Archive: 11 May 2001
55 articles found
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Journalist slain by police after his arrest
Journalist slain by police after his arrest JAKARTA (JP): PILAR biweekly magazine photographer Rudi P. Singgih was in the midst of covering some long-term investigation when he was shot dead by Bandung Police for allegedly being a car thief. The magazine's managing editor Yusuf Yazid told The Jakarta Post by telephone on Thursday that "Rudi was on leave to conduct an investigation covering a confidential case." Yusuf, however, declined to reveal the story Rudi was working on.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
O'Hagan's Pub a spot of genuine Irish green
O'Hagan's Pub a spot of genuine Irish green JAKARTA (JP): Despite the fact that it was only a few weeks ago that your reviewer was bemoaning the lack of a true Irish pub in this great metropolis, he is now pleased to be in a position to report to all the Guinness guzzlers out there that this lamentable situation has been addressed.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Two killed, 2 injured in Guntur bomb blast
Two killed, 2 injured in Guntur bomb blast JAKARTA (JP): A powerful bomb blast ripped through the Acehnese students dormitory in South Jakarta on Thursday afternoon, killing two men instantly and injuring two others. The blast caused extensive damage to the building, reducing part of the Iskandar Muda Aceh dormitory to rubble. A Honda Civic sedan belonging to one of the injured men was also damaged in the blast. The car was parked at the back of the Iskandar Muda Aceh dormitory, located on Jl.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Matahari plans to open four new outlets
Matahari plans to open four new outlets JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed PT Matahari Putra Prima Tbk plans to open four new outlets this year in response to growth in the country's retail sector. Company president Antonius Hanifah Komala said on Thursday three of the outlets would be opened in Pontianak, Madiun and Lampung. "We have allocated about Rp 80 billion (US$7.3 million) for the expansion," he said following the reopening of the Matahari outlet in Mega Mall Pluit.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
RI rating faces threat
RI rating faces threat HONOLULU (Reuters): Indonesia's sovereign credit rating, already the lowest among rated Asian borrowers, could be further undermined if the government does not succeed in reigning in its budget deficit, the head of Standard & Poor's sovereign ratings group said on Wednesday.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Government closely monitors over 10 of 129 active volcanoes
Government closely monitors over 10 of 129 active volcanoes BANDUNG (JP): An "alert" status has been placed on 10 of the country's 129 volcanoes due to increased activity, a state volcanologist said on Thursday. Eddy Mulyadi, the head of the Ministry of Mines and Energy's subdirectorate of volcano mapping, said his office had sent two teams of six volcanologists to monitor the 10 volcanoes. Eddy identified the volcanoes as Mt. Marapi in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, Mt.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Workers protest over dismissals
Workers protest over dismissals MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: At least 500 workers from two different companies protested at the South Sulawesi provincial legislative council on Thursday, demanding fair treatment from their respective companies. Some 200 workers from cashew processing firm PT Setia Jita Pratama, who have been camping out in the grounds of the legislature for the past three days, protested the firm's unilateral decision to dismiss 207 employees on allegedly unreasonable grounds.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Direct presidential election urged by MPR experts
Direct presidential election urged by MPR experts JAKARTA (JP): A team of experts from the People's Consultative Assembly proposed on Thursday constitutional amendments that included a direct presidential election. The team, comprising 13 scholars of law and political science, told a hearing with the assembly ad hoc committee that the president and vice president must come from the same camp and contest the top executive posts as a duet.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Cultural risk is a two way street
Cultural risk is a two way street My thanks to Donna K. Woodward from Medan for her spirited response to my article published in The Jakarta Post dated April 28, 2001, entitled Cross cultural risk in doing business. Donna is right in drawing readers' attention to the fact that the article was written from the perspective of Australians wanting to engage Asia, but not having the cultural tools to do so successfully. There is of course another perspective. Cultural risk is a two way street.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Government considers lifting PLN fuel subsidies
Government considers lifting PLN fuel subsidies JAKARTA (JP): The government is considering raising the fuel price charged to state-owned electricity company PT PLN to as high as 50 percent of the international market price in order to cut fuel subsidies and trim its state budget deficit, an official said on Thursday. Kardaya Warnika, an expert economics and finance staff member at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, said the move would make PLN equal with other industrial fuel users.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Marcos assets to plug RP deficit
Marcos assets to plug RP deficit MANILA (AFP): The Philippines government said on Thursday it would auction off assets seized from the family of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos to finance a gaping fiscal deficit. The sale of the assets -- including stocks, properties and a jewelry set owned by former first lady Imelda Marcos -- is expected to generate some 18 billion pesos ($360 million), said Ruben Carranza, head of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Asep surprisingly takes 1st round lead in JJGF tour
Asep surprisingly takes 1st round lead in JJGF tour BOGOR (JP): Little-known golfer Asep Suganda made a surprising performance to take the lead at the fifth JJGF Open Golf Championship opener by carding three-under-par 69 at the Jagorawi Golf and Country Club's new course on Thursday. The tournament, organized by the Japan Jagorawi Golf Foundation (JJGF), is offering Rp 200 million (US$18,350) prize money.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 10, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,275 -75 913,500 Adindo Foresta 105 5 150,000 AGIS 140 -5 3,849,000 Alakasa 90 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 1,150 0 17,500 Alter Abadi 75 5 238,500 Alumindo Light 550 0 0 Andhi Chandra 1,725 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 135 5 25,000 Aneka Tambang 775 -25 191,500 Apac Citra 300 0 30,000 Aqua Golden 13,500 0 0 Argha...
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Telkom-Indosat landmark deal
Telkom-Indosat landmark deal Most of the independent shareholders, including foreign investors, who together own 3.3 billion shares or 33.57 percent of PT Telkom predictably voted on Thursday to approve the US$1.5 billion transaction between the domestic call operator and PT Indosat, initialized in February to end their crossholdings in several telecommunications subsidiaries.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Asian monies weighed by yen's flaws and political concerns
Asian monies weighed by yen's flaws and political concerns SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Most Asian currencies weakened against the U.S. dollar in subdued trading late Thursday, weighed by the yen's overnight weakness and nagging political concerns in Indonesia and the Philippines, dealers said. The Indonesian rupiah slipped to Rp 11,190 per dollar from Rp 11,088 late Wednesday.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
RI eyes crude deal with PTT
RI eyes crude deal with PTT BANGKOK (Reuters): Indonesia, hit by insufficient oil refining capacity, has asked Thailand to help it process its crude oil, the head of state-owned Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) said on Thursday. "Indonesia wants to hire us to refine its crude," PTT governor Viset Choopiban told reporters, adding that Thailand had excess refining capacity of 150,000 barrels per day (bpd). He gave no other details of the discussions with Indonesia.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia Open offers higher prize money
Indonesia Open offers higher prize money JAKARTA (JP): Organizers of the Sanyo Indonesia Open will increase prize money for the five-star tournament to US$170,000 to attract more world-class foreign players, particularly from China, to compete at the event in July.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Four robbers rob church
Four robbers rob church BOGOR (JP): Four armed robbers stole some Rp 50 million (US$4.500) from a church on Jl. Suryakencana here on Thursday. A church worker named Yanti, 24, said that she, her two fellow workers, and Priest Arief Multi had just arrived at the church after withdrawing the money from Lippo Bank . Just when they got out of the car in the church's parking lot, four men on motorcycles approached them and snatched the money. "They threatened to kill us if we screamed.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Police continue probe on Soeripto
Police continue probe on Soeripto JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police detectives are focusing their investigation into former secretary-general of the forestry ministry Soeripto on reports that he leaked state secrets to Japan and Australia. National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi said on Thursday that while continuing the questioning of Soeripto, the detectives would also be working with the National Police, the Japanese Embassy and an Australian foundation on the matter of the documents.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
People long for peace, stability: Survey
People long for peace, stability: Survey JAKARTA (JP): "Give us the good old days" was the cry of many respondents of a survey conducted by the New Indonesia Alliance (PIB). The non-stop political bickering and protracted economic crisis has actually resulted in 75.7 percent of respondents in the survey longing for the stability of the New Order era.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Union vows to take Adidas' case to ILO
Union vows to take Adidas' case to ILO JAKARTA (JP): The Federation of Independent Trade Unions (GSBI) condemned on Thursday the arrest and trial of a labor activist and vowed to take the case to an International Labor Organization (ILO) session in Geneva in June. Ngadinah, 29, a worker of PT Panarub, which holds a manufacturing license from Adidas, is being tried at Tangerang District Court on charges of inciting people to resist public authority and unpleasant treatment toward people.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia has chance to beat China: Captain Bima Sakti
Indonesia has chance to beat China: Captain Bima Sakti JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian captain Bima Sakti radiated confidence over his squad's chances of beating host China in the 2002 World Cup Asia Zone Group Nine qualifier at Kunming, China, on Sunday. Bima said local soccer fans estimated that the visitor would be able to put up a good show against odds-on favorite China even though the host had better skills than the Indonesians. "We never expected it.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Cabinet remains solid, palace spokesman says
Cabinet remains solid, palace spokesman says JAKARTA (JP): Presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar asserted on Thursday that the Cabinet remained sound despite reports of widening political differences between President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
APP wins reprieve from Singapore court
APP wins reprieve from Singapore court SINGAPORE (Reuters): Debt-laden Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) has won some much-needed time and a legal reprieve after Singapore's High Court froze a creditor's winding-up proceeding and Dutch bank ABN Amro dropped three lawsuits. APP, the world's fourth biggest paper maker by capacity, is working to restructure debt of S$12.2 billion and has already lost several court cases to suppliers and banks seeking payment.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Suryalaya reschedules debts
Suryalaya reschedules debts JAKARTA (JP): PT Suryalaya Anindita International, the owner of several star-rated hotels in the country, has reached an agreement with its creditors to restructure its US$34.99 million debt, the company said on Thursday. Under the agreement signed on April 26, the repayment would be made in nine years, including a grace period of two years, the company said in a statement.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Thai police foil Aceh arms export
Thai police foil Aceh arms export BANGKOK (AP): Thai police on Thursday arrested two army sergeants with more than 15,000 bullets, land mines and grenades that they said were being sent to an insurgent group in Indonesia. The two soldiers were driving two pickup trucks in the southern Songkhla province when they were stopped by police acting on a tip-off, police Col. Sakorn Thongmee said.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Asian countries move closer to currency safety net
Asian countries move closer to currency safety net HONOLULU, Hawaii (Reuters): Asia's top economic policy makers kicked off a three-day meeting in Hawaii on Wednesday with the announcement of fresh progress in stitching together a currency safety net to guard against a repeat of the 1997/98 regional crisis.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Kimia Farma plans IPO next month
Kimia Farma plans IPO next month JAKARTA (JP): State-owned pharmaceutical company PT Kimia Farma announced on Thursday plans for an initial public offering (IPO) to sell up to 500 million new shares. Company president Darodjatun said the IPO would be held from June 13 to June 15 with PT Danareksa Securities as the lead underwriter. Aside from the 500 million shares to be sold to the public, the company will also issue 54 million new shares for its employees, he said.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Students loot, vandalize
Students loot, vandalize BOGOR (JP): Armed with machetes and sickles, high school students attacked a school building, damaging two cars belonging to the school principals, looting a car cassette player, a telephone, and stealing some money. Ridwan, vice principal of Yayasan Zaelani Almansyur (YZA) high school, said that a number of students from PGRI II vocational high school made the attack on Wednesday on the YZA High School/Vocational High School.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Government bond market key to revival
Government bond market key to revival By Larry Berger JAKARTA (JP): This week's announcement of a draft law on bonds is a laudable advance in Indonesia's long-running effort to build an effective government bond market. If passed, the law will allow the government to issue short-term treasury bonds, which are urgently needed to finance future budget deficits. Important as these measures are, they represent only one step in the complex process of developing a robust bond market.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
India to accept palmoil for rail project
India to accept palmoil for rail project KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): India, the world's top edible oil importer, will accept palm oil as payment from the Malaysian government to undertake a US$1.8 billion rail project in Malaysia, their officials said on Thursday. But the news failed to move Malaysia's palm oil futures, expected to hit five-month low any time, because of poor export prospects and aggressive sales by arch rival Indonesia.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
UN soldier's murder unsolved
UN soldier's murder unsolved KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The investigation into the killing of a New Zealand-born UN peacekeeper by an East Timorese militiaman last year is hanging in the balance due to a lack of additional evidence, an official said on Thursday.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Amien eyes top post in 2004 elections
Amien eyes top post in 2004 elections SINGAPORE (Agencies): People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais addressing the News World Asia broadcast industry conference here on Thursday said he is interested in seeking the Indonesian presidency in 2004. Amien charged that the country's current leader, President Abdurrahman Wahid, has failed "to serve the people and carry out the mandate given to him".
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:
Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Advertising Postcards, Gallery RPC, Jl. Suryo 8 Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, until May 31. * Painting by Rusli, Galeri Lontar, Jl. Utan Kayu 68H, East Jakarta (Phone: 8573388), until May 19. * Fine Arts: Metromini, Galeri Milenium, Golden Plaza complex, Blok B-23, Jl. R.S. Fatmawati No. 15, South Jakarta (Phone: 7507828), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until May 14.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian driver Ananda quits Formula 3000 circuit
Indonesian driver Ananda quits Formula 3000 circuit JAKARTA (JP): Young Indonesian driver Ananda Mikola must bury his Formula One dreams due to the termination of his contract with the Formula 3000 Astromega team this month, ended because of financial problems and declining performance. On its official web site www.team-astromega.com, the Belgian- based team announced that British driver Dino Morelli will replace Ananda in the number 5 car as of this Saturday at the A1- Ring circuit in Austria.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN to upgrade workforce skill
ASEAN to upgrade workforce skill KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Southeast Asian labor ministers agreed on Thursday to upgrade the skills of their workforces to counter the U.S. economic slowdown and urged the ILO not to punish Myanmar over forced labor. Ministers at their annual meeting here believed "multi- skilling" of workers would keep them employed amid recent downsizing by multinational corporations, said Malaysian Human Resources Minister Fong Chan Onn.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Economic slowdown prods Myanmar toward reform
Economic slowdown prods Myanmar toward reform By Edward Tang YANGON: Naing, a street vendor, makes a living selling odds and ends in the Myanmar capital. His "shop", a floor mat about 1.2 meter by 1.8 meter, is found on the pavement along Maha Bandoola Garden Street in the heart of Yangon. Hundreds of vendors have made this busy stretch of road their business address. Like Naing, they eke out a living selling simple items like pens, pencils, combs and toothbrushes.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Government set to extradite American to Philippines
Government set to extradite American to Philippines JAKARTA (JP): The government is scheduled on Friday to extradite American national Dennis Austin Standefer, 55, to the Philippines, where he will be facing fraud and rape charges in Manila. He is wanted in the Philippines primarily for the rape of a 16-year-old Filipino girl in 1994, a crime which carries the death penalty there.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Commission wants serious probe into student killings
Commission wants serious probe into student killings JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights called on the House of Representatives to be more serious in its investigation of the student killings at Trisakti University in 1998 and the Semanggi cloverleaf in 1998 and 1999. Commission chairman Djoko Sugianto said the House was the only institution to which the relatives of the victims in the three bloody incidents could turn to for justice.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah rate May 10
Rupiah rate May 10 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
No love lost in Asia for IMF as Fischer bows out
No love lost in Asia for IMF as Fischer bows out By Alan Wheatley TOKYO (Reuters): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and its harsh but necessary reforms must surely take some of the credit for Asia's strengthened finances, which mean a re-run of the region's 1997 balance-of-payments crisis is a remote threat.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
PDI-P accepts Sophan's resignation
PDI-P accepts Sophan's resignation JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) is to replace Sophan Sophiaan, their faction chairman in the People's Consultative Assembly, as the party's executive board has approved his resignation. The party treasurer, Noviantika Nasution, confirmed the report on Thursday saying that Sophan's resignation had been accepted by party chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri at the party's last internal meeting.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Painter Amri gets doctorate
Painter Amri gets doctorate YOGYAKARTA: The Yogyakarta State University (UNY) awarded on Thursday an honorary doctorate to well-known batik painter Amri Yahya in recognition of his promotion of batik arts, his dedication to the arts, and his outstanding works. UNY is the first Indonesian university to bestow an honorary doctorate on the artist. The late expressionist painter Affandi received a similar award from the National University of Singapore.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Government to crack down on natiowide illegal logging
Government to crack down on natiowide illegal logging JAKARTA (JP): The government will launch a joint operation to crack down on rampant illegal logging which causes up to US$4 billion in losses every year, Justice and Human Rights Minister Baharuddin Lopa said on Thursday. Lopa said that President Abdurrahman Wahid had instructed the forestry department to lead the operation.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
'Leftist' books secure in 'preemptive sweep'
'Leftist' books secure in 'preemptive sweep' YOGYAKARTA (JP): Yogyakarta police have conducted a "preemptive sweep" of "leftist" books in the Sultanate, contending that the actions are an attempt to save the literature from being destroyed by anticommunist groups. Yogyakarta Police Chief Brig. Gen. Saleh Saaf confirmed on Thursday that police had impounded 49 books, comprising 19 different titles, from 11 bookstores and street vendors due to the threat of raids by anticommunist groups.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Bill on child protection submitted for deliberation
Bill on child protection submitted for deliberation JAKARTA (JP): A team of legislators proposed a child protection bill on Thursday for deliberation by the House of Representatives, which will regulate children's rights and punishment for persons or organizations who neglect them.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Governor, council sued for Rp 11b
Governor, council sued for Rp 11b JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta District Court began hearing on Thursday an action brought by a coalition of nine non- governmental organizations (NGOs) against the City Council and governor over the passing of the 2001 city budget.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Asian nations risk becoming new narcotics outposts: UN
Asian nations risk becoming new narcotics outposts: UN YANGON (AFP): More Asian nations must join in the region's fight against the burgeoning narcotics trade or risk becoming new outposts for traffickers, United Nations officials said on Thursday. Senior officials from Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam are holding talks here this week aimed at improving cross-border cooperation on drug control strategies.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Telkom shareholders approve controversial deal
Telkom shareholders approve controversial deal JAKARTA (JP): Shareholders of state-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom approved on Thursday the sale of some of the company's assets to PT Indosat, despite protests from the company's employees. In an extra-ordinary shareholders meeting held in its office on Jl.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Toyota Astra Motor plans more hikes in car prices starting June
Toyota Astra Motor plans more hikes in car prices starting June JAKARTA (JP): PT Toyota Astra Motor (TAM), a joint venture between Japan's Toyota Motor Corp., and PT Astra International, plans to raise car prices again in June to stave off more losses due to a weaker rupiah, Toyota officials said on Thursday. TAM marketing director Alam Wijono said the company planned to adjust its car prices to a rupiah exchange rate of 11,000 against the U.S. dollar.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
VAT rate may be raised to curb budget deficit
VAT rate may be raised to curb budget deficit JAKARTA (JP): With the 2001 state budget deficit threatening to reach critical levels, one option available to the government to check the deficit is increasing the value added tax (VAT), which currently stands at 10 percent. Director general of taxation Hadi Purnomo said on Thursday the easiest way to increase tax revenue in a very short period was to focus on "indirect taxes", particularly VAT.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
VP to inaugurate Jambi park
VP to inaugurate Jambi park JAMBI, Jambi: Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri is set to visit Jambi on May 11 to inaugurate a park in the city, a local official said on Thursday. Spokesman for the provincial administration Haroen Saad said the Vice President would plant trees along the city's eastern highway to mark the inauguration ceremony, which will take place at Kenali Asam Bawah village. The ceremony will also mark the start of a regreening campaign in the province. (33)
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Bulog rejects rice swap deal
Bulog rejects rice swap deal JAKARTA (JP): The State Logistics Agency (Bulog) will resist the government's proposal to exchange Indonesia's CN 235 airplanes with rice from Thailand, chief Widjanarko Puspoyo said on Thursday. "Currently, our rice supply is good, so it would be better if the planned deal were postponed to a later time.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Two councillors have over Rp 1b in wealth
Two councillors have over Rp 1b in wealth JAKARTA (JP): While most legislators and politicians at the national level have submitted audit reports of their personal wealth, city councillors have continued to drag their feet on the issue raising question marks as to the motive behind their reluctance. Ganda Hutabarat, secretary of the wealth commission at the City's Elections Committee (PPD), said the last time councillors filed audits was two years ago.
Fri, 11 May 2001, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia's problem today is the President
Indonesia's problem today is the President To move ahead from a likely return to square one, alternative agendas of a special session of the People's Consultative Assembly should be considered, writes Jakarta-based political analyst J. Soedjati Djiwandono. JAKARTA (JP): Practically since the election of Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid to the presidency, Indonesian politics has been characterized mainly by bickering among the nation's political elite.