Latest news with #Antara
The Star
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Jakarta to trial car-free night at end of June
People exercising in the rain on Feb 9, 2025, during a car-free day at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta. - Antara JAKARTA: The Jakarta administration will trial a Car Free Night (CFN) in conjunction with the city's 498th anniversary. The trial will be held after the celebrations end at the end of June. The trial will take place in the Jl. Sudirman-Jl. Thamrin thoroughfare, where the current Car Free Day (CFD) events take places. Jakarta Deputy Governor Rano Karno said that the planned CFN is the city's response to the public's preference to get physical activity in the evening. It is also expected that the CFN will reduce carbon emissions and create an environmentally friendly public space. 'We will try out the Car Free Night from 10pm, as there are also many people exercising in the evening,' Rano said when attending a CFD activity on Sunday, as quoted by the Antara news agency. 'The location is the same [on Jl. Sudirman-Jl. Thamrin].' The CFN is scheduled to take place on Saturday evening while the CFD is currently held every Sunday morning. This is meant to take advantage of the weekend when many Jakartans go out to play sports, relax or enjoy the city. 'If the CFD is focused on health, now we add with CFN with a focus on happiness,' Rano said. As part of the launch of the CFN, the Jakarta administration will also hold Betawi arts and cultural performances at three locations: Bung Karno Sports Complex, Dukuh Atas and the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle. 'We start the activity here [in Dukuh Atas]. Next month we will add more locations in Bung Karno Sports Complex and around the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle,' Rano said. The arts shows will start on June 29 with a target of 5,000 participants performing various Betawi arts and cultural performances, such as pencak silat, traditional dances, songs and food. 'Arts and cultural performances here will not only improve health but also make citizens happy,' Rano said. Other than the CFN trial, the Jakarta administration is also looking to expand the CFD to all five townships in Jakarta as part of its commitment to making Jakarta a green, healthy and happy global city. Rano said that the CFD had been proven to reduce carbon emissions. 'Carbon emissions are reduced but it was only for a day,' he said. 'Ideally, we can make it two days, Saturdays and Sundays. But Saturdays are for economic [activities].' 'There is a plan to hold it in five locations, we are still looking for them.' One of the areas targeted by the city administration is North Jakarta for its high carbon emissions. 'Especially North Jakarta because there are factories [there] so the emissions and pollutions there are very high,' Rano said. 'This means that we have to find a place to reduce carbon emissions.' Jakarta was the pioneer for the CFD, with initial efforts conducted to commemorate the World CFD on Sept. 22, 2002, by closing down Jl. MH Thamrin from 6am, to 6pm. The initiative was created by a coalition of environmental NGOs. Initially, the CFD was held on the last week of the month in Jakarta from 6am to 2pm. But because of complaints from the public, it was shortened by two hours starting on April 26, 2009. In 2011, the CFD was held twice a month and starting on May 13, 2012, it was held every week from 6am to 11am. Other cities have instituted their own CFD arrangements, ranging in frequency from once a month, such as in Tangerang and Bandung, to once a week in Bekasi and Depok. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Indonesian government may install permanent stairlift at Borobudur Temple: Minister
A temporary stairlift was installed ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit on May 29, which caused a heated debate in Indonesia. PHOTO: REUTERS JAKARTA - The government is still finalising a plan to install a permanent stairlift at Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java, to facilitate visitors with special needs to access the World Heritage Site, Culture Minister Fadli Zon said on June 5. A stairlift is a device designed to bring people up and down a stairway. A temporary stairlift was installed ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit on May 29, which caused a heated debate in Indonesia. 'It was just a trial, so actually it has been planned for quite some time,' Mr Fadli said on June 5, as quoted by Antara news agency. 'This is part of an adaptation for inclusivity especially for those who need it, the seniors. There are bhikkhu (monks), senior visitors or disabled people.' Mr Fadli said the stairlift would be permanent, adding that the temporary stairlift would be dismantled and replaced with a better structure. 'We will communicate the needs with those who have the expertise to probably make a tailor-made stairlift,' he said. 'The stairlift will not be destructive because it (would) just (be) attached to the railings.' Previously, the government insisted the stairlift was installed based on a request from the French government so that Mr Macron could ascend Borobudur more quickly and easily. Despite all the preparations, Mr Macron opted to ascend Borobudur on foot, reported on May 29. 'Borobudur Temple is about as high as a 12-storey building and the French president had limited time in his state visit,' Presidential Communication Office head Hasan Nasbi said on May 26, ahead of Mr Macron's visit. However, Mr Hasan said there were then suggestions for the stairlift to be made permanent at the temple. 'Initially the stairlift was temporary but then there were suggestions from several groups, such as the Buddhist community and cultural observers, for the stairlift to be made permanent,' he said on May 28, as quoted by Mr Hasan said the suggestion would make the temple from the 8th century more inclusive, adding that several other World Heritage Sites already provided access for visitors with special needs. 'There is a lift at the Acropolis in Athens as well as at several historical sites in Vietnam,' he said. However, Mr Hasan said the final decision would lie with the related ministry, the Cultural Heritage Council and Borobudur Temple area management. Whether the stairlift would be temporary or permanent would be decided through an official meeting and after considerations by the stakeholders. The case became viral after a video was widely circulated on social media, such as Facebook and X, showing the installation of metal plates and wooden planks on Borobudur Temple's stairs to make way for the lift. Netizens highlighted the activities, saying the stairlift was installed to allow President Prabowo Subianto to reach the summit, without realizing that Mr Prabowo was scheduled to accompany Mr Macron in a visit to the world's largest Buddhist temple. Other netizens, however, welcomed the installation of such mobility facilities, saying other World Heritage Sites had already installed lifts, escalators or ramps to allow disabled people in wheelchairs to also visit and enjoy the sites as an inclusivity drive. Another video shows similar mobility facilities already installed at the Acropolis in Athens, the Coliseum in Rome and the Forbidden City in Beijing. THE JAKARTA POST/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Indonesia may install permanent stairlift at Borobudur Temple: Minister
JAKARTA: The Indonesian government is still finalising a plan to install a permanent stairlift at Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java, to facilitate visitors with special needs to access the World Heritage Site, Culture Minister Fadli Zon said on Thursday (June 5). A stairlift is a device designed to bring people up and down a stairway. A temporary stairlift was installed ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit on May 29, which caused a heated debate in Indonesia. 'It was just a trial, so actually it has been planned for quite some time,' Fadli said on Thursday, as quoted by Antara news agency. 'This is part of an adaptation for inclusivity especially for those who need it, the seniors. There are bhikkhu [monks], senior visitors or disabled people.' Fadli said the stairlift would be permanent, adding that the temporary stairlift would be dismantled and replaced with a better structure. 'We will communicate the needs with those who have the expertise to probably make a tailor-made stairlift,' he said. 'The stairlift will not be destructive because it [would] just [be] attached to the railings.' Previously, the government insisted the stairlift was installed based on a request from the French government so that Macron could ascend Borobudur more quickly and easily. Despite all the preparations, Macron opted to ascend Borobudur on foot, reported on May 29. 'Borobudur Temple is about as high as a 12-storey building and the French president had limited time in his state visit,' Presidential Communication Office head Hasan Nasbi said on May 26, ahead of Macron's visit. However, Hasan said there were then suggestions for the stairlift to be made permanent at the temple. 'Initially the stairlift was temporary but then there were suggestions from several groups, such as the Buddhist community and cultural observers, for the stairlift to be made permanent,' he said on May 28, as quoted by Hasan said the suggestion would make the temple from the 8th century more inclusive, adding that several other World Heritage Sites already provided access for visitors with special needs. 'There is a lift at the Acropolis in Athens as well as at several historical sites in Vietnam,' he said. However, Hasan said the final decision would lie with the related ministry, the Cultural Heritage Council and Borobudur Temple area management. Whether the stairlift would be temporary or permanent would be decided through an official meeting and after considerations by the stakeholders. The case became viral after a video was widely circulated on social media, such as Facebook and X, showing the installation of metal plates and wooden planks on Borobudur Temple's stairs to make way for the lift. Netizens highlighted the activities, saying the stairlift was installed to allow Prabowo to reach the summit, without realising that Prabowo was scheduled to accompany Macron in a visit to the world's largest Buddhist temple. Other netizens, however, welcomed the installation of such mobility facilities, saying other World Heritage Sites had already installed lifts, escalators or ramps to allow disabled people in wheelchairs to also visit and enjoy the sites as an inclusivity drive. Another video shows similar mobility facilities already installed at the Acropolis in Athens, the Coliseum in Rome and the Forbidden City in Beijing. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
India.com
6 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Anil Ambani shares close relationship with Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor! Tina Ambani's niece is...
Anil Ambani shares close relationship with Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor! Tina Ambani's niece is... Anil Ambani is gradually making a promising comeback in the business world, supported by his sons, Jai Anmol Ambani and Jai Anshul Ambani. Industrialist Anil Ambani, along with his wife, former actor Tina Ambani, are often spotted in the public domain; one such event was visiting Prayagraj for the Mahakumbh. While Tina Ambani is a former Bollywood actress known for films such as Baaton Baaton Mein and Karz, Yeh Vaada Raha, Fiffty Fiffty, Souten, Bewafai, Suraa, her sister is also making headlines lately. Although the industrialist maintains a simple appearance and leads a modest life, Anil Ambani's family shares a connection with Bollywood icon Anil Kapoor's family. But how? Read the article till the end! Tina Munim Ambani's sister, Bhavana Motiwala, has made her significant mark in Bollywood as a talented costume designer, working on popular films including Souten, Aakhir Kyon?, and Rocky. Away from the spotlight, she leads a grounded life with her husband, Dr. Tushar Motiwala, a family counsellor at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, founded by Anil Ambani. The couple is blessed with two children, Antara and Karan. Antara, daughter of Tushar Motiwala and Bhavana Motiwala, is the main string that has formed a direct connection between her family and the Kapoors. Antara, daughter of Anil Ambani's sister-in-law, tied the knot to Mohit Marwah in 2018. Mohit Marwah happens to be the son of Sandeep Marwah and Reena Kapoor. While Reema is the sister of Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor. This family bond extends further, as Anil Ambani and Tina Munim share a direct connection with Anil Kapoor's family through their niece Antara's marriage to Mohit Marwah. Antara got married to Mohit on February 20, 2018. They are now proud parents to a baby girl. On August 18, 2021, Antara's family hosted a baby shower celebration in her honor. The event saw the presence of several Bollywood actors such as Rhea Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Arjun Kapoor, Anshula Kapoor, Shanaya Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor, and Maheep Kapoor. The pictures from the ceremony were widely shared on social media. Rhea Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja are daughters of Anil Kapoor.
The Star
03-06-2025
- The Star
Bali drug trial of three Brits facing death penalty begins
Jonathan Christopher Collyer and Phineas Ambrose Float face the death penalty. - Antara DENPASAR, Bali: The trial of three British nationals accused of smuggling cocaine or taking part in a drug deal on Indonesia's popular island of Bali began Tuesday (June 3), with all facing the death penalty in a nation with some of the world's toughest narcotics laws. Indonesia hands out severe punishments for drug smuggling and has previously executed foreigners, but has upheld a moratorium on the death sentence since 2017. Jonathan Christopher Collyer, 38, and Lisa Ellen Stocker, 39, were arrested on Feb 1 after being stopped at Bali's international airport with 17 packages of cocaine that weighed nearly a kilogramme, according to public court records. They appeared in court alongside Phineas Ambrose Float, 31, who was allegedly due to receive the packages and arrested a few days later. The heaviest punishment for taking part in a drug transaction is also the death penalty under Indonesian law. An AFP journalist at the court said the hearing began Tuesday. A verdict was not expected until a later date. The British embassy in Jakarta did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's administration has moved in recent months to repatriate several high-profile inmates, all sentenced for drug offences, back to their home countries. Frenchman Serge Atlaoui returned to France in February after Jakarta and Paris agreed a deal to repatriate him on "humanitarian grounds" because he was ill. In December, Indonesia took Mary Jane Veloso off death row and returned her to the Philippines. It also sent the five remaining members of the "Bali Nine" drug ring, who were serving heavy prison sentences, back to Australia. According to Indonesia's Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, 96 foreigners were on death row, all on drug charges, before Veloso's release. - AFP
