A p a   K a b a r
A Monthly e-Newsletter published by the Singapore Association in Indonesia
Issue AK02~SAI2000                                                                    28/August/2000

Singaporeans Celebrate 35th National Day At Luncheon 

Saturday, 19th of August 2000, about 250 Singaporeans with their families gathered at the Singapore Embassy in Kuningan, Jakarta, to celebrate Singapore's 35th National Day. The Luncheon was organised by the Singapore Association in Indonesia(SAI), the Singapore Women Group in Jakarta(SWG) and the Singapore Embassy. Judging from the long list of sponsors, the event was indeed welcomed and well supported. The food was exceptional, the Singapore fare was spread with chilli crabs, chicken rice, nasi lemak, roti prata and rojak amongst other delights. Beer and wine were sponsored in addition to the usual drinks. Unlike previous years, there was more than enough food and drinks for everyone.

What made the celebration more appealing was the very short speeches by the Singapore Ambassador H.E. Edward Lee, SAI President Ow Fook Moh and SWG President Dr. Felicia Tan. After the well participated opening with the singing of our Majulah Singapura and a hearty Happy Birthday Singapore shout, a red and white shower of confetti exploded into the air; filling the hall with confetti "rain" and elated excitement. The performances that followed were fairly entertaining too, covering the 4 dominant cultures that make up the Singapore community. An Indian Classical Dance recital in the "Bharathnatyam" style was performed by Mrs. Meenu Nanwani, a teacher with the Singapore International School. The Chinese Bell Dance brought smiles to the audience and parents of the SIS students who gave a wonderful performance under the direction of their teacher Ms. Sandy Lim. Next on stage were a bevy of shapely Moms of SIS students, led by Mrs. Azizah, dancing to the Malay Rongeng rhythm and wolf's whistles. The Moms almost brought the house down. Completing the multicultural mix was Natasha (daughter of SAI President, Ow) and Eddie who flew in just to do a graceful and elegant Ballroom Dance. The performances ended with a Balinese dance performed by Ms. Devi who teaches Balinese dancing.

Another feature that made this year's National Day celebration more interesting than before was the Chidren Drawing Competition, with the theme "What National Day is to me". About 40 children participated in the competition which started from 11.30 a.m. The organising committee was thankful for the help of SIS teachers, Mr. Froilan Cruz, Ms. Sandy Lim, Mrs. Miriam Wang and Ms. Judith Harbour who were busy supervising and taking care of the young artists during the competition. A little after lunch, the following results were annouced to a happy crowd at our 35th National Day Luncheon.

Results of Singapore 35th National Day Luncheon Children Drawing Competition

Kindergarten Category:   

- Winner - Christopher S.       

- 1st Runner Up - Surog Vaswani       

- 2nd Runner Up - Soh Wei Na

Primary 1 to 3 Category: 

- Winner - Celine Djohan       

- 1st Runner Up - Samantha Baas       

- 2nd Runner Up - Willaim Tan Wei Loong  

Primary 4 to 6 Category: 

- Winner - Valencia Young       

- 1st Runner Up - Nicholas Smits       

- 2nd Runner Up - Wong Ruen Qing  

Overall, this year's National Day Luncheon has a more festive mood about it, more relaxed, less official and it gave the guests good vibes and a positive feeling. The organising committee should be given credit where it is due. To the Organising Committee, we say thank you for a good job and a great party. 

Singapore 35th National Day Luncheon Organising Committee:

Amelia Foon, Andric Ng, Augustine Goh, Chan Fook Pu, Charles Peter, Choo Pui Hong, Felicia Tan, Ivy Chua, Jamal Salam, Low Pit Chen, Nanda Bandara, Wulan Permatasari.
MPR Session Ended Peacefully ..............  
But Watchout For Increase in Crime
 
The 10 days of parliamentary proceedings passed peacefully although there were numerous peaceful demonstrations that caused traffic jams. Although there were some Singaporeans who stay away from Jakarta during the session, most of the Singapore community in Jakarta were in town going about their normal routine.
 
It looks like there will be more negotiations and compromise between the politicians, military, bureaucrats, activists and the current government over an extended period of time. Generally speaking, most analysts and observers are not expecting violence to breakout in Jakarta. However, we should be careful and vigilant against criminal elements and avoid crime prone areas in Jakarta. Although the general economy in Indonesia is climbing upwards steadily, however with the recent mergers of the closed banks and more debt ridden businesses closing, more workers are being laid off.  This with the increase of new school leavers , graduates and influx of unskilled labour streaming into Jakarta, is putting stress on the Jakarta City Government and law enforcement. Crime rates are on the increase and it is wise for us not to be too flashy with our accessories and jewellery especially in public areas of dubious reputation. 
 
We have been informed that you should be extra careful when you are near the junction near the former Coca Cola, if you are travelling from Cempaka Putih to Kelapa Gading. It is not wise to pass that way at night.  If any reader knows of an area in Jakarta that is prone to crime, please write to us at sai2000@cbn.net.id and we will post it on our newsletter to share it with fellow Singaporeans in Jakarta.       
 

SAI Executive - Committee 1999 - 2000
Honourable Patron :   H.E. Edward Lee, Singapore Ambassador to Indonesia 

Past Presidents :              Mr. Jaspal Sidhu
                                          Mr. Osman Aman
                                          Mr. Tommy Kaw 

Executive Committee
President :                     Mr. Ow Fook Moh
Vice President :            Mr. Charles Peters
V. Pres./Treasurer :     Mr. Chan Fook Pu
General Secretary :     Mr. Augustine Goh
Membership :                Mr. Jamal Salam and Mr. Andric Ng
Business Activities :   Mr. Tan How Seng
Sports Activities:         Mr. Chris Lee and Mr. C. K. Chong
Social Activities:          Ms. Amelia Foon and Mr. Choo Pui Hong
 
SAI Secretariat
Administrator :           Ms. Wulan Permatasari
Harmoni Plaza A20,  Jl. Suryopranoto No 2, Jakarta 10130
Tel: 021-638 667 07     Fax: 021-638 667 06      Email: sai2000@cbn.net.id
Mail Box  - a note from the editor
 
In our second edition, we are featuring the recent National Day luncheon that went exceptionally well. Our Ambassador H.E. Edward Lee and his lovely wife Sonya mentioned that the next organising committee is going to find it hard to match this wonderful National Day Luncheon. Generally most people I spoke to liked the casual and less formal atmosphere this year. I personally feel that SAI should organise more informal social get togethers not only for SAI members only, but open to all Singaporeans in Indonesia. Of course SAI members will be entitled to their priviledges to participate at reduced rates whereas non-members will continue to pay market rates until they become members.  The mission is to look after the social and community interests of the Singapore community here. 
 
In the coming issues, the editorial team would like to have a special section call SAI CRIME WATCH where readers can tell us the dangerous places in Jakarta, the crime prone places, hopefully not from personal experiences but from information gathered from reliable sources. We as editors and publishers would, of course, reserve the right to publish and/or edit your contributions.
 
We will also be adding a Meet A Fellow Singaporean section where we will feature a guest and his or her perceptions and experiences on living in Indonesia. We hope to do the first feature next month so watch out for our roving Reporter knocking at your door.
 
Although we have not received any letters from our first issue, we accept it as it is common for Singaporeans to shy from participation. However we hope in time to come we would rev up enough interest to have healthly, lively and interesting dialog with you.
 
Until the next issue, see you at our Monthly Thursday Gathering  at the Jakarta American Club(see below).
 
Sincerely
Gus Goh - Editor
APA KABAR 
Events Coming Up.................
 
SAI Monthly Gathering
 
Singapore Association in Indonesia is happy to bring our Monthly Thursday Gathering back to the Jakarta American Club (by popular demand). Besides enjoying the fantastic ambience and amenities of the JAC, you get to meet fellow Singaporeans and other members. Come join us, make new friends, catch up with old buddies and get a life!!
 
Special Feature : Where to get Good Medical Care in Indonesia?
 
We are all aware of the state of health and medical services in Jakarta and Indonesia. Where in Indonesia, can we go to, if and when we get sick, or if and when we want to get a Medical Check-up.
Don't know any reliable Medical Centre?   Well, we have a special guest who will tell us about it.
 
A special introduction to Raffles Medical Group, Indonesia.  Ms. Celine Chew, their General Manager, would give a 10-15 minutes introduction on the facilities of Raffles Medical Group in Indonesia.  This talk will be beneficial and essential for all Indonesians as well as Expatriates who are seeking or are getting Medical Services in Singapore.
 
Come and find out more!
 
Date   :     Thursday,  31st August 2000
Place :      The Jakarta American Club
                  4th Floor, Wisma Kota BNI 46   ( next to Shangrila Hotel, in the same building
                  where Fashion Cafe and Palm Beach Restaurant is)
Time :      6.30 p.m.to 8.30.p.m.
 
Purchase a Rp. 20,000/- coupon at the door for 2 drinks. 
Light snacks are provided on-the-house.
 

SAI ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

at the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta

on the 3rd of September 2000

There are two very important issues to be determined at this AGM,

1) The amendment of the SAI Constitution

2) The election of the next Executive Committee

All SAI ordinary members (except Honourary and Associate members) are urged to participate. Please send us your nomination for the next Executive Committee candidate by filling up the nomination form and faxing it back to SAI Secretariat at (021) 638 66706.

We would also urge members to submit ideas for the type of activity that members and their families would like the SAI to organise in the coming year.  A survey form will be distributed for this purpose. We hope more members will participate in building an active Singapore Community in Jakarta that will benefit members of SAI and the other Singaporeans living and working here. 

Lunch is on the house and will be held at the Grand Melia Hotel immediately after the AGM.

 
If you wish to join the Singapore Association in Indonesia or the Singapore Women Group in Jakarta please do not hesitate to contact :
 
SAI Secretariat
Administrator :           Ms. Wulan Permatasari
Harmoni Plaza A20,  Jl. Suryopranoto No 2, Jakarta 10130
Tel: 021-638 667 07     Fax: 021-638 667 06      Email: sai2000@cbn.net.id