letters of congratulatons

Dear Ms. Michelle

Congratulations on recently join the board of directors Hotel Richie Rich will be benefit greatly from such an intelligent and reasonable person such as you. Your opinion is greatly valued and you will be a wonderful asset to the board; especially with your previous background and credentials.
I have enjoyed our time working together and offer you the best all you do.


Sincerely,


Dawson

TUGAS BAHASA INGGRIS II_LETTERS OF CONGRATULATION

Dear Ms. Dawson,

Congratulations on your new appointment as general manager. I have been impressed with your work ethic and your ability to solve difficult situations, and i believe you are the optimum choice for the new position. Furthermore, as my friend and colleague, i have full confidence in your ability to fulfill your new responsibilities and offer my support.

It has been a pleasure working with you the past years, and look forward to our continued association.


Sincerely,


Michelle

Facebook Triggers Children's Deviation

Unfortunately, Facebook has negative effect too. Some improrer and criminal cases recently happened among members of the social networking site. All victims are female teenagers.
The girls were deceived by people who just became their friends in Facebook. Some of them were even raped, such as a 14-year=old girl initialed AS in Tangerang, Banten.
AS has a friend in Facebook named airlangga (21-yer-old) from Ngawi, East Java. Although As and Airlangga just knew each other through Facebook for two months, the girls trusted the boy so much. AS met Airlangga in Bekasi by bringing her father;s money amounting to Rp5 million. She used the money to pay hotel for her and Airlangga for five days. She didn't loss her money only, but also her virginity.
MN, a 14-year-old girl from Sidoarjo, East Java did similar action. By disobeying her parents, she escaped with Ari, her Facebook friend from Tangerang, banten.
Ari and MN had declared their status in Facebook as husband and wife. When MN came to Serpong, Tangerang with her family, she used the occasion to meet Ari. The young girl and boy went together for three days. What the couple did in three days can be predicted.
Secretary General of the Commission for Children Protection, Ariest Merdeka Sirait, said improrer and criminal cases involved children under age in Facebook were an iceberg phenomenon. “Before Facebook, there are Friendster and chatting,' said Sirait.
Young people can use Facebook to share with their friends, even they don't meet before. Facebook has more complete features to share. “Everything about them, even private information, they share to their friends. Emotional proximity happened and continued when they meet in real life,” he said.
Accordinng to Sirait, teenagers need someone to share about their problem and feeling, and they find it in Facebook. “Actually, it is time for family,” said Aries. Parents have to change their nurture model from authoritian to democratic one.
Psychologist Fanny Erla Zuhana said parents must always control their children's Facebook account. Ask the children about their friend list. Guide them how to chat with friend. “Do not give them much time to access Facebook,” said Zuhana.
Children and teenagers are apt to accept new friends, she said. They share everything they have and become intimate. “Female teenagers are prone to be victims because they always passive,”
A girl is always waiting somebody to comfort her, according to Zuhana. So, when she finds the comfort, she would give everything she has.
Education practitioner Muhammad hatta said teacher must apply the best method on their teaching. “Not 'having' method,” he said. Beibg method is giving the student how to apply the science, not only get the science. Science must be applied to their attitude.
Morality lesson is important matter to teach in class, she said, because without morality, student can do bad thing, including on Facebook. “But, don't blame student only,” he said. Teachers and parents must active to build children morality.

Sumber : Jurnal Nasional (Monday, March 1, 2010)

Flight Rate Increases by 10 Percent

The government will increase air transport fares by 10 percent this month.”Once the decision letter is signed by Minister of Transportation, immediately it will be implemented. It will not increase more than 10 percent,” said Director General of Civil aviation of Transportation Ministry, Herry Bahkti, last month.
Flight rate increase is consequence of the enactment of Decree of the Minister of Transportation No. 9/2002 on Commercial Tariffs of Air transport Passenger Domestic. Component of the rule requires fuel surcharge that previously stood alone, to melt with the basic rate, so that the limit of ratea is upper.
The new rules would benefit consumers. The government has the authority to determine upper limit of tariff because change in fuel surcharge is influenced by world oil prices. “If there is an increase in world oil prices regardless of the smount, fuel surcharge will remain our set,” said Herry.
According to Herry, not all of the national carrier could use the upper limit of rate set by the government. It is only permissible for the national carrier, which provides maximum services. If earlier each of the national airline fuel surcharge is merged with the base rate will be distinguished by the level of services provided.
“For instance, airlines that provide full service can apply 100 percent of upper limit, the medium service over 90 percent limit, no frills 85 percent of limit,” Said Herry.
Due to the increase, Chief Executive of Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) Sudaryatmo requested the government to tighten oversight of airlines. The government must improve its control function, so that the airline does not increase flight rate exceeds what was determined,” he said.
According to him, there are some airlines who seek unfair advantage through flight rate setting. For example, there are several airlines that recognize the low cost carrier, but it actually sells tickets above airline fares on full service carriers. “Although there is no regulation that prohibits it, this is something that is not true.”
Sudaryatmo reminded that the government did not impose the rate increase permanently because oil prices are always fluctuating. “So, if fuel prices come down, the government must come down air flight ticket,” he said.
Chairman of Air Transport Forum, Indonesian Transportation Society, Suhartu Abdul Majid, said the rate increase must be accompanied by an increase in quality and performance of airlines. So far, airlines have not shown a satisfactory basic performance. “It can be seen from the side of safety, punctually, service and efficiency,” said Suharto

Sumber : Jurnal Nasional, (March 1, 2010)

Indonesia’s Economic Growth Third Best

“We’re grateful that in the crisis situation at the time, when many people predicted economic growth only 3 percent and government predicted 4.3 percent, thet reality is 4.5 percent.” said Coordinating Minister for Economic Hatta Rajasa in Jakarta, Wednesday (Feb. 10).
He said Indonesia’s economic growth is the third best after China and India. This achievement can be reached because of measurable government’s consumption, such as budget for economic stimulant, and people consumption ran well.
Because pf low inflation, he said, people’s purchasing power relatively increased. “We colud push to be better not only focus on state budget and people consumption, but by pushing investment and export,” he said.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said that 4.5 percent economic growth is a higher number than government’s prediction during the period. “At the fourth quarter of 2009 the lifting was incredible. It’ll be based to look facrors that support economic growth, we’ll keep on seeing it. In externalside, export and import are faster to recover than our prediction,” she said.
Head of Fiscal Agency of Finance Ministry Anggito Abimanyu said that 4.5 percent is a good signal for 2010 economic outlook. “We will maintain at 5.5 percent level in 2010, hopefully more than that,” he said.
Deputy Chairman of Central Statistics Agency Slamet Utomo said that 4.5 percent of growth is much meaningful to reduce unemployment. “Each one percent of economic growth could absorb about 500 thousand employees. With 4.5 percent of growth, it means that 2,5 milion employees can be absorbed,” he calculated.
He said, the highest growth happened in tranportion and communication sector’s, which reached 15.5 percent. The lowest growth is in trade, hotel and restaurant, at 1.1 percent.



EACH ONE PERCENT OF ECONOMIC GROWTH COULD ABSORB ABOUT 500 THOUSAND EMPLOYEES
Slamet explained that Indonesia's Gross Domestic Product(GDP) in 2009 based on current price reach Rp 5.613,4 trillion. As quarterly, GDP in fourth quarter of 2009 compared with third quarter 2009 was decrease 2,4 percent. Compared to the fourth quarter year of 2008, it grew 5.4 percent.
"Since third quarter of 2009 we have turning point than first and second quarter of 2009, and in fourth quarter of 2009 there's an improvement performance," he said.
He said that 4.5 percent economic growth was caused by activity in the country, such as general election to choose legislators ang president, so it gave impact to domestic economy. The other factor was government's policy to give stimulant and subsidy program, such as direct cash assistance, recruitment, and infrastructure development.
Slamet said the biggest constributor for GDP was household consumption. "Our country is different with Singapore, which the role of consumption to GDP is more than 50 percent. Singapore fully depended on export. It means that Indonesia does not really depend on external factor, but rather depend on domestic demand."

Global Improvement
Chief Economist of Danareksa Research Institute Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said that economic growth increased because of global economic improvement, so that Indonesia's export was higher than the previous year.
“The next effect, production begins to push again. Labors return to work overtime, so their income will increase. At the end, consumption level could climb. It will support national economic growth above the government prediction,” he said.
Economic observer of Bogor Institute of Agriculture Hermanto Siregar said the worry of various parties about global crisis impact to Indonesiadid nit proven. National growth in 2009 was 4.5 percent, above government prediction, prove it. Consumption was not affected by the global economic crisis,” said hermanto to Jurnal Nasional.
According to him, Indonesia's agriculture can absorb 42 percent of employee, above all other sector, so that national consumption was also being stable.”
Hermanto said he is optimistic that Indonesia economic growth will increase to 5.5 percent until 6 percent this year.

Sumber : Jurnal Nasional (Monday, March 1, 2010)

Local Products Need to Strengthen Foundation

Outside a koisk in the Palmerah market, Jakarta, consumers might see a mountain of rambutans, the hairy fruit favored by most Jakartans. Inside of the kiosk, we will see guavas, Medan oranges, avocados, passion fruits, papayas, sour sops, bananas, etc. But, we will also apples, garpes, peers, shantang and lokam oranges.
Imported fruit colors the variety of fruit in most markets in Jakarta, especially with the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) began to take place after January 1, 2010. With this agreement, imported products could enter both areas without import duties alias zero percent.
In the Plamerah market, imported products could offer competitive prices, or even lower, than the locals. Lokam orange in the market is sold between RP7,000 to 10,000 per kilogram. Now in supermarket could be sold sometimes under Rp5,000. Also shantang orange, before CAFTA, it was priced at Rp15,000. It now around Rp8,000-Rp12,000.
Palmerah market fruit trader Alfin Zulfa said that the prices of local oranges tend to be more expensive than the import ones. Local fruit prices decreased when they are in the season. The supply of imported oranges, however, has no season.
Currently, the price of oranges from China decreased quite a lot. Formaly, a nine-kilogram carton of shantang orange was picked up at between Rp80,000 and Rp90,000. Now it is down between Rp40,000 and Rp50,000.
“Yes, recently the price of oranges, like shantang is down a lot,” said Alfin.
Alfin buys Medan orange, a local product, with the C-class quality, at Rp6,000 per kilogram. He sells them at about Rp8,000. A- and B-class of Medan oranges purchased at Rp7,000-Rp8,000 per kg, and sold about Rp10,000 per kg. “The Medan orange is now considered a rather expensive product, especially it is not in their harvest season,” he said.
Alfin has been selling fruit for about 10 years at the palmerah market. Everyday he buys his fruit in the main market Kramat Jati, east Jakarta, where he can find both local and imported fruits. According to him, 10 years ago, he could already buy Chinese fruits. “Right now it has more and cheaper.”
With the price of imported fruit decreased significantly, many consumers are switching their options. However, consumers of local fruits are still a lot. “Today it is about fifty-fifty,” he asid, adding that CAFTA should encourage local farmers and traders to compete better.
Benny A. Kusbini, Chairman of the Indonesian Horticulture Council, said the impact of CAFTA will begin to be felt in the next six months. Lower-priced imports of fruit will invade the local market. “If the central and local governments don't act quickly, the death knell for the industry, agriculture, and unemployment will be great,” Kusbini said.
It's right time to strengthen the foundations of the country's fruits production. He recommended some measures which include an immediate reform of attitudes among local officilas and respective technical department by eliminating various illegal payments on the streets and in the sea harbors.
Kusbini also suggested the Indonesian government to improve infrastructures such as roads, irrigation, seaports, electricity, and communications. The Indonesian government should also encourage idle bank funding at around Rp850 trillion into the real sector.
The government should also develop cooperative and productive agricultural groups in rural areas. Last but not least, the government should start a serious effort on food diversification, from rice to local flours and tubers. “Then cultivate the love to use domestic products in all circles.”

sumber : Jurnal Nasional (March 1, 2010)

INDONESIA'S ECONOMIC GROWTH THIRD BEST

Indonesia’s Economic Growth Third Best

“We’re grateful that in the crisis situation at the time, when many people predicted economic growth only 3 percent and government predicted 4.3 percent, thet reality is 4.5 percent.” said Coordinating Minister for Economic Hatta Rajasa in Jakarta, Wednesday (Feb. 10).
He said Indonesia’s economic growth is the third best after China and India. This achievement can be reached because of measurable government’s consumption, such as budget for economic stimulant, and people consumption ran well.
Because pf low inflation, he said, people’s purchasing power relatively increased. “We colud push to be better not only focus on state budget and people consumption, but by pushing investment and export,” he said.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said that 4.5 percent economic growth is a higher number than government’s prediction during the period. “At the fourth quarter of 2009 the lifting was incredible. It’ll be based to look facrors that support economic growth, we’ll keep on seeing it. In externalside, export and import are faster to recover than our prediction,” she said.
Head of Fiscal Agency of Finance Ministry Anggito Abimanyu said that 4.5 percent is a good signal for 2010 economic outlook. “We will maintain at 5.5 percent level in 2010, hopefully more than that,” he said.
Deputy Chairman of Central Statistics Agency Slamet Utomo said that 4.5 percent of growth is much meaningful to reduce unemployment. “Each one percent of economic growth could absorb about 500 thousand employees. With 4.5 percent of growth, it means that 2,5 milion employees can be absorbed,” he calculated.
He said, the highest growth happened in tranportion and communication sector’s, which reached 15.5 percent. The lowest growth is in trade, hotel and restaurant, at 1.1 percent.



EACH ONE PERCENT OF ECONOMIC GROWTH COULD ABSORB ABOUT 500 THOUSAND EMPLOYEES
Slamet explained that Indonesia's Gross Domestic Product(GDP) in 2009 based on current price reach Rp 5.613,4 trillion. As quarterly, GDP in fourth quarter of 2009 compared with third quarter 2009 was decrease 2,4 percent. Compared to the fourth quarter year of 2008, it grew 5.4 percent.
"Since third quarter of 2009 we have turning point than first and second quarter of 2009, and in fourth quarter of 2009 there's an improvement performance," he said.
He said that 4.5 percent economic growth was caused by activity in the country, such as general election to choose legislators ang president, so it gave impact to domestic economy. The other factor was government's policy to give stimulant and subsidy program, such as direct cash assistance, recruitment, and infrastructure development.
Slamet said the biggest constributor for GDP was household consumption. "Our country is different with Singapore, which the role of consumption to GDP is more than 50 percent. Singapore fully depended on export. It means that Indonesia does not really depend on external factor, but rather depend on domestic demand."

Global Improvement
Chief Economist of Danareksa Research Institute Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said that economic growth increased because of global economic improvement, so that Indonesia's export was higher than the previous year.
“The next effect, production begins to push again. Labors return to work overtime, so their income will increase. At the end, consumption level could climb. It will support national economic growth above the government prediction,” he said.
Economic observer of Bogor Institute of Agriculture Hermanto Siregar said the worry of various parties about global crisis impact to Indonesiadid nit proven. National growth in 2009 was 4.5 percent, above government prediction, prove it. Consumption was not affected by the global economic crisis,” said hermanto to Jurnal Nasional.
According to him, Indonesia's agriculture can absorb 42 percent of employee, above all other sector, so that national consumption was also being stable.”
Hermanto said he is optimistic that Indonesia economic growth will increase to 5.5 percent until 6 percent this year.

Sumber : Jurnal Nasional (Monday, March 1, 2010)