Economic reforms show mixed results in fight against poverty Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Behind all the talk about economic reforms, the one thing that often slips our attention is how they affect the poor. Growth in the economy means more money for the government to help the socially disadvantaged and more jobs for them to escape poverty. Looking back on this year, Indonesia's economic reforms program has performed with mixed results in how it produces that growth.

Local films stimulate inspiring phenomenon Joko E.H. Anwar Contributor Jakarta Local multiplexes this year experienced an unusual but inspiring phenomenon which has not been seen for more than a decade, with posters of locally-made movies displayed side by side at cinemas -- a thrilling sight for those wishing for the resurrection of Indonesian movie industry.

Tourism, a glittering jewel in a tattered crown Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta "Down in the dumps" could well describe the condition of the country's tourism industry after the Oct. 12 terrorist attacks rocked Bali, the heart of the country's tourism industry and one of the world's most popular resort islands.

Policemen miss out on spending time with families Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung, West Java Bomb and terror threats looming over Christmas and New Year celebrations in the country have required many policemen throughout the country to work during the holiday season instead of spending time with their families. Policemen on duty have to direct traffic to reduce traffic congestion during the festive days, patrol the streets to ensure security and respond to reports on criminal cases.

Art enjoyable as ever amid underlying tension Carla Bianpoen Contributor Jakarta For the ignorant art lover, the year 2002 was as enjoyable as ever, with many exhibitions, both local and international. But underneath all this lay the tension that the issue of goreng menggoreng had evoked. The term, which literally means frying, refers to the practice of collectors cum art traders raising market prices by buying large numbers of paintings by certain young up-and-coming artists.

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.

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.

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.

GAM withdraws troops as JSC deploys teams Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Hundreds of armed members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) returned to their bases on Thursday as part of the peace accord it signed with the government earlier this month, as teams of observers prepared to fan out across Aceh to monitor the ceasefire.

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.

On Sipadan and Ligitan The bad news has finally arrived, and concerned Indonesian citizens must accept the fact. This is the second time that Indonesia must "give up" her territory after the secession of East Timor four years ago. We cannot evaluate why Indonesia must give up the two islands, because we do not have adequate information regarding the islands' status. Some people say that the government of Indonesia tends to ignore small islands that border neighboring territories.

Army involved in Papua ambush: Police Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura Police investigators have found evidence linking the Indonesian Army to an ambush on Aug. 31 which killed two American teachers and an Indonesian near the American-owned PT Freeport Indonesia in Papua. Papua deputy police chief Brig. Gen.

It's a good year for agricultural sector Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It was a good year for the country's agricultural sector. As the manufacturing sector struggled to cope with a variety of problems, farmers and farm product traders ended the year with smiles on their faces.

Small cars to enjoy fastest growth next year: Experts A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Automotive industry experts predict that small cars will enjoy the fastest sales growth next year in an otherwise slow market. They argue that small cars, or what are now popularly called city cars, were more affordable for middle-income Indonesian people whose purchasing power had been weakened by the current economic difficulties. "The fastest (sales) growth will be enjoyed by city cars.

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.

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.

Indonesia in for another year of sluggish growth Vincent Lingga, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia is likely to end its fifth consecutive year of economic crisis with moderate growth but is in for another slowdown in expansion in 2003 as the country grapples with adverse internal factors and an unfavorable external environment.

`Musang' a lesson for would-be Don Juans Yusuf Susilo Hartono, Contributor, Jakarta A comedy by playwright Jose Rizal Manua, Musang Berjanggut (The Bearded Civet) presenting popular actress Tamara Blezynski as leading cast will help brighten up the year with its performance at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta on Dec. 27-28. A folktale, Musang Berjanggut is not only popular in its native land, Tanah Deli, North Sumatra but even in Java.

`I'm sure the busway won't solve traffic problems' In an attempt to alleviate traffic around the areas of Blok M in South Jakarta and Kota in West Jakarta and to encourage more commuters to use public transit, the city administration plans to start a new project called the busway system on a trial basis in January next year. The Jakarta Post asked some city residents about the busway plan. Sunar is a conductor on a bus that runs from Blok M, South Jakarta, to Kota, West Jakarta.

Challenges in public services delivery Yanuar 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 fourth. All people are entitled to these things. Yet the reality is completely different, with people around the world having less and less access to what are basic human needs.

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.

Asian stocks seen outperforming after another `annus horribilis' David Vujanovic, Agence France-Presse, Hong Kong Asian bourses had another grim year in 2002, emulating global stock markets amid the economic downturn, but the region is expected to outshine the rest of the world next year despite uncertainty. Analysts were hoping for an upturn in Asian share prices this time last year after the U.S.-led global slowdown in 2001 followed by the shockwaves of the Sept.

Customs to cut bureaucracy in clearance procedure Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Directorate General of Customs and Excise has issued a new policy in a bid to streamline bureaucracy to help smooth the flow of goods into the country. The policy, which will become effective on April 1, 2003, covers the post-release control of goods at the customs office.

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.

Sour note ends this year's performing arts arena Yusuf Susilo Hartono Contributor Jakarta Staging a performance, especially of international caliber in Indonesia in 2002, proved difficult and expensive. The reasons include the difficulty in obtaining funds and sponsors since many companies have gone bankrupt or are in financial trouble due to the economic crisis. In the meantime, raising ticket prices is not an option as even at normal prices, only a few can afford to buy them.

Gloomy year for manufacturing sector Johannes Simbolon, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country's manufacturing industries were mostly in the doldrums at the beginning of the year. Twelve months later, most of them remain in bad shape and are anticipating another gloomy year. Most of the manufacturing industries have projected a drop in export revenue this year and a further decrease in exports next year.

;JP;REI ANPAf..r.. IBRA-yearender IBRA disappoints people ahead of early closure next year JP/ / IBRA disappoints ahead of early closure next year Reiner S. The Jakarta Post Jakarta Officials at the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) have been quietly talking about a severance package for themselves after Chairman Syafruddin Temenggung announced an ambitious plan to close the powerful agency eight months earlier than scheduled.

Luas Samudera Contributor Jakarta The introduction of several new private TV stations -- Trans-TV, Lativi, TV7 and Global-TV -- earlier this year has changed the map of local TV. The top three are still in the hands of the oldtimers: Indosiar, RCTI and SCTV, although the new Trans-TV has taken a small portion of the viewership, endangering the position of fourth ranked TPI.

please keep bolding of the pub names Year of ups and downs for Jakarta pub scene Bill Blade Contributor Jakarta There's no doubt about it, it's been one heck of a hard year, what with glugging down copious quantities of the amber nectar, endless elbow-bending, and trying to get reimbursed for my outstanding efforts -- often far above and beyond the call of duty -- by the denizens of The Jakarta Post's accounts department (a notoriously stingy and tight-fisted crew!).

Five in custody on suspicion of bombing attempts in Manado Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi Police in Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi, arrested on Wednesday night five people suspected of attempting to stage a string of bombings on Christmas Eve in the predominant Christian city, security officers have said.

* Headlines:GAM withdraws troops as JSC deploys teams2 * National:Rahardi mulls quiting Golkar3 * City:Council objects to gas pistol plan4 * Sports: Oram guides NZ to nervy one-day win5 * Opinion: Lessons to learn from Sipadan-Ligitan 7 * Features: Temple provides sanctuary to AIDS victims9 * Business:Customs to cut bureaucracy10 * World:Iraq stocks up on food ahead of likely war12 * Year-enders:Review 2002 and World Scene 13-20

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.

Megawati comforts Papuans on Christmas Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura President Megawati Soekarnoputri celebrated Christmas in Papua and marked the granting of concessions under the special autonomous status to help improve the welfare of Papuans. Accompanied by a number of her Cabinet ministers and her husband, Taufik Kiemas, Megawati joined thousands of Christian Papuans and local officials in celebrating Christmas at the sports stadium in the provincial capital of Jayapura.

Champ Thai not assured of victory Agence France-Presse, Jakarta For the third time in four tournaments, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia will do battle on Friday for a place in the final of the Tiger Cup. But defending champions Thailand will not be seen as odds-on favorites when the semi-finals of the regional soccer contest kick off here.