Sumantri - Ideation article - To President Republic of Indonesia, SBY

Ideation article - To President Republic of Indonesia, SBY
By Sumantri

The following proposal of ideation been submitted to The President of Republic Indonesian by my self during official visit to Brunei Darussalam and Meet with Indonesian comunity at Indonesian Ambassador Resident.

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Brunei Darussalam 26th February 2006

The President Republic of Indonesia
Bapak. Dr. H. Bambang Yudhoyono




Dear Mr. President,

It is my honor for you to read this letter as I have prepared and been waiting for this moment ages before you come. I do sincerely hope that you can spend some of your golden time for reading it.

I am Sumantri. 38 years old. I am working in Sheraton Utama Hotel Brunei and living here almost 6 years. Being an expatriate living in foreign land away from original country does not mean we lost the sense of “Indonesian way” of living. When we work overseas, we work with foreign companies, live in foreign countries, spending currency in dollars, different country rules and regulation apply, different lifestyle but in fact we recommend our company and use Indonesia made vehicle “KIJANG”, hundred or could be a thousand KIJANG car passed by Brunei road. Moreover, when we hungry anytime anywhere we still look for “INDOMEE”, when we are ill we still stick to JAMU as regular medicine which we believed the healing power of Indonesia JAMU. Apart from these, we do not burden our country as we work overseas and we play an important role for supporting the country economy directly trasfer our sweat money every penny to our family back in Indonesia. ( according to the World Bank US $ 2.5 Billion been sent to Indonesia in 2005 by TKI – Kompas 23rd January 2006 worth or equivalent to purchased a total of 35 Boeing Aircraft which is available now in Singapore Air Show which I think is a lot of money )

Mr. President with all respects, this is the time to show recognition to the Tenaga Kerja Indonesia by presenting them Awards, recognition, Appreciation in any ways which is appropriate.

In the other hand, I would also like to take this opportunity to proposed the necessity that I think is important. This proposal made base on my field in the Hospitality Industrial. There are two different ideas in different perspective but both have the same goal and the same purposed which is for the progressive of my Indonesia. Proposal write in English is for the practice and own benefit to keep continue to learn and increase confident and capability in international level.

Below proposal are as follows:
1. Proposal of how to grab the right opportunity of doing the right activities or programmes during the Republic of Indonesia Independent Day celebration. We can make it very active, alive and attractive while promoting Indonesian products, Indonesia Tourism Industrial, places of interest in Indonesia, cultural, foods etc. Grab the chance to promote as much as possible instead of treating the celebration as a festive gathering only.
2. Proposal of Labeling ‘ Made In Indonesia ”. Giving you an example : - you can easily find a home made “Rempeyek” here at the supermarket with “Made in Brunei” label but of course we know Rempeyek originally recipe is from Indonesia and I am disagreed with example given. However, when you are in Indonesia, you can hardly find a home made Rempeyek at the supermarket with a label “Made In Indonesia” and this issue become an idea of “ Made In Indonesia “ labeling


Yours sincerely,
Sumantri Endang Hj Moh Syarief
E-mail : sumantriendang@yahoo.com or Sumantri.Endang@sheraton.com
Proposal
Indonesia Independence Day Celebration Standard
for Diplomatic guest in foreign country
Standard Perayaan Hari Kemerdekaan Indonesia
Untuk tamu diplomatic Di Negara Asing

By : sumantriendang@yahoo.com

WE SHOULD GRAB THE Golden OPPORTUNITIES
TO PROMOTE OUR COUNTRY TO QUALITY PEOPLE!

Our beloved country Indonesia has been annually organized the “ Indonesia Independence Day celebration” in ages and many years to come. This celebration has been organized by each representative of Indonesian Embassy in foreign countries. I believe that this annual national day celebration was done differently from each and every representative in foreign countries.

However, I would like to personally and sincerely stress out some points, suggestions and proposal that might help to improve and standardize the national day celebration function each year in grabbing this free opportunity to promote our country by organizing a great show, food, product entertainment, promoting places of interest etc.. which can easily relay these massage to our quality invitees.

Below “Indonesian Independence Day Celebration Standard” proposal for your perusal :

Objective:
• To standardize all foreign countries in celebrating Indonesian Independence Day.
• Great opportunity to promote all aspects of Indonesia ( culture, product, art, food etc ).

Procedure :

Theme night

With 31 provinces spread from Sabang until Merauke is a great challenge for every member of Indonesian to promote to the world. I am strongly suggest to have “ A Theme Night “the event e.g. “Java night” “ Bali night” “Jakarta night” “ Lombok night “ etc as a theme night



Costume -Dress code :
When you and your team decided to use “Jakarta Nite ” as a Theme night dinner, an appropriate costume and dress code should be related to the theme night it self. With selection of kebaya encim, baju koko, baju betawi etc is a good dress code which can enhance the richness of our cultural and make the ambiance of leaving the guest with a great real feeling like in Indonesia. Of course this dress code will not apply to the guest but in order to have colorful and influence of Indonesia environment. In the other hand, it can also mention on the Invitation Card with dress code column by emphasize the word with “Batik or Your National Dress Code”. This is to highlight the guest that Batik show the priority preferences for the event or should the guest do not have Batik, they may choose to wear their own nationality dress code.

MENU - Food and Beverage

I have come across an experience during the Indonesia Independence Day where I asked the organizer from the Indonesia Embassy “ Why we are providing western food for our guests? The organizer said “ because our guests is foreigner”.

In many nationals celebration, I believed that most of us doing our best to provide a great hospitality to our invited guests but does it mean we have to select the food according to our guests taste? Most of us may be very concern on our guests. But have we ever think that this should be the great opportunity for us to introduce our country or Indonesia Cuisine or Food to our invitees?? This would not however reduce a single level of our country hospitality.

Below three proposals of combine system as guideline may apply:
a) 50 % of food and beverage should be combined ( 50 % Indonesian - F & B and 50 % Western F & B )
b) Combination portion can be divided into : Appetizers / starter, main course and dessert
c) Out of 50%, 10 % to 15 % Indonesian F & B available on the “ Hawker STALL” concept.

Note: Is very important and recommended to provide an appropriate and pure Food & Beverage according to the Theme Nite selected instead of combining some cuisine from different provinces of Indonesia. We must be cleared and aware of Indonesia which is a huge country consists of a wide range of food & beverage selection from its origin. Nevertheless, shall the team could not provide a pure series of Indonesian food according to the theme nite selected, then they may try to provide a combination of Indonesia Cuisine for the menu.


Entertainments

Why English song? because our guests is foreigners! I again get the same answer and experienced in regard of this issued. Why not we the one who explain our song? Instead of we singing English songs. I believe many of the guests are very much interested to see and listen to our music and entertainment.

With more than 17.000 Islands available in Indonesia I believe we have enough variety of “lagu daerah”. To have a complete traditional and authentic dancer “ yes “ is perfect but if the organizer can not effort to have a full team “smart key board “ with “ lagu daerah “ is appropriate choice.

Note: Is recommend having entertainments (sing, dance etc) harmony with the theme night but compulsory is just to have Indonesian entertainments at least “lagu daerah”



“Nasi Tumpeng “ why not

Current practice of symbol official celebration is cutting the cake. Cake normally decorated with the Indonesian symbol, logo celebration etc. Why don’t we try to change with “ Nasi Tumpeng ”. The whole of Indonesian citizen probably knew that “nasi tumpeng” is Indonesian symbol and the whole of Indonesian citizen knew as well that “sponge cake “ is not Indonesian culture. Why don’t we change it and make it as pure as we are truly Indonesia! And that’s how we used to celebrate any occasions or big day. Guest will be very excited and they learn how we celebrated in a different way.

I propose to have “nasi tumpeng” instead of “sponge cake “ as a symbol of celebration . To have grand and beautiful “nasi tumpeng “as symbol of Indonesia. We may use public competition on “nasi tumpeng “as national event every august

Photo Gallery

When guests arrive some embassies do have a reception desk with a guest book to sign on but some embassies also do not practiced this. Never mind whether available or not of the reception table, I would purpose to have a Photos gallery at the main entrance.
Shown the guests portrait of Indonesia “say it by photos “ with the later digital image I don’t think we have a reason to say “ difficult to get “

Note: standing board decorative with a beautiful portrait of Indonesia with a little bit note to explain maybe suitable for this Idea is not much just right

Indonesia screen presentation

This been implemented in some of embassies, I just would like to highlight a consistency of this program during the event. Always ready with a collection of video, film documentary and power point of our beloved Indonesian portrait.


Indonesia products-Corner

Please do not think this is an exhibition! I would like to suggest that is nothing wrong if during the Indonesia Independence Day celebration that organizer to provide so call “Indonesia product – corner “. The objective of this idea is just to build awareness among the foreign guests of Indonesian product.

Illustration Indonesian products list can as follows:-
• Food production : Mee instant, can product etc
• Textile : batik, shirt etc
• Sauce : kecap, sambal etc
• Cosmetic : make-up items, soap, shampoo etc
• Medicines : jamu, pills etc

Please note that samples provided should be as easy as possible available in the country organized and not a heavy duty product, if the participant wants to display it on photos gallery will be grated. Providing a tend card by saying “For more products and information please contact Embassy of Indonesia ……….”
Or Interesting on Indonesian product please contactÂ…Â…Â…Â…or visit wwwÂ…Â…Â…Â…

It will be a good idea for people who are interested or want to find out more information.


Indonesian Destination – Sale

It will be great opportunity for one of the province in our country doing the tourism promotion job by provide brochures. Providing a tend card “for more information please call embassy …..”. Remember this is not exhibition is the same objective of Indonesian product – corner

To Include” Bahasa Indonesia” on your speech

Is it wrong by saying “ selamat malam ‘ after Assalamualaikum or good evening in the beginning of the speech. Is it wrong by saying “ Selamat menikmati “ instead of saying “ Terima kasih “ in the end of the speech?.

Remember, this is the moment that whoever represent Indonesia on that event is a great opportunity to introduce Bahasa Indonesia


Summary from myself:-
To implement the above mentioned does not need additional budget, current budget available for each respective embassy is enough to cover. Being creative and attractive for new innovation of celebration Indonesian Independence Day is very much necessary. If any possibility I am willing to implement all the above ideas mentioned and to share my expertise to set up one “ Indonesian Independence Day Celebration” to be recorded and documented and use as a benchmark and model for all Indonesian embassies around the world.






Last but not least, once again with all respect and suggestion from me, it is just an idea at least there are four major aspects cover during the event without adding a cost:

1. Nationalism
2. Tourism Industry
3. Trade
4. Art and culture

The cost of having single promotion will be more expensive rather than we doing it together. Be a habit of promoting all aspects of Indonesia anytime anywhere.

Dedicate to my Indonesia




Sumantri Endang
sumantriendang@yahoo.com







Ps. nothing special in these ideas, With all respect Mr. President, you only need 10 minutes or even less to make it happen., again with all respect Mr. president, you just need to say “ tolong implimentasi ini, untuk seluruh perwakilan KBRI “ to relevant person in charge and Department



















Proposal
“Made in Indonesian “as compulsory labeling
By : sumantriendang@yahoo.com



Preface

Is our own proud when you read or sees one of the Indonesia product available in foreign country where you visit or stay, “Made In Indonesia “is available on the label. But why only for exported product?. I am very well aware and have an interesting experience on this issued. Consider on this issue seriously is highly appreciate.

On February 2005, myself and my foreign friend spend a holiday in Indonesia, as usual practice I will always look for “oleh-oleh “ to bring it back to the foreign country where the I worked. Yes, I found that there are uncountable varieties of “oleh-oleh” available at the traditional market but there are uncountable varieties of “oleh-oleh” too with no labels at all and not even the simple word or label of “made in Indonesia”.

I am more specify in buying original food or gifts with our traditional Indonesian way that is why I like to get something or “oleh-oleh” at the traditional market

Base on the above mentioned I do noticed that perhaps the following information on how important of labeling for the business itself, the country and customer. I will also explain a minimum labeling requirement as well as International labeling requirement standard.


Why Labeling is important:

For Consumer / Customer / Buyer is adequate information to make an informed choice of the product.

For Industry / Company / Manufacture are moral responsible for quality, claimed, safety, brand and promotion

For Country / Government is benefit for control, healthy issue, registration and legal aspect


Note : It is encourage and important that the company / industry actively participating of this issue






Who need labeling? and benefit :

1. The Customers / Consumers
2. Own Country
3. Company / Industry of the product
4. World health Organization
5. Legal Authority
6. Etc


The following are guidelines on labeling requirement to be implemented for all products in different level of market in Indonesia from Sabang until Merauke

1. Product category - Traditional market / in the same island

Minimum Compulsory requirement:

1. Name of product / Brand ( Name of the product to be reflected in packing / label )
2. Manufacture / Company name ( Name, address of company who produce the product)
3. HALAL – ( when halal requirement is passed )
4. Country recognition / BUATAN INDONESIA

2. Product category - National, Supermarket, traditional market and inter province

Minimum Compulsory requirement:

1. Name of Product ( Name of the product to be reflected in packing / label )
2. Manufacture / Company Name ( Name, address of company who produce the product)
3. HALAL certified
4. Country Origin / BUATAN INDONESIA
5. Ingredient full ingredient using bahasa
6. Expire Date
7. Registration NO

3. Product category - Export Product

Compulsory requirement Bahasa and English:

1. Name of Product ( Name of the product to be reflected in packing / label )
2. Company Name ( Name, address of company who produce the product )
3. HALAL certified
4. Country Origin / Made In Indonesia
5. Ingredient
6. Expire Date
7. Registration NO