Sura-Madu Bridge; The New Hope For East Java

Sura-Madu Bridge 5.438 kilometers connecting Surabaya city and Madura Island in East Java province will be the new icon of development for East Java. Sura-Madu will be the longest bridge in Indonesia and even in Shout-east Asia.
Sura-Madu bridge that connect Java island and Madura island is expected to gift benefit, merit and improvement to the people of Madura.
"Since the begining of the construction, we have to involve our relatives, community figures, experts and leaders in East Java area especially in Madura. It is due to our expectation of the growth of Madura Island by the establishment of Sura-Madu bridge later, weather it is at the industrial area, services area, and so on in the very begining we have to invite and also bring the improvement to them.

There must be no distance in the expanding effort of Madura, because they are the real agent of establishment. And it may be united between their hope and wishes with our awareness and also the cooperation between central and local government, private and university side. It will produce a good synergy. We build Sura-Madu bridge for the interset of our people" said The President of Indonesia Mr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

"We want Surabaya and Madura becoming more progressive, the people becoming more prosperous, without leaving behind the good aspect. Both religious and custom aspect" the President said.

Public Works Minister, Mr Djoko Kirmanto said that hopefully Sura-Madu bridge, the longest bridge in Indonesia would be inaugurated by the President on June 10th 2009.

The construction contract for the building of the bridge was signed on September 24th, 2004 between China and Indonesia. And the construction work began in a year after, October 2005.

"All aspecs of the toll road have been met, the government still has yet to determine the company that will manage the operational of the bridge" The Minister said.

The bridge is one of the most significant cooperative projects between China and Indonesia. With the closing process completion and the bridge in operation, the bridge can provide smooth traffic for both Surabaya people and also Madura residents. And make its own contributions to the local economic and social development.

"With the great efforts made by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, the main contractor, I am sure that the bridge can pe complete and operate on time" the Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto said earlier.

Picture from: Suramadu.com

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World Ocean Conference 2009

The World Ocean Conference(WOC) would be held on May 11 to May 16 in Manado, North Sulawesi Indonesia. The expected output from the WOC 2009 is the formal adoption of the Manado Ocean Declaration to e followed by action plan and the establishment of the World Ocean Forum.
The world need to be aware of the importance of oceans, and the World Ocean Conference 2009 will discuss oceans in relation to global climate change. Indonesia hopes the conference of over 120 nations will produce a tangible outcomes to assist its 17000 islands in countering the impact of global warming.

Geographically, Indonesia archipelago consists of 73 percent water and 27 percent land. With more than 17480 islands and coastline stretches as far as 95181 kilometers, which is mean the fourth longest coastline globally after Canada, the United States, and Russia.

The impact of global warming will become very evident as we are an archipelagic state. Increasing temperature will causes the ice pole melt and which will significantly impact our thousands of islands. coral reefs will be killed because of undesirable sea condition. The marine life relying on this reefs are also killed.

Indonesia has huge potential marine and fishery industries. That's why with WOC 2009 and the Coral Triangle Iniciative(CTI) 2009 summit in Manado North Sulawesi hope the global community will become more aware of the importance of oceans to the lives of human being.

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Stop Exchange Kisses...!!! ; In Anti - Swine Flu Drive!

Swine flu has not yet hit Lebanon but is threatening a national custom there. Lebanese should stop greeting each other with kisses to the cheek.
According to Reuters Health Minister Mohammad Khalifeh told a news conference called to explain measures to tackle the potential spread of the deadly strain.
" If you visit someone, don't ex-change kisses....Let's stop the social kissing habit," the Health Minister said. Lebanese have long greeted each other with three kisses to the cheek.

Other measures include keeping school children with flu at home and avoiding travel to countries where the viruses has appeared.
The new strain of swine flu has killed at least 150 people in Mexico. Israel, which borders Lebanon to the south, confirmed a case of the virus.

From: Reuters
Picture: The Huffington Post

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Swine Flu....The Global Pandemic

All Countries in the world moved quickly to protect themselves as Swine Flu spread throughout the world. Here are some reactions and responses to the growing outbreak all over the world:

- WHO officials said that the health body had been informed on about April 9 of unusual cases of suspicious influenza from Mexico that had begun in late March 2009.

- The first death occurred in southern Oaxaca state Mexico on April 13, 2009.

- Dr Miguel Angel Lezana, Mexico's chief epidemiologist, alerted Pan American Health Organizations on April 16 about alarming occurrence of flu and a typical pneumonia in Mexico.

- US and Canadians laboratories identified the virus on april 24. WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said the outbreak of the never-bfore-seen virus has pandemic potential. But she said that it is still too early to tell if it would become a pandemic.

- Officials believe that Edgar Hernandez, 5 years old, of La Gloria in Mexico's Veracruz state, may have been the first person in Mexico to become infected with the disease.

- South Korea reported on April 28 its first probable case of swine flu after positive preliminary tests on a woman who has just returned from a trip to Mexico

- Mexico ordered restaurants to limit service to takeout as part of a citywide shut down to help contain the spread of swine flu.

- Pakistan has taken precautionary measures at airports and sea ports to monitor the swine flu virus. No case has been reported in any part of the country.

- The Argentine National Migration office decided that all employees in international airports in Argentina must wear facemasks meanwhile the government canceled all inbound flights from Mexico until May 4 among other measures to prevent swine flu from spreading in Argentina.

- Mexico's government kept the country's public venues locked down as it grappled with the new strain of swine flu that is suspected to have killed more than 150 people.

- Three cases of swine flu have now been confirmed in Germany, the latest European country to be hit by the increasingly global outbreak.

- Peru began monitoring passengers on flights from Mexico with swine flu symptoms.

- Countries worldwide have ramped up their border and airport checks and many are advising against non-essential travel to areas where the virus has been found, especially Mexico on April 30, 2009.

- On May 1, 2009 WHO announcement that it was raising the Swine Flu alert to Stage 5, or Pandemic status, is meant as a serious warning that we need to mobilize resources to confront this threat.

Until now Swine Flu is suspected of killing more than people and sickening more than 2400 in Mexico. And US health officials have confirmed 91 cases in 10 states.

Quote from: - The Huffington Post
- FT.com

Picture from: The Huffington Post

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Cycling And Its Benefits

Cycling is one of the few physical activities which can be undertaken by majority of people as part of a daily routine.

Here are some of the benefit of cycling:

- Cycling is mainly an aerobic activity. This is beneficial to the lungs which expand to push as much oxygen into the body as possible.

- The heart which beats faster to transport this oxygen around your body. A strong heart and powerful lungs form the basis of general fitness.

- According to the expertise, cycling at least 32 Km per week reduces the risk of coronary heart disease to less than half that for non-cyclist. Cycling at gentle 19-20 Km/h on a flat road uses 450 Kcal per hour.

- It is also claimed that cycling raises the speed of your metabolism for hours afterward, so your body continues to burn calories even after cycling.

- With Cycling leg strength also improved. This is more important than it seems because leg strength improves other mobility by allowing people to get out of chairs more easily, and helps older people especially avoid falls and the broken bones or other injuries associated with them. Include reducing serious injuries caused by fall in older people, osteoporosis, and hip fracture.

- Cycling also releases what are known as endorphins into your blood. These are create a feeling of contentment and happiness, therefore helping to reduce stress and make you feel younger. Naturally, if you ride your bike in pleasant surroundings, your contentment level will be even greater.

There are so many benefits we have from cycling. That's why from this article I suggest to you to start cycling. And if you've already started, just keep cycling and make a community in your surrounding area.

Happy cycling

Quote from: www.cobr.co.uk

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Congratulation to Democratic Party

Congratulation to Democratic Party as the result of quick count from several independent polling agencies placed the Democratic Party as the winner in general election 2009. The Democratic are the winning party with the most number of votes.
Now, we wait for all your promises as Democratic had said in the campaigns.

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Wawancara Dengan Pemenang Pemilu Indonesia 2009

Pesta Demokrasi atau Pemilu tahun 2009 berjalan dengan lancar, aman dan damai. Apakah Ini merupakan cermin dari langkah maju bagi perjalan proses demokrasi di negara ini? Atau sebaliknya, jangan-jangan masyarakat sudah mulai menganggap bahwa ini adalah suatu "peristiwa biasa yang tidak penting" bagi perjanan hidup mereka ke depan. Sehingga tidak ada lagi antusiasme dan semangat dari rakyat untuk terlibat. Alias datar-datar saja yang mereka rasakan. Dan memang sepertinya tidak ada kepentingan rakyat di dalamnya...
Berkaitan dengan penyelenggaraan pesta pora demokrasi tersebut, terlepas dari penting dan tidak pentingnya moment tersebut bagi rakyat, berikut ini adalah petikan dari "wawancara imajiner" antara saya (S) dengan pemenang(P) pesta demokrasi tahun 2009 yang berlangsung tanggal 9 April 2009.

(S): Selamat atas keberhasilannya meraih prosentase suara tertinggi di Pemilu th 2009 ini.
(P): Terima kasih, saya merasa hal ini dalah sesuatu yang biasa-biasa aja.tidak istimewa.
(S): Bukankah ini adalah suatu pencapaian yang hebat. mampu mengalahkan partai-partai besar seperti PDIP, Golkar, Demokrat yang lebih terorganisir dan partai-partai kuda hitam seperti PKS, Gerindra, PAN, atau PKB yang lebih ber semangat?
(P): Ah...Kita menjadi terbanyak karena rakyat juga yang lebih pinter milih.
(S): Apa kira-kira yang menjadi rahasianya?
(P): Tidak pakai rahasia-rahasiaan. Juga tidak pakai strategi khusus. Semuanya mengalir begitu saja. Natural selection. Dari rakyat, oleh rakyat dan untuk rakyat juga.
(S): Atau mungkin terikat dengan suatu koalisi tertentu yang marak di antara partai-partai peserta Pemilu th 2009 ini?
(P): Nggak....nggak ada koalisi yang pakai istilah golden-goldenan. Tidak juga dengan poros-porosan.....kita cukup satu warna saja. Atau malah nggak pake warna...
(S): Wahh...kalau begitu...pasti menghabiskan dana yang tidak sedikit untuk jadi pemenang. Soalnya, yang kalah aja menghamburkan biaya bermilyar-milyar?!
(P): Tidak ada biaya besar...bisa dikatakan nol...alias tanpa biaya....!
(S): Ati-ati dengan KPK loh pak...kalau tidak jujur dengan biaya kampanye....
(S): Benar....!!! Saya tidak bohong..!!!Semuanya serba nunut.
(P): Loh...kok....????
(S): Iya...nunut dari media cetak, elektronik, dan semua media masa yang ada....! Bahkan juga kita menjadi semakin besar dan menguat karena kontribusi dari semua partai-partai peserta pemilu......Ini semua juga karena segala pesta pora yang dilakukan mereka semua menjelang pemilu, yang mereka sebut sebagai kampanye. Padahal kata seorang budayawan kondang lebih tepat kalau disebut "karnaval". Bukan kampanye. Ahh...memang benar-benar sebuah pesta pora demokrasi yang sangat mahal, menghambur-hamburkan duit, lucu, konyol dan mungkin sekejap menghibur rakyat. Dengan panggung-panggung hiburan penuh dengan artis-artis yang cantik, uang yang dibagi-bagi, sembako, makanan kecil, kaos-kaos gratis untuk dipakai sehari-hari, dan malah ada yang bagi-bagi ongkos naik haji segala....!!? Tapi tentu saja.... itu semua semakin menguntungkan bagi kita. Menguatkan kita..!
(S): Kok bisa.....
(P): Ya...iya..lah.....rakyat jadi semakin tahu lewat kampanye-kampanye yang berdana sangat mahal tersebut semua komentar-komentar lucu dan memprihatinkan dari semua Parpol. Semua kebohongan-kebohongan berupa kontrak-kontrak politik, janji-janji kosong untuk rakyat yang mereka sampaikan berulang-ulang..... dari pemilu ke pemilu. Mereka memperlakukan rakyat seakan-akan rakyat adalah objek bodoh yang bisa dibodohi dengan seenaknya mulut mereka. Rakyat yang dianggap "bodoh" itu sekarang ngerti kalau ternyata ada yang lebih "bodoh" dari pada mereka. Yang lagi mengharapkan sesuatu dari keterwakilan mereka berupa hak suara di Pemilu.
(S): Jadi Pak.......(tanpa mampu menahan cerocos dari yang diwawancarai)..
(P): Jadi...(dengan suara semakin meninggi) rakyat akhirnya menjadi penguasa dari diri mereka sendiri...dengan tidak memberikan haknya untuk memilih salah satu dari peserta Pemilu.....dengan begitu mungkin akan sedikit mengurangi kekesalan mereka dan keputus asa-an mereka melihat sepak terjang dari "wakil rakyat" yang kahir-akhir ini semakin memprihatinkan dan memalukan!!!!!...(emosi)
(S) : Loh... bukannya Bapak juga salah satu parpol peserta Pemilu 2009....???(bingung).
(P): Maaf mas....tolong dicatat. Saya memang mewakili pemenang pemilu 2009 ini, tapi saya bukan parpol peserta pemilu 2009...!!!
(S): Mana mungkin Pak...???
(P): Mungkin saja...kita kan nggak milih....Bruakkkk...!!!! Kata orang kita ini Golput.....!!!(orang tersebut sambil memukul meja keras-keras).
Kerasnya suara pukulan itu mengakhiri wawancara tersebut dan sekaligus pula membangunkan saya dari tidur siang di hari minggu ini......Eeee...ternyata wawancara tadi itu cuman mimpi di siang bolong rek...!!??(garuk-garuk ke
pala).

Catatan:
- Postingan/tulisan ini semata-mata hasil dari buah mimpi tidur di siang hari, tanpa sama sekali bermaksud untuk mempengaruhi golongan tertentu atau masyarakat luas untuk berpihak atau condong ke salah satu parpol atau golongan, atau.....(waduh cek angele..??!!) atau ngajak-ngajak golput....
- Gunakan hak pilih anda dengan baik, benar, dan bertanggung jawab, untuk ikut menentukan arah perjalanan Bangsa Indonesia ke depan. Satu suara anda akan sangat bermakna bagi terciptanya perubahan menuju Indonesia baru yang lebih baik. Dan itu bisa kita mulai dari sini(pemilu 2009). Ingat.....perjalanan panjang 1000 mil, selalu dimulai dari satu langkah kaki terlebih dahulu..... ( cuilee.....kayak omongannya caleg..hehehe)


Salam contreng.

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