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European Tournament Wrap Up

Indonesia were represented by Djarum Badminton Club did quite well in last 3 tournament held in Europe ahead of Denmark Open Super Series. Below is the chart prepared to summarized how the Djarum players performed in Bitburger Open, Bulgaria Open and Dutch Open 2008


3 Title, 7 Runners Up, and 5 Seminalist were a very good result indeed. In fact, Shendy, Meiliana, Fran and Rendra will be recalled back to cipayung to represent the national team. Who knows Andre, Pipin, or Febe will be the next on the line to be Cipayung's squad.

Few pictures from Bulgaria Open:
Rosaria "Pipin" Pungkasari
Fran/Shendy and Rendra/Meiliana
Photos from Dutch Open:
Andre Kurniawan Tedjono, MS Champion

Fran/Shendy

Shendy/Meiliana
Bitburger Open 2008 Full Result
Bulgarian Open 2008 Full Result
Dutch Open 2008 Full result

Meanwhile in Denmark Super Series, Pelatnas team only managed to clinch 1 title. Again, the title come from Indonesia Olympic Gold Medallist Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan. Good news is that two of newly-formed womens double performed very well. Rani Mundiasti/Jo Novita lost in the finals to seeded no 4 Chin/Wong from Malaysia while Nitya Maheswari/Greysia Polii reached semifinal.

Denmark Open Super Series 2008 Full Result

Photos taken from:
http://photo-forum.net/forum/read.ph...horum_uriauth=
http://dutchopen.nl/uk/photos.php

Indonesia As the New India

Articles from NewsWeek

Indonesia As the New India

This stable democracy with a hot market economy resembles another Asian giant in the 1990s.

George Wehrfritz and Solenn Honorine

NEWSWEEK

From the magazine issue dated Oct 20, 2008

Jakarta today could be any of Asia's 21st-century boomtowns. The malls buzz, traffic snarls and modern office towers dominate the skyline. It all feels profoundly normal—but that's big progress in a place that, barely ten years ago, seemed destined for ruin. Following the fall of longtime strongman Suharto, and with Indonesia reeling from the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis, many analysts feared that Asia's third-biggest country (population: 235 million) would go the way of Yugoslavia. Instead, it has become a cohesive, robust and exuberantly democratic moderate Muslim nation. Things are so buoyant that Indonesia invites comparison to another Asian giant: India.

Both remain corrupt, chaotic and excruciatingly complex. Yet each is also an attractive emerging economy, and in India's case, a star of the developing world. Could Indonesia be next? Its economy grew by 6.3 percent last year, the main stock exchange ranks among the world's best performers since 2003 and last year foreign direct investment nearly tripled, to a respectable $4 billion. All of which resembles India in the 1990s, when reforms kick-started a potentially massive economy—though outsiders barely noticed until the IT sector took off and growth passed 8 percent. In Indonesia, the key sectors are energy, mining and soft commodities like rubber, palm oil and cocoa. And in an exclusive interview, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says he sees no inherent reason why a big democracy like his can't grow as fast China, which has posted 10 percent growth rates in recent years.

That would put Indonesia on a lot of magazine covers. In fact, the country already looks better than India in two ways: its per capita income ($3,348) is a third higher, and thanks to Jakarta's fiscal austerity, it now boasts one of the lowest debt ratios in the world. "After ten years of restructuring, Southeast Asia's largest economy is in great shape," says Nicholas Cashmore, CLSA's country head and chief researcher in Jakarta.

Indonesia's political turnaround has been just as dramatic as its economic one. The president, known universally as SBY, is a former general who was elected in mid-2004 and has since become the country's most effective democratic leader. In four years, he has helped Indonesia roll up its terrorist problem and rebuild from the 2004 tsunami. Less appreciated (but more enduring), he has backed a profound political decentralization program, empowering hundreds of local administrations. Jakarta now rules by consensus, not decree. This has its downsides: it makes it impossible to railroad through big national development projects of the sort China is famous for. As SBY himself admits, "in many circumstances, we face local communities that don't agree with government projects, so we have to convince them. I do not think the system is wrong. In a democracy like ours, change, reform and resistance are normal."

The country's largest parties now basically agree on economic policy and the need to reduce corruption, improve the rule of law and make government more efficient. Key democratic institutions—including a free press, impartial courts and a legislature chosen by voters—are remarkably robust, and the once all-powerful military has largely removed itself from politics. Meanwhile, regional autonomy has triggered economic booms at the periphery, in contrast to the typical Southeast Asian model. "From the U.S., the U.K. or even Hong Kong," writes Cashmore, "it is difficult to comprehend the magnitude of Indonesia's potential [or] appreciate just how much more there is to the country beyond Jakarta." By his calculation, greater Jakarta now accounts for just 15 percent of Indonesia's GDP, a relatively small share compared to other Asian capitals.

Indonesia's accomplishments are all the more impressive when you remember how far and fast the country has come. The fall of Suharto's New Order (a highly centralized system that vested absolute power in the dictator and his cronies) 10 years ago was accompanied by a financial meltdown so severe that the IMF had to step in. Indonesia also faced fierce separatist insurgencies, Christian-Muslim violence and Islamic extremism underscored by the 2002 Bali bombing. The country seemed to be teetering on the brink of wholesale disintegration. Yet today, as Australian National University economist Andrew MacIntyre and the Asia Foundation's Douglas Ramage argued in a recent report, observers should start thinking of Indonesia "as a normal country grappling with challenges common to other large, middle-income, developing democracies—not unlike India, Mexico or Brazil."

In some ways Indonesia's democracy is even more sophisticated than those other states'. Take decentralization. Jakarta, like New Delhi, oversees national defense, internal security, finance, foreign policy and the justice system. But unlike the Indian government, Indonesia's—thanks to two "big bang" reform packages passed in 2001 and 2006, and supported by SBY—must now coordinate most other activities through the country's 33 provinces and nearly 500 local administrations, where popularly elected leaders make policy, manage two thirds of all civil servants and oversee everything from schools to economic development. As World Bank economists Wolfgang Fengler and Bert Hofman observe in a soon-to-be-published study, Indonesia has turned itself from "one of the most centralized countries in the world into one of the more decentralized ones."

To see what that means on the ground, follow the money. Under a new fiscal system implemented in 2001, regions are allocated a huge slice of the country's budget to spend more or less as they please. Poor and remote areas receive the most per capita, and those with abundant natural resources get shared extraction revenues. According to the World Bank, regional governments in Indonesia now account for 36 percent of all public expenditures, compared with an average of just 14 percent in all developing countries. And locals can promote whatever agendas they choose. "This is the real revolution," says Erman Rahman, who heads the World Bank's local governance initiatives in the country. Regions with proactive leaders have become laboratories of experimentation from which innovative anti-corruption, public-health and economic-growth initiatives have emerged. For his part, SBY has enabled this process by maintaining macroeconomic discipline and political stability. And his support for local autonomy has undermined separatism, extremism and communal violence.

One regional pioneer, Gamawan Fauzi, took power in West Sumatra's Solok region in 2001 and quickly created a one-stop shop for government services, replacing an opaque and complex web of offices and brokers. Fauzi's concept was to bring all government services under a single roof, post set fees, promote autopayment and guarantee prompt service as a means of rooting out corruption. And it has worked: the model has since been emulated across Indonesia, and Transparency International reports that corruption, while still high, has been reduced substantially.

Other local leaders have earned fame by initiating innovative new programs. Gede Putrayasa, who heads the poorest of nine regencies on the tourist island Bali, won office in 2001 on a pledge to provide universal medical insurance and free education. The latter proved relatively easy (he simply waived the 5,000 rupiah monthly fees), but improving health care without breaking the local budget was tougher. Under the old system, funds went to hospitals and local administrators, who did things like stockpile pharmaceuticals procured from companies that paid kickbacks. Putrayasa's innovation: provide every local household free health insurance that compensates clinics for services actually provided. "There's not a big savings," says Putrayasa, "but everyone is covered and the efficiency is much better because there is no longer any corruption."

Such reforms have stimulated economic growth. Putrayasa's health-care and education initiatives (as well as a jobs program that sends underemployed rice farmers to Japan) have reduced the local poverty rate fourfold to just 5.5 percent today. Better local governance has also made Indonesia a major beneficiary of the global soft commodity boom. Together, the value of its four largest crops—rubber, coconut, palm oil and cocoa—rose from $2.3 billion in 2000 to an estimated $19 billion in 2008, CLSA calculates. That's thanks to local leaders like Fadel Muhammad, governor of the hardscrabble province of Gorontalo on the island Sulawesi, who turned his constituents into the country's best corn farmers by deploying teams of agricultural consultants; providing subsidized seeds, fertilizers and rental machinery to farmers; and giving cash rewards to village leaders who boost yields. Since 2002, Gorontalo's poverty rate has shrunk from 49 to 29 percent.

Of course, decentralization has its problems. Analysts and watchdog groups say that while the number of effective leaders in the 500 local administrations has spiked from a handful to 50 or more under SBY, they are sometimes particularly effective at blocking necessary national reforms and projects. The result, says Ramage, is that progress will be "evolutionary, not revolutionary." For example, the Trans Java highway, which would link Jakarta with Indonesia's second-largest city, Surabaya, was launched in 2004 with a target completion date of 2009, but is still only 10 percent done because of local opposition.

Nonetheless, Indonesia has already become a beacon of stability in Southeast Asia and the Islamic world. Its antiterrorism campaign—Indonesia has shut radical madrassas, established an effective counterterrorism force and cracked down hard on suspected cells, while also avoiding human-rights abuses—is seen as a model for the region. And as the world's most populous Muslim country, Indonesia's democratization has implications from Morocco to Mindanao in that it exemplifies an alternative to zealotry, intolerance and extremism. "Indonesia is not immune to radicalism we see worldwide, but this is exactly why we must maintain our identity as a moderate, tolerant nation," says Yudhoyono. "It enables us to prevent a clash of civilizations."

SBY is likely to win re-election next year, but even if he loses, analysts don't expect any sharp change in policy, because all the major political camps in Jakarta agree on the current reform blueprint. Even India does not enjoy that kind of stable consensus on how to catch China.

With Greg Hunt in Hong Kong

URL: http://www.newsweek.com/id/163572

How observant are you??

Source: http://expernomics.com/yer/intermezzo.html

Macau Open Gold Grandprix and Bitburger Open Wrap Up

TAUFIK HIDAYAT finally win something...... It has been a while since we saw this winning expression....

By clinching the title, Taufik helped Lee Chong Wei to continues his runner up streak... what a de ja vu ... since Olympic Games 2008 LCW seems to be a runner up specialist...

Indonesian young men doubles Fernando Kurniawan/Lingga Lie managed to reach semifinal before being eliminated by the champs and seeded no.1 KKK/TBH from Malaysia. Another Indo future shuttler Alamsyah Yunus played well to reached semi. He was defeated by current world no.2 Lee Chong Wei from Malaysia.

Full results of Macau Open here

From Bitburger Open 2008 in Germany... Maria Febe Kusumastuti won the women singles final by defeating Aditi Mutatkar from India in rubber set 22-24 21-8 and 23-21. She saved 3 match points from Aditi before closed the 3rd game 23-21.


Unfortunately WD seeded no 1 Meiliana Jauhari/Shendy Puspa Irawati failed to won the title after losing to Nielsen/Roepke from Denmark. Other semifinalst from Indonesia: Fran Kurniawan?rendra Wijaya in MD and Rendra Wijaya/Meiliana Jauhari in XD.

Full results of Bitburger Open here

Source of Pictures:
http://sports.sina.com.cn
badmintoncentral.com

China Masters Super Series 2008 Wrap Up

Sony Dwi Kuncoro clinched his third consecutive super series by defeating Chen Jin from China PR in straight set 21-19 and 21-18. He proved himself as a serious contender in men singles and of course its a good news for Indonesian badminton. After Hendrawan's heroic action in Thomas Cup 2002 and Taufik Hidayat 2004 Olympic Gold Medal, Indonesia practically silenced in men singles sector.... New hero has born...


Sony positioning as Indonesian first single in Thoman Cup 2008 has been proven accurate based on his recent performance. I believe it is the time for Indonesian men singles to wake up and start producing more world class player. I believe few are in the making.... Simon Santoso (current world no 7), Andre Kurniawan Tedjono (26), Tommy Sugiarto (39), Yunus Alamsyah (45) and Ari Yuli Hartanto (49). Taufik? He needs more drive..... hope he can get back his form...

Other result, Olympic gold medallist Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan once again proven that they are the best in men doubles by defeting Sun Junjie/Chen Xu from China 21-17 and 24-22. World rank #1 Nova Widiyanto and Lilyana Natsir failed for the second time in two weeks in super series finals. This time they lose to world rank #3 Xie Zhongbo and Zhang Yawen. One thing worth noting is the bad call by the linesman when score shown 14-11 for Chinese pairs; Nova and Lily never recover from the bad call and lose 17-21 and 17-21. Poor quality of refreeing was also seen in the men singles match up.

Full result can be seen here.

This week, Indonesian player will be competing in two turnaments. The national team will compete in Macau Open Grand Prix Gold 2008, while the team from Djarum Club will participate in Bitburgeropen 2008 in Germany. Wish them all the best....

Taiwan Open Gold GP and Japan Super Series Wrap Up

Indonesian team did well in Taiwan Open Gold GP and Japan Open Super Series.

1. Taiwan Open Gold GP

Indonesia were represented by Rani Mundiasti/Jo Novita (WD), Chandra Wijaya (MD), Simon Santoso (MS) and Devin Lahardi/Lita Nurlita (XD) where the last two managed to clinched the title... Simon Santoso was the finalist of the last two super series (Singapore SS and Indonesia SS) won the tournament by defeating Roslin Hashim from Malaysia. Indonesian yound mixed doubles pair upset the home side (seeded no 4) Fang/Cheng...

2. Japan Open Super Series
Indonesian managed to clinched the mixed double title via All Indonesian Final. Muhammad Rijal won his first ever Internatioanal title (partnered with Vita Marissa) by defeating world's No 1 Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir in rubber set. Sony Dwi Kuncoro has a nice revenge by trashing World's No 2 Lee Chong Wei from Malaysia. Indonesian young pairs Septano Bona/Mohammad Ahsan failed to clinched Indonesian 3rd title after losing to experienced pair Paaske/Rasmussen from Denmark.

SONY DWI KUNCORO, Japan Open Super Series 2008 Men Singles Champion

Muhammad Rijal/Vita Marissa, Japan Open Super Series 2008 Mixed Doubles Champion


Photos Source: Agence France Presse - AFP

Mia Audina vs Zhang Ning Uber Cup Final 1994

Food for Thought

Image taken at Singapore Zoo
July 21, 2008

Flying from Singapore to Indonesia?

Disclaimer: Data presented was taken from Airframes.org. It may not be accurate to date. Any discrepancies please let me know by leaving comment. Pictures of the aircraft and logos were taken from various source.

Ronn
7 July 2008

Singapore and Indonesia Super Series 2008 Wrap Up

Turnamen Singapore Open dan Indonesia Open Super Series 2008 baru saja berakhir... Kedua turnamen ini sedikit kehilangan bobotnya karena absennya para pemain utama dari China, Korea Selatan, Indonesia, dan Malaysia. Namun satu ke-asyikan sendiri dalam mengamati kedua turnamen ini ialah kemunculan para pemain muda usia. Mereka memberikan peringatan awal bahwa mereka eksis dan di tahun-tahun mendatang akan menjadi bintang. Berikut adalah beberapa pemain Indonesia yang patut kita perhatikan:

1. Adrianti Firdasari

Firdasari adalah salah satu produk sukses dari Tim Uber Indonesia 2008. Saya melihat dia sebagai Susi Susanti Part II; dengan postur yang cukup tinggi dan jangkauan yang panjang membuat dia meng-cover lapangan dengan baik.... Buktinya? Firdasari berhasil menyingkirkan unggulan pertama Singapore Open 2008 Pi Hongyan dari Perancis... Sayang kiprahnya di Indonesia Open terhenti di babak pertama oleh Hwang Hye Youn dari Korea Selatan.

2. Pia Zebadiah Bernadet

Pia, yang adalah adik kandung pemain ganda putra kita Markis Kido, mengingatkan saya kepada Mia Audina. Posturnya yang agak kecil diimbangi dengan kelenturannya dalam menerima bola. Satu hal yang saya amati ialah kecerdikan dia menempatkan bola melalui pukulan-pukulan tipuan. Kecerdikannya inipun sempat dipuji oleh Susi Susanti, legenda bulutangkis Indonesia. Di Singapore Open 2008, Pia hampir saja memberikan kejutan dengan menundukkan unggulan ketiga Wnag Chen dari Hongkong.

3. Maria Kristin Yulianti

Membicarakan tunggal putri Indonesia tentu saja tidak lengkap tanpa menyebutkan Maria Kristin Yulianti. Kenapa? Di Indonesia Open, Maria berhasil menembus babak final dengan menundukkan Zhang Ning asal China. Di Final pun, dia memaksa unggulan pertama Lin Zhu bermain rubber-set. Jikalau saja lutut dia tidak bermasalah, bukan tak mungkin gelar Indonesia Open 2008 akan jatuh ke tanggan-nya.

4. Maria Febe Kusumastuti

Febe adalah pemain muda asal Klub Djarum. Dia sempat menjadi buah bibir di forum Badminton Central. Sempat memberikan perlawanan ketat, bahkan unggul 20-18 di set ketiga, Febe akhirnya harus mengakui keunggulan Pi Hongyan. Hampir saja Febe menambah mimpi buruk Pi akan pemain Indonesia. Saya percaya Maria Febe adalah salah satu tunggal putri masa depan Indonesia...

5. Vita Marisa / Lilyana Natsir

Vita dan Lili barangkali lebih ternama di nomor ganda campuran. Lilyana Natsir dengan Nova Widianto saat ini menempati posisi nomor 1 di dunia, sedangkan Vita Marissa bersama Flandy Limpele menduduki peringkat ke 4 dunia. Vita/Lili mengejutkan dunia dengan menundukkan ganda nomor 3 dunia Zhang Yawen/Wei Yili dari China di semifinal Indonesia Open sebelum akhirnya memastikan gelar juara dengan menundukkan Miyuki Maeda/Satoko Suetsuna dari Jepang. Hasil positif yang mudah-mudahan memberikan dorongan motivasi untuk ber-prestasi baik di Olimpiade Beijing 2008.

6. Greysia Polii / Jo Novita

Ganda Greysia Polii dan Jo Novita dikenal sebagai pasangan kecil-kecil cabe rawit. Dengan postur yang tidak cukup besar, hampir seluruh lapangan bisa di-cover dengan baik. Peringkat 16 dunia ini diharapkan bisa menjadi kejutan di masa yang akan datang.

7. Shendy Puspa Irawati / Meilina Jauhari

Pasangan ini memberikan kejuta besar di Indonesia Open 2008. Mereka menundukkan unggulan kedua Kumiko Ogura/Reiko Shiota asal Jepang di babak kedua, lalu mengalahkan unggulan kedelapan Ha Jung Eun/Kim Min Jung asal Korea Selatan sebelum akhirnya terhenti di babak semifinal oleh ganda Jepang Miyuki Maeda/Satoko Suetsuna. Hasil yang fantastis mengingat mereka hanya menempati posisi ke-27 dunia. Pasangan ini dideskripsikan di Badminton Central sebagai pasangan yang penuh dengan energy. Modal awal untuk meraih kesuksesan.

8. Sony Dwi Kuncoro / Simon Santoso

Dua pemain tunggal Indonesia ini sudah membuktikan diri bahwa mereka patut diperhitungkan, bukan saja dibawah bayang-bayang Taufik Hidayat. Sony keluar sebagai juara Indonesia Open sedangkan Simon menjadi runner up baik di Singapore maupun Indonesia Open. Bukan tidak mungkin apabila akhirnya PBSI memutuskan mengirimkan Sony dan Simon ke Olimpiade Beijing (Simon menggantikan Taufik yang belakangan ini kehilangan form terbaiknya).

Ronn (23 Juni 2008)

Sumber foto dan data:
- Mas Wawan
- Zhang Qi
- Badminton Central
- Badminton World Federation
- Tournament Software

Group Pictures with Player and Official

Singapore Open 2008 Men Singles Runner-Up Simon Santoso


One-Half of Singapore Open 2008 Mixed Double Winner Lilyana Natsir


Indonesian Thomas Cup 2002 Legend and Simon Santoso's Coach : Hendrawan

Simon Mollyhaus and Anthony Hanssen from Denmark

FPI = Pengacau Keamanan

Beberapa hari yang lalu terjadi kerusuhan di Monas, Jakarta. Massa Aliansi Kebangsaan untuk Kebebasan Beragama and Berkeyakinan (AKK-BB) yang sedang mengadakan aksi mereka diserbu oleh massa FPI. Puluhan korban jatuh, mulai dari luka lecet, dagu yang sobek, sampai geger otak. Terlepas dari isu yang dipermasalahkan oleh FPI, saya sungguh tidak melihat hak apa yang memperbolehkan mereka melakukan tindakan anarkis tersebut. Salah seorang FPI bahkan menyatakan mereka tidak perlu meminta izin dari polisi untuk membubarkan massa AKK-BB.

Hal ini membawa ingatan saya ke bulan Ramadhan. Bulan suci bagi kaum Muslim ini dirusak ke-khusyukan-nya oleh massa FPI yang melakukan sweeping ke tempat-tempat hiburan. Atas nama agama mereka melakukan perusakkan properti, rakyat sipil pun banyak yang menjadi korban. Pertanyaan sama yang akan saya tanyakan ialah apa hak mereka?

Apakah mereka tidak mengetahui Indonesia adalah negara hokum yang berasaskan Pancasila? Apakah mereka tidak mengetahui bahwa fungsi keamanan sipil adalah tanggung jawab dari POLRI? Apakah FPI tidak mengetahui bagaimana cara manusia yang ber-adab menyelesaikan konflik dan masalah: dengan kayu dan batu, ataukan dengan dialog yang membangun? Pertanyaan berikut apakah hal-hal tersebut patut dilakukan oleh orang yang mengaku dirinya beragama?

Menurut saya pribadi, apa yang dilakukan FPI sudah mempermalukan Indonesia dan Islam. Citra Indonesia sebagai negara demokrasi yang terbesar di dunia menjadi tercoreng. Hal ini tentu saja memperburuk stabilitas keamanan dan ekonomi. Di satu pihak kita ingin menciptakan iklim yang kondusif untuk pembangunan, di lain pihak hal-hal yang dilakukan oleh FPI mengirimkan sinyal mengenai lemahnya rule of law di Indonesia. Di sisi yang lain, citra Indonesia sebagai negara berpenduduk Muslim terbanyak di dunia juga tercoreng. Apakah ini Islam yang diajarkan oleh Nabi Muhammad SAW? Saya terus terang lebih menghormati Islam dari Muhammadiyah dan ICMI yang menekankan pendekatan scholar daripada yang katanya Pembela Islam tapi geradak-geruduk mengacaukan keamanan?

Apa Solusinya? Saya pikir hanya satu solusi. POLRI harus menindak tegas massa FPI, tangkap semua yang terlibat dalam kerusuhan Monas. Para “jagoan” jalanan itu harus diberi pelajaran yang setimpal dengan perbuatannya. Saya setuju dengan Sdri Eva Sundari dari komisi III DPR yang menyatakan FPI harus dibubarkan. Lepaskan isu agama, saya pikir`teman-teman Muslim akan juga bertanya, apa hak mereka membawa nama Islam?

Ronn

June 2^nd 2008

Environmentally Friendly Day

Thomas and Uber Cup

It has been 1 week plus since Thomas and Uber Cup Campaign 2008. As predicted, China re-claim both trophies. They beat Korea 3-1 in Thomas Final and Indonesia 3-0 in Uber Final. I must say that they do deserved the title. We can see a quality different, especially by their Uber team.

Anyway, in this post I would like to extend my congratulation to Indonesian Uber Cup Team, coming as 5th seeded, left as runner-up. Superb courage and determination shown by entire team. I watched the final match against China, two thumbs up should be shown to womens pair Lilyana Natsir/Vita Marissa. They play superbly on the third set, forces the Chinese pair to play 15-15 after trailing 2-12 earlier in the game. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was there in the final match up. He shown support to Maria Kristin and team. The presence of Susi Susanti, 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist, has boost the moral of the team. Friendship and togetherness as the team can be seen throughout the campaign.

Indonesia's Thomas Cup team did well until the semifinal round. Korean youngster team has made the history to go through to final for the first time since 1949.

Indonesian supporter has also done their best to transform Istora Senayan to the host's heaven. Support, yell was given throughout the campaign.

Enough saying, below is the picture collage (with pictures taken from many sources) of TEAM INDONESIA:

INDONESIA, Runner-Up UBER CUP 2008

INDONESIA, Semifinalist THOMAS CUP 2008

Hope for Indonesia

Lion Air Has Made Indonesian Proud

I used to have a very bad impression toward Lion Air, all the delay and inconvenience associated with it. But not anymore....

For the past two days, one of the Indonesian student forum was discussing cheap airfare from Singapore to Jakarta and of course we mentioned Lion Air, the largest budget carrier in South East Asia. Lion Air transporting more than million passengers yearly.

While aircraft and airline industry in Indonesia wasn't their best for the past few years: Accidents, the closure of Adam Air, banning of Indonesian airlines from landing in EU, and lastly downsizing of PT Dirgantara Indonesia, Indonesia's own aircraft manufacturing company. LION AIR HAS MADE INDONESIA PROUD as launching partner of Boeing 737-900ER, the newest series of single aisle passenger plane. Lion has ordered 60 planes to be deployed in connecting Jakarta, capital of Indonesia with various other big cities in the region.

What I'll say is.... WELL DONE LION AIR!!!.... what a great relief after so many unfortunate events.... More info click here

Recycling Do's and Dont's

Following materials was adopted from NEA leaflet titled Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

Acceptable for recycling:

1. Paper : Newspaper, computer printouts, writing paper, envelopes, brochures/pamplets, magazines, directories, books, cereal boxes, carton boxes, drink cartoons.

2. Can: Beverage cans (e.g. soft drink cans, soft drink bottles, beer cans) and steel cans (e.g. food cans)

3. Plastic: Mineral water bottles, soft drink bottles, juice bottles, detergent/milk containers

4. Glass: Glassware - jars, bottles, cups, bowls, containers

5. Clothes: All type of clothes

Not Acceptable for Recycling:

1. Paper: Paper contaminated by food waste, used tissue paper, sweet wrappers

2. Plastics: Used styrofoam and disposable plastic cups/containers

3. Glass: Light bulbs and window glass


When we don't recycle, we are wasting precious resources. But when we do, its amazing what they can be made into.

Remember: waste is not waste, waste is just misplaced resources...

Psalm 150

Praise the Lord
Praise God in this sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens

Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord

Why Have You Chosen Me by Roger Strader

Why have You chosen me out of millions Your child to be

You know all the wrongs that I have done

Oh how could You pardon me, forgive my iniquities

To save me give Jesus Your son



Reff:
But Lord help me be what You want me to be

Your word I will strive to obey

My life I now give, for You I will live

And walk by Your side all the way



I am amazed to know that a God so great could love me so

Is willing and wanting to bless

His love is so wonderful, His mercy so bountiful

I can't understand it I confess

Badminton Update

It has been quite a while when I updated this blog.....

so here we are... badminton update...

On the latest rank issue by BWF.... Indonesia shuttlers secured no 1 spot in men double and mixed double. Although both Markis/Hendra and Nova/Lili failed to win All England and Swiss super series... points they got from both tournament is enough for them to got number 1 position in the ranks....

Below are the ranks taken from BWF Website

1. Mixed Double


















2. Men Doubles


















3. Men Singles












4. Women Doubles


















5. Women Singles