The wRap Indonesia: No apology from Jokowi, pregnant Sumatran rhino

JAKARTA, Indonesia – From Jokowi’s refusal to apologize, to a pregnant endangered Sumatran rhino, here’s the top news you need to know to start your day.

1. No apology

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has no plans of apologizing to the families and victims of the September 30, 1965 movement, which resulted in the mass killing of hundreds of thousands of alleged communists by the army.

This is what Haedar Nasir said, the Chairman of Muhammadiyah –  the second biggest Islamic organization in Indonesia – after meeting with Jokowi at the State Palace. “Nothing, and (Jokowi) did not even think about (apologizing),” he said. Read more.

2. Haze companies in trouble

Indonesia has revoked the license of a timber supplier and suspended the operations of 3 palm oil plantation operators over fires that have blanketed Southeast Asia in haze, an official said Tuesday, September 22. 

The illegal blazes in Indonesia have sent smog floating over the region in recent weeks, causing thousands to fall ill, worsening air quality and reducing visibility in the archipelago, as well as in neighboring Singapore and Malaysia. Read more.

3. Jokowi to visit Obama

Indonesia’s Joko Widodo will visit Washington and the White House on October 26 for a crucial first visit since he became president last year.

The trip will be an opportunity for Widodo, who came to power in October last year, to get to know President Barack Obama at a time of geopolitical tension in South East Asia. “As leaders of two of the largest democracies in the world, the president and President Widodo will discuss plans to expand existing areas of bilateral cooperation,” the White House said. Read more.

4. Idul Adha confusion

Central Board (PP) of Islamic organization Muhammadiyah apologized to the government because of the difference in dates for the celebration of Idul Adha, the Muslim day of sacrifice in Indonesia.

The Government through the Ministry of Religious Affairs has set Idul Adha day to fall on Thursday, September 24th. Muhammadiyah however, the second largest Islamic organization in Indonesia, will celebrate on Wednesday, September 23. Read more.

5. Pregnant rhino

A rare Sumatran rhino in Indonesia is pregnant with her second baby and is expected to give birth in May, raising new hope for the critically endangered species, conservationists said.

The mother is Ratu, a wild rhino who wandered out of the rainforest and into the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Indonesia’s Way Kambas National Park 10 years ago. Read more. – Rappler.com