Birds of Indonesia 2009

Great Argus ( Argusianus argus )
Included in Phasanidae, which lives on the ground, this species files in short distance and can run fast. The male relatively big ( 120cm ) and the female is smaller ( 60cm ). Prefers to live in area up to 900m above the sea level, this bird spreads from forest area of Tenasserim Myanmar, Southwest Thailand, Sabah and Malaysia Peninsula, Brunei Darussalam, and Kalimantan Indonesia. The bird faces threat from losing of its habitat as well as animal hunting. International Union for Concervation of Nature ( IUCN ) classifies it in Near Threatened ( NT ) status.

White-winged Duck ( Cairina scutulata )
Classified in Anatidae and concrentated in wet area, this bird spreads from Southeast India and Bangladesh to Southeast Asia in Sumatra and Java. The approximate number of population in the world is about 1.000, whereas nearly 150 live in East and Southwest of Sumatra. With a rather white on head and neck, this dark colored bird is relatively big ( 66-75cm ). Its back is glossy dark green and dark brown at the underside. IUCN classifies this bird in Red List Endangered ( EN ).

Storm's Stork ( Ciconia stormi )
Population of this species is few fragmented and trends to decline because of illegal logging as well as conversion of industrial plantation. Relatively big (80cm) with black and white color, this bird has a red beak, black wings, back, crown and chest, white nape of neck,belly and tail as well as pink face. This species spreads from Southern Thailand, along Malaysia Peninsula, Kalimantan and Sumatra. Nowadays, the estimated population in Sumatra about 150. IUCN classifies this bird in Red List Endangered ( EN ) status.

National Childrens Day 2009

National Children's Day 2009 commemoration is the right moment to arouse awareness on the importance of protection and fulfillment of children rights. As stated in National Constitution UUD 1945 article 28B subsection (2) : "All children have the right to live, grow and develop as well as to be protected from violence and discrimination". Therefore, all national components including government, business sector, society, family and parent have to cooperate for ensuring protection and comfort of our next generation.

The theme National Children's Day commemoration this year is "I am Indonesian Kid, Creative, Innovative, and Outstanding to Face the Future Challenge." Among the purposed goals are socializing and providing information to families and public concerning the magnitude of fulfilling children rights as well as developing network and partnership between government and society, including non governmental organization, business sector, press and other parties to support services for comfort and protection of Indonesian children.

To commemorate this national event, stamp series of National Children's Day 2009 issued on 23 July 2009. Stamp design features ordinary children plays consisting of rope playing, hide and seek, kite and cycling. The illustration is worked by Bryan Jevoncia, 8 years old, 5th grade student of Suster Primary School, Pontianak. A son of Bong Yaw Song and Rosina Fardimin, he won UN stamp design competition in 2007 who then for his international achievement invited by President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to visit Presidential Palace.

Indonesian Traditional Foods 2009

With enormous natural resources that providing high quality ingredients and spices, Indonesia own cultural richness in the form of assorted delicious traditional foods. As an effort to preserve as well as promote culinary heritage of Indonesia, stamp series of Indonesian Traditional Foods issued this year features traditional food of six provinces, namely lhutilinanga from Gorontalo, Gulai Balak from Lampung, Sate Tambulinas from Southeast Sulawesi, Sambal Goreng from Central Kalimantan, Nasi Uduk from Jakarta, and Ikan Bobara Kuah Asam from West Papua. Served with scrambled eggs as well as spreads of chilly and onion in buttery fresh coconut milk has made this previously a common fried eggplant an extraordinary dish from Gorontalo with delicious taste.