tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-130159862011-12-14T09:43:10.697-08:00A blog for personal opinions of Agusti Anwar on various issues. The range includes Indonesian, global issues, the world of Islam, diplomacy, culture and otherAgusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comBlogger391100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-90992414273992383612008-11-04T21:34:00.005-08:002008-11-04T22:17:16.444-08:00

Today's November 4 election has brought about the new leader of the United States of America: Barack Obama.As much as it is a historic moment for the US, it also is for the world. "Yes we can!" said Obama; and change is in America.I know many friends who are avid supporters of Obama, old and young, wanting for a change. Congratulation for a dream comes true.We all hope that Obama arrival in the

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-61193092431139979692008-11-01T18:59:00.003-07:002008-11-01T19:18:42.845-07:00

November 4, 2008 is the time. The 2008 election. American voters would decide the new president of this great country.The world is observing; some anticipation. John McCain or Barack Obama---both are new to the world. Both the US and the world are hoping for the best president to sit in the oval office.So much is expected. This Tuesday, the time to tell. Both candidates have had their chances to

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-70636554766403930042008-05-26T21:46:00.004-07:002008-05-26T22:06:10.732-07:00

Effective May 23, US travel warning for Indonesia has been lifted, making the country a prospective destination for more US tourists.The announcement of this positive decision was made by US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron R. Hume as stated by in a press release of the Embassy in Jakarta on May 25.Indeed, Indonesia is a safe country and has made a lot of progress in strengthening security and

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-16196239317783018802008-04-09T16:31:00.007-07:002008-04-09T17:06:44.878-07:00

This title may lead you to think of something serious or big.It is not! It has nothing to do with, say, Iraq or Iran, oil carter or even Bloomberg. It's just about a dream I had last night. The story is, that in my dream, oil price hike was so devastating that we all have to line in long queue to buy gasoline.This is the United States the whereabout I am talking about. In California, with

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-29566245737900082152007-11-29T21:28:00.002-08:002008-04-09T17:03:27.736-07:00

Killing in our world, either in the past or even at present, have taken many toll roads. Wars killed so many. Disasters took so much lives. Epidemics afflicted people worldwide. AIDS is still at the top chart of one of the deadliest.UNAIDS estimate for this year is 33 million people are infected with HIV. The number of AIDS death was 2.1 million in 2006. This year, UNAIDS estimated about 2.5

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-82071678430386131972007-11-08T15:49:00.001-08:002008-12-11T04:16:06.924-08:00

2008?It is coming soon. You can have plenty of things to do. But, travelling to Indonesia may be one of best choices there is.Yes, I am saying this because I am an Indonesian. But, if you have visited the country, you know what I mean. Even if you haven't, this is a valid invitation.The thing is, 2008 is also a good timing since the Department of Tourism and Culture set it as the Visit Indonesia

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-82467505053083495722007-11-07T00:49:00.000-08:002007-11-07T12:12:10.175-08:00

When in one occasion I learned how worry the Marshall Islands leaders about the devastating risks of global warming, or to be precise, sea-level rise, I did feel it deeply. It was not that long ago, just the year 2001.I was there in Majuro, the capital of this tiny, remote country in the middle of the Pacific ocean, after flying long hours from Honolulu. When I finally reached the main island and

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-74269495090699553242007-08-29T18:36:00.001-07:002008-12-11T04:16:07.198-08:00

If you are into sailing, or even if you are not, visiting the Indonesian tall ship Dewaruci currently docking at the Pine Ave Pier of Long Beach, is worth doing. This is a historic navy training ship of Indonesia. The ship was built in Germany in 1952 and since then has sailed every part of the water world. This is some information about Dewaruci:The tall ship KRI Dewaruci is visiting the port

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-66048917644147968462007-08-15T16:26:00.000-07:002008-12-11T04:16:07.605-08:00

It's been a while since my new entry was in. People do get moody, or perhaps, busy. Whatever the excuse, I wrote nothing in this blog for almost six months.An now is August. Is it about the birthday, or; yes, but please not about mine. It is the birthday of the nation. Of Indonesia---August 17. Sixty two years old now, since 1945.That is old enough for a man, but is much too young for a nation.

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-49386155925651611182007-02-10T21:49:00.000-08:002007-02-10T22:20:47.429-08:00

It's realpolitik, they say.The state of relations among nations can be just as simple as an "Egghunt" episode involving two cavemen. The day starts with a search for food (resources), onerous efforts to get hold of it, the risks and failures.And challenges; threat perception; insecurity. The fight.But, every man is the captive of his own prejudice. Of which, may not necessarily be true.Below is

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-81526285100518792352007-02-05T19:42:00.000-08:002007-02-07T17:08:56.653-08:00

It is, unfortunately, flooding in Jakarta currently. Below, you'll see a flood, not of water, but faces. Can you spot yours?Yes, I spotted Tino Buntic's headshot in mybloglog yesterday. Ah, he made it here, ha, that massive 2000 bloggers project. He added this blog already. Thanks Tino!There are, how many?, about 55 million bloggers globally. And 2000 bloggers will be listed there. Simply because

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-1261481228783667522007-01-28T21:32:00.000-08:002007-10-30T16:29:16.229-07:00

The job ridiculing a country can pay handsomely. More than that, you can even get a trophy of an international commendation. So far, a Golden Globe award, that is. We will still wait and see about Oscar. This may not work for everyone though. But, at least, it works for Borat Sagdiyev, or, to be precise, Sacha Baron Cohen. Movie goers from all over the world must have all known him by now. Some

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-46510588280667655342007-01-27T14:57:00.000-08:002007-01-29T15:09:53.244-08:00

How will travel change you?That is the question in a frequently-printed advertisement of the L.A. Times leading to a gala event of travel and adventure show in February.Sure, the picture pasted in that ad shows a man wearing a suit paired with a pinned nose bone the Maori way; or a woman wearing a sea shell bra and long lei necklace. The gist is obvious: we surely adopt something as a result of

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-192191360379940452007-01-21T17:27:00.000-08:002007-01-27T19:25:22.181-08:00

Briefly my friends, this entry refers to A. Fatih Syuhud an Budi Putra, two Indonesian bloggers with their own reputation. Well, to be exact about it, this is more about those Indonesian bloggers who blog in English.I read the entry by Budi, How the Fatih Syhud Way Plays, and fully agree with him on his view regarding the energy shown by Fatih to encourage Indonesians to blog in the most

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-23775629930747043442007-01-19T18:32:00.000-08:002008-12-11T04:16:07.959-08:00

Do you like classical music; those of Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Brahms, Debussy, Schriabin or even Barber the American composer?If you don't---preferring the electric hip hop pop or other instead---imagine to get a Doctorate of Musical Arts in classical piano performance? That is Christine Utomo, a shy looking pianist completing her top-level doctoral education at the University of Southern

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-86060182429460848402006-12-31T22:18:00.000-08:002007-01-01T10:56:24.874-08:00

There are two deaths marking the end of 2006.They are not related; even contradictory. History tells them in a starkly different way. But, both were leaders in their own time. That is fair.First is the passing away of a great American president Gerald Ford. He is a leader known in his country quite fondly. Ford might not be as popular as several American presidents, some even saw him as an '

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-69198650656392981942006-12-18T21:07:00.000-08:002006-12-23T09:47:58.765-08:00

The Los Angeles Times, Sunday edition of 17 December published an interesting article about an Indonesian Quran reciter, a qoriah, Maria Ulfah. The piece, Her Koran Recitals Says A Lot, is authored by John Glionna, the Times staff writer, who has written several stories about Indonesia, in collaboration with Dinda Jouhana, the correspondence in Indonesia.The article is very interesting

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-76866160001423806172006-12-17T18:17:00.000-08:002008-12-11T04:16:08.154-08:00

Diplomacy of the world has no longer being the formal playing ground for diplomats only. Image of a country is not represented solely by the gallant posture of ambassadors, or, state leaders. Diplomacy requires more now.There is this old saying in diplomacy that a diplomat was sent abroad to lie for his country. Well, this expression is not that old really, not from the Socrates era or other. In

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-71980418446663379852006-12-15T18:28:00.000-08:002006-12-17T12:19:14.037-08:00

A friend posted a song clip by Sammi Yusuf, Ya Ommi, or 'O Mother' which brings a very deep feeling to me. The tune is not extraordinary, but the lyric and the way Yusuf sings it brings tears down.If your beloved mother already passed away, the song could really go far down to your deepest heart.As a Muslim, of which Islam put mother so high, even three times higher than father, the state of

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-15201641950402252462006-12-13T12:01:00.000-08:002008-12-11T04:16:08.283-08:00

Gist---it is selfish for senior bloggers to neglect their juniors.Recently, the issue of commenting or not commenting on bloggers' entry has again been debated in several quarters of Indonesian bloggers. This is not a new question, but came up again all the same. The accusers most likely come from the so-called newbies, while the accused are those more experienced and high-traffic bloggers.This

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-89840192769407650082006-12-03T20:01:00.000-08:002006-12-04T20:44:50.593-08:00

Just visited the Shamu show of San Diego's Sea World early November. My two little girls were all blushed with joy. They really did love the show and still talked about it. Surely, this killer whale attraction is excellent; no comparison. The sheer size of the whales is by itself an attraction, let alone the tricks they are performing. There the image of 'Free Willy' came alive.But then, there is

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-49205155264336014492006-11-25T15:58:00.000-08:002006-11-25T20:43:14.709-08:00

I am no Filipino, new in LA and, more, know little about hip hop music spawning among the young now. I am just too old, that could be a fact. But, reading the front page of the Los Angeles Times of Thursday, 22 November 006, “Filipinos' Hip-hop Anthem” by David Pierson, has really lured me to know more. Yes, it is about the 'Bebot' song of the Black Eyed Peas which brings the Tagalog language to

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-65025422976143745822006-11-20T13:24:00.000-08:002006-11-23T21:47:05.646-08:00

What a hectic thing to do about this moving away. Departing to another side of the globe, that is America, consumed all my energy since the very start. There included the completing of travel papers, the family frenzy, that packing and cargo handling, all that long hour flight of a twenty hour endurance plus transit stop over, and at last the arrival at the LAX, Los Angeles international airport.

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-1163700531951386522006-11-16T09:50:00.000-08:002006-11-25T21:00:42.947-08:00

How do you start liking the works of a singer?The music---that is mostly the answer; or the voice, the lyric, the style and so on. Every bit of them mixed together is perhaps the reason I start liking Tompi's songs.As a new, groovy comer in the Indonesian music industry, Tompi is one of those popular singers whose debut attracted increasing attention. Particularly for those who like jazz- or

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-1161506691744494522006-10-22T01:29:00.000-07:002006-11-25T15:58:39.810-08:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters,I am wishing you all the best upon the completion of Ramadhan and the arrival of Syawal.May all we hope that this Ramadhan has been a true blessing while awaiting for the next.Minal Aidin Wal Faidzin.Let us all strengthen the ukhuwah of the world of Islam.

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-1158804908608612272006-09-20T19:08:00.000-07:002006-11-19T02:11:10.363-08:00

THE FASTING month of Ramadhan which is dear to all Muslims has come again. Indeed, time elapses. The visit of Ramadhan, that is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is one of such moments that marks the process of time; that we have again come to another cycle of life and grown older. There is a sincere feeling of closeness to the Creator in such point in time.The arrival of this Ramadhan now

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-1155733012171728502006-08-16T05:48:00.000-07:002006-11-25T20:54:35.616-08:00

In Indonesia, every August is the month of festival as a nation-state. It is about the Independence Day of 17 August. Early in the month, or even since late July, the mood of national celebration has, in a way, always been started. Everywhere you go, you will find flag vendors, the stand-by or roving ones. The national flags, the red and white, blow with the wind in every size. There are the

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-1154860665500040112006-08-06T03:31:00.000-07:002006-08-06T03:44:04.800-07:00

This is an intro of the article written by A. Fatih Syuhud for the Global Voices Online:"Echoing the international media headlines on current conflicts in the Middle East between Israel-Lebanon and Israel-Palestine, Indonesian bloggers post similar topics with various comments and responses; pros and cons, supports and condemnation to either sides. Among Indonesian Muslims bloggers, condemnation

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-1154514541116892722006-08-02T03:16:00.000-07:002006-08-03T20:39:48.903-07:00

Here is the Press Release of the Indonesian Government strongly condemning the atrocities launched by Israel in Southern Lebanon on Sunday, 30 July 2006: 31 Jul 2006 11:31The Indonesian Government strongly condemns the criminal act of Israeli forces that goes beyond humanity(No. 53/PR/VII/2006)1. The Indonesian Government strongly condemns the criminal act that goes beyond humanity that was

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-1154431152196676092006-08-01T04:03:00.000-07:002006-11-19T02:17:30.890-08:00

I was deeply touched and almost cried reading a column by Akmal Sjafril, a young and vivid blogger, entitled “Prajurit Yang Berada di Garis Belakang” (The Soldiers in the Backline) calling for Muslims to join rank, contributing whatever they can to support the suffering Muslims in the Middle East. His immediate reference is the ongoing atrocities undergoing by Israel. His calling is about

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-1154322492598840482006-07-30T21:41:00.000-07:002006-07-31T00:29:00.376-07:00

AP PHOTO/NASSER NASSERFoto Anak Libanon Kompas 31 Juli 2006See more photos on Israel's Atrocity at PeduliPalestina.ISRAEL has done more wrong every day now. Attack in Qana, Libanon, is counting death toll and casualties. Children are killed or wounded. Aggression for domination, the strategy taken by Israel now, does not only complicate the chance for peace, but also ensure wider spread of

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-1151406345755911442006-06-27T03:59:00.000-07:002006-11-19T02:18:10.972-08:00

In Indonesia, there is a Batak’s proverb: “bamboo trees that grow together ram into one another”. Such conventional wisdom bounds to rule neighbors. By virtue of geographical situation, Indonesia and Australia are two countries living together for eternity. There is no exit to such thing. Both have just to deal with it. It is a roll-coaster ride, probably, but opts for the best.That is why the

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-1151036444404340242006-06-22T21:16:00.000-07:002006-06-28T00:48:55.926-07:00

Perhaps, one of the most catchy and eloquent inventions of modern phrases is disclaimer. The origin is France, so I read. But, what is it really, anyway? You said something and then disclaim it?The fact is, this is indeed a rather contradictory expression. The world as we know now is commonly understood as the place of human living in or even faithfully practicing greed. It is about claiming more

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-1151036038257234522006-06-22T20:49:00.000-07:002006-11-19T02:18:47.269-08:00

Why this question?---maybe you ask.Writing in English in your blog or homepage is just a natural thing, of course. But that is for English-speaking, or for that matter, -writing, persons. When your mother tongue is something else, you will most probably write in your own language. And that is Indonesian for me. (Mind you, it is not bahasa as commonly mistaken, but bahasa Indonesia. Bahasa simply

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-1146203496473873042006-04-27T22:49:00.000-07:002006-04-27T22:58:11.760-07:00

By: Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono The Jakarta Post, 28 April 2006Muslims capable of driving globalism Islam is all about revelation, about enlightenment, about liberation, about empowerment. That was true at the time of our beloved Prophet Muhammad. And that is true today.But sadly, while we rejoice in seeing pockets of progress and prosperity throughout the Muslim world, we still see pockets of

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-1140675767811172982006-02-22T22:08:00.000-08:002006-06-15T23:22:16.930-07:00

By: Susilo Bambang YudhoyonoFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2006, JAKARTA. The distasteful cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, first published in Denmark in September 2005 and subsequently reproduced in other media, continue to spark a chain of reactions ranging from peaceful protest to violence in many Muslim communities.The international community must work together to put out this fire. A good start would

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-1134546673024585292005-12-13T22:45:00.000-08:002005-12-14T20:19:26.853-08:00

By Agusti AnwarOn 14 December 2005, in Kuala Lumpur, East Asian leaders were having a summit meeting for the first time. This inaugural East Asia summit is certainly high in the regional agenda, being the latest development made by the region.Attending the meeting were not only the usual ASEAN+3 countries which involve the ten Southeast Asian countries along with China, Japan and the Republic of

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-1122371078702317612005-07-26T02:28:00.000-07:002005-07-26T02:44:38.713-07:00

Indonesia has just convened an initiative within the framework of Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), called the "BaliInterfaith Dialogue". This Dialogue was held in Bali on 21-22 July 2005, co-hosted with the UK, co-sponsored by 10 other ASEM partners and attended by almost 200 participants from Asia and Europe.The Dialogue was a success. A number of international and national newspapers from Asia and

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13015986.post-1116475616495117502005-05-18T20:57:00.000-07:002005-05-18T21:06:56.503-07:00

Agusti Anwar The recently held Special ASEAN Leaders Meeting on the Aftermath of Earthquake and Tsunamis of 6 January 2005 is a peak of regional and international efforts to deal with the natural catastrophe befalling a dozen of countries in the Indian Ocean rim. The Jakarta emergency summit was the avenue for committing international solidarity, measuring the magnitude of

Agusti Anwarnoreply@blogger.com