How Would You Describe Indonesian Cuisine?

Source: Wikipedia

Indonesian cuisine is diverse, in part because Indonesia is composed of approximately 6,000 populated islands. Many regional cuisines exist, often based upon cultural and foreign influences. Indonesian cuisine varies greatly by region and has many different influences. 

Throughout its history, Indonesia has been involved in trade due to its location and natural resources. Additionally, Indonesia’s indigenous techniques and ingredients were influenced by India, the Middle East, China, and finally Europe. Spanish and Portuguese traders brought New World produce even before the Dutch came to colonize most of the archipelago. The Indonesian islands The Moluccas (Maluku), which are famed as "the Spice Islands", also contributed to the introduction of native spices, such as cloves and nutmeg, to Indonesian and global cuisine.

Some popular Indonesian dishes such as nasi goreng, gado-gado, sate, and soto are ubiquitous in the country and considered as Indonesian national dishes.

Indonesian Chili Peppers - Hot Sauce

The Indonesians definitely like their food spicy, or more precisely with some very hot chile that's up there on the SHU (Scoville Heat Units) scale.



In addition to Jakarta being referred to as "The Big Durian" (you either love it or hate it!); Indonesian is after all known throughout the world as the "Spice Islands." 

"Sambal" is a chili based sauce that is widely served as a condiment with meals in Indonesia. For the uninitiated or neophyte chili aficionado, these can pack quite a punch; so be careful what you eat with your rice or "nasi" here in Indonesian or what you sprinkle or spoon out over your dish.  It may look like a benign condiment, but if you're not careful or weary what's on your plate or dish you could be in for a real awakening!

       

If you go to a U.S. franchise type of restaurant like Pizza Hut, Burger King, McDonald's, etc don't expect to be served Heinz or Delmonte style red tomato ketchup with those french fries - rather you'll be served the standard orangy "saos sambal" or chili sauce in little packets or from the self serve pump dispenser and you'll have to ask for regular tomato ketchup.

English Tutor in Jakarta: American, UK, Australian, Canadian?

Question:  "Hi Brian, I am thinking about getting an English tutor to improve my conversational English skills for my career development.  But I am confused whether I should learn from an American, UK, or Aussie instructor. What do you recommend?"  

Answer:  Of course I am somewhat biased being a native born American citizen; but being a "straight shooter" and a person of utmost professional ethics and standards, here's my honest and educated opinion.  AMERICAN !   If I felt that a UK or Australian English tutor would be better for your career (or personal) development not only would I tell you to go that route, but I'd be right on your heels to sign up as well!  The justification for my answer is below.

 

(the following is copyright © Brian K. O’Malie)

There are several primary “dialects” of the English language; American English, UK English and Australian English.  The clearest by far when it comes to annunciation and diction is American English. 

Learning UK English or Australian English may leave your listener or audience saying to themselves or whispering to another, “what the #@$% did (s)he just say?!” 
 

Whereas American English can easily be understood anywhere in the world.

As opposed to UK English, American English really lacks separate “dialects” or accents which are that existent that it detracts from the listener’s understanding or comprehension. Although there are some technically categorized “dialects” in American English by linguists or in the academic community; practically speaking there are no real and separate dialects in spoken American English across the United States or its territories. Additionally, American English lacks linguistic formal and informal forms of expression; not to be confused with speaking to someone “informally” or on an “informal basis.”   As opposed to other languages, the student of American English does not need to learn 2 separate and distinct forms of address or expression, words or phrases based on a social class system (i.e. formal or informal).    

Some minor regional differences in spoken English in America, or perhaps some minor colloquialisms do exist and may be heard in; the south eastern states, the Mississippi delta region, Louisiana “Cajun”, New York City boroughs (Bronx, Queens, Manhattan [Harlem], Brooklyn & Staten Island) or in New Jersey, as well as in the poorly educated or lower-class Caucasian, Negro or Hispanic communities in rural or urban areas. I am not trying to single anyone out here with this example or be racially or ethnically biased or prejudiced (which I am not); but am just stating objective facts here. Regardless of race or ethnic origin or color of skin, “street”, “barrio”, or “hood” English is not on par with and should not be compared to English spoken by a reasonably educated person. It is a function of social and cultural deficiencies as well as economic or even health deficiencies as would occur in any other country of the world.  

By and large, however, American English is the clearest of any other English spoken in the world. For example, listen to standard broadcast American English from any local TV news station in America or from CNN, MSNBC or other cable news programming; or from The Discovery Channel or History Channel broadcast, spoken or narrated in American English and you will find that standard American broadcast or media English to be THE clearest form of spoken English in the world.    

For a foreigner learning the English language, it is far more advantageous to learn from a native and educated American English tutor or instructor than learning from a UK or Australian English speaking tutor or instructor.  American English can be more readily understood throughout all parts of the English speaking world; whereas UK English or Australian English may not be as universally understood.  When it comes to learning English for professional, business, vocational or trade purposes; American English will give the foreign student the greater value. 

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In further support of my above position, consider the following:

Here is an excerpt from a website in India which provides a learning center for English communication skills. The funny and ironic thing is that until gaining independence in 1947, India was part of the British Empire (UK), and they are recommending the foreign student learning English to learn “neutral accent” AMERICAN English !! 

Accent Neutralisation / US / UK....... Duration 30 hrs ...............
Sound Like a Native English Speaker

Even though you know the vocabulary and the endless grammar rules, you still find it difficult to pronounce English words correctly this struggle with language can make communicating with native English speakers a frustrating experience for both you and them. You Supposedly have an Indian Accent, an Accent that is normally expected of most Indians. You may have a good knowledge of the English language but does not guarantee a good accent. But what does a good accent mean? It means an accent that is easy on all ears across the globe, an accent that is understood by all in the international community, no matter who the listener is an American, British, Australian or a Canadian or people from any other country.This Accent is called neutral accent.  Improving your English Accent is an easy and enjoyable way to learn and master the most challenging characteristics such as troublesome vowel sounds , difference in stressed and un-stressed syllables and words, which make you sound like a native speaker. This Module develops you to shave off certain excess from your current accent, and develop neutral accent. Gives you the understanding of the American way of speaking, culture and diversity.

Indonesian Mixed Marriage Couples - Right to Work

New Immigration Law - UU 6/2011
Indonesian Mixed Marriage Couples
Right to Work

The new immigration law allows for the employment of expatriate spouse who have been married to an Indonesia for 2 years. One of the main distinctions of the new immigration law is that under this new law, foreign citizens in mixed marriage families clearly are not categorized as foreign “expatriate workers.” Therefore, under the provisions of the new law, a person would not necessarily be employed in the context of the RPTKA/IMTA (which only applies to “expatriate workers”).

Elucidation on Key Provisions of the New Law

Article 52 (e) - A Temporary Resident Permit shall be given to a foreign national who is legally married to an Indonesian.

Article 54, 1(b) – A Permanent Resident permit may be given to a member of a mixed marriage family.

Article 59 (1) - A Permanent Resident Permit is issued for a period of five (5) years and may be extended for an unlimited period insofar as the permit has not been canceled.

Article 59 (2) – The holder of a Permanent Resident Permit for an unlimited period as intended in paragraph (1) must report to the Immigration Office every five (5) years and is not subject to a fee.

Article 60 (2), (3) - After 2 years of marriage, the Permanent Resident Permit may be issued immediately.

Article 61 - The holder of a Permanent Resident Permit issued pursuant to Article 54 1(b) above may work and/or do business to provide a living for him/herself and/or for his or her family.

Article 63 (4) – the provisions concerning a foreigner having a Guarantor or sponsor DO NOT APPLY to foreign nationals who are legally married to Indonesian citizens.

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Caveat:

It is my understanding that while the new law does allow a foreigner married to an Indonesian either the "right" or privilege to "work and/or do business to provide for his/her living and/or the living of his/her family"; with regard to the working or employment side of this dichotomous Article 61 (as opposed to the "do[ing] business part; i,e. forming their own PT or company), "DEPNAKER" or the Labor Dept must still issue a working permit to a foreigner, even if married to an Indonesian for >/= two years.

Notwithstanding the new Immigration law or its administrative implementation or interpretation; a foreign national simply cannot hold certain positions in Indonesian whether married to an Indonesian or not. For example, if I (an American citizen) wanted to hold a position as a Director in a corporation whose Articles of Incorporation expressly stipulate that a foreign national cannot hold such a position, I would be barred from holding such a position regardless of UU 6/2011. Furthermore, "DEPNAKER" may not approve a working permit for me to be employed in certain types of positions, industries, professions or trades.

So while I may now have the right or "privilege" to now work under UU 6/2011 by virtue of being married to an Indonesia for >/= 2 years; the Labor Dept must still give my employment their "blessings" or approval. Therefore, the right to work as a salaried or wage earning employee is not absolute. There appears to be no such encumbrance or restriction if I was to to simply own or have my own business, or work in the capacity of a self-employed independent contractor or sole proprietor - unless of course that was engaged in an occupation, trade or profession which required a license in Indonesia or which could only be performed by a native born or naturalized Indonesian national.

Indonesia Export / Import Trade Facts Summary

Exports and Trade Summary:

Indonesia's exports were $158 billion in 2010, a rise of 35% from $116.5 billion in 2009. The largest export commodities for 2010 were oil and gas (17.8%), minerals (14.9%), textile and footwear (8.9%), crude palm oil (8.54%), electrical appliances (8.2%), and rubber products (4.7%). 

The top destinations for exports for 2010 were Japan (16.3%), China (11.6%), the U.S. (11.1%), Singapore (8.5%), and Korea (8.3%). Meanwhile, total imports in 2010 were $136 billion, up from $96.83 billion in 2009.

Indonesia is currently the United States' 28th-largest goods trading partner with $23.4 billion in total (two-way) goods trade during 2010. The U.S. trade deficit with Indonesia totaled $9.5 billion in 2010 ($6.9 billion in exports versus $16.5 billion in imports).


U.S. - Indonesia Trade Facts:

U.S. goods and services trade with Indonesia totaled $20 billion in 2009 (latest data available for goods and services trade combined). Exports totaled $6.5 billion; Imports totaled $13 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade deficit with Indonesia was $7 billion in 2009.

Indonesia is currently our 28th largest goods trading partner with $23.4 billion in total (two ways) goods trade during 2010. Goods exports totaled $6.9 billion; Goods imports totaled $16.5 billion. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Indonesia was $9.5 billion in 2010.

Trade in services with Indonesia (exports and imports) totaled $1.8 billion in 2009 (latest data available for services trade). Services exports were $1.4 billion; Services imports were $425 million. The U.S. services trade surplus with Indonesia was $981 million in 2009.

Exports (to Indonesia):

Indonesia was the United States' 32nd largest goods export market in 2010.
U.S. goods exports to Indonesia in 2010 were $6.9 billion, up 35.9% ($1.8 billion) from 2009, and up 147% from 1994 (the year prior to Uruguay Round).

The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2010 were: Aircraft ($1.7 billion), Miscellaneous Grain, Seed, Fruit (primarily soybeans) ($827 million), Machinery ($678 million), Food Waste and Animal Feed ($425 million), and Electrical Machinery ($307 million).

U.S. exports of agricultural products to Indonesia totaled $2.2 billion in 2010, the 8th largest U.S. Ag export market. Leading categories include: soybeans ($806 million), cotton ($294 million), feeds and fodders (excluding pet food) ($267 million), dairy products ($160 million), and wheat ($130 million).
U.S. exports of private commercial services* (i.e., excluding military and government) to Indonesia were $1.4 billion in 2009 (latest data available), 11.7% ($187 million) less than 2008 but 61% greater than 1994 levels. Other private services category (mostly business, professional, and technical services) accounted for most of the U.S. exports in 2009.

Imports (from Indonesia):

Indonesia was the United States' 24th largest supplier of goods imports in 2010.
U.S. goods imports from Indonesia totaled $16.5 billion in 2010, up 27.3% ($3.5 billion) from 2009, and up 153% over the last 16 years.

The five largest import categories in 2010 were: Knit Apparel ($2.5 billion), Rubber ($2.2 billion), Woven Apparel ($1.9 billion), Electrical Machinery ($1.8 billion), and Mineral Fuel (oil) ($1.1 billion).

U.S. imports of agricultural products from Indonesia totaled $2.9 billion in 2010, the 6th largest supplier of Ag imports. Leading categories include: rubber and allied products ($1.7 billion), cocoa beans ($324 million), coffee (unroasted) ($236 million), spices ($146 million), and cocoa paste and cocoa powder ($123 million).

U.S. imports of private commercial services* (i.e., excluding military and government) were $425 million in 2009 (latest data available), down 18.7% ($98 million) from 2008 and down 4.0% from 1994 levels. Travel and the other Private Services (business, professional, and technical services) category accounted for most of the U.S. services imports from Indonesia.

Trade Balance:

The U.S. goods trade deficit with Indonesia was $9.5 billion in 2010, a 21.7% increase ($1.7 billion) over 2009.  The United States has a services trade surplus of $981 million with Indonesia in 2009 (latest data available).

Investment:

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Indonesia (stock) was $16.0 billion in 2009 (latest data available), 1.7% decrease from 2008.

U.S. FDI in Indonesia is primarily concentrated in the nonbank holding companies and mining sectors.

Indonesia FDI in the United States (stock) was $256 million in 2009 (latest data available), up 175.3% from 2008.

Sales of services in Indonesia by majority U.S.-owned affiliates were $2.4 billion in 2008 (latest data available), while sales of services in the United States by majority Indonesia-owned firms were $69 million.