Economy and Development

Before 19^th century Aceh was one of the major producing areas of rice, pepper, rubber, and oil palm. In 17^thcentury, and later on 19^th century, Aceh produced to 50% of world pepper production.

By the end of 19^th century economic resource was discovered: crude oil and natural gas which were exploited by British Petroleum Matschapij and later on by Royal Dutch Shell. In 1971, the most substantial oil reserve in Indonesia was discovered in Aceh, and gigantic, sophisticated and integrated LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) plant was erected in Lhokseumawe. Its current production capacity is 18.8 million metric tons annually. Japan is the major export destination. Other Aceh’s reliable export commodities are rubber, coffee, copra, palm oil and timber.

Abundant coal reserve is available in West Aceh. Other mineral reserves are gold, silver, and gypsum. They have not been fully exploited to date.

An additional item that can be entered in the list of Aceh’s potentials to be developed in the future is tourism due to the fact that Aceh is rich of untouchable natural beauties and cultures. In view of its exceptional geographical location, Aceh could be made an attractive point of destination for foreign tourists in the future.

The majority of aceh people, or 80%, are farmers. Rice fields, unirrigated agricultural fields, and plantations have become their main sources of income. A great number of them also earn their living as fishermen. The most reliable sources of foreign exchange contributed by small holders are coffee and palm oil. In the past, rubber played a significant role. However, its contribution to the country’s economy is decreasing as the results of the declining world market prices of this commodity. The people are no longer interested in developing rubber plantations.

Three Instant Ways to Fight Insomnia

Many experts say that fighting insomnia successfully requires both long-term and short-term strategies. Some argue that the bed should be reserved only for sleeping and sex, while others advocate the idea of avoiding certain foods before bedtime. While such advice is definitely useful, there’s no arguing that it isn’t particularly helpful when tossing and turning under the covers at four in the morning. Chronic insomnia is something that should be dealt with professionally through a scheduled regimen, but for those sudden spells of sleeplessness, there are several things that can be done on the spot which will quickly ease the mind and body into a restful state.

Here are three instant ways to fight insomnia:

Take a Warm Shower

Since taking a cold shower in the morning can help wake mind and soul, a warm shower in the evening would logically help sedate the body and relax the mind. While this is certainly true on a superficial level, a warm shower goes much deeper when helping us fight insomnia. The science of nocturnal sleep cycles shows that people sleep deeper when their bodies are relatively cool, compared to their surrounding environment. By taking a warm shower before we head to bed, we are increasing the temperature difference between the environment surrounding us and our bodies, which leads to an overall faster cooling and deeper sleep. Also, a warm shower relaxes the muscles after a hard day’s work and gets us comfortably clean.

Eat a Banana

After showering but before brushing your teeth, eating a light snack that is high in tryptophan helps your body biologically gets ready for bed. Tryptophan is an amino acid found in bananas and dairy products, the chemical converts to melatonin and serotonin within the body, which in turn encourages sleep. Knowing this, some banana covered in yoghurt and topped with granola is an excellent bedtime treat which is loaded with tryptophan. Likewise, the classic glass of milk also shows some merit as a sleep inducer.

Clear the Mind

If your mind is still racing after you’ve gotten under the covers, try literally slowing it down. Start with the thought that’s already in your head and force yourself to repeat it over and over and over again, making it more drawn out each time. Also, try visualising whatever’s in your mind as being on a blackboard, and then mentally wipe your thoughts away. Finally, make sure to turn your alarm clock away from you so your mind is not preoccupied with trying to calculate how much sleep you’ve lost so far.

As stated before, these three instant techniques are not meant to replace proper professional help for chronic insomnia. However, for those of us who suffer occasional bouts of sleeplessness, and for those times when we simply cannot adhere to a regimen, performing all of these steps will almost always mean sweet dreams within moments. The faster you fall asleep today, the more time there is to spend on tomorrow!

Source: http://associatedcontent.com

People and Society

Before tsunami, 4.2 millions people live in aceh. After tsunami, Aceh population comes around 4.031.589 people.

In the course of Aceh history, interactions with foreigners, such as: Indians, Chinese, Arabs and European, have brought about lasting influences not only upon its culture but also on the physical appearances of the people. European type people, for example, are found in West Aceh, particularly in Lamno. Indian-type faces are common along the coasts, while Chinese are dominant in the north coasts.

The local language used in one area or by an ethnic group is frequently different from the others. But the most common one is Aceh language, the “lingua franca”. Other local languages are Aneuk Jame, Alas, Tamiang, Siumeule, and Klut. The language of the Gayo ethnic group bears no resemblance with other languages. Aceh has adopted and modified the Arabic writing system known as”Melayu Arabic”.

Almost all (over 97%) of Aceh people are devoted Moslems. Islam has been deeply rooted in their daily life as can be seen in the dress fashion of Aceh women. The influences of Islam are also clearly reflected in wedding ceremonies, inheritance law,etc. and Al Quran remains the principal reference. There are about 3,000 mosques, and more than 7,000 “meunasah” and “ mushalla” (Smaller size houses or place of worship). 3% of the people are Christians, Budhists, etc. However, they are all outsiders.

Before World War II, male youngsters were traditionally separated from female. Groups were formed on the basis of sex. They also played games separately. This situation has strongly affected Aceh cultures and arts as evidenced in one of the most popular dances called “seudati”. This dance used to be performed either by male or female dancers. The tempo, rhythms, and body movements are exclusively Aceh and definitely different from the traditional or local dances in any other areas of Indonesia. It is not unlikely that the dance has been strongly influenced by Turkish or Middle East dances.

The clothes put on by Aceh women are unusual ”black trousers” and “tukok”, a short-sleeve shirt. Unfortunately, this traditional dress is now rarely seen in public, except in certain ceremonial events. The oldest non-religious educational institute equivalent to university is Syiah Kuala, established on 2^ndSeptember 1979.

Round Two of Candidate Debate

In this round, the questions focused on economic policy. In investment regulation, unemployment and poverty, Megawati suggests that need revision on regulation; establish more infrastructures on Indonesia especially on the east. Susilo has another opinion, he would like to give easier chance for local investor, focus on agriculture and manufacture industries which could hire more employees, he also thinks that to difficult to change the outsourcing policy and optimize that could handled by local government, employer and employed which succeed in Batam . Jusuf Kalla prefer to improve the economic regulation on outsourcing policy, this policy not protect the workers at all.

When moderator ask about fuel subsidize, Susilo, Megawati and Kalla agreed that need to help people keep survive with more subsidize. The other side, government should use another technology like; gas, bio-ethanol, etc. So, where the money come from to implement this policy?? Mega thinks that if we can manage our natural resource like oil, gas mining and ocean in a good way, we will have enough money. SBY and JK have same opinion, efficiency on government, more entrepreneur, and more skilled worker.

In my opinion, Susilo always answer which safety mode. Not detailed in which side he will stand. Mega and Kalla has better program, revision in outsourcing in pretty well needed to give certainty and safety for workers. You can imagine if every one only works for years with a contract (not permanent) with short payment, a company could easily terminate them. And when there age increase, there is no more place for them. We need a leader who could conduct a new orchestra, new rule model, new improvement and effective result.

Round One Of Candidate Debate

Indonesian has begun the campaign for President this week; the first debate had given better opinion to choose who will be the next President of Indonesian. There are a few questions conduct by Mr. Anis Baswedan, to bring out the vision of each candidate. As we know that Indonesian has 3 couples candidate. Megawati Soekarno Putri – Prabowo Subianto, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono – Budiono and Jusuf Kalla – Wiranto. Each candidate are mixed from civil and military, Megawati, Budiono and Jusuf comes from civil and Prabowo, Susilo and Wiranto was great army general.

When Mr. Anis comes to question about lately condition of Indonesian ARMY, Megawati, Jusuf Kalla and Bambang Yudhoyono agree that military should have more funds to equip better troops. But only Bambang Yudhoyono describes the budget number (35 Billions Rupiahs for next years). In Lapindo disaster, illegal charge, Indonesian labor who works overseas and human right, all candidates has same vision. Upgrade discipline, character, supervision, reward and punishment, establish good relationship with others country, optimist, etc. are their solutions.

One thing had made me give more credit to Susilo Bambang that he would like to use IT (Information Technology) to reform the bureaucracy, its one great idea, make data goes faster, work in better way, great transparency and can develop clean government easily. Next leader should create a high standard for civil servant, high salary, high technology, less time to process, only a few staff in each department to let the computer help fully. If Indonesia could conduct professional civil servant, would give deep impact of investment climate. Private company wills growth certainly, and of course the leader also implements good law policy and better economic recovery.

Climate and Weather in Aceh

It rains throughout the year in Aceh. The rain comes down from Bukit Barisan mountain range and from other surrounding mountains of more than 2,000 – meter high; among others: Leuser mountain (3,145 meters ASL/above sea level), Anu mountain (2,750 meters ASL), Abongabong mountain (2,985 meters ASL), Tangga mountain (2,380 meters ASL), Bateemecica mountain (2,140 meters ASL).

Regardless of the incessant rains, seasonal changes are still clearly noticeable. Normally, dry season lasts from July until September preceded by a long dry spell from March. Wet season is from December until March. The temperatures generally range from 25^o C to 30^o C, and now and then could reach up to 32^o C in dry season. The temperatures in the plateau range from 19^oC to 20^oC.

As a whole, the relative humidity is high, particularly a long the west coast where it is extremely humid and wet. It rains almost everyday. In some areas the rainfall could reach 4, 00 mm/year.

In the east, however, the winter is dry although the rainfall is never less than 2, 00 mm per annum. The dry season is from March until end of July. From May to September, the soft North wind frequently changes in to hurricane. To the local people in Laut Tawar area the strong wind, called “Depik wind”, is considered a blessing in this disguise, since during this period the will be busy catching a specific fish called “Depik” which, due to the strong wind and current, is cast ashore and can be easily caught.

Forest

The tropical forests in Aceh are rich with various plant and animal species. The evergreen and dense forests provide wild creatures with ample vital elements to survive. Numerous wild animals such as rhinoceros, deers, elephants, monkeys, birds (notably large hornbills), tigers, etc. are still available, unharmed by human being. Also to be noted are beautiful and colorful butterflies.

Total forest area is 4,130,000 hectares or 74.56% of the land area of which 20.58% or 849,956 hectares are protected forest and 37.82% or 1,561,996 hectares preserve forest. The Leuser National Park (80,000 hectares) is the largest in Southeast Asia. It extends 100 kilometers from Aceh up to Sibayak volcano in North Sumatra Province and it’s closely preserved to maintain its purity as a tropical forest. It has become the pride of Aceh people.

The Land

Aceh is one of 33 provinces within the territory of the Republic Indonesia. The capital of the province is Banda Aceh which, in the past until 1962, used to be popularly known as Kutaraja.

In view of its extraordinary role in the history of the nation, Aceh is also commonly referred to “The Front Porch of Mekkah, ““The Land of Iskandar Muda, “and “The Land of Rencong”. Bung Karno, the first president of the Republic Indonesia, called Aceh the asset of Nation.

It was in Aceh that the first Islamic Kingdom was founded in 9 Century. From this kingdom Islam was spreading sequentially to other areas in Indonesia. Aceh has become “The Front Gate of Islam”.

The Land, Nature and Environment

Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam is located in the northernmost of Sumatera Island, or in the westernmost of archipelago of 17,000 islands of Indonesia. It extends from 2 to 6 degrees north latitude and from 95 degrees to 98 degrees longitude, covering an area of 57,365.57 square kilometers. Average altitude is 125 meters above sea level. Boundaries: Indonesia Ocean on the west, and Malaka Straits on the north and east. Two rivers border the northern parts of South Aceh, they are Simpang Kiri river on the east and Tamiang river on the west. These river also serve as the natural boundaries between Aceh and South Sumatra Province. The borders are based on a concensus and historical developments of the respective areas or provinces.

There are 119 islands, big and small, in Aceh waters. Weh Island is located on the westernmost. It is also frequently called “ Sabang Island”, named after Sabang, the capital scatter around Weh Island, such as Breuh Island, and Nasi Island.

Along the western part of Aceh, there are some bigger island, such as simeulue Island, Tuanku Island, Babi Island and Banyak Island.

The main-land of Aceh extends from north to south, or to be more accurate, from northwest to southwest. Bukit Barisan mountain range cuts across the province of Aceh southwards along Sumatera Island. The areas west of the mountain range are narrow and covered with dense forest. The hills are steep. There are some sheer cliffs facing the ocean. On the opposite side of the mountain range, there are vast low-lands with well irrigated wet rice fields; while along the shore of Malaka Strait, mangrove trees are densely and widely grown. Compared with the clear and transparent sea water in west beaches, the sea water in the east is somewhat brownish. This is due to the fact that a great deal of rivers flowing both in Sumatera and Malaysia empty into the Malaka Strait. Some big rivers in Aceh which empty into Malaka Strait are: Aceh River, Peusangan River and Jambo Ae River.