ONE YEAR - 1.275 news items

Day-on-day the news blog exists ONE YEAR now.  HURRAY-HURRAY and some time for contemplation.

1.275 news items have been posted, so all at the average rate of 4 posts per day.  As you can imagine : some days of 1 post only and some days of more than 10 news briefs.

The content fluctuates strong.  There are periods that the ASEAN news delivers strong, then again (as is now the case) strict Indonesian news is hot.

Lately I have added also some of the newspapers in Bahasa Indonesia, what did result in a somewhat more balanced reporting.  Also the smaller players have a chance to shine, as a figure of speech.  It has become clear that some market players either produce more 'news' or are better in marketing it (or both).   On the regulatory side nothing much has happened and that is a shame.  The market players apparently are more busy with planning and implementing strategies and have little time left for lobbying efforts, so it seems.

Only in 2 / 3 years will the blog become a relevant Dbase that covers most of the industry in some way.  Indonesia slowly prepares for Lebaran.  I feel that in the diminishing number of restaurants and street vendors when I go out for my evening meal.  Idul Fitri is nearby and all prepare for a short - but pleasant - return to the village and the beloved ones there.

BANKING - Islamic banking burgeoning in Indonesia (PressTV)

At least 33 banks, 46 insurance companies and 17 mutual funds based on Islamic finance principles exist in Indonesia, now Southeast Asia's economic giant and home to the largest Moslem population in the world.(source)

VIDEO - In Jakarta, financial help comes via Islam

Video here or hereunder.

About the video:
In the context of the financial crisis and with the Jakarta stock exchange losing 50% since the beginning of the year, the vice-president has called on his fellow citizens to turn to Islamic banks, which apply the principles of Sharia law.

VIDEO - Beritajakarta.com - Genset Meledak, Kantor Bank Syariah Mandiri Nyaris Terbakar (2008)

Video here or hereunder.

Ledakan genset pembangkit listik nyaris hanguskan kantor cabang pembantu Bank Syariah Mandiri di Jl Sunter Agung Utara, Tanjungpriok, Jakarta Utara, Jumat (2/7). Akibat ledakan, pelayanan nasabah terpaksa ditutup hingga Senin mendatang.

Kameramen: iwan / sahruddin
Source : Beritajakarta.com

VIDEO - WIEF 5 Jakarta - March 2009 - Islamic finance (4)

Story on the prospects for Islamic finance in the face of the global slowdown -- part of the coverage of the 5ht World Islamic Economic Forum from the TV programme World Business, broadcast on CNBC Europe and Asia. Reporter: Rian Maelzer.