Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 1 November 2002

61 articles found

Caning ammunition for GAM?

Caning ammunition for GAM? Reading the article titled Caning comes into effect in Aceh on 1st day of Ramadhan (The Jakarta Post, Oct. 28), I wonder whether former president Abdurrahman Wahid was fully aware of all the possible consequences when in December 2000 he offered Aceh the implementation of sharia, or Islamic law in order to reduce demands for independence.

Sukarno, where art thou?

Sukarno, where art thou? Call me a Sukarnoist if you will, but I can't help thinking that so much of what Indonesia is today grew from the mind of the first president and in particular the role of Indonesia as a leading light of the non-aligned nations of the world. In the new era of freedom and the longed for Merdeka (freedom)!, the people had a direction for independent thinking clearly laid out.

Explosives easy to obtain: Companies

Explosives easy to obtain: Companies Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Looking for a bomb? With the lack of control exercised by the government over the import and use of explosives, it might not be difficult to obtain this dangerous good. Experts on explosives said that so far the country had no standard procedure or system for the audit and control of manufactured explosives, imported and distributed by the existing licensed companies.

Pressure mounts for govt, GAM to sign peace accord

Pressure mounts for govt, GAM to sign peace accord Nani Farida The Jakarta Post Banda Aceh/Jakarta Pressure is mounting for the government and secessionist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to sign a peace agreement to put an end to decades-long bloody conflicts in the country's westernmost province. Around 3,000 people from Banda Aceh and neighboring Aceh Besar regency prayed for peace outside the Grand Baiturrahman Mosque on Thursday, for the second time in the past four days.

'Business rivalry behind bomb attack'

'Business rivalry behind bomb attack' MANADO, North Sulawesi: North Sulawesi Provincial Police chief Brig. Gen. Ismerda Lebang said here on Thursday that a business rivalry was behind the bomb attack against the Philippine consulate general office on Oct. 12.

Terrorism in SE Asia to loom over ASEAN summit

Terrorism in SE Asia to loom over ASEAN summit Denis Gray, Associated Press, Phnom Penh Leaders of 14 Asian nations are poised to take concrete steps to fight terrorism on the continent and some may put pressure on Indonesia to rein in radical Islamic groups that have already infiltrated parts of Southeast Asia, officials say.

City likely to see garbage crisis early next year

City likely to see garbage crisis early next year Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Due to continued environmental problems, the Bekasi administration might close again Bantar Gebang dump early next year, forcing the Jakarta administration to look into three alternative dump sites in the city, an official said on Thursday. "Bekasi will possibly close again the (Bantar Gebang) dump.

Military denies servicemen involved in Freeport case

Military denies servicemen involved in Freeport case Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto denied on Monday the alleged role of military officers in the Freeport shooting incident in Papua but admitted that some servicemen were involved in the murder of Papua proindependence leader Theys Hiyo Eluay.

Police announce breakthrough in Bali probe

Police announce breakthrough in Bali probe The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Denpasar Police investigating the Bali bombing have made a significant breakthrough with the identification of a suspect, believed to be a bomb expert, who is has fled his home and is evading police. Police Chief Gen.

;AP;KOD;

;AP;KOD; ANPAu..r.. Aglance-Thailand-drugs Five drug traffickers sentenced to death JP/12/ASEAN Drug traffickers sentenced to death THAILAND: A Thai court on Thursday sentenced five drug traffickers to death and a sixth to life in prison for trafficking 7.7 million methamphetamine tablets and 116 kilograms of heroin. The suspects, all men, were arrested in January last year while delivering the drugs. All were members of ethnic hill tribe minorities from northern Thailand.

Economic pump priming

Economic pump priming As with the government's budget this year, its budget proposal for 2003, currently under deliberation by the House of Representatives, is facing sudden and radical changes in the external and internal environments.

Fire destroys three schools, bus in Aceh

Fire destroys three schools, bus in Aceh Nani Farida, The Jakarta post, Lhokseumawe With only a couple of days to go before the Aceh peace talks start, three junior high schools and a bus were set on fire in Lhokseumawe, a stronghold of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), raising condemnations from numerous sides in the region. Three groups believed to be members of GAM torched the three schools, located in the Banda Sakti, Muara Dua and Dewantara subdistricts, almost at the same time on Wednesday.

The APEC summit

The APEC summit The APEC summit in Los Cabos, Mexico has just finished with no significant commitment among the member countries. As expected, the summit was dominated by terrorist-related issues; the loudest voice being President George W. Bush. Talks on business, which is the core issue in the annual summit sank amid terrorism issues. No wonder there have been no major reports on the result of the summit.

On economic recovery

On economic recovery Bank Indonesia (BI) regulation No. 4/7/PBI/2002 dated Sept. 27, 2002, which limits the purchase of assets controlled by the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) to a maximum of 50 percent of the core capital of banks, is both confusing to many bankers and a constraint to national economic recovery.

'Bung' Karno's teachings

'Bung' Karno's teachings From Rakyat Merdeka The reform movement has not yet borne fruit because it is not imbued with the teachings of Bung Karno, which stress a love of the people and togetherness in keeping with the ideals of the Aug. 17, 1945 revolution. Now that Soeharto has stepped down from his presidential seat, the stipulation of the People's Consultative Assembly banning Bung Karno's teachings has remained in force.

Bukit Asam moves to tempt buyers

Bukit Asam moves to tempt buyers JAKARTA: Indonesia's state-owned coal producer PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam will tempt buyers by granting two free warrants with each share it offers in an initial public offering later this year, according to a minister. State Minister of State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi said late Wednesday that the buyers can exchange the warrants for shares in the future at a certain price, which is usually lower than the prevailing market price.

Security in E. Java remains tight

Security in E. Java remains tight SURABAYA, East Java: East Java Police Chief Insp. Gen. Sutanto said on Thursday that it would continue to maintain tight security at a number of locations in the province. "We don't want to take any risks as bomb terror can happen at anytime, anywhere," he said. Jl. Soetomo, where the U.S. consulate office is located, remained closed on Thursday.

Archipelagic Indonesia: Land of infinite promise

Archipelagic Indonesia: Land of infinite promise Tan Chee Leng, Political Observer of Indonesian politics, graduated from Griffith University More than 30 years ago, notable anthropologist Clifford Geertz described Indonesia as "a country which, unable to find a political form appropriate to the temper of its people, stumbles on apprehensively from one contrivance to the next." The term "contrivance" is quite improper. We shall call it "democratic project".

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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Composite index : 369.044 Previous : 361.119 Total trading volume : 623,391,501 Total trading value : Rp 436,9 billion -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Govt, House agree to cut 2003 growth forecast to 4%

Govt, House agree to cut 2003 growth forecast to 4% The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives' committee and the government agreed to slash next year's economic growth forecast by a full percentage point to 4 percent, and inject Rp 5.9 trillion (about US$641 million) more into the economy to soften the blow from the Oct. 12, terrorist strike in Bali. "The blasts are costing our economy dearly.

Sutra Airlines resumes operations

Sutra Airlines resumes operations MEDAN, North Sumatra: The North Sumatra provincial administration said on Thursday that provincial airline, Sutra Airlines, would resume operations next year. North Sumatra governor T. Rizal Nurdin said on Thursday that Sutra Airlines would resume operation with or without its Malaysian partner PT Rabin Global Air Servindo. Sutra Airlines ceased operations after the Malaysian company stopped leasing its 40-seat Fokker-27 plane to Sutra.

Oil price firms on refinery shutdown

Oil price firms on refinery shutdown Agence France-Presse, London The price of oil firmed in early trading here Thursday on news of a Venezuelan refinery shutdown and a cold weather forecast in the United States, dealers said. Reference Brent North Sea crude oil for December delivery rose to US$25.64 a barrel by early afternoon here from $25.30 at the end of trading on Wednesday, the lowest closing level since Aug.8.

Java farmers expected to begin sowing soon

Java farmers expected to begin sowing soon The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Rice farmers in Java, who have been forced to delay planting crops for more than two months due to the long drought, may be able to start planting next month, when rains are expected to fall again, an official said Thursday.

* Headlines: Police apologize for damage to hospital2

* Headlines: Police apologize for damage to hospital2 * National:Team delays completion of AG Rachman's probe4 * Archipelago:Fire destroys schools, bus in Aceh 5 * Opinion:New media rules in covering terrorism7 * City: City may see garbage crisis next year 8 * Sports: Mickelson hopes history will repeat against Tiger9 * World: UN cannot 'handcuff' U.S. on Iraq: Powell12 * Business:Govt finally decides on KPC stake allocation13 * Features:Hu: China's mysterious leader-in-waiting20

ASEAN, China to sign FTA framework

ASEAN, China to sign FTA framework Martin Abbugao, Agence France-Presse, Singapore Leaders of China and Southeast Asian countries meeting in Cambodia next week will sign a framework pact on the creation of the world's largest free-trade zone within the decade.

Fuel prices increased to the limit

Fuel prices increased to the limit The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned oil and gas company Pertamina set fuel prices for November at the maximum allowable price, which the government explained was due to soaring oil prices on the world market as war talks in the Middle East persist. Compared to the previous month, the price of automotive diesel rose to Rp 1,550 per liter from Rp 1,440, and industrial diesel to Rp 1,520 per liter from Rp 1,420.

Yogya, safe haven for religious diversity

Yogya, safe haven for religious diversity Intan Darmawati, Contributor, Yogyakarta Yogyakarta has of late been the talk of the international community for allegedly harboring terrorists. The U.S. has gone as far as calling on its citizens to leave the city. The word "terrorist" brings to mind armed and aggressive people that terrorize peace-loving residents. Does Yogyakarta present this picture?

Batam minimum wage rise proposed

Batam minimum wage rise proposed BATAM, Riau: The Batam tripartite committee representing workers, employers and the local administration has proposed increasing the minimum wage on the island by 3.5 percent to Rp 555,000 per month (US$61.6) starting next year from the current level of Rp 535,000 per month. The proposal will be submitted to the Riau governor for official approval before it is announced to the public by the end of the year.

Sex workers in Surabaya want to operate during Ramadhan

Sex workers in Surabaya want to operate during Ramadhan The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Hundreds of sex workers and pimps in Surabaya staged a demonstration at the city's legislative buildings, demanding local authorities to be flexible with the planned closure of nightclubs and entertainment centers during the holy fasting month.

Climate conference disappoints Indonesia

Climate conference disappoints Indonesia Stevie Emilia, The Jakarta Post, New Delhi Indonesia expressed on Thursday its disappointment with the way the UN-sponsored climate conference had proceeded as no significant agreement had been reached and there was only one day remaining. The head of the Indonesian delegation, Liana Bratasida, said participating countries in the 10-day conference had not shown a "clear commitment" in dealing with climate change problems.

Company Status License

Company Status License 1. PT Pindad state-owned Manufacturing, importation and distribution of military and commercial explosives. 2. PT Dahana state-owned Manufacturing, importation and distribution of commercial explosives. 3. PT Multi private Manufacturing, importation Nitrotama and distribution of Kimia commercial explosives. 4. PT Tridaya private Importation and distribution Esta of commercial explosives and firearms. 5.

UNIC, ICWA to hold terrorism dialog

UNIC, ICWA to hold terrorism dialog JAKARTA: In the aftermath of the terrorist attack which killed more than 190 civilians in Bali on Oct.

Australian fund for Bali victims set up

Australian fund for Bali victims set up An Australian official announced the establishment of a fund on Wednesday to aid victims of the Oct. 12 bombing on the Indonesian island of Bali. Consul General Ken Allen said the bombing, which killed almost 200 people including about 90 Australians, "was Australia's Sept.

Death toll rises in Binjai attack

Death toll rises in Binjai attack MEDAN, North Sumatra: A civilian shot when the Army attacked a police base in Binjai, North Sumatra last month, died in Gatot Subroto Hospital in Jakarta on Thursday. The body of Zaenuddin, the victim, has been delivered to his families in Medan for burial. Separately, North Sumatra governor T. Rizal Nurdin, through the Amal Putra Bangsa foundation, donated Rp 143.5 million (US$15,900) to the families of the victims.

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, November 1, 2002

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, November 1, 2002 Exhibitions * Mask by Gallis and Rakidi, The British Council, S. Widjojo Center 1st floor, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 71, South Jakarta (Tel. 2524115), until Dec. 31. * Painting Goresan Warna 2002, World Trade Center, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 29-31 South Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., until Nov. 3. * Painting Ziarah Masa Silam by Agussis, Galeri Cipta II, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta (Tel. 3140554), 10 a.m.

City transportation is part of human rights

City transportation is part of human rights -------------------------------------------------------------- Traffic and ground transportation have become major headaches for residents of Jakarta. The city administration has failed to deal with the chaotic traffic that clogs the capital's streets, and an integrated transportation system offering safe and fast mass rapid transit remains but a dream.

Minimum jail sentence sought for militia leader

Minimum jail sentence sought for militia leader Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State prosecutors demanded on Thursday a minimum ten-year jail sentence for Eurico Guterres, the former commander of a notorious East Timorese prointegration militia group, for gross human rights violations in East Timor in 1999. Prosecutor Muhamad Yusuf told the court the defendant was guilty of provoking his subordinates to attack the home of East Timorese pro-independence leader Manual V.

Military's antiterrorism squads undergo specialty training

Military's antiterrorism squads undergo specialty training Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said on Thursday that the military was conducting rigorous training sessions for its servicemen, who may be included in the planned antiterror squad in a bid to help the National Police to prevent and tackle terrorism in the country.

Envoy denies U.S. role in Bali attack

Envoy denies U.S. role in Bali attack U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Ralph L. Boyce makes a visit to the bomb blast site in Kuta, Bali. Boyce dismissed as "irresponsible" suggestions made in the Indonesian press that the U.S. was behind the attack. "The last thing Indonesian needs at a crucial time in its history is to be pointing fingers elsewhere, when in fact the country needs to come together behind the leadership here and address the issue of terrorism," Boyce said.

KPKPN delays probe into Rachman

KPKPN delays probe into Rachman Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The much-awaited answer to the question of whether Attorney General M.A. Rachman had hidden his wealth will not be heard in the near future as the inquiry team of the Public Servants' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN) needs more time to analyze the case.

Pressure mounts on govt, GAM to sign peace accord

Pressure mounts on govt, GAM to sign peace accord Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Jakarta Pressure is mounting for the government and secessionist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to sign a peace agreement to put an end to decades-long bloody conflicts in the country's westernmost province. Around 3,000 people from Banda Aceh and neighboring Aceh Besar regency prayed for peace outside the Grand Baiturrahman Mosque on Thursday, for the second time in the past four days.

Maan shoots into tie with Sugiartha at Pancasila Cup

Maan shoots into tie with Sugiartha at Pancasila Cup The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A sizzling nine birdies, four of them in a row, and a single bogey for a round of 64 shot Maan Naasim from the Sawangan Golf Club to a tie at the top of the leaderboard after Thursday's third round of the Pemuda Pancasila Cup IV at the Matoa Nasional Golf Club at Ciganjur, South Jakarta.

Construction sector grows by 10% next year: Analyst

Construction sector grows by 10% next year: Analyst A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country's construction sector is expected to grow by between 9.5 percent to 10 percent next year on the back of strong domestic consumption, an analyst said Thursday. "Greater economic growth next year would raise the public's purchasing power.

Archipelagic Indonesia: Land of infinite promise

Archipelagic Indonesia: Land of infinite promise Tan Chee Leng, Senior Researcher, Centre for Political Studies, Jakarta More than 30 years ago, notable anthropologist Clifford Geertz described Indonesia as "a country which, unable to find a political form appropriate to the temper of its people, stumbles on apprehensively from one contrivance to the next." The term "contrivance" is quite improper. We shall call it "democratic project".

Sutiyoso ready for questioning

Sutiyoso ready for questioning JAKARTA: Governor Sutiyoso claimed that he was ready to be questioned by the police as a witness in the alleged manipulation of a Rp 4.2 billion fund for flood victims by the Institute of Civic Education (ICE) on Indonesia. "Yes please. I'm ready, as a witness," he told reporters on Thursday, following the grant of permission by President Megawati Soekarnoputri for the Jakarta Police to investigate him.

Bomb threat closes Bali school

Bomb threat closes Bali school DENPASAR, Bali: A prominent Bali school with both foreign and Indonesian students was forced to close after a fake bomb threat on Wednesday. Maryati, a staff member at Dhyatmika School, considered one of the best schools on the island, said it received the bomb threat on Wednesday at around 8.30 a.m. local time. The person asked her to carefully watch and guard the students since an explosion would take place on the nearby Sanur highway after 2.00 p.m.

Australians detain six Indonesians amid antiterror crackdown

Australians detain six Indonesians amid antiterror crackdown Agence France-Presse, Sydney Australian police arrested six Indonesian men for visa violations Thursday amid a broader crackdown on suspected sympathizers of a radical Indonesian Islamic group accused of plotting terrorist attacks, officials said.

'If I demand too much I'm afraid I'll lose my job'

'If I demand too much I'm afraid I'll lose my job' The current monthly minimum wage in Jakarta, Rp 591,000, will be increased by 7 percent next year. The same minimum wage is currently in place in the Tangerang municipality, where, though not yet official, unions, employers and the local manpower office have agreed to propose a 10 percent increase for next year. What do the workers say? Triyono, an employee at a foreign-owned company in Tangerang.

Tangerang will likely see 10% wage hike next year

Tangerang will likely see 10% wage hike next year Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang While the Jakarta administration has decided to increase the minimum wage by 7 percent starting in January, Tangerang, whose current minimum wage is similar to Jakarta's, will likely implement a 10 percent increase in 2003.

Government finally decides on KPC stake allocation

Government finally decides on KPC stake allocation A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The central government has finally decided to allow two firms belonging to the East Kalimantan provincial administration and the East Kutai regency administration to buy 31 percent of coal producer PT Kaltim Prima Coal (PT KPC).

Bimantara buys Komselindo and Metrosel

Bimantara buys Komselindo and Metrosel Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesia's PT Bimantara Citra said Thursday it plans to acquire up to a 99.99 percent stake each in cellular companies PT Komunikasi Selular Indonesia, or Komselindo, and PT Metrosel, both of which are partly owned by PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia. Telkom has a 35 percent stake in Komselindo and a 20.1 percent stake in Metrosel. The remaining 65 percent stake in Komselindo is owned by PT Elektrindo Nusantara.

Don't close Jakarta to migrants, say analysts

Don't close Jakarta to migrants, say analysts Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso received sharp criticism from the public over his plan to make Jakarta a closed city to poor migrants, as it would be against the Constitution, and also could spark unrest, according to a legal expert.

Final farewell to Delly Rollies

Final farewell to Delly Rollies JAKARTA: Fans, friends and relatives bid a final farewell on Thursday to pop star Delly Joko Arifin, better known as Delly Rollies, who died at the age of 53 on Wednesday. He was buried at the Tanah Kusir cemetery in South Jakarta. The vocalist and keyboardist for The Rollies died of a heart attack at his home in Tebet, South Jakarta. He is survived by four children from three wives.

Bogor needs lightning conductors

Bogor needs lightning conductors BOGOR: The local administration in Bogor is urged to install lightning conductors in trees in the region to prevent lightning strikes on local residents, which are a common occurrence. Bogor has the highest number of lightning strikes in the country recording 15 strikes per square kilometer per year.

Indonesia: The land of infinite promise

Indonesia: The land of infinite promise Tan Chee Leng Senior Researcher Centre for Political Studies Jakarta More than 30 years ago, notable anthropologist Clifford Geertz described Indonesia as "a country which, unable to find a political form appropriate to the temper of its people, stumbles on apprehensively from one contrivance to the next." The term "contrivance" is quite improper. We shall call it "democratic project".

Rupiah Rates Oct.31

Rupiah Rates Oct.31 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp Australian dollar 1 5,390.14 4,831.97 5,138.71 5,083.17 Brunei dollar 1 5,503.85 4,935.57 5,247.12 5,192.16 Canadian dollar 1 6,203.31 5,562.42 5,913.96 5,851.59 Swiss franc 1 6,567.92 5,891.12 6,261.56 6,197.38 Danish krone 1 1,293.35 1,159.70 1,233.02 1,219.99 Euro 1 9,612.31 8,622.09 9,163.94 9,070.33 Poundsterling 1 15,182.51 13,618.24 14,474.31 14,326.21 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,247.90 1,119.64 1,189.69 1,177.

Minister dodges roadblock in Riau

Minister dodges roadblock in Riau Haidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru State Minister of Research and Technology Hatta Radjasa and Riau Governor Saleh Djasit escaped here on Thursday hundreds of angry villagers who tried to stop three buses transporting their entourage. The residents who came from the town of Bangkinang in Kampar regency were among those who opposed the election of Kampar Regent H. Jefry Noer, Antara news agency reported.

1. Bakar: 24 x 1 line

1. Bakar: 24 x 1 line Fire destroys 3 schools, bus in Aceh 2. HKI: 24 x 1 line Minister escapes roadblock in Riau 3. PSK: 10 x 3 lines Sex workers demonstrate in Surabaya

Former child star jailed for drugs

Former child star jailed for drugs JAKARTA: Former child singer Joan Tanamal, now 30, was sentenced Wednesday to one year in jail and Rp 3 million fine for illegal possession of less than a gram of putauw (low-grade heroin). Joan, accompanied by her family, looked calm and thanked the panel of judges of the South Jakarta District Court which gave her a lighter sentence than the 17-month jail sentence sought by chief prosecutor Sumino.

Police apologize for damage to Muhammadiyah Hospital

Police apologize for damage to Muhammadiyah Hospital The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Surakarta National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar has apologized for all negative impacts resulting from the removal of terror suspect Abu Bakar Ba'asyir from the Muhammadiyah hospital in Surakarta on Monday. Speaking to journalists after meeting Vice President Hamzah Haz on Thursday, Da'i said police had no option but to take Ba'asyir by force for the sake of the investigation.

VP urges diplomatic solution to raid on Indonesians

VP urges diplomatic solution to raid on Indonesians Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Vice President Hamzah Haz has called for a diplomatic solution with Australia regarding police raids on homes of Indonesians in the neighboring country. "I believe our foreign ministry already expressed our country's objection (to the raids). Anytime we are concerned about the Australian government's actions, we should use diplomatic channels," Hamzah said on Thursday.