Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 21 December 2002

75 articles found

Govt weighs logging moratorium in Java

Govt weighs logging moratorium in Java Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State Minister of the Environment Nabiel Makarim said on Friday that his ministry was considering imposing a logging moratorium in Java to prevent extensive natural disasters. "We're now collecting data as to whether or not it is necessary to implement such a moratorium," Makarim told reporters.

Extended holiday judged a success

Extended holiday judged a success JAKARTA: Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla said on Friday the extended holiday during Idul Fitri had helped to improve work attendance among civil servants. "About 60 percent of civil servants failed to show up to the office after Idul Fitri last year, while only 11 percent were absent this year," Kalla said.

BIN to build intelligence school in Batam

BIN to build intelligence school in Batam Fadli The Jakarta Post Batam, Riau The State Intelligence Agency (BIN) will build an intelligence school on the industrial island of Batam, Riau, by mid next year as it was planning to establish provincial representative offices across the country, the Batam Authority Board said Friday. Board chairman Ismeth Abdullah said the island was chosen by BIN chief Lt. Gen. Hendropriyono during their meeting here on Thursday.

JP/5/CAPTION

JP/5/CAPTION Antara HARD WORK, LOW INCOME: Two women carry large baskets of fruit on their heads at the Petekan Market in Surabaya, East Java. They are paid Rp 1,000 (US$11 cents) to carry one basket from the market to the street, 500 meters away. The laborers said on Friday they earn Rp 20,000 per day.

Governor Sutiyoso told to dismiss directors of ailing city-owned firms

Governor Sutiyoso told to dismiss directors of ailing city-owned firms Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Disappointed with the poor performance of city-owned firms, the City Council urged Governor Sutiyoso on Friday to dismiss the firms' directors on account of the small contribution the firms made to the 2002 City Budget. "Just fire the directors of the firms and replace them with professionals.

TPM's use of word

TPM's use of word "Muslim" From Koran Tempo The decision made by a number of lawyers who call themselves the Muslim Lawyers Team (TPM) to defend suspected terrorists is controversial. This is due to a number of reasons: * The team is defending fellow Muslims, whose acts are condemned by Muslims in general. Therefore, to use the term "Muslim Lawyers" will hurt the feelings of Muslim people in general.

JP

JP GREETING THE NEW YEAR: In keeping with tradition this year's New Year's Eve celebrations will be centered at Ancol Dreamland recreational park where various kinds of live entertainment and fireworks displays will be held in a count down of the remaining moments of the year 2002.

Environmentalists call for new licensing mechanisms

Environmentalists call for new licensing mechanisms Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Environmental experts have called for the introduction of either integrated licensing or a series of licenses for companies to ensure the conservation of natural resources.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec.20, 2002: -------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 725 0 2,500 Adindo Foresta 50 0 0 AGIS Tbk 65 0 2,175,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 200 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 90 0 0 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 800 0 0 Alter Abadi Tbk 10 0 0 Alumindo Light 155 5 10,000 Andhi...

Activists accuse women of allowing domestic violence to happen

Activists accuse women of allowing domestic violence to happen Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Local culture, legal procedures, and a lack of knowledge about legal protection have made victims of domestic violence reluctant to report the cases to the police or bring the perpetrators to court, a police officer and women activists say. Adj. Sr. Comr.

Bishop Belo vows never to appear at RI rights court

Bishop Belo vows never to appear at RI rights court Agence France-Presse, Dili, East Timor East Timor's outgoing bishop, Carlos Belo, hit back on Friday at accusations he had made a fool of an Indonesian human rights court hearing charges against Indonesian military officers, saying he would never appear before it.

Three volcanoes return to normal

Three volcanoes return to normal BANDUNG, West Java: The government has downgraded the status of three volcanoes in the country from alert to normal. Akmad Djumarna, director of the Volcanology and Geology Disaster Mitigation Office, said in Bandung on Friday that the three volcanoes were Mt. Kerinci and Mt. Tangkubanperahu in West Java, and Mt. Merapi in Central Java. However, Mt. Semeru in East Java and Mt. Krakatau in Banten are among those still on alert status, he said. Mt.

4 x 12

4 x 12 BIN to build intelligence school in Batam JP/5/natal 2 x 24 Police, military gear up for Xmas and New Year JP/5/crime 1 x 35 RI, Malaysian police boost cooperation JP/5/gugat 2 x 28 Residents sue President over Bukittinggi mayoralty expansion

Act Together, Advance Together

Act Together, Advance Together Indonesia not only has a close historic relationship with Japan, but also maintains close relations in trade and investment. Below is an interview with Japanese Ambassador Yutoko Iimura about the Japanese government's commitment to further assist Indonesia in achieving stability. Question: What is your impression when you look back at the last four months since your arrival in Indonesia to take up your assignment?

Bali bombing suspects to reconstruct crime

Bali bombing suspects to reconstruct crime I Wayan Juniartha and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar/Jakarta The police will fly suspects of the Bali blast from the resort island to Central Java to have them reconstruct the meetings they allegedly held to plan the attacks. The spokesman for the joint investigative team, Brig. Gen.

Sudibyo M. Wiradji

Sudibyo M. Wiradji Contributor Jakarta Cafes, restaurants promise unforgettable night While most Jakartans will usually stay at home watching television during New Year's Eve, clubbers and party goers will be treated to a variety of live extravaganzas at cafes, restaurants, hotels and public parks to count down the remaining hours of 2002. For clubbers and party goers, cafes and restaurants might be the preferred place to welcome in the New Year.

RI sports still in the balance despite new bill

RI sports still in the balance despite new bill Budi A. Sanusi and Achmad Gozali, Contributors, Jakarta Credit should be given to the National Sports Council (KONI) and the Directorate General of Sports at the Ministry of National Education for the drafting of the sports bill now being deliberated by the House of Representatives. The bill is the first of its kind in Indonesian sports history and hopefully will be passed immediately into law by the House.

Equil clarifies

Equil clarifies In the article Bottled drinking water business thriving (The Jakarta Post Dec. 16), in the last paragraph the writer says that "Morgen Sutanto is president of Equil bottled drinking water company. We would like to correct that, in fact, Morgen Sutanto is president of Equil natural mineral water company. IRAWAN SISWANDI Sales Manager PT. Equilindo Asri Jakarta Note: We thank you for your correction Editor

Indonesia still respect

Indonesia still respect the "one China policy" Jusuf Wanandi Founder and Member Board of Trustees Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta If there is one country that understands more fully what China's "one-China policy" means, that country is Indonesia. Indonesia, a diverse country encompassing a huge archipelago, has faced challenges of separation since she was established in 1945, and still faces some demands for independence in Aceh and West Papua.

Police release Indian businessmen

Police release Indian businessmen The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two high-profile Indian businessmen controversially detained by police were released into the custody of the Indian Embassy on Friday, National Police said. "We released them at 9:30 a.m., but we confiscated their passports to prevent them from leaving the country," National Police deputy spokesman Sr. Comr. Zainuri Lubis said.

'Treat an investor like a mistress'

'Treat an investor like a mistress' or, less grossly nonPC: RI must woo investors more effectively Yose Rizal Damuri Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) yose_rizal@csis.or.id 2. aSAHI23 -- Wider peacekeeping role 1 x 32 Japan's wider peacekeeping role The Asahi Shimbun Tokyo 3.

Tribute to Harry Perkins

Tribute to Harry Perkins Harry Perkins, a truly great Australian, passed away in Perth, Western Australia last weekend. While it is rare for a tribute such as this to be published in an Indonesian newspaper, I would like to say a word in his honor as follows. Harry Perkins was the type of visionary, despite these times of conflict and misunderstanding between Australia and Indonesia, who fought very hard to build bridges between Australia and Southeast Asia.

Promoting the newer ASEAN member states

Promoting the newer ASEAN member states Pola Singh, Head, Initiatives for ASEAN Integration Unit, Jakarta As integration with the world economy increases, the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) finds itself facing important opportunities and challenges including the need to better integrate the new members into the regional and global economy.

Foreign automakers demand repeal of new tariffs on imported parts

Foreign automakers demand repeal of new tariffs on imported parts Associated Press, Hanoi Foreign carmakers on Friday called on Vietnam to repeal plans to increase tariffs on imported car parts during a meeting with government officials. The proposed tariffs would kill the current market for Vietnam's small but growing auto industry, said the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association, which represents the country's 11 joint venture carmakers. The Dec.

Lighting kills 10 in Pandeglang

Lighting kills 10 in Pandeglang The Jakarta Post, Jakarta At least 10 women were killed and five others seriously wounded on Friday when a bolt of lightening struck the bamboo hut where they were sheltering, in the town of Pandeglang, Banten province, local residents and officials said. The victims were working in a paddy field in Cimanis village when the storm hit, but later moved to shelter from the rain, they said.

Rupiah Rates Dec.20

Rupiah Rates Dec.20 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp Australian dollar 1 5,309.26 4,738.87 5,051.07 4,996.83 Brunei dollar 1 5,378.57 4,802.22 5,117.01 5,063.63 Canadian dollar 1 6,047.73 5,399.29 5,753.63 5,693.20 Swiss franc 1 6,576.20 5,872.83 6,256.40 6,192.51 Danish krone 1 1,295.18 1,156.56 1,232.20 1,219.52 Euro 1 9,617.99 8,588.10 9,150.27 9,055.59 Poundsterling 1 15,018.20 13,409.90 14,287.87 14,139.87 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,202.50 1,074.22 1,144.03 1,132.

Playwright Ratna still standing tall

Playwright Ratna still standing tall Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta What saddened playwright Ratna Sarumpaet the most when state-run television station TVRI refused to air her play, Alia, Luka Serambi Mekah (Alia, Wound on Veranda of Mecca), was the response of her fellow artists. Which is to say, they did not respond.

JP

JP GREETING THE NEW YEAR: In keeping with tradition this year's New Year's Eve celebrations will be centered at Ancol Dreamland recreational park where various kinds of live entertainment and fireworks displays will be held in a count down of the remaining moments of the year 2002.

Soft drink producers demand tax abolition

Soft drink producers demand tax abolition A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Soft drink producers demanded the government to revoke the 10 percent luxury tax imposed on their products, arguing that the tax had prevented the industry from growing and worse, may eventually ruin the domestic soft drink industry. The luxury tax has been imposed since 1988.

Hamzah denies protecting terrorists

Hamzah denies protecting terrorists MANADO, North Sulawesi: Vice President Hamzah Haz denied on Friday allegations that he protected terrorists, saying all he did was protect innocent people. "If those people are suspected of breaking the law, then there is no other alternative but to take them to court and put them through the legal process. "It's impossible for any government official in Indonesia to protect terrorists," he said.

Judge reported for attempted extortion

Judge reported for attempted extortion The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A lawyer filed a complaint with Jakarta police on Friday alleging a district court judge attempted to blackmail him during a recent court case. In his complaint, lawyer Wawan Irawan said South Jakarta District Court judge Torang H. Tampubolon, handling a civil case involving his client, had demanded money in exchange for a favorable ruling. "He earlier asked me to give him a cellular phone. My client approved his demand.

BIN to build intelligence school in Batam

BIN to build intelligence school in Batam Fadli The Jakarta Post Batam, Riau The State Intelligence Agency (BIN) will build an intelligence school on the industrial island of Batam, Riau, by mid next year as it was planning to establish provincial representative offices across the country, the Batam Authority Board said Friday. Board chairman Ismeth Abdullah said the island was chosen by BIN chief Lt. Gen. Hendropriyono during their meeting here on Thursday.

BIN to build intelligence school in Batam

BIN to build intelligence school in Batam Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam, Riau The State Intelligence Agency (BIN) will build an intelligence school on the industrial island of Batam, Riau, by mid next year as it was planning to establish provincial representative offices across the country, the Batam Authority Board said Friday. Board chairman Ismeth Abdullah said the island was chosen by BIN chief Lt. Gen. Hendropriyono during their meeting here on Thursday.

Ex-bank owners freed from criminal charges

Ex-bank owners freed from criminal charges Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government finally agreed on Friday to exempt former bank owners deemed cooperative in settling their debts to the state from criminal charges, dashing public hopes for justice. The decision was finalized at a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Planned allowances for RT, RW heads rebuked

Planned allowances for RT, RW heads rebuked Damar Harsanto and Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Members of both the high- and low-income communities frowned upon the city administration's plan to provide allowances for the heads of community units (RW) and neighborhood units (RT): the rich felt insulted as the allowances were too small, while the poor said it would be better to allocate the money towards the needy.

1. Judge- 4x10

1. Judge- 4x10 Judge reported for attempted extortion 2. BUMD - 2x 22 Sutiyoso told to dismiss directors of city firms 3. RT - 1x 42 Planned allowances for RT, RW heads rebuked 4. Speak - 2x 20 'Vendors are simply trying to make a living'

Once shady Jl. Barito

Once shady Jl. Barito becoming barren From Kompas The 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.

Language and

Language and disintegration From Kompas Kompas published a report on Nov. 20 referring to the need to be Sundanese as one criterion for the selection of public officials. The news attributed as its source a proposal of the Justice Mandate (ABDI) faction, which was responding to a West Java regional conference on this matter. If this proposal genuinely came from people's representatives, who should have a broad horizon of thinking, I must express deep concern.

Local govts told to boost education

Local govts told to boost education MANADO, North Sulawesi: Vice President Hamzah Haz urged on Friday governors, regents and majors to hold discussions on how to improve the quality of childhood education. Speaking after Friday prayers at the Nurul Huda Mosque in Manado, Hamzah said regional administrations must be serious about improving education or Indonesia would fall behind other countries.

Treat investors like your mistress

Treat investors like your mistress Yose Rizal Damuri Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta yose_rizal@csis.or.id The list of multinational companies planning to stop their production activities in Indonesia gets longer by the day. After Sony Corporation's decision last month to pull out its investment, this month we will see many more companies follow them. U.S.-based cosmetics giant Avon Products Inc, for example, is mulling the closure of its factory in Indonesia.

International Womens' Day: Eliminating discrimination

International Womens' Day: Eliminating discrimination Lynda Kurnia Wardhani, Women's Caring Forum, Jakarta Though the United Nations has issued various important instruments promoting equality of rights of men and women, such as the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Human Rights; extensive discrimination against women still exists until present time.

Time for South Korea leader-elect to face realities

Time for South Korea leader-elect to face realities Jane Macartney, Reuters, Singapore South Korea's president-elect is a lawyer. Now he will need to learn to be a juggler if he is to deliver on a pledge to engage heavily armed North Korea while nurturing an alliance with a United States holding a hard line towards the reclusive communist state and its nuclear ambitions.

TPM's use of word

TPM's use of word "Muslim" From Koran Tempo The decision made by a number of lawyers who call themselves the Muslim Lawyers Team (TPM) to defend suspected terrorists is controversial. This is due to a number of reasons: * The team is defending fellow Muslims, whose acts are condemned by Muslims in general. Therefore, to use the term "Muslim Lawyers" will hurt the feelings of Muslim people in general.

RI, Malaysian police boost cooperation

RI, Malaysian police boost cooperation Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan North Sumatra and Aceh police signed on Friday an agreement with their counterparts from the Malaysian states of Kedang, Perak and Penang on how to deal with the increasing threats of terrorism, weapons smuggling and human trafficking in their respective territories. They, however, failed to reach an agreement on how to deal with narcotics-related crimes.

President-elect Roh pledges cooperation with United States

President-elect Roh pledges cooperation with United States Lim Chang-Won and Park Chan-Kyong, Agence France-Presse, Seoul President-elect Roh Moo-hyun vowed on Friday that South Korea would cooperate with the United States on resolving North Korea's nuclear crisis while accelerating reform of Asia's fourth largest economy. Roh, 56, toning down his anti-U.S. image, said he was ready to meet with U.S. President George W. Bush and was also hoping for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

Man arrested for falsifying decrees

Man arrested for falsifying decrees BOGOR: Bogor Police arrested a man on Thursday at a rented house in Bogor, West Java, for falsifying official decrees on the appointment of civil servants to the ministry of education. At the house on Jl. Riung Merah, in Taman Yasmin housing complex, police officers also seized evidence including 48 fake seals and 14 forms of false decrees during Thursday's raid. Bogor Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr.

RI, RP discuss terror pact extension

RI, RP discuss terror pact extension Agencies, Manila Minister of Foreign Affiars Hassan Wirayuda and Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday discussed border security concerns and the expansion of a trilateral agreement to fight terrorism to include other Southeast Asian nations. Hassan was in Manila with a 13-member delegation to attend a two-day meeting of the Philippines-Indonesia Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC).

Reading at school lacks cultural aspects

Reading at school lacks cultural aspects Reading at school lacks cultural perspectives 2. ASEAN -- 1 x 38 Promoting the newer ASEAN member states 2. Korea21 -- The new desire for freedom on both sides of Korean border 1 X 50 JP/7/KOREA21 Desire for freedom on both sides of Korean border

President to attend Xmas celebration

President to attend Xmas celebration JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz are scheduled to attend a national Christmas celebration here on Dec. 27. The chairman of the event's organizing committee, Pranowo, said after meeting with Megawati on Friday that the celebration would be held at the Jakarta Convention Center. "The VIPs will celebrate Christmas with about 10,000 Christians," Pranowo said during a press conference.

HELPING THE POOR: People in Kampung Pedongkelan, East Jakarta

HELPING THE POOR: People in Kampung Pedongkelan, East Jakarta will soon be able to use the Aulia Foundation's educational and health facilities. OFFICIAL OPENING: Minister of Industry and Trade Rini M. Soewandi officially opens Regional Export and Promotion Center in Surabaya, which is partly financed with Japanese aid.

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. Also, the conductor is always willing to accept payment for tickets on board the train. It would be better for the railway station management to put up something reading like this: "Every train passenger must buy a ticket.

Australia, Canada, EU to reopen embassies in the Philippines

Australia, Canada, EU to reopen embassies in the Philippines Mynardo Macaraig, Agence France-Presse, Manila Australia, Canada and the European Union (EU) said on Friday they would reopen their embassies in Manila which were shut last month after reported terrorist threats from Islamic extremists.

While visiting the province of Aceh on Tuesday, President

While visiting the province of Aceh on Tuesday, President Megawati Soekarnoputri expressed her confidence that the province could "re-emerge" within two years if the people managed to maintain security and peace. Without peace in society, it is hard for the province to develop itself. Peace and security can only be preserved if trust between the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) is properly maintained. Restraining themselves from doing something in violation of the Dec.

KPEN calls for concerted effort to fight smuggling

KPEN calls for concerted effort to fight smuggling The Jakarta Post, Jakarta National Economic Recovery Committee (KPEN) chairman Sofyan Wanandi urged the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise to work together to fight smuggling in the country, which is having a deleterious effect on local industries.

Police, military gear up for Xmas and New Year

Police, military gear up for Xmas and New Year The Jakarta Post, Surabaya/Cirebon/Bandarlampung Military and police forces will deploy thousands of their personnel across the country in a joint effort to ensure regional security during the annual Christmas and New Year's holidays, officers said on Friday. They said the security personnel will be stationed mainly at churches and other public facilities in anticipation of possible attacks on Christmas Eve following the Bali and Makassar bombings.

CPO producers convene to resolve problems

CPO producers convene to resolve problems Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country's palm oil producers gathered here on Friday for a two-day congress to discuss ways to resolve the pressing problems faced by the industry. The fifth congress of the Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association (Gapki) was officially opened by President Megawati Soekarnoputri in a ceremony at Merdeka Palace. The congress will also select new board members for the next two-year period.

JP/5/across

JP/5/across Five detained in attack on newspaper BATAM, Riau: At least five persons, including a journalist, are currently being detained by the Batam city police for their alleged involvement in an attack Wednesday on the offices of the Batam Pos daily. "We arrested the five for their alleged involvement in the attack," said Batam intelligence police chief Comr. Nasri here on Friday. Police said the attack was prompted by a report in the newspaper about a marijuana plantation in Batam.

Shangri-La wins its court case

Shangri-La wins its court case JAKARTA (JP): The Supreme Court has ruled to favor of Shangri- La Hotel in its termination of 75 former hotel employees who were involved in a strike, illegal demonstrations and occupation of the hotel in December 2000. "The decision was taken on Thursday and it is final," hotel senior manager Wastu Widanto told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

U.S., Australia, UK caution on attacks during holidays

U.S., Australia, UK caution on attacks during holidays Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The governments of Australia, Britain and the United States issued new travel advisories for their citizens in Indonesia to be extremely cautious during the upcoming holiday season due to the high possibility of terrorist attacks. Travel advisories from the embassies in Jakarta warned that their citizens should avoid public places such as churches, restaurants and bars during the holidays.

Traumatized Acehnese refugees still reluctant to return home

Traumatized Acehnese refugees still reluctant to return home Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Lhoknibong, East Aceh Khatijah Abdullah, 38, a refugee sheltering in Lhoknibong district, East Aceh, could only manage a fake smile when her four children asked for new clothes for Idul Fitri. "The children are not aware that we are living in an emergency situation. They keep asking for new clothes ... even when getting food is hard for us," she said.

Migrant workers big money for the state

Migrant workers big money for the state The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian migrant workers have rewarded the government's failure to protect and defend them with a whopping US$1 billion in foreign exchange earnings this year alone. Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea estimated on Friday the contribution from the neglected workers to state revenue would reach $5.2 billion in 2003 due to the increasing number of workers seeking employment abroad.

RI readies for do-or-die game against Vietnam

RI readies for do-or-die game against Vietnam Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia is readying itself for a do-or-die match against Vietnam on Saturday night at Bung Karno Stadium in Group A of the Tiger Cup. Entering Saturday's fixtures, which also includes a game between bottom-of-the-group Cambodia and the Philippines, Indonesia trails Vietnam by two points. Ivan Kolev's side is in third place with four points, while Vietnam has six points after two matches.

More clashes in Aceh as JSC starts its work

More clashes in Aceh as JSC starts its work Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Aceh Rebel and government troops in Aceh clashed again in another violation of the 11-day old peace agreement, while a joint committee in charge of implementing the agreement began its first day of work on Friday.

Special police escort for convict Bob Hasan

Special police escort for convict Bob Hasan Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In Indonesia, money talks; even in jail. Former timber magnate Muhammad "Bob" Hasan, a convicted felon, retains his rights to all the privileges the state has to offer, including special police attention.

Drinking water // BOX

Drinking water // BOX Correction: In the article Bottled drinking water business thriving on Dec. 16, in the last paragraph the writer says: "Morgen Sutanto, president at Equil bottled drinking water company,..." This should have been written "Morgen Sutanto, president at Equil natural mineral water company,..." --Editor

Firm appraisal to cover women issue

Firm appraisal to cover women issue JAKARTA: State Minister for the Environment Nabiel Makarim said on Friday that beginning next year, his office would include the rights of women laborers in its environmental appraisals of firms.

JITF meets debt restructuring target

JITF meets debt restructuring target Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Initiative Task Force (JITF) said on Friday it had mediated some US$18.9 billion worth of debt restructuring deals since it was set up four years ago, out of the total $29 billion in corporate debts that it had been tasked to help restructure. JITF chairman Bacellius Ruru told reporters that the amount included about $4.7 billion in debts that had been restructured this year alone.

Residents sue President over Bukittinggi mayoralty expansion

Residents sue President over Bukittinggi mayoralty expansion Kasparman, The Jakarta Post, Padang Residents from 12 villages in Agam regency, West Sumatra, filed a class action lawsuit against the president on Friday over Government Regulation (PP) No. 84/1999 on the expansion of Bukittinggi mayoralty. PP No. 84/1999, issued by former president B.J.

Stop the world,

Stop the world, I want to get off! The article on the power of corporations toward good governance (The Jakarta Post, Dec. 18) by Yanuar Nugroho was highly informative in many respects. Profit, of course, has always been the main objective of business, as even the street vendor knows that cash in must exceed cash out, otherwise it's curtains. With the profits, obviously comes the power, and that is the area where wisdom is severely lacking.

RI exports drugs to 50 countries

RI exports drugs to 50 countries DENPASAR, Bali: Drug and Food Control Agency chairman Sampurno said Indonesia was ready to compete in the world drug market, with the nation's medicines currently in great demand in at least 50 countries. He said the country's medicines, which are exported to countries in the Asia Pacific and Africa, contributed some US$80 million to the country last year.

Rp 18b for Bekasi council building

Rp 18b for Bekasi council building BEKASI: The ongoing construction of the Bekasi Council twin buildings on a 2,000-square-meter plot on Jl. Chairil Anwar will cost Rp 18 billion, head of the municipality's Development Planning Office, Toto Soebekti, has said. Toto said on Wednesday that the construction of the three- story building, which will be completed in March next year, was being financed by the current budget.

Cosmetics firm Avon denies reports it is leaving Indonesia

Cosmetics firm Avon denies reports it is leaving Indonesia Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Cosmetics manufacturer PT Avon Indonesia denied on Friday it was planning to close its factory in the Cilandak Commercial Estate in South Jakarta and relocate to a neighboring country. The public relations manager for PT Avon Indonesia, M.Y. Gunawan, said he had a letter from the company's global office in New York that stressed the company would never leave Indonesia.

Act Together, Advance Together

Act Together, Advance Together Indonesia not only has a close historic relationship with Japan, but also maintains close relations in trade and investment. Below is an interview with Japanese Ambassador Yutoko Iimura about the Japanese government's commitment to further assist Indonesia in achieving stability. Question: What is your impression when you look back at the last four months since your arrival in Indonesia to take up your assignment?

Once shady Jl. Barito

Once shady Jl. Barito becoming barren From Kompas The 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.

ADB approves $301m loan for RI

ADB approves $301m loan for RI Agence France-Presse, Manila Indonesia is to get two loans totaling US$301 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to improve its power sector, the Philippines-based lender said Friday. The bank will extend a $161 million loan for a project to expand the country's renewable energy generation capacity.