Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 18 October 2002

82 articles found

Green fines to be imposed in 2003

Green fines to be imposed in 2003 SURABAYA, East Java: The Office of the State Minister of the Environment announced on Thursday it would impose environmental fines starting in 2003. Sudharto Prawoto Hadi, an expert staff with the state minister, claimed that the revenue would be part of a concept of "green" gross domestic product. The fines would initially encompass depletion of the environment next year, but in the years after it would include depletion and destruction of the environment.

Bush calls Megawati over Bali bombing

Bush calls Megawati over Bali bombing Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri told President George W. Bush she would seek "swift and decisive" action against terrorists who bombed a Bali nightclub, killing 183 people, the White House said. Her 20-minute conversation with the president on Thursday came three days after Bush had expressed impatience with Megawati's anti-terrorism efforts.

Guruh brings in divas for 'Sripanggung'

Guruh brings in divas for 'Sripanggung' Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Eight Indonesian divas will grace the stage for a night of song and dance only for Jakartans in a presentation by Guruh Sukarno Putra together with Vocuz Entertainment.

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Life after the Bali bombing B. Hari Juliawan Student Sanata Dharma University Yogyakarta 2. 1 X 30 Stop pretending that we are safe Kornelius Purba Staff Writer The Jakarta Post Jakarta korpur@yahoo.com 3. Belinda 1 X 32 SE Asia: Never the same after Oct. 12

People reluctant to testify to police

People reluctant to testify to police SEKAYU, South Sumatra: The great majority of the people in the regency of Musi Banyuasin had been reluctant to testify to police investigators due to thug intimidation, an officer said. The people, the officer added, preferred the light fines from the police for rejecting to testify, rather than risk their lives by telling the truth, after regular death threats from criminals. Sekayu Police precinct chief Adj. Sr. Comr.

Life after the Bali bombing

Life after the Bali bombing B. Hari Juliawan, Student Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta It has been nearly a week since the bombing in Legian took place. The debate about the existence of terrorist groups has been proved ridiculous. Bombs have exploded many times in this archipelago, threatening innocent people. A legislator from the National Awakening Party (PKB) recently stated that there were 20 unsolved bombing cases.

Australia, UK, NZ urge nationals to leave RI

Australia, UK, NZ urge nationals to leave RI Agencies, Jakarta As Australian Prime Minister John Howard set his foot on Bali island on Thursday, his government, together with the governments of the UK and New Zealand, told their citizens to leave Indonesia due to "new threats" following the Bali blasts that killed at least 184, mostly foreigners.

Govt set to issue antiterrorism regulation today

Govt set to issue antiterrorism regulation today Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is set to issue the first antiterrorist regulation on Friday since the fall of the Soeharto authoritarian regime in 1998 in response to the Bali bombing that has claimed almost 200 lives. After winning political backing from the House of Representatives on Thursday, the government has been given the authority to do whatever it takes in investigating and preventing acts of terrorism.

Police detain FPI chairman

Police detain FPI chairman The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police detained Islam Defenders Front (FPI) chairman Al Habib Muhammad Rizieq Shihab late on Wednesday night on charges of instigating violence and acts of vandalism, after a team of police investigators questioned the suspect for more than 13 hours. Rizieq was questioned by police from 9:30 in the morning until 11:45 at night, when police officially announced that Rizieq had been taken into custody.

'Blast to deal heavy blow to insurers'

'Blast to deal heavy blow to insurers' Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The deadly Bali bombing will deal a heavy blow to the country's general insurance firms as the incident will make it more difficult for them to secure international reinsurance for their clients.

Hard-line groups told to emulate Laskar Jihad's move to disband

Hard-line groups told to emulate Laskar Jihad's move to disband Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Muslim scholars have hailed Laskar Jihad's decision to disband itself and urged other hard-line organizations to follow suit or have the authorities disperse them in order to stop the renewed violence, which is often blamed on them. "We congratulate them (Laskar Jihad). They have made the right decision.

The future of our nation is at stake: Syafii

The future of our nation is at stake: Syafii The devastating Bali bomb blasts have left deep wounds on mankind. Syafii Maarif, chairman of Muhammadiyah, the country's second largest Muslim organization, spoke to The Jakarta Post's Soeryo Winoto about developments in the ongoing investigations and how it has affected local Muslim organizations. Question: Some say the Bali tragedy proves that terrorists are among us in Indonesia. What do you think? Answer: Yes, that's right.

Asian currencies mostly up late, peso, rupiah down

Asian currencies mostly up late, peso, rupiah down Nirmala Menon Dow Jones Singapore Asian currencies mostly firmed Thursday, led by a strong showing from the Singapore dollar as U.S. investment houses sold the U.S. unit, likely due to some realigning of their global portfolios, traders said. Market players also unwound some long dollar positions after a knee-jerk run-up earlier in the week in the wake of the deadly bombing in Bali, Indonesia, on Saturday, traders said.

Fatal tragedy in Bali: An act of global terrorism

Fatal tragedy in Bali: An act of global terrorism Jusuf Wanandi, Founder and member Board of Trustees Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta After so many denials by government officials and moderate Muslim leaders about possible terrorist acts in Indonesia, a terrible tragedy happened in Bali with the bomb blast last weekend, killing almost 200 people, mostly foreign tourists.

RI ask travelers to help heal Bali's tourism industry

RI ask travelers to help heal Bali's tourism industry Alexa Olesen, Associated Press, Singapore Indonesia's top tourism officials on Thursday pleaded with international travelers to come back to its resort island of Bali, where a bomb attack Saturday on a nightclub killed nearly 200 people, many of them young tourists.

Stock prices on The Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct.17, 2002

Stock prices on The Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct.17, 2002 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------------- Abdi Bangsa Tbk 270 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 550 0 4,500 Adindo Foresta 50 0 0 AGIS Tbk 60 0 310,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 260 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 90 0 0 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 775 0 0 Alter Abadi Tbk 10 0 0 Alumindo Light 240 0 0 Andhi Chandra 455 0 0 Aneka...

Councillors rebuke plan to expel poor migrants

Councillors rebuke plan to expel poor migrants Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta City councillors came out on Thursday against the city administration's plan to expel unregistered migrants, saying the policy would be a violation of the people's right to travel and work anywhere in the country. "A draft bylaw to ban migrants would be useless and difficult to enforce," councillor Wasilah Sutrisno of the National Mandate Party said.

Garuda considering cutting int'l flights

Garuda considering cutting int'l flights The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The national air carrier Garuda is considering a steep cut of its international flights to many international destinations as the number of passengers is declining following the deadly bomb attack in Bali. Bahrul Hakim, Garuda's business director, said some 40 percent of passengers from Australia, who had reserved flights, canceled their trips after the incident, which took more than 180 lives, including perhaps 100 Australians.

City told to come up with comprehensive flood plan

City told to come up with comprehensive flood plan Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Flooding has hit Jakarta since the 17th century but its government has never learned the lesson and instead allowed the situation to deteriorate every year, experts said.

Stop pretending that we are safe

Stop pretending that we are safe Kornelius Purba, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, korpur@yahoo.com Very few people believe that Indonesia can effectively act to fight terrorism here, because many of the leaders here act like parents trying to hide the fact that their children are chronic drug addicts despite what their friends and neighbors know.

Six slain in Aceh violence

Six slain in Aceh violence Ibnu Mat Noor, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh Volunteers with the Indonesian Red Cross in Aceh have evacuated six casualties bearing gunshot wounds, including one state official, from four different locations in the strife-torn province, graphic evidence that violence is still rampant. The campaign for independence by the secessionist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) has seen an escalation in the violence in recent months.

Crisis center helps families of Kuta victims

Crisis center helps families of Kuta victims Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali A Taiwanese man desperately searched for someone who could give him information about a compatriot missing in the Oct. 12 bomb blast in Kuta. Eventually he bumped into a sympathetic woman. "Come on sir, this way," said the woman, who escorted him to the Crisis Center at Sanglah Hospital. The center, manned by local volunteers, has set up a hotline service.

UN officers to assist Bali investigation team

UN officers to assist Bali investigation team Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta United Nations investigators will join a multinational task force in tracking down the perpetrators of the Bali bomb blasts amid calls for the Indonesian Police to ensure that they have full control and command of the investigation. The UN investigators will join foreign intelligence officers and investigators from Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Germany, Japan, Sweden and the United States.

Nuarta wants to build Kuta memorial

Nuarta wants to build Kuta memorial JAKARTA: Renown sculptor Nyoman Nuarta wants to build a memorial in Kuta, Bali, in remembrance of the Oct. 12 terrorist bomb attacks that claims the lives of more than 180 people from all over the world. Nuarta, a Balinese who lives in Bandung, West Java, said the monument would feature the identities of all the victims. He is working out the design and will come up with an outline in a week.

Another body found, one victim dies

Another body found, one victim dies Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Kuta, Bali A team of investigators found another dead body and parts of human hands at the bomb site in what was formerly Sari Club in Legian, Kuta, while one critical victim being treated at Sanglah General Hospital died of complications on Thursday afternoon. Endang, 35, an Indonesian who suffered serious burns from the blast and had been in critical condition, died at Sanglah's intensive care unit.

Bali a moment of truth for Indonesia's leaders

Bali a moment of truth for Indonesia's leaders Ong Hock Chuan, Consultant, Maverick, Jakarta Moments of crisis, like the Bali bombing, are also moments of truth for Indonesia's leaders. These are moments when their actions come under intense scrutiny by the public and they are judged by how they handle the situation. In this context, President Megawati Soekarnoputri is to be commended for flying to Bali and visiting the site of the explosion and the victims of the blast.

Probe goes on amid snafu about suspects

Probe goes on amid snafu about suspects Dadan Wijaksana and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar/Jakarta Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono admitted on Thursday the possible involvement of foreigners in last Saturday's bombing in Bali amid confusion over the number of people who had been declared suspects.

Navy warned for refusal to free foreign sand dredger

Navy warned for refusal to free foreign sand dredger Haidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, Riau Lawyers representing the owners of seven foreign dredgers issued a warning to the Riau Islands Navy on Thursday for extending the detention of the vessels believed to be used in an illegal sand excavation operation in the province waters.

Rupiah Rates Oct.17

Rupiah Rates Oct.17 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp Australian dollar 1 5,333.24 4,780.08 5,084.08 5,029.01 Brunei dollar 1 5,437.25 4,875.02 5,183.24 5,128.89 Canadian dollar 1 6,137.04 5,502.05 5,850.33 5,788.58 Swiss franc 1 6,488.18 5,817.43 6,185.07 6,120.38 Danish krone 1 1,280.28 1,148.04 1,220.47 1,207.83 Euro 1 9,511.01 8,527.95 9,066.68 8,972.05 Poundsterling 1 15,076.51 13,520.75 14,372.17 14,224.85 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,245.95 1,117.69 1,187.74 1,175.

Balinese general to lead probe into bomb attacks

Balinese general to lead probe into bomb attacks Reuters, Jakarta Indonesia has put a senior police general widely respected by Western diplomats for his attempts to cool tensions in separatist Papua province in charge of the probe into last weekend's bomb attacks in Bali.

Internet buzzes with news of Bali's missing

Internet buzzes with news of Bali's missing Pete Harrison, Reuters, London Relatives and friends of those still missing after blasts tore through a strip of bars in the Indonesian resort of Bali have turned to the Internet desperately seeking some hope to cling to.

Conservation a gruesome affair

Conservation a gruesome affair Jim Jarvie, Ecologist, Jakarta Autopsies have just been completed confirming that two guards whose bodies were found in the Kampar River in Riau recently were murdered. Others remain hospitalized. None of the mob, shooters or their backers, although identified and reported to police, has been arrested.

Thai group firm on independence

Thai group firm on independence THAILAND: A Muslim separatist group operating in Thailand's south has vowed to pursue its independence struggle despite three of its leaders being sentenced to life in prison, a report said on Thursday. The Pattani United Liberation Organization (PULO) has been largely inactive since the arrests of three of its top leaders in 1998.

Water talks end unresolved

Water talks end unresolved MALAYSIA: Malaysia and neighboring Singapore failed on Thursday to resolve differences over the thorny issue of raw and processed water pricing after two days of talks. A brief joint statement issued after the meeting between officials of both sides in the southern Malaysian city of Johor Baru said officials would report details back to their leaders.

Illegal forest pillagers foiled

Illegal forest pillagers foiled BENGKULU, Bengkulu: The Bengkulu Police have declared five people as suspects in an illegal logging case and for damaging the Bukit Barisan National Park in the Maje district in South Bengkulu. Police investigator Adj. Sr. Comr. Budi Tono said the dossiers of the suspects would soon be submitted to the prosecutors.

RI set to build nuclear power plant

RI set to build nuclear power plant SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: The government is planning to build a nuclear power plant by the year 2015 at the latest to meet the growing electricity demands. Yusri Heni, head of the Development of Nuclear Power Supervisory Agency (Bapeten), said a nuclear power plant would generate cheap electricity to people although its development would be expensive and the risks would be high.

RI must win war of perception

RI must win war of perception The bomb blast in Bali on Oct. 12, 2002 is an act of terror of great magnitude, the second biggest after the Sept. 11, 2001 WTC tragedy in terms of casualties. Understandably, it has drawn great international attention as evident from the presence of many international reporters in Bali.

Prosecutors berated for rally in support for boss

Prosecutors berated for rally in support for boss Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State prosecutors have come under fire for showing blind support for their boss, Attorney General M.A. Rachman, amid mounting demands for his resignation following his failure to declare all of his assets. A retired prosecutor and a legal expert branded the prosecutors unprofessional on Thursday, and said their behavior would do nothing to help eradicate corruption.

Terrorism, an act of horror

Terrorism, an act of horror A spate of recent bomb blasts have scared Indonesian people, maimed citizens, claimed hundreds of innocent lives and brought about suffering to the bereaved. In the meantime, the Indonesian government, particularly the Indonesian police and Army seem to have been unable to protect its innocent, debt-strapped citizens against the acts of terrorism.

Jakarta hosting major DJ events

Jakarta hosting major DJ events Joseph Mangga, Contributor, Jakarta Club culture is certainly still alive and well here in Jakarta, as Bentoel Mild is sponsoring two -- count `em -- two separate DJ events in the capitol city this Friday evening. First off, rising DJ star Max Graham will be spinning his special brand of dance music magic at Stadium Disco in Hayamwuruk area in West Jakarta, which is also celebrating its 5th anniversary.

Road to aid, abet illegal loggers

Road to aid, abet illegal loggers SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: An environmental group expressed fears that the proposed construction of a highway connecting Balikpapan and two neighboring regencies would affect a protected forest. The road is designed to provide greater access to the western part of the Sungai Wain Forest Reserve.

BNI delays US$100m bond

BNI delays US$100m bond JAKARTA: State-owned PT Bank Negara Indonesia is postponing its planned US$100 million bond offering following the weekend terrorist attacks in Bali. The bank has decided to delay the international roadshow for its proposed subordinated debt offering. The bank had originally planned to kick start its investor presentations next week. "We decided to delay our entry to the market due to unfavorable market sentiment," a bank official told Dow Jones Newswires.

Al-Faruq admits RI ties, Ba'asyir a suspect

Al-Faruq admits RI ties, Ba'asyir a suspect Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police confirmed on Thursday the presence of al-Qaeda terrorist networks here following the result of an investigation conducted by a team dispatched to the U.S. to question Omar al- Faruq, who is believed to be one of Osama bin Laden's top representatives in Southeast Asia. "I don't want to mention all the details again, just to say that the Time magazine reports were confirmed by Faruq.

Bangladeshi quizzed over visa offence, phone fraud

Bangladeshi quizzed over visa offence, phone fraud Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan A Bangladeshi, who was apprehended by police last month for failing to produce valid immigration documents, has been transferred to Medan Immigration Office for further questioning. North Sumatra Immigration Office spokesman Rostonof said his office would soon question Bangladeshi M. Tana Choudori to determine whether he had violated the country's immigration laws.

Government to revise 2003 state budget assumptions

Government to revise 2003 state budget assumptions The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Responding to the Bali terrorist strike, the government will revise the assumptions for its 2003 draft state budget, possibly resulting in a greater budget deficit but one that the World Bank has estimated will require only limited additional funding.

The Bali tragedy last week that killed more than 180 people has

The Bali tragedy last week that killed more than 180 people has confirmed the once-denied fact that terrorists are right in front of our eyes. Some residents shared their views about the presence of terrorists in the country with The Jakarta Post. Hendra, 19, has been working as an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver in Palmerah, West Jakarta, for four months. The native Jakartan lives in Palmerah with his parents: I'm quite sure that there are terrorists in the country, especially in the city.

Indonesian shares closed 0.6 percent lower in relatively thin

Indonesian shares closed 0.6 percent lower in relatively thin trade Thursday with sentiment undermined by lingering security concerns after the deadly Bali bombing, dealers said. The Jakarta Stock Exchange composite index closed down 2.272 points at 355.105. "Liquidity is thinning out as it's mostly local investors in the market now; they are looking for some quick gains after the sell-off by foreign investors (after the bombing)," a local dealer said.

Minister calls for rise in import duty on garments

Minister calls for rise in import duty on garments Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Industry and Trade Rini M. Soewandi has asked the Ministry of Finance to raise the import duties on garments to help local producers sell more of their products in the domestic market. Following the bomb attack in Bali, which killed more than 180 people, it is feared that many foreign buyers will shift their orders from Indonesia to other countries.

* Headlines: Police arrest FPI chairman2

* Headlines: Police arrest FPI chairman2 * National:Witness protection to fight graft4 * Archipelago:Ecotourism launched as forest on fire 5 * Opinion:Conservation a gruesome affair 7 * City: Councillors rebuke plan to expel migrants 8 * Sports: Tiger's year enjoyable - on the course 9 * World: Bombs in RP mall kill six, injures 150 12 * Business:Govt to revise 2003 state budget assumptions13 * Features: Tracy Chapman survives 14 years on 20

Firecrackers banned during Ramadhan

Firecrackers banned during Ramadhan PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: The provincial authorities have imposed a ban on the use firecrackers and fireworks during the fasting month of Ramadhan starting next month. The restriction came following a recent explosion in East Pontianak which burned down four houses. Police spokesman Comr. Suhadi SW said on Thursday residents would not be allowed to sell, possess, store or use firecrackers. The police will also launch an operation to uphold the ruling.

Australians reluctant so far to leave Indonesia

Australians reluctant so far to leave Indonesia Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Australians, including businesspeople living across Indonesia, said they would not return home despite a strong appeal by their government on Thursday for its citizens living or visiting here to leave soon.

Counsellors to help blast survivors

Counsellors to help blast survivors DENPASAR, Bali: A group of 30 psychiatrists expressed readiness to help survivors of the weekend terrorist attack who remain traumatized by the incident, which has killed 184 people and injured some 300 others. Head of the professional association in Bali Luh Ketut Suryani said they would be available for both individual and public consultation at the compound of the Bali council building on Saturday.

Poor couples skip marriage red tape

Poor couples skip marriage red tape CIANJUR, West Java: The high cost of fees for marriage documents has prompted poor couples in the regency of Cianjur to skip the bureaucratic red tape and just live together. A community leader in Cibeber, Wawan Juandi, 35, said couples in remote areas had to pay about Rp 300,000 (US$32) to have their marriage legalized. That amount excluded the transportation expenses that must be paid to officials from the marriage registration office, he added.

Bombs in RP mall kill six, Jamaah suspected

Bombs in RP mall kill six, Jamaah suspected Reuters, Zamboanga, Philippines Bombs ripped through the main shopping district of a mostly Christian city in an area of the southern Philippines at the heart of Moro insurgency on Thursday, killing six and wounding about 150.

Implement antiterror accord: RP

Implement antiterror accord: RP PHILIPPINES: President Gloria Arroyo has called for the full implementation of an antiterrorism pact with Indonesia and Malaysia in the wake of new terror attacks in the region, a senior Philippine diplomat said on Thursday. Arroyo raised the subject with Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri shortly after a car bombing on the Indonesian island resort of Bali claimed at least 180 lives, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Lauro Baja said.

Give us back our pride

Give us back our pride There is no prouder moment for Indonesians than when they see the red-and-white flag of their country raised and hear the national anthem Indonesia Raya played at an international sports event. Unfortunately, such moments of pride have been rare these past years.

Workers occupy manpower office

Workers occupy manpower office PEKANBARU, Riau: Nearly 2,000 workers of PT Tripatra, a contractor of U.S. oil firm Caltex, who face dismissal on Wednesday occupied the regional office of the manpower ministry. They stayed at the office because a meeting between representatives of the workers and the manpower office failed to reach an agreement regarding their fate.

RITA: 1 LINE, 40 COUNTS

RITA: 1 LINE, 40 COUNTS Crisis center helps families of Kuta victims

SE Asia: Never the same again after Oct. 12

SE Asia: Never the same again after Oct. 12 Belinda Olivares-Cunanan, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Asia News Network, Manila From all indications, the bombings in the exotic island resort of Bali were well planned and a lot of investment went into intelligence-gathering for this act of terrorism. The bombings were timed on a Saturday evening when the hangout places in Kuta Beach were all full of young revelers out for cheap beer and loads of fun.

1. RITA: 1 LINE, 40 COUNTS

1. RITA: 1 LINE, 40 COUNTS (Awaiting Rita's) 2. BALI: 2 lines, 27 counts Bali officers smoke more and talk less on the bomb 3. TERNET: 1 LINE, 35 COUNTS Internet buzzes with news of Bali missing

Ecotourism launched as forest on fire

Ecotourism launched as forest on fire Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri declared 2002 as the year of ecotourism at a ceremony in a small village north of Merapi volcano in Central Java on Thursday just when a forested area to the south of mountain was being razed by fire. The forest fire began around 11 a.m. on Wednesday and was still not under control on Thursday as the President inaugurated the ecotourism area and the Merapi National Park.

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================================================================================= Proposed Emergency The International Convention for the Decree on Terrorism Suppression of Terrorist Bombings ================================================================================= Suspects Not specified, but a a suspected terrorist shall be rights suspected terrorist who guaranteed fair treatment, including is acquitted of all enjoyment of all rights and guarantees charges has a right to in conformity...

The Bali tragedy

The Bali tragedy It is time that the world's politicians finally realize that the whole war on terrorism is only fighting symptoms. It is like a doctor treating brain cancer with aspirin. Instead, the root cause of terrorism must be addressed. At the origin of terrorism are suppressed people, which are completely deprived of freedom, future or hope and thus have no alternatives.

Govt to revise 2003 budget assumptions

Govt to revise 2003 budget assumptions The Jakarta Post Jakarta Responding to the Bali terrorist strike, the government will revise the assumptions for its 2003 draft state budget, possibly resulting in a greater budget deficit but one that the World Bank has estimated will require only limited additional funding.

Bali officers smoke more and talk less on the bomb

Bali officers smoke more and talk less on the bomb I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali Bali Police spokesperson Adj. Sr. Comr. Yatim Suyatmo has picked up two bad habits lately: smoking and refraining from talking to journalists on the latest development on the bombing investigation. He rarely used to smoke, but these days he always carries a pack of Marlboro, and a green gas lighter in his pocket. Seeing him puffing away, one may think that Suyatmo enjoys smoking.

Debate over decree on terrorism continues

Debate over decree on terrorism continues Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Legal experts criticized the government on Thursday for its abrupt issuance of an emergency decree on terrorism, which is expected to be announced today. The criticisms focused on the fact that the decree fails to refer to any of the international conventions on terrorism.

Artha to sell 70 million shares

Artha to sell 70 million shares JAKARTA: Amidst Indonesia security concern PT Artha Securities said Thursday it plans to sell 70 million shares through an initial public offering between Oct. 23 and Oct. 25, priced at Rp 225 rupiah ($1=Rp 9,215) a share. The par value of the shares is set at Rp 200 per share. The shares will be listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange Nov. 5. PT Asia Kapitalindo Securities and PT Kapita Sekurindo are acting as the lead underwriters.

Website for Canadian alumni in RI

Website for Canadian alumni in RI JAKARTA: In a drive aimed at facilitating communication among all alumni and provide information on job opportunities, Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia Ferry de Kerckhove launched on Wednesday a new website dedicated to Indonesians who had studied in Canada. The Internet address of the site is canindo-alumni.org. More than 1,500 Indonesians are now studying in Canada.

Police refuse to intervene in hostage situation

Police refuse to intervene in hostage situation Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang As of Thursday afternoon, about 500 workers of a South Korean company producing Targus computer bags still held their Korean boss and his family hostage while the police took no action to release them, saying that it was an internal conflict. The workers of PT Hyunsung Indonesia had taken them hostage on Monday after Joe Yong Seun announced the closure of the company, which is located on Jl.

'Poverty can lead to acts of evil'

'Poverty can lead to acts of evil' The Bali tragedy last week that killed more than 180 people has confirmed the once-denied fact that terrorists are right in front of our eyes. Some residents shared their views about the presence of terrorists in the country with The Jakarta Post. Hendra, 19, has been working as an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver in Palmerah, West Jakarta, for four months.

Death penalty sought for drug maker

Death penalty sought for drug maker TANGERANG: About 700 members of several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Tangerang staged a rally on Thursday in front of the Tangerang District Court to demand the death penalty for Ang Kiem Soei, an ecstasy manufacturer. "We demand the court sentence to death Ang Kiem Soei, who produced a great deal of drugs in Tangerang," SMIT chairman Edi Sulaiman told the rally.

Aguilera's new videos dismays Thais

Aguilera's new videos dismays Thais BANGKOK: One of pop diva Christina Aguilera's latest music videos has Thais decrying not its explicit dancing and revealing costumes but a Thai-language billboard in the backdrop that alludes to the country's sex industry.

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Bali, a moment of truth for Indonesia's leaders Ong Hock Chuan Consultant Maverick (Maverick is a communications consultancy specializing in Brand Strategy and Crisis and Issues Management) Jakarta 2. Jim -- Murder, illegal logging and where your paper comes from 1 X 30 Illegal logging, something you can do Dr. Jim Jarvie Ecologist Jakarta 3. Asahi -- Return of 5 abductees 1 x 32 Return of 5 abductees from Pyongyang The Asahi Shimbun Tokyo

Indosat raises bond issue to Rp 1.25t

Indosat raises bond issue to Rp 1.25t JAKARTA: PT Indonesian Satellite Corp., or Indosat, said Thursday it will raise the size of its bond offering to Rp 1.25 trillion rupiah ($1=Rp 9,210) from Rp 1 trillion due to strong interest. "Indosat commissioners have approved our proposal to raise the amount," Indosat's President Director Widya Purnama told reporters. Indosat officials said Tuesday the bond had been more than twice oversubscribed.

Regent fails to appear for questioning

Regent fails to appear for questioning The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Riau Islands Regent Huzrin Hood, a suspect in the misappropriation of Rp 87.2 billion, failed to turn up for questioning at the Riau Prosecutor's Office on Thursday. His lawyers said their client was "very busy". Lawyer Syamsul Rakan Chaniago said that his client wished to heed the summons, but business had caused him to miss it. Huzrin then asked Syamsul and fellow lawyer AB Purba to appear at the prosecutor's office.

Artha Securities to sell 70 million shares in Oct 23 IPO

Artha Securities to sell 70 million shares in Oct 23 IPO JAKARTA: Amidst Indonesia security concern PT Artha Securities said Thursday it plans to sell 70 million shares through an initial public offering between Oct. 23 and Oct. 25, priced at Rp 225 rupiah ($1=Rp 9,215) a share. The par value of the shares is set at Rp 200 per share. The shares will be listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange Nov. 5. PT Asia Kapitalindo Securities and PT Kapita Sekurindo are acting as the lead underwriters.

Adianto P. Simamora

Adianto P. Simamora The Jakarta Post Jakarta Minister of Industry and Trade Rini M. Soewandi has asked the Ministry of Finance to raise the import duties on garments to help local producers sell more of their products in the domestic market. Following the bomb attack in Bali, which killed more than 180 people, it is feared that many foreign buyers will shift their orders from Indonesia to other countries.

37.5 million still illiterate

37.5 million still illiterate BAUBAU, North Sulawesi: Around 37.5 million people in the country remain illiterate due to poverty and high education fees, Minister of National Education Malik Fajar said on Thursday. The minister's statement was read by North Sulawesi governor La Ode Kaimoeddin in the celebration of International Literacy Day that the national movement to eradicate illiteracy would be among the priority programs as it is related to poverty.

Asia-Pacific conference canceled

Asia-Pacific conference canceled YOGYAKARTA: The 4th Asia Pacific Roundtable for Cleaner Production (APRCP) Conference scheduled to be held in Yogyakarta from Oct. 21 to Oct. 24 has been canceled following the Bali terror attacks that killed nearly 200 people last week. Rudi Pesik, a member of the event organizing committee, said in statement made available to the Jakarta Post that the conference would be moved to much safer Phuket, Thailand from Dec. 12 to Dec. 18.

Burglary at DPR's secretariat office

Burglary at DPR's secretariat office JAKARTA: Burglars broke into the secretariat of the House of Representatives' (DPR) Special Committee office on Wednesday night and rifled through documents. Head of the secretariat, Iskandar Nasution, however, claimed that none of the documents or any valuables were missing, Antara reported. He said the documents targeted by the burglars included the Election Bill, the Political Party Bill and the Law on Police and State Defense.

Hundreds vandalize village's office

Hundreds vandalize village's office BOGOR: Hundreds of Babakan Madang residents vandalized the village office on Thursday after they failed to release six locals who were being detained by the police. Before pelting stones at the office, the angry residents visited the nearby police station and urged the police to release them. But the police refused to release the six residents, who were being questioned for damaging the house of the village chief, R.O. Sukaesih.

World Bank to speed up loan projects after Bali

World Bank to speed up loan projects after Bali The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The World Bank plans to accelerate the disbursement of project-related loans in areas where revenue from the tourism sector is likely to fall, in one of the Bank's initiatives to help Indonesia cope with the impact of the Bali terrorist strike.