenis solar dan premium masing-masing Rp 500 per liter dari harga lama. Khusus di wilayah Jawa, Madura, dan Bali, harga bensin premium RON 88 naik menjadi Rp 7.400 per liter dari harga Rp 6.900 per liter. Di luar wilayah itu, harga premium menjadi Rp 7.300 per liter dari harga lama sebesar Rp 6.800 per liter. Adapun harga solar naik menjadi Rp 6.900 per liter dari Rp 6.400 per liter di semua wilayah.

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Penulis: Ihsanuddin
Editor: Laksono Hari Wiwoho

Dubes Australia: Saya Lihat Mi Instan Indonesia di Mana Pun Saya Pergi

Selasa, 31 Maret 2015 | 16:46 WIB

KONTAN/MURADIIlustrasi

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — Pemerintah Australia berharap bisa meningkatkan kerja sama dengan Pemerintah Indonesia. Menurut Duta Besar Australia untuk Indonesia Paul Grigson, salah satu bidang kerja sama yang potensial untuk dikembangkan terkait dengan industri pengolahan makanan. Ia mengatakan bahwa ekspor makanan olahan Indonesia ke Australia selama ini cukup baik.

"Kami bicara tentang makanan kedua negara, ekspor Indonesia ke Australia cukup baik. Saya lihat mi instan Indonesia di mana pun saya pergi di Australia, itu hal yang sangat baik," kata Grigson di Kantor Wakil Presiden Jakarta, Selasa (31/3/2015).

Grigson menemui Wapres dalam rangka perkenalan setelah ia menyerahkan surat kepercayaan kepada Presiden Joko Widodo pada 19 Maret lalu. Sejauh ini, kata dia, ada lebih kurang 400 perusahaan Australia yang berinvestasi di Indonesia. Investasi perusahaan Australia tersebar dalam sejumlah sektor, di antaranya komoditas, manufaktur, jasa profesional, dan industri pengolahan.

"Pengolahan makanan, menurut saya, itu industri yang bisa jadi contoh klasik. Kami bisa menyediakan komoditas untuk diproses di Indonesia, kemudian dijual Indonesia ke negara lain. Jadi itu sejumlah peluang yang saya lihat," sambung Grigson.

Di samping industri pengolahan makanan, Grigson juga membahas masalah kerja sama terkait ekspor impor daging dengan Wapres. Ia berharap kedua negara bisa meningkatkan kerja sama di bidang pariwisata. Diharapkan, akan lebih banyak turis Indonesia yang memilih Australia sebagai destinasi wisatanya.

"Indonesia mengunjungi Australia sebagai turis, ini akan sangat baik bagi industri penerbangan Australia dan Indonesia, termasuk Garuda, dan mendorong lebih banyak investasi di industri pariwisata di Australia yang menurut saya potensial bagi investor Indonesia," tutur dia.

Ia juga menegaskan bahwa Australia tidak pernah mengeluarkan seruan agar warga negaranya tidak berwisata di Indonesia. Pernyataan ini membantah wacana adanya ancaman Australia untuk menutup arus wisatawannya ke Indonesia sebagai respons atas langkah Pemerintah Indonesia yang hendak menghukum mati dua warga negara Australia.

"Tidak ada boikot pada pariwisata turis Australia ke Bali dari pemerintah. Masyarakat Australia bebas berwisata ke mana pun mereka mau. Mereka akan mempertimbangkan Bali jadi salah satu opsi, ini lebih pada pilihan individu masing-masing apakah mau wisata ke Bali atau tidak," tutur dia.

Deputi Sekretariat Wakil Presiden Bidang Politik Dewi Fortuna Anwar menyampaikan bahwa Wapres juga menekankan pentingnya hubungan kerja sama ekonomi Indonesia dengan Australia. Wapres berharap kerja sama dengan Australia bisa mengembangkan peternakan Indonesia.

"Pak Dubes mengatakan, beliau melihat pasar Indonesia ini begitu besar. Jadi, di samping ekspor daging, dia melihat kesempatan yang sangat luas untuk mengembangkan peternakan di sini," ujar Dewi.


Penulis: Icha Rastika
Editor: Erlangga Djumena

Hari Ini, Presiden Infokan DPR Mengenai Teknis Rapat Konsultasi terkait Badrodin

Rabu, 1 April 2015 | 07:22 WIB
Indra Akunto/KOMPAS.comWakil Ketua DPR Fadli Zon
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat tengah mengagendakan rapat konsultasi dengan Presiden Joko Widodo mengenai pencalonan Komisaris Jenderal Badrodin Haiti sebagai Kepala Kepolisian RI. Menurut Wakil Ketua DPR Fadli Zon, pada Rabu (1/4/2015), Presiden akan mengirimkan surat jawaban mengenai undangan rapat konsultasi tersebut.
"Besok (1/4/2015), Presiden akan kirim keputusannya untuk mengatur teknisnya dulu," kata Fadli di Jakarta, Selasa (29/3/2015) malam.
Fadli menyampaikan bahwa DPR sudah melayangkan surat undangan rapat konsultasi kepada Presiden. DPR berharap bisa mendengarkan langsung dari Presiden alasannya menunjuk Badrodin sebagai calon Kapolri menggantikan Komisaris Jenderal Budi Gunawan yang sudah lolos fit and proper test di DPR.
"Jadi kita harapkan ada penjelasan langsung dari presiden terkait perubahan meyangkut keputusan perganian itu. Jadi yang ada sekarang ini belum cukup jadi dalam waktu dekat ini kita agendakan rapat kosultasi dengan Presiden," ujar dia.
Menurut Fadli, sebagian besar fraksi di DPR mempertanyakan alasan Presiden mengganti Budi dengan Badrodin padahal status tersangka Budi sudah dibatalkan melalui putusan pengadilan.
"Karena di dalam penjelasan itu kenapa diganti karena obyek alasan sudah berubah jadi tidak adalagi masalah tersangka, jadi kta ingin dengar langsung dari presiden sehingga jelas ya," sambung dia.
Wakil Ketua DPR Taufik Kurniawan sebelumnya menyampaikan bahwa DPR akan terlebih dahulu mengundang para menteri sebagai tim pendahulu atau tim advance sebelum mengundang Presiden. Taufik mengatakan, rapat dengan menteri sebagai tim advance ini dilakukan sambil menunggu ketersediaan jadwal presiden.

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Penulis: Icha Rastika
Editor: Fidel Ali Permana

Bale Jadi Pemain Tercepat dengan Bola di Kakinya

AFP PHOTO / GERARD JULIENCristiano Ronaldo (kiri) kalah cepat dibandingkan Gareth Bale untuk urusan kecepatan saat menggiring bola.

KOMPAS.com - Gareth Bale menjadi pemain tercepat dengan bola di kakinya berdasar penelitian yang dilakukan oleh klub Meksiko, Pachuca, yang didukung penuh oleh FIFA. 
Dari hasil penelitian tersebut, Bale didaulat sebagai pesepak bola tercepat ketika sedang menggiring bola. Andalan Real Madrid itu mempunyai kecepatan 36,9 kilometer per jam ketika sedang menggiring bola. 
 
Di posisi kedua, ada Juergen Damm, sebuah nama yang tidak familiar. Dia adalah pemain andalan Pachuca, klub yang melakukan survei tersebut. Damm merupakan pemain keturunan Jerman yang kini merumput di Meksiko. 
 
Cristiano Ronaldo berada di posisi keenam dengan 33,6 kilometer per jam. Dia unggul atas rival utamanya, Lionel Messi, yang berada di peringkat ketujuh dengan kecepatan 32,5 kilometer sejam. 
 
Daftar 10 pemain tercepat saat menggiring bola:
 
  1. Gareth Bale, 36,9 km/jam
  2. Juergen Damm, 35,23 km/jam 
  3. Antonio Valencia, 35,1 km/jam 
  4. Aaron Lennon, 33,8 km/jam 
  5. Cristiano Ronaldo, 33,6 km/jam 
  6. Theo Walcott, 32,7 km/jam 
  7. Lionel Messi, 32,5 km/jam 
  8. Wayne Rooney, 31,2 km/jam 
  9. Franck Ribery, 30,7 km/jam 
  10. Sergio Ramos, 30,6 km/jam 


Editor: Jalu Wisnu Wirajati
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