Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 6 October 2001

74 articles found

Malays foster tolerance in S'pore

Malays foster tolerance in S'pore The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore Malay Singaporean civic and political leaders have been bending over backwards to emphasize the benevolence of Islam, and asking Singaporeans of all persuasions to hold fast to the virtue of tolerance. This is a helpful antidote against misimpressions and distortions arising from the acts of mass murder committed in the United States.

KPC contributes $1.4m annually

KPC contributes $1.4m annually BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: Foreign coal mining company PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) contributes US$1.4 million (Rp 12 billion) to social development programs in the province, a KPC executive said on Friday. "The amount of funds our company has allocated to social development programs in the province has reached $1.4 million annually. The funds are distributed directly to local authorities, non-governmental organizations and groups of people," he said.

Firm offers to process garbage

Firm offers to process garbage JAKARTA: Private firm PT Geosis Telekomunika, which is partly owned by the Navy, proposed to the city administration on Wednesday to process the city's garbage into organic fertilizer at its planned plant in Marunda, North Jakarta. After receiving the firm's president, Anugerah Bomasanta, at City Hall, City Governor Sutiyoso said the firm would provide a 100 hectare plot in Marunda for processing the garbage.

Rupiah Rates Oct. 5

Rupiah Rates Oct. 5 Bank notes rates TT rates selling buying selling buying Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

hile most airlines around the world have announced cuts to

hile most airlines around the world have announced cuts to services, SilkAir said Friday it will add a new service between Singapore and the Indonesian city, Palembang. SilkAir, a unit of Singapore Airlines Ltd., said in a statement late Friday that it will jointly operate the thrice-weekly service with Mandala Airlines. The service will begin Oct. 28. -- AP

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * World Press Photo, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Phone: 5241069) until Oct. 7. * 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.

Kepulauan Seribu regent nominated

Kepulauan Seribu regent nominated Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta City Governor Sutiyoso nominated on Friday the second candidate to hold the post as the first regent of Kepulauan Seribu (the Thousand Islands), after the first candidate was rejected by the City Council. Sutiyoso nominated East Jakarta secretary Dadang Kafrawi as a replacement for the other candidate, head of the city fisheries agency, M. Rahardjo, who was considered incompetent by the city council.

Landslide kills seven in Kebumen

Landslide kills seven in Kebumen Tarko Sudiarno and Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Kebumen Nine people were buried in a landslide which took place in Penusupan village, Sruweng district in the regency of Kebumen, Central Java, on Thursday night. Seven of the nine people were found dead under three meters of soil on Friday while the remaining two have yet to be found. It is feared they are also dead.

Asian currencies mixed late on pre-G-7 position adjustment

Asian currencies mixed late on pre-G-7 position adjustment RON HARUI, Dow Jones, Tokyo Asian currencies were mixed against the U.S. dollar in Asia Friday, as players put finishing touches on positions ahead of key U.S. economic data later today and a weekend meeting of finance officials of the Group of Seven industrial nations.

Kalimantan governors okay infrastructure plan

Kalimantan governors okay infrastructure plan Edy Petebang, The Jakarta Post, Pontianak Four Kalimantan governors have agreed to begin the Trans- Kalimantan highway project as part of an integrated infrastructure development program that was officially endorsed at the end of their two-day meeting in Pontianak on Thursday. Minister for the Acceleration of Eastern Indonesian Development Manuel Kaisiepo was a witness during the signing ceremony.

Kontras responds

Kontras responds From Media Indonesia The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) would like to thank the concern and sympathy for our work that was expressed in Mr. Donald Panjaitan's letter in The Jakarta Post on Sept. 27, 2001. Such concern and sympathy really lends substance to our lives. Unfortunately, we must refute his statement that we have ignored human rights violations by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and Free Papua Organization (OPM).

Anarchy on Jl. Sudirman

Anarchy on Jl. Sudirman While battling the rush-hour traffic on a normal day in Jakarta is not exactly pleasurable, few motorists would have anticipated the mayhem and violence that greeted them opposite the Senayan sports complex on Oct. 4 in the evening. As for myself, although my wristwatch was stolen, I now believe that, in hindsight, I was perhaps one of the lucky ones. I had left my office -- which is located in Citibank Plaza on Jl. Sudirman at around 6 p.m.

`Back to basics' will keep you in good shape

`Back to basics' will keep you in good shape Maya Santo Soeratman Contributor Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): You are what you eat! This statement is apt to raise a few eyebrows, but many health conscious individuals believe that there is truth in this axiom. The high mobility in today's world has allowed us to change our diet and lifestyle. It no longer limits a particular culture or people to consuming only the staple foods in their diet.

Persija, PSM face prospect of grudge match

Persija, PSM face prospect of grudge match Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta PSM Makassar will start Sunday's match with the dream of clinching a rare back-to-back win, but it is host Persija which is the favorite thanks to its upset win over the defending champion in the group matches. PSM coach Syamsudin Umar said his side would, in fact, benefit by being written off. "People have their reasons for saying so after our defeat at home. We are by no means disheartened by the odds.

Stop threatening foreigners, military tell militans

Stop threatening foreigners, military tell militans Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Military Commander, Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo, warned Indonesian Muslim hard-liners on Friday to stop threatening foreign citizens here, saying Indonesians had to respect their guests. "I guess the government's policy is quite clear, namely that we must respect overseas citizens here.

Authorities tighten security ahead of soccer finals

Authorities tighten security ahead of soccer finals Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Following bloody clashes among soccer fans inside Bung Karno stadium on Thursday night, the city police vowed on Friday to strengthen security around the stadium to safeguard the final rounds of the Indonesian Soccer League on Sunday. Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen.

MONEY MATTERS

MONEY MATTERS The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) announced on Friday that it would open a bidding process on Nov. 7, 2001, for 23 apartments and 11 floors of office space located within two separate buildings in South Jakarta. -- JP Trade ministers from 21 countries will meet in Singapore next week to discuss "issues relating to" the World Trade Organization's November meeting, the Singapore government said Friday. However, it didn't reveal what issues would be discussed.

MONEY MATTERS

MONEY MATTERS The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) announced on Friday that it would open a bidding process on Nov. 7, 2001, for 23 apartments and 11 floors of office space located within two separate buildings in South Jakarta. -- JP Trade ministers from 21 countries will meet in Singapore next week to discuss "issues relating to" the World Trade Organization's November meeting, the Singapore government said Friday. However, it didn't reveal what issues would be discussed.

IMF says LoI to remain as is

IMF says LoI to remain as is Berni K Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Following its positive remarks about Indonesia's 2001 budget performance, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also expressed confidence in the country's economic reform targets, despite a looming global recession. Daniel Citrin, leading a visiting IMF team to Indonesia, said on Friday that Indonesia would not need to revise its reform targets.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct.5, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,250 -25 36,000 Adindo Foresta 90 -5 5,000 AGIS 110 0 750,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 475 0 2,421,000 Alakasa 215 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 800 0 1,000 Alter Abadi 50 0 0 Alumindo Light 500 0 0 Andhi Chandra 2,025 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 235 0 0 Aneka Tambang 925 -25 735,000 Apac Citra 275 0 0 Aqua Golden...

Slalom race for fun, and funds

Slalom race for fun, and funds JAKARTA: A number of ambassadors and other members of Jakarta's diplomatic corps are expected to take part in a fund raising slalom car race at the Bung Karno sports stadium on Oct. 21, organizers said on Friday. Roving Insight magazine and the Diplomatic Club of Jakarta, the joint-sponsors of the event, said proceeds would go to a rehabilitation center for victims of drug abuse in Bogor.

Corporate Briefs

Corporate Briefs State oil and gas company Pertamina has planned oil and gas exploration projects in Jagapura Kersana and Dukuh Tengah Ketanggungan villages in Brebes regency, Central Java, starting in the middle of next year. Sri Kustini, a Pertamina spokesperson, told regency officials in a meeting on Wednesday that the exploration works may take between six and nine years to complete.

'Jungun Ianfu' to enter curriculum

'Jungun Ianfu' to enter curriculum YOGYAKARTA: Minister of National Education Abdul Malik Fajar has accepted a proposal by the Yogyakarta branch of the Legal Aid Institute to include the issue of jungun ianfu (sex slaves) during the Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945 in the school curriculum.

Ex-leprosy patients brave heat to beg for a living

Ex-leprosy patients brave heat to beg for a living Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Disgusting. That might be the comment that most people would make when seeing them begging on the street or at other public places here. About 15 recovered lepers with dry skin, large open sores and blood seeping from their knuckles, wrists or amputated legs sit orderly in five rows at the intersection of Jl. Veteran and Jl. TMP Taruna, Tangerang.

Ondeo wins new contract in Tangerang

Ondeo wins new contract in Tangerang JAKARTA (JP): Ondeo Services has won a 25 year concession contract for the production and distribution of drinking water to Ciputat, Pamulang and Pondok Aren districts in Tangerang, Banten.

Quit practical politics, Megawati tells TNI

Quit practical politics, Megawati tells TNI Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Celebrating its 56th anniversary on Friday, the Indonesian Military (TNI) was given a special message by President Megawati Soekarnoputri: Mission accomplished, quit politics. Speaking at the celebration ceremony at Halim Perdanakusuma airport in East Jakarta, Megawati said TNI had to review its dual-function doctrine that gave TNI both defense and socio- political roles.

Police briefing room catches fire

Police briefing room catches fire JAKARTA: The National Police briefing room caught fire on Friday night due to a short circuit, but no damage was done, city police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam said. He said that the room, which is usually used for meetings with the National Police chief, caught fire at about 8:30 p.m., but it lasted only for about 10 minutes, as officers on night duty quickly managed to put it out. "It's only a small fire. Night duty officers quickly extinguished it.

Garuda imposes US$5 surcharge

Garuda imposes US$5 surcharge Moch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post Jakarta Indonesia's flagship carrier Garuda Indonesia has imposed a US$5 surcharge on international air tickets since Oct. 1 to finance the extra cost of higher insurance premiums, according to a senior executive of the Association of Indonesian Travel Agencies (Asita). Asita chairwoman Meity Robot said that travel agencies had imposed the surcharge on Garuda international flight tickets since that date.

1. BCA (2x26)

1. BCA (2x26) IBRA reappoints financial advisors for BCA sale 2. APEC (2x18) U.S. to push anti-terror agenda at APEC meetings 3. India (2x18) Global slump may push India fiscal deficit up 4. FSA (2x18) Fund injection for Japan's banks rejected 5. GM (3x10) GM, Toyota to explore new systems

Garuda imposes $5 surcharge to cover insurance

Garuda imposes $5 surcharge to cover insurance Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia's flagship carrier Garuda Indonesia has imposed a US$5 surcharge on international air tickets since Oct. 1 to finance the extra cost of higher insurance premiums, according to a senior executive of the Association of Indonesian Travel Agencies (Asita). Asita chairwoman Meity Robot said that travel agencies had imposed the surcharge on Garuda international flight tickets since that date.

U.S. to push anti-terror agenda at APEC meeting

U.S. to push anti-terror agenda at APEC meeting Agence France-Presse, Washington The United States will push its global anti-terrorism agenda at upcoming meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and hopes the new focus will revitalize the 21- member regional grouping, a US official said Thursday. Washington hopes to use the Oct. 17-18 APEC ministers meetings and the Oct.

Workers condemn use of force

Workers condemn use of force JAKARTA: Around 60 workers of transportation company PT Terang Anugerah Andalas Transportasi, staged a rally at the office of the Minister of Manpower and Transportation Jacob Nuwa Wea on Thursday, to protest the use of force and intimidation by the company in dealing with the workers' demands.

Fadhilah to be sworn in Saturday

Fadhilah to be sworn in Saturday SURABAYA: Governor Imam Utomo is scheduled to swear in Fadhilah Budiono as Sampang regent for a second term, despite an ongoing corruption investigation. Gunarto, spokesman for the provincial government, said here on Thursday that the swearing-in ceremony would take place in the Grahadi building in the provincial capital on Saturday morning.

Cured lepers brave heat to beg for a living

Cured lepers brave heat to beg for a living Multa Fidrus The Jakarta Post Tangerang Disgusting. That might be the comment that most people would make when seeing them begging on the street or at other public places here. About 15 recovered lepers with dry skin, large open sores and blood seeping from their knuckles, wrists or amputated legs sit orderly in five rows at the intersection of Jl. Veteran and Jl. TMP Taruna, Tangerang.

1. Ancol: 48 pt, 2 cols, 3 x 12

1. Ancol: 48 pt, 2 cols, 3 x 12 Ancol fishermen see their homes demolished 2. Leper: 36 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 25 Cured lepers brave heat to beg for a living 3. Seribu: 28 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 18 Dadang nominated as Kepulauan Seribu regent

We need to help

We need to help each other From Rakyat Merdeka The country's development will not run smoothly if there is no unity and unity can only be established if citizens are willing to help each other. Therefore, all members of society should always avoid bad behavior and promote good deeds. The ideal of mutual help in this country has now lost much of its significance.

Most doctors have poor English

Most doctors have poor English PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Minister of Health Achmad Suyudi said here on Friday that most of Indonesia's 40,000 doctors have a poor grasp of English. Suyudi admitted that doctors in the country are sufficient in quantity, but in terms of quality the health services here are still poor. For this reason Indonesia's medical workers have not been able to compete with their counterparts from other countries, he said.

Ancol homes destroyed in public order operation

Ancol homes destroyed in public order operation Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Some 50 fishing families lost their homes after the North Jakarta public order office on Thursday demolished their houses, which were allegedly built without any legal permit. Not only did the officers destroy all buildings in the fishing village in East Ancol, but also their working equipment, Misbahudian Gasma from the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute said on Friday.

Hoodlums in Kebon Sirih

Hoodlums in Kebon Sirih From Neraca The situation on Jl. Kebon Sirih is really terrifying. A few days ago, when I was riding in a bajaj, two hoodlums approached and forced me to give them money on the grounds that they were hungry and tired. If the traffic lights had not changed to green and the driver had not accelerated, something might have happened to me. Allow me to call on the police, and especially the civilian traffic regulators, to be on alert in that particular area.

JP/7/Unpad

JP/7/Unpad Yuli Trisuwarni The Jakarta Post Bandung, West Java Student dismissed over pornographic VCD A female student of the state University of Padjadjaran in Bandung, West Java, has been dismissed from the university over a pornographic VCD of her, copies of which are circulating widely in the city.

Mind map smartens up brain functions

Mind map smartens up brain functions Ida Indawati Khouw, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta When people grow older, they usually start experiencing difficulties with their memory, concentration, slow thinking, time management and other problems related to their brain mechanism, which developed while still in childhood. Most of the time people overlook the marvelous workings of a child's brain, which operates at twice the speed of an adult's.

Palayja launches education program

Palayja launches education program JAKARTA: PT PAM Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja) has launched a clean water education campaign for 100 elementary schools in the western part of Greater Jakarta. The program, organized in cooperation with the Supervisory Team of the School Health Program of Jakarta, was officially opened here on Wednesday by Jakarta Vice Governor for Social Welfare, Djailani.

Anticipating a global recession

Anticipating a global recession So far, the Megawati cabinet has failed to announce any particular strategy to deal with a looming global economic recession. No signal has been given either on how the government intends to revitalize the domestic market. Its energy still seems to be focused on the problem of debt and how to bridge the gaping budget deficit, as well as the trend toward a weakening rupiah.

Money players await G-7 meeting, Asian currencies mixed late

Money players await G-7 meeting, Asian currencies mixed late Ron Harui, Dow Jones, Tokyo Asian currencies were mixed against the U.S. dollar in Asia Friday, as players put finishing touches on positions ahead of key U.S. economic data later today and a weekend meeting of finance officials of the Group of Seven industrial nations.

Militant groups defy govt ban on holy war

Militant groups defy govt ban on holy war Abu Hanifah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite the government's recent ban, the Islamic Youth Group (GPI) will go ahead with its plan to deploy its volunteers to Afghanistan to fight against the U.S. military machine, as Washington's ultimatum to the Taliban regime in Kabul drew closer to its deadline, its chairman said on Friday. "We are staying with our plan (to send jihad fighters).

Official told to stay put over fuel crisis

Official told to stay put over fuel crisis Yongker Rumthe, The Jakarta Post, Manado North Sulawesi Governor A.J. Sondakh has ordered M.Zaini, head of the Pertamina branch office here, and Rosman Idris, Bitung port administrator, not to leave the region, amid mounting anger over their alleged roles in a prolonged fuel shortage that has particularly affected supplies of kerosene.

Father, daughter murdered

Father, daughter murdered JAKARTA: Local residents in Jelambar Baru, Tanjung Duren area, West Jakarta, found a man and his daughter dead, their bodies covered in wounds, inside their fire-ravaged house in the early hours of Friday. City Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam said that residents found the victims, Sofyan Setiawan, 73, and his daughter Yuliana, 31, after they managed to put out the fire that gutted the house on Jl. S. No 18.

IBRA reappoints financial advisors ahead of planned BCA sale

IBRA reappoints financial advisors ahead of planned BCA sale Berni K Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) has reappointed PT Danareksa Sekuritas and PT Merrill Lynch Pte Ltd. as its financial advisors for the sale of Bank Central Asia (BCA). Danareksa and Merrill Lynch had been IBRA's advisors for the unsuccessful sale of a 30 percent stake in BCA last July. In its press statement, IBRA fell short of explaining the reasons for their reappointment.

Foreign aid and Sukarno's warning

Foreign aid and Sukarno's warning Juwono Sudarsono, Professor School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Indonesia, Jakarta During his visit to the United States in May, 1956, founding president Sukarno addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill. One of the most stirring remarks Sukarno made was: No Niagara of dollars can save us, the people of Indonesia, unless we effectively use that assistance for the benefit of all Indonesians.

2 X 16 48pt Bodoni

2 X 16 48pt Bodoni Foreign aid and Sukarno's warning Juwono Sudarsono Professor, international affairs School of Social and Political Sciences University of Indonesia Jakarta 2.

Under clouded skies

Under clouded skies The gloomy sky over Jakarta these days appears to be having an effect on many people's way of thinking. The Jakarta city administration seems to believe it does not need to take any precaution against the arrival of the annual rainy season. So, in the lead-up to this year's change of climate there has been no campaign to tell the residents to clean up their drains. Nor have there been any activities to clear the clogged rivers and canals of garbage.

Gunmaker arrested

Gunmaker arrested PURWAKARTA, West Java: Local police arrested a gunmaker on Wednesday, seizing two firearms and a considerable amount of ammunition from his hut in Sawahkulon village in the regency. Purwakarta Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Elan Subilan said the suspect, identified as Arp, 35, was arrested after police conducted a raid in the village.

Ari Sigit to be tried Tuesday

Ari Sigit to be tried Tuesday JAKARTA: The trial of Ari Haryo Wibowo, also known as Ari Sigit, the grandson of former President Soeharto, is scheduled to be held in the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday. Judge Herri Swantoro will preside over the trial, according to the court's schedule. The 31-year-old son of Sigit Harjojudanto is accused of violating Article 1 of Emergency Law No.

'Dangdut' music dismays student protesters

'Dangdut' music dismays student protesters Asip A. Hasani, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Soldiers in Yogyakarta came up with an novel way of responding to a student demonstration on Friday by blasting out popular local dangdut music and dancing in front of scores of students protesting outside the Yogyakarta Regional Military (Korem) headquarters.

JP/18/Money1

JP/18/Money1 The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) announced on Friday that it would open a bidding process on Nov. 7, 2001, for 23 apartments and 11 floors of office space located within two separate buildings in South Jakarta.

Sultan, PM visit king in S'pore

Sultan, PM visit king in S'pore SINGAPORE: A sultan, a prime minister and a stream of other high- level visitors have visited the King of Malaysia in a Singapore hospital this week ahead of his heart surgery, an official said on Friday. King Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, 75, is scheduled to undergo heart surgery at Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital on Saturday, his private secretary Raja Hydar Raja Iskandar said.

JP/1/Inside

JP/1/Inside US$5 surcharge: Indonesia's flagship carrier Garuda Indonesia has imposed a US$5 surcharge on international air tickets since Oct. 1 to finance the extra cost of higher insurance premiums, said a senior executive of the Association of Indonesian Travel Agencies (Asita). Page 2 Jamsostek: The government will turn the state-owned social security company, PT Jamsostek, into a non-profit financial institution, says Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nua Wea.

Thousands climb Mt. Bromo

Thousands climb Mt. Bromo PROBOLINGGO, East Java: Thousands of local people and foreign tourists climbed Mount Bromo to witness the local Tengger community's Hindu thanksgiving ceremony, which is annually conducted at the mountain's summit. Soedjai, an influential figure in the Tengger tribe, said on Thursday that most visitors came from towns in the province and that only dozens of foreign tourists came to watch the annual Hindu ceremony.

European visits to Indonesia

European visits to Indonesia BRUSSELS: Several European countries have not yet issued any travel warnings to their citizens intending to visit Indonesia despite threats by radical groups to launch campaigns to expel foreigners in retaliation for the U.S. plan to attack Afghanistan.

Experts differ on how to manage threats

Experts differ on how to manage threats Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Most experts agree on the need to put an end to the threats currently being made to search out and expel Americans, but differ as to the legal grounds on which the police should go after those making the threats. Such threats have already caused hundreds of expatriates to flee the country.

Johny denies responsibility over mayhem in East Timor

Johny denies responsibility over mayhem in East Timor Fabiola Desy Unidjaya, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former deputy Army chief of staff Gen. Johny Lumintang denied on Friday any responsibility over systematic human rights violations in East Timor in 1999 after it voted for independence from Indonesia. Johny made the statement in response to a conclusion by the U.S. Federal Court that he was guilty of the mayhem and was therefore ordered to pay US$66 million in damages to the victims.

Palm bio-diesel production

Palm bio-diesel production MEDAN, North Sumatra: Palm oil producing companies PT Musim Mas and PP Lonsum have agreed to develop technology which will aid in the production of "palm bio-diesel" in North Sumatra with the aim of establishing Indonesia as a major alternative fuel producer. The agreement was reached at the end of an international workshop on bio-diesel in Medan, North Sumatra, from Oct. 2 to Oct.

Elimination of TNI's territorial affairs' post confirmed

Elimination of TNI's territorial affairs' post confirmed Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Military (TNI)'s chief of territorial affairs, Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo, confirmed on Friday that his post would likely be eliminated in response to rising calls for the TNI to do so. "Should the territorial role be returned to the TNI's chief of general affairs, I think there will be no problem.

Cirebon accepts 20 prisoners

Cirebon accepts 20 prisoners The Cirebon prison received 20 prisoners on Friday, relocated from the Cipinang prison in Jakarta after a violent clash there recently. The prisoners left Jakarta on Wednesday under tight security and arrived at their new home on Friday morning. Sardi, a guard at the Cirebon jail, said the prisoners were quarantined before being put into a special cell to avoid any possible clash with other inmates.

Protect foreign nationals

Protect foreign nationals From Rakyat Merdeka The government of a country must protect its citizens as well as foreign nationals legally residing there. The Indonesian government also has this obligation. There is more to protecting the safety of U.S. and British nationals, for example, than just providing armored personnel vehicles. As a law-abiding state, Indonesia must enforce the law against certain social groups insisting on carrying out raids against foreign nationals.

Agency warns of imminent landslides

Agency warns of imminent landslides Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) is warning government officials and the public about the possibility of floods and landslides that could hit several areas in the country during the upcoming rainy season. In almost all parts of the country, the rainfall level will begin to increase in December, and reach a peak in January or February 2002.

Drought continues in E. Nusa Tenggara

Drought continues in E. Nusa Tenggara Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang Citizens of Kupang regency, on the western half of Timor, are facing a serious water shortage and hundreds of hectares of crops are under threat of destruction due to the prolonged severe drought in the regency. The first week of this month has been particularly difficult for those living in remote areas in the regency, some of whom have had to walk great distances in search of clean water.

Military to regreen Kalimantan

Military to regreen Kalimantan SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: In observance of the Indonesian Military's 56th anniversary, Tanjungpura Military Command, which oversees Kalimantan will launch a one-million-tree environmental program to regreen deforested areas of the province. Maj. Gen.

Kulonprogo stricken by drought

Kulonprogo stricken by drought YOGYAKARTA: More than 2,500 villagers in Kalibawang have been facing difficulties in obtaining clean water due to the prolonged drought currently afflicting Central Java. "Villagers living in mountainous areas have had to spend many hours on foot to reach water resources close to Borobudur Temple," Anwar Hamid, Kulonprogo deputy regent, said here on Thursday.

Government turns Jamsostek into trust fund

Government turns Jamsostek into trust fund Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government will turn the state-owned social security company, PT Jamsostek, into a non-profit financial institution, says Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nua Wea. The company will be managed by a tripartite board made up of representatives from laborers, government and employers, to ensure the best benefit for workers.

Forum to discuss terrorism

Forum to discuss terrorism BRUNEI: Leaders from Southeast Asia and Japan, China and South Korea will discuss cooperation to fight international terrorism at their regional forum, the organization in Bandar Seri Begawan said on Friday. "Our governments undertake to use all necessary and available means to pursue, capture and punish those responsible for these attacks and to prevent additional attacks," said Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, chairman of the Asean Regional Forum.

Recall your baby food: Greenpeace to Novartis

Recall your baby food: Greenpeace to Novartis Reuters, Manila Environmental group Greenpeace on Friday urged Swiss healthcare group Novartis AG to withdraw baby food being sold in the Philippines which contained genetically modified soy. Greenpeace South East Asia campaign manager Von Hernandez issued the call after Novartis confirmed allegations from the environmental group that samples of baby food it sold in the Philippines contained genetically modified soy.

U.S. Dollar Rates Oct.5

U.S. Dollar Rates Oct.5 Latest Previous %Change Yen 120.52-55 120.39-45 +0.11 Euro* 0.9160-65 0.9180-84 -0.22 Sterling 1.4753-59 1.4764-70 -0.07 Swiss Franc 1.6211-17 1.6192-98 +0.12 Canadian dollar* 1.5697-03 1.5688-94 +0.06 Australian dollar* 0.5014-19 0.4986-91 +0.56 New Zealand dollar 0.4116-21 0.4079-86 +0.91 Deutsche mark 2.1343-52 2.1291-03 +0.24 Czech koruna 36.747-77 36.781-11 -0.09 Hungary forint 279.81-38 280.10-58 -0.10 Danish krone 8.1220-70 8.0935-82 +0.35 Norwegian krone...

Tommy told to show up or risk imprisonment

Tommy told to show up or risk imprisonment Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, Soeharto's youngest son, will lose his legal victory if he fails to show up and sign the documents at the South Jakarta Prosecutors' office, a state prosecutor said on Friday. Head of the South Jakarta Prosecutors' Office Antasari Azhar said that the documents had to be signed by Tommy personally and nobody else could do it on his behalf.