Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 5 January 2002

80 articles found

'Syariah' to be introduced gradually in Aceh

'Syariah' to be introduced gradually in Aceh Ibnu 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. Dahlan, the dean of the school of law at Syah Kuala University in Banda Aceh said on Friday that the status of legal institutions and their daily activities would not change.

Ascott 'takes over' from Mercure

Ascott 'takes over' from Mercure Ainur 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. 1, a company executive said in Surabaya, East Java, on Thursday.

Planning can help your small business

Planning can help your small business Pri 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. Taking the time and effort to think about your business provides a practical framework to keep you focused. Its value is in making things clear for you and your team during the start-up stage of the business and as the business progresses.

Govt defends plan to dissolve Bapedal

Govt defends plan to dissolve Bapedal Tertiani 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 movement. State Minister for Administrative Reforms M.

Asian currencies mostly higher late on Japanese yen as stock rallies

Asian currencies mostly higher late on Japanese yen as stock rallies Netty 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. Except for the Philippine peso and the Indonesian rupiah, the rest of the region's currencies were firmer. The Indonesian currency, too, failed to hold its earlier gains, as it succumbed to U.S.

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 Saffron' Guardian News Service London A decade ago, more than 50 of my 96 classmates and I left Karachi to attend university in the United States and the United Kingdom.

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. Zainal Abubakar said that 300 outsiders, including Laskar Jihad members, had been targeted in the operation, which would start on Jan. 7. Zainal said most of the foreigners were from Java and South Sulawesi, many of them members of the Laskar Jihad militia.

KONI stalls over bodybuilding candidates for 2002 Asian Games

KONI stalls over bodybuilding candidates for 2002 Asian Games Musthofid, 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. The eight have been proposed by PABBSI, a KONI-affiliated body that supervises weightlifting, powerlifting and bodybuilding. However, their names remain undisclosed.

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. Agency head Nubun Buntaraga said the operation licenses had been in use for more than 10 years and would be replaced with new licenses.

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 excellent, polite and fast service. The visa was issued within ten minutes and we are both looking forward to seeing friends in Australia very soon. Congratulations to the staff at the Consulate in Denpasar!

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock 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 Retailindo 675 -25 1,000 Alter Abadi 65 0 0 Alumindo Light 495 0 0 Andhi Chandra 1,875 0 42,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 475 -75 47,500 Aneka Tambang 775 0 765,000 Apac Citra 195 -5 5,000 Aqua Golden 35,000...

Trash-clogged rivers highlight lack of flood control measures

Trash-clogged rivers highlight lack of flood control measures Ahmad 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 been cleared of garbage. Huge amounts of garbage were seen on the surface of rivers, including at Rawa Kepa and Tomang, West Jakarta and Pluit, North Jakarta, as well as at river dams in the areas.

Responding to 2002

Responding to 2002 From Media Indonesia In 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 teachings? Apparently, people feel tired, stressed and even frustrated living in a country where there is no clear implementation of the people's visions. Where is this country be heading?

KPPU to quiz IBRA over PT Indomobil and BCA sales

KPPU to quiz IBRA over PT Indomobil and BCA sales The 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 in jewel in the crown Bank Central Asia (BCA).

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 celebrating the festivities with their families in the countryside, has naturally caused great concern. What the authorities fear are the problems this "social plague" might cause.

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. When peace reigned in Poso, there were good relationships and merriment among different religious and ethnic groups during the annual holidays.

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. FLOOD: 40 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 23 Trash-clogged rivers highlight lack of flood control measures 5. MIGRANT: 28 pt, 1 cols, 3 x 10 City starts crackdown on migrants

'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. That brings overall domestic vehicle sales to 283,558 units in the first 11 months of the year. In 2000, Indonesia's domestic sales reached 344,000 vehicles.

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. The Lorena bus was an executive and expensive disaster. As soon as the driver hit the toll road he lit up a clove cigarette, began puffing furiously and with his free hand weaved maniacally though traffic.

Tony asked to rejoin Thomas Cup team

Tony asked to rejoin Thomas Cup team Novan 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 finals in May. Tony, who grabbed the men's doubles gold medals with Candra Wijaya, resigned from the Indonesian Badminton Center (PBI) last October due to school commitments.

Akbar shows off force ahead of graft talks

Akbar shows off force ahead of graft talks Kurniawan 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. Akbar, who is also House Speaker, met with leaders of the party's 30 provincial chapters loyal to his leadership across the archipelago to solicit political support.

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 special status to the two provinces, a Cabinet minister says.

RI accuses neighbors of unfair trading

RI accuses neighbors of unfair trading Adianto 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 unfairly blocking the import of a number of Indonesian products.

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 pen to paper to extend his three-year tenure. Withe's salary was previously paid by the English Football Association.

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. Indonesia's biggest Muslim organizations, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah are urging the country's Muslims to promote peace and brotherhood with people of other regions.

Freeze Soeharto's

Freeze Soeharto's assets From 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. 4 on the firm efforts to eradicate corruption, collusion and nepotism committed by anyone, including former president Soeharto, while maintaining the principles of human rights and the presumption of innocence. Referring to the essence of Law no.

City starts crackdown on migrants

City starts crackdown on migrants The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite criticism, the Jakarta city administration has officially launched an operation against illegal migrants in an effort to curb urbanization. Thamrin Ekadjati, an assistant to the city secretary, said that the raids against the illegal migrants would be conducted in slum areas, such as on the Penjaringan riverbanks and in East Ancol, North Jakarta and Pondok Kopi, East Jakarta. "There will be action taken against illegal migrants.

Three suspects in Palu bombing grilled

Three suspects in Palu bombing grilled Erik 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. Zainal Abidin Ishak, chief of the provincial police, said here on Friday that Yon, one of the three suspects, was one of those who signed the Malino Declaration early last December.

Jakarta remains a magnet for rural folks

Jakarta remains a magnet for rural folks Annastashya 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. Many believe that, if they try hard enough, pitiless Jakarta will yield significant changes financially, if only for the sake of broadening their horizons.

Bill on Truth, Reconciliation drafted

Bill on Truth, Reconciliation drafted Bambang 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 pay them compensation. The draft bill on the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) stipulates that human rights abusers must confess all their wrongdoings to achieve an amnesty.

JP/3/INSIGHT

JP/3/INSIGHT Whither civil society? Are we getting closer or farther from becoming a civil society J. 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. In a sense, therefore, reform in Indonesia is a process by which the people will endeavor to reclaim their sovereignty and power from the state. Reform is to advance the cause of a "civil society".

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." Opals, also dubbed an "impressive dream stone", are ranked the sixth-most precious gemstone after diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and the Chrysoberyl group, due to their rarity and beauty.

DPR may grill FSPC, IBRA over debt extension scheme

DPR may grill FSPC, IBRA over debt extension scheme Berni 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 uncooperative debtors.

Power prices to keep on rising until 2005

Power prices to keep on rising until 2005 Moch. 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. Is that enough? Not really.

HK families hire 13,000 more RI maids

HK families hire 13,000 more RI maids RI maids in demand in HK Deutsche 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. The number of Indonesian domestic helpers working in Hong Kong rose to 68,400 by the end of November, while the number of Filipino maids rose less than 3 percent to 155,790.

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

U.S. to give $55m to southern RP: Arroyo Agence 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 Gloria Arroyo said on Friday.

TV Today: Saturday, January 5, 2002

TV Today: Saturday, January 5, 2002 TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Cartoon 8:30 Mom and Me 10:00 Music 11:00 News 11:30 Music 12:00 p.m. News 2:00 News 3:30 Religious Teachings 4:00 Documentary 5:00 Music 6:00 News 7:00 Music 8:00 Quiz 9:00 News 9:30 Music 11:00 Sports TPI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 7:00 Children's Program 7:30 Sports 8:00 Automotive News 8:30 TV Series: They Must Be Mad 9:00 Entertainment News 10:00 Chinese Food 12:30 p.m.

Banks cautiously upbeat on 2002 outlook

Banks cautiously upbeat on 2002 outlook Berni 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." During a meeting with Bank Indonesia on Friday, bankers were also said to have asked for lower rates from Bank Indonesia, so as to boost their loan expansion. "Prospects for 2002 are quite good....the term is cautiously optimistic," said D.E.

Many East Timorese refugees remain at camps in W. Timor

Many East Timorese refugees remain at camps in W. Timor Yemris 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 area passes. They are East Timorese people who opted to stay in Indonesia but have refused to be resettled out of West Timor.

Sutiyoso plans to dump city's garbage on Bangka island

Sutiyoso plans to dump city's garbage on Bangka island Ahmad 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. "I shall prioritize Bangka first, instead of Marunda and Tegal Alur," Sutiyoso told reporters at City Hall.

'Panji Masyarakat' stops publication

'Panji Masyarakat' stops publication Muhammad 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. The magazine officially ceased operations in early November last year because of cash flow difficulties, said one of its senior journalists, who declined to be named.

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

More Acehnese reject planned military command

More Acehnese reject planned military command Fabiola 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 suffering of the local people.

New Year attacker held

New Year attacker held Damar 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. Police took the wiry, dark skinned, and tired-looking man into custody at 10:30 p.m. at the residence of another Acehnese, Afrizal, on Jl. Buton Blok A6, No.

Indonesian maids in demand in HK

Indonesian maids in demand in HK Deutsche 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. The number of Indonesian domestic helpers working in Hong Kong rose to 68,400 by the end of November, while the number of Filipino maids rose less than 3 percent to 155,790.

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. With the terminal, the regency would be able to sell its agribusiness products to the local population so they would no longer need to buy the products from elsewhere, Sleman Regent Ibnu Subiyanto said here on Friday.

Rupiah Rates Jan. 4

Rupiah Rates Jan. 4 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

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.

JP/Arifuddin Saeni

JP/Arifuddin Saeni TRAFFIC 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. Until Friday evening, traffic along the two roads had yet to return to normal while the local infrastructure office was still conducting emergency repair work to the damaged roads.

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. Kambu said the decision was made after finding a slight fall in the quality of public service over the last three years. "The former five-day work week is not effective because the productivity of the city administration's employees could not be maintained," he said.

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 multinationals are much better than local mining firms in promoting the welfare of the people living near their mines. The research involved three giant mining projects in Chile.

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. Telkom's vice president for rates and interconnection Mundarwiyarso said that the company was ready to implement the hike and that it was only waiting for the minister of communications to sign the decree.

Feisal criticizes ministers for not showing modesty

Feisal criticizes ministers for not showing modesty The 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 lifestyles.

Govt under fire for plan on wheat duties

Govt under fire for plan on wheat duties The 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. Below are the community development programs adopted by several major mining and oil companies.

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. Poso: 32 x 1 line Festive 'Dero' no longer binds people in Poso or 'Dero' no longer unites the people of Poso

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

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

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 and worked in the country without proper papers.

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

U.S. pledges $55 million for southern Philippines: Arroyo Agence 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 Gloria Arroyo said on Friday.

5-month prison term sought for sandal thief

5-month prison term sought for sandal thief Multa 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 September. Prosecutor Misbah said the defendant, Hamdani, 25, a resident of Kosambi Bedeng village of Sepatan district in Tangerang, who worked for the slipper-producing company on Jl.

Standard Chartered eyes opportunities in ASEAN

Standard Chartered eyes opportunities in ASEAN Dow 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. Speaking to reporters, Chairman Peter Wong said the bank will look for retail banking assets that provide good synergies with the bank's regional operations.

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. Megawati also had a talk with Aceh leaders at the Merdeka Palace on Friday. Photo B JP/IGGP Bayu Ismoyo HOPING FOR WORK: Domestic helpers stand in front of an agency that provides maids and nannies in Jakarta.

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). The liquidation of the strategic position was marked during a ceremony attended by Agus and TNI Commander Adm. Widodo Adisoetjipto on Thursday.

East Timor leaders scheduled to hold reconciliation meeting

East Timor leaders scheduled to hold reconciliation meeting The 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 agreement on how best to deal with the roughly 143,000 East Timorese people taking refuge in west Timor and create a permanent solution to the East Timor issue.

Feisal criticizes ministers who have yet to show modesty

Feisal criticizes ministers who have yet to show modesty The 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 lifestyles.

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 paper to extend his three-year tenure. Withe's salary was previously paid by the English Football Association.

President's nonbudgetary funds reviewed

President's nonbudgetary funds reviewed Fabiola 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. The nonbudgetary funds were introduced during the tenure of former president Soeharto and they amounted to hundreds of billions of rupiah.

Malaysian F1 circuit to be bought by another government company

Malaysian F1 circuit to be bought by another government company Nirmala 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. Company officials said in December Petronas was in talks about buying Sepang International Circuit Snd. Bhd., which operates Malaysia's Grand Prix track, from Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd., another government-controlled company.

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. Data at the legislature's secretariat shows the money will be used to pay legislators' salaries, including presence, transportation and health allowances along with pocket money.

Corporate responsibility towards community

Corporate responsibility towards community Hendarsyah 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. Such a complaint is common among mining, oil and gas company PR officials, and they are right. Most of the news about mining concerns environmental damage and conflicts with locals.

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.

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. "The decision on the minimum wage should be applied this month. But they could submit their objections," Governor Sutiyoso told reporters at the City Hall, alluding to businessmen affected by the change.

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. "I am glad to hear that more and more major drug offenders get death," Da'i said after swearing in Comr. Gen. Nurfaizi as the new chief of the National Coordinating Body for Narcotics (BKNN). Most death sentences for drug dealers have been handed down by Tangerang district court, Banten.

Kerosene gets harder to find

Kerosene gets harder to find The 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. Kerosene vendors in Jakarta told The Jakarta Post on Friday that shortages had hit the city and surrounding areas over the past few days, pushing prices up to Rp 1,200 per litter, double the normal price of Rp 600.

* 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 in Asia 10 * Business: Power prices to rise until 2005 11 Features: Hollywood earns record bucks 15 Sports: Tony told to rejoin Thomas Cup team 20

Government urged to have courage to fight corruptors

Government urged to have courage to fight corruptors Bambang 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 anti-corruption law. Legal experts and criminologists have claimed that, based on Law No.

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. One team, he noted, would be dispatched to Aceh, as one of the fugitives, Mohammad Ali, who had been serving out a 14-year jail term for an illegal gun possession, was Acehnese.

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

Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, January 5, 2002 Exhibitions * 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. 71, South Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until Jan. 26. * Painting The Life and Art of Zhang Xi hua, Crowne Plaza Jakarta, Jl. Gatot Subroto kav. 2-3, Central Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Jan. 7 to 17.

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. However, the victims, accompanied by at least 14 non- government organizations under the banner of Jaringan Anti Penggusuran (the Network for Anti Forced Eviction), failed to meet the former president, who is the chief of NU's patron board.