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12.29.11

Cablegate: Examples of Indonesia Developing Free/Open Source Software

Posted in Asia, Cablegate, Free/Libre Software at 6:48 am by Dr. Roy Schestowitz

Cablegate

Summary: Two cables showing the use of Free software in Indonesia “in order to reduce dependence on proprietary systems.”

IN PREVIOUS posts about Indonesia we showed some good news but also a fair deal of mischief from Microsoft. In reverse-chronological order:

According to the following couple of Cablegate cables, “The Head of the Information and Computer Systems Division of Indonesia’s Agency for Technology Research and Application (BPPT) announced that BPPT is developing several computer applications using Free open source Software (FOSS) in order to reduce dependence on proprietary systems. Applications currently in development include e-office (Kantaya), e-learning (Kutahu), and Local Management Information System (Simda) software. BPPT is assisting several local governments (Jembrana, Pekalongan, Banyuwangi, Kuala Kapuas and Sawah Lunto) to implement FOSS-based applications. By 2014, BPPT plans to develop FOSS-based applications for computer driver and kernel technologies, mining data programs, Indonesian language processing, simulation and computerization.” In another cable (the second one) it says that “the international community has developed GIS applications using free open source software for use by countries such as Indonesia. Around 30 participants with key disaster mitigation responsibilities in the Indonesian government took part in the training.”


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 JAKARTA 001243 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, OES/ETC, OES/STC, OES/SAT, OES/PCI 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV [Environmental Affairs], TPHY [Physical Sciences], TBIO [Biological and Medical Science], TRGY [Energy Technology], ENRG [Energy and Power], ID [Indonesia] 
SUBJECT: INDONESIA ESTH HIGHLIGHTS: MAY 2008 
 
IN THIS ISSUE 
------------- 
 
-- Government Phasing out Large-Scale AC Units 
-- Papua Signs USD30 Million Forest Carbon Deal 
-- Reclamation for an Integrated New City in Tangerang 
-- Oil Palm Threatens Sentarum Lake National Park 
-- Orangutans Close to Extinction 
-- Rare Javan Rhino Caught on Video 
-- Sumatran Tiger Population Critical 
-- Legal Reform Initiative Seeks to Protect Habitat for Orangutans 
-- Mangrove Planting in Surabaya 
-- Lax Enforcement and High Waste Treatment Costs Blamed for 
Continued Dumping 
-- Mushroom Farmers Switch from Kerosene to Firewood 
-- BPPT Developing Open Source Software 
-- Nuclear Technology in High School Curriculum 
-- Tackling HIV Infection Rates Among Surabaya's Children 
-- No Blood Transfusion Facilities in Half of Country 
 
ENVIRONMENT: 
 
Government Phasing out Large-Scale AC Units 
------------------------------------------- 
¶1.  According to Tri Widayati, Director of Ozone Protection of the 
State Ministry of Environment (MOE), most operators of 
industrial-size chilling/air-conditioning units will have replaced 
those units with new ones that use environmentally friendly Freon, 
such as hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) 123 and hydrofluorocarbon 
(HFC) 134, by the end of June 2008.  The MOE says that only 400 
large-scale AC units remain in operation.  The Government of 
Indonesia (GOI) banned the further importation of chlorofluorocarbon 
(CFC) 11 and CFC 12 after January 1, 2008 to meet its obligations 
under the Montreal Protocol.  This will lead to a gradual phase-out 
of older AC units.  The MOE is helping to provide soft loans to 
companies to finance the replacement of older units.  The Ministry 
is also working with voluntary associations to disseminate 
information to the public about the transition process. 
 
Papua Signs USD30 Million Forest Carbon Deal 
-------------------------------------------- 
¶2.  Papua has signed a carbon deal worth up to USD 30 million for 
100,000 hectares of forestland.  On May 13, Governor of Papua 
Barnabas Suebu signed a Memorandum of Understanding with New Forests 
Asset Management (NFAM) Pty Ltd.  During the following two months, 
NFAM and the Papua Provincial Government will do a preliminary 
survey to identify three locations for this carbon project.  At the 
end of 2008, Papua will receive USD 10 million of guaranteed revenue 
for the first five years and receive dividends totaling up to USD 20 
million over the same period.  NFAM is collaborating with Generation 
Investment Management, owned by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. 
 
 
Tangerang Plans New Integrated City on Reclaimed Land 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
¶3.  On May 15, Head of Tangerang Land Use Office Didin Samsudin 
confirmed that Tangerang Regency would reclaim 9,000 hectares of its 
northern coastal areas for a planned new "integrated" city.  The 
Tangerang Regent has already issued Local Regulation (Perda) No. 8 
of 2007 on Reclamation.  This new development will contain hotels, a 
marina, a business center, residential areas, and an integrated 
container terminal and port.  The new city will cover approximately 
8,000 hectares and cost Rp. 20 trillion or USD 1.3 billion. 
Tangerang is about 21 km from Jakarta. 
 
Oil Palm Threatens Sentarum Lake National Park 
--------------------------------------------- - 
¶4.  Budi Suriansyah, the Head of Danau Sentarum National Park, says 
that the palm oil plantation in the Kapuas Hulu region of West 
Kalimantan threaten the 132,000-hectare park's ecosystem, which is 
dependent on Betung Kerihun National Park.  The development of palm 
oil plantations as well as illegal logging is causing water 
pollution, and local fishers are finding it increasingly difficult 
to find local endemic fish such as jelawat and arwana.  There are 11 
palm oil plantation companies and 9 subsidiaries of PT Sinar Mas, 
operating on 160 thousand hectares in areas bordering Betung Kerihun 
National Park. 
 
Orangutans Close to Extinction 
------------------------------ 
¶5.  On May 8, the Executive Director of the Center for Orangutan 
Protection (COP) stated that, based on a COP study in Central 
 
JAKARTA 00001243  002 OF 004 
 
 
Kalimantan, orangutans will disappear from the region within 2-3 
years.  The investigation found 242 palm oil plantations with 
activities that having an impact on orangutans and their habitat. 
According to COP, these companies include members of the Roundtable 
on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), such as Wilmar, IOI and Agro Group. 
In 2004, a Population and Habitat Viability Assessment (PHVA) 
reported that there were 58,575 orangutans left in Borneo, with an 
annual decrease in population of 9 percent leading to extinction by 
2015.  Darori, Director General for Forest Protection and Nature 
Conservation, is skeptical of the investigation's projections, and 
emphasizes that the government will not allow the conversion of 
natural forest to other purposes such as palm oil cultivation. 
 
Rare Javan Rhino Caught on Video 
-------------------------------- 
¶6. At the end of May, a video recorder installed by Ujung Kulon 
National Park and the World Wide Fund for Nature-Indonesia 
(WWF-Indonesia) caught footage of the extremely rare Javan 
Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus).  Speaking about the incident on 
May 29, Agus Priambudi, Head of Ujung Kulon National Park, said the 
recording would help researchers and conservationists learn more 
about the Javan rhino's behavior, as well as assist efforts to 
reduce threats to the remaining population.  The Java rhino is the 
rarest among five rhino species in the world.  There are only an 
estimated 50-60 Java rhinos in Ujung Kulon National Park.  The Java 
rhino is on the International Union for Nature Conservation's "Red 
List" of endangered species. 
 
Sumatran Tiger Population Critical 
---------------------------------- 
¶7.  On May 25, the Coalition for Protected Animal Monitoring stated 
that there were approximately 250 Sumatran tigers (panthera tigris 
Sumatrae) left in the wild.  The decrease in this species' 
population is due to hunting, conflict with humans, and illegal 
logging and land clearing leading to the fragmentation of its 
habitat.  Poachers hunt the animal for its skin, bones, fang/tooth 
and claws.  Tiger skins sell for approximately 3-5 million Rupiah 
(USD 322-537) apiece in local markets and up to USD 3,300 in 
international markets.  Although Law No. 5 of 1990 on Natural 
Resources Conservation and Ecosystem protects this species, 
enforcement of the law is weak. 
 
Legal Reform Initiative Seeks to Protect Habitat for Orangutans 
---------------------------------------- 
¶8.  The Orangutan Conservation Services Program (OCSP) and Wildlife 
Conservation Society (WCS) launched a media campaign in late May, to 
commemorate World Environment Day, in order to draw attention to the 
urgency of legal protection for orangutan habitat and to support 
survival of orangutans in the wild.  WCS is spearheading a policy 
reform effort that seeks to protect habitat of endangered species 
from conversion to non-forest land uses.  In Indonesia today, it is 
illegal to kill an orangutan but it is still legal to convert the 
little remaining orangutan habitat to non-forest uses.  Habitat 
conversion effectively eliminates whole populations of orangutans 
and other critically endangered species as their habitat becomes 
fragmented and deforested. 
 
Mangrove Planting in Surabaya 
----------------------------- 
¶9.  On May 11, people from various organizations planted 8,000 
mangroves along the seashore at Wonorejo in eastern Surabaya. 
Wonorejo is poised to become a center for mangrove research, 
cultivation, and tourism.  The Surabaya city government is actively 
restoring mangrove forests in eastern Surabaya.  Illegal logging has 
destroyed at least 40 percent of a total 6,000 hectares of mangrove 
forest near Wonorejo.  According to the head of Wonorejo Mangrove 
Farming Association, various groups in eastern Surabaya have planted 
at least 25,000 more mangrove trees this year than last year. 
Unfortunately, last year's mangroves were poorly protected.  For 
example, 4,000 mangroves planted in the Kenjeran beach area in 
January had died by the end of May, due to high ocean waves and poor 
treatment. 
 
Lax Enforcement and High Waste Treatment Costs Blamed for Continued 
Dumping 
------------------------------------ 
¶10.  At least 16 companies in East Java have disposed of industrial 
waste in the Brantas River through underground pipelines or during 
the heavy rainy season through open ditches.  The companies have 
waste treatment facilities but prefer to cut costs by dumping 
untreated waste, according to Purnawan, a lecturer at Brawijaya 
University and a member of East Java Walhi, an environmental NGO. 
 
JAKARTA 00001243  003 OF 004 
 
 
The phenol content of industrial waste these companies are dumping 
in the Brantas is dangerously high, according to Purnawan.  Just 
three hours south of Surabaya in Malang, waste from paper and 
cassava-processing plants has reportedly resulted in serious 
pollution and a major fish kill in the lake behind the Sutami Dam. 
Local media report that Malang's city government is reluctant to 
take action as paper factories are a major contributor to regional 
revenue. 
 
Mushroom Farmers Switch from Kerosene to Firewood 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
¶11.  Mushroom farmers in Karawang, West Java, are switching from 
kerosene to firewood because of the high cost and scarcity of 
kerosene.  Mushroom farmers use fuel to boil water and use the 
evaporated water to regulate the level of humidity required for 
mushroom growth.  Kerosene's retail cost has increased from 2,310 
Rupiah (USD 0.25) to between 2,500-3,000 Rupiah (USD 0.27-0.32), 
making the price of firewood relatively cheaper.  During a planting 
period of one month, the farmers require on average 80-120 liters of 
kerosene or three cubic meters of firewood.  With the current 
kerosene price, the farmers' production costs are between 
200,000-300,000 Rupiah, but only 150,000 Rupiah if using firewood. 
Besides the shift by many farmers to firewood, others have closed 
down their mushroom production houses altogether. 
 
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: 
 
BPPT Developing Open Source Software 
------------------------------------ 
¶12.  The Head of the Information and Computer Systems Division of 
Indonesia's Agency for Technology Research and Application (BPPT) 
announced that BPPT is developing several computer applications 
using Free Open Source Software (FOSS) in order to reduce dependence 
on proprietary systems.  Applications currently in development 
include e-office (Kantaya), e-learning (Kutahu), and Local 
Management Information System (Simda) software.  BPPT is assisting 
several local governments (Jembrana, Pekalongan, Banyuwangi, Kuala 
Kapuas and Sawah Lunto) to implement FOSS-based applications.  By 
2014, BPPT plans to develop FOSS-based applications for computer 
driver and kernel technologies, mining data programs, Indonesian 
language processing, simulation and computerization. 
 
Nuclear Education in High School Curriculum 
------------------------------------------- 
¶13.  On May 2, Dr. Taswanda Taryo, Deputy Chairman for R&D 
Productivity and Public Acceptance of Nuclear Science and 
Technology, BATAN (National Nuclear Energy Agency), announced plans 
for a program to include education on nuclear technology in school 
curricula, especially high schools.  Eko Madi, Head of the 
Subdivision for Nuclear Energy Science and Technology Dissemination, 
BATAN, explained that BATAN and the Ministry of Education would 
establish an expert team to begin drafting physics, chemistry, and 
biology curricula on nuclear technology.  In addition, BATAN is 
conducting outreach to educate teachers, students, and NGOs about 
nuclear technology.  BATAN will also establish three Centers for 
Nuclear Education and Information, including one in Jepara (Central 
Java), which is close to Muria Bay, the location for a proposed 
nuclear plant. 
 
HEALTH: 
 
Tackling HIV Infection Rates Among Surabaya's Children 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
¶14.  The Surabaya City Health Department announced that 37 babies in 
Surabaya contracted HIV/AIDS between January and March 2008.  At a 
workshop on HIV/AIDS, Surabaya's Vice Mayor, Arief Afandi, confirmed 
that HIV/AIDS cases are spreading in all 31 districts in Surabaya. 
The Surabaya City government will take a new approach to the problem 
by training students to be HIV/AIDS cadre who will provide 
information and training to their peers.  The Surabaya City 
government will also involve more children and students in future 
HIV/AIDS workshops.  So far, it has selected 10 junior high schools 
and 10 senior high/vocational schools in Surabaya as HIV/AIDS test 
sites for this campaign. 
 
No Blood Transfusion Facilities in Half of Country 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
¶15.  During a public hearing before the Jakarta regional parliament 
on May 12, Dr. Ratna Rosita, Director of Basic Medical Services and 
Nutrition of the Ministry of Health, stated that Indonesia lacks 
Blood Transfusion Units (UTDs) in 226 regions.  Ministry of Health 
statistics (2006) show that only 231 of 457 regencies/cities in 
 
JAKARTA 00001243  004 OF 004 
 
 
Indonesia have UTDs, including those operated by the Indonesian Red 
Cross (PMI), provincial governments and hospitals.  PMI's Chairman 
Mari'e Muhammad and Adang Dorodjatun, Chairman of Indonesia Blood 
Donors, also attended the public hearing.  PMI currently has 212 
UTDs, of which 24 percent are located within hospitals and 76 
percent outside of hospitals. 
 
HUME

Here is the second cable.


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 JAKARTA 003185 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EAP/MTS AND OES/ETC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV [Environmental Affairs], TPHY [Physical Sciences], TBIO [Biological and Medical Science], TRGY [Energy Technology], ENRG [Energy and Power], ID [Indonesia] 
SUBJECT: INDONESIA ESTH HIGHLIGHTS: AUGUST - OCTOBER 2007 
 
¶1. Summary: The Indonesian Supreme Court hosted a judiciary workshop 
on wildlife crime and prosecution under the ASEAN Wildlife 
Enforcement Network (WEN) program in August.  The Vice Governor of 
Jakarta announced on September 27 that Jakarta could potentially 
receive $2 million in funding from developed countries under the 
Kyoto Protocol if it can reduce its CO2 emissions. A 2007 survey 
found that despite overall decreases in other parts of the island, 
Sumatran rhino populations in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park 
and Way Kambas National Park in Lampung increased by up to 30 
animals.  On September 29, Vice President Yusuf Kalla announced that 
starting in 2008, Indonesia would increase its reforestation target 
from 1 million to 2 million hectares per year.  On September 25, the 
Head of Forest Office of West Papua said that the Governors of Papua 
and West Papua provinces would release a joint decree to ban log 
exports from Papua.  The State Ministry of Environment announced on 
September 15 that it aims to phase out imports of ozone-depleting 
substances by the end of 2007 as set in the Montreal Protocol. On 
October 7, Customs officials successfully foiled efforts to smuggle 
70 rare animals through Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta.  The 
State Ministry for Research and Technology and the United Nations 
Development Programme conducted a "Train the Trainer" session on 
open-source geographic information system software in Jakarta on 
October 22-27. On October 3, the Jakarta provincial government 
granted Rp 40 billion ($4.4 million) to improve health and education 
services in eight of its satellite cities.  At a ceremony to 
commemorate World Sight Day, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced 
that it would increase its focus on reducing the numbers of 
vision-impaired children. Several residents of Wolotau Village in 
the Kota Baru sub-district of the Ende Regency were stricken with 
anthrax after eating contaminated buffalo meat in mid-October.  The 
Anak Krakatau, or "Child of Krakatau" Volcano, began spitting out 
flaming rocks and smoke in late October.  On October 23, the WWF 
Program Coordinator for West Kalimantan Hermayani Putera announced 
that poachers had smuggled rare plant species including orchids and 
nepenthes (also known as tropical pitcher plants) from Kalimantan to 
Malaysia. End Summary 
 
Indonesia Hosts ASEAN WEN Judiciary Training 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶2.  The Indonesian Supreme Court hosted a judiciary workshop on 
wildlife crime and prosecution under the ASEAN WEN program in August 
in Jakarta. The two-day workshop brought together representatives 
from Indonesia's judicial sector and focused on prosecution, 
investigation, Indonesian laws governing protection of wild animals 
and plants, local and trans-national cooperation with other 
agencies, and ASEAN-wide initiatives on Mutual Legal Assistance. 
Judicial officers from Thailand, Malaysia and the United States 
joined the event in order to share best practices and increase 
international cooperation to fight trans-national criminals involved 
in the wildlife trade.  Indonesia plans a follow-up training for the 
national police in February 2008. 
 
Jakarta May Be Eligible for Funding for CO2 Reduction 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
¶3.  On September 27, Vice Governor of Jakarta Fauzi Wibowo announced 
that Jakarta could potentially receive $2 million in funding from 
developed countries under the Kyoto Protocol if it can reduce its 
CO2 emissions. To be eligible for the funding, Jakarta would have to 
meet United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) certification 
requirements.  Fauzi stated that the Jakarta administration is 
implementing a clean air project to try to meet the UNEP standards. 
Dollaris R. Suhadi, Project Manager of the Clean Air Project, 
explained that achieving UNEP certification will take up to a year 
of research and between $500,000 and $1 million in funding.  Jakarta 
officials are optimistic that the city will be able to meet UNEP 
requirements, citing for example that since the city's bus ways 
became operational in 2004-2005, the total number of private 
vehicles on the road has decreased by 14%. 
 
Survey Shows Sumatran Rhino Population on the Rise 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶4.  A 2007 survey conducted by the Rhino Protection Unit (RPU) and 
Yayasan Badak Indonesia found that despite overall decreases in 
other parts of the island, Sumatran rhino populations in Bukit 
Barisan Selatan National Park and Way Kambas National Park in 
Lampung increased by between 24 and 30 animals (to a total of 60 and 
85 in each park, respectively).  Coordinator of the RPU Arief 
Rubiyanto stated the increase was unexpected, considering the many 
threats to the rare animals from poachers and territorial 
encroachment due to illegal logging and forest conversion 
activities.  RPU patrolling activities in both parks and the curbing 
of poaching contributed to the improved numbers.  In recognition of 
 
JAKARTA 00003185  002 OF 003 
 
 
his efforts, Rubiyanto received the Disney Conservation Award from 
the Walt Disney Corporation. 
 
Indonesia Reforestation Target Raised to 2 Million Hectares Per 
Year 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶5.  On September 29, Vice President Yusuf Kalla announced that 
starting in 2008, Indonesia would increase its reforestation target 
from 1 million to 2 million hectares per year.  Kalla added that the 
international community could not blame Indonesia for cutting its 
forests in the past, since timber consuming countries such as the 
U.S., Japan and Korea invested in the concession business. Note: 
Although the central government's sets the target, responsibility 
for implementation falls to the regional governments, who may face 
difficulty meeting the increased level. 
 
Papua Provincial Government Bans Log Exports 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶6.  On September 25, the Head of Forest Office of West Papua 
Province said that the Governor of Papua Barnabas Suebu and Governor 
of West Papua Abraham O. Atururi would release a joint decree to ban 
log exports from Papua.  The Papuan administration wants to push 
investors to open wood processing facilities in Papua rather than 
shipping logs out from Papua.  There are currently 25 concessions 
within a 4.6 million hectare area, while there is only one wood 
processing facility, which is located in Sorong.  The Papuan 
government will implement the ban incrementally, beginning with a 
moratorium on 30 percent of log exports. TIME magazine highlighted 
Governor Suebu in October as an environmental hero for his 
conservation efforts. 
 
Government to Halt Ozone-Depleting Imports 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶7.  The State Ministry of Environment announced on September 15 that 
it aims to phase out imports of ozone-depleting substances by the 
end of 2007 as set in the Montreal Protocol.  The Ministry said that 
as of August, imports of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) for the year had 
reached 193 metric tons, down from 2,331 metric tons in 2006. 
Officials stated that the ministry had phased out the use of 1,209 
metric tons of CFCs from several sectors in 2006 and would eliminate 
use of CFCs from the industrial sector by June 2008. 
 
Indonesian Customs Officials Foil Animal Smugglers 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶8.  On October 7, Customs officials successfully foiled efforts to 
smuggle 70 rare animals through Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta. 
The Ministry of Finance's Investigation and Enforcement Section 
reported that Indonesian citizen Jonathan Leo Nardha had tried to 
smuggle the rare animals in speaker boxes.  Nardha was transporting 
the animals from Malaysia for Indonesian customers in Jakarta. 
 
Disaster Data Base Training Conducted in Jakarta 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶9.  The State Ministry for Research and Technology and the United 
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) conducted a "Train the Trainer" 
session on open-source geographic information system (GIS) software 
in Jakarta on October 22-27.  Francis Sarmiento III, Project Officer 
for the UNDP's ASEAN Plus Three Sub-regional Node International Open 
Source Network, explained that Indonesia needed good, efficient, 
effective and fast local and national databases and information 
systems to anticipate and manage natural disasters.  Sarmiento 
explained that database and GIS implementation using closed software 
sources is difficult for developing countries due budget 
limitations.  To address this challenge, the international community 
has developed GIS applications using free open source software for 
use by countries such as Indonesia.  Around 30 participants with key 
disaster mitigation responsibilities in the Indonesian government 
took part in the training. 
 
Jakarta Grants Funding for Health Services 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶10.  On October 3, the Jakarta provincial government granted Rp 40 
billion ($4.4 million) to improve health and education services in 
eight of its satellite cities.  The grant would support efforts to 
establish community health centers and reduce the number of 
outbreaks of communal diseases.  The grant includes the surrounding 
cities of Bogor, Depok, Bekasi and Cianjur in West java Province, as 
well as Tangerang in Banten. 
 
 
JAKARTA 00003185  003 OF 003 
 
 
GOI Seeks to Reduce Vision Impaired Numbers 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶11.  At a ceremony to commemorate World Sight Day, the Ministry of 
Health (MOH) announced that it would increase its focus on reducing 
the numbers of visually impaired children. The MOH has conducted 
several programs under this initiative, including preventative 
measures through early detection of blindness in community health 
centers, provision of vitamin A supplements to combat deficiencies 
that raise the risk of blindness, and subsidies for regular exams 
and eyeglasses for poorer families. The MOH has established a 
national commission to tackle blindness and other sight disorders. 
 
 
Anthrax attacks villagers in East Nusa Tenggara 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶12.  The Head of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Sub Office of Veterinary 
of Livestock Office, Maria Geong, reported on October 30 that 
several residents of Wolotau Village in the Kota Baru sub-district 
of the Ende Regency were stricken with anthrax after eating 
contaminated buffalo meat.  Around 20 villagers were in critical 
condition and hospitalized.  Geong instructed the Health and 
Livestock Offices to isolate the area, and the Ende Health Office 
sent medical teams to the village to support the effort.  Ende 
Regency has been an endemic anthrax area since 1994, where anthrax 
spores can live up to 60 years. 
 
Anak Krakatau Volcano Spits Flames 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶13.  The Anak Krakatau, or "Child of Krakatau" Volcano, began 
spitting out flaming rocks and smoke in late October. Saut 
Simatupang of Indonesia's Center for Vulcanology and Geological 
Hazard Mitigation predicted that the volcano would continue to 
rumble for some time but posed little danger to the area.  Anak 
Krakatau sits in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. 
 
"Nepenthes" Flies from Kalimantan 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶14.  On October 23, the WWF Program Coordinator for West Kalimantan 
Hermayani Putera announced that poachers had smuggled rare plant 
species including orchids and nepenthes (also known as tropical 
pitcher plants) from Kalimantan to Malaysia.  They hunted the plants 
in the Meratus Mountain area and the Hampangin Forest, located in 
the Katingan Ilir Sub-district of Katinan Regency (approximately 40 
miles from Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan).  Demand for these 
species has increased in Malaysia, leading to an increase in 
poaching in Indonesia.  The Indonesian Orchid Association expressed 
worry that these activities are threatening the sustainability of 
the species.  Malaysian consumers allegedly pay local people to 
collect the rare and protected plants in Kalimantan's forests for 
sale.  One pot of Nepenthes is worth Rp 20,000 (approximately 
$2.00), and the price for a Black Orchid ranges from Rp 45,000 to Rp 
75,000 (approximately $4.80 to $8.10). To minimize the threat of 
poaching, the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Office 
has trained local residents to develop nurseries for the endangered 
plants. 
 
 
HUME

The story of Indonesia is an interesting one especially because of Microsoft’s response to ODF and FOSS adoption. It’s not unique to Indonesia and we have some antitrust material to show how Microsoft systematically identifies and then attacks deployments of FOSS.

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  13. Battistelli's Idea of 'Independent' 'External' 'Social' 'Study' is Something to BUY From Notorious Firm PwC

    The sham which is the so-called 'social' 'study' as explained by the Central Staff Committee last year, well before the results came out



  14. Europe Should Listen to SMEs Regarding the UPC, as Battistelli, Team UPC and the Select Committee Lie About It

    Another example of UPC promotion from within the EPO (a committee dedicated to UPC promotion), in spite of everything we know about opposition to the UPC from small businesses (not the imaginary ones which Team UPC claims to speak 'on behalf' of)



  15. Video: French State Secretary for Digital Economy Speaks Out Against Benoît Battistelli at Battistelli's PR Event

    Uploaded by SUEPO earlier today was the above video, which shows how last year's party (actually 2015) was spoiled for Battistelli by the French State Secretary for Digital Economy, Axelle Lemaire, echoing the French government's concern about union busting etc. at the EPO (only to be rudely censored by Battistelli's 'media partner')



  16. When EPO Vice-President, Who Will Resign Soon, Made a Mockery of the EPO

    Leaked letter from Willy Minnoye/management to the people who are supposed to oversee EPO management



  17. No Separation of Powers or Justice at the EPO: Reign of Terror by Battistelli Explained in Letter to the Administrative Council

    In violation of international labour laws, Team Battistelli marches on and engages in a union-busting race against the clock, relying on immunity to keep this gravy train rolling before an inevitable crash



  18. FFPE-EPO is a Zombie (if Not Dead) Yellow Union Whose Only de Facto Purpose Has Been Attacking the EPO's Staff Union

    A new year's reminder that the EPO has only one legitimate union, the Staff Union of the EPO (SUEPO), whereas FFPE-EPO serves virtually no purpose other than to attack SUEPO, more so after signing a deal with the devil (Battistelli)



  19. EPO Select Committee is Wrong About the Unitary Patent (UPC)

    The UPC is neither desirable nor practical, especially now that the EPO lowers patent quality; but does the Select Committee understand that?



  20. Links 1/1/2017: KDE Plasma 5.9 Coming, PelicanHPC 4.1

    Links for the day



  21. 2016: The Year EPO Staff Went on Strike, Possibly “Biggest Ever Strike in the History of the EPO.”

    A look back at a key event inside the EPO, which marked somewhat of a breaking point for Team Battistelli



  22. Open EPO Letter Bemoans Battistelli's Antisocial Autocracy Disguised/Camouflaged Under the Misleading Term “Social Democracy”

    Orwellian misuse of terms by the EPO, which keeps using the term "social democracy" whilst actually pushing further and further towards a totalitarian regime led by 'King' Battistelli



  23. EPO's Central Staff Committee Complains About Battistelli's Bodyguards Fetish and Corruption of the Media

    Even the EPO's Central Staff Committee (not SUEPO) understands that Battistelli brings waste and disgrace to the Office



  24. Translation of French Texts About Battistelli and His Awful Perception of Omnipotence

    The paradigm of totalitarian control, inability to admit mistakes and tendency to lie all the time is backfiring on the EPO rather than making it stronger



  25. 2016 in Review and Plans for 2017

    A look back and a quick look at the road ahead, as 2016 comes to an end



  26. Links 31/12/2016: Firefox 52 Improves Privacy, Tizen Comes to Middle East

    Links for the day



  27. Korea's Challenge of Abusive Patents, China's Race to the Bottom, and the United States' Gradual Improvement

    An outline of recent stories about patents, where patent quality is key, reflecting upon the population's interests rather than the interests of few very powerful corporations



  28. German Justice Minister Heiko Maas, Who Flagrantly Ignores Serious EPO Abuses, Helps Battistelli's Agenda ('Reform') With the UPC

    The role played by Heiko Maas in the UPC, which would harm businesses and people all across Europe, is becoming clearer and hence his motivation/desire to keep Team Battistelli in tact, in spite of endless abuses on German soil



  29. Links 30/12/2016: KDE for FreeBSD, Automotive Grade Linux UCB 3.0

    Links for the day



  30. Software Patents Continue to Collapse, But IBM, Watchtroll and David Kappos Continue to Deny and Antagonise It

    The latest facts and figures about software patents, compared to the spinmeisters' creed which they profit from (because they are in the litigation business)


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