KEVIN Rudd appealed directly to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on behalf of Schapelle Corby and the Bali Nine drug traffickers, urging compassion for the jailed Australians.

In closed-door talks with the Indonesian leader, the Prime Minister called for swift progress on a new prisoner transfer deal to get Corby home.

Mr Rudd told Dr Yudhoyono he would personally seek clemency for Australians on death row when they lodged their own official requests to avoid the firing squad.

The requests came as both men acknowledged relations between the two countries had reached a new high. The visiting Indonesian leader said the nations were once worlds apart, but now had a “fair-dinkum partnership”.

In an historic address to the Australian Parliament yesterday – only the fifth by a foreign leader in 110 years – Dr Yudhoyono announced Indonesia would jail people smugglers for five years. …click here to read more

Popularity: unranked [?]

DENPASAR – Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport needs fixing – and quickly – according to Indonesia’s Culture and Tourism Minister, Jero Wacik.  “Do not postpone it any longer, especially with the number of tourists visiting Bali increasing each year,” said the minister.

He wants an expanded airport to contain fewer commercial outlets and better services for arriving visitors.  He told the Jakarta Globe, “If you want to shop, just go to Sukawati market, shop directly from the people,” referring to the art market near Ubud. …click here to read more

Popularity: 19% [?]

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