Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 15 November 2002

72 articles found

Police distribute Berty's sketch

Police distribute Berty's sketch JAYAPURA, Papua: Jayapura Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Totok Kasmiarto released on Thursday a sketch of Berty Loupatty, who is suspected of instigating sectarian violence on the neighboring island of Maluku. The sketch was publicized in the local media so that the public could recognize him. The suspect has allegedly been seen in Tanah Hitam in the Abepura district of the Papuan provincial capital, Jayapura.

Junta leader, UN envoy meet briefly

Junta leader, UN envoy meet briefly MYANMAR: UN envoy Razali Ismail met with Myanmar's leader Senior General Than Shwe on Thursday in talks critical to the diplomat's efforts to revitalize a stalled reconciliation process, officials said. Razali, who warned recently he would quit if the junta failed to make progress on democratic reforms, had planned to confront Than Shwe over a broken promise to begin a dialog with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Refugees join resettlement program

Refugees join resettlement program Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang With the deadline for the closure of refugee camps here drawing near, 121 East Timorese families have registered for the government-sponsored resettlement program. The head of the operation dealing with the refugees, Lt. Col. Pieter Lobo, said on Thursday the East Timorese families would be resettled on Sumba island in East Nusa Tenggara.

Hotel occupancy rate drops 20 percent

Hotel occupancy rate drops 20 percent SURAKARTA, Central Java: The Surakarta chapter of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants' Association (PHRI) said on Thursday that the hotel occupancy rate in the sultanate city had dropped by 20 percent in the period following the Bali bombing. The association's chairman, Subandono, said that the decline was mainly caused by travel cancellations by foreign tourists.

Support Islamic schools

Support Islamic schools Muhamad Ali, Lecturer, Islamic State University Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, muhamad@hawaii.edu Suspects of the bombings in Bali were reported to be former santri, or students at pesantren (Islamic boarding schools), or that they had lived within the vicinity such schools. A few religious teachers have been repeatedly mentioned in relation to a number of violent acts.

Dutch KITLV to augment role in Indonesia

Dutch KITLV to augment role in Indonesia Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta If somebody were to mention Koninklijk Instituut voor Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde (KITLV) on the street, the response would most likely be one of bafflement. But mention The Royal Institute of Linguistics and Anthropology (the English translation of KITLV) to those concerned with Indonesian history, archaeology, linguistics and anthropology you should get a flash of recognition at the very least.

RI plans palm oil board

RI plans palm oil board The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government and industry players plan to establish a coordinating board for crude palm oil (CPO) to boost Indonesian CPO's competitiveness on the world market, according to the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Soedjai Kartasasmita, Kadin's head of plantation and forestry affairs, said the Indonesian Palm Oil Board (IPOB) would aim to coordinate policies on and solve problems faced by the industry.

House want Rp 20 trillion economic stimulus

House want Rp 20 trillion economic stimulus Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives' budget committee is seeking a stimulus package of up to Rp 20 trillion (about US$2.2 billion) for next year's state budget to help the economy cope with the impact of the Bali bombing, a legislator said on Thursday. The government's proposed package amounts to Rp 5.9 trillion. "Such an allocation is too small.

1. PLN: 50 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12

1. PLN: 50 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12 PLN promises no blackouts during Dec. holidays 2. ZOO: 36 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 24 Ragunan primate enclosure to be enlarged 3 hectares 3. OPERASI: 28 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 34 City special security team set up 4. SPEAK: 28 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 38 'Depression led me to beg on the street'

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, November 15, 2002

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, November 15, 2002 Exhibitions * Sculpture, Painting, Drawing by G. Sidharta, Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Jl. Palmerah Selatan no. 17, Central Jakarta (Tel. 5483008), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Nov. 16. * The Art of Poster by Jan Lavies, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, South Jakarta (Tel. 5241069), until Dec. 5. * Jukung-Boats from the Barito Basin, Maritime Museum, Jl. Pasar Ikan No. 1, North Jakarta (Tel. 6693406, 6602476), Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m.

Aceh solution

Aceh solution Efforts to solve the Aceh problem in a peaceful manner is like the impossible dream. Every time it seems likely that a peace deal will be reached, some new obstacle emerges. The biggest turning point was the abandonment of the military operation zone policy (in 1998), but no significant steps have been taken since. What happened later was an increased demand for freedom in line with then president Abdurrahman Wahid's support.

Tuberculosis hits poor

Tuberculosis hits poor MELAK, East Kalimantan: Tuberculosis in Melak regency reaches is greatest prevalence among the poor, West Kutai Health Office director Maria Laurasari said on Thursday. Maria said that a survey conducted in six villages in the regency found 36 tuberculosis cases among 4,241 people. "We estimated the number of people affected at only 19, but it turns out that the figure is much higher.

PLN promises no blackouts during Dec. holidays

PLN promises no blackouts during Dec. holidays Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Many residents in Jakarta and Tangerang may experience power outages, not only from a shortfall in the power supply from state electricity company PT PLN, but also because of maintenance work and service disruptions. The Jakarta and Tangerang distribution unit of PT PLN, however, has promised to do its best to prevent any outages from occurring during the Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year holidays.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta

Ramadhan time for Jakarta Friday Maghrib 5.52 p.m. Saturday Imsak 3:55 a.m. Subuh 4:05 a.m.

War against terrorism: The Malaysian experience

War against terrorism: The Malaysian experience Malaysia's Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) last week invited a group of senior journalists and CEOs from all over the world including The Jakarta Post's Veeramalla Anjaiah to visit Malaysia as part of the "Malaysia International Visitors' Programme". The group met with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Monday at his office in Putra Jaya. The following are some of the highlights of the meeting.

Telkom's net profit lifted by unit stake sale

Telkom's net profit lifted by unit stake sale Dow Jones, Jakarta PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, or Telkom, Thursday said net profit for the first nine months of the year more than doubled due to capital gains from the sale of a stake in a cellular phone unit. The country's largest telecommunications company reported a net profit of Rp 7.57 trillion (US$837 million) for the period ended September compared with Rp 3.64 trillion a year earlier.

Asia-Pacific favored for investment

Asia-Pacific favored for investment SINGAPORE: Asia Pacific has emerged as a favorable region for property investment, a research program aimed at forecasting "winning" locations said on Thursday.

RI, a nation of incredible people

RI, a nation of incredible people From Koran Tempo When the bombs exploded in Bali thunderously, I was imagining a gang of people laughing heartily or at least smiling proudly because they had succeeded in sending thousands of people into a state of panic. The explosion too had made hundreds of people busy and dozens others nervous because they were afraid of losing their post. Whoever the perpetrators may be, whatever their race, tribe, ethnicity or religion, these people are really incredible.

'Our sense of humanity is already dead'

'Our sense of humanity is already dead' Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The "public show" displayed by National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar and Bali bombing suspect Amrozi during their face-to- face meeting on Wednesday has sparked outrage from analysts here, who lament what they called an insult to humanity.

Telephone rate hike

Telephone rate hike In January, telephone rates will dramatically increase. The rate for local calls will increase by 30 percent. The increase is part of the state minister of communications and telecommunication's decree on the progressive increases in telephone rates by 45 percent within three years. In reality, phone call prices have increased by 30 percent in just the last year. Obviously something is wrong here.

Oil edges higher after sharp Iraq-led fall

Oil edges higher after sharp Iraq-led fall Richard Ayton, Reuters, London Oil prices firmed on Thursday, shell-shocked after a drop to eight month lows on Iraq's acceptance of new United Nations weapons inspections. International benchmark Brent crude oil was 21 cents higher at US$22.91 a barrel, having slumped by over a dollar on Wednesday after Iraq's letter of acceptance was delivered to the U.N., easing fears of an imminent assault by the United States against the oil producer. U.S.

Police apologize for false shooting after jailbreak

Police apologize for false shooting after jailbreak Oyos Saroso, The Jakarta Post, Sukadana, Lampung The provincial police apologized on Thursday to people in the remote Lampung district of Sukadana after an officer shot a resident to death during the hunt for 45 inmates who escaped from the local prison overnight. Lampung Police chief Brig. Gen. Sugiri appealed to Sukadana residents to stay calm and promised to severely punish the errant officer, Sec. Brig.

pl

pl .rm Stock Prices at The Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov.14, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 270 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 675 0 0 Adindo Foresta 50 0 0 AGIS Tbk 65 -5 352,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 215 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 75 -30 1,000 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 800 -25 21,000 Alter Abadi Tbk 10 0 0 Alumindo Light...

To Agum Gumelar: What's happened to national soccer?

To Agum Gumelar: What's happened to national soccer? Budi A. Sanusi, Contributor, Jakarta With the exception of badminton and tennis everything looks somber when we talk about Indonesian sports. Soccer, in particular, is currently at its lowest ebb with the national team suffering defeat after defeat with almost regular monotony.

Legislators to visit Australia

Legislators to visit Australia JAKARTA: Nine legislators from the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I for foreign affairs are planning to visit Australia to meet Australian authorities and Indonesians suspected of terrorist activities. The legislators would visit Indonesian communities in four cities Perth, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. "We will go there to get firsthand information," Ambong told Thursday.

IBRA debtors seen to be regaining control of assets

IBRA debtors seen to be regaining control of assets The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Selling assets in large chunks has helped the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) accelerate its asset-sale program, but analysts now question whether the agency may have been allowing these assets to fall into the wrong hands. Last May, IBRA launched its first massive round of asset sales involving the divestment of Rp 135.45 trillion (about US$14.8 billion) worth of assets in one go.

Asian monies

Asian monies down late, peso ends at 15-month low Nirmala Menon Dow Jones Singapore Most Asian currencies retreated Thursday as the U.S. dollar extended its overnight gains against the yen, with the Philippine peso closing at a 15-month trough, weighed down by the government's fiscal woes. The dollar ended at 53.370 pesos on the Philippine Dealing System - its highest close since Aug. 3, 2001 - and up from 53.220 pesos Wednesday after trading between 53.260 pesos and 53.430 pesos.

New tollway planned for Tangerang

New tollway planned for Tangerang TANGERANG: The Tangerang regency administration has signed a memorandum of understanding on the construction of a new 45- kilometer tollway, which will connect the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport road with Tanjung Pasir and Teluk Naga in Tangerang, as well as connecting with the Jakarta-Merak tollway and Serpong. The road's construction, estimated to cost Rp 2 trillion, is expected to start in January and will be completed within a year.

City special security team set up

City special security team set up The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso has appointed Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo to lead the Ketupat (steamed rice) and Lilin (candle) security operations during the Idul Fitri and Christmas holidays. The head of data processing at the City Social Disturbance Office, Raya Siahaan, said the administration would employ 11,000 police officers and 3,000 public order officers for the operations.

Volcano continues to rumble, some villagers return home

Volcano continues to rumble, some villagers return home Budi Hananto, The Jakarta Post, Garut, West Java Hundreds of villagers living near Mount Papandayan have been allowed to abandon temporary shelters and return to their homes on Thursday although the volcano was still creating mudslides and emitting thick smoke.

Govt asked to act immediately on sports bill

Govt asked to act immediately on sports bill Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Following Indonesia's debacle in the recent Asian Games, the House of Representatives (DPR) asked the government on Thursday to immediately assign a representative to conduct negotiations on the sports bill. "We submitted the sports draft law to the government immediately after we held our plenary session in September.

OBITUARY

OBITUARY I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali Indonesian Hindus mourned on Thursday the passing away of one of their most distinguished figures, Gedong Bagoes Oka, whose life was marked by incessant struggle against the superstitions and outmoded customs that characterized traditional Balinese Hindus. The 82-year-old Gedong Bagoes Oka passed away before dawn in Jakarta following a period of frail health.

ADVERTORIAL : Sleman Regency

ADVERTORIAL : Sleman Regency PUBLISHING DATE: Saturday, Nov. 16 Adventurous tours in Sleman regency Sleman, one of the regencies of Yogyakarta Province, is famous for its scenic beauty, unique traditions and friendly people. One of its natural attractions is Mount Merapi. One of the world's most active volcanos and located 2,968 meters above sea level, Merapi's peak is continuously covered with clouds. Shrouded in mist, its mystique invites the bold and adventurous to uncover its hidden secrets.

Indonesia in danger?

Indonesia in danger? Some rectors of state and private universities have publicly declared that Indonesia is entering a dangerous stage. Similar statements have also been made by observers and politicians. They jokingly ask daily if Indonesia will exist next year. In reality, the joke contains the message that the current situation is really chaotic. The chaotic situation is reflected by, among other things, the issuance of the regulation on terrorism in law of law (Perpu).

Astra to meet creditors Nov 26

Astra to meet creditors Nov 26 JAKARTA: PT Astra International said Thursday it will meet with creditors Nov. 26 in Singapore to seek their approval for a proposed debt-restructuring, which pushes back a deadline to repay all its debt to 2009 from 2006. "We hope that the meeting will be attended by at least two thirds of our total creditors," Astra's President Budi Setiadharma told Dow Jones Newswires. He said he expects the creditors and Astra will sign a debt deal one week after the meeting.

100 Aceh policemen punished

100 Aceh policemen punished BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Administrative and legal sanctions have been imposed on at least 100 policemen for various offenses, Aceh Police chief Ins. Gen. Yusuf Manggabarani said on Thursday. Speaking at a celebration marking the 57th anniversary of the police's Mobile Brigade, Yusuf said 20 of the officers were waiting to go on trial in the North Aceh District Court in connection with an arson attack on shophouses in Seuneddon district last September.

Government plans direct elections for heads of regions by 2004

Government plans direct elections for heads of regions by 2004 Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a bid to get more support for the revision of the regional autonomy law, the government announced on Thursday that it would include a clause on direct elections for governors, regents and mayors across the country in its proposed bill to amend the law. The plan received support from autonomy expert Ryaas Rasyid, former state minister of administrative reforms.

Kopassus suspected of involvement in Papua attack, police say

Kopassus suspected of involvement in Papua attack, police say The Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) soldiers are suspected of involvement in an ambush which killed two Americans near the gold and copper mining site belonging to PT Freeport Indonesia here in August, a senior police officer said Thursday. Papua deputy police chief Brig. Gen. Raziman Tarigan said a native Papuan told police a week after the ambush that he knew the names of four of 11 soldiers involved in the attack.

Minimum sentence sought for officers

Minimum sentence sought for officers JAKARTA: Prosecutors of ad hoc rights tribunal on Thursday demanded the minimum 10-year jail term for one police and two military officers charged with crimes against humanity in East Timor in 1999. The three men -- army Lt. Col. Asep Kuswani, police Lt. Col. Adios Salova, and district military head Leonita Martins -- were charged with failing to prevent pro-Jakarta militias from attacking a church in Liquica on April 6 and killing at least 22 people.

Security and tourism among top issues at Asian airlines summit

Security and tourism among top issues at Asian airlines summit Reuters, Cebu, Philippines Security and threats to tourism will top the agenda on Thursday as executives from 17 Asian airlines start a two-day annual meeting in the Philippines. The hijack-suicide attacks on the United States over a year ago are still fresh in the minds of the officials, but the summit also comes a month after bombings in the Indonesian resort island of Bali killed more than 180 people.

Acehnese urge GAM to sign peace deal

Acehnese urge GAM to sign peace deal Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan The pressure is building for the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to sign a peace agreement with the government to put to rest the bloody conflict that has been plaguing the resource-rich province for the past 26 years.

Rotten fish claims student's life

Rotten fish claims student's life AMBON, Maluku: An elementary student died and three people were rushed to the hospital on Thursday morning after eating fish from Ambon Bay, Maluku. According to Rina Latuheru, a relative of the victims, the fish were brought by two on-duty soldiers from a battalion from North Sumatra's Bukit Barisan Military Command on Wednesday night. The fish were eaten on Thursday morning.

Most Asian currencies down late, peso finishes at 15-month low

Most Asian currencies down late, peso finishes at 15-month low Nirmala Menon, Dow Jones, Singapore Most Asian currencies retreated Thursday as the U.S. dollar extended its overnight gains against the yen, with the Philippine peso closing at a 15-month trough, weighed down by the government's fiscal woes. The dollar ended at 53.370 pesos on the Philippine Dealing System - its highest close since Aug. 3, 2001 - and up from 53.220 pesos Wednesday after trading between 53.260 pesos and 53.430 pesos.

'Depression led me to beg on the stree'

'Depression led me to beg on the stree' City Public Order officers are intensifying crackdowns on beggars during the fasting month. Strong survival skills have helped the beggars stay on the street despite daily threats to their well- being. The Jakarta Post talked with several beggars about this issue. Sarip, 50, is a beggar living with leprosy. He lives in Joglo, West Jakarta, with his wife and six children.

U.S. provides $1.1m in aid for Bali

U.S. provides $1.1m in aid for Bali JAKARTA: The U.S. government will provide US$1.1 million to assist the people of Bali to overcome the impact of the October 12 bombing in Kuta. The U.S. Embassy said here in a statement that the funding, to be provided through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), would support local organizations to address immediate needs for community recovery and promote communication and tolerance in communities throughout Bali. "The U.S.

U.S. reporter faces possible expulsion

U.S. reporter faces possible expulsion THAILAND: A Thai government committee concluded on Thursday that an article published last week in the Asian Wall Street Journal on alleged terrorist activity in Thailand was "exaggerated", a ruling that could lead to the expulsion of an American reporter. The chairman of the committee, National Police Special Branch Bureau chief Maj. Gen.

S'pore mulls FTA with China

S'pore mulls FTA with China SINGAPORE: Singapore will consider negotiating a bilateral free trade agreement with China if other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, proceed to do so, Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in local news reports.

Legislator rejects power price hike

Legislator rejects power price hike The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A House of Representatives commission rejected on Thursday the government's proposal to raise electricity charges for households by 14.5 percent every three months next year, saying such hikes would be inordinately burdensome for the public.

Chinese are traditional smokers

Chinese are traditional smokers I refer to Santi W.E. Soekanto's article in The Jakarta Post on Nov. 13, titled Tobacco war rages on ahead of treaty. She wrote: "However, the meeting was actually about facing the giants themselves -- the international tobacco industry -- which pours billions of dollars into promoting cigarettes so aggressively that China alone has 300 million smokers, which is the equivalent of the entire population of the United States." This is inaccurate.

Two nabbed for making explosives

Two nabbed for making explosives PHILIPPINES: Two men were arrested in the southern Philippines for allegedly making explosives, military reports said on Thursday. The military would not link the two to a series of bomb blasts in the south in recent weeks or to Muslim rebels suspected of carrying out the attacks. The two Muslim men, Abdul Mohamad and Bubong Ajibon, were arrested here late on Tuesday.

17 firms summoned for pollution

17 firms summoned for pollution TANGERANG: The Environmental Agency in Tangerang regency has summoned 17 of 40 industrial firms facing allegations of environmental pollution. Most of the firms do not have any waste water treatment facilities. Some have the facilities but do not use them, while others have the facilities but they do not work properly, the agency chief, Achmad Titik Pristiwa, said on Thursday.

Wicked scalpers at Pulogadung

Wicked scalpers at Pulogadung From Media Indonesia A friend of mine and three of his family members were cheated by scalpers at the Pulogadung bus terminal on Oct. 28. After they had arrived at the terminal at about 6:30 p.m. from outside Java, a small group of scalpers approached them and pulled on their bags to get them to follow them. They could do nothing but go along with them to a bus ticket office at Timbul Jaya.

Australia calls happy Bali bomber 'sneerer'

Australia calls happy Bali bomber 'sneerer' Agencies, Canberra Australians were outraged on Thursday by images of a happy, joking Bali bomber confessing to police in Indonesia, condemning the smile of the Indonesian as proof the bombers were "bloodthirsty" and "sneering" people.

House likely to miss deadline for political bill endorsement

House likely to miss deadline for political bill endorsement Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The current snail-paced deliberations of the political party and election bills by the House of Representatives (DPR) may disrupt the 2004 general elections schedule already arranged by the General Elections Commission (KPU). The bills were expected to be endorsed by the end of the month, but with only ten working days left before the House retires for a one-month recess on Nov.

Handicap drives Paulus' spirit

Handicap drives Paulus' spirit Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Meteorologist Paulus Agus Winarso remembers well his unhappy childhood. He can't forget how his friends mocked him because he could not ride a bicycle due to his physical handicap, and told him he would never study in a university because his parents were poor. The bitter childhood, however, did not make Paulus desperate nor make him feel inferior.

1. KITLV: 1 LINE, 38 COUNTS

1. KITLV: 1 LINE, 38 COUNTS Dutch KITLV to augment role in Indonesia 2. LADEN: 2 LINES, 24 COUNTS Authenticating bin Laden's voice an uncertain task

'Montagnards killed by injection'

'Montagnards killed by injection' VIETNAM: Three ethnic minority Christians in Vietnam's Central Highlands, the scene of widespread unrest last year, have been killed by police who injected them with poison, a U.S.-based organization said on Thursday. The Montagnard Foundation said the three men, Y-Suon Mlo, Y- Het Nie Kdam and Y-Wan Ayun, who were arrested in February last year, died from the lethal injection administered in police custody on Oct. 29 in Dak Lak province.

PPD back in operation after strike

PPD back in operation after strike JAKARTA: Employees of state-owned PPD city bus company went back to work on Thursday after the management met their demand not to scrap their daily meal allowance. On Wednesday, the drivers went on strike to protest the management's decision to stop the meal allowance while at the same time increasing their daily target. Each crew gets Rp 20,000 in meal allowance per day for the driver and either one or two conductors.

Ragunan primate enclosure to be enlarged 3 hectares

Ragunan primate enclosure to be enlarged 3 hectares Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso agreed on Thursday to the planned expansion of a primate center at Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta. The expansion will be funded by the Howletts and Port Lymphne Animal Park Foundation of Britain. The primate center's supervisor, Willie Smits, said the center would be extended from 13.2 hectares to 16.2 hectares. The extension will completed by the end of this month.

An unstrategic plan

An unstrategic plan Big projects begin with dreams, some say. But this slogan is apparently not true for Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso, who has just revealed his latest dream. This is to develop Jakarta in an idealistic manner via the 2002-2007 Strategic Plan, which addresses eight major issues, the draft of which he presented to the City Council plenary session on Tuesday. The council is expected to approve the plan so that it can become a set of bylaws.

Wicked scalpers at Pulogadung

Wicked scalpers at Pulogadung From Media Indonesia A friend of mine and three of his family members were cheated by scalpers at the Pulogadung bus terminal on Oct. 28. After they had arrived at the terminal at about 6:30 p.m. from outside Java, a small group of scalpers approached them and pulled on their bags to get them to follow them. They could do nothing but go along with them to a bus ticket office at Timbul Jaya.

Police to release photos of 10 suspects

Police to release photos of 10 suspects The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Denpasar/Makassar Police investigating the Bali bombing that killed nearly 200 people and injured some 300 others, said on Thursday that they would soon make public the identities of 10 suspects, including Imam Samudra, who has been blamed for masterminding the deadly Oct. 12 blast.

Preparatory ritual held for grand purification ceremony

Preparatory ritual held for grand purification ceremony I Wayan Juniartha and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Kuta, Bali Police have beefed up security in Kuta, Bali, as local residents held the Mendak Bhatara Tirta water-catching ritual on Thursday evening, on the eve of the grand cleansing ceremony of Pemarisudha Karipubhaya at the Oct. 12 bombing site on Friday. Bali Police chief Insp. Gen.

Make the best of broadcasting body

Make the best of broadcasting body Bayu Wicaksono, Civil Society Alliance for Democracy (Yappika), Jakarta What fear do practitioners and businessmen actually have about the broadcasting bill? Businessmen tend to fear the implementation of this law, especially regarding the articles on cross ownership, capital and the establishment of a working agency, which some say is likely to act like a "monster" owing to its unlimited authority and obligations.

Palm oil price rally to continue next year

Palm oil price rally to continue next year Denny Kurien, Dow Jones, Kuala Lumpur Palm oil will continue with its bull run next year, as lower global output of edible oil makes the competitive palm oil a much sought-after alternative, traders and analysts told Dow Jones Newswires. World stocks of edible oil will fall to critical levels next year, as production won't keep pace with rising consumption, analysts and traders said.

Govt plans mass leave for civil servants

Govt plans mass leave for civil servants Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government plans to introduce a mass leave for civil servants during the Idul Fitri and Christmas holidays this year, with private companies free to follow suit. The leave would cover one day before and two days after the Idul Fitri holiday and one day before Christmas, State Minister for Administrative Reforms Feisal Tamin said on Thursday.

;JP;dan;

;JP;dan; ANPAf..r.. Rupiah-conversion-rates Rupiah Rates Nov. 14 JP/13/Conver Rupiah Rates Nov.

;JP;dan;

;JP;dan; ANPAf..r.. Rupiah-conversion-rates Rupiah Rates Nov. 14 JP/13/Conver Rupiah Rates Nov.

Cleansing ceremony at purifying Bali

Cleansing ceremony at purifying Bali On Friday, Nov.15, thousands of Balinese and hundreds of invitees, including the families of over 190 victims from around the world, are scheduled to attend a special purification ceremony, Tawur Agung Pemarisudha Kariphubaya, held to spiritually cleanse the island of Bali from any bad and disturbing influences which may have been caused by the tragic bombing of Kuta on Oct. 12.

RI to speed up ratification of ASEAN haze accord

RI to speed up ratification of ASEAN haze accord Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government and the House of Representatives (DPR) agreed on Thursday to speed up preparations for the ratification of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) accord to tackle the annual choking haze problem.

High-crime routes under snipers guard

High-crime routes under snipers guard Nana Rukmana and Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon/Banyumas At least 15,000 policemen including snipers will be guarding the northern coastal routes of West Java and Central Java to anticipate a surge of criminal threats particularly on the days approaching Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year's holidays. West Java provincial police chief Insp. Gen.

Beggars in the city

Beggars in the city From Suara Karya I am deeply concerned and saddened to see what has become a common sight at intersections in Jakarta: street vendors, buskers, homeless children and an increasing number of beggars asking for money from passengers in buses and cars. There are also beggars with leprosy. These people should be receiving care at a proper health facility. I am fully aware that this may be a result from the protracted monetary crisis.