Indian rocket blasts into space carrying 10 satellites

04/28/08 11:49

Bangalore, India (ANTARA News) - An Indian rocket blasted into space Monday carrying a cluster of 10 satellites, state-run television showed, in a mission marking a milestone for the country's 45-year-old space programme.

The PSLV rocket lifted off at 9:20 am (0350 GMT) from the Sriharikota space station in southern India in clear weather, AFP reported.

The rocket is carrying an unprecedented payload including an Indian remote-sensing satellite, a mini satellite and eight so-called nanosatellites developed by German and Canadian research institutions.

The satellites are to be deployed in orbit within minutes of each other in a rare space feat, said public broadcaster Doordarshan which televised the launch live.

Officials: 31 polygamist sect teens pregnant or have babies in Yearn For Zion Ranch owned by Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day St

04/29/08 09:19
31 polygamist sect teens pregnant or have babies: officials


Chicago (ANTARA News) - More than half of the teenaged girls removed from a polygamist sect in Texas are already mothers or are currently pregnant, child welfare officials said Monday.

All of the sect's 463 children were taken in state custody earlier this month amid allegations of widespread sexual, physical and emotional abuse at the YFZ (Yearn For Zion) Ranch.
Officials said girls were being "groomed" to accept sex with their middle-aged "spiritual husbands" as soon as they hit puberty and boys were being indoctrinated to perpetuate the cycle of abuse. They have identified 53 girls who they believe are between the ages of 14
and 17.

"We believe 31 of the 53 have either already had children or are pregnant," Texas Department of Family and Protective Services spokesman Patrick Crimmins told AFP.

All but six of the 250 girls and 213 boys seized in the raid have now been placed in foster care across the state, he added.

Those children are currently hospitalized with ailments that include respiratory problems and an ear infection.

The department tried to keep siblings together and placed most of the children in large group settings.

A separate shelter was set up for 17 women who had infants under a year old. The teenaged mothers were not separated from their children and the other mothers were given visitation rights.

Status hearings for the children will begin in mid-May and no long-term decisions have been made about their placement.

Police believe that the desperate call for help which sparked the dayslong raid which began April 3 may have been a hoax.

The call was used to obtain a search warrant of the sprawling ranch and officials said they saw evidence of widespread abuse when they arrived at the compound owned by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The FLDS split from the mainstream Mormon church when polygamy was banned.

The group holds that plural marriage is a way to get to heaven.

Mainstream Mormons now excommunicate members who engage in polygamy and reject any connection with the FLDS.

The ranch was purchased in 2003 and built by Warren Jeffs, the self-described prophet of the group, who was convicted last year by a Utah court on two counts of being an accomplice to rape, relating to the marriage of a schoolgirl against her will to a cousin.

Research: Vietnam Gave Up, Indonesia Invited

04/27/08 01:37
Vietnam invites Indonesia researchers to examine mysterious carved stones


Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Vietnamese researchers invite Indonesian colleagues to conduct a joint research to decipher engraved signs or symbols on hundreds of big stones in Sapa city, Lao Cai province, Vietnam, a Vietnamese researcher said.

"We would like to invite Indonesian researchers to jointly uncover the mystery behind the signs or symbols engraved on more than 200 big stones," Nguyen Van Nguyen, a Vietnamese researcher told ANTARA News here on Saturday.

To date no Vietnamese researcher had been able to unveil the mystery of the carved big stones estimated to have been inscribed hundreds of years ago, Nguyen who was accompanied by his wife Thu Thi Ha said.

He said in 1926 a number of French researchers had already tried to crack the mysterious signs on the big stones.

They then publicized their findings in scientific journals in France but they had not yet unveiled the message behind the signs or symbols on the stones.

Nguyen stated that a serious research funded by Vietnam`s government and also supported by France`s Research Agency (EFEO) was resumed in 2005.

"However, at present only one of the EFEO researchers is still assisting us in conducting the research," Nguyen, an expert on Vietnam`s ancient language, said, adding that more than 50,000 carved stones are to be found in Vietnam, but some 200 of them were not inscribed in the ancient Vietnamese language (Nom).

"Thus, we are challenged to uncover the mystery by inviting Indonesian researchers because we believe they have a lot of experience in research on such matters," he said.

Nguyen also said the first phase of the research project was supported by France`s EFEO and co-chaired by Nguyen Huu Son, director of Culture Bureau office of Lao Cai province and Dr Philippe Lafailler of EFEO. The results of the research would be made public later.

Dokter Muda Tewas Dibunh

Berita harian Waspada tanggal 28 April 2008 sangat mengejutkan. Seorang Dokter Muda tewas dibunuh. Sayangnya beritanya masih simpang siur. Walau di waspada sudah jelas tergambar namanya.

Menurut waspada namanya adalah Syahriana Magda, 24 sementara itu menurut harian SIB namanya dr. Mahda Sari Sipahutar dengan usia 22 tahun.

Sayang sekali memang. Kayaknya sampai saat ini kasusnya masih gelap. Segelap dimana keberadaan kekasihnya, diduga orang terakhir bersamanya di Hotel Danau Toba.

Menurut waspada kekasihnya berinisial LT tapi harian sib mengatakan kekasihnya itu bernama LInggom Tambunan.

Apapun itu, siapapun itu pelakunya, semudah itukah membunuh nyawa orang lain???

West Java Election

Hade the Winners in West Java Election
Wednesday, 23 April, 2008

TEMPO Interactive, Bandung: The Regional General Elections Commission (KPUD) yesterday (22/4) confirmed Ahmad Heryawan and Yusuf Macan Effendi, AKA Dede Yusuf, known as Hade, as the elected Governor and Deputy Governor for West Java.

The pair received 287,647 votes or 40.4 percent higher than other candidates.
“The KPUD plenary meeting confirmed this pair as Governor and Deputy Governor of West Java,” Ferry Kurnia Rizkiyansyah, a member of the West Java KPUD, told Tempo.

Supporters of Agum Gumelar and Numan Abdul Hakim, known as Aman, came again to the KPUD office to ask for the meeting to be delayed.

However, KPUD still organized a public meeting with the success teams of the three candidates, yesterday morning.

They announced the voting result in the meeting.

Hade won in 17 out of 26 cities and districts in West Java.

Aman won in six regions while Danny Setiawan and Iwan Sulanjana won in three districts/cities.

The protest disturbed the meeting.

Members of the Aman team complained about the election report opened before it was announced and that the voting results from Purwakarta and Cirebon were different from their own calculations.

They refused to sign the election report.

Rahadi Zakaria, a member of success team for Aman, mentioned some of their objections.

One of these was about the number of voters which was only 27.9 million while the total West Java population is 41 million.
Their protest cannot be accepted as their internal documentation could not be used as authentic evidence.

KPUD asked them to submit an official objection.

Representatives from other candidates accepted the election report and signed it.

Head of West Java KPUD, Setia Permana, said the objection would not cancel the decision for West Java Governor and Deputy Governor, even if they do not sign the report.

“It is not a problem,” he said.

The result of this meeting will be immediately sent to the West Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) to be delivered to the President through the Home Affairs Minister.

Kapan Internet Velchip Sdn Bdn Terealisir??

Kayaknya kalau berita di bawah ini benar (dari detik.com), menengah k ebawah juga bakal antri langganan internet dengan harga murah.

Jakarta - Ratusan ribu masjid-masjid di Indonesia tak lama lagi bakal mengecap internet. Tak tanggung-tanggung, akses yang ditawarkan diklaim paling murah dan berkecepatan tinggi.

Rencana tersebut digagas oleh sebuah perusahaan yang berbasis di Malaysia, Velchip Sdn Bdn. Belum lama ini perusahaan tersebut mengumumkan bakal membangun jaringan broadband-over-powerline (BPL) yang akan mengantarkan akses internet berkapasitas 224 Mbps bagi konsumen Indonesia dengan biaya lumayan miring, sekitar 5 Ringgit Malaysia per bulan atau setara dengan US$ 1,57.

Engadget yang dikutip detikINET, Kamis (24/4/2008) melansir, target dari proyek ini ditujukan untuk masjid-masjid di tanah air. Jumlah masjid yang mereka bidik pun tidak tanggung-tanggung, yakni mencapai 400 ribu masjid dengan memberikan layanan kepada sekitar 60 juta pengguna.

Sehingga tak salah jika proyek ambisius ini mempunyai nilai bisnis mencapai US$ 14 miliar, dan akan digulirkan dalam 3 tahun ke depan dengan partisipasi dari perusahaan satelit Amerika STM Networks.

Indonesia Response For Timor Leste's Hostility

04/19/08 02:11
RI asks Timor Leste not to issue statement that could be misinterpreted


Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono asked Timor Leste leaders not to issue any statement that could be interpreted as if there had been an element in Indonesia possibly involved in the shooting on February 11, 2008 of President Jose Ramos Horta.

Speaking to the press at the Presidential Office here on Friday, President Yudhoyono said he talked with Ramos Horta on April 10 when the Timor Leste leader was being treated in Australia for gunshot wounds.

"In the phone talks, Ramos Horta briefed me on the investigation being conducted on the shooting incident and asked for assistance from the Indonesian government," Yudhoyono said.

After the phone talks, President Yudhoyono said, he instructed Indonesian Police Chief General Sutanto to immediately take pro-active steps to handle the matter.

He said two high-ranking police officers were sent to Dili on April 13 and April 15 to collect information from the Prosecutor General of Timor Leste and to analyze the information together.

"It was at this time that the Prosecutor-General officially asked, with arrest warrants, the Indonesian police to arrest certain names that were suspected of involvement in the shooting," he said.

Based on the information, the Indonesian police acted swiftly to locate the whereabouts of these suspects. Everything progressed quickly, professionally and with a high spirit of cooperation, he said.

"That is why I am a bit surprised to hear President Ramos Horta`s statement yesterday (Thursday) because it is my understanding that the telephone conversation on April 10 is not for public knowledge yet. I had instructed my ministers and police chief not to disclose that information to the public in order to give an opportunity to the Indonesian police to hunt these suspects," he said.

He said the Indonesian police arrested three citizens of Timor Leste in accordance with the arrest warrants on Friday morning. They are identified as Egidio Lay Carvalho, Jose Gomes, and Ismail Sansao Moniz Soares.

"I would like to emphasize once again that these three suspects are all members of the military of Timor Leste, who have been involved in the rebellious activities, and suspected of involvement in the shooting incident," he said.

The president said at this very moment the Indonesian government could not give further details about the three suspects as the police were still conducting further investigation by among others cooperating with the Timor Leste and Australian governments.

"We are now awaiting the request from the Timor Leste Government for the return of these suspects, who have illegally entered our territory," he said.

He said shortly after the shooting attempt on Ramos Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao on Feb 11, the Indonesian government condemned the incident which he saw as an assault on democracy.

"I wrote a letter to Xanana on February 25, 2008, to ask what we could help. Before I phoned Ramos Horta on April 10, I had phone conversation with him on March 23 when he was being treated at the hospital," he said. (*)

North Sumatra Election

LSI Says Syamsul-Gatot Win North Sumatra Election
Thursday, 17 April, 2008 | 18:17 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Medan: According to a quick count by the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI), candidates Syamsul Arifin and Gatot Pujo Nugroho have won the North Sumatra governor and deputy governor election for the 2008-2013 period.

They obtained 28 percent of 99.71 percent of .total votes cast.

Syamsul Arifin and Gatot are supported by a coalition of eleven parties, including the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the United Development Party (PPP), the Crescent Star Party (PBB), and the Pancasila Patriotic Party.

“This is the smallest wining margin in provincial leaders’ election history,” LSI executive director Denny JA told Tempo.

“Some 72 percent of voters did not vote for these candidates.”

According to Denny, the winning candidates should be supported by more than 30 percent of voters.

Because of this, “The Syamsul-Gatot win is politically weak.”

According to LSI, the candidates ranked Syamsul-Gatot; Triamtomo-Benny Pasaribu; Abdul Wahab Dalimunthe-Raden Syafii; Robert Edison Siahaan-Suherdi; and Ali Umri-Maratua Simanjuntak.

The supporters of Syamsul-Gatot are happy with the LSI survey report.

“This is a fair and honest election,” said Syamsul before praying together with community members at a mosque in Medan.

Robert Edison Siahaan said he was disappointed in the low community participation in North Sumatra.

He questioned whether his base of supporters on the West Coast had received their voter cards or not.

“I lost a lot of votes,” said Siahaan, who is also the Mayor of the city of Pematang Siantar.

Samsul Sianturi, candidacy coordinator for Tritamtomo and Benny Pasaribu from Balige, said that a lot of people could not vote as they did not have voter cards.

Because of this, he suggested people ask the regional General Elections Commission (KPUD) in Toba Samosir to allow them to vote today.

“With only having to present their ID cards,” he said yesterday (16/4).

This suggestion was however rejected by Irham Buana Nasution, head of the provincial KPU of North Sumatra.

According to him, only people registered as voters can vote in the election and registration was open until the end of December 2007.

“There is no reason for people to claim voting rights if they do not register as voters,” said Irham.

Pope `deeply ashamed` over paedophile priests: news agency

04/16/08 09:36
Pope `deeply ashamed` over paedophile priests: news agency


Rome (ANTARA News) - Pope Benedict XVI said Tuesday he was "deeply ashamed" by the child sex scandals that have rocked the US Catholic Church, as he flew to Washington for an official visit, the ANSA news agency reported.

"We are deeply ashamed," the pope told journalists, adding: "The Church will do everything it can to heal the wounds caused by paedophile priests" and ensure "events of this kind are no longer repeated."

"Paedophilia is completely incompatible with the practice of ministry. It is better to have good priests rather than have many," he added.

Benedict made the comments as he travelled to the United States for his first papal visit to North America since he was elected in 2005 following the death of John Paul II.

On the visit, the pope is expected to strongly denounce a paedophilia scandal involving hundreds of priests which plunged the US church into a serious crisis and forced it to pay victims more than three billion dollars in compensation.

Malaysian High-ranking Official Suspected of Illegal Logging

Malaysian High-ranking Official Suspected of Illegal Logging
Wednesday, 09 April, 2008 | 15:49 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Indonesian Police headquarters suspected a Malaysian high-ranking official as being involved in illegal logging in Indonesia. But the police cannot act further about it. “We cannot get into their judicial system,” said the head of Indonesian Police, General Sutanto.

The involvement of the Malaysian official is reported after the Indonesian Police headquarters revealed the illegal logging in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, last March. “There is a company named Hardwood Timber SDN BHD,” said Commissioner Bambang Kuncoko, Head of General Information for the Indonesian Police Public Relations.

According to the police, at least 30 boats carrying Indonesian logs to Malaysia and intercepted by the sister company of Serawak Timber Industry Development Corporation.

Head of Unit III for the environment, Directorate of Criminal Actions, Investigation and Criminal Division, commissioner Mardi Rukmianto, said that the wood company owned by the Malaysian official was used to change the log status from illegal in Indonesia into legal in Malaysia. “Illegal logging was stamped in Hardwood,” he said.

Hardwood distributed the logs to 12 wood industries in Kuching. “Then it exported this to various countries and also to Malaysia,” he said.

Only from this case, Indonesia will lose Rp 12.96 trillion every month. Hardwood has been often reported in the illegal logging investigation in Indonesia. In August 2000, two NGOs for the environmental issue, Yayasan Telapak and Environmental Investigation Agency, also reported the sister company of Serawak Timber Industry Development Corporation as illegal logging activity.

The economic consul at the Indonesian General Consulate in Kuching, Rafael Walangitan, said that he has met the Director of Serawak Timber, Datuk Len Talif Saleh, and head of the Malaysian Police, Musa Hasan,at the end of last year. “We want this illegal logging case to be investigated and accessed by the media ,” he said.

According to Rafael, it is obvious that the logs are illegal. “The stamp on the document was spelled wrong such as prodinsi while it is supposed to be provinsi,”

The Malaysian Ambassador for Indonesia, Datuk Zainal Abidin Zain, said that he does not know about the Hardwood company. “I haven't heard about it,” he said.

He is disappointed that his country has been mentioned as storage for illegal logging. “This case has to be finished here in Indonesia,” he said. Malaysia, he said, will not mind helping the investigation.

The Indonesian ambassador for Malaysia, Da'i Bachtiar, promised to discuss this issue with the Malaysian government.

54 Indonesians Deported

54 Indonesians Deported from the United States
Friday, 11 April, 2008 | 18:20 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Tangerang: The government of the United States deported 54 Indonesians for breaking the immigration law. They arrived at the Soekarno-Hatta airport on board a special airplane after staying in the US.

Teguh Wardoyo, Director for Indonesian Protection, and Indonesian Legal Assistance for the Foreign Affairs Department, said that they were sent home for staying overtime and do not have the necessary immigration documents. “Some of them are probably coming here through human trafficking,” said Teguh at the airport yesterday.

Special treatment was given to their deportation process. They were sent home by a rental plane of Skyservice Airlines, Boeing 757-200 C-GTBB.

They have stayed in the US for 5-15 years. “They entered America both legally and illegally for working,” said Teguh. They work at factories, restaurants and health clinics in various states like California, New York, and Texas.

Sihotang, 52 years old, said that he stayed in the United States for 15 years with a 6-month tourist visa. He worked as a member of the medical staff at a clinic and is paid US$150 every two weeks. The US did this immigration operation two months ago. “We have been treated very well,” he said.

Anis Hidayah, Executive Director of Migrant Care, said this deportation should be a warning for the Indonesian government to prevent this from happening again. “Our embassy should be proactive in checking ,” said Anis on the phone.

Without a proper registration, the deportation to Indonesians will happen repeatedly. The protection will be difficult to be given when they have a problem in some one else's country.

Anis suggested that the government do more dissemination of information for Indonesians so they will not have difficulty in document processing. Some of them are afraid to be sent to prison for having incompleted documents. Anis said the government should re-organize their immigration process.

Korean Ambassador Lee Sun-Jin enjoys staying in Indonesia

04/09/08 19:48



By Bambang Purwanto

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - South Korean Ambassador Lee Sun-Jin has said that he likes living in Indonesia among about 35,000 members of the Korean community in the country as he has found some cities in the archipelagic nation interesting.

Lee Sun-Jin who has been served in his job as ambassador to Indonesia for three years has visited many cities in Indonesia including Bandung in West Java province, Central Kalimantan province, South Kalimantan province, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) province, Bali province and Yogyakarta province.

The ambassador whose hobbies are reading, traveling and playing golf said he was even interested in tourist sites like Borobudur temple (the biggest Buddhist temple in Indonesia or even in the world), and Prambanan Temple which is the biggest Hindu temple in Indonesia.

Borobudur temple is located some 40 kilometers north-west of Yogyakarta and Prambanan temple about 20 kilometers east of the city which is led by a governor, Sultan Hamengkubuwono X.

The South Korean ambassador also likes such tourist attractions and cultural performances as `wayang` (traditional Javanese puppet shadow play) and paintings.

"I feel at home in Yogyakarta as the ancient city is reminiscent of Gyongju (an ancient city in Korea), close to Busan City where I used to live," said Lee who graduated from the Department of International Relations, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, in February 1975.

During his stay in Indonesia, the 60-year old ambassador also does not find any difficulties in finding food as there are no less than 100 Korean restaurants in the country.

In addition to Korean cuisine, Lee also likes Indonesian food although it is of a different taste. "I like Indonesian food such as ikan bakar (grilled fish) and sambal terasi (spicy sauce made with shrimp paste) as well as all kinds of Indonesian fruits," he said.

What is surprising is that the South Korean ambassador likes watching films including the popular Indonesian film `Ayat-ayat Cinta` (Verses of Love).

However, what he likes in Ayat-ayat Cinta is not the message of the film as perhaps he does not speak nor understand Indonesian but its artistic image.

"I don`t understand the message of the film, but (what he is interested in is) the fantastic image. The artistic image is wonderful," the hospitable ambassador said in an interview with ANTARA at his residence in Jakarta last Monday (April 7).

Lee Sun-Jin who joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in September 1975 is a successful Korean diplomat. Since his appointment as vice consul at the Korean Embassy in Seattle, USA, he continuously rose in his career.

Among the important diplomatic positions he has assumed are Second Secretary at the Korean Embassy in the Republic of Lebanon (1980), First Secretary at the Korean Embassy in the United States of America (1985), Counselor at the Koream Embassy in the People`s Republic of China (1992) and Minister-Counselor at the Korean Embassy in Japan.

Other official positions he once had include Deputy Minister for Policy Planning and International Organizations, MOFAT (2003), Director-General for Policy Planning, Office of Policy Planning and International Organizations, MOFAT (2001)and Deputy Director-General, International Trade Bureau, MOFAT (1996).

The Korean ambassador who is married with one son and one daughter has been in Indonesia since June 29, 2005.

Indonesia: Three More Sukhoi Fighter Aircraft

04/09/08 14:54
Air Force to acquire three Sukhoi fighter aircraft this year


Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Three Russian-made Sukhoi or SU-30 jet fighter planes are to arrive in Indonesia later this year, Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Subandrio said here on Wednesday.

"The three Sukhoi fighter planes from Russia are expected to arrive in Indonesia before the National Defense Forces (TNI) anniversary on October 5," Subandrio said after attending a function to mark the Air Force`s 62nd anniversary at Halim Perdanakusuma airport.

He said the three jet fighter aircrafts would become part of the Air Force`s Sukhoi Squadron V based in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

"The new fighter aircraft from Russia will heighten the state of the Air Force`s operational readiness," Subandrio said, adding that the Defense Ministry was at present negotiating with Russia about the planes` delivery to Indonesia.

Meanwhile, the defense ministry`s director general for defense facilities, Rear Marshal Erik Herryanto, said the ministry and Sukhoi aircraft maker Rosoborn Export would soon finalize negotiations on the supply of six Sukhoi fighter planes to Indonesia.

"The process to purchase the six Sukhois is almost completed and we are now only waiting for the issuance of a letter of credit by the finance ministry," Heryanto said.

The letter-of-credit issuing process would take three to six months so it was still difficult to say when exactly the Sukhois would be delivered, he said.

It was, nonetheless, unfortunate and regrettable that vested groups and individuals who professes hatred, intolerance and harbor prejudice

04/08/08 18:51
OIC chief warns against inciting anti-Islam hatred


Jeddah (ANTARA News) - The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu voiced his deep concern over the dangerous implications of the recent spate of Islamophobic actions, IINA reported.

He made the remarks after the inaugural session of the open ended Inter Governmental Meeting of Group of Experts that met here Monday to discuss OIC Plan of Action for Women.

He said the actions such as that caused by reprint of cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammad in Danish newspapers and the release of the offensive documentary "Fitna" by Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders defaming the Holy Quran and causing widespread insult to the sentiments of Muslims of the world.

"Fitna documentary was a reprehensible act of incitement and intolerance against peaceful inter-religious and inter-communal cohabitation that challenges the global agenda for peace and development," he said.

The OIC chief noted that the international community including, the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Presidency of the European Union, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the national and international television networks had shown their sense of responsibility by rejecting and denouncing the documentary and the Dutch Government dissociating themselves from the filmmaker.

"It was, nonetheless, unfortunate and regrettable that vested groups and individuals who professes hatred, intolerance and harbor prejudice and discrimination against Muslims and Islam, could still find an opportunity to create deep division and mistrust in inter-communal harmony on a global scale and are able to remain unaccounted for their actions and abusing freedom of expression," an OIC statement quoted him as saying.


He said that it was high time that the international community come together in accepting that acts such as that of Wilders under the plea of freedom of expression pose a grave threat to global peace and security.

He added that unless brought to face justice under the provisions of national laws and international legal instruments, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in particular, the perpetrators of intolerance and racism remain free to defy the will of the international community and undo the progress achieved in Dialogue among Civilizations.

Prof. Ihsanoglu expressed his hope that concerned governments will take firm action under the law against individuals, groups or organizations that abuse freedom of expression to try and incite passion and violence in society by attacking other religions.

This would not only restore confidence among people of diverse cultural backgrounds and religious faiths to live together in harmony but also serve as an effective mechanism to address the issue of religious intolerance in society, he said.

"The OIC stands ready to cooperate closely with governments and the United Nations towards this end," he added.

Melecehkan Sutanto: Jaringan Mafia Cina Singapura Jadikan Binjai Jadi Pusat Judi "Las Vegas Sumatera"

Rabu, 09 April 2008 03:00 WIB
'Las Vegas' Binjai Digerebek
*Enam Penjudi Diamankan

BINJAI, WASPADA Online

Lokasi perjudian di kota Binjai yang dikenal sebagai 'Las Vegas' digerebek polisi, Selasa (8/4). Dari lokasi tersebut diamankan enam tersangka pemain judi. Selain itu, mengamankan barang bukti ratusan ribu rupiah.

Penggerebekan dilokasi perjudian kawasan Kampung Tanjung, Kelurahan Pekan Binjai, Kec. Binjai Kota itu dilakukan tim gabungan terdiri, Polresta Binjai, Polisi Militer, Kodim 0203 Langkat, Arhanudse II BS dan Raider, dipimpin Kasat Reskrim Polresta Binjai, AKP HM Taufiq.

Saat dilakukan penggerebekan, para pemain berhamburan menyelamatkan diri dari tangkapan petugas. Namun enam orang, beberapa di antaranya anak belasan tahun ditangkap.

Dari keterangan di lapangan menyebutkan, penggerebekan melibatkan unsur TNI/Polri karena ada dugaan kawasan perjudian itu di backing aparat keamanan. Permainan judi di lokasi itu sudah terbilang lama, sampai-sampai diberi gelar 'Las Vegas' mengindentikkan kawasan perjudian di Amerika. "Berbagai bentuk perjudian seperti, jackpot, dadu, kartu dan lainnya ada disini," kata sumber.

Kapolresta Binjai, AKBP Verdianto Iskandar Bitticaca melalui AKP Taufiq mengatakan, penggerebekan dilakukan setelah pihaknya menerima informasi permainan judi tersebut.

Sedangkan enam pemain judi yang ditangka masih dalam pemeriksaan. "Tapi mereka belum bisa dikatakan sebagai tersangka, karena masih dalam pemeriksaan," ucapnya.

Togel Marak
Sementara berbagai keterangan menyebutkan, judi toto gelap (togel) marak di Binjai. Permainan judi itu dilakukan sembunyi-sembunyi. Setiap nomor yang tembus, pemain menerima pembayaran 70 kali lipat.

Permainan itu kata sumber, mengacu kepada pacuan kuda di Singapura dan Malaysia. Awalnya dilakukan melalui telefon, kemudian perlahan-lahan menyebar ke masyarakat. Bahkan di beberapa pelosok mulai terang-terangan memasang nomor togel kepada juru tulis.

Namun, Polresta Binjai yang menyediakan pelayanan konfimarsi dengan SMS ketika ditanya tentang togel yang marak di Binjai, termasuk crude palm oil (CPO), Senin (7/4) kemarin tidak memberi penjelasan tegas mengusut kasus itu.

Di tempat terpisah, Ketua Fraksi PPP DPRD Binjai, Khairot Tanjung Selasa ( 8/4) membenarkan maraknya judi togel di Binjai. Dia mengharapkan polisi konsekuen memberantas segala bentuk perjudian, seperti dilakukan Kapolri Jenderal Sutanto.