Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 26 December 2002

81 articles found

Terrorism exists and may worsen next year: Analysts

Terrorism exists and may worsen next year: Analysts Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country will have to deal with numerous social, political and economic problems in 2003 if the government, politicians and security authorities fail to provide legal certainty and law enforcement in the country, according to the National Institute of Sciences (LIPI).

Manpower agency passive as jobseekers are abused

Manpower agency passive as jobseekers are abused Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Sofiah, 35, from Tanjung Sari village in Kentung Gemar district of Sukabumi, West Java, had a big dream: to earn a large salary working as a housemaid in the Middle East.

Mayor releases doves in Monas

Mayor releases doves in Monas JAKARTA: Following Governor Sutiyoso's plan to release deer in the National Monument (Monas) park, Central Jakarta Mayor Hosea Petra Lumbun freed on Tuesday 1,500 birds, mostly turtle doves and thrushes. Mayor Lumbun, according to the city-owned news website beritajakarta, obliged the municipality offices to donate at least 10 birds, to be released in the 100-hectare park in Central Jakarta, currently home to many doves.

BI lowers its benchmark interest rate again

BI lowers its benchmark interest rate again The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Indonesia lowered its benchmark interest rate again, creating concern that the move could help push inflation higher. The interest rate on one-month Bank Indonesia SBI promissory notes slightly declined to 12.99 percent at a weekly auction on Tuesday, compared to 13.02 percent in the previous week.

Dealing with children and TBC

Dealing with children and TBC Dear Dr. Donya, We have had some bad news. It emerged based on the initiative of my wife, who had brought my daughter's stool to a laboratory. It turned out that my daughter had amoebae. On the same occasion, discussing the matter with the family doctor where we lived, we decided to make her take a PPD (skin test for tuberculosis). The result was positive. Afterwards, we consulted a pediatrician in Jakarta, who made her undergo two chest x-rays and a blood test.

Year 2002: Using foreign policy to address domestic problems

Year 2002: Using foreign policy to address domestic problems Fabiola Desy Unidjaja The Jakarta Post Jakarta Activities at the foreign ministry this year demonstrated that foreign policy can be advantageous to domestic interests. Trying to regain its international stature by using foreign policy to address many domestic problems, the ministry launched a number of initiatives that were warmly greeted by neighboring countries.

Sutiyoso reelected Jakarta governor despite suspect status

Sutiyoso reelected Jakarta governor despite suspect status Raymond Toruan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Maj. Gen. (ret.) Sutiyoso has an impressive track record. He was Jakarta Military Commander in 1996 when the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) headquarters on Jl. Diponegoro 58 was attacked by military and police forces of then-president Soeharto's authoritarian administration.

Economic integration in Southeast Asia: Making AFTA work

Economic integration in Southeast Asia: Making AFTA work Puspa Delima Amri Centre fore Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta The 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 ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). However, the event did not arrive in the arms of the most enthusiastic audience, at least not for Indonesian spectators.

Police win praise, but still lacking professionalism

Police win praise, but still lacking professionalism Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta City police won praise from the public for successfully enforcing the ban against firecrackers in Jakarta during the fasting month of Ramadhan and Idul Fitri, allowing city residents to enjoy a peaceful, solemn celebration.

Body count in Aceh rises as JSC urges restraint

Body count in Aceh rises as JSC urges restraint Nani Farida and Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The body count since a peace accord between the government and rebels in Aceh has risen again with another gunshot victim found on Wednesday, as the committee in charge of overseeing the province's security pleaded with both sides to refrain from further violence. A total of 11 have now died since Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) signed a framework peace deal on Dec. 9.

Anticorruption commission: A ray of hope

Anticorruption commission: A ray of hope A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The anticorruption commission is by no means a new animal in the country, which has suffered from graft for decades. The country's first-ever anticorruption body was constituted in 1971, three years after Gen. Soeharto assumed power, in response to pressing public demands for the new government to eradicate corruption. Although former vice president Mohammad "Mr.

Waterless toilet

Waterless toilet at TIM 21 From Suara Karya As one of the regular visitors to Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), I feel reluctant to use the women's toilets in the building. Although the toilets are relatively clean and seem to be well- maintained, they have no water nor toilet paper. Through this letter, I would like to appeal to the Cinema 21 management at TIM or the management of Cinema 21 in general to pay special attention to the needs and comfort of customers. MAHA PRASTIKA DEWI Jakarta

Elected politicians make 2nd rate legislators

Elected politicians make 2nd rate legislators Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta I swear to God: That I will fulfill my duties as a member of the House of Representatives (DPR), excellently and impartially. That I will uphold the Pancasila state ideology, 1945 Constitution and the laws of the country. That I will uphold democracy, dedicate myself to the nation and the unitary state of Indonesia. -- Oath read by members of House of Representatives before taking office.

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.

Embattled Akbar pays high cost of survival

Embattled Akbar pays high cost of survival Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A group of about 68 legislators has set in motion a process to oust Speaker Akbar Tandjung from his cozy leadership position. They believe that Akbar, who has been sentenced to three years in prison for corruption but remains free pending the outcome of his appeal, is no longer fit and proper to lead.

Activists say 2002 a year of defeat for women

Activists say 2002 a year of defeat for women Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The gloomy reality for Indonesian women in 2002 should be addressed by women themselves through their active participation in social, political, economical and cultural aspects of life, a noted activist has said.

Christmas in Jakarta passes off peacefully

Christmas in Jakarta passes off peacefully Damar Harsanto and Leo Wahyudi S., The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Under tight security, thousands of congregations across Jakarta celebrated Christmas on Tuesday and Wednesday with solemn church ceremonies. There were no significant disruptions reported despite concerns over possible terrorist attacks targeting Christmas worshipers. Thousands of churchgoers attended Christmas Eve masses in the cathedral in Central Jakarta despite the fear of bomb attacks.

Govt to stop feeding, housing refugees next month

Govt to stop feeding, housing refugees next month The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government will next month stop providing food and housing assistance for thousands of displaced people who fled religious, ethnic and separatist conflicts throughout the country, a senior welfare minister said here on Tuesday.

Polaris to sue Bank Artha Graha over executives' detention

Polaris to sue Bank Artha Graha over executives' detention Agence France-Presse, Madras, India An executive of a top Indian software firm who was held by Jakarta police with a colleague for nearly two weeks said Wednesday he planned legal action against the Indonesian bank whose complaint had led to their arrest. Arun Jain, chairman of leading Indian software firm Polaris Software India Ltd., and the company's senior vice president Rajiv Malhotra were arrested in Indonesia on Dec.

1. Busway - 4x12

1. Busway - 4x12 Busway project funds drastically increased 2. Labor - 2x 25 Manpower agency passive as jobseekers are abused 3. SPEAKUP: 28 pt, 1 x 31 'I feel much safer this year'

Tax court handles surging number of tax disputes

Tax court handles surging number of tax disputes Rendi A. Witular The Jakarta Post Jakarta Seven months after it received its first tax dispute case, the newly-established Tax Tribunal has now handled 1,058 cases worth around Rp 2 trillion (US$227 million). According to the tribunal internal report, which was made available to The Jakarta Post, some 988 tax dispute cases were filed by corporate taxpayers, and only 70 cases filed by individuals.

Tax court handles surging number of tax disputes

Tax court handles surging number of tax disputes Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Seven months after it received its first tax dispute case, the Tax Tribunal has now handled 1,058 cases valued at a total of around Rp 2 trillion (US$227 million). According to the tribunal's internal report, which was made available to The Jakarta Post, some 988 tax dispute cases were filed by corporate taxpayers, and only 70 cases filed by individuals.

[i]Reuters

Reuters Reuters/Bagus Othmas MALAYSIAN SUSPECTS, POLICE CHIEF: Undated police photos of Malaysians Azahari Husin (photo above, left) and Noor Din Mohd Top, members of the Southeast Asian terrorist group Jamaah Islamiyah and suspects in the Bali bomb blasts. Indonesian police on Monday said they were hunting down the two, the first foreigners named suspects in the attack, for allegedly helping finance the blasts and providing training in bomb making.

Megawati govt hesitant to fight corruption

Megawati govt hesitant to fight corruption A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Four years have passed since the reform movement swept through the nation in 1998, but corruption, the main disease the reformists pledged to eradicate, remains a cause for concern. Rather than waning, corruption has become even more entrenched in society over the last four years. Courts have continued to produce verdicts that go against the public's sense of justice.

Bank Buana to be listed on NYSE in 2003

Bank Buana to be listed on NYSE in 2003 Bank Buana Indonesia has obtained approval from the U.S. Securities and Stock Exchange Commission to sell its shares on the New York Stock Exchange in the first quarter of 2003, in what will be the first listing of American Depositary Receipts by a local bank. "We hope the listing will help boost liquidity of our shares traded on the Jakarta Stock Exchange," Pardi Kendy, told Dow Jones Newswires Tuesday.

Strong civil society needed in Jakarta

Strong civil society needed in Jakarta Bambang Nurbianto and T. Sima Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta is where all reforms begin as the city is home to critical observers, critical students and critical activists of non-governmental organizations. Unfortunately, the city's political system is the most undemocratic in the country. Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso is the most powerful governor.

Another muddling through scenario

Another muddling through scenario Muhammad 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. It is true that the Bali blast is predicted to have impacted on the overall Indonesian economy. Our sensitivity analysis shows the 15 percent decline in the number of tourists will reduce the GDP growth by 0.15 percent.

Megawati passes 2002 with good fortune

Megawati passes 2002 with good fortune Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite many flaws and disappointments, President Megawati Soekarnoputri had a few major achievements in 2002 that will be recorded in history books. Ending this year with the signing of a landmark peace agreement with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), Megawati enters 2003 with the confidence that she will be able to handle any challenge the new year may bring.

U.S. marketing strategy for war in Iraq

U.S. marketing strategy for war in Iraq Iqbal Widastomo, Research Associate, London School of Economics These are dangerous times. The fear of becoming the next victim of a terrorist attack is forcing people to change their plans and this is devastating for parts of the world. The appalling death and destruction caused on Oct. 12 in Kuta, Bali has devastated tourism, the island's single most important industry.

Bali bombsite monument

Bali bombsite monument From Bali Post I read with interest the article by Dr. Sumadi Kertonegoro about his idea of erecting a monument, Kala Cakra (the Wheel of Time), at Legian, Kuta, the site of the Bali bomb blasts, published in Bali Post on Nov. 24, 2002. I would like to make some comments on his concept. Sumadi's idea is based on what happened at Legian when the bomb blasts took place.

1. Terr -- 48pts Bodoni L/c 7col. 1line -

1. Terr -- 48pts Bodoni L/c 7col. 1line - Terrorism shakes SE Asia, but strengthens ASEAN 2. DJA -- 36pts Bodoni L/c 7col. 1line -40 Using foreign policy to deal with domestic problems 3. Bali -- 32pts Bodoni L/c 4col. 1line- Bali bombing takes heavy toll on SE Asia ------------- 4. Caps A-4x, B-3x

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 Indonesia Life 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. Despite its bright side, globalization, in one or many ways, has been creating the imbalances between the powerful, who benefit from the increasing share of our world economy, and the powerless, who suffer from it.

Money talks in city corridors of power

Money talks in city corridors of power Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Almost all political activities in the city, such as the approval of the city budget and the governor's accountability speech, as well as the recent gubernatorial election this year, were tainted by allegations of money politics. It is suspected that money played an important role in the approval of the budget in January and the acceptance of Governor Sutiyoso's accountability speech in July.

Reinventing globalization

Reinventing globalization Yanuar Nugroho Director The Business Watch Indonesia If 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. Leaders would have less confidence if they did not include or address globalization in any of their speeches. Newspapers and magazines would have less pride if they did not denote globalization in their articles.

Malnourished students get help

Malnourished students get help BOGOR: The Rectorate of the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) is planning to distribute 9,000 bags of wheat flour to its malnourished students in January. The plan was revealed on Monday following a recent medical checkup of newly enrolled students, which found that 57 percent of them were malnourished. Many of them came from remote areas throughout the country.

Power politics 2003

Power politics 2003 Chusnul Mar'iyah The years that followed the epochal students, civil society and political victory in 1998 were a lonely time for realists in Indonesia. The 1999 election, for instance, had a bad impact on Indonesian politics. The absence of effective coalitions in the building process of politics indirectly caused the fall of then president Soeharto. Ever since then, we have experienced several successions in national leadership, from Soeharto to B.J.

Crush GAM if

Crush GAM if they betray The public was shocked to learn from the army chief of staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu that the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) had shot Acehnese and members of the Indonesian military. According to the Indonesian military, since the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the Indonesian government and GAM in Geneva, Switzerland, on Dec. 9, GAM has violated the agreement 24 times.

City development continues at the cost of the environment

City development continues at the cost of the environment T. Sima Gunawan The Jakarta Post Jakarta Shopping malls have become a necessity for a metropolis like Jakarta. It is a place where people can shop conveniently in fully air-conditioned stores, enjoy various kinds of food, watch the latest movies, or just hang out with friends. No wonder more and more shopping malls are being built in the city.

Puspa Delima Amri

Puspa Delima Amri CSIS Many people believe that Nov. 10, 2001, the day China was officially admitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO), will go down in history as one of the most important events of the decade. The world's most populous country had successfully ended its 15-year struggle to join the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. China went through considerable pain and struggle to fight for accession to the WTO for obvious reasons.

Terrorism shakes Southeast Asia, but strengthens ASEAN

Terrorism shakes Southeast Asia, but strengthens ASEAN Veeramalla Anjaiah The Jakarta Post Jakarta This year's terror attacks in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia, including the deadly Oct. 12 Bali blasts and the arrests of alleged members of a regional terror network in Singapore and Malaysia, jolted the normally stable Southeast Asia. At the same time these terror acts also united the oft- bickering members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on a common platform.

Year-end special section

Year-end special section The bomb attacks on the world famous island of Bali on Oct. 12 undoubtedly marked the peak of the turmoil that has prevailed in Indonesia for the last 12 months. The mass carnage, perpetrated by terrorists, compounded the long-standing problems facing the nation, particularly the prolonged economic slowdown. As the year draws to a close, it is always a good opportunity for us to examine the year's highlights as well as the lowlights.

Six killed in a chain collision in Cirebon

Six killed in a chain collision in Cirebon Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon At least six people were killed and three others severely injured when a cargo truck hit an intercity bus and an Opel Blazer van in the village of Bendungan, Astanajapura district, some 15 kilometers from Cirebon, West Java, on Monday night. Five of the casualties were passengers of the Blazer van and the other fatality was a bus passenger. Cirebon Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr.

Bali bombing takes political and economic toll on SEAsia

Bali bombing takes political and economic toll on SEAsia Lawrence Bartlett Agence France-Presse Kuala Lumpur The political and economic fallout from the Bali bombing hangs like a radioactive cloud over Southeast Asia, poisoning the region long after the sound of the explosion has died away. The immediate victims were the nearly 200 people, mostly young Western tourists, blown up as they danced on a warm tropical night on a paradise island renowned for its peace, surf and laid- back style.

'I feel much safer this year'

'I feel much safer this year' Churchgoers who observed Christmas Eve felt more relieved that the police, in cooperation with social and religious groups as well as political organizations, safeguarded churches across the city. Some churchgoers shared their feelings after the Christmas with The Jakarta Post. Agustinus, is a teacher who lives in Semper, North Jakarta, with his wife and two children: I felt much safer this year due to heightened security during celebrations on Christmas Eve.

Cahaya Hati donates library

Cahaya Hati donates library TANGERANG: The Cahaya Hati Bangsa Foundation has donated a library containing 700 books to fishermen and their families in West Mauk village, Mauk district, Tangerang regency, the library's manager Yaya Sunarya said on Wednesday. "The books were donated by some publishers, including Gramedia," Yaya, also the principal of Setia Bhakti state elementary school, was quoted by Antara as saying.

Don't ever let crime pay

Don't ever let crime pay The government's decision to drop criminal charges against big conglomerates who robbed the nation of trillions of rupiah, on the grounds that they have settled their debts to the state, albeit partially, is a major blow to justice and to democracy.

* Headlines:Malaysian Police meet Bali bomb suspects2

* Headlines:Malaysian Police meet Bali bomb suspects2 * National:JSC calls for restraint in Aceh3 * City:Busway project funds drastically increased 4 * Sports: Gunners face three-pronged attack 5 * Opinion:U.S. marketing strategy for war in Iraq7 * Features: Ensuring kids' safety during holidays8 * Business:Court handles surging number of tax rows10 * World:Palestinian leaders postpone elections 11 * Year-enders: 13-20

2002 a 'year of grace' for Aceh as peace accord signed

2002 a 'year of grace' for Aceh as peace accord signed Kornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The year 2002 has been marked by the historically significant signing on Dec. 9 of the cessation of hostilities agreement, facilitated by the Geneva-based Henry Dunant Centre (HDC), to end the 26-year-old Aceh conflict that has claimed more than 10,000 lives, as well as to pave the way for the Acehnese people to live a better life, both economically and politically, in the future.

TNI makes strategic retreat from formal politics

TNI makes strategic retreat from formal politics Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Military (TNI) sprang a major surprise in August when it announced that it would relinquish all its seats both in the House of Representatives (DPR) and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) as of 2004, five years earlier than originally scheduled.

2002 a 'year of grace' for Aceh?

2002 a 'year of grace' for Aceh? Kornelius Purba The Jakarta Post Jakarta The year 2002 has been marked by the historically significant signing on Dec. 9 of the cessation of hostilities agreement, facilitated by the Geneva-based Henry Dunant Centre (HDC), to end the 26-year-old Aceh conflict that has claimed more than 10,000 lives, as well as to pave the way for the Acehnese people to live a better life, both economically and politically, in the future.

RI reluctantly launches money laundering agency

RI reluctantly launches money laundering agency Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government on Tuesday launched its long-awaited anti-money laundering agency as part of efforts to get the country off the developed nations' blacklist of countries that are uncooperative in curbing the crime. The new agency is called the Financial Transaction and Report Analysis Center (PPATK). Its first chairman is Yunus Husein, a senior official at Bank Indonesia.

10 more soldiers sentenced up to 30 months for Binjai attack

10 more soldiers sentenced up to 30 months for Binjai attack Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra Another group of 10 soldiers in North Sumatra have been jailed for between 12 months and two-and-a-half years for their involvement in a two-day attack on two police stations here last September, in which 12 people were killed.

JP/2/refugee

JP/2/refugee JP/3/Aceh Body count rises as JSC urges restraint JP/4/DPKP 2 x 25 Jamsostek spends Rp 149.9b on improving workers' welfare 1 x 40 JP/2/refugee Govt to stop feeding, housing refugees next month JP/4/tabrak 1 x 40 Six killed in three-car collision in Cirebon

KL Police question Bali bomb suspects

KL Police question Bali bomb suspects I Wayan Juniartha and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar/Jakarta Malaysian Police chief Insp. Gen. Tan Sri Norian Mai met several key suspects in the Bali bombings to determine if links exist between them and Muslim militants arrested in Malaysia, as well as to offer help in further investigations of the bombings. Accompanied by Bali Police chief Insp. Gen. Budi Setyawan, Mai interviewed Imam Samudra, the alleged mastermind of the Oct.

Prospect for law enforcement in 2003

Prospect for law enforcement in 2003 Satya Arinanto Lecturer and Deputy Dean School of Law University of Indonesia Jakarta arinanto@cbn.net.id The discourse on law enforcement usually starts from the issue of the legal system. According to Lawrence M. Friedman of Stanford University, in one of his influential books, American Law, in modern American society the legal system is everywhere and surrounds everyone.

Defendants of East Timor mayhem

Defendants of East Timor mayhem 1. Abilio Jose Osorio Soares, former East Timor governor, failed to prevent his subordinates from committing a number of tortures and murders in East Timor in 1999. Sentenced to three years in jail, but walks free pending the verdict by the higher court. 2. Insp. Gen. Timbul Silaen East Timor Police chief, charges similar to Abilio's. Acquitted. 3. Col. Herman Sedyono, former Covalima regent, failed to prevent the Suai church massacre on Sept.

Corruption of the Republic

Corruption of the Republic B. 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. As the vicious herd and virtuous criticism take their opposing course, most of us may expect that they would soon collide in a most dramatic manner. If only life were a Hollywood film, of course!

Don't ever let crime pay

Don't ever let crime pay The government's decision to drop criminal charges against big conglomerates who robbed the nation of trillions of rupiah, on the grounds that they have settled their debts to the state, albeit partially, is a major blow to justice and to democracy.

As was the case in 2001, this year we are happy to provide our

As was the case in 2001, this year we are happy to provide our loyal readers with a wide variety of yearend articles covering the main issues that have been dominating the life of the country for the past 12 months. The Jakarta Post hosted a two-day seminar involving 14 scholars from several fields of expertise at the Santika Hotel, Jakarta on Nov. 21 and 22, 2002, for advice on topics which should be presented.

JP/3/more

JP/3/more Telkom helps bomb victims DENPASAR, Bali: State-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom provided on Wednesday educational assistance worth Rp 220 million (US$22,000) for children of the victims of the Oct. 12 bombings, which killed more than 190 people. "The educational aid shows how much we are concerned for the victims of the Bali bombing tragedy," a spokesman for the Telkom Bali office, Sumitra, said here on Wednesday.

Reported street crimes per day

Reported street crimes per day Crimes 2000 2001 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------ Vehicle thefts 7 units 17 units 16.7 units Burglaries 7.8 cases 14 cases 13.6 cases Robberies 4 cases 5.6 cases 7 cases Fatal assaults 1.7 case 3.3 cases 3 cases Extortion 1 case 1.4 case 1.2 case *Source: Jakarta Police

Rahardi handed light sentence for graft

Rahardi handed light sentence for graft Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country's embattled court system was dealt another severe blow on Tuesday as former State Logistics Agency (Bulog) chief Rahardi Ramelan, accused of abuse of power in the disbursement of Rp 62.9 billion (more than US$7 million), was sentenced to two years in jail. However, he will remain free as the court has not ordered a date for him to start his sentence.

Loss of the islands: Respecting the decision

Loss of the islands: Respecting the decision Bantarto Bandoro, Editor, 'The Indonesian Quarterly', Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta, bandoro@csis.or.id The news on the verdict on the Dec. 17 of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the case of Sipadan and Ligitan between Indonesia and Malaysia was in the local and foreign mass media.

City starts ID card sweep

City starts ID card sweep A joint team from the city administration raided on Monday 1,343 people in the city as part of its planned ID card sweep targeting new migrants, who arrived after the Idul Fitri celebrations. An official at the City Population Agency revealed that almost none of the people investigated during the raids possessed the required documentation, such as a letter of explanation from authorized officials from their hometowns.

Christmas passes peacefully despite fear of terror attacks

Christmas passes peacefully despite fear of terror attacks The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite the threat of terrorism, hundreds of thousands of Indonesians across the country packed full churches under tight security in what was regarded as a peaceful Christmas celebration on Wednesday.

The Oct. 12 Bali bombings made 2002 a year of terror for

The Oct. 12 Bali bombings made 2002 a year of terror for Indonesia. The bombings marked the culmination of a series of terrorist outrages in a country plagued by bloodshed, corruption and near-anarchy since the fall of president Soeharto in 1998. The Bali bombings forced the government finally to face up to the deadly threat posed by terrorists. Indonesia then decided to actively join in the global war on terrorism.

JP/3/capt26

JP/3/capt26 AP/Murizal Hamzah FRESH ARRIVALS: Military officers from Thailand walk on the tarmac upon their arrival at Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport in Banda Aceh, Aceh province. Eighteen Thai officers arrived in the troubled province on Tuesday to join the monitoring team of the Joint Security Committee to observe the truce signed on Dec. 9 by the government and the rebel Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

Renomination of Lt. Gen.(ret) Sutiyoso, Approved Sutiyoso's,

Renomination of Lt. Gen.(ret) Sutiyoso, Approved Sutiyoso's, a suspect in the bloody takeover of renomination, sacked Megawati-led PDI's headquarters in 1996, dissident Tarmidi as Jakarta governor Suharjo Corruption involving House of Representative Allowed legal Speaker Akbar Tandjung process against Akbar, but rejects his dismissal as House speaker Attempt to conceal wealth allegedly Rejects demands committed by Attorney General M.A.

Jamsostek spends Rp 149.9b on improving workers' welfare

Jamsostek spends Rp 149.9b on improving workers' welfare Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra State-owned insurance company PT Jamsostek spent more than Rp 149.9 billion (US$16.6 million) in 2002 to provide financial aid and develop social infrastructure in industrial zones to help improve workers' welfare. The president of PT Jamsostek, A.

JP/4/SCENE

JP/4/SCENE Christian inmates get remission JAKARTA: The government granted a sentence remission of between two weeks and two months to Christian inmates on Dec. 25, a senior official has said. Adi Suyatno, director general of correctional institutions at the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights said on Tuesday that remissions of two weeks, one month and two months, were given to Christian inmates who had served more than six months of their sentence.

Living with another lean year

Living with another lean year Indonesia is going to add another pale year into its post- Soeharto era. Its already tarnished image as a state was damaged again severely following the Bali Bombing, which demonstrated undeniably how vulnerable Indonesia has become to acts of terrorism. The bombing, however tragic, is not the only humiliation that the government is forced to swallow.

Fiscal sustainability: How sustainable will it be?

Fiscal sustainability: How sustainable will it be? Muhammad Chatib Basri Looking at the prospects of the world economy in 2003 is like looking at a silhouette. You can see the big picture, but you cannot tell the details. In the big picture we can see that while there are continuing indications that a global recovery is well underway, the details show that the economic recovery is likely to be weaker than anticipated.

Fitri Wulandari

Fitri Wulandari The Jakarta Post Jakarta Samsung 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, unfavorable fiscal policies, labor disputes and corruption, PT Samsung Electronics Indonesia (SEI), the subsidiary of South Korean's giant firm, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Foreign Ministry explains

Foreign Ministry explains From Kompas In response to the letter sent by Robert P. titled Foreign Ministry trapped in coordination meeting, I consider it necessary to explain that information coordination meetings are one of the ministry's routine activities related to the working territories of the representative offices of the Republic of Indonesia.

RI Human rights record as shabby as ever in 2002

RI Human rights record as shabby as ever in 2002 Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta No improvement was made this year with the country's poor human rights record, which was marked by almost no progress of legal action against suspected perpetrators of crimes against humanity and, most lamentably, several acquittals, rights activists said.

SE Asia seen as haven for JI

SE Asia seen as haven for JI Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Singapore Southeast Asia is still a haven for al-Qaeda operatives as radical groups in the region keep receiving external funding and support from charities and illicit channels, a United Nations report said on Wednesday. The terrorist network's Southeast Asian arm, Jamaah Islamiyah (JI), and other al-Qaeda-linked groups are also purchasing weapons locally, said the report released by the UN Monitoring Group set up after the Sept.

Foreign direct investment drops 15 percent

Foreign direct investment drops 15 percent Dow Jones, Jakarta Foreign direct investment (FDI) approvals in Indonesia dropped nearly 15 percent to US$7.16 billion in the first 11 months of 2002 from $8.42 billion in the year-ago period, the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) said. It didn't give any reason for the drop. But, analysts blamed it on the lingering social unrest, labor disputes, a weak legal system, and the Oct. 12 Bali bombing, which killed around 190 mostly western holiday makers.

Busway project funds drastically increased

Busway project funds drastically increased Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After putting off the controversial busway project for over a year because of inadequate planning, the city administration now is seeking a mammoth 80 percent increase of the budget from Rp 50.8 billion to Rp 90.25 billion.

Year-end hopes and doubts

Year-end hopes and doubts As the old year moves towards a close, Indonesia can look toward the new with a measure of hope and optimism, although it continues to face a mountain of hurdles and challenges that is daunting, to say the least. On the plus side, peace and order have been restored -- to a considerable extent, at least, and for now -- in Maluku, as well as in Poso, Central Sulawesi, and other areas that have in the past few years been torn by sectarian conflict.

Prominent corruption cases involving state officials

Prominent corruption cases involving state officials 1. Bank Indonesia State Liquidity Loan (BLBI) case Bank Indonesia Governor Sjachriel Sabirin was convicted of violating prudential banking principles by the Central Jakarta District Court that sentenced him to two years in jail. The Jakarta Provincial Court granted his appeal and cleared him of all charges, but the state prosecutors appealed the verdict. 2.

East Timor human rights trials: All just a game

East Timor human rights trials: All just a game Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia's landmark human rights trials of alleged gross human rights violators in the former province of East Timor will always raise public concern for their failure to break the cycle of impunity.