Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 4 September 2001

77 articles found

Students ask police to crack down on gambling

Students ask police to crack down on gambling JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of students staged a protest in front of city police headquarters here on Monday demanding that the police act firmly against gambling dens in the capital. The protesters, grouped in the Students and Youth Alliance for Legal Supremacy (AMPUSH) said the police knew about gambling dens in the capital, like the biggest one on Jl.

Where to go in Bandung:

Where to go in Bandung: Bandung Art Event 2001 Painting: Ruang Alternatif X, Galeri Adira, Jl. Kiaracondong 33 E (Phone: 022 7216758), 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Sept. 8. Theater Romeo and Julia directed by Asep Budiman, Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl. Baranang Siang 1, Kosambi (Phone: 022 4233562), 3:30 p.m., Sept. 7 - 8. Painting, Galeri 16, Jl. Raya Cibeureum 16, until Sept. 22. Painting: Mawas Diri, by Rosid, Buddy Siswanto and Azis Suryanegara, Galeri Hidayat, Jl.

Malaysia's Sarawak embroiled in land disputet

Malaysia's Sarawak embroiled in land disputet By Patrick Chalmers KUCHING, Malaysia (Reuters): Court cases, sporadic protests and even killings over indigenous land rights issues are destroying the calm of Sarawak state in Kalimantan. Traditionally placid Ibans, Penans and other groups used to obeying their longhouse headmen and the authorities, are bridling at logging and plantation activity on land they say is ancestral.

Education

Education Minister admits poor standard of local education. Page 2 Buildings City Hall asked to demolish illegal buildings in Senayan. Page 3 Reform Govt reform: The chicken or the egg? Page 4 Refugee Howard fails to consult Indonesia on refugee crisis. Page 5 World Cup England won't be complacent, says Beckham. Page 6 Forest Concessionaires responsible for forest devastation.

S'pore, Japan hold free trade talks

S'pore, Japan hold free trade talks SINGAPORE (AP): Japanese and Singaporean officials met for a third round of free-trade talks in this Southeast Asian city- state Monday in an attempt to hammer out a landmark pact by December. The negotiations will last until Sept. 5, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. If completed, the free trade deal will be the first ever for Japan.

Govt rejects mutton donated by S. Arabia

Govt rejects mutton donated by S. Arabia SURABAYA (JP): East Java Governor Imam Utomo stuck to his stance over the 80 tons of mutton donated by the Saudi Arabian government for Madurese refugees that the meat could be accepted. "It's up to the central government and the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Jakarta what they decide to do with the meat. It was the Ministry of Agriculture which rejected the mutton over fears the meat may have been contaminated by foot and mouth disease.

Asia rubber-tyre makers brake on tumbling prices

Asia rubber-tyre makers brake on tumbling prices SINGAPORE (Reuters): Tyre makers, the biggest consumers of natural rubber, are back in the market providing some support to the commodity whose prices were drifting towards the 30-year lows seen early this year, traders said on Monday. Indonesia's rupiah, however, holds the key, they said, as the tyre makers are hesitant buyers amid a global economic slowdown. "Until recently, there were no buyers. Now tyre makers are buying bits and pieces.

Tragedy strikes Jakarta family and neighborhood

Tragedy strikes Jakarta family and neighborhood JAKARTA (JP): For car mechanic Joko Priyanto, Sunday's fatal train accident in Cirebon stole his entire family except a daughter. The Kramat Pulo Gundul neighborhood in Tanah Tinggi District, Central Jakarta, is grieving the loss of six young men. Near Yogyakarta, a poor farming couple were buried without their daughters and a son even knowing of their deaths.

Malaysia palm oil exrends fall

Malaysia palm oil exrends fall KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian palm oil futures rebounded by the close on Monday but stayed in negative territory with some players expecting technical correction to emerge, traders said. The benchmark November futures contract ended down 31 ringgit at 1,038 ringgit (US$273.16) a ton after trading as low as 1,026 ringgit. Volume was at 1,463 lots. "The market had broken major support of 1,030 ringgit, but rebounded after players bought back their contracts.

RP seeks military aid from U.S.

RP seeks military aid from U.S. MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines has asked the United States for up to US$19 million in military aid over the next year, a U.S. government official said on Monday. U.S. military assistance to the Philippines in 2000 was worth just $2 million. "This would be permanently focused on helping the armed forces of the Philippines maintain some of the equipment they have and necessary training, and things along that line," U.S.

Self-reliance key to survive economic slowdown: Thaksin

Self-reliance key to survive economic slowdown: Thaksin BANGKOK (AP): Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Monday that Southeast Asian economies need to become self-reliant to survive the global economic slowdown. Thaksin said that to handle the demands of the globalization, countries must pursue a dual-track of developing domestic markets while exporting value-added products. "Asia must relearn how to cope with this new environment.

AG's Office told to heal image

AG's Office told to heal image JAKARTA (JP): President Megawati Soekarnoputri urged the Attorney General's Office on Monday to improve its tarnished image, reminding it that the public was waiting for justice to be upheld, especially in cases of corruption, collusion and nepotism.

Tohoku to take Arun LNG

Tohoku to take Arun LNG TOKYO (Dow Jones): Japan's Tohoku Electric Power Co. said Monday it has agreed with Indonesia's state-owned company Pertamina to lift two liquefied natural gas cargoes from the Indonesia's Arun terminal in September. "We had talks (with Pertamina) at the end of last week... and we confirmed the offloading schedule," a spokesman for Tohoku Electric said. He said the company will lift one cargo in early September and another in late September.

City hall asked not to help Bank DKI

City hall asked not to help Bank DKI JAKARTA (JP): A non-governmental organization, the Jakarta Government Watch (JGW), urged the city administration on Monday to review a planned capital injection of Rp 80 billion (US$8.9 million) for city-owned Bank DKI before taking any stern actions against the bank's bad debtors. "Sutiyoso should postpone the injection of the additional capital until firm measures are imposed on the bad debtors," JGW chairman Amir Hamzah said.

Police puzzled by Friday's shooting

Police puzzled by Friday's shooting JAKARTA (JP): Having questioned at least 20 witnesses, police said on Monday that they were still in the dark about the perpetrators of Friday's drive-by shooting in South Jakarta, which injured a close ally of former president Abdurrahman Wahid. Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen.

KL trade surplus gives little cheer

KL trade surplus gives little cheer KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia on Monday posted a 4.2 billion ringgit (US$1.1 billion) surplus in July, but exports and imports fell in tandem reflecting slow economic growth in one of the world's most open, trading economies. Malaysia's export driven growth has been hard hit by the U.S.

KL rules out ringgit devaluation

KL rules out ringgit devaluation KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Monday ruled out lowering interest rates or devaluing the Malaysian ringgit to boost exports, saying it could lead to "economic collapse." Mahathir said the level of the ringgit, which has been pegged at 3.80 to the dollar since September 1998, remained sustainable and was consistent with Malaysia's economic fundamentals. He said a country's competitiveness could not be rated merely on the currency's value.

Indonesian team told to return victorious

Indonesian team told to return victorious JAKARTA (JP): President Megawati Soekarnoputri asked on Monday the Indonesian team bound for the 21st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games to participate and return as winner of the event. Speaking in front of the Indonesian contingent that will depart for Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, Megawati asked the team to enter the competition with great confidence to win and bring back as many gold medals as possible.

Agriculture ministry rejects mutton donated from Saudi Arabia

Agriculture ministry rejects mutton donated from Saudi Arabia SURABAYA (JP): East Java Governor Imam Utomo stuck to his stance over the 80 tons of mutton donated by the Saudi Arabian government for Madurese refugees that the meat could be accepted. "It's up to the central government and the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Jakarta what they decide to do with the meat. It was the Ministry of Agriculture which rejected the mutton over fears the meat may have been contaminated by foot and mouth disease.

Minister admits poor standard of local education

Minister admits poor standard of local education JAKARTA (JP): Education minister Abdul Malik Fajar admitted on Monday that the national education system did not run as well as had been expected due to various problems, ranging from the size of the population, heterogeneity to fund shortages. "Critics see the reality of the condition of our education system, but we should also realize that we face various problems which are not easy to solve," he told The Jakarta Post.

KL raps Canberra over people-smuggling charge

KL raps Canberra over people-smuggling charge KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar criticized Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Monday for accusing Malaysia of not cooperating in the fight against people smuggling. Syed Hamid described Howard's allegation as "unreasonable and not based on facts." "When subject to international criticism, you try to find scapegoats," he told reporters after a luncheon meeting with Singapore's visiting Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Howard fails to consult Indonesia on refugee crisis

Howard fails to consult Indonesia on refugee crisis By Rob Goodfellow WOLLONGONG, New South Wales (JP): The refugee crisis off Christmas Island aboard the Norwegian Container ship M.V Tampa has demonstrated that the Conservative Government of Prime Minister John Howard does not understand how to work cooperatively with Indonesia. By making a unilateral decision to prevent the entry of Afghan asylum seekers into Australian territorial waters, Howard's objective was twofold.

Concessionaires responsible for forest destruction

Concessionaires responsible for forest destruction By Edi Patebang PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan (JP): Sasak Pekawai village in Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan, has been witnessing alarming rates of forest and environmental destruction since regents were recently given the right to issue concessions over areas of forest of greater than 100 hectares. The prospects of conflicts over resource management are also now looming large. A recent conflict involving the PT.

Australian ship takes boat people on board

Australian ship takes boat people on board CHRISTMAS ISLAND, Australia (Reuters): An Australian navy troop carrier transferred 433 unwanted asylum seekers from a Norwegian freighter on Monday, prior to ferrying them to Papua New Guinea -- the next stage of their odyssey. But the completion of the transfer, off Australia's Christmas Island, did not mean that the asylum crisis was over.

City Hall asked to demolish illegal buildings in Senayan

City Hall asked to demolish illegal buildings in Senayan JAKARTA (JP): City councillors urged the city administration on Monday to demolish any buildings which were not used for sporting activities in the Bung Karno sports complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, including a mall being constructed near Plaza Senayan. Councillor M. Agus Darmawan of the council's Commission B for economic affairs asked Governor Sutiyoso to be fair in upholding the law, including demolishing the illegal buildings.

Ten fashion fallacies to be addressed

Ten fashion fallacies to be addressed By Muara Bagdja JAKARTA (JP): Many people, especially women, decline to wear certain types of dress and accessories, fearing that they would infringe dress norms. In fact, their apprehension is only due to a lack of information or misunderstanding of some dress modes, which has led, over a long period, to false beliefs becoming established. What are these fallacies? Below are 10 myths on how to dress that we have often heard and mistakenly believed. 1.

1. 5Rob - Refugee crisis: No cue on RI-Australia ties?

1. 5Rob - Refugee crisis: No cue on RI-Australia ties? 2 x 25 48pt Optima Bold Howard fails to seek Indonesia's cooperation in refugee crisis or Howard fails to consult Indonesia on refugee crisis By Rob Goodfellow WOLLONGONG, New South Wales (JP): The refugee crisis off Christmas Island aboard the Norwegian Container ship M.V Tampa has demonstrated that the Conservative Government of Prime Minister John Howard does not understand how to work cooperatively with Indonesia.

Electrical relay station struck by lightning

Electrical relay station struck by lightning JAKARTA (JP): An electrical relay station used to power electric trains at Manggarai railway station was struck by lightning on Monday afternoon, affecting a number of train services. Due to the incident, stations in Jatinegara, Manggarai, Gondangdia, Karet and Duren Kalibata experienced a power blackout and could not be served by electric trains, Zainal Abidin, spokesman for state-owned PT KAI's Jakarta office, was quoted by detik.com as saying.

Police submit Ari's dossiers

Police submit Ari's dossiers JAKARTA (JP): Police submitted the dossiers on the detained grandchild of former president Soeharto, Ari Haryo Wibowo, or Ari Sigit as he is familiarly known, to the Jakarta Prosecutors' Office on Monday, an officer said. Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr.

Mega's planned visit to Aceh

Mega's planned visit to Aceh It seems inevitable that Indonesian observers would question whether it is necessary for President Megawati to personally visit the province of Aceh. Only recently a high-powered government mission of 10 Cabinet ministers went to the province to find out what the people there really want. As we all know, the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) is demanding outright independence from Indonesia.

A lesson from the LoI

A lesson from the LoI In scrutinizing the distinctive features of the Letter of Intent (LoI) recently concluded between the government of Indonesia and the IMF, particularly as far as its being a legal instrument is concerned, the following characteristics should be noted by a student of law. First, regarding the signatory parties, they are not only the Indonesian government and the IMF, but Bank Indonesia (BI) also constitutes a party in itself.

1. Mall, 3 clm, 48 pt MM, 3 x 15

1. Mall, 3 clm, 48 pt MM, 3 x 15 City Hall asked to demolish illegal building in Senayan 2. Firearm, 3clm, 36HBC, 2 x 21 Illegal weapons seized in 'Sapu Jagat' operation 3. Bank, 3 clm, 36 NCSB, 2 x 16 NGO asks governor not to assist Bank DKI or NGO asks Sutiyoso not to help Bank DKI 4. Heroin, 28 MM, 2 clm, 2 x 17 Thai woman caught with Rp 1b worth of heroin 5. Building, 26 NCSB, 3 clm, 1 x 20 Building permits reviewed 6.

Construction permit for skyscrapers to be reviewed

Construction permit for skyscrapers to be reviewed JAKARTA (JP): The government will review construction permits issued for high-rise buildings built on disputed land or green belt areas, Minister of Resettlement and Regional Infrastructures Soenarno said on Monday. The minister noted that many high-rise buildings in Jakarta and surrounding areas had been built on green belt areas or on land earmarked for other purposes.

JAKARTA (JP): The keyword under post-Soeharto Indonesia has

JAKARTA (JP): The keyword under post-Soeharto Indonesia has been "good governance," charming words since they were expressed with great expectations. 2. 4Sarawak -- 1 x 42 36pt Optima Bold Malaysia's Sarawak embroiled in land disputes By Patrick Chalmers KUCHING, Malaysia (Reuters): Court cases, sporadic protests and even killings over indigenous land rights issues are destroying the calm of Sarawak state in Kalimantan. 3. 4Crisis -- 1 x 35 South Korea learns from Asian crisis By Mark T.

Lightning causes stations' blackout

Lightning causes stations' blackout JAKARTA (JP): An electrical relay station used to power electric trains at Manggarai railway station was struck by lightning on Monday afternoon, affecting a number of train services. Due to the incident, stations in Jatinegara, Manggarai, Gondangdia, Karet and Duren Kalibata experienced a power blackout and could not be served by electric trains, Zainal Abidin, spokesman for state-owned PT KAI's Jakarta office, was quoted by detik.com as saying.

Police asked to target gambling

Police asked to target gambling JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of students staged a protest in front of city police headquarters here on Monday demanding that the police act firmly against gambling dens in the capital. The protesters, grouped in the Students and Youth Alliance for Legal Supremacy (AMPUSH) said the police knew about gambling dens in the capital, like the biggest one on Jl.

The fate of deaf students

The fate of deaf students From Kompas Each human being has a different fate. The origin of suffering is unknown -- hence our fate as the parents of a deaf child. We devote almost all our time to enable him to communicate with sign language as well as lipreading. This is a sort of provision or foothold that we can give him for his future.

TV today

TV today TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Environment 8:45 News: Hallo, Metro Indonesia 10:00 Children's Program 10:30 30 Minutes with Anita Rahman 11:00 Regional News 12:00 p.m. News 1:00 Family's Problems Consultation 2:00 News 2:15 Debating 3:15 Children's Program 3:40 Quiz 4:15 Children's Program 4:30 Traditional Performances 5:00 News 5:30 TV Drama 6:00 News 7:00 Talk Show 8:00 Talk Show 9:00 Music 10:00 News 10:30 TV Drama 11:30 Film Program 2 5:30 p.m.

Rupiah Rates Sep. 3

Rupiah Rates Sep. 3 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Rates for tax payment, valid from Sep. 3 to Sep. 9

Rates for tax payment, valid from Sep. 3 to Sep. 9 U.S. dollar 1 Rp 8,710.00 Austrian schilling 1 Rp 575.37 Australian dollar 1 Rp 4,601.49 Belgian franc 1 Rp 196.26 Canadian dollar 1 Rp 5,634.26 Swiss franc 1 Rp 5,217.44 Deutschemark 1 Rp 4,050.41 Danish krone 1 Rp 1,073.93 French franc 1 Rp 1,207.00 Poundsterling 1 Rp 12,569.40 Hong Kong dollar 1 Rp 1,116.70 Italian lira 100 Rp 408.89 Japanese yen 100 Rp 7,249.88 Malaysian ringgit 1 Rp 2,292.23 Dutch guilder 1 Rp 3,592.78 New Zealand dollar 1...

Mahathir vows to fire lecturer for antigovt activities

Mahathir vows to fire lecturer for antigovt activities KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has vowed to sack university teachers involved in recruiting students for underground, Islamic anti-government movements. The Malaysian leader, who has said that Islamic fundamentalists have whipped up hatred of his government, told reporters Sunday that Malaysia risks being destabilized if such movements turn to violence.

More flexibility seen in Thai-Myanmar relations

More flexibility seen in Thai-Myanmar relations By Marisa Chimprabha BANGKOK: Drug suppression, fishery development and mutual border patrols will be discussed during the visit of Myanmar's No. 3 leader. Many observers regarded the visit by Myanmar's Intelligence Chief Lt. Gen.

Tragedy strikes Jakarta family, neighborhood

Tragedy strikes Jakarta family, neighborhood JAKARTA (JP): For car mechanic Joko Priyanto, Sunday's fatal train accident in Cirebon stole his entire family except a daughter. The Kramat Pulo Gundul neighborhood in Tanah Tinggi District, Central Jakarta, is grieving the loss of six young men. Near Yogyakarta, a poor farming couple were buried without their daughters and a son even knowing of their deaths.

Will this be the last?

Will this be the last? News of fatal railway accidents are so regular in this country that if they do not claim numerous human lives then they are commonly treated as insignificant events. Last year alone there were 14 accidents involving trains, killing 85 people. Twelve of the accidents occurred on the overcrowded island of Java and two on Sumatra, where only two of the island's provinces operate railway systems making news of such tragedies rarely heard over there.

Mega to open energy dialog in Houston

Mega to open energy dialog in Houston JAKARTA (JP): President Megawati Soekarnoputri is to open a working conference on energy in Houston on September 24, 2001 during her scheduled trip to the United States. Dubbed the Houston Energy Dialog (HED) 2001, the one-day conference is considered to be a discussion forum for business circles in the U.S. to discuss Indonesia's plans to take a larger role in the international energy market.

BI won't rush in easing monetary policy: Miranda

BI won't rush in easing monetary policy: Miranda JAKARTA (JP): The central bank will not rush in easing its hard-line monetary stance despite the 0.21 percent month-on-month deflation recorded in August, a senior Bank Indonesia (BI) executive has said. BI deputy governor Miranda Goeltom said on Monday that the bank would need more convincing data in order to reduce the benchmark interest rate of its one-month SBI promissory notes.

Bimantoro challenged by officers in legal battle

Bimantoro challenged by officers in legal battle JAKARTA (JP): The legal battle between eight middle-ranking police officers and National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro began on Monday at the South Jakarta District Court. The hearings were conducted in four separate rooms at the South Jakarta District Court with four judges. During the hearing, the judges ordered the National Police not to restrict the plaintiffs' lawyers from meeting their clients.

Abducted 'TVRI' crew members to be freed

Abducted 'TVRI' crew members to be freed MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): The wife of one of the three television crew members who were taken hostage by the Aceh Free Movement (GAM) on Aug. 5, has expressed optimism that her husband would be freed soon. Bungaria, the wife of Bahrum Pohan, said in an interview with Tha Jakarta Post on Monday that she had learned the news from the manager of the Aceh office of state-owned television station TVRI and the head of technical affairs.

First results indicate tight race in E. Timor

First results indicate tight race in E. Timor DILI, East Timor (Agencies): The party that led East Timor to independence will capture the largest slice of seats in the fledgling nation's legislature, but with a slimmer majority than party leaders had anticipated, according to initial results released on Monday. The announcement came as a surprise for many election observers who had predicted a landslide victory for the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor - Fretelin.

'RI cannot deter' the influx of illegal migrants

'RI cannot deter' the influx of illegal migrants JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's efforts to prevent the influx of illegal migrants is hampered by the sheer size of the country and the limited facilities to screen visa issuance. "The government has been discussing measures to regulate visa issuance, but it is difficult to screen the motivation of foreigners coming to the country," Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said on Monday after a meeting with Vice President Hamzah Haz.

Three shot in gambling raid

Three shot in gambling raid KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Three people were injured when police opened fire while raiding an illicit gambling den at Polipolia market here over the weekend. Among those injured was a nine-year-old boy named Obed, who was shot in the back. The other two were identified as Siri, 60, who was shot in the arm, and Anju, 17, who was shot in the arm and chin. All three victims had nothing to do with the gambling activities. Kolaka Police Precinct chief Adj. Sr. Comr.

Officials silent over train crash

Officials silent over train crash CIREBON, West Java (JP): As the main railway station in Cirebon slowly returns to normal, railway officials are keeping quiet on the cause of the grisly accident that claimed 41 lives and injured 62 others on Sunday. A hospital sign asks visitors not to talk to Maftuchin, the wounded engineer of one of the ill-fated trains involved in the accident. Railway officials were silent when asked about the cause of the accident. "We don't have the authority to do so.

Ari's dossiers submitted to prosecutor

Ari's dossiers submitted to prosecutor JAKARTA (JP): Police submitted the dossiers on the detained grandchild of former president Soeharto, Ari Haryo Wibowo, or Ari Sigit as he is familiarly known, to the Jakarta Prosecutors' Office on Monday, an officer said. Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr.

House delays decision on BCA divestment

House delays decision on BCA divestment JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives (DPR) delayed on Monday the decision as to whether or not it would endorse a new government plan to divest 51 percent shares in the publicly listed Bank Central Asia (BCA), saying it needed more time to study the proposal.

Khin Nyunt visit opens a new era

Khin Nyunt visit opens a new era By Marisa Chimprabha BANGKOK: Drug suppression, fishery development and mutual border patrols will be discussed during the visit of Burma's No. 3 leader. Many observers regarded the visit by Burma's Intelligence Chief Lt. Gen.

Vote count starts slowly in post-coup Fiji poll

Vote count starts slowly in post-coup Fiji poll SUVA (Agencies): Vote counting got off to a slow start on Monday in Fiji's first general election since last year's coup, election officials said. The first results are expected later in the day from the Ba district sugarcane stronghold of former prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry, an ethnic Indian ousted in the racially charged coup. "Everything is under control so far," said Tomasii Tui, assistant returning officer of elections.

ASEAN members told to unite against common problems

ASEAN members told to unite against common problems BANGKOK (AFP): Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra told a meeting of Southeast Asian parliamentarians here Monday that regional governments needed to be "more united and sincere" in tackling their common problems. Thaksin opened the 22nd general assembly of the ASEAN Inter- Parliamentary Organisation (AIPO), a week-long conference where 250 delegates and observers will discuss security and cooperation among member states.

1. Mall, 3 clm, 48 pt MM, 3 x 15

1. Mall, 3 clm, 48 pt MM, 3 x 15 City Hall asked to demolish illegal building in Senayan 2. Firearm, 3clm, 36HBC, 2 x 21 Illegal weapons seized in 'sapu Jagat' operation 3. Bank, 3 clm, 36 NCSB, 2 x 16 City hall asked not to help Bank DKI 4. Heroin, 28 MM, 2 clm, 2 x 17 Thai woman caught smuggling heroin 5. Building, 26 NCSB, 3 clm, 1 x 20 Skyscrapers reviewed 6. Pamen, 3 clm, 28 HB, 2 x 21 Bimantoro challenged by officers in legal battle ============= Focus: 4 items bnt

Autonomy law reviewed to save unitary state

Autonomy law reviewed to save unitary state The government is revising the law on regional autonomy in a move to reduce the negative impacts, contradictory to the unitary state principle. The following are excerpts from an interview given by Director General for Public Administration and Regional Autonomy Sudarsono to The Jakarta Post's Ridwan Max Sijabat. Question: Why has the government decided to review Law No. 22/1999 on regional autonomy?

National Police and Law No.22/1999

National Police and Law No.22/1999 From Media Indonesia The Law No.22/1999 on regional administrations has been put into effect. It was followed by the issuance of ministerial and regional regulations. The idea of locally generated revenue has caused a sense of euphoria. Efforts are being made to develop all sectors and resources to generate as much local revenue as possible.

New scoring system fails to invite ads: Official

New scoring system fails to invite ads: Official JAKARTA (JP): The badminton's new scoring system, which the Asian countries have asked badminton's world governing body, the IBF, to drop, has failed to lure advertisements as expected, a top official of the organization says.

Jiang gets warm welcome in North Korea

Jiang gets warm welcome in North Korea BEIJING (Reuters): China's President Jiang Zemin began a visit to North Korea on Monday, spurring hopes of progress towards elusive reconciliation on the Korean peninsula a day after Pyongyang said it would resume talks with Seoul.

KL eases rules to hasten restructuring

KL eases rules to hasten restructuring KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's Securities Commission on Monday relaxed guidelines on fund raising in a sweeping move to hasten restructuring for troubled companies amid weak market conditions.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sep 3, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,450 -75 58,500 Adindo Foresta 105 0 0 AGIS 130 0 293,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 725 -50 46,500 Alakasa 250 -25 5,000 Alfa Retailindo 925 25 43,000 Alter Abadi 80 -5 11,000 Alumindo Light 625 0 5,500 Andhi Chandra 2,025 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 210 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,000 0 1,524,000 Apac Citra 340...

RI eyes six golds from middle-and long-distance

RI eyes six golds from middle-and long-distance JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Amateur Athletics Association (PASI) is relying on its middle- and long-distance runners to meet its target of winning eight gold medals at the Kuala Lumpur 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, which begin on Saturday.

Thai woman caught smuggling heroin

Thai woman caught smuggling heroin TANGERANG (JP): Customs and excise officers managed to foil a drug trafficker's alleged attempt to smuggle 600 grams of heroin worth more than Rp1 billion (US$117,647) from Thailand to Indonesia through Soekarno-Hatta airport last Saturday morning, officials announced on Monday.

Govt reform: Chicken or egg?

Govt reform: Chicken or egg? By Meuthia Ganie-Rochman JAKARTA (JP): The keyword under post-Soeharto Indonesia has been "good governance," charming words since they were expressed with great expectations. Anyone or any party -- NGO activists, foreign agencies, bureaucrats, legislators, and now the business community -- who wanted to be recognized as taking part in making the new Indonesia must not forget to mention it. The bandwagon of good governance is getting longer.

119 immigrants escape

119 immigrants escape MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: At least 119 of the 251 Middle Eastern immigrants being held at a temporary quarantine center have escaped, according to police. Provincial police spokesman Adj. Comr. Tri Budi Pangastuti said that police had found it difficult to stop them from escaping. "They were determined to escape the quarantine center. They used many tactics to be allowed to go outside the facility," Pangastuti was quoted by Antara as saying.

Musical chairs results in PDI-P disharmony

Musical chairs results in PDI-P disharmony JAKARTA (JP): Internal friction within the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) has been a major factor leading to the House of Representatives' commission II chairmanship vacancy. PDI Perjuangan Deputy Chairman Karl Lukas Degey told The Jakarta Post here on Monday that President Megawati Soekarnoputri had ordered the executive board to discuss the issue in the party's meeting on Tuesday.

Police hunting perpetrators of drive-by shooting

Police hunting perpetrators of drive-by shooting JAKARTA (JP): Having questioned at least 20 witnesses, police said on Monday that they were still in the dark about the perpetrators of Friday's drive-by shooting in South Jakarta, which injured a close ally of former president Abdurrahman Wahid. Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen.

Illegal weapons seized in 'Sapu jagat' operation

Illegal weapons seized in 'Sapu jagat' operation JAKARTA (JP): Police have confiscated 16 firearms, 25 sharp weapons and 355 rounds of ammunition during two searches, code- named Sapu Jagat and Brantas Jaya 2001, that were conducted over the past two days, an officer said on Monday. City police chief Insp. Gen. Sofjan Jacoeb told a media briefing that the seizures were made during separate searches conducted in South Jakarta, Central Jakarta, West Jakarta, North Jakarta, Bekasi and Depok.

Kuwait to lend US$50 million to RI

Kuwait to lend US$50 million to RI JAKARTA (JP): The Kuwait government announced on Monday its intention to provide Indonesia with some US$50 million in soft loan to help finance the country's development projects. The Kuwait Embassy in Jakarta said in a brief statement that the soft loan was part of Kuwait's efforts to boost bilateral ties between the two countries. The statement also said that Ambassador Jamal Al Nesafi had met with President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Friday.

KONI provides airfares for SEAG chess players

KONI provides airfares for SEAG chess players JAKARTA (JP): The cash-strapped Indonesian chess team has been relieved of some financial problems in its commitment to the upcoming SEA Games where chess will be played as an exhibition event, as the National Sports Council (KONI) will pay for its air fares. The aid was unveiled here on Monday, just two days prior the team's departure to the event in Kuala Lumpur.

S. Korean assembly asks minister's resignation

S. Korean assembly asks minister's resignation SEOUL (Agencies): South Korea's national assembly turned against President Kim Dae-Jung on Monday by voting for the dismissal of his unification minister, a key figure in negotiations with rival North Korea. Only hours earlier North Korea sent an official offer to end a six-month freeze on contacts with South Korea in what was seen as an attempt to sway the vote in favor of the minister, Lim Dong- Won.

1. BI (3x15)

1. BI (3x15) BI won't rush to ease monetary policy: Miranda 2. Bima (3x14) Megawati to open Houston Energy Dialog conference in U.S. 3. Kuwait (2x14) Kuwait to lend US$50m to RI 4. Devalu (1x28) Mahathir rules out ringgit devaluation 5. Visa (2x20) Visa sees global slowdown to impact on card use 6. House (2x24) HK suspends subsidised housing amid sector woes 7. India (2x22) India may revise Air-India divestment plans 8. Kogas (2x16) Gas privatization plan on track: Korea 9.

Megawati urged to be more concrete on Aceh issues

Megawati urged to be more concrete on Aceh issues JAKARTA (JP): Activists here urged President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Monday to take more concrete measures in solving the conflict in Aceh, despite her planned visit this weekend to the province for a dialog.

Gas privatization plan on track: Korea

Gas privatization plan on track: Korea SEOUL (Dow Jones): South Korea's energy ministry said Monday it will split Korea Gas Corp.'s import and wholesale operations into three entities this year and pursue privatization of Kogas as planned. Two of the three split companies will be sold to the private sector by end-2002 through an auction, and Kogas will retain ownership of the remaining company, said the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy, or Mocie, in a statement.