Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 17 December 2002

68 articles found

Security still shaky a week after peace deal

Security still shaky a week after peace dealThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The security situation in Aceh remains shaky the first week after the signing of a peace accord by the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), with an independent monitoring team still absent, GAM reporting three more deaths...

Moving towards the Free Trade Zone era in Batam

Moving towards the Free Trade Zone era in BatamLegal certainty for investors An industrial zone with international scope such as Batam absolutely requires sufficient area for further expansion in the future.

Government to set up special team to assess IMF role in Indonesia

Government to set up special team to assess IMF role in IndonesiaDadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Finance minister Boediono said on Monday the government plans to set up a special team soon to review the results of reform programs the government has carried out under the International...

Towards the enforcement of Free Trade Zone in Batam

Towards the enforcement of Free Trade Zone in BatamBatam, a comfortable place for investment and settlement Batam is known not only as an industrial estate but also as an attractive tourist resort. The region can also attract investors with its qualified human resources.

Sutiyoso inaugurates Rp 8.7 billion Monas fence amid heavy criticism

Sutiyoso inaugurates Rp 8.7 billion Monas fence amid heavy criticismBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso inaugurated on Monday the Rp 8.7 billion (US$965,000) fence surrounding the National Monument (Monas) by symbolically opening one of four entrance gates to the eight-...

JP/ /

JP/ /Caption/AP/Murizal HamzahLONG ROAD TO PEACE IN ACEH: Soldiers on patrol in Banda Aceh one day ahead of President Megawati Soekarnoputri's visit to the region. The President will attend a thanksgiving prayer on Tuesday with the Acehnese, following the signing of a truce between the government...

Police seize one ton of chemicals in Lamongan

Police seize one ton of chemicals in LamonganFidelito Achmad, The Jakarta Post, Lamongan The team investigating the Oct. 12 Bali blasts seized one ton of chemicals believed to belong to Amrozi, a main suspect in the case, from the house of his business partner, Ashuri, in Lamongan, East Java, on...

W. Java Police heighten security as Christmas, New Year near

W. Java Police heighten security as Christmas, New Year nearYuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung, West Java West Java Police have heightened security at public places, especially churches and places where Christians are to hold Christmas gatherings in anticipation of disturbances during...

Belo fails to testify in rights trial

Belo fails to testify in rights trialMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite the use of teleconferencing in the human rights tribunal for the East Timor case, state prosecutors failed to present key witness former Dili Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo on Monday and only heard weak...

KL to slash import duties on Southeast Asian cars

KL to slash import duties on Southeast Asian carsAssociated Press, Kuala Lumpur The Malaysian government will cut tariffs on imported cars from Southeast Asian countries beginning in 2003, the trade minister was quoting as saying Monday.

Fewer people traveled during Idul Fitri holiday

Fewer people traveled during Idul Fitri holidayNovan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The number of Idul Fitri travelers nationwide decreased from 14.6 million in 2001 to 13.7 million or 6.3 percent this year, while the number of holidaymakers taking airplanes and private cars increased.

Batam Center Grand Mosque: A Rp 15 billion mosque with gorgeous

Batam Center Grand Mosque: A Rp 15 billion mosque with gorgeous architecture to create a dynamic religious atmosphere.Novotel Batam: One of Batam's star-rated international-standard hotels that is a favorite among expatriates.

Army chief rules out disarming, withdrawing troops from Aceh

Army chief rules out disarming, withdrawing troops from AcehLela E. Madjiah, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu dismissed on Monday the possibility of Army troops in Aceh laying down their arms following last week's signing of a cessation of hostilities agreement...

RI-U.S. ties improving after Bali bombing, say ambassadors

RI-U.S. ties improving after Bali bombing, say ambassadorsBerni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The bombings in Bali showed Indonesians that there are terrorists here, and the government's tough response to the attack has helped improve relations with the United States, said Indonesia's...

20 killed in West Java highway during Idul Fitri

20 killed in West Java highway during Idul FitriNana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon, West Java At least 20 people were killed and 45 seriously injured in car accidents during the Idul Fitri holiday along the coastal road in Indramayu, Majalengka, Kuningan, and Cirebon regencies in West Java.

China Merchants seeking Fujian LNG shipping deal

China Merchants seeking Fujian LNG shipping dealDow Jones, Singapore Hong Kong-based China Merchants Transportation Holding Co. is keen to secure a contract for shipping liquefied natural gas from Indonesia to southeastern China's Fujian province, a China-based industry official told Dow Jones...

RP steps up security over letter bombs

RP steps up security over letter bombs PHILIPPINES: The Philippines said on Monday it had tightened security at Manila airport and other entry points after Japanese intelligence reports showed militants were sending letter bombs to Myanmar's embassies in the region.

(Caption for Spotlight column. Approved by client: Metro

(Caption for Spotlight column. Approved by client: Metro Department Store) WISHES COME TRUE AT METRO DEPARTMENT STORE: To celebrate Idul Fitri and Christmas, METRO Department Store is giving its customers the opportunity to win various prizes through its "Wishes Come True" lucky draw, which they...

MPA Singapore on oil spill

MPA Singapore on oil spill I refer to your article Oil spill threatens Batam published in The Jakarta Post on Dec. 10. The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore informed the relevant Indonesian authorities promptly after the incident occurred on Dec. 5.

Int'l money laundering conference opens in Bali

Int'l money laundering conference opens in BaliFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A two-day international conference on money laundering and terrorist financing opens in Bali on Tuesday, with participating countries expected to issue a statement expressing political intent to...

Germany provides $30m fund for RI

Germany provides $30m fund for RIThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The German government has agreed to provide Indonesia with US$30 million worth of funds to help finance various development programs, according to a press statement from the German Embassy in Jakarta.Some $28.

Stock prices at The Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec.16,2002

Stock prices at The Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec.16,2002---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 5 1,000 Ades Alfindo...

Rupiah ends up at 3-month high on Indosat share sale

Rupiah ends up at 3-month high on Indosat share saleDow Jones, Jakarta The Indonesian rupiah ended at a fresh three-month high versus the U.S. dollar Monday after Singapore Technologies Telemedia reached a deal to buy a controlling interest in the country's second-largest telecommunications company.

RP steps up security over letter bombs

RP steps up security over letter bombs PHILIPPINES: The Philippines said on Monday it had tightened security at Manila airport and other entry points after Japanese intelligence reports showed militants were sending letter bombs to Myanmar's embassies in the region.

Certificates for street kids

Certificates for street kids KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Some 200 street children and poor people will receive certificates from the local education office after participating in educational classes.Yoseph Ahryanto Ludoni, director of Purnama Kasih Foundation, which organized the classes, said the...

MANILA: The Philippines' unemployment rate rose to 10.2

MANILA: The Philippines' unemployment rate rose to 10.2 percent in October, the National Statistics Office said Monday. Of the 33.675 million-strong work force, 10.2 percent are without jobs and a further 15.

Dealing with sidewalk vendors

Dealing with sidewalk vendorsFrom Warta KotaRecently a raid was carried out to ensure that sidewalk vendors would no longer use part of the highway and cause traffic jams.Unfortunately, in general, these vendors refuse to move to the places that the city administration has allocated.

Frequent absence of water supply

Frequent absence of water supplyFrom Media IndonesiaI have lived in Slipi, West Jakarta, since July 2002 and have found that the service from the city water company is very poor.At first I thought it was caused by the S.

Importers criticize new registration requirement

Importers criticize new registration requirementAdianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Importers Association (Ginsi) has appealed to the government to revoke a government decree requiring importers to apply for new licenses at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise.

Goh silent on extradition, sand smuggling

Goh silent on extradition, sand smugglingFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Visiting Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri met for two hours to discuss terrorism in the region, but apparently avoided thorny bilateral issues such as...

Sukarno Center in the pipeline

Sukarno Center in the pipeline JAKARTA: The family of former president Sukarno plans to establish the Sukarno Center to itemize and preserve his belongings and legacy.Guruh Soekarnoputra, the youngest son of Sukarno, said on Monday the legacy of Sukarno belonged to all of the people of Indonesia.

BPS to deliver health data

BPS to deliver health data JAKARTA: The Ministry of Health signed on Monday an agreement with the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) to help speed up the delivery of regional health data.The agreement was signed by Minister of Health Sujudi and BPS chief Soedarti Surbakti.

1. Bali: 10 x 4 lines

1. Bali: 10 x 4 linesPolice seize one ton of chemicals in Lamongan2. Ferry: 20 x 2 linesForeign cruise ship with casino to start service from Belawan3. Newyear: 24 x 2 linesWest Java Police heighten security as Christmas and New Year near4. Pantura: 16 x 2 lines20 killed in W. Java during Idul Fitri

Do something about radicals, Gus

Do something about radicals, GusMafoot Simon, The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore If not for the gravity of the situation, Gus Dur's recent remarks about Islamic radicals in Indonesia would have been amusing.

'Tourist slump not due to Bali terror'

'Tourist slump not due to Bali terror' JAKARTA: A total of 91,506 foreign tourists visited Jakarta in October, or 7.59 percent less than the number in the previous month, which recorded more than 99,000 visitors, according to data at the City Statistics Office.

Police find NII documents at bombers' homes

Police find NII documents at bombers' homesJupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Makassar Police investigating the McDonald's restaurant bombing in Makassar have discovered documents outlining plans to declare an Islamic state at the suspects' homes.

`Monas fence will limit access'

`Monas fence will limit access' The city administration unveiled on Monday the new look of the National Monument (Monas) park with its high fences, worth almost Rp 9 billion. Even though there is no charge for entering the park, people are afraid that they will eventually have to pay an admission.

YLKI mulls Pertamina boycott

YLKI mulls Pertamina boycottA'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Consumer Foundation (YLKI) strongly condemned on Monday a decision by state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina to raise the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), saying that it would impose more burdens upon the...

Jakarta 'back to normal'

Jakarta 'back to normal' Driving on Jakarta roads one week after Idul Fitri was enjoyable. Offices and shops were still closed, and trips from one place to another were smooth and fast, while the air was also clean due to reduced vehicular emissions.Things changed on Monday.

RI, China sign population accord

RI, China sign population accord BANGKOK: Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of China here on Monday to cooperate in the field of population and reproductive health/family planning.

Certificates for street kids

Certificates for street kids KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Some 200 street children and poor people will receive certificates from the local education office after participating in educational classes.Yoseph Ahryanto Ludoni, director of Purnama Kasih Foundation, which organized the classes, said the...

Batamindo Industrial Park: One of the huge industrial zones in

Batamindo Industrial Park: One of the huge industrial zones in Batam.Trans-Barelang bridge: A panoramic view of one of the six high- tech bridges that connect Batam and the surrounding islands.

Deutsche Bank optimistic about government bonds issue

Deutsche Bank optimistic about government bonds issueDadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the government began on Monday a road show for its plans to issue some Rp 2 trillion (US$224.72 million) worth of bonds later this week, Deutsche Securities Indonesia -- one of the three firms...

VCD vendors demand right to operate

VCD vendors demand right to operateTertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Dozens of street vendors evicted from the front of the Harco shopping center in Glodok, West Jakarta, staged a rally on Monday, demanding they be allowed to reopen their businesses in the area or be given an...

STT commitment to develop fixed lines questioned

STT commitment to develop fixed lines questionedA'an Suryana and Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The purchase of a 41.9 percent stake in state-owned telecommunications company PT Indosat by Singapore Technologies Telemedia (STT) may not necessarily provide benefits to local customers, as...

Hilda's groundbreaking ceramics in retrospect

Hilda's groundbreaking ceramics in retrospectCarla Bianpoen, Contributor, Jakarta "The approach to ceramics should start from basic knowledge of the material and from making pottery. Only thereafter can a ceramist proceed toward another level.

Indonesia hopes to bounce back against Cambodia

Indonesia hopes to bounce back against CambodiaMusthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After its disappointing draw against Myanmar on Sunday, Indonesia will be looking to secure three points in its second match of the Tiger Cup soccer championship against Cambodia at the Bung Karno Stadium here on...

Papua: A Zone of Peace

Papua: A Zone of PeaceNeles Tebay, Pontifical University of Urbaniana, Rome On Dec. 1, the Papuans made two fundamental decisions, namely to declare Papua as a zone of peace and to claim Dec.1 as the Papua's Day of Peace.

'Immaculate' conception unraveled

'Immaculate' conception unraveledMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang After sticking to her story of an immaculate conception for almost two months, the mystery of a 13-year-old girl who reportedly had a baby without having sexual relations with a man was finally disclosed on Saturday.

1. Neles -- Papua: A zone of peace

1. Neles -- Papua: A zone of peace 1 X 23Papua: A zone of peaceNeles Tebay Pontifical University of Urbaniana Rome2. Simon -- Do something about radicals, Gus orGus Dur must help stem radicalism1 X 30Do something about the radicals Gus DurGus Dur's help against radicalism Mafoot Simon The Straits...

Goh told to pay attention to sand

Goh told to pay attention to sand JAKARTA: People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais told Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on Monday to stop pretending he was unaware of the smuggling of sand from Riau islands to his country.

A new dimension to the war against terrorism

A new dimension to the war against terrorismHilman Adil, Political Analysts, Jakarta Australian Prime Minister John Howard again drew the ire and contempt of a few of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries in an off-the-cuff remark recently revealed that he was prepared to act...

Indosat's strategic partner

Indosat's strategic partner The significance of Singapore Technologies Telemedia Pte Ltd's acquisition of almost 42 percent of PT Indonesia Satellite Corporation (Indosat) at Rp 5.6 trillion (S$630 million) is far larger and wide-ranging than the hefty 51 percent premium price paid by the Singapore...

`RI to be top performing market in Asia in 2003'

`RI to be top performing market in Asia in 2003'Agence France-Presse, Hong Kong Indonesia is expected to be the top performing equity market in Asia for 2003, followed by Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong, ING Financial Markets said Monday.

JP/5/

JP/5/Caption/AntaraIN THE NAME OF MY HUSBAND: Dyah Sujirah alias Sipon, the wife of disappeared poet Wiji Thukul, sits in the living room of her house in Solo, Central Java. Sipon will represent her husband on Tuesday to receive the human rights Yap Thiam Hien Award 2002.

U.S. wants stronger wall to protect embassy

U.S. wants stronger wall to protect embassyBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso has rejected a personally delivered request from U.S. Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce for permission to build a new security fence at the embassy, saying the design was illegal and would set...

Rupiah Rates Dec.16

Rupiah Rates Dec.16 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp Australian dollar 1 5,270.43 4,701.30 5,012.42 4,959.12 Brunei dollar 1 5,327.73 4,753.06 5,066.92 5,013.72 Canadian dollar 1 5,968.09 5,324.67 5,675.94 5,616.68 Swiss franc 1 6,436.57 5,743.59 6,121.48 6,058.

* Headlines: Police find NII documents at bombers' homes2

* Headlines: Police find NII documents at bombers' homes2 * National: Belo fails to testify in rights trial 4 * Archipelago: Police seize one ton of chemical in Lamongan 5 * Opinion: Papua: A zone of peace 6 * City: U.S.

Thieves rob house in daylight

Thieves rob house in daylight BOGOR: Burglars broke into a house and stole valuables worth some Rp 231 million while the owners were out shopping.Aris Subardi and his wife left the house located on Jl. Dewi Ambika 8 of the Indraprasta housing estate here unattended on Sunday at about noon.

Train station slogan

Train station slogan From Warta Kota I found it funny to read a slogan at Depok Baru station reading: "Discipline reflects a cultured society." Below is a description characterizing a train passenger showing discipline.Unfortunately, many passengers do not buy a ticket.

Mudslide and precautions

Mudslide and precautions Pondering the merciless and disastrous mudslide that hit a hot spring resort at Pacet, Mojokerto, East Java, during the Idul Fitri holiday, causing death to innocent schoolchildren enjoying their vacation (The Jakarta Post, Dec. 12 and Dec.

Train station slogan

Train station slogan From Warta Kota I found it funny to read a slogan at Depok Baru station reading: "Discipline reflects a cultured society." Below is a description characterizing a train passenger showing discipline.Unfortunately, many passengers do not buy a ticket.

Rp 625 billion put aside to repair damaged schools

Rp 625 billion put aside to repair damaged schoolsDebbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government said on Monday that it would allocate special funds totaling Rp 625 billion next year to restore dilapidated and damaged elementary school buildings in regencies and towns across the country.

Security guards arrested for stealing

Security guards arrested for stealing BOGOR: Two security guards and another employee of garment factory PT Tritunggal, on Jl. Raya Mayor Oking, Cibinong, were arrested for allegedly masterminding the theft of hundreds of pieces of clothing which were set to be exported to the United States.

`Alia' cancellation an obstruction of freedom

`Alia' cancellation an obstruction of freedomTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned television stations' ban of a play highlighting injustices in Aceh was an obstruction of freedom of expression, activists say.

Foreign ship with casino to start service from Belawan

Foreign ship with casino to start service from BelawanApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra A foreign cruise ship with an onboard casino will start operating immediately between Malaysia, Singapore, North Sumatra and Riau, in a bid to lure tourists to the two provinces, according...

UN team arrives on humanitarian mission to assess needs in Aceh

UN team arrives on humanitarian mission to assess needs in AcehNani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh A team from the United Nations arrived in Aceh on Monday to assess the humanitarian needs of the Acehnese following last week's landmark peace agreement, marking the first UN mission to the...

AIDS, finding

AIDS, finding a scapegoatFrom Kompas Only myths and scapegoats were featured in a report published by Kompas on Nov. 18 on HIV/AIDS in Asmat. Thai fishermen used to be blamed for "carrying" HIV to Merauke but now the blame has been placed on eaglewood merchants and sex workers.