Latest news with #IndonesianGovernment
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
The Westin Surabaya Introduces Wellness Oasis: A Journey of Mindful Discoveries
SURABAYA, Indonesia, Aug. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, 9 August 2025 The Westin Surabaya proudly unveils its latest guest experience: Wellness Oasis, a mindfulness-based wellness program thoughtfully designed to support mental health, inner balance, and rejuvenation. In response to today's growing healthcare constraints and the universal longing for calm, this initiative embraces the rise of wellness tourism by offering guests space for mindful learning and inner renewal. Through grounding rituals such as mindfulness meditation, nature connection, and creative expression, guests are gently guided in how to practice mindfulness. In line with the Indonesian Government's initiative to position health and wellness tourism as a national travel trend, The Westin Surabaya continues to expand its facilities that support guests' mental well-being and physical fitness. According to a study by the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, wellness tourism in the country encompasses eight key dimensions: fitness, healthy eating, healthcare, spa & beauty, mind-body balance, spirituality & connection, self-development, and eco-tourism & adventure. Rooted in Westin's pillars of Move Well, Feel Well, and Play Well, this experience nurtures emotional well-being while offering a serene path to presence, clarity, and holistic healing. Guests are invited to embark on a self-guided journey through six thoughtfully designed wellness zones, each crafted to nurture both body and mind: Sensory Walk – Experience the grounding power of nature. Guests are encouraged to remove their footwear and walk barefoot along a dedicated path featuring materials like sand, river stones, and grass. This mindful stroll invites guests to slow down, awaken their senses, and reconnect with the present moment. Meditation Corner – A serene nook offering quiet solitude. Guests are encouraged to disconnect from distractions and reconnect with their inner selves. Whether through reflection on the past, mindfulness in the present, or envisioning the future. Postcard Painting – A creative and therapeutic space where guests can express gratitude or emotion through art. Doodle over existing sketches or create a design from scratch, then take the postcard home and share it with special someone. Detox Box – An invitation to unplug and connect meaningfully. Take time and set aside from any digital devices and join in favor of playful human connection through selections of classic board games. Mindful Photography – Discover joy in the little things. Explore the scenic corners of The Westin Surabaya and capture moments that spark happiness. Whether it's a picturesque and playful shadow art, a sparkling reflection, or a whimsical cloud shape. Gratitude Nest – A peaceful reflection space where guests can write down moments of thankfulness, contributing to a collective spirit of positivity and presence. "In today's fast-paced world, true luxury lies in the ability to pause, breathe, and be present," said Denny Ristyanto, Multi-Property General Manager of The Westin Surabaya and Four Points by Sheraton Surabaya, Pakuwon Indah. "The Wellness Oasis reflects our commitment to helping guests not just stay well—but thrive in every aspect of their journey." Whether seeking quiet introspection or joyful discovery, the Wellness Oasis encourages every guest to explore, express, and embrace personal well-being in meaningful and lasting ways. For more information and room reservation visit or call at +62-31-29710000. Follow @westinsurabaya on social media for more updates and upcoming promotion. About Westin® Hotels & Resorts Westin Hotels & Resorts, hospitality's global leader in wellness for more than a decade, empowers guests to transcend the rigors of travel while on the road through the brand's pillars of well-being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, and Move Well. At more than 240 hotels and resorts in over 40 countries and territories, guests can benefit from distinct wellness experiences including the brand's iconic and award-winning Heavenly® Bed, signature WestinWORKOUT® offerings such as its 24/7 Fitness Studios, WestinWORKOUT Routes, and its versatile Gear Lending program, delicious and nutritious menu offerings on their Eat Well menu, and more. For more information, please visit and stay connected on X, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Westin is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit About Marriott Bonvoy® Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International's award-winning travel platform, connects travelers to the people, places, and passions they love through an extraordinary collection of hotels and experiences worldwide. The platform features over 30 hotel brands and 10,000 destinations, including the largest collection of luxury offerings, distinctive boutique properties, premium home rentals, and more, providing renowned hospitality across the globe. With unrivaled access to the best in entertainment, culinary, sports, outdoor adventure, arts, culture, and more, Marriott Bonvoy offers transformative travel experiences that leave a lasting impression. Marriott Bonvoy membership is free and unlocks unique benefits including the ability to earn points through travel and everyday activities, like purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for free stays, experiences and more. Visit for more information and download the Marriott Bonvoy app here. Travelers can connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Westin Surabaya Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
ABC News
09-08-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
A popular Japanese anime flag has become a symbol of resistance in Indonesia
The Indonesian government is clamping down on the display of a popular Japanese anime flag by frustrated youth, with some authorities claiming it could "divide" the nation. As the country prepares to celebrate Independence Day on August 17, the emblem of the One Piece flag has been increasingly popping up on vehicles and outside homes. Social media users say they chose the Jolly Roger flag — featuring a skull wearing a straw hat set above two crossed bones — as a sign of defiance because it symbolised courage and rebellion against oppression. President Prabowo Subianto this week acknowledged the display as an "expression of creativity", while the state secretary told local media that flying the flag was "OK" as long as people did not oppose the national flag. However, some authorities were more scathing of the One Piece flag. Budi Gunawan, the political and security affairs minister, said the government would take "firm action" if there were any deliberate acts of flying the pirate flag on Indonesia's Independence Day. "There are criminal consequences for actions that violate the honour of the red and white [national] flag," he said in a recent press release. Meanwhile, Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad called it an attempt to "divide the unity of the nation". The One Piece fictional series tells a story of Monkey D Luffy and his pirate crew exploring a fantasy world in search of treasure. "Luffy and friends were pirates who were looking for freedom and opposed the government who was immune from the law," Indonesian mural artist Radinal Muhtar told the ABC. Earlier this year, many Indonesians took to social media with the viral hashtag #IndonesiaGelap or "dark Indonesia" to express their fear about the country's future. Many young people also expressed a desire to "run away" from the country and pursue a better life. Mr Muhtar hand-painted the Jolly Roger emblem on the back of his car to express his "disappointment". He said he thought it was "low-risk" compared to raising the flag. "This trend probably reflects people's concerns, because we're not doing well economically, it's hard to find a job, and there are government policies that are harming the people," he said. After seeing the One Piece flag flood her social media feed, Ika ordered one and planned to raise it at her share house in the south of Jakarta. Ika, who did not want to publish her surname due to safety concerns, said even though she never watched the anime series, she wanted to show solidarity with her generation. "Even though I'm afraid the police might come after me, this is just my way of expressing myself." Local media reported that police interviewed people who flew the flag in several cities, including two in the Riau islands in western Indonesia. Hamam Wahyudi, a police officer in Tanjungpinang city in the Riau islands, told reporters the two people "violated the law and disrupted public order". "The residents said it was a form of disappointment toward the government, but it turned out they were just following the trend," he said. Mr Wahyudi said they both signed a statement saying that they would not repeat their actions. Similarly, police and military personnel visited a person's house in Tuban, on the northern coast of Java, to confiscate the flag and to question their motives. Bagong Suyanto, a sociologist from University of Airlangga, told the ABC the One Piece flag trend was a "massive movement" because it cut across social classes and age groups. "They all felt the government's policies marginalised their interests," he said. Professor Suyanto said displaying the pirate flag, including on social media, was a "form of creativity". But the Indonesian authorities were overreacting by using a punitive approach and treating it as a violation of the law, he said. Adhika Taufiq Wiracatra, who heads the One Piece fanbase called Nakama, said the trend misrepresented what the flag stood for, and would negatively impact the anime series. "There are some people who are participating in this trend … and haven't read One Piece from the start," he said. "They don't know the true meaning behind it." Mr Wiracatra said the flag's use in the series occurred when the pirates faced authorities who stood between them and their goals, and simply served as a reminder not to give up. He warned his members about joining the trend and the risks if they decided to proceed. "What was done by Mugiwara Pirates in One Piece was to go on an adventure with friends and achieve their dreams," he said. Indonesia is not the only country where younger generations have used pop culture references to vent their frustration with the government. Students in Thailand used the Hunger Games franchise's three-finger salute to criticise the monarchy in 2020. They also participated in Harry Potter dress-ups to make a point about "He Who Shall Not be Named" — which was a thinly veiled reference to the Thai king. Thai activists also used the Japanese cartoon hamster, Hamtaro, to protest the government and monarchy. Professor Suyanto said these references were a creative and safer way for the millennial generation to protest against state authority and express criticism. "They don't need to take to the streets, confront authorities, or face police batons."
Zawya
27-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Asian Agri Distributes Essential Food to Flood Victims in Pangkalan Kerinci District and Langgam District in Riau Province
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 27 February 2025 - Asian Agri, a member of the RGE group of companies, recently provided essential food to help alleviate the hardships faced by the flood victims in Pangkalan Kerinci District and Langgam District, Pelalawan Regency of Riau Province in Indonesia through its business units PT Inti Indosawit Subur (PT IIS) and PT Mitra Unggul Pusaka (PT MUP). The total aid provided includes 1,350 kg of rice and 150 boxes of instant noodles, which enabled the local communities to meet their critical food needs during this challenging time. PT IIS delivered the food supplies, which included rice and instant noodles, to the Pelalawan Regency Social Service Office, which were received by the Head of the Social Service, Ewin Rommel, MARS, and his team. Ewin expressed his gratitude for the support, stating, "We would like to thank Asian Agri for the timely assistance. This aid, especially in the form of rice and instant noodles, is crucial to those affected by the floods. We will work with the Pelalawan Regency Flood Victim Handling Team to ensure that the aid reaches the affected areas. The floods, which have been ongoing for almost two weeks due to the overflowing Kampar River, have caused significant disruptions and we hope that more companies will follow suit in supporting the victims of this disaster." PT MUP extended similar support by distributing food supplies to the residents in Langgam District, which were received by Maskandar, Head of Langgam District. Maskandar acknowledged the company's generosity, stating, "We are grateful to Asian Agri for their concern. The food supplies will be collected and distributed by local officers to the evacuation posts, particularly in Langgam Village and Tambak Village, where the floods impact has been the most severe." Asian Agri's Sustainability Operation and CSR Manager, Putu Grhyate Yonata Aksa, commented on the initiative, "We understand the enormous impact that this disaster has had on the local communities, and we feel compelled to provide assistance. We hope that this contribution can help ease the burden of those affected by the flood. Our support is a demonstration of our ongoing commitment to the well-being of the communities in Pangkalan Kerinci and Langgam, and we pray for the floodwaters to recede soon and for the situation to improve." Hashtag: #RGE #AsianAgri #CSR #Donation #Community #Flood The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Asian Agri – Asian Agri is one of Indonesia's leading national private companies producing crude palm oil (CPO) since 1979. To date, Asian Agri manages 100,000 hectares of oil palm plantations and employs over 20,000 people. As a pioneer of the Indonesian Government's Smallholder Transmigration Core Plantation Program (PIR-Trans), Asian Agri has partnered with 30,000 plasma smallholders in Riau and Jambi who manage 60,000 hectares of oil palm plantations. Additionally, the company fosters partnerships with independent smallholders to bring positive impacts on their welfare and economic improvement. By implementing a zero-burning policy and sustainable plantation management practices, Asian Agri helps smallholders increase productivity, crop yields, supply chain traceability and supports them in obtaining certifications. Asian Agri's factories utilise state-of-the-art technology harnessing self-generated green energy to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. All business units under the umbrella of Asian Agri have obtained ISPO (Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil) certification. Currently, Asian Agri's core plantations in North Sumatra, Riau, and Jambi provinces, as well as plasma smallholders plantations in Riau and Jambi provinces, are 100% RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certified. Simultaneously, ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) has been achieved for all plantations owned by Asian Agri and its partner farmers. Asian Agri's success as one of the leading CPO producers has been internationally recognised with ISO 14001 certification for all its operations. The Learning Institute in Pelalawan, Riau, and the seedling center in Kampar, Riau, are also ISO 9001 certified. Furthermore, Asian Agri's research and development centre in Tebing Tinggi has been certified by the International Plant-Analytical Exchange at the WEPAL lab at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, ensuring high standards. RGE
