Let's Take ACTION - Epilogue

After sending off Taiwanese delegates, I began another mission in Jakarta - shopping. Mum wanted some batik for her kebaya next Chinese New Year, but be warned: Indonesian kebaya has a younger flair to it, and unlike our Nyonya Kebaya, the design and cutting is slimmer. So I just had to satisfy with some batik fabric.

Pasar Baru is just nice for that purpose - lots of fabric and some opportunity to bargain. As a general rule always go 50% and below. As a good samaritan brought up in kind and friendly Penang, I was naive to the fact until my friend told me back in the hotel.

Walking the long stretch from Pasar Baru to Gambir, lots of interesting places on the way, but pity it's a Sunday, all closed. This is Jakarta's Philately.

Jakarta's first and oldest Catholic Church was something handed down from the Dutch.

The interesting thing is that Masjid Istiqlal (Independence Mosque), the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, is just across the street.

The following day as it was Indonesia's Independence Day (Aug 17), children and adults gathered all around town for games and outdoor daytime partying.

What does 'Merdeka' mean to you? For 64 years the word definitely means more to them than Malaysians - Indonesia's independence was achieved through bloodshed and political scheming, very much unlike what Malaysia went through. At times like this you wonder if they appreciate their independence more than us, because they actually worked for it? When we look back at what our own politicians said in the media nowadays we actually wouldn't believe we're living in the same country...

Having lunch at KL Village Kopitiam, needless to say, Malaysian food! My nasi lemak and teh tarik, along with Samuel and Dian.

Well, shopping malls in Jakarta is definitely more women-friendly (or they are just happy to allocate lots for women just to avoid them parking haphazardly everywhere, you know, female Asian drivers...)

On the road from daytime...

Till dusk...

Till nighttime, shopping all the time.

Malaysian shopper: Aiyoh, this one so expensive. 70% discount or I'm not buying! Nono, 70%; ok lah, 65%. This is not good, you see, here the tailoring is bad...60%?
Japanese shopper: OOOO! Cheap! Sim, this is so cheap! So nice! 50 thousand? OK! Cheap!

Departing for the airport. While South Jakarta has grown upscale for the rich and famous, North Jakarta remains the melting pot for the poor and newly arrived - slums stretch beyond your eye's view and till now they live without proper sanitation and water supply.

Back in home soil, again.

Signs of recession are clear in KLIA - decommissioned aircrafts, idle airplanes, and a lot less tourists.


Conclusion: Under the current president, Indonesia achieved tremendous growth amidst the global recession. Though images of hardcore poverty still conjures the reader's mind whenever the name 'Indonesia' is mentioned, the nation is improving in a rapid pace befitting for a country its size. General Indonesians are very friendly, hardworking and hospitable, so much so that I find myself looking into a blank stare when saying 'terima kasih' to the 5-star award-winning ground staff of our self-proclaimed hospitable airline.
Indonesia is quickly emerging as Southeast Asia's largest economy. With our typically Malaysian lackadaisical attitude we would rapidly be displaced and left behind. So, to those politicians who argue over displaying alcohol in public or scheming ways to launder more government funds, it's time to wake up and put your country first. After all, it's the rakyat who brought you mandate and support in the first place. Malaysians are quickly losing confidence in their own government.
To my fellow Indonesian friends, I look forward to working with you guys, and I wish you all the best in improving your country's health, wealth and prosperity!

Let's Take ACTION - Part 4

On the second last day, we had a HIV/AIDS workshop. We watched a 20-minute documentary about Indonesian women with HIV/AIDS, and later found ourselves talking to 2 HIV-positive individuals and a doctor working with them. It was a first time experience for many of us.

The evening mood swank to a positive one as all of us dressed up for our farewell party and cultural show.

Well, I bought my white cotton Chinese shirt for just NT$360 (RM36). I wonder how much those yukata costs.

Indonesian cultural show - plate dance.

The trouble of being tall, lanky and handsome is that many people would queue up to take a photo with you. Since I have no bodyguards around me like those of Daniel Wu or Leehom Wang, I'd just have to comply...

Thailand's Miss Lita

Indonesia's Miss Dian

And Indonesia's Mr. Bambang

And Taiwan's Mike and Charles

Filling up the lengthy evaluation form on the final day, before our final itinerary - city tour.

Spare some time also for best wishes to your new friends all across Asia.

National Museum. The bronze elephant is a gift from King Chulalongkorn from Thailand.

Statues, deities and ornamentations from all 17,000 island of the Indonesian archipelago.

Couldn't resist any free time not taking group photos.

National Monument - or MONAS.

On top of the platform for the towering torch. The view is magnificent.

National pride - Garuda is Indonesia's national bird. It traces back to ancient Hinduism and found its way into Indonesia's national airline as well. Beneath it, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika - Unity in Diversity.

Before Taiwanese delegates depart for their flight, we took a chance to experience Indonesia's grassroots - taking a bajai, the rickety-rackety tricycle motorbike plying the congested roads of Jakarta.

Finally, goodbye to Taiwanese delegates!

Last but not least - experience Jakarta with the locals, in the next update.

Let's Take ACTION - Part 3

Visit to Persahabatan Hospital, UI's teaching hospital for respiratory medicine.

The lady director was very enthusiastic and warm - spent the entire 2 hours with us, and always ready to answer all our questions.

Then back to Cipto Mangukusumo General Hospital's Paediatrics department.

We had a very interesting Chef du Clinic session with all the clerks and interns in the hospital. I was very much impressed with their performance and quality of presentation - all in fluent English.

We were alloted 1 hour to visit the wards, here's my very good friend from National Taiwan University and the only delegate from Philippines - Hanni.

On another tiring day we had Laboratory Biosafety - a strong sedative for most of us including me.

But as soon as the city tour fun begins pouring in from every delegate.

We stopped at Bank Mandiri building - a century old building for dinner, before beginning...

Jelajah Kota Tua (Toea) Jakarta

Exploring Bank Mandiri building first, it's an amazing piece of architecture by itself - Venetian tiles, Scottish pillars and English marble tabletops. Charles taking a picture of 'The Great Book'.

Remember a time when going to a bank is something for the rich and affluent only - personalized services, exclusive waiting rooms and friendly bankers...(not like what we have at Maybank these days).

The management wing of Bank Mandiri.

Just beside Bank Mandiri, night at the Museum Bank Negara Indonesia (imagine the ancient bank notes flying around for you to catch?)

Group photo everyone!

Kali Besar, a river with historical significance to Jakarta, but very polluted today - all the trade, commerce and immigrants came in from here.

Toko Merah (Red House) is a historical testament to Chinese settlement and influence amidst Dutch rule in Indonesia.

The Batavia Hotel is one high class hotel in Kota Tua.

Chicken Market Bridge or later Jambatan Kota Intan shows influence from Amsterdam. The last drawbridge built in 1655

My knowledge of Bahasa Melayu is a lot of help, especially when the local committee are talking gossip or discussing 'surprises'.

Athena in the courtyard of the Stadhuis Batavia - God of knowledge and strategy, but somehow she's holding the symbol of medicine in her left hand.

A giant Portugese Cannon with the symbol of male genitals within the courtyard as well. The cannon bears the Latin inscription 'EX ME IPSA RENATA SUM' (out of myself I was reborn). The cannon shows the symbol of mano in fica, a symbol of cohabitation and fertility. So, beware for women who touches the cannon without childbearing intention.