Archive for August, 2008
Keberhasilan Surabaya dalam pengelolaan sampah tak hanya dipaparkan dalam International Workshop on Community Based Solid Waste Management and Supporting National Policies. Sebagian besar delegasi yang hadir dari lima negara dan sepuluh kota di Indonesia juga diajak melihat langsung pengolahan sampah dan menanam pohon bersama.
Kunjungan pertama adalah melihat cara kerja komposting sampah di Taman Flora, Bratang. Sekitar pukul 07.00, para delegasi itu tiba di sana. Hadir pula Kepala Bappeko Tri Rismahrini, Ketua Tim Penggerak PKK Dyah Katarina, serta Kepala Dinas Kebersihan dan Pertamanan (DKP) Hidayat Syah.
Di Taman Flora, DKP sudah menyediakan lubang dan berbagai jenis pohon untuk ditanam. Lubang yang tersedia sudah ditandai dengan tulisan nama para delegasi dari negara asing maupun perwakilan pemerintah kota di Indonesia.
Iwai Nobuo, perwakilan JICA untuk Indonesia, hanya manggut-manggut ketika diajari petugas DKP cara mencangkul. Setelah menanam pohon bersama, mereka diperlihatkan pembuatan kompos oleh petugas DKP.
Hidayat menjelaskan, hasil pembuatan kompos tersebut dibagikan kepada kampung-kampung peserta program Surabaya Green and Clean. “Selain itu, kami menyosialisasikan pembuatan komposter kepada warga,” jelasnya.
Dari Taman Flora, peserta diajak keliling ke Kelurahan Sonokawijenan, Sukomanunggal. Di situ, warga menunjukkan pembuatan kompos dan memamerkan aneka produk daur ulang. Para delegasi hanya berdecak kagum ketika dijelaskan bahwa di Surabaya ada sekitar 500 kampung yang kondisinya mirip dengan Sonokawijenan. “Wow, it’s beautiful,” ucap mereka.
Terakhir, mereka diajak berkunjung ke SD St Theresia. Dipilihnya SD tersebut lantaran mereka berhasil meraih adiwiyata (penghargaan sekolah berbasis lingkungan) dari pemerintah pusat. Dari SD St Theresia, peserta workshop kembali ke Novotel, tempat acara itu dihelat. Di sana, tim Unilever Peduli dan PT Telkom membeber upaya-upaya yang dilakukan oleh pemkot bersama mereka untuk mengatasi persoalan sampah di kota ini. “Artinya, komitmen bersama sangat penting untuk mengatasi persoalan sampah,” jelas Nunuk Maghfiroh, salah seorang panitia Kampungku Bersih Surabaya Green and Clean 2008 dari Unilever Peduli.
Mohammed Anwar Hussain, delegasi dari Dhaka, Bangladesh, juga membeber persoalan sampah di kotanya. Dia menyebutkan tiga prioritas penanganan sampah di Dhaka. Yaitu, sampah rumah tangga, industri, dan medis. “Selama ini, kami membangun kerja sama dengan stakeholder,” paparnya. Hanya, berbagai program yang dicanangkan tersebut belum berjalan optimal. (kit/fat)
Source: Jawa Pos Online
August 29th, 2008
Agnes Winarti, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Amassed in a large tent and shielded from the sun’s scorching heat, some 500 convicted substance abusers sat tapping their chests, then their heads and faces, while listening to a therapist’s instructions.
“Feel your pain and your addiction. Focus your mind on them. Believe that you can be cured from within,” therapist Ahmad Faiz Zainuddin told his audience Tuesday at the Cipinang Penitentiary in East Jakarta.
“Say it clearly: Although I am sick, I am willing to accept my illness and I surrender to You, God, so that you will heal me,” Faiz continued, while the prisoners around him could be heard murmuring and mimicking.
Since 2005, Faiz has been promoting an instant healing therapy known as the Spiritual Emotional Freedom Technique (SEFT), said to treat mental and physical illnesses and addictions through a combination of prayer and needleless acupuncture using finger-tapping on the body’s pressure points.
According to Faiz, SEFT has been known as a universal and instant healing aid, with an 80 percent recovery rate for patients in the U.S., Australia and the United Kingdom over the past 20 years.
“It can be used to treat various illnesses, as all illness — we believe — is rooted in the same cause: the disruption of the body’s energy system,” he added.
“With this method, anyone can independently heal themselves,” said Faiz, a former student of psychology at Airlangga University in Surabaya, East Java.
SEFT combines 14 different therapy methods, including behavioral and spiritual therapy, hypnosis, affirmative suggestion and psychoanalysis, he added.
It is compatible with other types of treatment usually offered to prisoners with substance abuse problems, including methadone and community therapy, he said.
“About 80 percent of the 2,860 prisoners here are drug users and addicts. This is a simple and easy-to-use therapy, which we hope prisoners can use to cure themselves,” said Tribowo, head of prisoner management at Cipinang Penitentiary.
In less than two hours, Faiz, founder of the PT LOGOS Institute, introduced prisoners to the therapy, which he said was self-applicable and capable of being completed within 5 to 10 minutes.
Johan, one of several prisoners who came forward to receive the therapy, remarked, “The session is too short. I wish it was more than just once. It would be better if it were done once a week, so I could learn to do it myself.”
Saying he hoped to quit smoking, he received nine taps over various parts of his body, including the left portion of his chest, his head, forehead and face, from one of the 40 SEFT therapists present.
Minutes later, with a cigarette between his lips and seemingly awestruck, the convicted drug-user who has served two years in prison, remarked, “It doesn’t taste as pleasant as before. In fact, it’s tasteless. I hope I really can quit smoking this way.”
Therapist Faiz said he planned to hold demonstrations at other penitentiaries, as well as in low-income areas around the city, such as informal housing settlements, to help introduce the technique.
“We will use 25 convicts in this penitentiary as a sample, to begin providing SEFT treatment once a week,” he added.
Cipinang Penitentiary is the second correctional facility to host an introduction to SEFT therapy, following Medaeng Penitentiary in Surabaya, East Java, he said.
SEFT has been performed on some 12,000 individuals, a fourth of whom went on to become certified therapists by paying Rp 3.75 million (US$412) for a two-day training session.
Source: The Jakarta Post
August 29th, 2008
Persaingan babak 50 besar tidak hanya terfokus pada masalah kebersihan. Sejumlah RT juga berlomba-lomba mempercantik gapura masing-masing. Maklum, panitia menyatakan bahwa kampung yang memiliki gapura dari bahan daur ulang sampah akan mendapat nilai tersendiri.
Salah satu gapura cantik itu berada di RT 4 RW 1 Jetis Wetan, Kelurahan Margorejo. Gapura kampung yang terletak di selatan Rumah Sakit TNI-AL dr Ramelan itu bertema Sunset in Bali.
Menurut Ika Yuni, koordinator kader lingkungan RT 4, tema itu diambil karena warga di kampungnya ingin merasakan nuansa Bali pada lomba green and clean. ”Kita sih belum pernah ke Bali, tapi paling nggak ngerasain nuansanya dulu,” katanya lantas tersenyum.
Untuk mendapatkan nuansa itu, gapura yang sudah ada ditempeli aksesori berbentuk bunga dari gelas dan botol bekas air mineral. Lalu, aksesori itu dicat berwarna-warni.
Untuk menambah nuansa Bali, kedua sisi gapura dibikin payung yang bentuknya mirip gapura di Bali. Namun, lagi-lagi bahan payung itu dari bekas bungkus mi instan dan deterjen pembersih pakaian. ”Untuk kerangkanya, kami gunakan bambu dan bekas tutup cat ukuran 5 kilogram,” katanya.
Gapura lain yang tak kalah menarik tampak di RT 7 RW 3 Kelurahan Manyar Sabrangan. Warga di kampung itu membuat gapura dengan tema sura dan buaya. Bahannya kertas bekas sak semen.
Ada juga gapura mirip bambu runcing hijau di RT 2 RW 4 Kelurahan Penjaringan Sari. Jika dilihat sepintas, gapura itu tampak terbuat dari bambu asli. Tapi, jika dicermati, bambu-bambu itu ternyata palsu. ”Bahan bambu itu terbuat dari gelondongan karton bekas digital printing,” ujar Ketua RT 2 Muhammad Budi Widajanto. Gapura bambu setinggi 3 meter itu, menurut Budi, dibangun sejak 15 Agustus lalu. Butuh waktu empat hari untuk menyelesaikannya.(dan/obi/oni)
Source: Jawa Pos Online
August 28th, 2008
Niken Prathivi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger stopped off in Jakarta on Tuesday for another round of coaching following a clinic in Surabaya, complimenting Indonesia’s basketball potential in the process.
“Indonesian players certainly have talent. If they train hard and get good facilities, I believe they can develop well,” said the NBA player at the Bung Karno sports complex basketball hall on Tuesday.
Granger gave playing tips to 20 young players from local clubs in a DHL-NBA coaching session.
“It’s really great to meet young Indonesian players,” the 25-year-old Granger told the press before starting the session.
“I think the (coaching clinic) session will be memorable for them, meeting an NBA player in person. Hopefully, today’s experience can encourage them in playing better basketball in the future,” he added.
On his first trip to Indonesia, Granger spent a night in Surabaya to watch students play in a Deteksi Basketball League game before heading to Jakarta.
Starting his professional career as a Pacer in the 2005-2006 season, Granger led the team in scoring with an average of 19.6 points per game and started all 80 games he appeared in during the 2007-2008 schedule.
Although the Pacers were not competitive with the best teams this year, Granger promised they would serve up a better performance next season.
“We ran last year. Of course, we will run again next season. And even though the pressure is high, I believe we can make it if we spend more time together (practicing),” he said.
He tipped last season’s league champion Boston Celtics and runners-up Los Angeles Lakers to continue winning next year.
Granger may not be as familiar to Indonesians as the likes of Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan, but the kids said they were excited to be part of the program.
“I really enjoyed the session. It’s great to be trained by him. I’d love to be a professional player someday,” said eighth grader Rilo, 12, who showed quick and precise shooting during the session.
Together with Dina, 10, Dianita, 10, and Alisha, 7, Rilo plays in Buls basketball club in Jakarta.
Ariyani, 15, from Gemaria basketball club, Jakarta, said she was excited to tell her schoolmates about her experience.
“I’m really happy with Danny’s session,” said Ariyani, who got the opportunity to join the program after winning a recent regional tournament. “Tomorrow, I’ll let all my schoolmates know about this,” she said with a big grin, adding that she would be rooting for the Celtics next season.
Source: The Jakarta Post
August 27th, 2008
SURABAYA - Setelah pameran lukisan Reproduksi rampung pada 23 Agustus lalu, Galeri Surabaya langsung disambut dengan pameran lukisan abstrak dan mix media bertema Art Goes to Sun. Pameran yang diprakarsai delapan pelukis tersebut berlangsung mulai 24 hingga 30 Agustus.
Para pelukis itu adalah Anwar Djuliadi, Yonosan, Hery Poer, Nomo Dwi Atmoko, Qusta, Nur Cholis, Djunaidi Kenyut, dan Sugeng Pribadi (Klemins). Awalnya, delapan pelukis tersebut sering bertemu dalam pameran di berbagai kota di Jawa Timur. Karena sering bertemu, muncul gagasan membuat pameran bersama.
Art Goes to Sun, menurut Cholis, sebenarnya terjemahan dari Agustusan. Masih dalam suasana kemerdekaan, pameran tersebut menjadi wujud para seniman itu untuk meramaikan HUT Kemerdekaan RI. Tapi, sebenarnya Art Goes to Sun adalah harapan agar seni bisa menuju pencerahan. “Seperti matahari yang menjadi sumber kehidupan,” ungkapnya.
Dalam pameran tersebut, dua belas lukisan dipamerkan secara berjejer. Terdiri atas sepuluh lukisan abstrak dan dua lukisan mix media. “Sebagian besar di antara kami memang pelukis abstrak,” lanjutnya.
Misal, lukisan Cholis yang berjudul Perang-perangan Jadi Perang Beneran dan Bukan Agustusan. Kedua lukisan tersebut saling berkaitan cerita. Pada judul pertama, Cholis menggambarkan hubungan antarmanusia dalam menjalani kehidupan. Dulu teman, jadi lawan, dan sebaliknya.
Sedangkan di lukisan Bukan Agustusan, ada tiga peristiwa yang digambarkan. Pada baris pertama diperlihatkan suasana perang. Perang tersebut berhenti sesaat ketika 17 Agustus tiba. Itu dituangkan pada baris kedua. Terakhir, perang diceritakan terjadi lagi.
Cholis menyatakan lebih menyukai lukisannya yang berjudul Perang-perangan Jadi Perang Beneran daripada Bukan Agustusan. “Bukan Agustusan saya buat ketika kondisi hati sedang tidak menentu,” ungkapnya.
Itu terlihat dari lukisannya yang memakai banyak warna. Selain hitam, ada warna biru, kuning, merah, dan hijau. Sedangkan di lukisan satunya, dia merasa lebih mantap hati. “Lihat warna yang saya pakai. Hitam, putih, dan abu-abu,” tutur lulusan seni rupa Unesa tersebut.
Selain abstrak, terdapat lukisan mix media karya Hery yang berjudul Peradaban Sisa. Dalam karya itu, dia menggunakan media kain perca, karung goni, kertas koran, kardus, dan benang.
Bahan-bahan tersebut dipotong olehnya, kemudian disatukan dengan teknik kolase (tempel). Di salah satu bagian, terdapat potongan koran yang dibingkai dengan kaca tapi menyatu dengan bagian-bagian lain. Lukisan berukuran 90 x 183 cm tersebut terdiri atas dua panel. (jan/ayi)
Source: Jawa Pos Online
August 26th, 2008
Retno K. Djojo , Contributor, Kediri, East Java
The giant squatting creatures at the foot of Surawana temple in Kediri, East Java, that appear to be holding up the structure with their bare hands is perhaps a testimony to the architect’s sense of humor.
Despite the severe damage it has sustained over the centuries, the temple, which is found in Pare town, still exhibits exquisitely fine workmanship.
The four corners of the structure, also known as Bloral temple, are adorned with these giant creatures, which look as if they are using all their might to hold up the tons of stone above them.
These crafted giants beg the question: What methods were used in the construction of such a temple made from heavy stone blocks at a time when mortar had yet to be invented?
Archeologists studying old temples believe that ancient architects relied on dove-tail shaped ends, corner stones and pins to hold the weight of such heavy structures. Reliefs adorning temple walls, they say, were incised only after the entire structure was complete.
The walls of Surawana temple are richly decorated with beautiful relief panels. One panel sequence depicts the famed Arjunawiwaha and Ramayana Hindu epics.
The Ramayana sequence focuses on the heroic and chivalrous acts of Hanoman, the white monkey general, in upholding virtue over vice.
One relief shows Hanoman jumping over tree tops to enter the enemy’s fortress. This episode in the Ramayana is known as Hanoman Duta, or Hanoman the Envoy, in which he was sent by his master Rama to present a ring to Shinta as a token of his faithfulness.
Hanoman succeeded in penetrating Rahwana’s fortress, where Shinta was being held prisoner. He succeeded in accomplishing his task, but was caught when trying to sneak out of the enemy’s compound. The enemy attempted to burn him alive by wrapping his tail in an oil-soaked cloth.
Hanoman fought with all his might and rolled himself across the rooftop of the compound, thereby setting off the big fire that destroyed Rahwana’s fortress.
The panels of the temple also relate the attack by the army of monkeys to subdue Kumbakarna, the brother of Rahwana.
Kumbakarna, known for his patriotism, revolted when he saw that his country, Alengka, was under threat. But before he could save Alengka, he was attacked and killed. For his valor, though, he was venerated.
A sequence of smaller reliefs on the temple’s walls depict animals, including birds, tigers and snakes, all still in a good condition.
These reliefs are part of a rich folklore heritage that carry moral and ethical messages.
Surawana temple was built in the year 1400, after the demise of Majapahit ruler Bhre Wengker. A memorial temple, it was intended to function as a place of prayer. Worshippers ascended a small stairway on the western side and gathered in on open platform to conduct prayers.
Historical records reveal that Surawana temple was previously located in a densely forested area and was surrounded by mighty teak trees. It is currently situated in a fenced-off compound, amid a densely populated area.
Restoration work on the temple was carried out over a 6-month period in 1997, but was halted due to lack of funding.
Source: The Jakarta Post
August 25th, 2008
Road show pemungkas Surabaya Green and Clean berlangsung kemarin (24/8). Acara yang dilangsungkan di Wonorejo itu menjadi kemeriahan terakhir peserta kompetisi kampung bersih. Kini mereka tinggal menunggu malam final yang akan diselenggarakan pada Jumat (29/8).
Road show terakhir kemarin berlangsung meriah. Warga berdatangan dari Kelurahan Kedungdoro, Keputran, dan tuan rumah Wonorejo. Mereka mengenakan berbagai macam seragam dengan warna utama hijau.
Wawali Arif Afandi yang hadir pada pukul 07.00 langsung melakukan sidak. Sejumlah pejabat pemkot mendampingi. Di antaranya, Kepala Dinas Kebersihan dan Pertamanan (DKP) Hidayat Syah, Koordinator Fasilitator Lingkungan Surabaya Anwar, dan pejabat masyarakat setempat. Bersama rombongan, Arif meluncur ke gang-gang dan saluran air.
Saluran air yang dikunjunginya adalah Kali Mir. Saluran air selebar satu meter itu memang sering menjadi tempat pembuangan sampah warga. Padahal, saluran air yang penuh sampah sering menjadi sarang penyakit.
Belum lagi, air yang tersumbat mengancam terjadinya banjir. Karena itu, warga mengadakan kerja bakti untuk membersihkan saluran tersebut. Tanpa rikuh, Arif langsung mengambil serok dan bergabung dengan warga.
Menurut Arif, Kelurahan Wonorejo sangat berpeluang memenangkan program Surabaya Green and Clean. Namun, dia masih melihat kampung di Surabaya Pusat itu belum maksimal dalam penghijauan. “Pohon-pohon perlu banyak ditanam di pinggir jalan. Nanti biar Pak Dayat yang membantu,” katanya.
Kemeriahan road show bertambah saat rangkaian lomba diadakan. Mulai lomba memasak, lomba yel-yel, hingga lomba yang baru kali ini diadakan, yaitu memilah sampah.
Sebelum lomba yel-yel diadakan, para kader lingkungan setempat menampilkan lagu Tombo Ati yang liriknya sudah diubah. Dengan iringan musik elekton, para penyanyi yang kebanyakan ibu-ibu itu membawakan lagu berjudul Wonorejo Tentrem dengan apik.
”Wonorejo tentrem ono limo perkarane. Kaping pisan resik-resik lingkungane. Kaping pindo podho nandur nang latare. Kaping telu ngombe mendhem ndang lereno. Kaping papat bekupon doro ndang endekno. Kaping limo aturan RT turutono.”
Djadi Galajapo yang biasanya suka meledek kini malah terkesima. Dia langsung bergabung dan bernyanyi bersama mereka. ”Iki apik tenan lagu iki. Ayo para warga, dilereni mendheme karo bekupon dorone,” kata anggota grup lawak Galajapo itu.
Lomba yel-yel pun tak kalah meriah. Para peserta perwakilan RW itu tampil komplet dengan kostum dan dandanan bertema daur ulang. Bahkan, peserta dari RW 11 datang membawa paralon untuk komposter resapan. Sambil berjoget, komposter diayunkan mengikuti irama. Komposter tersebut, ternyata, tokcer membawa mereka merebut jawara yel-yel.
Bukan Djadi namanya kalau tidak suka usil dan jahil. Korban pelawak yang menjadi pembawa acara road show kali ini adalah salah seorang pemenang undian, yakni Liena Roostiati.
Tiap kali mengambil kupon, Djadi selalu meneriakkan nama pemenang. Liena adalah pemenang ketiga undian berhadiah yang diberikan untuk sepuluh pemenang itu. Ketika mengundi untuk pemenang ke-8, Djadi tiba-tiba berteriak, “Pemenangnya adalah Liena Roostiati.”
Secara spontan, Liena yang berdiri di atas panggung bersama pemenang lainnya pun meloncat kegirangan. Dia pun menghampiri Djadi yang melongo melihat tingkah warga Tempel Sukorejo itu. ”Lho, aku lak mek moco, Liena Roostiati. Mosok gak oleh,” kata Djadi.
Merasa dikibuli, Liena pun malu. Dia langsung memukuli Djadi diiringi ledakan tawa peserta road show lainnya. ”Hadiah yo dibagi-bagi. Mosok sampeyan tok,” ungkap Djadi.
Liena akhirnya kembali ke barisan pemenang undian. Di belakangnya, sambil cengengesan, Djadi kembali berteriak, ”Liena Roostiati.” Kali ini, Liena tak lagi meloncat kegirangan.
Di akhir acara, Djadi mengingatkan bahwa malam penganugerahan pemenang diadakan sebentar lagi. Tepatnya Jumat, 29 Agustus, di Taman Surya. “Mari kita budayakan hidup bersih. Meski nanti sudah tidak ada lomba, budaya bersih harus terus kita lakukan. Jangan hanya karena ada Green and Clean,” katanya dengan mimik serius. (aga/obi/fat)
Source: Jawa Pos Online
August 25th, 2008
Biasanya, bahan plastik paling banter dimanfaatkan sebagai barang jualan. Kalaupun diolah lagi, paling hanya jadi hiasan di langit-langit gang. Namun, Iwan Setiawan, kader lingkungan RT 6 RW 8 Kelurahan Banyu Urip, punya kreasi unik. Dia mengolah cone plastik bekas es krim dan botol air mineral menjadi lampion cantik. Untuk membuat lampion itu, kata Iwan, dibutuhkan kreativitas dan ketekunan. Sebab, bentuk lampion bisa bermacam-macam, bergantung selera.
Bodi lampion tersebut mirip lampu tempel berbahan bakar minyak gas. Lampion itu terdiri atas dua bagian. Yakni, bagian bawah dan atas. Bagian bawah dibuat seperti penampung minyak tanah. Bahannya dibuat dari ujung bawah botol air mineral. Fungsinya sebagai tatakan lampion agar bisa berdiri saat diletakkan. Bagian tersebut juga berfungsi untuk memegang bohlam.
Menurut Iwan, biar sesuai dengan bentuk lampion yang kecil, dia memilih bohlam ukuran kecil. Bagian bawah lampion juga berfungsi sebagai penyimpan kabel. ”Kalau bisa, yang wattnya kecil saja. Jangan yang terlalu besar. Tidak muat,” katanya.
Bagian atas dibuat dari cone es krim. Itu berfungsi sebagai bongkar pasang. Lelaki berambut keriting tersebut mengatakan, kalau ingin lebih semarak, bagian tengah bisa diambilkan dari botol minyak kayu putih. ”Nanti cahanya bisa terlihat hijau,” tambahnya.
Untuk menambah kesan lampu minyak, Iwan menganjurkan memasang perangkat berbentuk lingkaran di belakangnya. Perangkat tersebut juga berfungsi untuk menempelkan lampion di paku. ”Ini kan cantik kalau dibuat suvenir,” ungkapnya sambil menimang tiga lampion. (aga/oni)
Source: Jawa Pos Online
August 22nd, 2008
Upaya pemkot melalui Surabaya Tourism Promotion Board (STPB) untuk mempromosikan Surabaya makin konkret. Tak hanya dengan membuka kantor cabang di berbagai kota dan negara lain, STPB juga berpromosi dengan memasang logo Sparkling Surabaya pada 1.400 taksi Blue Bird di Surabaya. Penyematan city branding Sparkling Surabaya itu kemarin dilakukan Wali Kota Bambang D.H. di Taman Surya.
Dengan pencatuman logo itu diharapkan wisatawan asing lebih mengenal Surabaya. Sebab, 1.400 awak Blue Bird kerap beroperasi di bandara, terminal, dan pelabuhan. Dengan begitu, potensi Surabaya sebagai kota parwisata bisa lebih dikenal wisatawan asing.
Executive Director STPB Yusak Anshori mengatakan, STPB menyambut baik kepedulian dan partisipasi para pelaku bisnis terhadap perkembangan pariwisata Surabaya. Apalagi, Blue Bird memiliki jaringan di beberapa kota besar di Indonesia.
”Taksi merupakan salah satu moda transportasi penting di suatu kota yang terkait dengan pengembangan pariwisata,” jelasnya.
Komitmen antara pemkot dan perusahaan taksi itu diharapkan dapat mengangkat pamor Surabaya di mata wisatawan domestik maupun manca. Apalagi, kata Yusak, jumlah wisatawan asing yang berkunjung ke kota ini terus bertambah. Tahun lalu, tercatat 136 ribu wisatawan asing berkunjung ke Kota Pahlawan. Tahun ini, STPB menargetkan 140 ribu pengunjung. ”Berbagai upaya kita tempuh untuk mempromosikan Surabaya. Termasuk dengan stiker logo Sparkling Surabaya ini,” ujarnya.
Tak urung, kata Yusak, bertambahnya wisatawan asing yang datang ke Surabaya turut berimbas terhadap peningkatan pajak hotel, restoran, dan hiburan. Peningkatan PAD (pendapatan asli daerah) itu terlihat dalam tiga tahun terakhir. Pada 2005 PAD dari sektor ini meraih Rp 119 miliar. Kemudian pada 2006 naik jadi Rp 141 miliar, dan tahun lalu jadi Rp 159 miliar.
Sejatinya, kata Yusak, ada strategi jitu yang bisa dibidik STPB untuk mendongkrak jumlah pendapatan itu. Yakni, membidik orang asing yang melakukan kunjungan kerja (kunker) di Surabaya. ”Saya menghitung dalam sehari, kunker dari negara lain sampai empat kali,” sebutnya.
Hal itu, kata dia, merupakan potensi besar dunai pariwisata jika digarap dengan serius. Misalnya, setiap kali selesai kunker, para wisatawan asing bisa diajak keliling menikmati kelebihan Surabaya. Dari tempat wisata, kuliner, hingga mengunjungi berbagai pusat perbelanjaan. ”Kita dorong mereka agar berbelanja sebanyak-banyaknya di kota ini,” sebutnya.
Wali Kota Bambang D.H. mengatakan, program pemasangan logo Sparkling Surabaya di taksi-taksi strategis untuk promosi wisatawan. Karena itu, bisa jadi nanti juga untuk bus Damri, KA, dan pesawat. ”Kita akan usahakan ke arah sana. Sebab, saya yakin cara itu bisa menarik wisatawan cukup efektif,” ujarnya.
Vice President Blue Bird Ateng Aryono berharap agar city branding kota ini lebih dikenal negara lain. Karena itu, pihaknya rela mengeluarkan dana untuk membuat dan mencantumkan logo itu di ribuan armada taksinya. (kit/ari)
Source: Jawa Pos Online
August 21st, 2008
Triwik Kurniasari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
For many Indonesians, Idul Fitri is associated with new and special clothes.
Even though the celebration is still seven weeks away, many Muslims in the city have begun shopping for fabrics and having them sewn into dresses, suits, shirts or Indonesian Muslim men’s attire, baju koko.
Tailors, dressmakers and designers in the city have been receiving a plethora of orders from their regular customers.
Artaty from a popular Muslim fashion boutique, Mumtaaz, said she had received many orders from her customers months before.
“Idul Fitri is our peak season. We have three times more the orders than on ordinary days,” Taty told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
“We usually send short message services (SMS) to our customers three months in advance to inform them of our Idul Fitri collections.
“We also hold a special fashion show in our boutique in Pejompongan (in Central Jakarta) displaying the latest Muslim fashions from our designers. This year, we held the event in June,” she said.
Mumtaaz, which opened in Sept. of 2005, accommodates the creations of 20 designers, including Anne Rufaidah (head of Association of Indonesian Fashion Designers for the Islamic fashion division), Amy Atmanto, Jenny Tjahyawati, Merry Pramono and Nuniek Mawardi.
Taty said most customers come to Mumtaaz so they could choose dresses they liked and then have them fitted, if necessary.
“If the dress is too big, we will have the designer alter it. It will be ready in about four days,” she said.
“Several customers, however, prefer to have exclusive outfits made by our designers. We help the customers choose the perfect designs and they will be ready in about two weeks.
“About three weeks before Idul Fitri we stop taking orders because many of our employees go on vacation in preparation for Idul Fitri. We still, however, accept items which only need altering or mending,” she said.
Ramli, a prominent local designer, said his orders doubled in preparation for Idul Fitri.
“The orders vary from baju koko for men, to dresses and mukena (head-to-toe cloak) for women,” Ramli said, who is famous for his embroidered designs.
“On an ordinary day, my female customers usually only want outfits only for themselves. But before Idul Fitri, they order for their husbands and children as well.
“I can make a Muslim dress in about five days, but an outfit requiring many sequins or elaborate embroidery may take more than that,” he said, adding he usually stops receiving orders a week before Idul Fitri.
Ramli said batik remained a favorite choice for his customers.
“I offer batik from seven provinces, such as Bengkulu, Betawi, Madura (in East Java) and Cirebon (in West Java).
“I do not use animal figures in my designs for my Muslim customers because they are not allowed to wear those motifs,” he said.
He said he would participate in an Islamic fashion show to be held by the Association of West Java Muslim Designers on Sept. 10.
Meanwhile, for people who want less expensive clothes, tailors and dressmakers in Sunan Giri market in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, or Mayestik market in South Jakarta are ready to serve them.
Nani, a dressmaker in Sunan Giri market, said she had received many orders for men’s batik shirts.
“Batik is very popular now. As Ramadan (the month of fasting) draws nearer, I receive orders for about 10 kodis (200 pieces) of batik shirts per day, while I usually receive less than that.
“During the high season, I prefer to stop taking orders at the beginning of Ramadan,” she said.
A dressmaker in Mayestik market, Iwan, said his orders had increased substantially.
“I usually receive about 15 dress orders a day, while for Idul Fitri I will have 25 to 30 requests per day,” Iwan said.
“Many customers order blouses of batik, which has become the most sought-after motif today,” he said, adding that he charges Rp 100,000 (US$10) per outfit.
“I can finish an outfit in a week. If my customers want express service, I will not charge more.”
Rianti, a resident of Cilandak, South Jakarta, said she often had her Idul Fitri dresses sewn in Mayestik.
“It’s traditional for me and my family to have new clothes for Idul Fitri. I usually have them made by a dressmaker in Mayestik because the quality is good and it’s affordable,” she said.
Source: The Jakarta Post
August 20th, 2008
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