Tiger Cup 2002: Indonesia Goes To Final Round

Indonesia finally will go through the final round of Tiger Cup 2002 after defeating Malaysia 1 - 0 in the semi-final at the Gelora Senayan Jakarta. Indonesian striker, Bambang Pamungkas, scores the only goal in the middle of the second half finishing cross-pass from Zainal Arif.

In Sunday's final, Indonesia will meet Thailand which defeated Vietnam 4 - 0 before Indonesia's match. Will Indonesia be the winner of this event? Let's pray for that! And once again, bravo Indonesia! :)

Cult Claims Birth of First Human Clone

It's a girl. I think this is a great achievement for science. But still I hope that this cloning technology will not be utilized by the wrong people.

Related links:
» 'It's a girl!': cult claims first human clone - ABC Online
» World's first human clone born - Ananova
» Raelian sect claims human clone born - Daily News
» Religious Sect Say It Will Announce the First Cloned Baby - New York Times

Tiger Cup Semi-finals: Indonesia vs Malaysia

This will be a full prestige match as conflict of Sipadan-Ligitan between them. While Malaysia won the Sipadan-Ligitan conflict, I hope this time would have been Indonesia's turn. Bravo Indonesia!

Stella Award - Most Frivolous Lawsuit

In 1994, a New Mexico jury awarded $2.9 million in damages to 81-year-old Stella Liebeck, who suffered third-degree burns by spilling a cup of McDonald's coffee on herself. It then inspires the annual Stella Awards for the most frivolous lawsuit. I have no idea how could it be happen like that, but in the Stella Award Candidates you will find some other funny cases like that.

Who Have Ever Ruled Your Country?

Rulers.org is a website with the task of listing every leader of every country in the world. For example on the section for Indonesia, you will see who have ruled Indonesia since the end of 17 century --as Netherlands East Indies. I think this site will particularly be an amazing reference-site for researchers or students to take its advantages. But to maintain the site, they will need money. Hopefully they will be able to keep their site alive.

Layla and Majnun

I have heard the fame of Layla and Majnun many times but never read it by myself. So I was happy when I found the translation of Layla and Majnun in a bookstore in Jakarta about 2 weeks ago.

This is the story of Layla, the desert beauty, and Majnun, the madman; two lovers which are separated against their will, and struggle with their fate until the story's tragic ending. The story is both entertaining and original throughout. The original literature is written by Nizami in 12th century classical Persian poem. But in this translation book, it is adapted to prose version by Dr. Colin Turner, a lecturer in Persian and Islamic studies at Durham University in the UK.

Eric Clapton fans may be interested to know that his song, Layla, was inspired by this tale.

USA Intelligence Agencies Revealed

Uruguayan EP-FA congressman Jose Bayardi says he has information that far-reaching plans have been put into operation by the CIA and other North American intelligence agencies to overthrow Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias within the next 72 hours.

Bayardi says he does not foresee any immediate foreign military intervention in the Venezuelan situation but warns of a possible escalation if the opposition gets the upper hand over constitutional law and order.

"The problem is that Venezuelan television and major newspapers have been hiding the true fact that there are huge popular uprisings in support of the Chavez Frias government ... now that Venezuelans are beginning to understand that they have been duped by the anti-government media, they are demanding that these information channels should begin to tell the truth!"

I think, manipulating the press is SOP in any campaign to destabilize/overthrow an elected leader in another country. It reminds me how Indonesian Gus Dur had finally out of his presidential in 2001 after vehemently attacked by the press.

I Want To Kiss You Once

Aku Ingin Menciummu Sekali Saja (I Want To Kiss You Once) is an excellent innovative feature film created by the Indonesian renowned director Garin Nugroho. The film features the landscape and culture of Papua (easternmost of Indonesia). "Papuan landscape and culture have not been featured in fiction thoroughly as if it's in the context of news," said Garin. The film tells about the love story between a young sixteen year old Papuan boy Arnold (Oktavianus Rysiat Muabuai) who falls in love with Kasih (Lulu Tobing), a 26 year old Javanese girl who comes to Papua to teach. He suddenly has the intention to kiss her.

"Papua is a vast terrain, rich in geopolitic aspects, yet hasn't been contained adequately in the context of cinema and television. In this film I try to surface contemporary Papuan issues related to cultural identity and human rights in the course of regional autonomy," added Garin. This film is entirely taken in Papua for twelve days, and use mostly Papuan actors and actresses. Surprisingly, according to Garin, Papuans have excellent acting capabilities (the audition gathered around 60 Papuans).

All in all, this film, planned to have launch in December 28th 2002, is a good example of innovation. It must be watched by every Indonesians who care enough about humanity in this region. One last message from Garin states "The message is that no matter what colour your skin is, we all have red blood. We are all the same... love can cross all borders of race and culture..."

-- via Sigit

Happy Idul Fitri 1 Syawal 1423 H



I'm very happy I can see you again in this happy and joyful moment. After passing the whole blessed fasting month, hope it's never too late to celebrate this holy month. And to all friends, the readers of this site, and everyone, I'm begging you from the bottom of my heart to open your white-hand to forgive all of my going and coming bads. May Idul Fitri brings us back to the day when we're born, the day when we're nothing than a peace of white and clean paper, the day when the sun rising and shining the dawn. Amin