Bukit Lawang After Disaster in 2003

Bukit Lawang is located in Langkat District, just three hours from Medan the capital of North Sumatera Province., at the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park. Here is where a lot of Sumatran Orangutans still live. This is mainly thanks to the rehabilitation center in Bukit Lawang. This center also attracts some tourism, but that does not influence the tranquil environment and the amount of wildlife here.
November 2003, Bukit Lawang was struck by a tremendous flood of the Bohorok river. The flood wiped away 90% of the buildings, and killed 300 people. The orangutan rehabilitation center was also struck, although all but two orangutans were able to save themselves. Because of destroyed feeding facilities, and since the animals were able to survive in the forest, the activities at the center stopped for a while.
But since tourism is an important source of income, and the orangutans are the main attraction in the area, rangers have resumed feeding activities, and it is possible to arrange jungle treks again.For the local economy in Bukit Lawang, eco-tourism is an important factor. Activities have started to re-develop Bukit Lawang and the Bohorok Orangutan Rehabilitation center into an Eco-tourist Viewing Area, meeting modern standards. In order to complete this activities, it is of vital importance that tourists return to this area. Enough facilities have survived or are rebuilt for a new steady flow of tourists.
Bukit Lawang is still a fantastic destination. The orangutan rehabilitation center here offers a great insight for tourists into the life of this endangered species. But Bukit Lawang has much more to offer, so it is about time tourists rediscover this place.
So please consider visiting what is still a great destination.

Legend of Lake Toba

In North Sumatra there is a lake which is said to be the largest lake in Southeast Asia, and one of the deepest in the world. It lies 900 metres above sea-level and is surrounded by pine-covered beaches, high cliff, and steep mountain slopes. This famous lake is called Lake Toba, the birthplace of the Batak people. Here is the story which tells how the lake was formed.

A long time ago, there was a fisherman called Batara Guru Sahala. Day after day he rowed his boat in the river, spread his net in the water, and if he was lucky, he would catch his fish which he would sell for his living. There were times, however, when he was unlucky and his net would remain empty. Then the young man had very little food.

One day, Batara Guru Sahala was fishing as usual. He had been working for hours, but not a single fish had come into his net. The hot weather made the young mand feel tired, his head nodded and he fell asleep. Suddenly, a sharp pull on his net woke him up.

“That must be a big fish,” he said to himself, bringing the net in. Sure enough, caught in the net was a huge silvery fish. The young man pulled the fish up into his boat and decided to take it home immediately. “This will bring me a good price,” he said happily.

Batara Guru Sahala pulled the heavy fish to his hut and put it in the corner. Then he went out to get some wood in order to light the stove. He had not eaten since the early morning so he felt hungry and wanted to cook some rice. When he came back to his hut some time later, he saw to his surprise that the fish had gone. Who would have taken it?

“Batara Guru Sahala, don’t look for the fish,” he suddenly heard a soft voice saying. The young man turned around and saw a beautiful girl standing in the corner of the room.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“I was the fish you caught. A magician once taught me a spell that would change me into a human if I was unlucky enought to be caught,” said the young girl. She was so beautiful that Batara Guru Sahala fell in love with her immediately. He asked her to marry him and she said, “I will stay with you and be your wife on one condition. Don’t tell anybody about my origin, not even our children.”
Batara Guru Sahala agreed and so the two were married.

After his marriage, the young fisherman never came home empty-handed. Every day his nets were full, and soon he was able to build a bigger and better house for himself and his wife. Then one day a boy was born, and the year after, a girl. Batara Guru Sahala told anyone that his wife had once been a fish. In fact, he himself often forgot about it. The boy and girl grew up and soon they were able to help their parents.

One day, Batara Guru Sahala went fishing at the side of the river as usual. The day was very hot, and at noon he felt both thirsty and hungry. Impatiently, he waited for his children to bring him his lunch. When they didn’t come at the usual time, Batara Guru Sahala decided to look for them. He was worried that they might have an accident.

The boy and girl had gone to the river as usual. The boy was carrying a parcel of rice, vegetables and meat, and the girl had an earthen jug with fresh, cool water. It was very hot that day and the two children had a long way to go.
“I’m so thirsty, brother,” said the little girl. “I wish I could have a drink from this jug. Just a mouthful would do.”

“And I’m hungry,” said the boy. “I wish I could have a little bit of Father’s rice and vegetables.” After walking a bit further, the boy said, “Let’s take a little bit of Father’s food. I don’t think he’ll notice.”

The children knew that they were not allowed to take their parent’s food, because among the Batak people children were forbidden to touch the food intended for their parents. But they were very young and they forgot about this rule. So they sat down by the side of the road and ate a little of the rice and each drank a mouthful of water from the jug. And that is what they were doing when Batara Guru Sahala found them.

In his anger, he forgot the promise he had made to his wife so many years ago. He lifted his hand and hit both the children. “You greedy, lazy fish-children!” he shouted. Crying, the frightened children ran home to tell their mother.

When Batara Guru Sahala came home that afternoon, he found the hut empty. He could not see his wife and children anywhere. He looked for them everywhere; he called their names many times. Finally he went back to the river bank. And there he saw his wife facing the river, her hands streched out over the water and her head lifted to the sky.

Batara Guru Sahala ran towards her and asked her to forgive him, but his wife didn’t listen. He had broken his promise and now she had to go back to her home in the river. She sang to the waters, and under her spell the water rose. A storm broke over the land and the river. Rain poured heavily from the heavens, and the water rose and rose. Soon it swept over the river banks, covering the land, the houses, the trees. Where before there was a village, there was now a huge lake.

Batara Guru Sahala and his wife and children change into fish. And to this day the people who live around Lake Toba believe that the fish in the lake are the descendants of Batara Guru Sahala and his wife.

Beckham Confronts Another Football Fan

David Beckham has confronted another fan in Los Angeles as the backlash against the star intensifies.

Beckham has come under fire for joining AC Milan

This time the England footballer got involved with a spectator who allegedly insulted his wife Victoria during Saturday's Major League Soccer game with Kansas City.

He managed to keep his cool and was shown offering a handshake to the fan, who was wearing an England shirt.

But after the match, the former Manchester United player said: "He shouldn't actually be wearing that shirt because what he was saying about my wife was a disgrace.

"I've had it all before. I've heard it all before. I've not heard that for a long time.

"For an Englishman to be saying that, maybe he's not an Englishman."

A banner at last week's game

Beckham has been roundly booed by LA Galaxy fans since he returned from a six-month loan spell at Italian giants AC Milan.

Last week, fans brandished banners reading, "Go Home Fraud" and "23: Repent".

At half-time, a furious Beckham went to a section of the crowd and challenged them to come and meet him on the pitch.

MLS officials hit him with a £600 fine.

The midfielder missed the start of the American season to play for Milan and to try to get into the England squad ahead of next summer's World Cup in South Africa.

(source news.sky.com)

After Batik, Reog and Rasa Sayange, now Malaysia Claimed Pendet

After a batik, reog, and Rasa Sayange songs, typical dances from Bali, Pendet, also again claimed as cultural property Serumpun country, Malaysia. Who indeed is compulsory responsible for the seize of a number of nation’s culture by other countries?

Observers of international law from the University of Islam Indonesia (UII) Yogyakarta Jawahir Thantowi holds, so far the government did not appreciate the intellectual property so that other countries so easy to claim, even make patent right for that.

“We did not include countries that have a high awareness on the rights of intellectual, and neighboring countries have more awareness of it. So, not something strange if another country and claim it,” told him, Sunday (23 / 8 / 2009).

Consequently, according to the Jawahir, the government does not want to take lessons from a number of claimed done by other countries.

“This learning process for us together, to the actual problem of copyright depends on how our capacity to prove the juridical and immediate registration and register to patent it,” he explained.

According Jawahhir, there must be laws to provide protection to the rights of indigenous peoples in country. “This is the case with the same land, if the certificate is not made, it will be in the claim by the other party, what is the difference, but we just know it, but why not learn from it?” he said.

Bali, of course, people not willing traditional arts, dance Pendet, Malaysia claimed. Therefore, they urged the government to insist even bring this issue to the International Court. Possible?

“If taken to it, a problem that must be faced is the cost and time. Requires a long time and cost. So the state is not easy to bring this dispute Pendet to the International Court,” said legal observer internsional Jawahir Thantowi , Sunday (23 / 8 / 2009).

According to the Jawahir, the issue is more elegant if the diplomatic completed, because this dispute concerning the rights of intellectual property antarkedua countries. “I would suggest to take a settlement or mediation agreement the two countries,” he explained.

Add Jawahir, claimed Dancing Pendet by Malaysia should also be able to arouse Indonesia provide protection to the rights of indigenous-owned, and can prove about the juridical creation immediate and patent registration for all works of art owned.

(source : okezone.com)

Hari Jadi Kecamatan Bandar Masilam

Hari Jadi Kecamatan Bandar Masilam ke-6 Jatuh pada tanggal 4 Februari 2009. Pelaksanaan peringatan ini diawali dengan jalan santai masyarakat Kecamatan Bandar Masilam, senam aeroik bersama dan ditandai dengan pemukulan gong tanda dibuka rangkaian kegiatan Hari Jadi Kecamatan Bandar Masilam.
Kegiatan Hari Jadi Kecamatan Bandar Masilam diisi dengan kegiatan olahraga dan pertunjukan kesenian. Perlombaan dan pertandingan olahraga dilaksanakan seperti kasti antar TP.PKK Nagori se-Kecamatan Bandar Masilam, bola volley, bulutangkis, margalah dan olahraga tradisonal lainnnya. Sedangkan kesenian dilaksanakan pada malam hari dari masing-masing etnis yang ada di Kecamatan Bandar Masilam seperti suku Simalungun menampilkan pagelaran tor-tor simalungun, suku jawa dengan pagelaran jarang kepang, suku mandailang dengan pagelaran drama dengan diringi gondang sipitu.
Hari Jadi Kecamatan Bandar Masilam juga dimeriahkan dengan hiburan rakyat lainnya seperti pertandingan Nasyid dan keyboard. Disamping itu untuk memeriahkan acara, hari jadi juga dimeriahkan dengan 40 stand bazar, stand Partai Politik, stand sekolah, stand etnis yang ada di Kecamatan Bandar Masilam.
Puncak Peringatan Hari Jadi Kecamatan Bandar Masilam ke-6 Tahun 2009 yang dirangkai dengan pelatikan DPC. Pujakesuma, DPC. IKEIS, DPC. UPAS Kecamatan Bandar Masilam dan ditandai dengan pemukulan Gong sebanyak 6 kali oleh Bupati Simalungun. Dan pada malam penutupan dilakukan penyerahan piala dan dilanjutkan dengan pesta kembang api. Semoga Kecamatan Bandar Masilam dapat lebih maju...