Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 5 January 2002

80 articles found

Asian currencies mostly higher late on Japanese yen as stock rallies

Asian currencies mostly higher late on Japanese yen as stock ralliesNetty Ismail, Dow Jones, Singapore The Japanese yen's bounce and Wall Street-inspired rallies in regional stock markets provided Asian currencies with a breathing spell for the second consecutive day late Friday, dealers said.

Govt defends plan to dissolve Bapedal

Govt defends plan to dissolve BapedalTertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government defended its plan to merge the Environmental Impact Control Agency (Bapedal) with the Office of the State Minister of Environment Friday as the most efficient way of compliance with the reform...

Planning can help your small business

Planning can help your small businessPri Notowidigdo, The Amrop Hever Group, Global Executive Search, e-mail: jakarta@amrophever.com A business plan can be a lifesaver. First of all, it's an exercise in strategic planning and business logistics.

Ascott 'takes over' from Mercure

Ascott 'takes over' from MercureAinur R. Sophiaan, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya Ascott International Management Private Limited, a Singapore- based serviced residence management company, took over the management of Mercure Grand Hotel and Residence in Surabaya as of Jan.

'Syariah' to be introduced gradually in Aceh

'Syariah' to be introduced gradually in AcehIbnu Mat Noor, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh The implementation of Islamic law or Syariah in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province will not rock the country's existing legal system, according to observers.

DPR may grill FSPC, IBRA over debt extension scheme

DPR may grill FSPC, IBRA over debt extension schemeBerni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Legislators are set to grill the Financial Sector Policy Committee (FSPC), and the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) over their controversial decision to extend a debt payment scheme for IBRA's...

Withe to coach Thailand for another year

Withe to coach Thailand for another year BANGKOK: Former Aston Villa and England striker Peter Withe has agreed a new one-year deal to coach Thailand's national team. Following months of salary negotiations with the Football Association of Thailand, Withe told Reuters on Friday he was ready to put...

Promoting peace and brotherhood

Promoting peace and brotherhood When I opened The Jakarta Post of Jan.3, 2002 and saw the front page, a surge of relief and happiness went through me and, as an Indonesian, I had never felt so happy before.

Freeze Soeharto's

Freeze Soeharto's assetsFrom Rakyat Merdeka Any formulation made by the House of Representatives (DPR) must be in accordance with the people's wishes, which is stated in the stipulation of the People Consultative Assembly no. XI/MPR/1998 article no.

City starts crackdown on migrants

City starts crackdown on migrantsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite criticism, the Jakarta city administration has officially launched an operation against illegal migrants in an effort to curb urbanization.

Three suspects in Palu bombing grilled

Three suspects in Palu bombing grilledErik W., The Jakarta Post, Palu Central Sulawesi Police are still investigating three suspects in connection with the bombing of four churches in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on New Year's Eve, says a local police official.Brig. Gen.

Jakarta remains a magnet for rural folks

Jakarta remains a magnet for rural folksAnnastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The dream of making a better life amid the grind and bustle of the big city has drawn people from rural areas all across the Indonesian archipelago to Jakarta.

Bill on Truth, Reconciliation drafted

Bill on Truth, Reconciliation draftedBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has drafted a bill to deal with past human rights abuses committed during both the Sukarno and Soeharto regimes, offering pardons to the suspects who are ready to be reconciled with their victims and...

JP/3/INSIGHT

JP/3/INSIGHTWhither civil society? Are we getting closer or farther from becoming a civil societyJ. Soedjati Djiwandono Political Analyst Jakarta Both Sukarno, through his "guided democracy", and Soeharto through his "Pancasila democracy", robbed the sovereignty and power of the people.

Rare, beautiful opals are the 'queen of gems'

Rare, beautiful opals are the 'queen of gems'Fabian H. Chandra, Gemologist, Jakarta Few know that the Banten area, in the west part of Java, is famous for its opal, which is believed by the Javanese to be a lucky stone. Gemstone lovers call it the "queen of gems.

RI accuses neighbors of unfair trading

RI accuses neighbors of unfair tradingAdianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta On Friday, a mere four days after the implementation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Free Trade Area, popularly known as AFTA, the Indonesian government accused three of its member nations of...

Power prices to keep on rising until 2005

Power prices to keep on rising until 2005Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Strapped for cash, the state-owned electricity company, PLN, has increased power rates by an average of six percent for the first quarter of the year, while each quarter of the year will see continued hikes.

HK families hire 13,000 more RI maids

HK families hire 13,000 more RI maids RI maids in demand in HKDeutsche Presse-Agentur Hong Kong, ChinaHong Kong families hired 13,000 more Indonesian maids last year, leading to a 24 percent jump in the number of Indonesian migrant workers in the territory, a news report said on Friday.

U.S. to give $55m to southern RP: Arroyo

U.S. to give $55m to southern RP: ArroyoAgence France-Presse, Cotabato, Philippines United States President George W. Bush has pledged up to US$55 million in development aid to the troubled southern Philippines, where economic growth has remained stagnant over years of Muslim insurgency, President...

TV Today: Saturday, January 5, 2002

TV Today: Saturday, January 5, 2002TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings6:00 News8:00 Cartoon8:30 Mom and Me10:00 Music11:00 News11:30 Music12:00 p.m. News2:00 News3:30 Religious Teachings4:00 Documentary 5:00 Music6:00 News7:00 Music8:00 Quiz9:00 News9:30 Music11:00 Sports TPI 5:30 a.m.

Banks cautiously upbeat on 2002 outlook

Banks cautiously upbeat on 2002 outlookBerni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Several major banks share the same level of confidence when asked about the banking outlook for 2002: "cautiously optimistic.

Many East Timorese refugees remain at camps in W. Timor

Many East Timorese refugees remain at camps in W. TimorYemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang Some 1,750 East Timorese refugees from 245 families are still living in temporary camps in Noelbaki and Tuapukan camps in the regency of Kupang, West Timor as a government deadline for them to leave the...

Sutiyoso plans to dump city's garbage on Bangka island

Sutiyoso plans to dump city's garbage on Bangka islandAhmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta City Governor Sutiyoso said on Friday that he would prioritize Bangka island, rather than Bantar Gebang, Marunda and Tegal Alur, as an alternative dumpsite for the city's garbage.

'Panji Masyarakat' stops publication

'Panji Masyarakat' stops publicationMuhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Panji Masyarakat monthly magazine halted publication two months ago due to severe financial problems heightened by the country's prolonged economic crisis.

Odd people out

Odd people out With the Idul Fitri post-fasting holidays not yet over, the Jakarta authorities are once again facing a major headache. The appalling number of new migrants arriving from poverty-stricken rural areas, who have accompanied their relatives returning home to the capital city after...

Following a series of negotiations with Indonesian

Following a series of negotiations with Indonesian representatives, Malaysia recently repatriated hundreds of Indonesian immigrants for having illegally ...2. Kashmir -- Kashmir and the narratives of Pakistan and India 1 x 28 36 pt Pakistan, India: Who's lying? Kamila Shamsie Author, 'Salt and...

Poso police to expel 300 aliens

Poso police to expel 300 aliens PALU, Central Sulawesi: Police will crack down on aliens suspected of fomenting sectarian unrest in Poso in the second phase of a campaign on security and the restoration of order.Palu Police chief Insp. Gen.

KONI stalls over bodybuilding candidates for 2002 Asian Games

KONI stalls over bodybuilding candidates for 2002 Asian GamesMusthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Sports Council (KONI) has refused to endorse a list of eight bodybuilding candidates for the 2002 Asian games, pending a selection process in line with the procedures.

600 bus licenses revoked

600 bus licenses revoked The South Jakarta's Transportation Agency has revoked the licences of 600 public Metromini and Kopaja minibus drivers and altered routes in a bid to order services and reduce congestion in certain areas.

Excellent service

Excellent service I read many negative letters in The Jakarta Post about bad or insufficient service concerning Australian visa-applications for Indonesian citizens.I applied for a 3-month visa for my Balinese fiancee at the Australian Consulate here in Denpasar and was delighted with the...

Stock Exchange

Stock ExchangeStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 4, 2002: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,150 0 30,500 Adindo Foresta 70 0 0 AGIS 115 5 343,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 260 0 0 Alakasa 205 30 500 Alfa...

Trash-clogged rivers highlight lack of flood control measures

Trash-clogged rivers highlight lack of flood control measuresAhmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city is not yet ready to tackle the serious flooding that has been predicted to hit Jakarta soon because it still lacks flood-control facilities, and by Friday its rivers and dams had not yet...

Responding to 2002

Responding to 2002From Media IndonesiaIn the year of 2002, shall we continue to behave like before: namely, showing off our wealth, seeking fortune by any means, blaspheming and belittling one another, placing our own interests over others', working unprofessionally and defying religious...

KPPU to quiz IBRA over PT Indomobil and BCA sales

KPPU to quiz IBRA over PT Indomobil and BCA salesThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) has promised to investigate the allegedly shoddy deals behind the sales of government shares in car maker PT Indomobil Sukses Internasional and planned sales of shares...

2. BCA (4 X 18)

2. BCA (4 X 18) KPPU to quiz IBRA over PT Indomobil and BCA sales 3. PLN ( 2 X 18) Power prices to keep on rising until 2005 4. Ascot ( 1 X 30) Ascott 'takes over' from Mercure 5. Bank ( 1 X 38 Banks cautiously upbeat on 2002 outlook 6. KPPU ( 2 X 20) Govt under fire for plan on wheat duties

Festive 'Dero' no longer binds people in Poso

Festive 'Dero' no longer binds people in Poso The Malino Meeting, held to bring leaders of the different warring factions together during the festive atmosphere of Idul Fitri, Christmas and the New Year, evoked sweet memories of the district's peaceful past.

1. MULTA: 30 pt, 1 cols, 3 x 12

1. MULTA: 30 pt, 1 cols, 3 x 12 5-month prison term sought for sandal thief 2. TRASH: 50 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 24 Sutiyoso plans to dump city's garbage on Bangka island 3. BOMB: 40 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 23 New year attackers caught 4.

'Factions give parties a voice of legislature'

'Factions give parties a voice of legislature'Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung Political parties, strengthened by Government Regulation No. 1/2002, need the presence of factions at their legislatures to better fight for their political interests, legislators say.

Domestic vehicles sales down in November

Domestic vehicles sales down in November JAKARTA: As of November 2001, the country's domestic vehicle sales, which includes vehicles made domestically and imported, totaled 27,442 units, down from 27,768 units sold the previous month, a statement said.

Experience with Lorena bus

Experience with Lorena bus Because flights to Bali were full, my husband and I foolishly decided to take a bus to Denpasar. We contacted a travel agency and asked for a super executive service and purchased two Lorena super executive seats -- bus number SE VII, at the cost of Rp 350,000 each.

Tony asked to rejoin Thomas Cup team

Tony asked to rejoin Thomas Cup teamNovan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) has given Sydney 2000 Olympics gold medalist Tony Gunawan until the end of this month to make up his mind whether or not to rejoin the national team for the Thomas Cup...

Akbar shows off force ahead of graft talks

Akbar shows off force ahead of graft talksKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung is mobilizing support from local party leaders to block his political opponents' bid to have his financial scandal exposed by a team of legislators.

Full autonomy in Aceh and Irian still 'long way off'

Full autonomy in Aceh and Irian still 'long way off'Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Full implementation of special autonomy in the strife-torn provinces of Aceh and Irian Jaya still has a long way to go as the government has yet to issue guidelines for autonomy laws granting...

Corporate responsibility towards community

Corporate responsibility towards communityHendarsyah Tarmizi The Jakarta Post "We have done a lot of things to help the community but only the bad things appear in the press," said a public relations manager of a mining giant when asked about the company's community development (CD) program.

Standard Chartered eyes opportunities in ASEAN

Standard Chartered eyes opportunities in ASEANDow Jones, Hong Kong Standard Chartered Bank PLC. is looking for acquisition opportunities in southeast Asia while share prices of some high- quality banking assets are low, the chairman of the bank's Hong Kong operations said Friday.

Photo A Antara/Audy Alwi

Photo A Antara/Audy Alwi LATEST UPDATE: President Megawati Soekarnoputri (center) receives a report on the latest situation in restive Aceh province from Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh (right) as Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno looks on.

TNI scraps Kaster post

TNI scraps Kaster post JAKARTA: The Indonesian Military (TNI) has scrapped its territorial affairs position following the promotion of incumbent territorial affairs chief Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo to deputy speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

East Timor leaders scheduled to hold reconciliation meeting

East Timor leaders scheduled to hold reconciliation meetingThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta A key challenge in the lead up to East Timor's independence, officially scheduled to begin on May 20, 2002, has been to bring about a reconciliation among East Timorese leaders that would pave the way for an...

Feisal criticizes ministers who have yet to show modesty

Feisal criticizes ministers who have yet to show modestyThe Jakarta Post JakartaState Minister of Administrative Reforms Feisal Tamin expressed concern on Friday over the reluctance among some of his colleagues to abandon suits and ties despite the government's newly launched drive for modest...

Withe to coach Thailand till 2002

Withe to coach Thailand till 2002 BANGKOK: Former Aston Villa and England striker Peter Withe has agreed a new one-year deal to coach Thailand's national team. Following months of salary negotiations with the Football Association of Thailand, Withe told Reuters on Friday he was ready to put pen to...

President's nonbudgetary funds reviewed

President's nonbudgetary funds reviewedFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri has decided to temporarily freeze nonbudgetary funds, as their function and regulation needed reviewing, the President's Secretary, Kemal Munawar, said on Friday.

Malaysian F1 circuit to be bought by another government company

Malaysian F1 circuit to be bought by another government companyNirmala Menon, Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur National oil company Petronas was unlikely to buy Malaysia's Formula One race track, but another government-owned company probably would, a source said Friday.

Bengkulu legislature to spend Rp 9.1b

Bengkulu legislature to spend Rp 9.1b BENGKULU: According to the Bengkulu province's 2002 budget, its legislative council has allocated Rp 9.1 billion towards its members' activities during the 2002 fiscal year -- out of total revenues expected to reach Rp 27 billion.

5-month prison term sought for sandal thief

5-month prison term sought for sandal thiefMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang A prosecutor demanded on Thursday that the Tangerang District court sentence a worker to five months' imprisonment for stealing a pair of damaged sandals from PT Osaga's factory warehouse where he worked last...

Telkom to raise phone rates by 15% on Jan. 15

Telkom to raise phone rates by 15% on Jan. 15Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom said that it would increase domestic telephone rates by an average of 15 percent on Jan. 15 pending the signing of a ministerial decree expected next week.

Sutiyoso insists on minimum wage

Sutiyoso insists on minimum wage City administration officials announced on Friday that their decision to establish a new provincial minimum wage should be put into place this month, while allowing businessmen the opportunity to submit objections to the decision.

Police favor death for drug dealers

Police favor death for drug dealers JAKARTA: National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar has encouraged judges to pass death sentences on major drug dealers as a better deterrent to halting the illicit trade.

Kerosene gets harder to find

Kerosene gets harder to findThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta More reports of kerosene shortages surfaced on Friday, with state-owned oil company Pertamina trying to wash its hands of the crisis, which has raised fears of social unrest in some parts of the country.

* Headlines: HK hires more Indonesian maids 2

* Headlines: HK hires more Indonesian maids 2* Opinion: Jakarta newcomers aliens in their own land 4* City: Jakarta unprepared to deal with flood 6* Archipelago: Islamic law imposed gradually in Aceh 7 * National: Akbar shows of force prior to graft talks 8* World: Al-Qaeda network remains intact...

Government urged to have courage to fight corruptors

Government urged to have courage to fight corruptorsBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta From the legal point of view, there is no reason for both the government and the law enforcing institutions not to take suspected corruptors to court, as they have been armed with a very powerful...

Escaped prisoners still at large

Escaped prisoners still at large CIREBON, West Java: Two notorious criminals who broke out of the Kesambi Penitentiary were still at large as of Friday, according to authorities.Comr. Sardjono, chief of the Cirebon Police, said that officers have set up three teams to capture the escapees.

Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, January 5, 2002

Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, January 5, 2002Exhibitions * Stone Lithographs and Paintings by Ken Pattern, Koi Galeri/Restoran Jl Mahakam I/2 (Tel: 722 2864), 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. until Jan. 31. * Painting Menjemput Impian by Damay, Yaqub Elka, Zeita Gallery, Jl. Kemang Timur no.

Investigating giant mining operations

Investigating giant mining operations The operations of the world's giant mining companies have often raised concerns due to their alleged insensitivity to the local communities and the environment.However, research financed by the International Development Research Center (IDRC) indicates that the...

More Acehnese reject planned military command

More Acehnese reject planned military commandFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the government looks set to reestablish a military command in restive Aceh, Acehnese intellectuals and human rights campaigners voiced their opposition to the plan, arguing that it would add to the...

New Year attacker held

New Year attacker heldDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Questions revolving around the grenade blast on Jl. Bulungan, South Jakarta, which claimed one life in the morning hours of Jan. 1, may soon be answered following Thursday's arrest of Tarmizi, who is suspected as one of the attackers.

Indonesian maids in demand in HK

Indonesian maids in demand in HKDeutsche Presse-Agentur, Hong Kong, China Hong Kong families hired 13,000 more Indonesian maids last year, leading to a 24 percent jump in the number of Indonesian migrant workers in the territory, a news report said on Friday.

Sleman to have agribusiness terminal

Sleman to have agribusiness terminal YOGYAKARTA: In an attempt to spur economic development in Sleman regency, provincial administration officials are planning to develop a special terminal to market agribusiness commodities.

Rupiah Rates Jan. 4

Rupiah Rates Jan. 4 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 10,865.00 9,865.00 10,417.00 10,313.00Australian dollar 1 5,591.13 5,071.60 5,360.59 5,301.91Austrian schilling 1 709.84 644.01 680.57 673.25Belgian franc 1 242.13 219.68 232.15 229.

Zang Xihua to hold exhibition

Zang Xihua to hold exhibition Some 65 works of celebrated Chinese artist Zang Xihua will be displayed at the Crowne Plaza Hotel from Jan. 7 in what will be Jakarta's first painting exhibition for 2002.The painter, who currently resides in Singapore after spending dozens of years in reform camps...

JP/Arifuddin Saeni

JP/Arifuddin SaeniTRAFFIC CUTOFF: A landslide paralyzed traffic between Gowa and Malino on Wednesday after a section of the connecting highway collapsed. Another landslide also destroyed a part of the highway connecting Gowa and Sappaya in Gowa regency on Thursday.

Jayapura back to six-day public service

Jayapura back to six-day public service JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: As of Jan. 1, 2001, the Jayapura municipal administration returned to a six-day work week to improve its service to the public.Jayapura Mayor M.R.

Eviction victims seeks NU's help

Eviction victims seeks NU's help After failing to get appropriate compensation from the city administration, 15 people representing forced eviction victims came to the office of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) to seek former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's help.

Telkom to raise phone rates by 15% on Jan. 15

Telkom to raise phone rates by 15% on Jan. 15 Tantri Yuliandini The Jakarta Post Jakarta State-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom said that it would increase domestic telephone rates by an average of 15 percent on Jan. 15 pending the signing of a ministerial decree expected next week.

Feisal criticizes ministers for not showing modesty

Feisal criticizes ministers for not showing modestyThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta State Minister of Administrative Reforms Feisal Tamin expressed concern on Friday over the reluctance among some of his colleagues to abandon suits and ties despite the government's newly launched drive for modest...

Govt under fire for plan on wheat duties

Govt under fire for plan on wheat dutiesThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian monopoly watchdog has slammed the government's plan to impose antidumping duties on wheat as the move would benefit only one single company, PT Bogasari Flour Mills, at the cost of millions of consumers.

Improving the welfare of the local people

Improving the welfare of the local people Mining and oil companies adopt different approaches in carrying out their community development obligations. But their priorities are generally the same -- giving more emphasis to the improvement of the health and education of local people.

1. Palu: 16 x 2 lines

1. Palu: 16 x 2 lines Suspects in Palu bombing grilled 2. Aceh : 35 x 1 line --- to come later---- 3. Bandung: 16 x 2 lines 'Factions give parties a voice in legislature'3. Timor: 24 x 2 lines East Timor leaders scheduled to hold reconciliation meeting 4.

Telkom to raise phone tariff by 15% on Jan. 15

Telkom to raise phone tariff by 15% on Jan. 15Tantri Yuliandini The Jakarta Post JakartaState-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom said that it will increase domestic telephone tariffs by an average of 15 percent on Jan.

Stop Jakarta's policy of evicting 'illegal aliens'

Stop Jakarta's policy of evicting 'illegal aliens'Azas Tigor Nainggolan, Jakarta Citizens Forum (FAKTA), Jakarta Social Institute (ISJ) Following a series of negotiations with Indonesian representatives, Malaysia recently repatriated hundreds of Indonesian immigrants for having illegally entered...

U.S. pledges $55 million for southern Philippines: Arroyo

U.S. pledges $55 million for southern Philippines: Arroyo Agence France-Presse Cotabato, PhilippinesUnited States President George W. Bush has pledged up to US$55 million in development aid to the troubled southern Philippines, where economic growth has remained stagnant over years of Muslim...