Assessing the performance of Yingluck, the government, Abhisit, and the opposition in the no-confidence debate

Assessing the performance of Yingluck, the government, Abhisit, and the opposition in the no-confidence debate:
Reuters:

Thailand’s government survived a no-confidence vote on Wednesday….
Yingluck has enjoyed a period of stability after years of upheaval and her government’s better-than-expected performance in the debate, coupled with the low turnout for Saturday’s protest which quickly fizzled out, strengthen her leadership while offering a reminder of Thailand’s stubborn political divisions.
…
“Accusations of foul play will keep the government off-balance but won’t hurt it,” said Siripan Nogsuan, a political analyst at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.

BP: There have been a few polls that have focused on the performance of Yingluck, Abhisit, the government, and the opposition in the no-confidence debate. Below, BP will look at four polls, but will provide some comments based on the polls and BP’s overall assessment first:
A. On Yingluck:
Suan Dusit Poll shows that a slight majority (51.79%) found Yingluck the most impressive of the government speakers (Q3.2). This corresponds with a Bangkok University poll showing Yingluck gave the clearest answers of anyone from the government side in the no-confidence debate with a score of 37.7 (Q1.4) – the score itself though is not high (i.e good comparatively only). In addition, a plurality (44.5%) viewed that she should have listened and answered more than she did (Q1.5).
ABAC poll showed 68.6% of people, the highest for anyone in the government, had confidence in Yingluck (Q2.2). Suan Dusit Poll shows that 55% have the same level of confidence in Yingluck as they did before the debate. 24% say they have less confidence than before in her whereas only 21% have more confidence in her (Q4.1). That 24% having less confidence is the lowest decline in confidence compared to 25% with less confidence for Abhisit, 34% for government, and 31% for the opposition (Q4).
BP: Yingluck is not the best debater so she was never going to particularly shine during the no-confidence debate, but her answers scored the highest from the government side even if many thought she should have answered more questions. Despite some questions raised about corruption, the no-confidence debate has had minimal impact, if any, on her popularity.
B. On the government:
Bangkok University poll gives the answers of the government 6.07 compared to 5.67 for the opposition (Q1.6) whereas for the ABAC poll the government only scored 6.34 to the opposition’s 6.42 (Q2.3). Suan Dusit poll shows that 48% have the same level of confidence in the government as before, but 34% have less confidence than before whereas only 18% have more. The 34% with less confidence was higher than the numbers of either Abhisit, Yingluck or the opposition.
BP:  In general, there are likely to be increasing questions for the government over the rice pledging scheme in coming months, but the Democrat’s surprising choice not to directly go after the Commerce Minister means there is not as much pressure on him. The government continues to score lower than Yingluck – or is that Yingluck scores higher than the government – but this is part of a long trend.
C. On Abhisit and the opposition:
According to the Suan Dusit Poll, Abhist was the most impressive of the the opposition speakers (Q3.3). The level of confidence that people have him was mostly unchanged compared to before. The no-confidence debate has not made much impact on the public’s view on him.
According to ABAC, a plurality viewed that opposition were able to introduce in new information that people hadn’t heard before, that the information was clear, and reliable (Q2.1), but according to a Bangkok University Poll 51.1% of people found the opposition’s information not very reliable or not reliable (Q1.3). Also, per the ABAC poll the opposition scored 6.42 to the government’s 6.34 (Q2.3), but for the Bangkok University poll the opposition scored only 5.67 compared to 6.07 for the government (Q1.6).
BP: You can say both were effective in raising questions, but there was no killer punch. The opposition will continue to raise questions over corruption in the rice pledging scheme which could end up being the government’s Achilles’ heel…
The polls are below:
First, Bangkok University surveyed 1,061 people throughout the country between November 26-November 27 on the no-confidence debate.* Below are some of the questions:
Q1.1. Did you listen or watch the no-confidence debate?

A. Followed at times when there were interesting points, 52.2%

B. Following from the news, 40.7%

C. Followed the whole no-confidence debate, 7.1%
Q1.2. Information from the opposition captured your interest or not?

A. No, 55.7%

B. Yes, 44.3%
Q1.3. Reliability of information from the opposition in the no-confidence debate?

A. Very reliable, 8.2%

B. Rather reliable, 40.7%

C. Rather not reliable, 41.8%

D. Not reliable at all, 9.3%
Q1.4.  Answers of those in the no-confidence debate.

 Q1.5. When asked whether the PM gave enough information and in her duties of answering the opposition’s questions in no-confidence debate and how good was it?
A. Should have answered and listened more than this, 44.5%

B. It was good, 39.2%

C. No answer, 16.3%
Q1.6. What scores do you give those in the no-confidence debate?

A. Speaker, 6.14

B. Answers of the government, 6.07

C. Debate from the opposition, 5.67
Second, ABAC surveyed 1,231 people between November 26-27 in 17 provinces (กรุงเทพมหานคร เพชรบุรี ฉะเชิงเทรา นครปฐม สมุทรปราการ อุตรดิตถ์ ลำปาง เชียงใหม่ เชียงราย มุกดาหาร หนองคาย สกลนคร ร้อยเอ็ด บุรีรัมย์ เลย นราธิวาส และสงขลา).** Below are some of the questions:
Q2.1: Opinions on the issues and information in the no-confidence debate of the government and the opposition (แสดงค่าร้อยละของตัวอย่างที่ระบุ ประเด็นต่างๆ ของข้อมูลในการอภิปรายระหว่างฝ่ายค้านและฝ่ายรัฐบาล)

Q2.2:  Opinions on the Prime Minister and the Ministers who faced the no-confidence debate (แสดงค่าร้อยละของตัวอย่างที่ระบุ ความคิดเห็นต่อนายกรัฐมนตรีและรัฐมนตรีที่ถูกอภิปราย)

Q2.3:  Satisfaction with political entities in the no-confidence debate this time. Scores out of 10 (แสดงค่าคะแนนเฉลี่ย ความพึงพอใจต่อฝ่ายการเมืองในการอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจในครั้งนี้ เมื่อคะแนนเต็ม 10)
A. Government, 6.34

B. Opposition, 6.42
Third, a Suan Dusit Poll surveyed (PDF) 1,194 people throughout the country between November 25-27. Below are some of the questions:
Q3.1: Whose information did you believe more?

A. Neither, 41.06%

B. Believe the government more, 24.5%

C. Believe both about the same, 19.21%

D. Believe the opposition more, 15.23%
Q3.2: On the government side, who were you most impressed with during the no-confidence debate?

A. Yingluck, 51.79%

B. Chalerm, 38.95%

C. Sukampol, 9.26%
Q3.3: On the opposition side, who were you most impressed with during the no-confidence debate?

A. Abhisit, 50.04%

B. Chuwit, 25.13%

C. Jurin, 24.83%
Fourth, a Suan Dusit poll that surveyed (PDF) 1,356 people throughout the country between November 29-December 1. Below are some of the questions:
Q4.1: What confidence do you have in Yingluck in the position of PM after the no-confidence debate?

A. Same as before, 55.31%

B. Less than before, 23.89%

C. More than before, 20.8%
Q4.2: What confidence do you have in Abhisit in the position as leader of the opposition after the no-confidence debate?

A. Same as before, 55.73%

B. Less than before, 24.85%

C. More than before, 19.42%
Q4.3 What confidence do you have towards the government after the no-confidence debate?

A. Same as before, 48%

B. Less than before, 34.22%

C. More than before, 17.78%
Q4.4  What confidence do you have towards the opposition after the no-confidence debate?

A. Same as before, 47.53%

B. Less than before, 31.39%

C. More than before, 21.08%
* Survey methodology for Bangkok University Poll:
By gender: 48.9% women and 51.1% men
By age:

* those aged 18-25 (24%),

* those aged 26-35 (28%),

* those aged 36-45 (23.4%),

* those aged 46+ (24.6%)
By education:

57.6% have less than a bachelor’s degree, 37.3% have a bachelor’s degree, and 5.1% have an advanced degree.
By profession:

12.7% contractors, 29.7% are traders/self-employed, 25.6% work for private enterprises, 12.4% are civil servants/state enterprise employees, 4.3% are housewives/househusbands/retired, 10.4% students, Others 4.9% didn’t specify a job/unemployed/freelance.
BP: Over emphasis on those under 45.
**Survey methodology for ABAC Poll:
Gender:

Males   44.4%

Females 55.6%
Age:

Under 20,  4.8%

20-29,  20.2%

30-39,  20.1%

40-49,  19.2%

50+, 35.8%
BP: Much more over 50s than usual – usually it is less than 20% which BP thinks is not reflective of the voting population.
Where they can vote:

Northeast, 34.8%

North, 21.1%

Bangkok, 10.4%

Central, 20.1%

South, 13.6%
BP: Interesting question given that many people, especially who are located in Bangkok, can’t actually vote in Bangkok so this is more relevant than location.
Education:

Less than Bachelor’s, 63.9%

Bachelor’s degree or higher, 36.1%
Occupation:

33.5% are farmers/contractors,

31.5% are traders/self-employed,

8.7% work for private enterprises,

8.6% are civil servants/state enterprise employees,

7.1% are housewives/househusbands/retired,

7.4% are students, and

3.2% didn’t specify a job/unemployed.

DAP an obstacle to Islamic state aspiration, says Hasan Ali

DAP an obstacle to Islamic state aspiration, says Hasan Ali:
KUALA LUMPUR - Independent Selangor lawmaker Datuk Hasan Ali portrayed today the DAP as an obstacle to PAS’s bid for an Islamic state, countering the MCA’s claim that the secular opposition party is camouflaging its Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Islamist ally’s true intent.

The DAP frequently opposes PAS’s efforts to elevate the religion while the Islamist party’s attitude of conforming to its Chinese-dominant partner despite claiming to be championing Islam has clearly disappointed Muslim Malaysians, said Hasan (picture), the former Selangor PAS chief.

“What is being raised here is not a question of enforcing rules like those in the enactment that have been in force for so long,” said the president of Muslim group Jalur Tiga (Jati), referring to DAP chairman Karpal Singh’s recent remarks on a controversial by-law barring women hairdressers from cutting men’s hair and vice-versa in PAS-led Kelantan’s capital Kota Baru.

“But more to the question of opposition and obstruction towards those rules that come from the DAP, PAS’s political partner in the opposition pact,” the assemblyman for Gombak Setia said in a statement.

Hasan said Karpal’s comment showed the DAP was unprepared to accept any Islamic rule, and urged the Malay-Muslim community to find alternatives to ensure Islam will be elevated instead of relying on PAS to do so.

“If in a matter that is said to be trivial like this the DAP cannot receive well, what more in bigger issues like implementing hudud and an Islamic state that PAS promises to realise when the opposition pact succeeds in capturing Putrajaya,” he said.

Racial and religious issues are inseparable in Southeast Asia’s third-biggest economy, sparking heated rows between the opposition PR and the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition as well as among their respective political alliances as the 13th general election looms.

Malays make up some 60 per cent of the population and are defined as Muslims by the country’s highest law.

The MCA, the Chinese component party in the 13-member BN, has persistently painted the DAP as paving the way for an Islamic theocracy to be formed in the run-up to polls that could catapult the PR pact to Putrajaya.

However, BN lynchpin Umno and other right-wing Malay groups have just as persistently been portraying the DAP as a catalyst for the setting up of a Christian state and a Christian prime minister in the mainstream media.

Thousands attend Pakatan ceramah in Umno territory

Thousands attend Pakatan ceramah in Umno territory:

More than 30,000 people turned up to hear Pakatan leaders tell why its best to vote for them and not for Umno in Johor.

BATU PAHAT: A Pakatan Rakyat ceramah here on Friday managed to attract more than 30,000 people in what Pakatan leaders say is a sign of support moving away from Umno to them.

Never in Johor’s political history has an opposition rally attracted such an enormous crowd.

The assembly was part of the ongoing state-level Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat (Peoples’ Uprising Assembly) series being organised by Pakatan nationwide.

It followed the national-level assembly staged in Taman Seremban Jaya in Senawang on Nov 3 which also attracted about 30,000 Malaysians.

Johor PKR chairman Chua Jui Meng and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim arrived together at about 11pm and were pleasantly surprised by the mammoth crowd.

They both had to wade through a sea of people to get to the stage with their shoes and trousers covered with mud. PAS president Hadi Awang was then in the midst of his speech.

After Hadi wrapped up his ceramah, a brief ceremony was held to introduce and accept the membership application forms of several ex-senior Johor civil servants and former key Umno members who joined PAS.

Anwar was then called to the stage to deliver his ceramah and got the crowd roaring when he shot off with: “This is not an Umno assembly! What (Prime Minister and Umno president) Najib (Tun Razak) doesn’t understand is the emergence of Kebangkitan Rakyat (Peoples’ Uprising).”

“Malaysians today are well informed about socio-political issues. They are also much more intelligent and it is not so easy, as in the past, to fool them.

“There is no room for lip service and mere rhetoric in politics anymore. We must tell the rakyat (people) what we can offer and what we can do to provide good governance.

“We must make clear our people-oriented policies and that we are here to serve the people and to ensure their welfare and country’s progress.

“Unlike BN, if we are given the mandate to administer Putrajaya after the next 13th general election, we will ensure the eradication of corruption,” Anwar said.

The tiger is awakened
Speaking on the sidelines, Chua, who is also PKR vice-president, said: “Tonight is the turning point of Pakatan’s arduous journey not only to Putrajaya, but to also topple Umno and MCA in their political stronghold.

“Tonight’s crowd is simply amazing because they remained until 1am to hear us out. They were also not put off by the muddy ground caused by rain in the late afternoon. The tiger is awakened! Umno, MCA and BN beware.
“What is more telling is that some 90% of the audience were Malays. We are now witnessing a strong swing of Malay voters in Johor to Pakatan.

“In fact, I had arrived together with Anwar from the Johor PKR Deepavali Open House cum ceramah in Tebrau.

“The turnout was about 5,000 people and what was encouraging was that 90% of the audience were Indians. This indicates Johoreans want people-centric and cleaner state and federal governments.

“The strong turnout by the Indians in Johor also confirms that the community is also giving wider support to Pakatan compared with the March 2008 political tsunami,” he added.

NAJIB AN INCREASING LIABILITY: Umno's war-cry sunk by Altantuya & Deepak bombshells

NAJIB AN INCREASING LIABILITY: Umno's war-cry sunk by Altantuya & Deepak bombshells:

Umno's much-touted 66th general assembly ended with a whimper, its cries of being able to snatch two-thirds of the seats in Parliament downed by missiles that emanated from its own base boomeranging badly on its top leader - the scandal-plagued and embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Despite acknowledging that Umno's notorious corruption was its own worst enemy, Najib failed to speak up against graft, introduce serious pre-emptive reforms or to even promise a new horizon where transparency would be the rule and not the exception.

His political rivals were not surprised, attributing this in large part due to at least 3 major pieces of shocking news that erupted just days before the Umno assembly started.

"What is there to say. It is so clear Umno cannot change. Its leaders can order the mainstream media, the TV and newspapers to black out the news. They can shout at how confident they are to win the 13th general election but Umno delegates and members have that sinking feeling in their hearts," PAS MP for Shah Alam Khalid Samad told Malaysia Chronicle.

"Inwardly, many grassroots are disappointed and disgusted by the dishonesty and corruption of their leaders but they won't do much because this is the nature of Umno. It has always been. Those who can't stand it will leave, those who stay will hang on and hope for a piece of the gravy train even though they know it is corrupt."

TRIPLE bombshells, more to come?

The first news break that shocked the country came from French lawyers, who revealed that the investigative judges hearing the RM7.3bil Scorpene case in Paris had decided that, contrary to the Malaysian government's claims, murdered Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu was involved in Putrajaya's acquisition of submarinnes from naval giant DCNS and would be requesting for full records of her murder trial.

This news set tongues wagging as Umno members thronged the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur where their annual congress was held. Perhaps the news reverberated all the more because Najib had foolishly refused to allow the French lawyers to come to Malaysia to brief Members of Parliament on the latest status of case, thereby increasing the suspicion against himself and his wife Rosmah Mansor, both of whom have been accused of involvement and whose former bodyguards were sentenced to hang for the murder.

Next were the twin bombshells dropped by carpet trader Deepak Jaikishan, a former close friend of Rosmah's. According to Deepak, the first couple enlisted his help in overturning a statutory declaration that implicated them in the Altantuya murder. The news sparked calls for a re-opening of the Altantuya murder trial which has been questioned for its 'quality' of justice, with the court accused of ignoring evidence that the bodyguards may have been merely the hired killers and that the people who gave the order to murder still at large.

As if that were not enough and Umno members were not already reeling at the alleged misdeeds of their president and his wife, Deepak went on to accuse a "member of Najib's family" of taking millions of ringgit for his approving the RM100 Puspahanas project, a research centre commissioned by the Ministry of Defense which despite being privatized in 2005 remains only about 20% built today.

"Umno’s 'war' 66^th General Assembly has ended with UMNO leaders confident and euphoric, with the Umno Secretary-General Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and other Umno leaders declaring that Umno will not only triumph in the next general elections, but will win back the two-thirds parliamentary majority as well as all the four Pakatan states including Kelantan and Penang," DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said in a statement.

"However, 'Man proposes, God disposes'. Although the  just-concluded Assembly was painstakingly choreographed and orchestrated, with a lot of do’s and don’t’s for those who spoke at the four-day Umno Assemblies to optimise Umno’s appeal in the 13GE, the ineluctable conclusion of rational and thinking Malaysians  is that despite all the talk of “transformation”, Umno leaders and Umno are incapable of change so long as Umno remains corrupted in the corridors of power.

"Umno and Barisan Nasional have become synonymous with corruption in Malaysia and the 44 months of Najib premiership have shown that Najib is only good at mouthing anti-corruption slogans but totally lacking the political will and commitment to root out corruption, especially grand corruption involving political and government leaders.

"This is why the 66^th UMNO General Assembly presented the sad spectacle of the Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Aman, successfuly performing the “disappearance” act despite valiant efforts by the media representatives on a look-out for him to respond to demands by Sabah UMNO delegates that Musa explain the scandal of the RM40million “political donation to Sabah UMNO” which involved him and the Sabah timber trader Michael Chia.

"Also most disturbing is the backing out and silence of the Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi  coupled with the failure of Najib to respond to the serious allegations of integrity about a RM100 million defence ministry project in 2005 raised by businessman Deepak Jaikishan implicating the Prime Minister’s family and which is also related to the high-profile and long-running Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case. Haunting Najib at the 66^th UMNO General Assembly was the ghost of Altantuya Shaariibuu. Why couldn’t Altantuya’s ghost be appeased?"

Malaysia Chronicle

Syria combining chemicals to make sarin gas: U.S. official

Syria combining chemicals to make sarin gas: U.S. official: Syria has begun mixing chemicals that can be used to make deadly sarin gas, a U.S. official told AFP Monday, amid fears that President Bashar al-Assad's forces could attack rebels with chemical weapons.

“We've picked up several indications which lead us to believe that

PKB eyes Rhoma as presidential candidate

PKB eyes Rhoma as presidential candidate: (Kompas/Irfan Maullana)The idea of endorsing dangdut singer Rhoma Irama to run for president in the 2014 general election is gaining ground.After several organizations expressed support for the ...

Indonesia president blasted for urging social media monitoring - ZDNet

Indonesia president blasted for urging social media monitoring - ZDNet:

Jakarta Post

Indonesia president blasted for urging social media monitoring ZDNet Activists in Indonesia have blasted President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for suggesting government officials should actively monitor social media to prevent social conflict. A The Jakarta Post report Monday cited Zainal Abidin, activist with the ... No power, no poverty!Jakarta Post all 4 news articles »

Indonesian Women Preyed on by Drug Traffickers - TheFix.com

Indonesian Women Preyed on by Drug Traffickers - TheFix.com:

TheFix.com

Indonesian Women Preyed on by Drug Traffickers TheFix.com As the Jakarta Globe reports, an increasing number of Indonesian women—as elsewhere in the world—are lured into the dangerous role of drug mule by men. Indonesia is seen by international drug cartels as a profitable new market, with an illicit drug ... Indonesian Women Carry Drugs for Men They LoveJakarta Globe all 4 news articles »

Uganda: Desperate Mothers Dope Own Children

Uganda: Desperate Mothers Dope Own Children:

Young women leave children sedated at home so they can go out and work in sex trade.

• 
  

Extreme poverty among young mothers in northern Uganda is driving some to dose their children with medication when they go out at night to earn a living as prostitutes.

Programme: 

International Justice - ICC

read more

Zimbabwe: Soldiers Beat Political Activists

Zimbabwe: Soldiers Beat Political Activists: [SW Radio]Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said he learnt with great shock and concern about the savage beatings of MDC-T activists in Zhombe, by uniformed members of the Zimbabwe National Army last week.

Ethiopia: Huge Dam Could Be Disastrous for Region

Ethiopia: Huge Dam Could Be Disastrous for Region: [ThinkAfricaPress]Without greater oversight, Ethiopia's secretive new dam could have disastrous environmental, social and political impacts.

Syrian FM spokesman Jihad Makdissi defects: diplomatic source

Syrian FM spokesman Jihad Makdissi defects: diplomatic source: Syrian foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi has defected and has left Beirut to settle in London, diplomatic sources said on Monday.

“He defected. All I can say is that he is out of Syria,” the source, who did not want to be named, told Reuters.

Lebanon's al-Manar Television

Blasts hit two northern Nigerian cities

Blasts hit two northern Nigerian cities: Kano and Maiduguri targeted, a day after deaths of 10 Christians in suspected Boko Haram attack in Borno state.

DR Congo army returns to Goma

DR Congo army returns to Goma: M23 rebels warn to retake the city, if the government fails to enter negotiations.

Mekong patrol launched from Yunnan - Mizzima News

Mekong patrol launched from Yunnan - Mizzima News:

Mekong patrol launched from Yunnan Mizzima News China, Laos, Burma and Thailand on Sunday launched a new joint patrol on the Mekong River in the Golden Triangle Region in an attempt to normalize trade and transportation after an incident last year in which 13 Chinese sailors were killed on the river. Seventh joint Mekong patrol launchedChina Daily all 6 news articles »

Malaysia Frees Indonesian Maids 'Held Against Will' - Jakarta Globe

Malaysia Frees Indonesian Maids 'Held Against Will' - Jakarta Globe:

Malaysia Frees Indonesian Maids 'Held Against Will' Jakarta Globe Twelve people were arrested over their confinement, it added, including three Malaysian men, five Indonesian women, three Cambodian women and one Filipino woman. Malaysia, which has some of Southeast Asia's highest living standards, has been a ... and more »

Cambodia: Chinese-made Dam collapsed.

Cambodia: Chinese-made Dam collapsed.: The Chinese-made Stung Atay dam in Cambodia collapses while under construction. The collapse of the dam in Western Cambodia  is likely due to leak created by excess of water in an under-construction structure.… Read More →

Vietnam Says Chinese Vessels Cut Cables

Vietnam Says Chinese Vessels Cut Cables: Chinese fishing vessels cut cables of a Vietnamese vessel in the South China Sea, PetroVietnam said, as concern mounted about new rules that appear to authorize Chinese police to board foreign ships around disputed islands.

Chinese Media Partly Retreat After Reports of Court Verdict

Chinese Media Partly Retreat After Reports of Court Verdict: A Beijing court convicted 10 people for using secret jails to detain citizens, state-run media outlets initially reported. By the end of the day, the article was gone from most Web sites.

Suspected Gaza Collaborators Face a Grisly Fate

Suspected Gaza Collaborators Face a Grisly Fate: Recent vigilante-style killings of seven Palestinians suspected of providing intelligence to Israel highlighted the pathetic plight of collaborators.

Syria Moves Its Chemical Weapons and Gets Another Warning

Syria Moves Its Chemical Weapons and Gets Another Warning: The United States and several allies warned President Bashar al-Assad that he would be “held accountable” if his forces used the weapons against the rebels.

Memo From Colombia: Displaced Colombians Grapple With the Hurdles of Going Home

Memo From Colombia: Displaced Colombians Grapple With the Hurdles of Going Home: The government has made bringing people back to rural towns a priority, but logistics and fears of violence have complicated matters.

In Jordanian terror plot, officials see hand of resurgent al-Qaeda in Iraq - The Washington Post

In Jordanian terror plot, officials see hand of resurgent al-Qaeda in Iraq - The Washington Post

Congress Retains Low Honesty Rating

Congress Retains Low Honesty Rating: Ten percent of Americans rate the honesty and ethics of members of Congress as very high or high, above only car salespeople on a list of 22 professions. Medical professionals and engineers receive their best ratings on record.

A Top 11 of Cheap but Cheery Budget Hostels in Jakarta

A Top 11 of Cheap but Cheery Budget Hostels in Jakarta:
By: Ario Triwibowo

As most of the big cities in South East Asia, there is always a place for backpackers in Jakarta. There are many low-fare hotels, motels, hostels and losmen in Jakarta, because the demand for cheap accommodation is increasing by the day as more and more Indonesians start backpacking (if something becomes a trend in Indonesia, it means it’s virtually instantly an industry, as the country is inhabited by over 240 million people).

Many hostels in Jakarta verge on the dingy and/or depressing. Hence we tried our best to make a selection of cheap but cheery hostels in Jakarta. The area where most backpackers end up in Jakarta is centered around Jalan Jaksa. This area is strategic as it is close to the train station and many of the city’s attractions (Monas, the shopping center Sarinah and other malls in the area). Other nice areas to stay are Menteng in central Jakarta and hip and happening Kemang in the south. Planning to travel in Jakarta on a low budget? Here is our Top 11 of Cheap but cheery budget hostels in Jakarta!

1. Six Degrees

Relax on the rooftop terrace at Jakarta's Six Degrees Hostel

Address: Jl. Cikini Raya Jakarta Pusat 10330

Phone: +62213141657

Email: hello@jakarta-backpackers-hostel.com

Website: jakarta-backpackers-hostel.com

Private Bathroom: Some rooms

Air Conditioning: Yes
When you travel you may think of your hotel as only a place to sleep. After all, you try to spend as little time as possible in your room and as much time outside exploring Jakarta. But sometimes you might just want to spend a day chill-laxing and taking a day off. Most low-fare hotels provide nothing more than a place to eat and sleep, but this is not the case when you stay at Six Degrees. Six Degrees sits strategically in Central Jakarta, where most of Jakarta’s cultural heritage is located. Tourist attractions such as The National Museum, the National Monument and Jakarta’s Old City are close nearby. Shopping Malls such as Plaza Indonesia, Grand Indonesia, Thamrin City and business districts such as Sudirman Street and Thamrin Street are also in close proximity.

As mentioned above, Six Degrees is several degrees above your regular backpackers hostel. It is a five story building, where each floor offers guests something different. The ground floor is utilized as the social hub, where guests can enjoy a drink at the café and bar, watch a movie at the mini cinema, read books, listen to songs in the jukebox, play pool and last but not least, the superfast free wifi. On the second and third floor you will find the rooms and if you go up to the fourth floor, there is a guest kitchen. Plus, if you feel you need some exercise, a small gym is also provided. The last floor is called the Rooftop Garden. This so-called “ hidden gem” of Six Degrees is probably one of the favorite spots for guests to chill out. It offers a private garden with a bamboo gazebo and sun lounges perfect to kick-back and relax.

The lobby at Six Degrees hostel Jakarta

Six Degrees has a range of rooms each with different amenities. There are two types of reservations you can make here, either a dorm bed or a private room. Dorms are shared rooms that have 4 – 6 beds, which costs IDR 120.000 (around USD 12) per person for one night. Private rooms have single or double beds and cost IDR 170.000 – 260.000 (around USD 17 – 26) per room for one night.

2. Sunny Days Hostel

Address: Sudirman Park Apartment Tower A, Ground Floor, Suite ADAF1 Jl. KH Mas Mansyur Kav 35 Jakarta Pusat

Phone: +62215794 2777, +62217085 8448

Email: sunnydays@sunnydays-hostel.com

Website: sunnydays-hostel.com

Private Bathroom: Some rooms

Air Conditioning: Yes
Sunny Days Hostel is located near the business district of Sudirman Street. Its premises are a part of a large apartment, mall and office called the Sudirman Park. Sunny Days Hostel is ideal for those who wish to stay in the very center of Jakarta’s busy and bustling inner circle, where you have easy access to almost everything, with the addition of some hefty traffic noises and pollution. There are many nearby malls such as the Sudirman Park itself, Plaza Semanggi, Mal Ambasador, Grand Indonesia, Plaza Indonesia, fX Mall – Plaza, Ratu Plaza, Plaza Senayan, and Senayan City.

Enjoy 5 star facilities at Sunny Days hostel in Jakarta

Because of its integration with an apartment building, Sunny Days Hostel offers five-star facilities for the guest to use, such as the swimming pool, Jacuzzi and fitness center. These facilities are free of charge! There are 3 types of rooms. There is one small dorm room for 8 people, which costs IDR 185.000 (around USD 18.5) per person for one night. Then there is a double, which cost IDR 250.000 (around USD 25) and a room for 4 people which costs IDR 250.000 (around USD 25) as well.

3. Kamar-Kamar

Address: Jl. RS Fatmawati No. 37K Jakarta Selatan 12430

Phone: +62217512560

Email: info@kamar-kamar.com

Website: kamar-kamar.com

Private Bathroom: No (four shared bathrooms and two toilets)

Air Conditioning: Yes
Kamar-Kamar is located strategically in busy South Jakarta. It is located very close to one of Jakarta’s shopping and dining centers, the Cilandak Town Square. Daily needs are in walking distance since a 24-hour convenient store is nearby. For those who wish to indulge in local culinary pleasures, the street vendors and hawkers sell their fare along RS Fatmawati street.

Fresh and clean dorm at Kamar-Kamar hostel Jakarta

Kamar-Kamar offers single and group bookings. The single booking gets you a bed in a dorm. A bed goes for IDR 135.000 (around USD 13.5) per person for one night. If you travel in a group consisting of 2-12 people, you may want to book a whole room. The price for a double is IDR 270.000 (around USD 27), IDR 1.080.000 (around USD 108) for the room for 8 people and IDR 1.620.000 (around USD 162) for the room that fits 12 people. These prices are negotiable if you plan to stay more than one day.

Hotel Fortuna, peeling on the outside, reasonable on the inside

4. Hotel Fortuna

Address: Jl. Pintu Besar Selatan No. 69  Pinangsia, Taman Sari Jakarta Barat 11110

Phone: +62216313411

Email:  -

Website: -

Private Bathroom: Yes

Air Conditioning: Yes
Hotel Fortuna is located in Jakarta’s old Chinatown, which shows in its peeling facade. It is easy to find because of its large name sign that is impossible to miss on the main road. This hotel is at the heart of Jakarta’s Chinatown, so you will find many interesting shops here, access to Jakarta’s Old Town and museums and the airport.

There are three types of room in Hotel Fortuna; all facilitated with private bathrooms and air conditioning. They differ in size and amenities. The economic room costs IDR 168.000 (around USD 16.8), the standard room costs IDR 217.000 (around USD 21.7), and the deluxe room costs IDR 267.000 (around USD 26.7).

5. Rumah Shinta

Address: Jl. Mangga Dua Raya No. 41 Pinangsia Jakarta 11110

Phone: 62 21 6905566

Email: info@rumahshinta.com

Website: rumahshinta.com or www.facebook.com/rumahshintajakarta

Private Bathroom: Yes

Air Conditioning: Yes

Twin room in Rumah Shinta

Rumah Shinta is a guesthouse with a hotel-like atmosphere and facilities. Its aim is to provide clean, simple, safe, affordable and comfortable transit accommodation for business travelers and tourists. Located nearby Jakarta’s Chinatown Glodok, Rumah Shinta offers easy access to one of Jakarta’s biggest shopping malls and trade centers, especially for retail clothing and electronics: the Mangga Dua Shopping Center.

Rumah Shinta is recommended for travelers who are particularly interested in exploring Chinatown. It offers single rooms at IDR 150.000 (around USD 15) per night; double rooms at IDR 265.000 (around USD 26.5) per night and a family room for 4 people which costs IDR 395.000 (around USD 39.5) per night. The facilities provided here are free breakfast, wifi, cable tv, hot water and drinking water.

6. Hippo Budget Hostel

Address: Pluit Permai 6 No 37 Jakarta Utara

Phone: +6285814478833

Email: hippo.budgethostel@gmail.com

Website: www.hippobudgethostel.com

Cozy conditions in Hippo Budget Hostel JakartaPrivate Bathroom: Depends on Room

Air Conditioning: Yes
If you have plans in the north of Jakarta, the Hippo Budget Hostel might be perfect for you. It is located in Pluit, which is relatively close to the airport, harbour (to visit Jakarta’s exotic Thousand Islands or Kepulauan Seribu), Ancol (Jakarta’s amusement park) and Jakarta’s Old Town. Hippo Budget Hostel is located in the busy section of Pluit, where shopping malls, restaurants and bus stops are within walking distance.

Single rooms cost IDR 150.000 – 170.000 (around USD 15 – 17); double rooms cost IDR 250.000 (around USD 25) and triple rooms costs IDR 350.000 (around USD 35). The Hippo Budget Hostel does not accommodate large groups in one room, since the maximum number of guests in its biggest room is only for 3 people.

7. Wisma Djengger

Address: Jl. Kramat VI No. 28 Jakarta Pusat

Phone: +62213909955

Email: –

Website: www.facebook.com/wismadjengger

Private Bathroom: Yes

Air Conditioning: Yes
Wisma Djengger is located in Central Jakarta bordering East Jakarta. It is not particularly located near Jakarta’s highlights, but big shopping malls and cultural and historical sites such as museums are near. It is close to the main road and the bus station.

Slightly dated but fine, Wisma Djengger

Wisma Djengger offers three kinds of rooms: Superior, Deluxe and Suite. The Superior Room costs IDR 150.000 (around USD 15) without television. The Deluxe Room costs IDR 180.000 (around USD 18), while the Suite costs IDR 300.000 (around USD 30). Extra beds are provided, at an extra charge of IDR 75.000 (around USD 75). Other facilities are free breakfast and wifi.

8. Anara House

Address: Jl. Cilandak X No. 11 Cilandak – Fatmawati Jakarta 12430

Phone: +622175912533

Email: anara@anarahouse.com

Website: www.anarahouse.com

Private Bathroom: Yes

Air Conditioning: Yes
Located in the south of Jakarta in the Cilandak area, rooms in Anara House can be rented daily, weekly and monthly. It is perfect for those of you who plan to stay in Jakarta for a longer period. Shopping malls like Cilandak Town Square, ITC Fatmawati and D’Best Fatmawati are in the vicinity.

An impression of Anara House Jakarta

The house is fully furnished complete with air conditioning, television, closet, showers, seating toilets, water heater and wifi. The only drawback is that Anara House only provides single rooms. It is therefore recommended for guests who travel alone. Staying in Anara House overnight costs IDR 150.000 (around USD 15) on Sundays – Thursdays and IDR 200.000 (around USD 20) on Fridays and Saturdays. One extra person in a room means an additional charge of IDR 50.000 (around 5 USD), but due to the small space, is not recommended.

9. Bintang Kejora Hostel

Address: Jl. Kebon Sirih Barat Dalam No. 52, Kebon Sirih, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat

Phone: +622131923878

Email: –

Website: -

Private Bathroom: Depends on Room

Air Conditioning: Depends on Room
Bintang Kejora Hostel is located in wealthy Menteng. The hostel is relatively close to the business district of Thamrin Street, also a home to big malls such as Grand Indonesia, Plaza Indonesia and Sarinah. There are also numerous cultural and historical sites nearby such as the Proclamation Monument, Gedung Joeang 45, Suropati Park, Menteng Park and more.
There are three types of rooms here in Bintang Kejora Hostel: rooms with fan cost IDR 100.000 – 150.000 (around USD 10 – 15), the latter is facilitated with a private bathroom. The air conditioned rooms cost IDR 200.000 (around USD 20).

10. Bloemsteen Hostel

Address: Jalan Kebon Sirih Timur 1 No. 175, Centra Jakarta.

Phone: +622131925389,

Email: -

Website: -

Private Bathroom: No

Air Conditioning: Some rooms
Bloemsteen Hostel is one of the many hostels near Jalan Jaksa. Bloemsteen hostel offers some 20 rooms in many shapes and sizes and at various prices. Air conditioned rooms cost IDR 130.000 (around USD 13) and rooms with a fan cost IDR 80.000 (around USD 8). There are no private bathrooms. As a low-cost hostel, don’t expect any frills, such as soap, toothpaste and towels. It is advised to bring mosquito repellent, either in the form of spray or lotion.

Smack bang in backpackers hotspot Jalan Jaksa: Hotel Tator

11. Hotel Tator

Address: Jl Jaksa No. 37 Jakarta 10340

Phone: +62213192 3940

Website: -

Private Bathroom: Yes

Air Conditioning: Depending on rooms
Jalan Jaksa or Jaksa Street is a lively street full of restaurants, cafes and bars that rock around the clock.  Established in 1994, Hotel Tator has slowly climbed the ranks of the low budget hotels in Jakarta. The room rates are IDR 120.000 (around USD 12) a night for a room without air conditioning (with fan), and the rooms with air conditioning cost IDR 140.000 – 150.000 (around USD 14 – 15) a night.

ICG Report - Sudan: Major Reform or More War

Sudan: Major Reform or More War: Last week’s arrests of senior security figures for allegedly plotting a coup showed how close Sudan is to even greater violence and disintegration. Only managed but fundamental governance reform can help it escape chronic conflict and humanitarian misery.

ICG Report - Turkey’s Kurdish Impasse: The View from Diyarbakır

Turkey’s Kurdish Impasse: The View from Diyarbakır: Though battered economically, socially and politically for decades, the city and province of Diyarbakır could offer hope for Turks and Kurds who want to live together, if Ankara can refocus its policies on creating a more equal, democratic Turkey.

Philippines Condemns China's Plan to Search, Seize Vessels in South China Sea

Philippines Condemns China's Plan to Search, Seize Vessels in South China Sea: The Philippines says a plan by China's Hainan province to stop and search foreign ships deemed to be illegally in the South China Sea is a "gross violation" of international law and hampers freedom of navigation.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs is demanding clarification from China over the plans.  The department said in a statement it is "especially concerned" by media reports that starting next year, Hainan police will have authority to board, ...

Singapore to Deport Striking Chinese Bus Drivers

Singapore to Deport Striking Chinese Bus Drivers: Singapore will deport 29 Chinese immigrant bus drivers who were involved in the city-state's first strike in 26 years, the government said Saturday.

Malaysia's Leader Rallies Party for Elections

Malaysia's Leader Rallies Party for Elections: Malaysia's leading political party clung to its traditional planks during a week-long congress to rally members ahead of general elections next year that will determine whether Prime Minister Najib Razak can stay in his job.