Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 13 October 2001

75 articles found

Job gallery

Job gallery Pri Notowidigdo, Executive search consultant , Amrop International, Jakarta Have you been job-hunting but are not getting any results? Are you starting to feel frustrated and a bit panicky? If so, maybe it's time to take a deep breath, step back, and think more strategically. Begin by thinking about what's important for you, what you like to do, and what you think you're good at doing. Then make a plan and start doing it.

Asian stocks close mostly higher on U.S. gains

Asian stocks close mostly higher on U.S. gains Dow Jones, Singapore Asian stocks markets ended the week mostly higher Friday on the back of sharp gains overnight on Wall Street. Tokyo's benchmark 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average surged 285.34 points, or 2.8 percent, to end at 10632.35. On Thursday, the average closed up 382.13 points, or 3.8 percent. Buying of technology issues led the rally in Tokyo as investor sentiment was boosted by the U.S. markets' sustained gains.

MONEY MATTERS

MONEY MATTERS Indonesia's local vehicle sales fell 5.6 percent to 26,020 units in September, compared with 27,466 in August, the country's car industry body said Friday. Gaikindo said export sales declined to 3,596 in September from 3,741 units in August. -- Dow Jones World oil demand this winter in the northern hemisphere is set to contract sharply after the September attacks in the United States hit air travel and dampened expectations for a rebound in global economic growth.

Mass prayer fails to materialize

Mass prayer fails to materialize Ahmad Junaidi and Abu Hanifah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Claims that hundreds of thousands of protesters would conduct an anti-U.S. mass prayer in the National Monument (Monas) park, Central Jakarta, proved to be groundless on Friday, with no more than a thousand people gathering in the park near the U.S. Embassy. There was no mass prayer, but hundreds of police officers deployed to safeguard the embassy on Jl.

Bomb damages KFC outlet

Bomb damages KFC outlet Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Makassar As an anti-U.S. demonstration was being held early on Friday morning in the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar, an explosive device damaged a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet in the upmarket Panakkukang Mas housing complex on Jl. Pengayoman. No fatalities or injuries were reported. Three people were questioned over the blast. At almost the same time, another home-made bomb was found at Australia-owned MLC Life's office on Jl.

Sexual exploitation of children

Sexual exploitation of children JAKARTA: Over 200 government leaders are scheduled to meet in Bangkok, Thailand, from Oct. 16 to 18, to develop an action plan to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children. The meeting will be attended by representatives from UN agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, as well as young people themselves, the Bangkok-based East Asia and Pacific regional office of the United Nations Children's Fund said in a statement on Friday.

Ari's house arrest: The Central Jakarta District Court's decision

Ari's house arrest: The Central Jakarta District Court's decision to release former President Soeharto's grandson Ari Sigit from custody is counter to the public's desire to see justice done, lawyers asserted on Friday.

An inspiring stream of watercolors

An inspiring stream of watercolors Pavan Kapoor, Contributor, Jakarta The watercolor art scene of Indonesia has seen inspiring drizzles of fluid talent in the last decade, with sporadic tidal waves of master talent. One such drencher of intense aqua art is taking place at the Hotel Sofitel Gran Mahakam from Oct. 11 to Oct. 13.

U.S. to help Manila tackle bin Laden-linked group

U.S. to help Manila tackle bin Laden-linked group Agencies Manila The United States will send military officers to the Philippines this month to help crack down on Muslim guerrillas linked to Osama bin Laden, Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes said on Friday. The self-styled Abu Sayyaf rebels, who Washington has said are linked to bin Laden's Al Qaeda network, executed an American tourist they kidnapped in May and are holding a U.S. couple seized in the same raid on a southern tourist resort. The U.

KOT to host 100-lap endurance race

KOT to host 100-lap endurance race JAKARTA: After a seven-year absence, Indonesian drivers will once again take part in a 100-lap enduro race slated to take place on Oct. 21 at Sentul International Circuit in Sentul, West Java. Organized by the Timor Automotive Club (KOT), the four-hour race will see junior drivers challenging the seniors.

Addressing economic, emotional insecurities

Addressing economic, emotional insecurities James Castle, Castle Group, Jakarta There is no doubt that the Sept. 11 tragedy in the United States will have a profound effect across the globe. While it is too soon to determine the full impact, no country will be left untouched. Indonesia is already feeling the pain. The immediate impact on the world economy, which was sliding into recession well before the attack, has been severe.

Don't forget Palestine: Hassan

Don't forget Palestine: Hassan JAKARTA: Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda has said the on-going U.S. military attacks against Afghanistan should not distract attention from the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian territories.

Corporate Briefs

Corporate Briefs Allianz Life Indonesia has been developing what it calls "Smart" products to meet the needs of its clients at each stage of their lives, from childhood to retirement.

Three protected animals seized in Malang

Three protected animals seized in Malang Surabaya, East Java: The local forestry ministry office seized three rare animals in Malang on Friday in a joint crackdown between the ministry, local police and the prosecutor's office on illegal trade of protected species.

Sumatra governors agree to start airline company

Sumatra governors agree to start airline company Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan The governors of nine provinces on the island of Sumatra signed here on Friday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining regional economic cooperation that will result in a number of initiatives, including the creation of an airline to be named Sumatera Airlines. The deal was signed at a meeting opened on Thursday evening at the Tiara Hotel here.

West Java to impose levies on cattle

West Java to impose levies on cattle Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung In a bid to increase revenue, the West Java provincial administration will likely impose levies on cattle transported via the province. The provincial legislative council will deliberate upon the proposed levy in its plenary session on Oct. 20. Governor R. Nuriana said on Friday that there is nothing new in the bylaw. "We have submitted the draft of the bylaw to the legislature.

People asked to watch out for dengue fever

People asked to watch out for dengue fever JAKARTA: The city administration has alerted the public not to be complacent about the low incidence of dengue fever in October, as the dangerous disease is set to surge again during the next few months. "October always sees the lowest number of dengue fever cases throughout the year.

Bitung councillor asked to resign

Bitung councillor asked to resign BITUNG, North Sulawesi: More than 200 residents of Bitung municipality staged a demonstration here on Friday, demanding that the chairman of the local legislative council, Jantje Takasihaeng, step down. The demonstrators, supporting Mayor Milton Kansil, said Jantje and his deputies must step down because they often abandoned their duties here to make trips to Jakarta for reasons which were unclear.

U.S. concerned at extremists in Indonesia

U.S. concerned at extremists in Indonesia Agencies, Washington U.S. President George W. Bush expressed his astonishment at the misunderstanding in the Muslim world, including Indonesia, of the U.S. attacks on Afghanistan. During a press conference on Thursday, Bush commented on the ongoing anti-U.S. demonstrations in Pakistan and Indonesia: "How do I respond when I see that in some Islamic countries there is vitriolic hatred for America? I'll tell you how I respond. I'm amazed.

Govt seeks revenue rise from Pertamina for 2002 budget

Govt seeks revenue rise from Pertamina for 2002 budget Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The cash-strapped government is seeking more revenue from the state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina to help finance next year's state budget, according to Finance Minister Boediono. The plan has yet to be approved by the House of Representatives.

Paper Week is nearly upon us

Paper Week is nearly upon us JAKARTA: People wishing to save the environment are being encouraged to participate in Paper Week, which will take place on Oct. 28 at the west plaza of the Bung Karno sports complex in Senayan here. All participants, including companies, organizations, families and individuals, are being asked to collect used paper from their offices, homes, schools and churches and to bring them to Senayan.

Semarang workers go strike

Semarang workers go strike SEMARANG, Central Java: Hundreds of workers of baking factory PT Swiss Bakery staged a demonstration at the Central Java Provincial Legislative Council, demanding the management reemploy their dismissed fellow workers. Asih, secretary to the company labor union, said workers went on strike after the management reneged on their promise to reemploy the dismissed workers. "The management had agreed to reemploy the dismissed workers on Oct.

Megawati too strong to topple

Megawati too strong to topple The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Makassar Could the recent waves of anti-U.S. street demonstration lead to the downfall of Megawati government? Political observers Andi A. Mallarangeng and Maswadi Rauf do not believe so. The academics say they see no indication that the protesters and their backers aim to bring her down. "The Megawati government is too strong to topple," said Maswadi, a sociopolitical teacher at the University of Indonesia.

Muninggar Sri Saraswati

Muninggar Sri Saraswati The Jakarta Post Jakarta The Central Jakarta District Court's decision to release former President Soeharto's grandson Ari Haryo Wibowo from custody is counter to the public's desire to see justice done, lawyers asserted on Friday. The critics were referring to the decision made by the court on Thursday to grant the request made by Ari Haryo, also known as Ari Sigit to be transferred to house arrest from his cell in Salemba Penitentiary.

Ethnic rioting hits Bagansiapiapi

Ethnic rioting hits Bagansiapiapi PEKANBARU, Riau: Some 16 houses were set ablaze in ethnic rioting that erupted in the town of Bagansiapiapi in Bangko subdistrict on Thursday night. No casualties were reported. Nazirwan Yunus, head of the Bangko subdistrict, said on Friday that the rioting stopped after dozens of security personnel were deployed to the small town. "The situation has returned to normal and is under control," he said.

[b]RI's economic and

RI's economic and emotional insecurity James Castle Castle Group Jakarta There is no doubt that the Sept. 11 tragedy in the United States will have a profound effect across the globe. While it is too soon to determine the full impact, no country will be left untouched. 2.

Yogyakarta hoteliers upbeat on recovery

Yogyakarta hoteliers upbeat on recovery Israr Ardiansyah, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Most hotels in Yogyakarta have been suffering due to the drop in the number of guests since daily anti-American protests by radicals have prompted many tourists to choose other countries in which to spend their holidays. However, many of the hotel owners have expressed optimism and demonstrated their determination to survive. S.

Protests call for U.S. action, not words

Protests call for U.S. action, not words Agencies, Karachi/Quetta Anger over the U.S.-led strikes on Afghanistan exploded into violence on Friday as Muslims worldwide marked their first holy day since Washington opened the military front of its war on terror. U.S. symbols such as fast-food restaurants were singled out as Muslim militants in Pakistan, Iran, Indonesia and Malaysia vented their fury over five nights of bombs and missiles raining down on Afghanistan.

Stop the war

Stop the war In a number of countries that have a majority Muslim population, the American attacks (in Afghanistan) have caused highly counterproductive upheavals. For example, Indonesia, which was slowly recovering from a crisis, has started to lurch once again. The attacks also hold the potential to revive anti- American sentiments in some of that country's old enemies -- such as Iraq, Iran and Libya -- and to cause the world to be polarized into Islamic and non-Islamic camps.

Sorong Military wins Army's territorial function contest

Sorong Military wins Army's territorial function contest Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Amid anti-military sentiment in Irian Jaya, the Sorong Military Subdistrict won the Army's territorial function contest due in large part to its successful programs to counter underdevelopment, poverty and illiteracy. Lt. Col.

Illegal logs seized in Muara Enim

Illegal logs seized in Muara Enim MUARA ENIM, South Sumatra: The Muara Enim Police precinct in cooperation with the local forestry ministry office have seized 900 cubic meters of logs which are believed to have been stolen from the forest in the regency. Adj. Sr. Comr. Budi Sardjono, chief of the police precinct, said the illegal logs would be taken as evidence. Daud, the owner of the illegal logs, is still at large.

Bomb hoax spices up regent inanguration

Bomb hoax spices up regent inanguration Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Banjarnegara A bomb hoax and a demonstration marred the induction of regent Djasri ST MM and his deputy Hadi Supena in Banjarnegara, Central Java, on Friday. However, the ceremony led by Central Java deputy governor H. Ahmad, ran smoothly despite the demonstration by supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-Perjuangan), who were opposed to the induction of Djasri and Hadi.

1. Hewan: 8 x 4 lines

1. Hewan: 8 x 4 lines West Java to impose levies on cattle 2. Sumut: 21 x 2 lines Sumatran governors agree to start airline company 3. Sorong: 24 x 2 lines Sorong Military wins Army's territorial function contest 4. Hyatt: 18 x 2 lines Yogyakarta hoteliers upbeat on recovery 5. Bandjar: 18 x 2 lines Bomb hoax spices up regent inauguration

U.S. to help RP tackle bin Laden-linked group

U.S. to help RP tackle bin Laden-linked group Reuters, Manila The United States will send military officers to the Philippines this month to help crack down on Muslim guerrillas linked to Osama bin Laden, Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes said on Friday. The self-styled Abu Sayyaf rebels, who Washington has said are linked to bin Laden's Al Qaeda network, executed an American tourist they kidnapped in May and are holding a U.S. couple seized in the same raid on a southern tourist resort. The U.S.

Law enforcement just lip service

Law enforcement just lip service From Rakyat Merdeka The law and the judiciary are entering a new era, following the lengthy mechanism for the election of the Supreme Court chief and the assassination of Senior Justice Syafiuddin Kartasasmita, the mastermind of which has yet to be found.

National commission on Aceh badly needed

National commission on Aceh badly needed Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Kornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives (DPR) underlined on Friday the importance of establishing a special national commission in charge of developing an extensive range of measures aimed at solving the prolonged conflict in Aceh.

Effective diplomas need not be obnoxious

Effective diplomas need not be obnoxious Irawan Abidin, Senior Diplomat, Jakarta I have been deeply saddened by a recent editorial of The Jakarta Post titled, "H.E. Gelbard's departure" in which it tried to bring out a saving grace of the controversial American diplomat at the expense of the Indonesian Foreign Service.

'Muslim traveler not to go West'

'Muslim traveler not to go West' MALAYSIA: Saying that "every Muslim is suspected of being a potential terrorist" since the attacks on the United States, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Friday advised Muslim travelers not to go to Western countries for now.

TPPI construction will resume late this year, says Baihaki

TPPI construction will resume late this year, says Baihaki Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President of the state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina, Baihaki Hakim, said on Friday that construction of the troubled petrochemical center PT Trans Pacific Petrochemical Indotama (TPPI) is expected to resume at the end of this year, with possible completion to be achieved in the middle of 2003.

Economic storm clouds gather on Singapore's horizon

Economic storm clouds gather on Singapore's horizon The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore The numbers were expected, of course, but when they were released on Wednesday, the third-quarter flash estimates still packed a shocking clarity: Singapore's gross domestic product declined by 5.6 percent compared with the same period last year, or 9.9 percent on an annualized quarter-to-quarter basis, after declining by 10.4 percent in the first and second quarters.

Jakartan's team spirit

Jakartan's team spirit Persija, Jakarta's soccer league, became a national champion on Sunday after it beat Makassar 3-2. It is not a big event for this large capital city, especially when one remembers that this is its fifth win since 1964, with the last one in 1977. During Dutch colonial rule, Jakarta's league -- then called VIJ -- became the national champion three times. Understanding how rare success has been, Governor Sutiyoso awarded Persija Rp 1 billion (US$1,000) this week.

U.S. hostage in RP confirmed killed

U.S. hostage in RP confirmed killed Philippines: The U.S. Embassy in Manila said on Friday remains found on a southern Philippine island last week were those of a Californian tourist killed by the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas in June. A Filipino hostage who escaped from the guerrillas said two other Americans, kidnapped along with Guillermo Sobero, were still alive.

JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta District Court's decision to

JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta District Court's decision to release former President Soeharto's grandson Ari Sigit from custody is counter to the public's desire to see justice done, lawyers asserted on Friday. The critics were referring to the decision made by the court on Thursday to grant the request made by Ari Sigit, (also known as Ari Haryo Wibowo) to be transferred to house arrest from his cell in Salemba Penitentiary. Lawyers Nursyahbani Katjasungkana, Frans H.

Villagers threatens PT RIFI

Villagers threatens PT RIFI JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Local residents in Kemtuk Gresy subdistrict, Jayapura Regency, have threatened to force the suspension of operations at PT RIFI, a forest concessionaire company which has refused to give them compensation for their land.

World Cup bowlers to be selected at nationals

World Cup bowlers to be selected at nationals Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan The Indonesian Bowling Association will use the 26th Soetopo Jananto Cup national championships, being held here from Friday until Sunday, to select competitors for the Bowling World Cup. PBI chairman Soebagiyo officially opened the championships accompanied by North Sumatra's National Sports Council (KONI) deputy executive director, Bachtiar Sonar Siregar.

Indonesian teachers mostly overworked and underpaid

Indonesian teachers mostly overworked and underpaid Leo Wahyudi S., The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian teachers are overworked and underpaid, according to a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report. An Indonesian primary school teacher works 1,260 hours a year, which is very high, the report said.

Two orangutans confiscated

Two orangutans confiscated SURABAYA: A crackdown on the illegal possession of endangered species in East Java has resulted in the confiscation of two orangutans and a gibbon in the East Java city of Malang. Authorities from the Natural Resource Conservation, the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife Conservation for Life (KSKB) together with the police confiscated the primates from a house belonging to Nur Hasyim in Gondanglegi, Malang, on Thursday.

Endin's fate to be decided Thursday

Endin's fate to be decided Thursday JAKARTA: A court is scheduled to hand down on Thursday its verdict on Endin Wahyudin, a defendant in a defamation case against two Supreme Court justices. Endin is charged with libel over his report to a now-defunct anticorruption team that he had given justice Supraptini Sutarto and justice Marnis Kahar Rp 50 million each, and former justice Yahya Harahap Rp 96 million. The three of them were handling a land dispute case that involved Endin as a middleman.

Pets affected by foreigners' departures

Pets affected by foreigners' departures Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Abandoned pets at the animal shelter are among those feeling the repercussions of anti-American sentiment here as many of the shelter's donors have left the country. The Foundation for the Protection and Care of Animals at Ragunan, South Jakarta, is being forced to stretch its budget for the animals because it is feeling the pinch without the assistance of foreign donors.

Annual Session lacks fervor from the media and public

Annual Session lacks fervor from the media and public Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), scheduled to start on Nov. 1, is unlikely to draw enthusiasm from the public and the mass media due to the less crucial issues to be discussed.

Asian monies mixed late, S'pore dollar uninspired

Asian monies mixed late, S'pore dollar uninspired Netty Ismail, Dow Jones, Singapore Asian currencies were mixed in range-bound trading late Friday, with the Singapore dollar uninspired by the government's stimulus package, dealers said. The South Korean won and the Thai baht were slightly higher, while the New Taiwan dollar was steady. The Philippine peso and Indonesian rupiah were marginally weaker.

Economy being affected by anti-U.S. protests

Economy being affected by anti-U.S. protests Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The daily turnover of many outlets in the capital's upmarket shopping malls has decreased by up to 40 percent as a result of the ongoing anti-U.S. demonstrations here.

Public order officers seize 84 pedicabs

Public order officers seize 84 pedicabs JAKARTA: City Public Order officers seized 84 becak (pedicabs) during raids in Tanjung Priok, Koja and Cilincing, North Jakarta, at dawn on Thursday. Head of the North Jakarta Public Order Office Toni Budiono said that the operations involved public figures, religious leaders and heads of the districts and subdistricts, beritajakarta.com reported. The operations will continue until the city is free of pedicabs, Toni said.

TB sufferers on the rise in Donggala

TB sufferers on the rise in Donggala PALU, Central Sulawesi: The number of people in Donggala suffering from tuberculosis has increased by more than 120 percent to 341 over the last ten months from 150 in the same period in 2000. The local health ministry office is currently investigating the social and medical factors behind the rapid spread of the disease in the community.

Trash disposal remains big headache for Jakarta administration

Trash disposal remains big headache for Jakarta administration Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The capital's waste disposal problem remains unresolved, with city officials yet to reach an agreement with the Bekasi administration on the garbage dumping site in Bantargebang. As the dispute staggers on, health problems are emerging among those who reside near the dumping site and environmental damage continues. "We are still discussing the issue with the Bekasi administration.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct 12, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,200 0 165,000 Adindo Foresta 95 -5 51,000 AGIS 105 0 140,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 250 -45 3,557,500 Alakasa 215 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 800 75 42,500 Alter Abadi 50 0 0 Alumindo Light 500 0 0 Andhi Chandra 2,025 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 235 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,000 0 4,790,000 Apac Citra 275 0 0 Aqua...

PGI asks U.S. to stop attacks

PGI asks U.S. to stop attacks Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) urged the U.S on Friday to stop its air strikes in Afghanistan and resolve the conflict through the United Nations. PGI chairman Natan Setiabudi said that the U.S.-Afghan conflict had brought about worrying ramifications for inter- religious relations in Indonesia as well as elsewhere. Natan said PGI was deeply concerned over the widespread misperception that the Afghan-U.S.

FM defends response to threats

FM defends response to threats Agence France-Presse, Jakarta Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda on Friday defended Indonesia's response to threats by hardline leaders against Americans and Britons over U.S.-led military strikes on Afghanistan. Hassan said the government had made serious efforts to increase protection for embassies. No Americans had actually been hurt despite threats to expel them from the country.

Muninggar Sri Saraswati

Muninggar Sri Saraswati The Jakarta Post Jakarta The Central Jakarta District Court's decision to release former President Soeharto's grandson Ari Haryo Wibowo from custody is counter to the public's desire to see justice done, lawyers asserted on Friday. The critics were referring to the decision made by the court on Thursday to grant the request made by Ari Haryo, also known as Ari Sigit to be transferred to house arrest from his cell in Salemba Penitentiary.

Luxury car smuggling foiled

Luxury car smuggling foiled JAKARTA: The Customs and Excise office had foiled the smuggling of four Mercedes Benz vehicles into the country, an officer said on Friday. Director General of Customs and Excise Permana Agung said the luxury cars, shipped by the MV Kota Maju from Singapore, arrived in Tanjung Priok on Sunday. The importer, identified as PT RMC, had allegedly forged the import documents by claiming it was importing 29,200 kgs of raw materials for industrial use.

Foreign CEOs air concern over security

Foreign CEOs air concern over security Berni K. Moestafa and Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Foreign ambassadors and expatriates urged the government to counter the negative reporting of anti-U.S. rallies, warning that the bad image arising from the news was hurting investor sentiment. American business consultant James Castle said on Friday that the government should do more to convince foreign investors of the real situation at home.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Sukarno's collections; paintings, batik, statues, Chinese ceramics, kris, photos, Gedung Pola, Jl. Proklamasi 56, Central Jakarta, until Oct. 15. * Fine Arts in Berlin 1989-1999, National Museum, Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat 12, Central Jakarta: (Phone: 3812346, 3868172), until Oct. 14. * Dutch Graphic Design, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Phone: 5241069), until Nov. 3.

Rupiah Rates Oct.13

Rupiah Rates Oct.13 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Crisis creates 49 new slums

Crisis creates 49 new slums TANGERANG: The prolonged monetary crisis, which has led many residents to lose their jobs, had increased the number of slum villages here from 22 to 71 within the last two years, an official said on Friday.

Megawati promises to review stance

Megawati promises to review stance Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Kornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri broke her silence on Friday over the U.S. attacks on military targets in Afghanistan and promised that the government would review its "soft" stance on the attacks.

Manila bans Chinese fruit

Manila bans Chinese fruit Reuters, Manila The Philippines said on Friday it had imposed a temporary ban on the import of corn, apples and other fruits from China after finding the codling moth pest in some shipments of Chinese apples. Besides apples, other fruits covered by the ban included pears, apricots, peaches, plums, cherries, almonds, quinces and walnuts.

Rate of blindness highest in Asia

Rate of blindness highest in Asia JAKARTA: The number of blind people in Indonesia is about three million, or 1.5 percent of the country's population, the highest in Asia and the third highest worldwide, Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi said on Friday. Speaking to reporters at the commemoration of World Eye Health Day in Jakarta, the minister said that the high rate was caused mainly by poor knowledge on how to prevent blindness.

1. Ari

1. Ari Ari's release sparks gripes 2. Trash - 4 cols, 2 linesx7/8 Trash disposal remains big headache for Jakarta administration 3. Dog Pets affected by foreigners' departures

Martha Tilaar set to expand beauty business into overseas markets

Martha Tilaar set to expand beauty business into overseas markets Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Traditional cosmetics maker Martha Tilaar Group plans to open three spas in Brunei, Singapore, and the Middle East as part of its expansion program, founder and company president Martha Tilaar said. Martha said that the spa in Brunei would be opened in December, while the other two spas would be opened in mid-2002. "We're glad to open spas abroad.

Herculean task

Herculean task From Rakyat Merdeka With a population of 210 million, Indonesia sustains offshore loans worth US$145 billion, the legacy of the New Order. These loans are made up of government loans ($70 billion) and government-guaranteed private debts, of which part of the interest and the principal has been settled. During the New Order era, corruption, collusion and nepotism were rampant and 35 percent of the development fund allocated in the state budget disappeared.

Martha Tilaar survives from difficult time

Martha Tilaar survives from difficult time JAKARTA: She is sitting pretty today as the head of a traditional cosmetics and spa empire, but there was a time when Martha Tilaar found it difficult to get her foot in the door. "I would go to some malls in town, and they would tell me, 'sorry, your products are not in line with our image'," Martha said on a visit to The Jakarta Post office on Wednesday.

S'pore unveils S$11.3b economic relief package

S'pore unveils S$11.3b economic relief package Agence France-Presse, Singapore The Singapore government on Friday announced an S$11.3 billion (US$6.3 billion) off-budget package to help the city-state cope with its deepest recession in more than 30 years.

Govt told to counter bad image from anti-U.S. protests

Govt told to counter bad image from anti-U.S. protests Berni K. Moestafa and Moch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post Jakarta Foreign ambassadors and expatriates urged the government to counter the negative reporting of anti-U.S. rallies, warning that the bad image arising from the news was hurting investor sentiment. American business consultant James Castle said on Friday that the government should do more to convince foreign investors of the real situation at home.

Ari's release draws scorn

Ari's release draws scorn Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Central Jakarta District Court's decision to release former President Soeharto's grandson Ari Sigit from custody is counter to the public's desire to see justice done, lawyers asserted on Friday. The critics were referring to the decision made by the court on Thursday to grant the request made by Ari Sigit, (also known as Ari Haryo Wibowo) to be transferred to house arrest from his cell in Salemba Penitentiary.

Clerics preaching hatred arrest

Clerics preaching hatred arrest Jakarta City Police chief Sofjan Jacoeb threatened on Friday to arrest Muslim clerics who preached hatred aimed at inciting people to use violence. "I ask all ulemas not to give sermons that could inflame emotions because if they do that, we will impose article 160 of the Criminal Code on them," Sofjan told reporters after conducting Friday prayers at the National Monument square, right in front of the U.S. Embassy.