Indonesia Protects Blue Whale Hotspot

Many of my posts on this site have been critical of various aspects of life here in Indonesia, but I also believe in giving positive feedback and noting when a nation, government, people or group does an outstanding job too.  Here is a BIG KUDOS for Indonesia's work in establishing Marine Sanctuaries and for protecting whales !!

Excerpts from Article below:

The Indonesian Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Freddy Numberi has announced the designation of the Savu Sea National Marine Park — a blue whale hotspot that becomes the 15th largest MPA in the world. The announcement came at the World Ocean Conference in Manado, Indonesia, in May 2009. Located in the Lesser Sundas of East Nusa Tenggara in eastern Indonesia, the new national marine park is 35,000 sq km. Although it is only 1/10th the size of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, it is an extraordinarily rich area and has the potential to contribute to coral reef, fish and marine mammal conservation in the region.

The Savu Sea MPA forms the largest MPA to date in the so-called Coral Triangle which many conservation groups and governments are working to protect. For nearly a decade, researcher  Benjamin Kahn has been carrying out whale and dolphin studies here, and whale protection is a key part of the designation. Situated at the crossroads between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, where strong currents and steep underwater cliffs combine to create seasonal but predictable  upwelling zones, the area attracts endangered blue whales as well as sperm whales rated vulnerable by the IUCN. There are also more than a dozen tropical dolphin and small whale species found in the area.

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The Importance of the Indonesian Seas to Whales and Dolphins
 

Whales and dolphins are versatile marine mammals and inhabit Indonesia's major rivers, mangroves, reef and open ocean environments. These diverse habitats are often in close proximity to one another because of Indonesia's narrow continental shelf, abundant oceanic islands and extreme depth gradients.
 

In addition to this, Indonesia is uniquely located as the only tropical region worldwide where an exchange of marine life between the Indian and Pacific Ocean occurs - in this respect the Indonesian Seas are a huge melting pot. Each year whales and dolphins travel from the Pacific and Indian Oceans through Indonesian waters, and vice versa. To do so, most will have to pass the narrow yet deep inter-island passages of the Nusa Tengarra island chain in eastern Indonesia. Komodo National Park includes three of these sensitive bottleneck passages: Selat Molo, Selat Linta and Selat Sape.
 

This means that cetaceans are especially vulnerable to numerous regional and local environmental impacts that may occur near the passages, such as habitat destruction, subsurface noise disturbances such as reef blasting, net entanglement, marine pollution and over fishing of marine resources. Most, if not all, of these impacts may occur in the waters of Indonesia, and would affect both residential populations as well as transient species that include these waters in their long-range movements. The Komodo whale surveys, as well as similar surveys in North Sulawesi and Alor, help to identify and minimise these threats and safeguard the exceptional diversity of Indonesia's marine heritage.

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See also these related articles:

Indonesia Expels Japanese Whaling Vessel "Yushin Maru"

United Nations Sanctions (approves) Traditional Sperm Whale Hunts from Lamalera Village on Lambata Island

Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN)

Foreign Property "Ownership" to be Extended from 25 to 75 Years

As posted or reported on the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia Washington, DC website:

http://www.deplu.go.id/washington/Pages/Embassies.aspx?IDP=51&l=id

"Foreign Property Ownership to be Extended to 70 Years"

Kamis, 28 Januari 2010
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:

Foreign property ownership will be extended from 25 years to 70 years. “The regulations formulation is completed. It only waits for the Housing Minister stamp,” said Lucy Rumantir, Jones Lang LaSalle Indonesia Chairman, in a press conference at the Nikko Hotel in Jakarta, yesterday.

Lucy, who is also the Permanent Committee Head of Property Services for the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), is one member of the team who formulated Government Regulation (PP) No. 41/1996. Under this regulation, foreigners could only own a house for 25 years. According to Lucy, Indonesian properties occupancy rates are not optimal yet because of the government limitation. Under this PP, foreigners can only own a home or flat built on land with a right to use (Hak Pakai) certificate.

Foreigners complained that while Indonesians could easily own houses abroad, but it is difficult for them to get houses in Indonesia. Whereas regulations on property ownership in other big cities in the world was easier.

She cited that in Australia, foreigners could own a house just by having a passport. But they could only buy new houses.

“Later, step by step, we will formulate a regulation to allow right to use land become
right to build land (Hak Guna Bangunan),” said Lucy.  Besides that, to smooth out foreign property ownership, the revision includes limitations.“For example, foreigners could only own properties above Rp1.5 billion,” she said.

Lucy added that if more foreigners buy properties in Indonesia, state revenues will increase. According to her notes, the number of foreigners in Indonesia is 83,000 people. If just one percent of them buy properties, this translate to 800 people. “800 times Rp1.5 billion, it’s quite a big revenue for Indonesia,” she said.

That does not include other impacts. If demand is higher, property development will also increase. “From there, demand for curtains and furniture will increase,” said Lucy. This means that other industries, such as textile and furniture, will also grow.

TEMPO Interactive - Eka Utami Aprilia | ANTON WILLIAM

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My Commentary and Analysis:

The recent changes and proposed amendments to the real property laws as they relate to foreign "owners" or investors acquiring real property here in Indonesia remain overly restrictive and counter-intuitive, and fall short of significant changes or measures to stimulate the Indonesian economy for the following reasons: 

1)  a foreigner cannot truly "buy" or "own" a real property here in Indonesia in a freehold estate form of property ownership (Hak Milik); they are only given a leasehold estate or "right to use" (Hak Pakai) and for a finite period, now extended from 25 to 75 years.  And there are other strings attached as well that "Lucy" has not told you about...

2)  The "1.5 Billion Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)" that is the threshold or MINIMUM property sales price that a foreigner can "purchase" a right to use leasehold estate for a number of years (and not true, absolute and unrestricted ownership as in a freehold estate or in fee simple) equates to $168,388 USD as the minimum "purchase" price.

By western standards and US property values, this does not seem like much on its face, or may even sound relatively low; however the operative word here is RELATIVE.  When you look at what single family detached, attached row house or townhouse, or condominium ("Strata Title") properties go for here in Indonesia or in the greater Jakarta metro area,  you will discover that this "1.5 Billion IDR" minimum sales price means that you must actually purchase a property in the upper end of the spectrum.  For example, where I live in Sentul City you can get a decent single family home with 2+ bedrooms, 2+ full baths for anywhere between $30,000 - 100,000 USD.  (See recent active property listing examples below)

3)  By requiring a foreigner to "buy" a property in the upper price range of homes, this eliminates certain investment opportunities and appeal for a foreigner or expat to buy a low to mid priced property (or ideally several of them) which are distressed, foreclosure, auction, tear down and rebuild type of properties; or an economically priced updated, upgraded or remodeled home that is in "turn key" condition and ready to occupy or rent out.   

4)  Additionally, if financing is obtained here in Indonesia, I understand that the lender will require a minimum of 20% down payment AND only finance it for 10-15 years (as opposed to "first time home buyer", FHA, or  30 year mortgages as we have in the U.S.).  The prevailing interest rate is somewhere around 12-15% I believe for real property financing here in the Jakarta area. So, lets' do some math on that 1.5 Billion IDR minimum purchase price home for a foreigner or expat using these parameters.

     a.   1.5 Billion IDR (1,500,000,000) = $168,388 USD

     b.   $168,388 X 20% down payment = $33,677

     c.   $168,388 - $33,677 (down payment) = $134,711 amount financed

     d.   monthly payments (principal and interest) for financing $134,711 for 15 years @ 12% = 

           $1,617 USD

There was also at one point back in June 2010 an article which reported on the proposed intentions of Indonesian government officials to allow or limit foreign ownership to retirees (aged 55 or older) BUT require then to finance no more than 50% of the value of the property AND pay off the mortgage financing within 3 years !  If this ever comes to fruition, then the numbers in my above example SIGNIFICANTLY worsen as LTV (loan to value) ratio down payment amount jumps up and the financing period or term shortens drastically.  See my previous article commentary regarding this. The good news in this scenario is that there would be less risk for any creditor/lender, and that the debtor/borrower will have the mortgage paid off really fast, but the bad news is that for the short duration of the mortgage loan, the debtor/borrower will be cash strapped and cannot use the liquidity of funds otherwise available for other investments as a substantial sum of money has been "parked" into only one investment property or bucket. 

5)  As you can see in my example above, this is not necessarily an attractive way to encourage foreigners or expats to invest in Indonesia by "purchasing" or "buying" a leasehold estate (Hak Pakai) on a second home, vacation property, or investment property that is priced in the relative mid to high end of the housing market price bracket in Indonesia. 

6)  Furthermore, if the Indonesian property laws only allow an expat who is "domicled" in Indonesia or who has a PR or other immigration status to "own" only one owner-occupied principle residence; then this does not allow for multiple or concurrent "ownership" of 2 or more investment properties - thus stifling a potential investment portfolio in real estate properties in Indonesia.  


7)  If the goal or objective of the Indonesian land and property laws is to govern or restrict foreigners' property rights only where a foreigner is deemed to be "beneficial to national development"- how can you achieve this objective by tying the foreign investors hands behind his back where he cannot reach into his pockets either at all, or further, and spend money here in Indonesia on "national development" ??!!  As Mr. Spok from Star Trek would say, "that is highly illogical"

8)  Conclusion:  

Legislation must be adopted which allows a foreigner to:

a) Truly OWN a real estate property here in Indonesia in fee simple or a freehold estate (Hak 
     Milik), and not merely a right to use leasehold estate for a number of years which cannot be 
     passed or transferred to an heir.

b)  Lower the minimum purchase price to attract a larger pool of buyers or investors, 

c)  Not impose restrictions on financing such as huge down payment requirements and very 
     short financing term, which all make the proposition of acquiring real property in Indonesia 
     cost prohibitive and financially unattractive, let alone the mortgage payments excessively 
     high.  Banks or financial institutions make money by lending money; the longer the terms, the 
     more money financed - the more the banks can make.  Once again, requiring huge down 
     payments and short financing terms is in essence the banks or government regulators 
     "cutting their noses off to spite their faces" -  Mr. Spok would once again opine, "that is highly 
     illogical..."

d)  Not limit property ownership (in Hak Milik) to only retirees (age 55 or older) or only someone 
     with a "PR" (permanent resident) immigration status, nor require an absentee owner/investor 
     to come back to Indonesia each year for 2 weeks. 

e)  For Indonesian government officials to not have xenophobia (fear of foreigners).  Don't worry, 
     foreigners will not take over Indonesia or invade your country; and if they do, it will only bring 
     positive change or influence and not worsen the economic, political or social conditions that 
     currently exist. 

     1.   There has been a proliferation of fraud and corruption in the dubious expat real estate 
            business in Bali due to the ubiquitous circumvention of Indonesian land laws and the 
            capitalization or predatory practices of unethical and highly unscrupulous expat tourism 
            trade businesses.  Also, I am told that Bali seems to attract a certain "criminal element" 
            of people who are fugitives from justice in their own countries and "on the lam" and seem 
            to find a safe haven in Bali because of local law enforcement officials failure to check  
            INTERPOL or conduct "due diligence" in the immigration process which is also known to 
            be corrupt.  Regrettably, this has given the expat real estate trade a bad name or image.  
            Easing the restrictions on foreigners or expats being able to legally buy real property in 
            Indonesia will also serve to mitigate the propagation of corruption and fraud in real   
            property sales and lease transactions.  (see this link for an example of what I am 
            referring  to here, http://www.nasty-bali.org/expatriates.html)

Absent such measures, and a more investor-friendly and simplified approach, as I propose above; Indonesia will NOT see any notable stimulation in their economy brought about by foreigners legally "buying" real property here and there will be no "beneficial national development."  As I have said in previous blog articles, Indonesia's property laws as they relate to foreign investors [remain] OVERLY RESTRICTIVE AND COUNTER-INTUITIVE ! 

(Sentul City / England Park subdivision - asking price $63,888 USD)

(Sentul City / Taman Andalusia subdivision - asking price $77,222 USD)

Indonesian Citizenship & Naturalization - Definitions

Article 4 of Regulations NO. 12/ 2006 stipulates that an Indonesian citizen is:

a)  every person on the basis of legislation and/or based on the Government of the Republic of 

      Indonesia agreements with other countries before this Act applies has become Indonesian 

      citizens;

b)  children born of legitimate marriage of a father and mother Citizens State of Indonesia;

c)  children born of legitimate marriage of a citizen father Indonesia and a foreign citizen 

     mothers;

d)  children born of legitimate marriage of a foreign citizen father and mother Indonesian citizen;

e)  children born of legitimate marriage of a citizen mother Indonesia, but his father did not have 

     citizenship or legal father's country of origin does not give citizenship to the child;

f)  children born within a period of 300 (three hundred) days after his father died of a legitimate 

    marriage and the father of the Citizen Indonesia;

g)  children born outside of legal marriage of a citizen mother Indonesia;

h)  children born outside of legal marriage from a foreign citizen mother recognized by an 

     Indonesian citizen father as a child and confession was made before the child is aged 

     eighteen (18) years or not married;

i)  children born in the territory of the Republic of Indonesia which at the time of birth, citizenship 

    status unclear father and mother;

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According to Article 23 of Regulations No. 12 /2006:  Indonesian citizenship may be lost when the person:

a)  acquires another nationality of his own volition;

b)  not reject or do not release another nationality, while the concerned have the opportunity to 

     do so;

c)  missing citizenship by the President upon petition own, already concerned over 18 

     (eighteen)  years or have married, residing abroad, and with missing Citizenship of the 

     Republic of Indonesia does not become stateless;

d)  entered in a foreign army without the prior permission of the President;

e)  voluntarily entered the foreign service, the office in the service such in Indonesia in 

     accordance with the provisions of legislation only be held by Indonesian citizens;

f)  voluntarily took an oath or declared allegiance to the state pledge foreign or part of such 

    foreign country;

g)  not compulsory but participated in the election is something administration for a foreign 

     country;

h)  have a passport or a letter that is a passport from a foreign country or a letter which can be 

     interpreted as a sign of citizenship is still valid from other countries in its name; or

i)  residing outside the territory of the Republic of Indonesia for 5 (five) years of continuous 

    service is not in the framework of the country, without a legitimate reason and by deliberately 

    not stated his desire to remain a Member The Indonesian state before the period of 5 (five) 

    years are over, and every 5 (five) years in question did not enter a plea of want remain a 

    citizen of the Republic of Indonesia to the Indonesian Representative the working area covers 

    the residence in question when Representative of the Republic of Indonesia has been 

    informed in writing to the concerned, as long as not to be concerned without citizenship.

j)  newborn child found in the territory of the Republic of Indonesia for a father and mother are 

    unknown;

k)  children born in the territory of the Republic of Indonesia when his father and mother not have 

     citizenship or not known to exist;

l)  children born outside the territory of the Republic of Indonesia from a father and mother 

    Indonesian citizen who, due to the provisions of the country where children are born to give 

    citizenship to children who concerned;

m)  son of a father or mother who has been granted the petition citizenship, then the father or 

      mother died before an oath or pledge allegiance states.

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Article 9 of Law No. 12 In 2006: Naturalization

Application can be submitted by the applicant if it meets the following requirements:

a)  have been aged 18 (eighteen) years or has married;

b)  apply at the time was residing in the territory of Republic of Indonesia at least 5 (five) 

     consecutive years or at least brief 10 (ten) years are not consecutive;

c)  healthy physically and spiritually;

d)  can speak Indonesian as well as recognize the basis of state of Pancasila and the 

     Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia Year 1945;

e)  never been sentenced for a crime which carries a with imprisonment of one (1) year or more;

f)  if the gain citizenship of the Republic of Indonesia, not to be dual citizenship;

g)  have a job and / or fixed income, and

h)  pay money to the State Treasury naturalization.

The Four Stages of Culture Shock

1.    Life in the host country is wonderful, new and exciting.

      

2.    Life in the host country is wonderful... but I wonder why they do this and that.

      

3.    Life in the host country is OK... but I don’t like the way they do this or that.

      

4.    Life in the host country is impossible.  LEMME OUT NOW!!

      

Religious Tolerance & Violence

"Mobs Destroy 3 [Christian] Churches in C.[entral] Java"
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 02/08/2011 12:58 PM | Headlines

Mobs destroyed three churches in Temanggung, Central Java, on Tuesday in violence that broke out following a blasphemy hearing against defendant Antonius Richmond Bawengan. The angry crowd set the Bethel Church and Pantekosta Church on fire, and threw stones at Santo the Petrus and Paulus Church, kompas.com reported Tuesday. Stores in the city were closed and traffic was reportedly chaotic because of the violence. During the hearing, prosecutors had demanded the court sentence Antonius to five years in prison for his alleged blasphemy against Islam via books and articles in October 2010.

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The article above does a very poor job of reporting the news and the facts.  The only parts of WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, and HOW that the article addresses is the WHEN and WHERE part.

First let's have an understanding of WHAT "blasphemy" in Indonesia actually is in the first place, WHO or WHAT the defendant is, WHO the "angry mob" is, WHY they were moved to such violence and WHAT [type] of churches were destroyed. 

Indonesia prohibits "blasphemy" in its Criminal Code. Article 156(a) of the Criminal Code targets those who deliberately, in public, express feelings of hostility, hatred, or contempt against religions with the purpose of preventing others from adhering to any religion, and targets those who disgrace a religion. The penalty for violating Article 156(a) is a maximum of five years imprisonment.


Article 156(a) is the complement to a decree enacted by President Sukarno and implemented by President Soeharto, namely, Presidential Decree No. 1/PNPS/1965 on the Prevention of Blasphemy and Abuse of Religions. Article 1 of the decree prohibits the “deviant interpretation” of religious teachings, and mandates the President to dissolve any organization practicing deviant teachings.

The defendant is obviously a Christian or person of another faith or belief system speaking out against Islam or Muslims.

The angry mob is obviously comprised of Muslims.

The type of churches that were targeted are Christian churches.

As far as WHY is concerned, one can only assume that the "angry mob" was not satisfied with the prosecutors' demand that the Court sentence the defendant to the maximum term of incarceration for the offense as stipulated in the Indonesian criminal or penal code.

Is the defendant in a criminal trial being found guilty and being sentenced to the maximum "punishment" under the law not enough for the "angry mob"?  Was the violence and destruction of property really justified? Perhaps the answer to these two questions may lie in the Qur`ān.



DISCLAIMER:  This post shall in no way be construed as "blasphemy" in and of itself, as it merely reports the news and the FACTS.  No "deliberate public expression of hostility, hatred, or contempt against religions with the purpose of  preventing others from adhering to any religion, nor any disgrace of a religion" has been conveyed in this post.

LOL  (I am allowed to laugh out loud to myself in Indonesia, aren't I ?)  The party that has disgraced themselves has been clearly identified....

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Final thoughts:

It would appear that the "blasphemy" law in Indonesia is targeted mainly towards or against Christians.  I would challenge the reader of this post to scour public records or conduct legal research and show me ONE case where a Muslim was indicted, charged, brought to trial AND sentenced for the "deliberate public expression of hostility, hatred, or contempt against religions [Christianity] with the purpose of  preventing others from adhering to any religion, or for any disgrace of a religion"  - in other words, BLASPHEMY!    Aren't the perpetrators of the violent and disruptive acts during the trial and the intentional and deliberate destruction of [Christian] churches that subsequently followed guilty themselves of "blasphemy" and hate crimes?  Incidentally, Indonesia does not appear to have any legislation on hate crimes.

Human Rights Watch group has stated, "The Indonesian authorities' pattern of ineffectiveness reflects a political, legal, and social framework that propagates a culture of religious discrimination."

To read the November 2010, Human Rights Watch letter to President Yudhoyono regarding freedom of religion, please see:


http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/11/04/indonesia-uphold-religious-freedom

http://www.hrw.org/node/94058

For more Human Rights Watch reporting on Indonesia, please see:

http://www.hrw.org/en/asia/indonesia

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The U.S. Ambassador at the Embassy of the United States in Jakarta issues a "Statement on Religious Violence in Indonesia":    http://jakarta.usembassy.gov/pr_02082011.html


February 8, 2011
Jakarta - The United States joins the vast majority of Indonesians in deploring the violence in Indonesia directed at members of the Ahmadiyah community that resulted in the deaths of three people and the wounding of several others over this past weekend.  We also note with concern the recent church burnings in Central Java.

President Yudhoyono’s statement condemning the attack on the Ahmadiyah and calling for an investigation underlines Indonesia’s commitment to the rule of law. We encourage the Indonesian government to continue to foster tolerance and protect the rights of all communities.

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Commentary:

Merely "calling for an investigation" (or forming a committee) does not underline a country's commitment to the rule of law.  This reminds me of what I witnessed the other day in Jakarta in the vicinity of Block M and the American Club.  I was stopped at a traffic light on a red light waiting to make a turn and there were several police positioned at the intersection directly in front of me.  They stood there and did NOTHING as packs of motorbike "gangs" ran the red light.  Traffic laws only apply to vehicular traffic, and motorbikes are free to do WHATEVER they want.   The same may be said of enforcement of laws or regulations on the Muslim community; it simply doesn't apply to them...

The REAL test of a country's commitment to the rule of law, Mr. Ambassador, is how uniform and objectively a country enforces those laws or regulations.  "Calling for an investigation" is meaningless.  Were the police at the intersection who stood there doing NOTHING has hordes of motorbikes ran the red light right in their presence "conducting an investigation" ?!

Moreover, as far as the U.S. Ambassador's assumption that the "vast majority of Indonesians deplore the [religious] violence" this may not be entirely correct or a valid assumption.  The "vast majority" in Indonesia are Muslims, AND the Qur`ān actually calls for violence and intimidation.  This is not an opinion, read it for yourself.

Here is what someone had to say below as a comment posted on the Jakarta Post news article:  I have retained a copy for my records in the event that it gets moderated out or off of their site.  I did not write this below, but here is what another "author" has to say.  You read it and decide for yourself...

Lauren, Palembang | Tue, 08/02/2011 - 23:02pm

INDONESIA LISTEN UP. Your country has degenerated into sectarian mob violence. All you "moderate" Muslims need to get off your prayer mats and start defending the civil values you supposedly stand for. Let me tell you that Islam cannot hide its ugly face for much longer. There isn't a burqa big enough to cover the global atrocities committed in the name of Islam and Indonesia's tolerant monniker is nothing but a shameful farce. Indonesians are demonstrating to the world, the hideous group mentality of Muslim people, who fly into irrational rage at the printing of a leaflet or the fact that some "deviant" Muslims believe there was another prophet after Muhammad. Islam is a religion of peace? Read the friggin book moderates. 61% is devoted to kafirs and how much they are despised. Lets review some of the Quranic verses that are inscribed with hate and violence and that legitimate the lunacy of Islamic mobs.

Quran (2:191-193) - "And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution [of Muslims] is worse than slaughter [of non-believers]...and fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah."

Quran (2:244) - "Then fight in the cause of Allah, and know that Allah Heareth and knoweth all things."

Quran (2:216) - "Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not."

Quran (3:151) - "Soon shall We cast terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers, for that they joined companions with Allah, for which He had sent no authority".

Quran (4:74) - "Let those fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward."

Quran (4:76) - "Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah…"

Quran (4:89) - "They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): But take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (From what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks."

Quran (4:95) - "Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward,-"

Quran (4:104) - "And be not weak hearted in pursuit of the enemy; if you suffer pain, then surely they (too) suffer pain as you suffer pain..."

Quran (5:33) - "The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement"

Quran (8:12) - "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them"

The religion of peace? What sort of bullshit is that?

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In an astonishing twist of irony, I just had a Muslim on a motorbike arrive at my front door asking for money.  I politely declined as he did not speak English (nor I Bahasa) and could not answer me why or for what purpose he was collecting money; although I believe it was for a local Mosque.  I did not ask him to make a contribution to my Christian church.  Oddly enough, this was the ONLY house on the street that he stopped by as I witnessed him get back on his motorbike and drive off.  I believe in doing charitable work or deeds by the way, even for people of other faiths, but only when it is LEGITIMATE and for a just cause....

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See also my related article on Religious Freedom in Indonesia

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Update March 16, 2011:

A family member in Washington, DC sent me the editorial section of The Washington Times newspaper dated Wednesday February 23, 2011.  In a Letter to the Editor, Jack Duckworth from Burke, Virginia writes the following editorial,

"Indonesia's supposed tolerance:

President Obama has gone on record praising Indonesia's "spirit of tollerance" as exemplary.  Is he kidding, or is he just in the dark about the country where he spent his formative years?

More than 900 churches in Indonesia have been firebombed by Muslim extremists since 1998.  Perhaps Mr. Obama meant Indonesia's Christians have been models of tolerance by turning the other cheek."