Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 27 September 2001

93 articles found

JP/6/BALI

JP/6/BALI RI doubles prepare for quarterfinals in WTA Tour NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Indonesian doubles tennis players cruised to the quarterfinals round of the US$170,000 WTA Tour Wismilak International tournament here on Wednesday. Veteran tennis player Yayuk Basuki made a pair with world number 18 Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, while Wynne Prakusye jumped to the next round with Janet Lee of Chinese Taipei.

DAMRI drivers go strike over wages

DAMRI drivers go strike over wages SURABAYA (JP): Around 400 bus drivers and crew members of the state public transport company (DAMRI) went on strike in Surabaya leaving thousands of passengers stranded. The drivers rallied at the provincial legislative council, demanding a 200 percent salary increase. The all-out strike followed on from the failure of negotiations with the company's executives on Tuesday to make any headway.

JP/PJ Leo

JP/PJ Leo HAPPY RIDE: A mother with her two childrens look happy riding a bicycle-modified-to vehicles in Kota down town in Medan. The driver said he spent some Rp 500,000 to modify his bicycle and all he had spent had returned as he had been on operation since three months ago, with daily earning of at least Rp 35,000.

Maintenance of 'Argo Bromo'

Maintenance of 'Argo Bromo' From Sinar Pagi Two friends of mine and I took the Argo Bromo train from Surabaya to Jakarta at 6:40 p.m. on Sept. 22, 2001. We intentionally chose this train, hoping to receive superior service as well as to feel more relaxed and enjoy the facilities provided by the train management. Unfortunately, our hopes turned into disappointment. The reading lamps in car No.

Police cowardice

Police cowardice Amid the pandemonium of global reactions that have arisen in the wake of the terrorist attacks upon the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, a few statements made by Indonesian officials here at home deserve to be noted. Last Tuesday, for example, a spokesman for our National Police, Brig. Gen.

Pakistani man tried for heroin case

Pakistani man tried for heroin case TANGERANG (JP): The Tangerang District Court began on Wednesday the trial of a drug case involving a Pakistani who had allegedly smuggled more than one kilogram of heroin from Pakistan into the country in June this year.

GENERAL ISSUE SEPT 27 IT

GENERAL ISSUE SEPT 27 IT ;JP; ANPAc..r.. IT-knowledge-acceptance JP/ / Tips on gaining knowledge and acceptance By Onno W. Purbo JAKARTA (JP): Rapid advances in Information Technology (IT) may revolutionize ways of gaining knowledge and acceptance in the IT professional world. A shift in mind-set and education curriculum should be made in a short time, or one may seriously be left behind. Rapid advances in technology open up huge IT job opportunities.

Ulemas council clarifies its statement on jihad

Ulemas council clarifies its statement on jihad JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) clarified on Wednesday its call for a jihad, stressing that it did not mean that the organization was urging Muslims to take part in a war against the United States. "Jihad fii sabiilillah means fighting in the path of Allah in a very broad sense ... not in the form of a war or physical contact," MUI Secretary-General Din Syamsuddin told the media here.

Government to heed civil service affairs

Government to heed civil service affairs JAKARTA (JP): The government is determined to pay more attention to civil servant development in a bid to help improve efficiency, professionalism and services to the public. More attention is significantly needed to ease further pressure on the government due to uncontrolled recruitment of civil servants, a coordination meeting on peoples' welfare said on Wednesday.

Hand-foot-mouth disease returns, invades schools

Hand-foot-mouth disease returns, invades schools JAKARTA (JP): Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) returned to Jakarta and affected a number of kindergartens and elementary schools in Jakarta recently.

Indonesia-Japan ties

Indonesia-Japan ties Japan should naturally be the next leg of President Megawati Soekarnoputri's current overseas visit immediately after her summit talks with American President George W. Bush in Washington last week. And bilateral economic cooperation is certainly the primary objective of her talks with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Thursday, given Japan's role as the single largest creditor, investor and trading partner in Indonesia.

JORR project still facing uncertainty: IBRA

JORR project still facing uncertainty: IBRA JAKARTA (JP): The tender process for the Jakarta Outer Ring Road (JORR) project continued to be plagued by uncertainty as the administrative court ordered the government to delay the tender. "We are still facing a legal problem. We are now waiting for the administrative court decision about the JORR project," the chairman of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), I Putu Ary Suta, told reporters on Wednesday.

The Jakarta Post

The Jakarta Post Purwokerto, Central Java Lacking funds makes the government find it hard to curb the spread of the contagious tuberculosis (TB) which claimed 140,000 people nationwide per annum, according to an official. Umar Fahmi Achmadi, Directorate General of Contagious Disease Eradication and Environmental Sanitation said for the medicine alone, the government must set aside Rp 35 billion (US$3,7 million) per year.

Govt ponders substitute drugs to treat addicts

Govt ponders substitute drugs to treat addicts By Fitri Wulandari JAKARTA (JP): The government is considering distributing disposable syringes or lighter drugs to intravenous drug users as part of an official campaign to fight drug abuse. Minister of Health Achmad Suyudi said on Wednesday that the government would go ahead with the program -- in spite of the controversy over the drug-for-drug scheme.

Anti-U.S. demos: Muslim students and activists staged

Anti-U.S. demos: Muslim students and activists staged demonstrations in major cities in Java on Wednesday to press their demand that the U.S. drop any plans to bomb Afghanistan. Full report on Page 2 HFMD returns: Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) returned to Jakarta and affected a number of kindergartens and elementary schools in Jakarta recently. Several preschools have temporarily shut down school activities for up to a week due to the contagious disease.

OPEC chiefs fail to reach deal

OPEC chiefs fail to reach deal VIENNA (AFP): OPEC energy chiefs did not reach an agreement on oil output Wednesday and delayed a final meeting to approve production levels until Thursday, the grouping's president Chakib Khelil of Algeria said. "No agreement yet," Khelil told reporters as he emerged from an informal gathering of energy chiefs of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), adding that a final decision would be taken "tomorrow".

Galungan, a time of blessings and festivity in Bali

Galungan, a time of blessings and festivity in Bali By I Wayan Juniartha DENPASAR, Bali (JP): For many people, Galungan is considered as the biggest religious festival in Bali. Yet for some, it holds more significance than that. The festival of Galungan, which fell on Wednesday Sept. 26, is a six-monthly religious event during which the Balinese Hindus celebrate the victory of righteousness, or dharma, over unrighteousness and evil, or adharma.

Most skyscrapers built by foreigners

Most skyscrapers built by foreigners JAKARTA (JP): About sixty percent of the high-rise buildings in the city were designed by foreign architects, according to an Indonesian architectural organization. Rai Pratadaja, a patron of the Association of Indonesian Architecture Graduates (PASI), said that most of the skyscrapers in Sudirman and Kuningan had been designed by foreign architects. "Foreign and local architects are both skillful.

'JORR project sill

'JORR project sill facing uncertainty' ADIANTO P.SIMAMORA The Jakarta Post Jakarta The tender process for the Jakarta Outer Ring Road (JORR) project continued to be plagued by uncertainty as the administrative court ordered the government to delay the tender. "We are still facing a legal problem. We are now waiting for the administrative court decision about the JORR project," the chairman of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), I Putu Ary Suta, told reporters on Wednesday.

Volleyball league starts in Bandung

Volleyball league starts in Bandung JAKARTA (JP): The 2001 Indonesian Volleyball League will start in Bandung, West Java, next month, with the organizing committee dispelling fears that the national team's failure at the recently concluded Kuala Lumpur 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games will undermine people's interest in the sport. The league will feature seven teams in the men's category and eight teams in the women's. The participating clubs are members of the premier league.

Death penalty for corrupters demanded

Death penalty for corrupters demanded JAKARTA (JP): Anti-corruption activists demanded on Wednesday that anyone found guilty of corruption be given a maximum penalty of death. "In certain circumstances the death penalty should be handed down to those guilty of corruption," coordinator of Government Watch Farid R. Faqih said. He said other corrupters with lighter offenses should be sent to jail for at least 20 years as their misdeeds had caused losses to the state.

1. Duit

1. Duit (2 X 25) Asian currencies end higher, after recouping early losses P/11/Duit Asian currencies mostly higher late; recoup early losses SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Most Asian currencies were marginally higher late Wednesday after recovering from morning losses, as the dollar's near-term direction remained ambiguous, dealers said. "Trading is listless, directionless," said a dealer at a European bank.

FOR OCTOBER 3

FOR OCTOBER 3 Relations between Germany and Indonesia sound and profound Opening this special coverage are excerpts taken from an interview with German Ambassador to Indonesia Dr. Gerhard Fulda on the relations between Germany and Indonesia. First of all we would like to congratulate you on Day of German Reunification and subsequently we would appreciate having an exchange of ideas on German-Indonesian relations.

Slim pickings

Slim pickings As I began reading the Oktoberfest review of Sept. 26, only one thing went through my mind. German food. To an Australian- Muslim of German descent living in Indonesia, it seemed a dream come true. I began planning when I could enjoy this feast. But I wonder what Kempinski Hotel Plaza is thinking. Of course it was good of Chef Eberl to use veal instead of pork for the jaegerschnitzel, in deference to local sensibilities, but then, will that be only dish I can enjoy?

for IT -- Sept -27

for IT -- Sept -27 ;JP; ANPAc..r.. IT-infrastructure-needs JP/ / Infrastructure: Trend, need, cost or investment? By Paulus Bambang WS JAKARTA (JP): In the face of AFTA, just 16 months away, every company in this region, like it or not and ready or not, despite internal problems such as debt restructuring and capital expenditure limitation, will have to compete with global players. Forms of competition will change rapidly and will often be unprecedented.

Tough talks await Indonesia in Japan

Tough talks await Indonesia in Japan By Kornelius Purba TOKYO (JP): Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri are to meet here on Thursday after both leaders held separate talks with U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington. Megawati, the leader of the country with the world's largest Muslim population, went ahead last week with her scheduled visit to Washington despite the Sept. 11 tragedy.

A reminder of past promises by PDI-P

A reminder of past promises by PDI-P This is the second of two articles on the promises made by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) by Paige Johnson, a Ph.D. student at the University of Virginia in the United States and Julia Suryakusuma, executive director of the API (Almanac of Indonesian Politics) Foundation in Jakarta.

Megawati in bleak Japan:

Megawati in bleak Japan: The tough talks start Kornelius Purba in Tokyo Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri are to meet here on Thursday after both leaders held separate talks with U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington. Megawati, the leader of the country with the world's largest Muslim population, went ahead last week with her scheduled visit to Washington despite the Sept. 11 tragedy.

Anti-U.S. demos go on, embassy tightly guarded

Anti-U.S. demos go on, embassy tightly guarded Ahmad Juanidi in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Muslim students and activists staged demonstrations in major cities in Java on Wednesday to press their demand that the U.S. drop any plans to bomb Afghanistan. In Jakarta, police tightened security at the American Embassy where demonstrations have taken place every day so far this week. Six police trucks were seen parked outside the premises.

School collapses

School collapses SURABAYA: Lima orang siswa Sekolah Dasar (SD) Sukodono, Sidoarjo, Jawa Timur mengalami luka berat akibat sekolahnya roboh karena bangunannya rapuh. "Ada lima siswa yang sekarang dirawat di RSUD Sidoarjo karena mengalami luka berat," kata Kepala Kepolisian Resort (Kapolres) Sidoarjo Ajun Komisaris Besar Polisi (AKBP) Drs Budi Susilo, Rabu.

2001 volleyball league starts in Bandung

2001 volleyball league starts in Bandung JAKARTA (JP): The 2001 Indonesian Volleyball League will start in Bandung, West Java, next month, with the organizing committee dispelling fears that the national team's failure at the recently concluded Kuala Lumpur 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games will undermine people's interest in the sport. The league will feature seven teams in the men's category and eight teams in the women's. The participating clubs are members of the premier league.

;JP;ZATNI;

;JP;ZATNI; ANPAc..r.. General-issue-IT JP/13/ZATNI What do we mean when we say IT? By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): To put it in perspective, let us start by noting that back in 1937 the railway authority in Bandung -- still under the Dutch administration -- was already using a punch card machine, the precursor of the modern computers. In the 1940s, our military was already using a first- generation computer to handle its accounting.

1. Tokyo:

1. Tokyo: Tough talks await RI in Japan 1 x 26 48pt NCSB By Kornelius Purba TOKYO (JP): Both Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri are to meet here on Thursday after both leaders held separate talks with U.S. President George W.Bush in Washington. 2.

'Becak' drivers protest

'Becak' drivers protest JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of becak (pedicab) drivers staged a protest on Wednesday outside the office of the head of Kemayoran district, Central Jakarta, demanding their confiscated vehicles be returned. They shouted their demand over 18 pedicabs which were seized during a raid by local administration late on Tuesday. The protesters complained that their fellow drivers, whose pedicabs were seized, could not feed their families as they could not make any money.

Garuda ends debt restructuring

Garuda ends debt restructuring TANTRI YULIANDINI The Jakarta Post Jakarta National flag carrier PT Garuda Indonesia had finalized its US$1.51 billion debt restructuring and could now concentrate on its privatization plans, a senior executive said. "We have reached an agreement with our creditors to reschedule loans, which had been overdue three years ago for another eight years," Garuda's president and chief executive officer Abdulgani said in New York on Tuesday (Wednesday Jakarta time).

Megawati in bleak Japan:

Megawati in bleak Japan: The tough talks start By Kornelius Purba TOKYO (JP): Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri are to meet here on Thursday after both leaders held separate talks with U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington. 2.

Megawati: U.S. visit a success

Megawati: U.S. visit a success By Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Kornelius Purba TOKYO (JP): President Megawati Soekarnoputri, describing her nine-day visit to the United States as a big success, was counting her blessings Wednesday aboard the Garuda Airbus 330 on her way from Seattle to Tokyo. One of the blessings is President George W. Bush's administration's support for Indonesia's territorial integrity. Another is the U.S. agreement to resume military ties with the Indonesian Military (TNI).

Folkwang's world premiere closes Art Summit

Folkwang's world premiere closes Art Summit By Linda Hoemar Abidin JAKARTA (JP): What better way to close the Third Art Summit Indonesia 2001 International Festival on Contemporary Performing Arts than to present a world premiere filled with powerful imagery, subtle humor and soulful dancing by a young, ingenious choreographer? On Sept. 26 and Sept.

Plan to buy waste trucks postponed

Plan to buy waste trucks postponed JAKARTA (JP): City administration said on Wednesday it needed to delay a plan to purchase trucks for its sanitary agency and public order office since the funds allocated for the vehicles were used to pay for 55 sedans and five buses for councillors.

Dollar exchange rate

Dollar exchange rate From Kompas As a layman, I find comments reported in the media on the appropriate exchange rate of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar ridiculous. I am disappointed with the comment made by the newly appointed minister for trade and industry for taking the side of exporters, saying that the drop in the U.S. dollar exchange rate against the rupiah would be unfavorable to the country's export sector. She cited that some components had been purchased earlier when the U.S.

Batam autonomy worries investors

Batam autonomy worries investors BATAM, Riau: Implementation of regional autonomy on Batam island is worrying investors from neighboring Singapore. Like businesspeople from other parts of the world, Singaporeans have not yet received sufficient information about the autonomy that Indonesia's central government gave to regencies one year ago.

Experts rue sweep against Americans

Experts rue sweep against Americans JAKARTA (JP): An American consultant living in Yogyakarta has complained to Sleman Police station about threats made against him following political tension between the U.S. and Afghanistan, according to Mahfud MD, former minister of defense and security. "I accompanied him to the police on Sept. 22.

Sanchez-Vicario and Yayuk

Sanchez-Vicario and Yayuk waltz to Bali 2nd round

Tribalpeople threaten log firm

Tribalpeople threaten log firm MANOKWARI, Irian Jaya: Tribespeople in Fruata village, Babo subdistrict, have threatened to forcibly stop the operations of a logging company, PT Agoda Rimba Irian, unless their demand for compensation is met. The villagers claim that the company, a subsidiary of the Jayanti Group, has felled trees on a 16-square-kilometer area of their communal land, which lies outside its concession. They demand compensation of Rp 2 billion.

1. Cement (3x15)

1. Cement (3x15) Govt seeks extension of Semen Gresik sale deadline 2. Jorr (3x12) JORR project still facing uncertainty:IBRA 3. IATA (2x22) IMF says Asia to take hit amid global slowdown 4. GAR (2x16) Garuda finalizes debt restructuring 5. PAL (3x6) PAL to raise fares 6. Phone (2x12) Plan to reduce bandwidth hailed 7. WTO (2x18) WTO conference to go ahead in Doha: WTO 8. Micro (2x16) Consumer groups blast Microsoft

Pakistani man tried for 1 kg of heroin

Pakistani man tried for 1 kg of heroin TANGERANG (JP): The Tangerang District Court began on Wednesday the trial of a drug case involving a Pakistani who had allegedly smuggled more than one kilogram of heroin from Pakistan into the country in June this year.

Penalty

Penalty Acts of intimidation and threats made against others' lives are classified as criminal acts under the following articles of the Indonesian Criminal Code: 1. Article 335 on acts of coercion. The maximum penalty is one-year imprisonment or a fine of Rp 4,500. 2. Article 170 on mass violence. The maximum penalty is five- and-a-half years imprisonment.

Thousands homeless in Jayapura fire

Thousands homeless in Jayapura fire JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): Fire razed hundreds of houses in the Irian Jaya capital of Jayapura on Tuesday, leaving thousands of people belonging to some 985 families homeless. A 53-year-old woman named Nurhayati suffered burns in the incident which took place around 10:15 a.m. local time. Losses could reach billions of rupiah in the incident which was said to be the biggest fire that ever took place in Jayapura.

Malaysian Airline System said on Wednesday it will levy an

Malaysian Airline System said on Wednesday it will levy an insurance surcharge of US$1.25 per passenger on all its international and domestic flights. Boeing Co., the world's biggest commercial jet maker, on Tuesday said it had booked orders for 20 new jetliners worth just over a US$1 billion at list prices to unnamed customers.

RP vows to bring the Abu Sayyaf to its knees

RP vows to bring the Abu Sayyaf to its knees MANILA (Agencies): President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo vowed Wednesday to defeat terrorism in the Philippines and pledged full support for the U.S.-led international coalition against the blight worldwide. "The impact of our involvement in the war against terrorism will not be measured by our contribution to the international coalition alone," she said.

Malaysian Airline System said on Wednesday it will levy an

Malaysian Airline System said on Wednesday it will levy an insurance surcharge of US$1.25 per passenger on all its international and domestic flights. Boeing Co., the world's biggest commercial jet maker, on Tuesday said it had booked orders for 20 new jetliners worth just over a US$1 billion at list prices to unnamed customers.

Six Pakistanis suspected as terrorists in Manado

Six Pakistanis suspected as terrorists in Manado MANADO, North Sulawesi: Six Pakistanis, who did not report their presence and activities after staying for 39 days in several areas here, were suspected by local people as members of an international terrorism. A police officer said that the Pakistanis, who are proselytizing Islamic values in the city, arrived in the city on July 27, but just reported their presence to the police and other authority here on Sept. 4.

Garuda seeks aid to avoid grounding

Garuda seeks aid to avoid grounding By Tantri Yuliandini JAKARTA (JP): National flag carrier PT Garuda Indonesia has sent a letter to the government requesting financial support against possible grounding at overseas destinations due to insufficient insurance coverage, a senior executive said. The plea came in response to the global aviation insurers' decision to limit liability coverage for injury and damage to people and property on the ground from terrorism, hijacking, and other war risks.

TNI considers setting up agency to combat terrorism

TNI considers setting up agency to combat terrorism JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S. has proposed the establishment of a national agency to fight terrorism. Widodo said on Wednesday Indonesia currently has military information exchange arrangements, as well as military student exchange programs with neighboring countries in its efforts to counter terrorist attacks.

'Indonesia's SEA Games poor showing not a failure'

'Indonesia's SEA Games poor showing not a failure' JAKARTA (JP): An evaluation of Indonesia's performance at the recently concluded SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur was conducted on Wednesday, with former chief-de-mission Putera Astaman disputing calls that the showing was "a failure". Collecting 71 gold medals, Indonesia ended up in third place in Kuala Lumpur, the second time the country has rounded off its biennial sports meet performance in a mediocre position since Brunei Darussalam in 1999.

JP/18/Stock

JP/18/Stock Shares end sharply lower Indonesian shares ended sharply lower Wednesday as worries grew that there would be more demonstrations in the capital if the U.S. attacked Afghanistan, dealers said. The JSX Composite Index fell two percent, or 8.069 points, to 401.018. However, it was up from its intraday low of 397.558, the lowest intraday low since June 11. Decliners led gainers 127 to 14, with 56 stocks unchanged.

Insecurity cripples transport in Aceh

Insecurity cripples transport in Aceh BANDA ACEH: Public transport between Banda Aceh, at the western tip of Aceh, and Aceh Singkil in the east has been crippled over the past fortnight due to instability in the region. CV BAS and CV Aceh Barat, the two bus companies serving the route every day, stopped their operations two weeks ago following an incident in Aceh Singkil in which a dozen civilians were killed. The military and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels blamed each other for the massacre.

Cowardly act

Cowardly act From Warta Kota As a Jakarta resident, I was really annoyed when I read a news story published in WartaKota about the bomb blasts on Sunday, Sept. 23, at Senen Atrium. I think the perpetrators are cowards with no concern for the well-being of Jakarta residents. What message did they want to convey, if any? Bombings in public places are really barbaric acts.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept 26, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,200 -75 150,000 Adindo Foresta 100 0 0 AGIS 120 -5 210,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 475 -100 60,000 Alakasa 215 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 825 -25 49,500 Alter Abadi 80 0 0 Alumindo Light 625 0 0 Andhi Chandra 2,025 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 220 -5 350,000 Aneka Tambang 950 25 300,000 Apac Citra 255 5 127,500 Aqua...

WTO conference to go ahead in Doha: WTO and Qatar

WTO conference to go ahead in Doha: WTO and Qatar AFP Geneva The World Trade Organization and Qatar repeated on Wednesday that a WTO ministerial meeting, a key step towards a new round of world trade talks, will go ahead as planned in Doha on Nov. 9-13.

Who's destroying Pelabuhan Ratu?

Who's destroying Pelabuhan Ratu? Although I have traveled widely, I consider Pelabuhan Ratu one of the most beautiful places on earth. Rugged coastlines, unspoiled beaches, natural wilderness, lush vegetation -- a truly magical hideaway. Even the drive there is very scenic with mountains, valleys and beautiful trees along the way. Now I am saddened to see that the beach at Karang Hawu is being wantonly destroyed, while officials apparently turn a blind eye.

.rm

.rm Indonesian-German trade (million DM) 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Imports from Indonesia 3,010 2,860 3,292 4,080 3,957 3,825 4,897 Exports to Indonesia 3,536 3,928 4,008 5,211 3,339 2,019 2,434 Trade volume 6,546 6,788 7,300 9,291 7,296 5,844 7,331.4 Trade Balance -526 -1,068 -716 -1,131 618 1,806 2,463.4 %Change in export volume 11.09 2.04 30.01 -35.92 -39.53 20.55 %Change in import volume -4.98 15.10 23.94...

Thousand islands' bylaw approved

Thousand islands' bylaw approved JAKARTA (JP): The City Council has approved the establishment of two districts in Kepulauan Seribu (the Thousand islands) regency and urged the city administration to reclaim some of the islands, which have been privately managed by business magnates. The bylaw, which was approved during the Council's plenary session here on Wednesday, divides the regency into South Kepulauan Seribu district and North Kepulauan Seribu district.

Singaporean expert fails to testify

Singaporean expert fails to testify JAKARTA (JP): The president of Singapore-based ASEAN Intellectual Property Association, the defendant in the first ever cybercrime case here, failed to testify at a hearing held at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday. Prosecutor Suhardi presented Murgiana Haq as an expert witness in the trial of Tjandra Sugiono, who was charged with fraudulent competition for illegally registering the domain name, Mustika Ratu.com.

DAMRI drivers go on strike over wages

DAMRI drivers go on strike over wages SURABAYA (JP): Around 400 bus drivers and crew members of the state public transport company (DAMRI) went on strike in Surabaya leaving thousands of passengers stranded. The drivers rallied at the provincial legislative council, demanding a 200 percent salary increase. The all-out strike followed on from the failure of negotiations with the company's executives on Tuesday to make any headway.

Where to go in Bali:

Where to go in Bali: Exhibitions * Painting Dua Sama Sisi by I Made Mahendra Mangku and I Made Galung Wiratmaja, Galeri Sembilan, Jl Anak Agung Gede Rai, Lodtunduh, Ubud, until Oct. 8. * Kebiar Seni VII Taksu, Museum Puri Lukisan, Jl. Raya Ubud, Gianyar (Phone: 0361 975136), until Oct. 2. * Painting by Hanafi, Komaneka Gallery, Jl. Wanara Raya (0361- 976090) Monkey Forest, Ubud, until Oct. 2. Film French Films at 8:30 p.m., Gaya Fusion of Senses, Jl. Raya Sayan, Ubud (Phone: 0361 979253): Oct.

Batam autonomy

Batam autonomy worries investors BATAM, Riau: Implementation of regional autonomy on Batam island is worrying investors from neighboring Singapore. Like businesspeople from other parts of the world, Singaporeans have not yet received sufficient information about the autonomy that Indonesia's central government gave to regencies one year ago.

Sanchez-Vicario and yayuk waltz to Bali 2nd round

Sanchez-Vicario and yayuk waltz to Bali 2nd round NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Indonesian doubles tennis players cruised to the quarterfinals round of the US$170,000 WTA Tour Wismilak International tournament here on Wednesday. Veteran tennis player Yayuk Basuki made a pair with world number 18 Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, while Wynne Prakusye jumped to the next round with Janet Lee of Chinese Taipei.

Bush to attend APEC summit: China

Bush to attend APEC summit: China BEIJING (Dow Jones): U.S. President George W. Bush has assured China of his attendance at next month's Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting, salving concerns of a late withdrawal from Shanghai's showcase summit. Beijing's leadership has been concerned that the key leader in the Asia Pacific region might be forced to cancel, tarnishing a keynote event which China has spent almost a year organizing and promoting.

Corrupters

Corrupters Death penalty for corrupters demanded. Page 2 HFMD Hand-foot-mouth disease returns, invades schools. Page 3 Golf Tiger Woods bait laid at Nations Cup golf c'ship. Page 6 Galungan Galungan, a time of blessings and festivity in Bali. Page 9 Cement Govt seeks extension of Semen Gresik sale deadline. Page 12 IT What do we mean when we say IT? Page 13

Plan to reduce bandwidth hailed

Plan to reduce bandwidth hailed JAKARTA (JP): The government's plan to reduce frequency bandwidths for certain cellular operators operating on both 900 MHz and 1800 Mhz is expected to entice new investors to come and invest in the country's mobile phone industry, according to an expert. As a consequence of the plan, the government will have to review and reevaluate existing licenses in respect of their bandwidths.

TV today

TV today TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Environment 8:45 City News 10:00 Children's Songs 10:30 30 Minutes with Anita Rahman 11:00 Regional News 11:30 Music 12:00 p.m. News 1:00 Talk Show 2:00 News 2:30 Debating 3:30 Children's Program 5:15 TV Drama 6:00 News 7:00 Talk Show 8:00 Health 9:00 Quiz 10:00 News 10:30 Music 11:30 Traditional Performances Program 2 5:30 p.m. Music 6:30 City News 7:30 News (in English) 8:30 Features TPI 5:30 a.m.

Debate on jihad intensifies across the Muslim world

Debate on jihad intensifies across the Muslim world By Terry Friel JAKARTA (Reuters): The United States vow that war against terrorism is not war against Islam may have fallen on deaf ears as cries of jihad, or holy war, resound across the Muslim world. The accompanying threat to strike Afghanistan in the hunt for Osama bin Laden, the chief suspect in the devastating Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington, risks triggering a violent backlash among the world's billion Muslims.

Govt seeks

Govt seeks extension of SG deadline BERNI.H.MOESTAFA The Jakarta Post Jakarta The government has asked Mexican-based cement producer Cemex SA de CV to extend its deadline for the purchase of a US$520 million share in PT Semen Gresik, amid pressure from legislators opposing the sale.

Megawati's party must

Megawati's party must remember past pledges Paige Johnson and Julia Suryakusuma The Jakarta Post in Jakarta The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle promised to recognize and support human rights and the various freedoms in modern democracy, such as freedom of opinion, association, organization, religion, and the press.

Govt's plan to reduce bandwidth hailed

Govt's plan to reduce bandwidth hailed JP/12/phone Governemnt's plan to reduce bandwidth hailed DADAN WIJAKSANA The Jakarta Post Jakarta The government's plan to reduce frequency bandwidths for certain cellular operators operating on both 900 MHz and 1800 Mhz is expected to entice new investors to come and invest in the country's mobile phone industry, according to an expert.

JP/6/BALI

JP/6/BALI RI doubles cruise to quarterfinals THE JAKARTA POST Nusa Dua, Bali Indonesian doubles tennis players cruised to the quarterfinals round of the US$170,000 WTA Tour Wismilak International tournament here on Wednesday. Veteran tennis player Yayuk Basuki made a pair with world number 18 Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, while Wynne Prakusye jumped to the next round with Janet Lee of Chinese Taipei.

Extension of Semen Gresik sale deadline sought

Extension of Semen Gresik sale deadline sought JAKARTA (JP): The government has asked Mexican-based cement producer Cemex SA de CV to extend its deadline for the purchase of a US$520 million share in PT Semen Gresik, amid pressure from legislators opposing the sale.

American national complains about telephoned threat

American national complains about telephoned threat JAKARTA (JP): An American consultant living in Yogyakarta has complained to Sleman Police station about threats made against him following political tension between the U.S. and Afghanistan, according to Machfud MD, former minister of defense and security. "I accompanied him to the police on Sept. 22.

Fire damages buildings

Fire damages buildings JAKARTA (JP): At least three buildings were damaged by a fire on Wednesday that started after a stove exploded in a restaurant on Jl. Taman Sari, Pecenongan, Central Jakarta. There were no injuries or fatalities during the incident. Although firefighters succeeded in bringing the fire under control within a short time, it had caused panic among some residents, who took their belongings, including clothes and furniture, out of the house.

JP/PJ Leo

JP/PJ Leo HAPPY RIDE: A mother with her two childrens look happy riding a bicycle-modified-to vehicles in Kota down town in Medan. The driver said he spent some Rp 500,000 to modify his bicycle and all he had spent had returned as he had been on operation since three months ago, with daily earning of at least Rp 35,000.

Students seek refuge after brawl

Students seek refuge after brawl MEDAN, North Sumatra: At least 200 students of the Catholic University of St. Thomas here started seeking refuge at the provincial legislative council building on Tuesday for fear that residents living around their campus would attack their boarding houses. This followed a two-day fierce brawl between them in which 60 students were rushed to hospital with injuries.

Thousands homeless in Jayapura fire

Thousands homeless in Jayapura fire JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): Fire razed hundreds of houses in the Jayapura capital of Irian Jaya on Wednesday, leaving thousands of people belonging to some 985 families homeless. A 53-year-old woman named Nurhayati suffered burns in the incident which took place around 10:15 a.m. local time. Losses could reach billions of rupiah in the incident which was said to be the biggest fire that ever took place in Jayapura.

MUI clarifies statement on jihad

MUI clarifies statement on jihad Tiarma Siboro The Jakarta Post in Jakarta The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) clarified on Wednesday its call for a jihad, stressing that it did not mean that the organization was urging Muslims to take part in a war against the United States. "Jihad fii sabiilillah means fighting in the path of Allah in a very broad sense ... not in the form of a war or physical contact," MUI Secretary-General Din Syamsuddin told the media here.

Garuda finalizes debt restructuring

Garuda finalizes debt restructuring JAKARTA (JP): National flag carrier PT Garuda Indonesia had finalized its US$1.51 billion debt restructuring and could now concentrate on its privatization plans, a senior executive said. "We have reached an agreement with our creditors to reschedule loans, which had been overdue three years ago for another eight years," Garuda's president and chief executive officer Abdulgani said in New York on Tuesday (Wednesday Jakarta time).

Rupiah Rates Sept.26

Rupiah Rates Sept.26 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Former team leader vows not to call it a 'failure'

Former team leader vows not to call it a 'failure' JAKARTA (JP): An evaluation of Indonesia's performance at the recently concluded SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur was conducted on Wednesday, with former chief-de-mission Putera Astaman disputing calls that the showing was "a failure". Collecting 71 gold medals, Indonesia ended up in third place in Kuala Lumpur, the second time the country has rounded off its biennial sports meet performance in a mediocre position since Brunei Darussalam in 1999.

Rupiah ends lower on Wednesday

Rupiah ends lower on Wednesday The Indonesian rupiah closed lower Wednesday as locally based Japanese companies bought dollars to finance imports, dealers said. The dollar closed at Rp 9,630, up from Rp 9,510 at the close Tuesday. "We saw many Japanese companies buying dollars Wednesday to finance their imports," said a dealer with a foreign bank in Jakarta. Dealers said the market was also nervous about a call by Indonesian radical groups for a holy war against the U.S.

Dance troupe promotes Balinese arts in Japan

Dance troupe promotes Balinese arts in Japan By Kadek Suartaya GIANYAR, Bali (JP): Without much publicity, a group of artists from the village of Ubud in Gianyar take off from Ngurah Rai Airport in Kuta, Bali, heading to Fukuoka, Japan. The village artists, who are well-known as accomplished dancers and members of a Balinese gamelan traditional orchestra, are representing Indonesia at the International Art Festival, the Asian Fukuoka Festival 2001, which will run until Sept. 27.

Asia to take

Asia to take hit amid Global fallout Reuters Washington Emerging economies in Asia, except for China and India, will be hit hard by the global slowdown and the potential economic fallout of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States, according to the International Monetary Fund's World Economic Outlook released on Wednesday.

Anti-U.S. demos go on, embassy tightly guarded

Anti-U.S. demos go on, embassy tightly guarded JAKARTA (JP): Muslim students and activists staged demonstrations in major cities in Java on Wednesday to press their demand that the U.S. drop any plans to bomb Afghanistan. In Jakarta, police tightened security at the American Embassy where demonstrations have taken place every day so far this week. Six police trucks were seen parked outside the premises. On Wednesday, the demonstration was staged by dozens of Indonesian Islamic Students (PII).

Tiger Woods still plans extensive travel

Tiger Woods still plans extensive travel JP/6/BRIEF Woods still plans extensive travel SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AP): Despite pulling out of the Lancome Trophy in Paris, Tiger Woods still has plans for an international schedule at the end of the PGA Tour season. Mark Steinberg, his agent at IMG, said Woods is scheduled to play a two-day exhibition Nov. 10-11 in Hong Kong before going to the World Cup in Japan, where he and David Duval are the defending champions.

Tiger bait laid

Tiger bait laid at Nations Cup AGENCIES Kuala Lumpur The lure of Tiger Woods and a US$3 million dollar prize pot at the World Cup will provide the major drive for 28 countries at the Nations Cup starting Thursday. Twelve two-man teams from Asia will take on their Western Zone rivals at Kuala Lumpur's Royal Selangor Golf Club where the top six finishers will qualify for the World Cup in Japan this November.