Indonesia Elections 2024: More celebrities are vying to be Members of Parliament. What's the driving force? - CNA

Mr Hadar Nafis Gumay, executive director of non-for-profit organisation Network for Democracy and Electoral Integrity (NETGRIT) echoed the sentiment.

“Parties must disclose to the public how and why a particular candidate is nominated because the nomination process for parliamentary candidates is not done at a party convention for everyone to see,” he told CNA.

Mr Willy Aditya, the executive chairman of the National Democratic Party (Nasdem) said that all of its candidates have gone through a rigorous vetting process.

"The public figures whom we nominate are those who have been in the party for a long time and slowly made their way up from the bottom," he told CNA.

Among the parliamentary candidates nominated by Nasdem are singer Anisa Bahar and television host Choky Sitohang. The former is running for the first time while the latter failed to secure enough votes in 2019 and is running for the second time.

Meanwhile, National Mandate Party (PAN) executive chairwoman, Mdm Zita Anjani said her party is treating all of its cadres equally and defended its celebrity nominees.

“PAN is opening its doors to everyone. Our MPs are quality MPs including the celebrities. That’s why our celebrity MPs get re-elected time and time again,” she said in an interview with online portal Rakyat Merdeka on Jan 18. 

PAN is home to several celebrity MPs who are now running for re-election including comedian Eko Patrio, soap opera actor Primus Yustisio and movie star Desy Ratnasari.

RECOGNITION NOT A GUARANTEE FOR VOTES

But fame alone does not necessarily mean a candidate will secure enough votes and get elected into office.

In 2019, only 14 actors, comedians and musicians secured a seat in parliament. 

Among those who failed were some of the biggest names in the Indonesian entertainment industry like Katon Bagaskara, the frontman of Indonesia’s legendary band Kla Project; Ahmad Dhani Prasetyo of another legendary band Dewa; and veteran comedian Dedi “Miing” Gumelar.

“Sometimes these celebrities are nominated just to draw more attention to their respective political parties so that the parties will get enough votes to qualify for a seat in parliament,” Mdm Khoirunnisa of Perludem said. 

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiYGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9pbmRvbmVzaWEtZWxlY3Rpb24tcGFybGlhbWVudC1tcC1jZWxlYnJpdGllcy12b3RlcnMtNDEwODk1MdIBAA?oc=5

2024-02-12 22:00:00Z
CBMiYGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9pbmRvbmVzaWEtZWxlY3Rpb24tcGFybGlhbWVudC1tcC1jZWxlYnJpdGllcy12b3RlcnMtNDEwODk1MdIBAA

'Tears, hugs' as two Israeli-Argentinian hostages rescued from Gaza - CNA

RAMAT GAN: There were hugs and tears at Israel's largest hospital on Monday (Feb 12) as two Gaza hostages were reunited with their families after being rescued in a deadly military raid.

Luis Har, 70, and Fernando Simon Marman, 60, embraced relatives at Sheba Hospital after being airlifted from Gaza's southern city of Rafah.

AFP journalists in Gaza saw the bodies of some of around 100 Palestinians killed in air strikes accompanying the rescue operation, according to a toll from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.

Speaking from Sheba where the two rescued men were undergoing medical tests, Har's son-in-law described "a lot of tears, hugs, not many words".

"Luckily for us, as a family, they were saved tonight. But I must say that the job is not done," Idan Bejerano told journalists at Sheba hospital near Tel Aviv.

"We are happy today, but we didn't win. It's just another step towards bringing all the other" hostages home, he continued.

Bejerano told AFP the family had endured a "tough" and exhausting wait, trying to dispel rumours while militants released videos of some captives.

Dozens of press cameras filled the main hall of Sheba Hospital, where patients were wheeled through by medics.

"I COULDN'T BELIEVE HE WAS REAL"

Marman's niece, Gefen Sigal Ilan, said she was still "shaking" from the news of her uncle's rescue. "When I saw him I couldn't believe he was real," she told AFP.

She said the families of hostages will keep fighting for the release of other captives. "I want to say we will not stop until all hostages are free... We will fight for their freedom," said Ilan, 36.

The two men were taken captive from kibbutz Nir Yitzhak in southern Israel, so close to Rafah that the raid to rescue them could be heard from the rural community.

"From two o'clock in the morning, we started hearing booms and noises," said Moshe Schori, the kibbutz manager, adding that "we couldn't sleep".

"Only in the morning we saw on the news that they (Israeli forces) released two people who were in our kibbutz," he added, standing outside the home from which they were snatched on October 7.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiZmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vd29ybGQvdGVhcnMtaHVncy10d28taXNyYWVsaS1hcmdlbnRpbmlhbi1ob3N0YWdlcy1yZXNjdWVkLWdhemEtNDExNzk0MdIBAA?oc=5

2024-02-12 16:45:13Z
CBMiZmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vd29ybGQvdGVhcnMtaHVncy10d28taXNyYWVsaS1hcmdlbnRpbmlhbi1ob3N0YWdlcy1yZXNjdWVkLWdhemEtNDExNzk0MdIBAA

Bomb threat against MBJB a hoax, say cops - New Straits Times

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

1. Bomb threat against MBJB a hoax, say cops  New Straits Times
2. MBJB terima ancaman bom palsu  Berita Harian
3. Tiga premis kerajaan terima e-mel ancaman bom | Sinar Harian  Sinar Harian
4. Menara MBJB terima panggilan ancaman bom  Harian Metro
5. Ancaman bom di Menara MBJB palsu  Harian Metro

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiX2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm5zdC5jb20ubXkvbmV3cy9jcmltZS1jb3VydHMvMjAyNC8wMi8xMDEyNTA5L2JvbWItdGhyZWF0LWFnYWluc3QtbWJqYi1ob2F4LXNheS1jb3Bz0gFjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnN0LmNvbS5teS9hbXAvbmV3cy9jcmltZS1jb3VydHMvMjAyNC8wMi8xMDEyNTA5L2JvbWItdGhyZWF0LWFnYWluc3QtbWJqYi1ob2F4LXNheS1jb3Bz?oc=5

2024-02-12 08:57:45Z
CBMiX2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm5zdC5jb20ubXkvbmV3cy9jcmltZS1jb3VydHMvMjAyNC8wMi8xMDEyNTA5L2JvbWItdGhyZWF0LWFnYWluc3QtbWJqYi1ob2F4LXNheS1jb3Bz0gFjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnN0LmNvbS5teS9hbXAvbmV3cy9jcmltZS1jb3VydHMvMjAyNC8wMi8xMDEyNTA5L2JvbWItdGhyZWF0LWFnYWluc3QtbWJqYi1ob2F4LXNheS1jb3Bz

Students in Indonesia plan to protest alleged poll interference - CNA

JAKARTA: Hundreds of Indonesian students and activists will stage protests on Monday (Feb 12) over what they see as outgoing President Joko Widodo's abuse of power to sway voters in this week's election in favour of frontrunner Prabowo Subianto, organisers said.

Jokowi, as the incumbent is known, has not explicitly endorsed any of the three candidates vying to replace him as leader of the world's third-largest democracy.

But he has made highly publicised appearances with Prabowo, and Jokowi's eldest son is running on the same ticket as vice president.

Two opinion surveys last week projected Prabowo could secure more than 50 per cent of the votes on Wednesday, allowing him to win in a single round. Rivals Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo were seen at least 20 points behind.

Some voters have taken issue with Jokowi's perceived lack of neutrality, saying it undermines Indonesia's democracy by giving one candidate an unfair advantage.

"The ethical and moral breaches by Jokowi show that he is against a critical public voice," said Aksi Gejayan Memanggil, a protest organiser in Yogyakarta, a city on Java island, said on Instagram.

Another protest was planned in the capital Jakarta by several rights groups.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiZmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9pbmRvbmVzaWEtc3R1ZGVudHMtcGxhbi1wcm90ZXN0LWFsbGVnZWQtcG9sbC1pbnRlcmZlcmVuY2UtNDExNzY0NtIBAA?oc=5

2024-02-12 07:16:00Z
CBMiZmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9pbmRvbmVzaWEtc3R1ZGVudHMtcGxhbi1wcm90ZXN0LWFsbGVnZWQtcG9sbC1pbnRlcmZlcmVuY2UtNDExNzY0NtIBAA

Up to 90% of honey sold in Malaysia is artificial, says expert - The Straits Times

Honey from stingless bees, also known as kelulut in Malay, had a uniquely sweet and sour taste with a flowery or fruity aroma. PHOTO: AFP

The honey industry in Malaysia is facing a challenge to identify the number of fake goods on the market, a number that may constitute up to 90 per cent of products sold in Malaysia, said a local honey expert.

“The biggest challenge of the honey industry now is the presence of artificial honey, which reaches 90 per cent in the market,” said Dr Zulkifli Mustafa, a senior lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

“To identify real honey, laboratory tests are required.”

Dr Zulkifli, a researcher at USM’s Department of Neurosciences in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, was speaking during an interview with a local radio station. The interview was recorded by a university circular published on Jan 29 promoting the use of honey from stingless bees.

He said that his research showed that honey from stingless bees, a species that bites instead of stinging for self-defence, contains a variety of nutrients that could have multiple health benefits.

“Honey is a complete food in terms of energy, protein, vitamins, good bacteria and anti-oxidants,” said Dr Zulkifli. “Stingless bee honey can relieve inflammation due to bacterial infection, stress, obesity and aging as well as chronic diseases.”

He added that honey from stingless bees, also known as kelulut in Malay, had a uniquely sweet and sour taste with a flowery or fruity aroma.

Dr Zulkifli has written and published journal articles on the benefits of stingless bee honey, but also on the adulteration of these honey products with vinegar to mimic its taste.

He said around 4,000 breeders were working with USM’s application and commercial arm Brainey to produce authentic stingless bee honey to the general consumer.

“Strict quality control guarantees the authenticity and consistency of the honey,” he said.

More On This Topic

Insects and hybrid proteins on the plate

‘There were thousands of bees’: Woman returns home to beehive on her laundry rack

• Malaysia
• Organic food
• Nutrition and diet

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiZmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnN0cmFpdHN0aW1lcy5jb20vYXNpYS9zZS1hc2lhL3VwLXRvLTkwLW9mLWhvbmV5LXNvbGQtaW4tbWFsYXlzaWEtaXMtYXJ0aWZpY2lhbC1zYXlzLWV4cGVydNIBAA?oc=5

2024-02-12 07:50:00Z
CBMiZmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnN0cmFpdHN0aW1lcy5jb20vYXNpYS9zZS1hc2lhL3VwLXRvLTkwLW9mLWhvbmV5LXNvbGQtaW4tbWFsYXlzaWEtaXMtYXJ0aWZpY2lhbC1zYXlzLWV4cGVydNIBAA

Indonesia Elections 2024: Why cigarette and coffee sales spike as voters assess candidates - CNA

BUSINESSES RAMPING UP PRODUCTION

Mdm Rosalina, the owner of cigarette company Mustika Tembakau Indonesia, said that during previous elections, demand for her products increased by 30 per cent.

However, she stated it is not always easy to meet the demand.

“We may have problems obtaining the material, such as getting enough tobacco, which hampers our production,” she said. 

This time, she has tried to preempt it by securing as much tobacco as possible before campaigning started in November.

Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono said in June last year that the number of Indonesian smokers has been on the rise.

Indonesia has the third highest number of smokers worldwide after China and India, with about 112 million smokers, according to government data. 

"We are in third place, maybe because we are also a tobacco-producing country," said Mr Dante last June. 

The government has tried for years to dissuade people from smoking as it has negative health consequences, such as the risk of contracting tuberculosis or cancer.  

But it has been a double-edged sword as the country gets about 10 per cent of its state revenue from the tobacco products industry.

Mdm Rosalina believes that smokers should know the health consequences as they are stated on the cigarette packs. 

“The consequences are on the package. So that is already a reminder - it all depends on the consumer whether they want to consume (the cigarette) or not.

“Cigarettes greatly contribute to the country’s income,” she added.

East Java province is the main producer of cigarettes in Indonesia.

Mdm Sulami Bahar, the head of East Java’s cigarette entrepreneur (Gapero) association, said that legislative candidates even make special requests to small-scale cigarette factories during elections. 

“They want us to create cigarette packs with their pictures on them to distribute to potential voters.” 

As a cigarette producer herself, she has also received such requests this time. 

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiZWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9pbmRvbmVzaWEtcHJlc2lkZW50aWFsLWVsZWN0aW9uLWVjb25vbXktY2lnYXJldHRlLWNvZmZlZS00MDY2OTgx0gEA?oc=5

2024-02-11 22:00:00Z
CBMiZWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9pbmRvbmVzaWEtcHJlc2lkZW50aWFsLWVsZWN0aW9uLWVjb25vbXktY2lnYXJldHRlLWNvZmZlZS00MDY2OTgx0gEA

Desperate Palestinians in Gaza's Rafah fear coming Israeli assault - CNA

In a call, US President Joe Biden told Mr Netanyahu that Israel should not proceed with a military operation in Rafah without a plan to ensure the safety of people sheltering there, the White House said.

The call came days after Biden said Israel's response in Gaza was "over the top".

A senior Biden administration official said negotiators working on a deal to release the remaining hostages held by Hamas had made "real progress" over the last few weeks.

There were still some "significant" gaps to close, the official said, but added: "It's pretty much there."

Before previous assaults on Gaza cities, Israel's military has ordered civilians to leave without preparing any specific evacuation plan. Aid agencies say an assault on Rafah would be catastrophic.

The war began on Oct 7 when the militant group Hamas that controls Gaza stormed the border fence with Israel, sending in fighters who killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and seized about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Four months later, Gaza is in ruins. Under a massive daily bombardment, Israeli ground forces have overrun most of the enclave, smashing houses, public buildings and infrastructure with air raids, artillery fire and controlled detonations.

Palestinian health authorities say more than 28,000 people have been killed in the war, about 70 per cent of them women and children. More than 85 per cent of Gazans are homeless. A UN survey found that nearly one in 10 children under five are acutely malnourished.

Talks for a deal on a ceasefire and the release of hostages have so far failed to bring an agreement. Last week Israel rejected a Hamas proposal, saying it would not stop fighting while the group retained brigades that Israel says are hiding in Rafah.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiYWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vd29ybGQvaXNyYWVsLWhhbWFzLXdhci1yYWZhaC1wYWxlc3RpbmlhbnMtZXZhY3VhdGlvbi1nYXphLTQxMTY1NjHSAQA?oc=5

2024-02-11 15:28:00Z
CBMiYWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vd29ybGQvaXNyYWVsLWhhbWFzLXdhci1yYWZhaC1wYWxlc3RpbmlhbnMtZXZhY3VhdGlvbi1nYXphLTQxMTY1NjHSAQA