Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 19 December 2002

85 articles found

Security lessons from the Kuta tragedy

Security lessons from the Kuta tragedyI Gde Pitana, Contributor, Denpasar The peaceful atmosphere of Bali was shattered on Oct. 12, 2002 by the bombs that claimed more than 184 lives in Kuta. It was one of the worst tragedies the island has suffered.

POST-IDUL FITRI DROP: Several farmers weigh carrots they have

POST-IDUL FITRI DROP: Several farmers weigh carrots they have just harvested at Gondosuli village in Karang Anyar, Central Java. The prices of vegetables, such as carrots and string beans, continued to decline sharply on Wednesday, one week after the Idul Fitri holiday.

City Council summons a developer

City Council summons a developer JAKARTA: The city council failed to meet with developer Mitra Prima Sejahtera to seek clarification over an alleged violation that it began constructions for an apartment building in Puri Kembangan, West Jakarta, without the necessary documents.

Link between democracy and economic growth?

Link between democracy and economic growth?Akhmad Rizal Shidiq, Institute for Economic and Social Research, Faculty of Economics, University of Indonesia, Jakarta Democracy is desirable because it widens individual freedom and capabilities, argues Satish Mishra (The Jakarta Post, Nov. 5).

Challenges in public services delivery

Challenges in public services deliveryYanuar Nugroho Director, The Business Watch Indonesia Lecturer, Sahid University in Surakarta Researcher, Uni Sosial Demokrat Jakarta Clean water, health care and access to energy are the three most essential of basic human needs, with education perhaps the...

Malaysia, Thailand ready to deal with China

Malaysia, Thailand ready to deal with ChinaDeutsche Presse-Agentur, Singapore South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand look well placed to deal with the economic threat from China, but Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam raise the most concern, a research report said on Wednesday.

The private capture of common good

The private capture of common goodB. Herry-Priyono Driyarkara School of Philosophy Jakarta The year 2002 began with torrential floods battering Jakarta and many other cities. Nature cares nothing for our logic; she has her own, which we do not acknowledge until we are crushed under her wheel.

On religious pluralism

On religious pluralism We refer to the article of Muhammad Ali titled Promoting religious pluralism in The Jakarta Post on Dec. 5, 2002.Muhammad Ali addressed his article exclusively to Muslims, while the fact is that religious radicalism erupted in all religions and faiths worldwide.

House rejects eight govt ambassadorial candidates

House rejects eight govt ambassadorial candidatesBerni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives (DPR) has turned down eight out of 27 ambassadorial candidates proposed by the government due to different selection criteria.

Prosecutors demand death sentence for drug suspect

Prosecutors demand death sentence for drug suspectMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Prosecutors have demanded the death penalty for a Dutch citizen accused of producing and trafficking millions of ecstasy pills between September 1999 and March 2002.Prosecutors Martha P.

Nine soldiers sent to prison over deadly Binjai clash

Nine soldiers sent to prison over deadly Binjai clashApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan A military tribunal here sentenced on Wednesday nine soldiers to between five months and two and a half years in prison for their roles in a deadly attack against two police offices in Binjai, North...

North Sumatra council rejects possible reopening of sawmill

North Sumatra council rejects possible reopening of sawmillApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra The North Sumatra provincial council (DPRD) has openly opposed the central government's plan to allow PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL) to resume its operations in Porsea, and urged police to...

Essential services in 2003: Who owns (and thus, trades) our life?

Essential services in 2003: Who owns (and thus, trades) our life?Yanuar Nugroho Director The Business Watch IndonesiaLife is a game of power. The powerful rulers have their power not because others want it, but because the former use the latter for their own benefit.

Astra issues new shares to raise US$158m

Astra issues new shares to raise US$158mDow Jones, Jakarta Indonesia's largest automaker PT Astra International said Wednesday it hopes to raise US$158 million, or Rp 1.4 trillion rupiah, through a rights issue in January, which is part of a debt restructuring agreed with creditors last week.

Taiwan threatens to cut economic ties with RI

Taiwan threatens to cut economic ties with RIAgencies, Jakarta Taiwanese parliamentarians angrily urged the Taipei government on Wednesday to halt all investment in Indonesia in response to Jakarta's decision to refuse a visit by President Chen Shui-bian.

JSC co-chairman arrives in Aceh to begin peace monitoring work

JSC co-chairman arrives in Aceh to begin peace monitoring workJakarta, Agencies A Thai two-star general, who will be in charge of monitoring the truce in Aceh, arrived in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh on Wednesday.Maj. Gen.

Churches told to be proactive about security

Churches told to be proactive about security BOGOR: In an effort to provide security during Christmas masses celebrated in churches throughout the country, the police are encouraging church officials, parking attendants and security guards to be more alert to suspicious looking visitors and to...

Asian island decision unlikely to herald breakthroughs for other claimants

Asian island decision unlikely to herald breakthroughs for other claimantsJane Macartney, Reuters, Singapore An Indonesian warship prowling the horizon off the disputed Malaysian diving paradise isle of Sipadan can steam home because of a landmark court decision half a world away.

Clerics report intellectual to police

Clerics report intellectual to police JAKARTA: A group of clerics on Wednesday formally asked police to investigate a prominent Islamic intellectual for writing an article urging a reinterpretation of sharia.

Another muddling through scenario

Another muddling through scenarioMuhammad Chatib Basri How do we mark the economic performance in 2002 and what is the prospect for 2003? The average real GDP growth (y-o-y) up to the third quarter of 2002 was recorded at 3.4 percent.

Where to go in Jakarta:Thursday, December 19, 2002

Where to go in Jakarta:Thursday, December 19, 2002Exhibitions * Jukung-Boats from the Barito Basin, Maritime Museum, Jl. Pasar Ikan No. 1, North Jakarta (Tel. 6693406, 6602476), Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., until Dec. 23. * Mask by Gallis and Rakidi, The British Council, S.

FOR COUNTRY PROFILE

FOR COUNTRY PROFILE This article is provided by the Japanese embassy"Walk together, advance together" Indonesia is not only has a close historic relationship with Japan but also maintains close relations in trade and investment.

This article is provided by the Japanese embassy

This article is provided by the Japanese embassyThe Ambassador's View on Bilateral Relations Question: What impression have you gained when you look back at the period of four months after your arrival in Indonesia to take up your assignment?Answer : After taking up my duty here, I held a series of...

KL turns to other disputed island: Heartened by a recent World

KL turns to other disputed island: Heartened by a recent World Court decision awarding Malaysia two tiny islands also claimed by Indonesia, the government will now try to win a territorial tussle with neighboring Singapore, Malaysia's deputy leader said on Wednesday.

Myanmar, Vietnam look to put pressure on Indonesia

Myanmar, Vietnam look to put pressure on IndonesiaMusthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Myanmar and Vietnam are looking to put more pressure on Indonesia in Group A matches of the Tiger Cup when they take to the pitch against lowly opponents on Thursday.

Documents detail terrorist activities in the country

Documents detail terrorist activities in the countryThe Jakarta Post, Denpasar Police have sized dozens of documents detailing terrorist activities in the country during a recent raid of a house rented by suspected terrorist Ali Ghufron alias Muklas in Surakarta, Central Java.

Budiono leads detikcom out of the storm

Budiono leads detikcom out of the stormFitri Wulandari The Jakarta Post Jakarta This year's Idul Fitri holiday season gave workaholics, such as Budiono Darsono, a rare break. Budiono deserved the extended rest from Dec. 5 to Dec.

Bills to preserve, popularize Sundanese culture

Bills to preserve, popularize Sundanese cultureYuli Tri Suwarni The Jakarta Post Bandung, West JavaThe West Java legislative council and provincial administration are deliberating three bills to prevent Sundanese culture and literature from becoming extinct in the future amid the rapid drive of...

Indonesia's security OK for investment, says China

Indonesia's security OK for investment, says ChinaBerni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A visiting Chinese government delegation said the country had no qualms about investing in Indonesia despite the simmering threat of terrorism here, according to a senior Indonesian government official on...

Once shady Jl. Barito

Once shady Jl. Barito becoming barren From KompasThe South Jakarta administration is building an office for the city parks agency in a green area of Jl. Barito II, Kramat Pela subdistrict, formerly known as Barito park. An artesian well is also under construction as part of the building.

A DAY OF PRAYER: President Megawati Soekarnoputri (right) prays

A DAY OF PRAYER: President Megawati Soekarnoputri (right) prays with chief security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (center) and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla during a meeting with community leaders in Banda Aceh, Aceh.

Reinventing globalization

Reinventing globalizationYanuar Nugroho Director The Business Watch IndonesiaIf there is one word that has been the most frequently mentioned by people around the world over the past three to five years, it has been globalization.

Gajah Tunggal clarifies

Gajah Tunggal clarifies Your article published on Dec. 2 titled Sjamsul Nursalim, profile of a bad debtors was unfair, tendentious and injurious. It did not reflect the balanced reporting deserving of The Jakarta Post.

Floods threaten to cut off food supplies to Riau

Floods threaten to cut off food supplies to RiauHaidir Anwar Tanjung and Kasparman, The Jakarta Post, Riau/Jambi Floodwaters spread to other areas in Riau, threatening to cut off food supplies to the province from neighboring West Sumatra as the flooding was likely to submerge the only alternative...

FOR COUNTRY PROFILE

FOR COUNTRY PROFILE JAPAN: DECEMBER 23 Information on study in Japan The Japanese government is making efforts to increase the number of foreign students studying in Japan as a way to nurture and strengthen friendships with other countries.

Rupiah Rates Dec.18

Rupiah Rates Dec.18 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp Australian dollar 1 5,343.03 4,771.92 5,085.09 5,029.63Brunei dollar 1 5,391.88 4,817.04 5,131.58 5,077.19Canadian dollar 1 6,086.14 5,436.89 5,792.33 5,730.51Swiss franc 1 6,604.30 5,901.51 6,285.47 6,220.

Terrorism hits Asia in 2002, but China's economy gives region hope

Terrorism hits Asia in 2002, but China's economy gives region hopeKarl Malakunas, Agence France-Presse, Hong Kong Islamic extremists extended their reign of fear deep into Asia in 2002, a year that was otherwise dominated by China defying regional economic gloom and stepping up its march onto the...

Asian Tour set for record prize money in 2003

Asian Tour set for record prize money in 2003Agencies, Kuala Lumpur Record prize money of US$11.85 million will be on offer for the 2003 Asian PGA Tour, officials announced on Tuesday.The season begins with this week's $833,000 Okinawa Open, the first Asian event to be joint-sanctioned with the...

Int'l help needed to fight money laundering

Int'l help needed to fight money launderingRita A.Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali Indonesian Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said on Wednesday the country needed help from its neighboring countries as well as international organizations to fight money...

(Caption for Spotlight column. Client: Hotel Borobudur)

(Caption for Spotlight column. Client: Hotel Borobudur)BATHING IN CHOCOLATE: Hotel Borobudur Jakarta hosted on Dec. 11 the annual corporate party, the Chocolate and Champagne Evening, for about 250 Top Corporate Accounts and Embassies.

Govt to launch river observation

Govt to launch river observation JAKARTA: The government has proposed that each province in the country should closely monitor the quality of at least one river in 2003 to help monitor pollution and avert ecological disaster.

Another muddling through scenario

Another muddling through scenarioMuhammad Chatib Basri How do we mark the economic performance in 2002 and what is the prospect for 2003? The average real GDP growth (y-o-y) up to the third quarter of 2002 was recorded at 3.4 percent.

IBRA signs APP debt pact but foreign creditors abstain

IBRA signs APP debt pact but foreign creditors abstainDow Jones, Jakarta The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency, or IBRA, signed an outline US$6.5 billion debt workout with Asia Pulp & Paper Co. (PAP) Wednesday, but the refusal of many foreign creditors to agree to the plan means that reaching a...

Non-Jakarta IDs preferred for maids

Non-Jakarta IDs preferred for maidsBambang Nurbianto and Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Employment agencies supplying maids and nannies welcome the city administration's plan to conduct Jakarta identity card sweeps of their companies, although they say they prefer to place domestics...

Another muddling through scenario

Another muddling through scenarioMuhammad Chatib Basri How do we mark the economic performance in 2002 and what is the prospect for 2003? The average real GDP growth (y-o-y) up to the third quarter of 2002 was recorded at 3.4 percent.

RI islands world's richest reefs

RI islands world's richest reefs JAKARTA: Some of the world's most experienced tropical marine scientists have confirmed that the Indonesian islands of Raja Ampat, West of Sorong, Papua, contain the coral reefs with the richest biodiversity in the world.

Economic integration in Southeast Asia: Making AFTA work

Economic integration in Southeast Asia: Making AFTA workPuspa Delima Amri Centre fore Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) JakartaThe year 2002 marked an important era for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, as they embarked on the long evolving plan to realize the...

4 x 12

4 x 12 Samudra to face trial in Batam for Xmas blasts Banjir2 x 24 Floods threaten to cut off food supplies to Riau 2 x 28 North Sumatra council rejects possible reopening of sawmill

VP to open GMNI congress

VP to open GMNI congress JAKARTA: Vice President Hamzah Haz is slated to open the national congress of the 14th Indonesian Nationalist Student Movement (GMNI) from Dec. 20 to Dec. 24 in Manado, North Sulawesi.

On criminal relocation

On criminal relocationFrom Media IndonesiaAs evidenced by the high number of newspaper reports, the town of Bekasi is no longer a safe place to live due to its increasingly higher crime rate, quantitatively and qualitatively.

Aceh needs aid for schools: UN team

Aceh needs aid for schools: UN teamNani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Sigli Aceh is in dire need of financial aid to help restore educational and health facilities damaged during the 26-year bloody conflict, according to a UN team.

NGO alleges corruption of education fund

NGO alleges corruption of education fundDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A non-governmental organization demanded on Wednesday that the city administration impose sanctions on the primary education division of the city education agency for alleged corruption causing the state to suffer...

Samudra to face trial in Batam for Xmas blasts

Samudra to face trial in Batam for Xmas blastsFadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam, Riau Imam Samudra, the alleged mastermind of the devastating Bali bombing in October, will be tried on the industrial island of Batam in Riau province on charges of bomb attacks on churches there two years ago, the police...

Indian PM may discuss Polaris case with Megawati

Indian PM may discuss Polaris case with MegawatiAgencies, New Delhi/Jakarta Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is likely to speak to Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri if the chief executive of Indian software company Polaris Software Laboratory Ltd.

Elementary school roof collapses

Elementary school roof collapses TANGERANG: Part of the roof of state elementary school SDN 8 on Jl. Amil Murin in Panunggangan subdistrict, Pinang district, Tangerang, collapsed on Wednesday morning.No one was injured as the incident took place at 6 a.m. before school starts.

UNTUK FOTO POLICE

UNTUK FOTO POLICE The Japanese Government provides technical assistance to speed up the reform process of the Indonesian police. The picture shows a pilot project on the enhancement of civilian police activities such as crime scene identification and communication, as well as command control for...

UNTUK FOTO POLICE

UNTUK FOTO POLICE Assistance for Police Reform: Reform, through a pilot project on enhancement of civilian police activities. Crime scene identification and communication and command control for police deployment at the Bekasi Police Resort.

Water supply

Water supply In response to the complaint from Retno Triani Johan in The Jakarta Post on Dec. 17, titled Frequent absence of water supply, we would like to explain as follows:On Dec. 14, Palyja's technical team checked and repaired the clean water network.

`I'm skeptical the evictions are serious'

`I'm skeptical the evictions are serious' City Public Order officers evicted street vendors in front of the Harco Shopping Center in Glodok, West Jakarta on Dec. 9. Many of them sold pirated Video Compact Disks (VCDs), including blue movies, and also disrupted the traffic.

(Caption for Spotlight column. Client: Hotel Borobudur)

(Caption for Spotlight column. Client: Hotel Borobudur)BATHING IN CHOCOLATE: Hotel Borobudur Jakarta hosted on Dec. 11 the annual corporate party, the Chocolate and Champagne Evening, for about 250 Top Corporate Accounts and Embassies.

Fitri Wulandari

Fitri Wulandari The Jakarta Post Jakarta Despite strong public protests, the government has approved an average 15 percent rise in phone charges under a new tariff structure proposed by state-owned telecommunications firm PT Telkom to take effect on Jan. 1, next year.

ASEAN - Japan Exchange Year 2003

ASEAN - Japan Exchange Year 2003 (Nihon-ASEAN Koryunen 2003) Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi proposed to designate the year 2003 as the "ASEAN - Japan Exchange Year" during his visit to Southeast Asian countries last January.

Steel makers ready to compete under AFTA

Steel makers ready to compete under AFTAAdianto P. Simamora The Jakarta Post JakartaIndonesia's steel manufacturers are ready to compete with their regional peers under the ASEAN free trade area (AFTA) as the former group was more efficient than the latter, said an industry executive.

New Year galas on budget

New Year galas on budget JAKARTA: The maximum cover charge for New Year's Eve celebrations at five-star hotels and other international entertainment places in the city is Rp 5 million, according to a gubernatorial decree issued on Wednesday.Decree No.

UNTUK FOTO POLICE

UNTUK FOTO POLICE Assistance for Police Reform: Reform, through a pilot project on enhancement of civilian police activities. Crime scene identification and communication and command control for police deployment at the Bekasi Police Resort.

Kalipke worries over Sakai survival

Kalipke worries over Sakai survivalHaidir Anwar Tanjung The Jakarta Post Pekanbaru, Riau Few Indonesians are interested in the diverse number of tribes living in the country's hinterland, much less in the origins of the Malay dialect, which is the base of Indonesia's national language.

Cobra-in-bed scare for Dutch tourist in Malaysian hotel

Cobra-in-bed scare for Dutch tourist in Malaysian hotel KUALA LUMPUR: A Dutch tourist who looked under his pillow in a Malaysian hotel room after he felt something wriggling there was temporarily blinded in one eye when a cobra spat at him.

Experts doubt RI's good corporate governance drive

Experts doubt RI's good corporate governance driveA'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The drive to implement good corporate governance in this country could stumble due to the lack of government political will and a malfunctioning legal system, according to an expert.

Government approves phone charges hike plan

Government approves phone charges hike planFitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite strong public protests, the government has approved an average 15 percent rise in phone charges under a new tariff structure proposed by state-owned telecommunications firm PT Telkom to take effect on Jan.

Hotels implement tight security

Hotels implement tight securityRita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali Only a few months ago, Bali was considered one of the safest tourist resorts in Indonesia and the world.But the Oct. 12 blasts, which claimed nearly 190 lives in the Kuta area, changed everything.

Kaimoeddin rejected as acting governor

Kaimoeddin rejected as acting governor KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The legislature (DPRD) in Southeast Sulawesi has expressed opposition to government plans to appoint La Ode Kaimoeddin as acting governor after the governor and vice governor were accused of money politics.

Bulog to import 800,000 tons of rice next year

Bulog to import 800,000 tons of rice next yearThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The State Logistics Agency (Bulog) said on Wednesday it would import some 800,000 tons of rice next year from several countries to meet domestic demand.

FOR COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPAN - DECEMBER 23

FOR COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPAN - DECEMBER 23Promoting friendship through cultural exchange programs The Japan Foundation, more popularly known in Indonesia as Pusat Kebudayaan Jepang, or the Japan Culture Center, is a semi- governmental, nonprofit organization that carries out the task of promoting...

* Headlines: Int'l help needed to fight money laundering 2

* Headlines: Int'l help needed to fight money laundering 2 * National: House rejects eight govt ambassadorial candidates 4 * Archipelago: Samudra to face trial in Batam for blasts5 * Opinion: Anatomy of conflicts in post-Soeharto era7 * City: NGO alleges corruption of education fund 8 * Sports:...

House asks govt to explain `loss of islands' to public

House asks govt to explain `loss of islands' to publicBerni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives (DPR) demanded Wednesday that the government explain to the public the "loss of two islands" to avoid a backlash after the International Court of Justice ruled that the...

Corruption of the Republic

Corruption of the RepublicB. Herry-Priyono Driyarkara School of Philosophy Jakarta The herd of that social vice called corruption rumbles on unabated. The year 2002 has seen a rapid escalation of this contagion, even though the chorus of criticism grows louder.

done

doneSuccess story during the World Cup finalsThe 2002 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Japan and South Korea, captivated the Japanese public throughout June. In its second appearance at the World Cup finals, the Japanese team chalked up its first ever World Cup points and qualified for the knockout...

Sjafrie threatens to sue ICG

Sjafrie threatens to sue ICG JAKARTA: The Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin will file a suit against the International Crisis Group (ICG) should it fail to revise its latest report on Jamaah Islamiah's operations in Indonesia.

Sleman regency: A paradise for handicraft aficionados

Sleman regency: A paradise for handicraft aficionados Next to scenic beauty and cultural heritage, another feature that sets a tourist resort apart from other holiday destinations is its specific products.

Law must be enforced in Aceh, Megawati says

Law must be enforced in Aceh, Megawati saysNani Farida and Ibnu Mat Noor, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh Despite the decreasing violence, President Megawati Soekarnoputri stressed the importance of law enforcement as the preliminary requirement to implement the cessation of hostilities agreement,...

Fitri Wulandari

Fitri Wulandari The Jakarta Post JakartaSamsung has seen rosy days in Indonesia, despite the economic woes that have plagued many electronics producers here in recent years.While many players in the electronics industry struggled to cope with a variety of problems, including weakening demand,...

UNTUK FOTO POLICE

UNTUK FOTO POLICE The Japanese Government provides technical assistance to speed up the reform process of the Indonesian police. The picture shows a pilot project on the enhancement of civilian police activities such as crime scene identification and communication, as well as command control for...

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, December 19, 2002

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, December 19, 2002Exhibitions* Painting Emerging Worlds, Gaya Fusion of Senses, Jl. Raya Sayan, Ubud (Tel. 0361 979253), until Dec. 20. * Painting AIDA The Space in Between by Peter Dittmar, Gaya Fusion of Senses, Jl. Raya Sayan, Ubud (Tel. 0361 979253), Dec.

Anatomy of conflicts in post-Soeharto era

Anatomy of conflicts in post-Soeharto eraSidney Jones, Indonesia Project Director, International Crisis Group, Jakarta Since President Soeharto resigned in May 1998, violence and conflict seem to have become part of Indonesian life.

Licking our wounds

Licking our wounds Indonesia never really had a chance in its legal battle to claim the ownership of Pulau Sipadan and Pulau Ligitan. This much is now clear from the overwhelming vote against Indonesia by the panel of 17 judges at the International Court of Justice in The Hague on Tuesday.