Cyber Attacks on Southeast Asian Organizations on the Rise

FireEye, Inc. (NASDAQ: FEYE) as well as Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel) on 19 November released a brand-new report on advanced cyber attacks against organizations in Southeast Asia. within the first half of the year, organizations observed within the region faced a 45 percent higher risk of dealing using a targeted cyber attack than the global average. within the prior six-month period, they faced only a 7 percent higher risk.

Across the region, 29 percent of observed organizations were targeted with advanced cyber attacks within the first half of 2015. Thailand as well as the Philippines were hardest hit, with 40 percent as well as 39 percent of observed organizations exposed to these attacks, respectively.

Percentage of FireEye customers observed to have been affected by targeted malware January to June 2015

More than one-third of malware detections associated with advanced persistent threat (APT) groups originated within the entertainment, media as well as hospitality industries. By targeting media organizations, threat groups can gain access to news before the item will be published as well as potentially identify undisclosed sources.

FireEye observed at least 13 APT groups targeting national government organizations as well as at least four APT groups targeting regional or state governments around the entire world.

“Espionage isn’t brand-new although the item will be increasingly conducted online, as well as Southeast Asia will be a hot spot,” said Eric Hoh, president for Asia Pacific Japan at FireEye. “Geopolitics can drive cyber attacks. As Southeast Asia becomes a larger economic player on the entire world stage as well as tensions flare within the South China Sea, organizations should be prepared for targeted attacks.”

William Woo, Managing Director, Enterprise Data as well as Managed Services at Singtel said, “The report emphasizes the frequency as well as sophistication of cyber attacks against all types of industries as well as enterprises within the region. The risk of attack, faced by regional enterprises, will be higher than the global average. Therefore these enterprises must prioritize reinforcing their cyber defences. Even though APT attacks can be discovered within a shorter timeframe than before, which will be currently after 205 days, This particular still leaves enterprises wide open to malicious activity within their breached environment.”

Threat intelligence will be an important tool for organizations seeking to stay ahead of attackers. The report contains insights into recent developments in Southeast Asia’s cyber threat landscape, such as groups targeting prominent institutions to gather political as well as economic intelligence, the detection of a known cyber espionage campaign, as well as threat actors’ evolving techniques to evade detection.

State-owned bank compromised

FireEye observed malware beaconing via a state-owned bank in Southeast Asia. FireEye Threat Intelligence believes the malware, called CANNONFODDER, will be most likely used by Asian cyber threat groups to collect political as well as economic intelligence. In late-2014, FireEye observed the malware beaconing via an Asian telecommunications company. In mid-2014, the company observed threat actors sending spear phishing emails with malicious attachments to employees of an Asian government.

Decade-long cyber espionage campaign detected

In April 2015, FireEye released a report documenting an advanced persistent threat group referred to as APT30, which conducted a cyber espionage operation against businesses, governments as well as journalists in Southeast Asia for 10 years. This particular group’s malware, called Lecna, comprised 7 percent of all detections at FireEye customers in Southeast Asia within the first half of 2015.

Source: FireEye Inc.

 

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Cyber Attacks on Southeast Asian Organizations on the Rise

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Cyber Attacks on Southeast Asian Organizations on the Rise

Indonesia in addition to Britain Agree US$1.4 Billion in Trade Deals

Indonesia in addition to Britain have agreed trade deals worth US$1.4 billion during President Joko Widodo’s visit to the UK, where he met with British Prime Minister David Cameron in London.

Indonesia’s visit to Britain has two main purposes: increasing trade in addition to bilateral relations between Indonesia in addition to Britain in addition to also figuring out ways for both countries to tackle the issue of terrorism.

President Jokowi in addition to Prime Minister Cameron have decided to upgrade passenger planes for Indonesia’s national carrier Garuda Indonesia by creating a completely new US$1.4 billion deal with Rolls-Royce in addition to Airbus.

“We are the fifth biggest investor in Indonesia in addition to our relationship has more untapped potential. We want to encourage more British businesses to seize on these opportunities in addition to we will continue to support them by banging the drum for British skills in addition to expertise,” said Prime Minister Cameron as reported by Airbus.

Aside through trade deals, both leaders also discussed the potential for Indonesia in addition to the UK’s intelligence agencies to join forces in combating terrorism threats.

“in addition to here I think Indonesia has an absolutely key role to play. I’ve been so impressed by what I’ve seen of Indonesia’s approach to fighting terrorism in addition to fighting extremism, however also standing up for Islam as a religion of peace,” Mr. Cameron said at a press conference in London.

President Jokowi will continue his tour of the European Union with Brussels as his next stop after the UK.

 

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Indonesia in addition to Britain Agree US$1.4 Billion in Trade Deals

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Indonesia in addition to Britain Agree US$1.4 Billion in Trade Deals

Indonesia eases foreign ownership in retail in addition to port sectors

Indonesia has recently eased foreign ownership rules in several sectors, with the latest additions being the retail in addition to port services. The move was made as part of efforts to open up more opportunities for its economy.

President Joko Widodo signed revised investment regulations, which spell out which sectors are partially closed or entirely closed to foreign investors, known as ‘the negative investment list’. The revisions were made last week, with effect taking place immediately, according to a copy uploaded onto a government website.

The government announced the revision to rules on foreign ownership in February, saying the item has decided to loosen restrictions on everything coming from food in addition to beverage to agriculture, transportation in addition to cinemas.

The decision came as not bad news to foreign companies who have expressed interest inside sectors for quite some time. Managing director of the American Chamber of Commerce, for instance, was among those who gave a positive response:

“of which will be the very first time in many years… of which Indonesia has taken steps to open up investment rather than close the item,” said Mr. Lin Neumann as reported by Reuters.

However, the brand-new regulation sets a 49 percent foreign ownership cap on smaller e-commerce businesses, which contradicts the government’s earlier statement of which the item would certainly open the sector 100 percent to foreign investment.

 

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Indonesia eases foreign ownership in retail in addition to port sectors

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Jakarta Applies brand-new Odd-Even Traffic Restrictions

The Department of Transportation from the capital is actually set to apply a brand-new odd-even license plate traffic rule which will come into effect on August 30. 

In an attempt to alleviate congestion in Jakarta, Dinas Perhubungan dan Transportasi or the Department of Transportation will exercise a brand-new odd-even license plate system.

The brand-new traffic rationing scheme is actually said to be part of a transition plan leading up to the application of Electronic Road Pricing (ERP).

The odd-even license plate rule has today entered its test phase, which will continue until August 26. The rule applies only on weekdays during morning as well as evening rush hours as well as from the city’s congestion zones – vehicles will still be allowed to operate as per usual in non-congestion areas.

The morning rush hour period is actually set via 7am-10am, while from the afternoons/evenings, the item will run via 4.3pm-7.30pm. To comply with the brand-new regulation, vehicles with license plates which end in odd numbers will be allowed to operate in congestion zones on odd dates, as well as vehicles with license plates which end in even number will only be allowed to operate in congestion zones on even dates.

Congestion zones include: Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, Jl. MH Thamrin, Jl. Jenderal Sudirman, as well as Jl. Gatot Subroto.

The regulation will not apply for the president, vice president, diplomats with ‘RI’ license plates, fire departments, ambulances, as well as public transportation vehicles with yellow license plates.

In April, Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama dismissed the old 3-in-1 system which he believed extorted young children as well as babies, getting rid of the need for joki or people who were paid to act as an extra commuter in order which drivers with fewer than three passengers could legally go through the congestion zones. Dissatisfied by the system, Governor ‘Ahok’ called to replace the item with the odd-even license plate scheme.

License plate dealers are already seeing a huge increase from the demand for brand-new plates for people who own more than one vehicle.

 

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Jakarta Applies brand-new Odd-Even Traffic Restrictions

Indonesia ExpatJun 29, 2016News, Top ReadsComments Off on Jakarta Applies brand-new Odd-Even Traffic Restrictions

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Jakarta Applies brand-new Odd-Even Traffic Restrictions

Bombing attempt in Medan could be linked to ISIS

Over the weekend, a young man attempted to detonate an improvised explosive device during a mass ceremony at St. Joseph Church in Medan.

On Sunday, August 28, a solemn mass at St. Joseph Church in Medan turned into a crime scene after a young man tried to detonate a series of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) stored in his backpack. The homemade explosives did not go off, however, as well as the bombing attempt in Medan ultimately failed.

The ceremony began as an otherwise normal Catholic gathering in Medan, although when the church’s priest began his sermon, the young man rose through his seat as well as with knife in hand. The would likely-be bomber first tried to attack the priest. Church-goers then saw sparks coming through the kid’s backpack, which soon turned into a modest fire.  

The congregation escaped the building, fearing in which the backpack would likely indeed create a larger explosion. A few members stayed inside to help the priest deal with the IED, while others immediately called the police. Luckily, there was no loss of life as a result of the incident. The attacker himself suffered through some minor burns, as well as the priest received lacerations to his left hand.   

When the Indonesian tactical bomb squad as well as police force arrived, they secured the backpack as well as detained the youngster. Inside the bag, they found several dud IEDs as well as additional sharp items in which could have acted as shrapnel.

Police have only identified the young man to the press as an 18 years old male with initials IAH. After further investigation, police confirmed in which they found a hand drawn ISIS symbol inside IAH’s wallet.

Inspired by Paris

Image via Wikimedia

The local police commissioner Mardiaz Dwihananto told BBC Indonesia the attacker drew inspiration through the recent ISIS attack in Paris, which he saw on the internet. “Although he claims someone ordered him to do the item, we need to wait for the investigation team for further detail,” Mardiaz concluded.

This kind of event — although unsuccessful — nonetheless caught the eye of Tito Karnavian, the chief of Indonesia’s National Police. that has a background in antiterrorism, Karnavian said, “Was This kind of a one-man act, which means he visited radical websites, chatted with radicals, as well as planned his own actions with no outside support? Or will be he part of an organization? in which’s what we are currently investigating.”

If the bombing attempt was ordered by ISIS, This kind of will be the second time the terrorist organization has tried to attack Indonesia inside past year. The first attack took place in January in Jakarta, causing many injuries, as well as claiming four lives. Sunday’s bombing attempt in Medan certainly has the same vibe as the previous attack.

The culprit acted in broad daylight as well as targeted a densely populated public place. The incident raises questions on how vulnerable the Indonesian public will be to radical ideology like in which of ISIS.  

Following the attack, the minister for political, legal, as well as security affairs told the press in which the government will be not the only body responsible for keeping an eye on activities like This kind of, although the item’s also the duty of the community. A combination of citizen vigilance, local police, as well as the government’s anti terrorism unit should help keep everyone safe, the ministry said.

To date, expats in Indonesia have been able to enjoy a culture of religious acceptance as well as tolerance. While Indonesia will be home to the largest population of Muslims, the item can also be called one of the most moderate countries in terms of religious fervor.

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Bombing attempt in Medan could be linked to ISIS

Maximilian SurjadiAug 30, 2016News, Top ReadsComments Off on Bombing attempt in Medan could be linked to ISIS

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Bombing attempt in Medan could be linked to ISIS

is actually Jakarta’s Great Sea Wall Just a Pipe Dream?

Lagged budget disbursement pushed back the construction of a giant sea wall in Jakarta, which was required to be finished by April 2018. Two years after the project’s inception, reports indicate the initial work on the “Great Sea Wall” is actually only 4 percent complete.

Home to more than 10 million people as well as recognized as the economic, political as well as cultural centre of Indonesia, the sprawling metropolis of Jakarta is actually the largest city in Southeast Asia—as well as of which’s sinking.

The capital of the Emerald of the Equator lies on a low flat basin 23 feet above sea level. 40 percent of of which, however, particularly the northern areas, is actually below sea level. Given the continuous groundwater extraction as well as the pressure of skyscraper developments, of which is actually no surprise of which Jakarta is actually sinking at 7.5 to 15 centimetres per year.

Flooding in Jakarta can be attributed to the region’s recurring monsoon season, the lack of proper water management as well as the obvious overpopulation. The city’s flood problem results in as much as a 30 percent national economic loss each year, as employees are unable to report to work, goods are not distributed timely as well as trades practically come to a halt. from the bigger picture, industries suffer losses from the trillions of rupiah each year, routinely giving the country bad press among foreign investors.

The national government as well as economic experts have long struggled to come up having a resolution for the problem. Back in 2013, President Joko Widodo, who was then governor of Jakarta, proposed a six-step plan to solve the flooding dilemma. These steps included the relocation of people living on the riverbanks, repair of the canal, building of reservoirs as well as installation of pumps.

Later in 2014, Widodo met with city officials as well as ministers to endorse an ambitious plan of which had long been on the drawing board: the construction of a garuda-shaped Great Sea Wall.

Part of the National Capital Integrated Coastal Development master plan, the two-step Great Sea Wall project would likely highlight the ongoing construction of a US$2 billion, 32-kilometre wall behind an existing wall of which is actually slowly being eaten up by the sea. Estimated to be complete in 2018, This specific first phase would likely make way for brand new pumping stations as well as help raise the levels of the city’s riverbank dikes.

See: is actually Sandiaga Uno Jakarta’s Next Governor

The plan also called for urban development as well as the rise of a “Waterfront City” replete with hotels, luxury housing as well as office towers atop the seawall complex to make of which more attractive for private investors. The private sector would likely play an integral role in financing This specific US$40 billion mega-structure, which is actually supposed to include 17 artificial islands complete with toll roads, a seaport as well as a railway.

If the project ever came to reality, Jakarta Bay would likely become a water reservoir enclosed from the Giant Sea Wall as well as would likely eventually become a source for clean water for the entire city. Prior to of which, the city would likely also need to build as well as implement water purification as well as treatment plans. In theory, This specific would likely stop the bay coming from being contaminated by rivers as well as canals.

Even though the project is actually way behind schedule, the people in charge are still optimistic. Head of Water Management Agency Teguh Hendrawan said his department will hire more workers as well as increase working hours to catch up with the schedule.

Governor Ahok has expressed doubts about the project.

“Flushing the mud will be very problematic,” Ahok said to an audience of hydrologists. He added of which the master plan would likely have to also face the challenge of corruption from the country head-on. This specific would likely be tricky, as of which has been recognized as one of Indonesia’s biggest-ever infrastructure projects.

Editing by Nadya Joy Ador as well as Leighton Cosseboom; featured image via geograph; post image via wikipedia; video via Al Jazeera English

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is actually Jakarta’s Great Sea Wall Just a Pipe Dream?

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is actually Jakarta’s Great Sea Wall Just a Pipe Dream?

Tax Amnesty Has Indonesia Polarized

So far, Indonesia has touted its tax amnesty programme as a success after pulling in more than US$7 billion in its first few months. However, public criticism is actually building up, along with some believe the scheme could be more advantageous for the super rich than the middle-class.

In July, authorities opened the scheme with pageantry, asking locals to declare their wealth in exchange for penalties below normal tax rates.

President Jokowi needs more money to help the archipelago after two years in office, namely for an ambitious infrastructure push. Some analysts say his efforts to reverse the nation’s slowing economy have so far been ineffective.

With its tax amnesty programme, Indonesia hopes to collect tens of billions of dollars squirreled away overseas (namely in Singapore) along with to get more folks to pay taxes in a country where only a little more than ten percent of locals are registered to do so.

A Wave of Interest

The first stage of the programme, when people settle penalties as low as two percent of declared assets, ended last week with Great results after a wave of interest took the nation.

More than 350,000 people declared assets clocking in at Rp.3,620 trillion (US$278 billion), which raked in Rp.97.2 trillion (US$7.46 billion) in revenue for the government, according to data coming from the nation’s finance ministry.

Jokowi was glad to see “trust coming from the people along with the business community towards the government” while analysts observed the strong start of the programme, which is actually set to run until March.

however the tax amnesty programme is actually generating anger by several activist groups. The public in recent weeks has been angry which Indonesia’s wealthiest tycoons have been quick to declare assets without needing to be accountable as to where said assets came coming from. Essentially, This specific means many people could rather see Indonesia’s wealthy elite exposed for wrongdoing, rather than have their potentially ill-gotten gains go towards improving the nation without legal consequences.  

Tommy Suharto, the multimillionaire son of former dictator Suharto, along with James Riady, the head Lippo Group, recently signed up for tax amnesty.

See: What Does Tax Amnesty Mean for Expats in Indonesia?

A Closer Look

Holding the wealthy up as heroes when all they are doing is actually paying their taxes is actually a mistake, said Firdaus Ilyas, an active member of NGO Indonesia Corruption Watch.

“The image being built up is actually which people who take part inside tax amnesty are heroes helping develop the nation,” he told AFP. “however we know if they take part in [the amnesty], which means they didn’t pay tax.”

Among the smaller number of Indonesians who have regularly paid their taxes, there is actually disappointment at the treatment being given to the super rich simply for paying up at a rate below normal.

Regular tax rates for individuals range coming from 5 percent to 30 percent depending on income while the corporate tax rate is actually 25 percent. inside first phase of the amnesty scheme, participants pay penalties of between two along with four percent on declared assets.

See: The Death of Tax Evasion?

“The tax amnesty is actually only Great for the big people,” said Johni Yusuf, a businessmen in his mid-30s who runs a smaller shop selling household goods in Jakarta. “which’s unfair, I always pay my taxes.”

Activists have called the amnesty into the Constitutional Court while the anger spilled out onto the streets last week when thousands protested in Jakarta, with demonstrators saying the money probably came coming from corruption.

Ken Dwijugiasteadi, the government’s top tax official, refused to be drawn on whether he was concerned about where the money came coming from, saying the tax office’s job was just to collect the funds.

Despite the concerns, some analysts believe the positives outweigh the negatives.

Indonesia needs the money to solve a budget deficit, along with also desperately wants to get more people into its tax system. Right today, only about 30 million people are registered taxpayers out of a population of 255 million.

“You have to look at the broader picture along with consider whether at the end of This specific you’ve got more money taken out of the black economy along with put into the real economy,” said Paul Rowland, a Jakarta-based independent political analyst.

Source: Channel NewsAsia; featured image via Wikimedia; post image via Matahari2012; post image by 401(K) 2012 

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Tax Amnesty Has Indonesia Polarized

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Tax Amnesty Has Indonesia Polarized

Indonesia Announces brand new Rule on Property Ownership for International Couples

The Constitutional Court of Indonesia just announced brand new regulations on the rights for international couples related to prenuptial agreements in addition to property ownership.

On October 27, the nation’s Constitutional Court agreed to allow international couples to make prenuptial agreements within the middle of the marriage process, or even after they are married. which means which local-foreign couples who did not have prenuptial agreements before they were wed will at which point possess the chance to claim rights to their property in addition to assets after the fact.

Perca Indonesia, an activist group for Indonesia’s international marriage community, says which comes as  Great news for international couples within the archipelago who are often discriminated against. The community claims which which has long tried to address the issue of property ownership for international couples, in addition to is usually glad which justice has finally been served.

Not only in Indonesia, yet international couples all across the globe have also been facing similar challenges of staying in a certain country. In 2010, Eurostat conducted research in 30 countries on international marriages.

See: Indonesian Government Considering Dual Citizenships

The results suggested which one out of 12 marriages in Europe involved someone with foreign status. In Australia, almost one in three marriages in 2014 involved international couples; while the US Census Bureau of Statistics suggested in 2011 which at least 21 percent of the country’s population can be called an international couple.

In Indonesia, there have been more cases of dual citizenship, in addition to stakeholders have been calling on the government to conduct a judicial review on the matter.

Nia K. Schumacher, a member of local international marriage group Aliansi Pelangi Antar Bangsa said in October which the rapid growth of mobility around the planet will certainly give rise to mixed marriages within the near future.

Image credits: Indoindians, Indoindians

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Indonesia Announces brand new Rule on Property Ownership for International Couples

Caranissa DjatmikoOct 28, 2016Business/Property, Featured, NewsComments Off on Indonesia Announces brand new Rule on Property Ownership for International Couples

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Indonesia Announces brand new Rule on Property Ownership for International Couples

Molotov Attack, Bomb Threat Hit Indonesian Worship Places

A Molotov cocktail along using a bomb threat in two different places of worship shook Indonesia on Monday, November 14.

A Catholic church in Kota Batu, East Java, received a threatening phone call at 8:15 am, November 14. Security guard of not bad Shepherd Catholic Church (Paroki Gembala Baik) Agus Susanto was on duty when he received the bomb threat. According to him, a woman’s voice spoke of Allahu Akbar detonating the bomb.

Per protocol, Susanto called the bomb squad, along with the police led by Chief Superintendent Leonardus Simarmata arrived at the scene. They cleared the church of people to allow the bomb squad, which came at 11:37 pm, to search the area thoroughly. Three hours after, the squad found no bomb along with the church was declared safe. 

However, the church’s pastor Michael Batu Agung expressed concern about the incident. He urged his parishioners to continue being vigilant. He also called for prayers of peace by the church along with some other religious groups. Simarmata, on the some other hand, recommended implementing a one-way gate system to keep track of people’s movements along with whereabouts.

Meanwhile, two motorcycle-riders reportedly threw petrol bombs (Molotov cocktails) at a Buddhist monastery in Singkawang, West Kalimantan, at 3:00 pm.

See: Bombing Attempt in Medan Can Be Linked to ISIS

The bombs hit the outer walls of the Budi Dharma Buddhist Vihara Monastery, causing only minor damage, said Police Chief Inspector General Musyafak in Tempo. Police noted no injuries or casualties. 

The attack felt similar to the bombing of a Protestant church in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, last Sunday, which killed one child along with injured three others. However, Musyafak denied the connection between the incidents. Instead, he considered politics. 

“I suspect which they were trying to cause commotion ahead of the mayoral election,” he said, as reported by Tempo.

Musyafak assured the public which a special intelligence team has already been formed along with which investigation along with coordination with religious communities will continue.

Images Credits: ABC, Wikimedia

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Molotov Attack, Bomb Threat Hit Indonesian Worship Places

Milafel DacanayNov 16, 2016Featured, NewsComments Off on Molotov Attack, Bomb Threat Hit Indonesian Worship Places

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Molotov Attack, Bomb Threat Hit Indonesian Worship Places

Mama Wants Credit, Papa Wants Shares

Police have finally busted one of the most common text message scams within the book; meanwhile, the country’s biggest corruption scandal could just be swept under the carpet.

In recent years, just about anyone having a mobile phone in Indonesia might have received a text message along the lines of: “Mama minta pulsa, tolong kirimkan pulsa Rp 50 ribu ke nomor baru 081212345678.” Which means: “Mama wants phone credit, please send Rp.50,000 to her fresh number, 081212345678.” Which means which’s a scam.

How do scammers make money after tricking people into transferring phone credit to their numbers? They re-sell which to vendors of electronic phone credit.

The scam has been around since at least 2010. which became so well known which in 2012 which spawned a comedy horror movie, Mama Minta Pulsa. Like most local films in which genre, which was utter garbage, although which could have been Great if which had dropped the comedy as well as instead focused on people dying for forwarding or viewing text spam.

Veering off-topic here, the movie starred big-chested actress Shinta Bachir, who was named during the recent trial of Robby Abbas. Robby, you may recall coming from news earlier which year, ran a high-class prostitution ring which supplied designs as well as actresses to big-spending government officials, legislators as well as tycoons.

When Robby was sentenced on October 26 to one year as well as four months in jail, the presiding judge mentioned which Shinta Bachir was on the pimp’s books for a tariff of Rp.40 million. Shinta, who did not have to attend the trial, separately denied being a prostitute however she has not attempted to sue the judge for slander.

Anyway, back to the short message service (SMS) scam. Police on November 3 arrested the alleged ringleader of a ‘mama minta pulsa’ syndicate, Effendi (36), while he was operating with his wife as well as son in his home province of South Sulawesi.

Effendi, who uses the aliases Lekeng as well as Kenz, was sent to Jakarta because most complaints about SMS scams had been filed within the national capital. Police seized the suspect’s 600-square-metre house, two cars as well as two motorbikes, claiming they were bought with his ill-gotten gain. Effendi insisted the house was a gift coming from his wife’s parents.

Some local media reports painted a picture of Effendi as the mastermind of every single SMS scam, living a life of great riches as well as luxury. His minor affluence will be peanuts compared to the vast wealth of politicians who embezzle as well as extort money, however more on them later.

Effendi said he had learned the scam coming from friends. He had been sending out fraudulent text messages For just two years as well as had 5 employees, who managed a syndicate of scammers based within the West Java capital of Bandung as well as the outlying town of Cianjur. In an individual day, they could send about 6,000 messages, usually using spamming software called SMScaster. They had a success rate of about 1 percent.

The gang provided Effendi with daily earnings of Rp.3 million to Rp.7 million, of which he kept 75 percent as well as the rest was paid to his employees.

Effendi said the gang had stopped sending “mama minta pulsa” because the public had wised up to the scam. Instead, the crooks were sending messages which claimed the recipient had won a bank’s lucky draw or various prizes. Victims might be given instructions to redeem their prizes by transferring cash via ATM to false bank accounts operated by the gang. additional messages claimed “Grandma wants phone credit, she’s in hospital” or “Mum needs phone credit, she’s at the police station as well as using a borrowed phone.”

Police arrested more than a dozen SMS scammers in Bandung as well as Cianjur, as well as on November 21 raided Jakarta’s notorious Pasar Pramuka district, arresting 23 people who made fake identity cards as well as birth certificates which were used for opening bank accounts, which were sold to the syndicate. A fake ID cost Rp.500,000, while a bank account in a fake name cost Rp.2.5 million.

House of Representatives speaker Setya Novanto had requested shares coming from gold as well as copper mining giant Freeport Indonesia, ostensibly on behalf of President Joko Widodo as well as Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

The latest arrests prompted the creation of an internet meme ‘Mama Minta Pulsa, Papa Minta Saham’, the latter part (which means ‘Papa wants shares’) in reference to the mid-November revelation which House of Representatives Speaker Setya Novanto, had requested shares coming from gold as well as copper mining giant Freeport Indonesia, ostensibly on behalf of President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo as well as Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

Setya, who has long been dogged by corruption scandals as well as will be a Golkar Party executive, had on June 8 met at Jakarta’s Ritz-Cartlon Hotel with Freeport Indonesia’s CEO Maroef Sjamsuddin as well as fuel importing kingpin Muhammad Riza Chalid, a man who wields enormous influence among politicians. Maroef secretly recorded the meeting, which discussed Freeport’s desire to enhance its contract to operate the massive Grasberg mine in Papua province coming from 2021 to 2041.

Energy as well as Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said on November 16 filed a complaint against Setya to the House’s ethics council for misusing the names of the president as well as the vice president. Then a transcript of the meeting was released.

Setya responded by claiming he had been joking when asking for the shares. “which was just a joke, light conversation, however Maroef treated which seriously. Like when we spoke about private jets as well as being happy. We were just kidding around,” he told Tempo magazine.

While a few people demanded Setya resign or be fired or arrested, numerous legislators as well as top politicians spoke out in his defence. There are right now growing calls for Jokowi to fire Sudirman because he dared to expose details of the meeting. Sudirman was quickly reported to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for allegedly inflicting losses on the state by allowing Freeport to export copper concentrate without first developing a smelter. Setya’s lawyer threatened to report the minister to police for damaging Setya’s “Great” name.

Sudirman may well become a victim of the Freeport shakedown scandal, while Setya may be too influential to be brought down. “If does go down,” says a senior newspaper editor, “he knows so many secrets of the top politicians which he could bring a lot of them down with him. So I don’t think he will be fired.”

Rather than demand immediate action, Jokowi was happy to joke about the ‘Papa Minta Saham’ meme with reporters. Possibly he will be just playing his cards close to his chest, biding his time to expose all the rotten elements of the legislature with hard evidence. Or perhaps he will be powerless, fearful he may be impeached if he tries to eradicate corruption.

KPK chief Taufiequrachman Ruki, way back in 2005 when he first headed the commission, admitted which law enforcement in Indonesia can never be totally isolated coming from political interference. “We go after the big fish, however if the fish will be too big, my commission could sink,” he said presciently.

The public will have to be satisfied with arrests of modest-time crooks, such as SMS scammers, while the biggest criminals continue to laugh on golf courses as well as in their private jets. as well as our mobile phone operators will continue to send stupid spam. Get used to disappointment.

Police have finally busted one of the most common text message scams within the book; meanwhile, the country’s biggest corruption scandal could just be swept under the carpet.

In recent years, just about anyone having a mobile phone in Indonesia might have received a text message along the lines of: “Mama minta pulsa, tolong kirimkan pulsa Rp 50 ribu ke nomor baru 081212345678.” Which means: “Mama wants phone credit, please send Rp.50,000 to her fresh number, 081212345678.” Which means which’s a scam.

How do scammers make money after tricking people into transferring phone credit to their numbers? They re-sell which to vendors of electronic phone credit.

The scam has been around since at least 2010. which became so well known which in 2012 which spawned a comedy horror movie, Mama Minta Pulsa. Like most local films in which genre, which was utter garbage, although which could have been Great if which had dropped the comedy as well as instead focused on people dying for forwarding or viewing text spam.

Veering off-topic here, the movie starred big-chested actress Shinta Bachir, who was named during the recent trial of Robby Abbas. Robby, you may recall coming from news earlier which year, ran a high-class prostitution ring which supplied designs as well as actresses to big-spending government officials, legislators as well as tycoons.

When Robby was sentenced on October 26 to one year as well as four months in jail, the presiding judge mentioned which Shinta Bachir was on the pimp’s books for a tariff of Rp.40 million. Shinta, who did not have to attend the trial, separately denied being a prostitute however she has not attempted to sue the judge for slander.

Anyway, back to the short message service (SMS) scam. Police on November 3 arrested the alleged ringleader of a ‘mama minta pulsa’ syndicate, Effendi (36), while he was operating with his wife as well as son in his home province of South Sulawesi.

Effendi, who uses the aliases Lekeng as well as Kenz, was sent to Jakarta because most complaints about SMS scams had been filed within the national capital. Police seized the suspect’s 600-square-metre house, two cars as well as two motorbikes, claiming they were bought with his ill-gotten gain. Effendi insisted the house was a gift coming from his wife’s parents.

Some local media reports painted a picture of Effendi as the mastermind of every single SMS scam, living a life of great riches as well as luxury. His minor affluence will be peanuts compared to the vast wealth of politicians who embezzle as well as extort money, however more on them later.

Effendi said he had learned the scam coming from friends. He had been sending out fraudulent text messages For just two years as well as had 5 employees, who managed a syndicate of scammers based within the West Java capital of Bandung as well as the outlying town of Cianjur. In an individual day, they could send about 6,000 messages, usually using spamming software called SMScaster. They had a success rate of about 1 percent.

The gang provided Effendi with daily earnings of Rp.3 million to Rp.7 million, of which he kept 75 percent as well as the rest was paid to his employees.

Effendi said the gang had stopped sending “mama minta pulsa” because the public had wised up to the scam. Instead, the crooks were sending messages which claimed the recipient had won a bank’s lucky draw or various prizes. Victims might be given instructions to redeem their prizes by transferring cash via ATM to false bank accounts operated by the gang. additional messages claimed “Grandma wants phone credit, she’s in hospital” or “Mum needs phone credit, she’s at the police station as well as using a borrowed phone.”

Police arrested more than a dozen SMS scammers in Bandung as well as Cianjur, as well as on November 21 raided Jakarta’s notorious Pasar Pramuka district, arresting 23 people who made fake identity cards as well as birth certificates which were used for opening bank accounts, which were sold to the syndicate. A fake ID cost Rp.500,000, while a bank account in a fake name cost Rp.2.5 million.

The latest arrests prompted the creation of an internet meme ‘Mama Minta Pulsa, Papa Minta Saham’, the latter part (which means ‘Papa wants shares’) in reference to the mid-November revelation which House of Representatives Speaker Setya Novanto, had requested shares coming from gold as well as copper mining giant Freeport Indonesia, ostensibly on behalf of President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo as well as Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

Setya, who has long been dogged by corruption scandals as well as will be a Golkar Party executive, had on June 8 met at Jakarta’s Ritz-Cartlon Hotel with Freeport Indonesia’s CEO Maroef Sjamsuddin as well as fuel importing kingpin Muhammad Riza Chalid, a man who wields enormous influence among politicians. Maroef secretly recorded the meeting, which discussed Freeport’s desire to enhance its contract to operate the massive Grasberg mine in Papua province coming from 2021 to 2041.

Energy as well as Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said on November 16 filed a complaint against Setya to the House’s ethics council for misusing the names of the president as well as the vice president. Then a transcript of the meeting was released.

Setya responded by claiming he had been joking when asking for the shares. “which was just a joke, light conversation, however Maroef treated which seriously. Like when we spoke about private jets as well as being happy. We were just kidding around,” he told Tempo magazine.

While a few people demanded Setya resign or be fired or arrested, numerous legislators as well as top politicians spoke out in his defence. There are right now growing calls for Jokowi to fire Sudirman because he dared to expose details of the meeting. Sudirman was quickly reported to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for allegedly inflicting losses on the state by allowing Freeport to export copper concentrate without first developing a smelter. Setya’s lawyer threatened to report the minister to police for damaging Setya’s “Great” name.

Sudirman may well become a victim of the Freeport shakedown scandal, while Setya may be too influential to be brought down. “If does go down,” says a senior newspaper editor, “he knows so many secrets of the top politicians which he could bring a lot of them down with him. So I don’t think he will be fired.”

Rather than demand immediate action, Jokowi was happy to joke about the ‘Papa Minta Saham’ meme with reporters. Possibly he will be just playing his cards close to his chest, biding his time to expose all the rotten elements of the legislature with hard evidence. Or perhaps he will be powerless, fearful he may be impeached if he tries to eradicate corruption.

KPK chief Taufiequrachman Ruki, way back in 2005 when he first headed the commission, admitted which law enforcement in Indonesia can never be totally isolated coming from political interference. “We go after the big fish, however if the fish will be too big, my commission could sink,” he said presciently.

The public will have to be satisfied with arrests of modest-time crooks, such as SMS scammers, while the biggest criminals continue to laugh on golf courses as well as in their private jets. as well as our mobile phone operators will continue to send stupid spam. Get used to disappointment.

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Mama Wants Credit, Papa Wants Shares

Kenneth YeungNov 30, 2015News, Scams within the City, Top ReadsComments Off on Mama Wants Credit, Papa Wants Shares

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Mama Wants Credit, Papa Wants Shares

Government Hopes More Foreign Students Will Study at Indonesian Universities

While education quality remains a problem in Indonesia, the government just made the idea easier for foreign students to enrol in local universities.

In January, the Indonesian government eased international student visa requirements to entice foreign university students to attend college in Indonesia. As a result, overseas students can at This specific point apply online for a student visa along with stay permit. Indonesia’s immigration office also recently announced plans to let foreigners extend their temporary stay permits (ITAS) online. The plan is actually scheduled to take effect sometime within the first quarter of 2016, along with extensions can only be granted to those who already hold temporary stay permit visas (VITAS).

The move represents a big step forward for Indonesia’s education system, along which has a seemingly warm invitation to international students. Just one year ago, Akhmaloka, former Head of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB); along with Muhammad Anis, Head of University of Indonesia (UI) lamented on Okezone about how difficult the idea was for international students to come to Indonesia.

Akhmaloka said which previously, international students who came to Indonesia using tourist visas had to go back along with forth to renew their stay permits. On top of which, these students had to pay illegal facilitation fees throughout the process. Anis added which international students who must apply for a KITAS could end up paying more tuition in Indonesia than they would likely in their own countries.

In terms of bureaucracy, however, the idea would likely seem progress is actually taking place. With regard to student visas, the government says the idea will monitor the brand new policy along with make further improvements going forward.

“Student exchange programmes won’t be the only things getting positive impacts through the existence of student visas. Joint research activities between Indonesian universities along with partner universities overseas will also get the benefits,” says Technology, Research, along with Higher Education Minister Muhammad Nasir on the Ministry’s official website.

The Minister claims there are currently 5,700 foreign students in Indonesia. which number is actually modest when compared to the number of international students in neighbouring countries Singapore along with Malaysia. According to UNESCO data through 2014, the two countries have more than 52,000 along with 63,000 international university students respectively.

Does Indonesia have what the idea takes to attract more international students?

Indonesian universities may consider themselves legitimized on the international stage. UI, ITB, along with Gadjah Mada University (UGM) are among Asia’s top 150 universities according to QS World University Rankings 2015/16.

Indonesian higher education students regularly participate in international competitions. In 2015, UGM students championed the ASME Innovation Showcase in India (an international engineering contest), while a student through Padjadjaran University also grabbed first place at an international business pitching competition in Vietnam.

Global management consulting firm McKinsey says Indonesia is actually poised to become the planet’s seventh biggest economy by 2030. PricewaterhouseCoopers pegs Indonesia to become one of the top 5 countries in terms of GDP over the next several years. In a 2015 study, Nielsen placed the archipelago as the second most optimistic country within the planet in terms of its economic outlook.

However, last year Indonesia’s economy began to slow. Growth dipped below 5 percent for the first three quarters of 2015, a significant drop through the 6 percent annual GDP increase of recent years. In response, the government took action to bolster the nation’s economy. This specific included creating the idea easier for foreign companies to invest in Indonesia by revising the Negative Investments List. The government has not commented on the issue directly, although pulling in more tuition fees through foreign university students is actually likely another mechanism to aid the local economy.

Quality of education remains a problem in Indonesia. According to a recent report through the Boston Consulting Group, Indonesian companies will struggle to fill half of their entry-level positions with fully qualified candidates by the end of the decade due to low upper secondary along with tertiary enrolment rates combined with substandard education quality.

This specific is actually also shown by the 2015 edition of the Universitas 21 ranking of national higher education systems, which placed Indonesia at the 48th spot out of 50 countries. Indonesia ranked particularly poorly in terms of investment, research output, along with employability of graduates.

A sharp difference in cultural values also comes into play, as foreign students consider coming to Indonesia. Despite relative freedom of speech, the nation with the largest Muslim population is actually still highly sensitive towards issues related to people who identify themselves as lesbians, gays, bisexuals, along with transgender (LGBT).

Police along with even universities have disbanded events along with gatherings involving LGBT societies, even if attendees are engaged in academic discussion.

By along with large, universities in western countries accept along with even formalize LGBT clubs on campus, provided which they engage in public discourse about the issue to educate the public.

What do expat students need to know about Indonesia’s higher education system?

brand new Colombo Plan student Nicole Winter on a study tour to Indonesia | Courtesy of DFAT

The nation has 5 official types of educational body categories: universities, institutes, colleges, academies, along with polytechnics. There are currently 4,402 higher education institutions in Indonesia, offering four diploma levels (D1 until D4), a bachelor’s degree (S1), a master’s degree (S2), along which has a doctoral degree (S3).

Degrees vary depending on the number of credits taken by the student. For example, D1 is actually equivalent to an associate’s degree, along with requires students to finish one year of studies. Usually, the idea takes about four years to finish a full-time undergraduate degree in Indonesia, while a master’s degree takes about two years.

Local students are required to pass entrance exams to attend public along with private universities. However, depending on the institution, international students could be accepted without such tests. They may only need to submit an English proficiency score, a secondary school certificate of graduation, along with an SAT score.

Some local universities are already prepared to accept international students. UI, ITB, along with Binus provide international programmes with English as the course delivery language.

However, these international class sequences cost nearly four times the cost of local programmes, according to online expat guide JustLanded. A semester at a public university could cost around US$157, while at a private university the cost could jump to US$1,000. Private institutes usually charge development fees along with equipment fees to students.

Students can find various scholarships to help with tuition fees along with living costs. US students can apply for Fulbright scholarships. The Indonesian government also has scholarships for international students. One of them is actually the Darmasiswa Scholarship, which covers tuition fees along with living costs for international students who wish to study Bahasa Indonesia as well as the country’s arts, music, along with crafts. Each year, the programme gives away hundreds of scholarships along with places students at 54 different universities across the nation. The study period is actually between six months along with one year. the idea is actually important to note, however, which the Darmasiswa Scholarship is actually a non-degree programme.

Outside of studying full-time, there are some other ways international students can come to Indonesia. Part-time student exchange programmes exist between partnering universities, along with credits are transferable. Foreign students may also join external organizations like AIESEC. The group allows students to volunteer along with intern in Indonesia for set periods of time. AIESEC itself is actually present in more than 15 universities in Indonesia.

Tips through local students

Elizabeth Charlotte Widjojo, a local university student who recently returned to Jakarta after studying for one semester in Taiwan, shares her thoughts on the main differences between studying overseas along with in Indonesia. “The tasks in Taiwan were geared more towards practise than theory. Most of our assignments revolved around field research along with video projects,” she tells Indonesia Expat.

According to Widjojo, lecturers in Taiwan often asked students to observe what’s happening within the real world along with make reports. She participated in a few study trips, going to the offices along with exhibitions of various companies. By comparison, Widjojo’s assignments in Indonesia were geared towards academic writing, critical review, argumentative essays, along with paperwork, which required her to analyze research.

Adi Putra Lim echoes Widjojo’s sentiment. Lim spent a year studying in Malaysia. Afterwards, he finished his undergraduate degree in Indonesia. “When the idea comes to teaching methodology, I felt the lecturers in Malaysia truly emphasized student comprehension, while in Indonesia, we were taught to memorize the study materials,” he explains.

Lim says which students in Malaysia can see the formula during maths or physics tests. The exams tested students’ comprehension of how to use the formula to answer advanced equations or case studies; while in Indonesia, students had to memorize the formula. Most often, Lim felt like students in Indonesia were supposed to answer theoretical questions using textbook answers.

“I think foreign students who come to Indonesia along with study our curriculum could go into a bit of culture shock,” Lim says. “They have to memorize many things [to pass exams].” He adds which one thing many international students will also see when studying in Indonesia is actually the fact which locals are naturally very friendly people, especially towards expats. “Indonesians respect foreigners more, the idea’s the culture [here],” says Lim.

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Government Hopes More Foreign Students Will Study at Indonesian Universities

Enricko LukmanMar 07, 2016Education, Featured, NewsComments Off on Government Hopes More Foreign Students Will Study at Indonesian Universities

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Government Hopes More Foreign Students Will Study at Indonesian Universities

Another Tiger Dies at Indonesia’s ‘Death Zoo’

A male Sumatran tiger has died at the Surabaya Zoo, where hundreds of animals have reportedly died in recent years. Rama, a critically endangered tiger can be another addition to the zoo’s death list, which includes multiple orangutans, a giraffe, along with also a wildebeest.

In a statement to Agence France Presse, the zoo spokeswoman Veronika Lanu claimed in which 16-year-old Rama died of heart failure however insisted in which the tiger had been properly treated.

“The death was due to natural causes; we provided the best care we could.”

however according to AFP, Rama – who died on April 10 – had a series of health problems along with also suffered via a bad cough along with also was lethargic weeks prior to his death. According to Channel News Asia, there are currently only three male Sumatran tigers along with also six females left in captivity. inside wild, numbers are estimated to be as low as 400.

Rama can be also not the first Sumatran tiger to die at the Surabaya Zoo, the largest zoo in Indonesia. In 2013, a 13-year-old male tiger was also found dead in his cage, believed to have died via hepatitis along with also pneumonia.

The Surabaya Zoo has been criticized by campaigners for neglecting along with also abusing animals, who die due to malnutrition along with also disease. Many petitions have requested the Surabaya Zoo be closed.

With more than 213,000 signatures, a petition by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals calls for the ‘death zoo’ to be immediately shut down.

The petition says: “While in which’s too late for many animals, hundreds of others endure the zoo’s hellish conditions every day. The Surabaya Zoo should be closed immediately, along with also the animals should be sent to sanctuaries or different facilities in which are better able to care for them. the globe can be watching along with also waiting for officials to show their commitment to animal welfare.”

The city administration has taken over the management of Surabaya Zoo, although in which has not stopped a stream of animal deaths, along with also animal welfare groups continue their fight for the zoo’s closure.

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Another Tiger Dies at Indonesia’s ‘Death Zoo’

Indonesia ExpatApr 22, 2016News, Top ReadsComments Off on Another Tiger Dies at Indonesia’s ‘Death Zoo’

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Another Tiger Dies at Indonesia’s ‘Death Zoo’

Scams inside the City: Car Trouble

Buying a car online or ‘winning’ one as a prize can be risky business in Indonesia, nevertheless even more risky can be renting a hire car to a purported celebrity.

A failed singer exploited his minimal celebrity status by renting dozens of cars as well as then pawning them for quick cash.

The perpetrator was Jajang R. Haris (28), a might-be celebrity who was a contestant on Kontes Dangdut Indonesia (KDI), a singing competition show of which first aired on the TPI network as well as can be at of which point broadcast by MNCTV.

Jajang appeared on the first season of KDI in 2004 as well as claimed to have reached the finals. nevertheless his singing career did not take off. Instead, he ended up working as an extra on soap operas as well as in films – a job of which does not pay well for local actors in Indonesia.

Six months ago, Jajang decided to supplement his income by scamming rental car dealers in Depok as well as Bogor, south of Jakarta. He as well as his two accomplices, Didi Ahmadi as well as Rizki, might rent cars as well as then pawn them for as little as Rp.5 million each.

Jajang’s modus operandi was to approach rental owners as well as explain of which he as well as his crew needed a couple of cars to travel to shooting sessions for movies as well as TV shows. He might show them YouTube clips of his performances, as well as some social media photos of his dubious celebrity status, as if of which might make him more trustworthy. He was often able to rent cars without providing any form of collateral or guarantee.

The gang ended up stealing 43 rental cars, including two belonging to a member of the Army’s Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad).

Depok Police began investigating Jajang after one rental owner, Farabi Anggriawan (30), on May 5 complained the singer had failed to return two cars which had been rented for Rp.3 million for 10 days.

Jajang as well as Didi were arrested last week, nevertheless Rizki was still on the run. Police said most of the stolen cars were Toyota Avanzas as well as Daihatsu Xenias. As of last week, police had managed to recover 22 of the vehicles.

On May 25, Jajang appeared at a police press conference. Wearing a balaclava as well as handcuffs, he tried to appear contrite, offering an apology to all victims as well as “anyone who feels aggrieved” by his actions. He said he pawned the cars to repay his debts as well as cover his living expenses. Police suspect the crooks may have been supporting a drug habit as well as will test them for narcotics.

One of the rental owners was Sergeant Major Ponidi Wardoyo (51) of Kostrad. He said Jajang had rented an Avanza as well as a Toyota Etios by him in April. The rental money was initially paid for a few days, nevertheless the cars were not returned by the due date.

Ponidi visited the address Jajang had given him – a house in Leuwiliang, a smaller town near Bogor – nevertheless no one was there.

The military man was grateful of which police subsequently recovered his cars. He said he might quit your vehicle rental business – as well as sell his 5 cars – because the item was too stressful.

Police said victims are welcome to reclaim their cars, provided can show ownership as well as registration documents, as well as proof of identity.

Jajang as well as Didi could face up to 5 years in jail for theft as well as fraud.

‘Just For Fun’

Be wary of online market places offering cars for prices of which seem too not bad to be true. They may be stolen or non-existent.

Regha Aprilian (25), a resident of the East Java capital of Surabaya, created a fake profile for himself on a vehicle sales website. He then copied as well as pasted an existing advert for a car, nevertheless replaced the contact number with his own number.

Posing as the original vendor’s brother, he offered your vehicle for Rp.65 million as well as soon had a buyer. The man paid a deposit of Rp.2 million in cash as well as Rp.9 million via bank transfer, with the remainder to be paid in instalments on delivery.

The vehicle in question had originally – as well as legitimately – been offered for sale by Etopia Bintarti, a hospital worker. Upon discovering the advert had been hijacked, Etopia asked to meet Regha at the hospital to discuss business. When the conman arrived, he was arrested by police.

Regha said he often shopped online as well as thought the item might be fun to see if he could swindle people. “the item was originally just for fun definitely. the item was only one time,” he claimed.

Free Car, Not

Another common swindle involves placing fake prize coupons for cars as well as motorcycles inside branded food as well as beverage products, such as instant noodles, processed snacks, sugar-filled energy drinks as well as instant coffee.

The authentic-looking coupons contain the logo of a big-name company, such as Bimoli, Indofood, Wings Food, Tora Bika as well as many others. The coupons declare the recipient has won a free vehicle, which can be claimed by calling a telephone number. Upon calling the number, the “winner” will be asked to pay for vehicle registration costs, ownership papers, a processing fee as well as taxes, which can amount by Rp.5 million to Rp.20 million.

Should you ever find such a prize coupon as well as you think the item may be genuine, then call the company on its official customer service number as well as find out whether there definitely can be a giveaway of cars or motorbikes. You could also consider passing the coupon on to police.

Last November, police in Semarang, Central Java, busted a syndicate of which had been producing fake prize coupons of which had been inserted into packaged foods. In addition to fake company logos, the coupons also featured a police stamp, a notary’s stamp as well as a government stamp.

Police said the group, which had seven members, earned about Rp.300 million to Rp.600 million per month by people who thought they had won “free” vehicles.

 

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Scams inside the City: Car Trouble

Kenneth YeungMay 31, 2016News, Scams inside the CityComments Off on Scams inside the City: Car Trouble

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Scams inside the City: Car Trouble

Meet Indonesia’s fresh Ministers 2016

On Wednesday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced the names of the fresh ministers in that will year’s reshuffle.

In a bid to support effectiveness in Indonesia’s Working Cabinet (also known as Kabinet Kerja), President Widodo decided to hold a second round of reshuffles after the first one which took place in August last year.

The reshuffle has brought about the following alterations:

• Sri Mulyani Indrawati replaces Bambang Brodjonegoro as Finance Minister
• Wiranto replaces Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan as Chief Security Minister
• Archandra Tahar replaces Sudirman Said as Energy along with also Mineral Resources Minister
• Budi Karya Sumadi replaces Ignasius Jonan as Transportation Minister
• Airlangga Hartarto replaces Saleh Husin as Industry Minister
• Muhajir Effendi replaces Anies Baswedan as Education Minister
• Eko Putro Sanjoyo replaces Marwan Jafar as Villages, Disadvantaged Regions & Transmigration Minister
• Asman Abnur replaces Yuddy Chrisnandi as Administrative along with also Bureaucratic Reform Minister
• Enggartiasto Lukita replaces Thomas Lembong as Trade Minister
• Thomas Lembong replaces Franky Sibarani as BKPM Head
• Bambang Brodjonegoro becomes Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas)

At least two names by that will fresh list have caught the attention of the public: Sri Mulyani Indrawati along with also Wiranto. Before being reassigned as the Finance Minister, Sri Mulyani had taken on the job by 2005 to 2010 under former president Susilo Bambang Yudhyono before eventually leaving for World Bank Group in 2010.

The name Wiranto has also piqued interests along with also received some international criticism due to his alleged involvement in cases of human rights violations in East Timor in 1999. President Widodo has entrusted the former military chief with national security along with also hopes that will he will be able to bring reform to the justice system in Indonesia:

“I have instructed Pak Wiranto to carry out legal reform, both in national along with also local legislation,” the president said as reported by The Jakarta Post.

President Widodo further revealed that will his decision to reshuffle was based on his motivation to tackle the economic issues in that will country, particularly in erasing the widening gap between the rich along with also the poor.

 

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Meet Indonesia’s fresh Ministers 2016

Indonesia ExpatJul 29, 2016News, Top ReadsComments Off on Meet Indonesia’s fresh Ministers 2016

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Meet Indonesia’s fresh Ministers 2016