Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 30 December 2002

109 articles found

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...

AJI sees scant improvement for journalism in 2002

AJI sees scant improvement for journalism in 2002The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The year 2002 will end for Indonesian journalism with hardly any improvements on news quality and press freedom, as reports of slack professionalism, violence against reporters and inadequate access to information have...

Javanese transmigrants refuse to return to Aceh

Javanese transmigrants refuse to return to AcehDebbie A. Lubis The Jakarta Post JakartaDozens of Javanese transmigrant families who were forced to leave Aceh earlier this year now do not want to return to the troubled province despite the signing of an agreement between the government and the Free...

Police posts built for New Year's check

Police posts built for New Year's check JAKARTA: City Police erected 41 police posts in strategic places across the capital to regulate traffic during the New Year's Eve celebration as a measure to uphold security.

Constitutional amendments

Constitutional amendments Satya Arinanto Lecture and Vice Dean School of Law University of Indonesia Jakarta arinanto@cbn.net.id One of the biggest legal issues during 2002 -- and the years immediately preceding it -- was the question of further amending the 1945 Constitution.According to S.E.

The Jakarta Post

The Jakarta Post Jakarta Consumer confidence in the country significantly dropped in November following the Bali bombing, but the terrorist attack failed to impact consumers' shopping plans, according to a survey.

Ancol organizes New Year party

Ancol organizes New Year party JAKARTA: Several artists will entertain visitors on five stages in Ancol Dreamland, North Jakarta to celebrate New Year's Eve on Tuesday night.The artists, are dangdut singers Rhoma Irama, Alam, Ikke Nurjanah, Kristina, Veti Vera and Nelly Agustin, and local bands...

Corruption of the Republic

Corruption of the RepublicB. Herry-Priyono 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.

Prospect for law enforcement in 2003

Prospect for law enforcement in 2003Satya Arinanto Lecturer and Deputy Dean School of Law University of Indonesia Jakarta arinanto@cbn.net.idThe discourse on law enforcement usually starts from the issue of the legal system. According to Lawrence M.

Companies hold women hostage

Companies hold women hostage Reading a Kompas' article of Dec. 21 , 2002 entitled Some 1000 migrant workers are illegally kept I can't help wondering why a Tumbu Saraswati, who is a lawyer and also member of House of Representatives, cannot do anything about a blatant legal violation right in front...

Restoring public trust in the media

Restoring public trust in the media Thomas Hanitzsch Technische Universitat Ilmenau Germany As we come closer to the end of the year, media practitioners and researchers tend to reflect and ask themselves: Was 2002 a good year for the Indonesian media scene?Economically, yes it was! Even though the...

Photo A:

Photo A: Djisman Simanjuntak: Executive director of the Prasetia Mulya Management Institute, Jakarta.Photo B: Bantarto Bandoro: Editor of the Indonesian Quarterly published by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), JakartaPhoto C: M.

1. BUSWAY: 50 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12

1. BUSWAY: 50 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12 Busway could worsen current congestion if project fails 2. TRUMPET: 36 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 24 Trumpet sellers make a fortune amid tight competitionor (if possible use second option)Trumpet sellers rake in a small fortune amid tight competition 3.

Consolidation of democracy: Anticipating 2004

Consolidation of democracy: Anticipating 2004Smita Notosusanto Cetro Next year, is the fifth anniversary of the end of the Soeharto regime which marked Indonesia's transition from authoritarianism to democracy.

Jakartans opt to go out for New Year

Jakartans opt to go out for New YearDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta residents appear to be eager to celebrate the New Year out of their homes as seen by the high number of reservations at restaurants, hotels, bars and a number of outdoor programs on New Year's Eve despite...

[i]Despite poor law enforcement and religious-related clashes

Despite poor law enforcement and religious-related clashes which have spoiled the country's there are some "intrepid" people who have the courage and spirit to fight for justice and harmonious life. The first article on this page tells about a lawyer based in Aceh, who has been struggling for...

Techno-ethics: Dealing with ambivalence of advancements

Techno-ethics: Dealing with ambivalence of advancementsYanuar Nugroho Member Board of ELSPPAT (Institute for Development Studies & Technological Assistance) Bogor, West Java In the field of science and technology, globalization will contribute significantly to mark 2003 as the year when...

;JP;NFK;

;JP;NFK; ANPAa..r.. Landslide-Death-Rain JP/3/longsor More people die as floods, landslides increase 2 (1 x 60)Bali ;JP;JUN; ANPAa..r.. Bali-bombing probe JP/3/ Man claiming involvement in Bali blast sent to psychiatrist 3. (2 x 20) ;JP;IWA; ANPAa..r..

Indonesia keen

Indonesia keen to redeem itself in tournament' final against Thailand Arya Abhiseka The Jakarta Post JakartaIndonesia is ready to avenge its defeat in the last tournament and to lift the cup for the first time when it plays Thailand in the Tiger Cup 2002 final match at Bung Karno Stadium here on...

Indosat, good governance and paper companies

Indosat, good governance and paper companiesWinahyo Soekanto, Lawyer, Consumer Care Foundation, Jakarta, winahyo@yahoo.com At least on paper, the controversial sale of 41.9 percent of government shares of Indosat to Singapore telecommunications firm Singapore Technologies Telemedia (STT) will ease...

Javanese transmigrants refuse to return to Aceh

Javanese transmigrants refuse to return to AcehDebbie A. Lubis The Jakarta Post JakartaDozens of Javanese transmigrant families who were forced to leave Aceh earlier this year now do not want to return to the troubled province despite the signing of an agreement between the government and the Free...

Underpaid troops stand guard for the country's unity, sovereignty

Underpaid troops stand guard for the country's unity, sovereigntyLela E. Madjiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta All across the archipelago, troops share one major concern: poor welfare.Soldiers are tasked with safeguarding the country's sovereignty with a salary of only Rp 798,000 (US$88.

Will Indonesian companies survive regional free trade?

Will Indonesian companies survive regional free trade?Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The ASEAN Free Trade Area, or AFTA, which will be fully implemented in two days from now has stricken fear into the hearts of many businessmen in this country, who believe many local firms could go...

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.

JP/6/INTRO

JP/6/INTROBoth support and opposition have highlighted the journey of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), since its inception back in 1993.Certain sectors of the public support AFTA due to the fact that AFTA, which aims at stamping out trade barriers within the region, would expedite the flow of...

More die as floods, landslides rise

More die as floods, landslides riseThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Days of incessant rain have caused floods and landslides to increase in several parts of Indonesia, leaving more people dead and thousands of houses inundated, some of them buried or destroyed.

Paradorn,

Paradorn, the Scud to light up Indian Open Agence France-Presse Madras, IndiaAsian tennis sensation Paradorn Srichaphan and fit-again Mark Philippoussis will light up the season-opening US$400,000 ATP Indian Open starting here on Monday.

Heavy rain causes flood in Tangerang

Heavy rain causes flood in Tangerang Tangerang: Heavy rains caused flooding throughout several residential complexes in Tangerang last Saturday.The affected complexes were the Alam Jaya, Pondok Arum and Regency Permai housing estates in Periuk district, as well as the Taman Cobodas housing estate...

REBUILDING THE FUTURE: Workers unload bricks from trucks, marking

REBUILDING THE FUTURE: Workers unload bricks from trucks, marking the rebuilding of structures devastated by bombs in Legian, Kuta, Bali on Oct. 12. The project reflects the spirit of rebuilding Bali after the deadly blast, which was feared to cripple the national economy and security.

Photo Cap. 14

Photo Cap. 14JP/ ... --- THE PICTURE TO COMEPOWER POLITICS: The 2001 Special Meeting of the House of Representatives was a clear display of the power of "House politics", which forced then-President Abdurrahman Wahid to step down.

Police gaining momentum but need further reform

Police gaining momentum but need further reformM. Riefqi Muna Member of Supervisory Group of the U.K.-based Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform (GFN-SSR). riefqi@gmx.netIn the beginning of 2002 the police had at their disposal a new law on national police that gave them greater...

GPP Maluku faces challenges right after establishment

GPP Maluku faces challenges right after establishmentIt is virtually unimaginable to many people in Ambon, or in Maluku province in general, that amid the escalating sectarian conflict, which has claimed thousands of lives and inflicted billions of rupiah in material losses, there is still a group...

Govt provides housing for East Timor refugees

Govt provides housing for East Timor refugeesYemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara The East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) administration said on Sunday the government would not ignore East Timorese refugees who had chosen to stay in Indonesia after the repatriation program ended on...

Defendants of East Timor turmoil:

Defendants of East Timor turmoil: 1. Abilio Jose Osorio Soares, former East Timor governor, failed to prevent his subordinates from committing a number of murders and torture in East Timor in 1999. Sentenced to three years in jail, but free pending a verdict by the higher court. 2. Insp. Gen.

Absurdity of our

Absurdity of our legislatorsFrom Koran Tempo Some members of the House of Representatives are attempting to interpellate President Megawati Soekarnoputri regarding two matters. The Reform faction of the House wants to exercise its right to interpellation regarding the sale of assets of state- owned...

* Headlines:Int'l pressure on E. Timor trial needed2

* Headlines:Int'l pressure on E. Timor trial needed2 * National:More people die in floods, landslides3 * City: Busway could worsen current congestion4 * Sports:Milner denies Chelsea, M. United closes in5 * Opinion: Investment not panacea for better welfare7 * Business:DPR has approved Indosat sale:...

Language and

Language and disintegrationFrom KompasKompas 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...

Living with another lean year

Living with another lean yearIndonesia is going to add another pale year to its post-Soeharto era. Its already tarnished image as a state was severely damaged again after the Bali bombing, which demonstrated undeniably how vulnerable Indonesia had become to acts of terrorism.

Prospect for law enforcement in 2003

Prospect for law enforcement in 2003Satya Arinanto Lecturer and Deputy Dean School of Law University of Indonesia Jakarta arinanto@cbn.net.idThe discourse on law enforcement usually starts from the issue of the legal system. According to Lawrence M.

Rufriadi weeps over justice in Aceh

Rufriadi weeps over justice in Aceh It was still fresh in the mind of Rufriadi, 28, when a number of uniformed members of the security apparatus raided his Legal Aid Institute (LBH) office in Aceh earlier this year.

Papua Police conduct field inquiry into border shooting

Papua Police conduct field inquiry into border shootingNethy Dharma Somba and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura/Jakarta The Papua police conducted on Sunday an on-site investigation into Saturday's shooting which targeted three women, including the wife of a human rights activist who...

Power politics 2003

Power politics 2003 Chusnul Mar'iyahThe 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.

New secretary-general at crucial time for ASEAN

New secretary-general at crucial time for ASEANChin Kin Wah, Senior Fellow, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, The Straits Times, Asian News Network, Singapore The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will have a new man in Jakarta next month when Ong Keng Yong, press secretary to...

Living through another lean year

Living through another lean yearDjisman Simanjuntak Indonesia is going to add another pale year to its post-Soeharto era. Its already tarnished image as a state was severely damaged again after the Bali bombing, which demonstrated undeniably how vulnerable Indonesia had become to acts of terrorism.

Living with another lean year

Living with another lean yearIndonesia 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.

RI economy to muddle through 2003

RI economy to muddle through 2003M. 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.

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.

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.

Essential services in 2003

Essential services in 2003Yanuar Nugroho 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...

Constitutional amendments

Constitutional amendmentsSatya Arinanto Lecture and Vice Dean School of Law University of Indonesia Jakarta arinanto@cbn.net.idOne of the biggest legal issues during 2002 -- and the years immediately preceding it -- was the question of further amending the 1945 Constitution.According to S.E.

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...

Reinventing globalization

Reinventing globalizationYanuar Nugroho 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...

Maritime issues must be given more attention

Maritime issues must be given more attentionPhilips J Vermonte CSISThe end of the Cold War and the event of Sept. 11, 2001 have substantially changed the landscape of international politics. Issues such as trade liberalization, democracy and environmental protection have become prominent.

2002: A slow year for IT in RI

2002: A slow year for IT in RIZatni Arbi, Contributor, Jakarta If you have been traveling much in the past year or two, you must have noticed that in a growing number of airplanes the headrest now can be molded in such a way to better hold your head up as you sleep.

The tragedy of the commons

The tragedy of the commonsB. Herry-Priyono 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.

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.

Reuters/Larry Downing

Reuters/Larry DowningINDONESIAN DIPLOMACY: Since being elected the fifth President of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri has tried to conduct diplomacy through a number of overseas trips. Her meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush at the APEC Leaders' annual meeting in Los Cabos, Mexico, on Oct.

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.

Taiwan replies

Taiwan replies This is in response to Jusuf Wanandi's article Indonesia still respects the one China policy which appeared in The Jakarta Post on Dec. 23, 2002.President Chen's planned visit to Bali and Yogyakarta was a response to your government's call for international help after the terrorist...

Photo A - P. 19

Photo A - P. 19JP/Nani FaridaRUFRIADIPhoto B - P. 19Reuters/Tarmizy HarvaTHE CLIENTS: American Joy Lee Sadler (left) and Briton Lesley McCulloch, are now on trial at the Aceh District Court for allegedly associating with separatist rebels GAM and violating Indonesian visa regulations.

Man claiming bombing role referred to psychiatrist

Man claiming bombing role referred to psychiatristI Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali Police sent on Saturday a man claiming involvement in the Oct. 12 bombing in Bali to a hospital for psychiatric assessment.Bali Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Y.

M. Riefqi Muna

M. Riefqi MunaMember, Supervisory Group Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform (GFN-SSR) riefqi@gmx.net Jakarta Indonesia is the largest maritime or archipelagic state in the world. The legal framework recognizing this status follows Indonesia's ratification of the United Nations...

Samsung sees rosy days in RI despite economic woes

Samsung sees rosy days in RI despite economic woes Amid reports of companies pondering on moving operations elsewhere and the decision to close the local plant of Sony Corp., the story of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Celebrating New Year with luscious food

Celebrating New Year with luscious foodMaria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Sharing the excitement and fun with friends or loved ones is always special when New Year is only seconds away. If you decide to look for good food to greet New Year, most hotels, restaurants, pubs and cafes are...

Spending plans unaffected by Bali bombing: Survey

Spending plans unaffected by Bali bombing: SurveyThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Consumer confidence in the country significantly dropped in November following the Bali bombing, but the terrorist attack failed to impact consumers' shopping plans, according to a survey.

Waterless toilet

Waterless toilet at TIM 21From 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.

Leaders must learn to sing the same tune

Leaders must learn to sing the same tuneThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the year 2002 draws to a close, certain quarters in society are blaming President Megawati Soekarnoputri for failing to show strong leadership in facing problems currently plaguing the country.

Message from the Ambassador

Message from the Ambassador On this auspicious occasion of the 55th anniversary of the Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar, I have great pleasure to convey warmest greetings and best wishes of the Government and the people of the Union of Myanmar to the Government and people of the Republic of...

NU calls for end to sharia campaigns and violence

NU calls for end to sharia campaigns and violenceMuhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country's largest Muslim organization, urged Muslims, in particular radicals, to cease campaigns for Islamic sharia law, as well as violence in promoting religion.

Semeru spews hot lava

Semeru spews hot lava LUMAJANG, East Java: Mount Semeru in East Java spewed hot lava on Sunday, but local residents living at the vicinity have decided to stay. Suparno, a staff at the local volcano monitoring office, said Sunday that the lava was expelled as far as 250 meters from the mountain...

'Bajaj' cause

'Bajaj' cause traffic congestionFrom Warta Kota In my opinion, the traffic congestion around the Mayestic Market/Taman Puring in South Jakarta is attributable to the presence of bajaj (three-wheeled motorized vehicles).

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,...

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.

Thailand retains Tiger Cup

Thailand retains Tiger CupMusthofid and Arya Abhiseka The Jakarta Post JakartaThe ten-man Thailand team beat Indonesia 6-4 in the penalty shootout in the final match to win the Tiger Cup for the third time at the Bung Karno Stadium here on Sunday.

JP/Mulkan Salmuna

JP/Mulkan SalmunaNO INTERRUPTION, PLEASE: The process of making amendments to the 1945 Constitution was a little confused and muddled. Members of Commission A of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) stand up to respond to an interruption from a fellow participant at the session, which took...

A new building to provide the basis of activities for the

A new building to provide the basis of activities for the Aulia Foundation is about to be completed. In this building, children who are deprived from satisfactory education can find space either to read books or to study computers. A comfortable room is also prepared for their mothers' gatherings.

POLICE REFORM: Japanese police advisors assist Indonesian

POLICE REFORM: Japanese police advisors assist Indonesian National Police Reform through a pilot project on enhancement of civilian police activities (crime scene identification and communication and command control for police deployment) at Bekasi Police Resort, Jakarta Metropolitan Police.

M. Riefqi Muna

M. Riefqi MunaMember, Supervisory Group Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform (GFN-SSR) riefqi@gmx.net Jakarta Indonesia is the largest maritime or archipelagic state in the world. The legal framework recognizing this status follows Indonesia's ratification of the United Nations...

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.

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.

Consolidation of democracy: Anticipating 2004

Consolidation of democracy: Anticipating 2004Smita Notosusanto Cetro Next year, is the fifth anniversary of the end of the Soeharto regime which marked Indonesia's transition from authoritarianism to democracy.

Challenges in public services delivery

Challenges in public services deliveryYanuar Nugroho 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.

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.

Special Yearend Section

Special Yearend Section 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.

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...

Living with another lean year

Living with another lean yearIndonesia is going to add another pale year to its post-Soeharto era. Its already tarnished image as a state was severely damaged again after the Bali bombing, which demonstrated undeniably how vulnerable Indonesia had become to acts of terrorism.

DPR has approved Indosat sale: Minister

DPR has approved Indosat sale: MinisterThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta State Minister of State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi asserted on Saturday that the House of Representatives (DPR) had approved PT Indosat's strategic sale as part of the government's privatization program to reform public companies...

JP/R. Berto Wedhatama

JP/R. Berto WedhatamaTHE POLICE: While the National Police has been separated from the Indonesian Army, its military culture remains. The fact that the police force now lies under direct control of the President has raised fears that it will become a political tool of the head of state.

The politics of Muslims-Christian relations in Indonesia

The politics of Muslims-Christian relations in Indonesia Bob S. Hadiwinata Head International Relations Department, University of Parahyangan, Bandung Open conflict between the majority Muslims and minority Christians has been rare in Indonesian history.

GPP Maluku faces challenges right after establishment

GPP Maluku faces challenges right after establishmentIt is virtually unimaginable to many people in Ambon, or in Maluku province in general, that amid the escalating sectarian conflict, which has claimed thousands of lives and inflicted billions of rupiah in material losses, there is still a group...

Economic integration in Southeast Asia

Economic integration in Southeast AsiaPuspa Delima Amri 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).

Don't lose

Don't lose more islandsFrom Media Indonesia My heart broke to learn that, whatever the reasons, Indonesia had lost East Timor. And I found it strange that Abdurrahman Wahid -- when he was president -- changed the name of Irian Jaya to Papua, a phenomenon that I believe has the potential to cause...

Bapepam defends Indosat divestment as `transparent'

Bapepam defends Indosat divestment as `transparent'The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The recent sale of the government's shares in publicly listed telecommunications company PT Indosat was carried out in a transparent manner, the Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) said.

Indonesia and ASEAN must move on together

Indonesia and ASEAN must move on togetherPhilips J Vermonte CSIS In the past three decades, ASEAN has been the corner stone of Indonesia's foreign policy. But, things have changed rapidly, triggered by the economic crisis and its severe consequences starting from 1997.

Int'l pressure on E. Timor trial badly needed

Int'l pressure on E. Timor trial badly neededBerni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The international community needs to bring pressure to bear on the ad hoc human rights trials being held in Indonesia in order to assure that judges and prosecutors are held accountable for questionable...

Power politics 2003

Power politics 2003 Chusnul Mar'iyahThe 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.

Semeru spews hot lava

Semeru spews hot lava LUMAJANG, East Java: Mount Semeru in East Java spewed hot lava on Sunday, but local residents living at the vicinity have decided to stay. Suparno, a staff at the local volcano monitoring office, said Sunday that the lava was expelled as far as 250 meters from the mountain...

ASEAN's Gross Domestic Product per Capita (updated August 2002)

ASEAN's Gross Domestic Product per Capita (updated August 2002) in U.S. dollarCountry 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001Brunei 17,096 16,227 11,961 12,670 12,751 12,245 Cambodia 292 315 262 284 274 270 Indonesia 1,155 1,122 489 698 750 711 Laos 393 336 244 278 328 329 Malaysia 4,766 4,671 3,257 3,485...

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.

`This year was worse than last year'

`This year was worse than last year' The end of 2002 is nearing. Many people say the economic crisis still persists and that this year has been even worse than the previous years. The Jakarta Post asked some city residents their thoughts about 2002 as the year 2003 draws closer.

Crush GAM if

Crush GAM if they betrayThe 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...

Thailand retains Tiger Cup

Thailand retains Tiger CupMusthofid and Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The ten-man Thailand team beat Indonesia 6-4 in the penalty shootout in the final match to win the Tiger Cup for the third time at the Bung Karno Stadium here on Sunday.

Photo A -- Cartoon -- P. 16

Photo A -- Cartoon -- P. 16Photo B JP/Arief SuhardimanENFORCE AND UPHOLD THE LAW!: Student demonstrations demanding that former president Soeharto be tried for his crimes are commonplace. They urge the Attorney General's office to be responsive and responsible in their efforts to enforce the rule...

Busway could aggravate congestion if project fails

Busway could aggravate congestion if project failsNovan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Get ready for the busway system that is scheduled for a trial run in the middle of January. The system is expected encourage people to leave their cars at home and to use the public transportation to...

Enjoying Spas in Sleman Regency

Enjoying Spas in Sleman RegencyIt is every one's dream to become an appealing individual with a perfect shape both physically and mentally. Appearing fit and healthy is a necessity for all the people no matter who they are.

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.

Foreign investment not panacea for better welfare

Foreign investment not panacea for better welfareSiwage Dharma Negara, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Jakarta The continuing decline of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Indonesia has led to a drop in total FDI approvals by 11 percent for the first nine months of this year, compared to...

HEAD FOR PAGE 2, MONDAY, Dec. 30 Edition

HEAD FOR PAGE 2, MONDAY, Dec. 30 Edition1. RIGHTS: 1 x 45 Int'l pressure on E. Timor trial badly needed 2. PAPUA: 2 x 25 Papua Police conduct field inquiry into border shooting 3. SOLDIERS: 2 x 30 Underpaid troops stand guard for the country's unity, sovereignty 4.

Trumpet sellers make a fortune amid tight competition

Trumpet sellers make a fortune amid tight competitionTertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Tough year or not, the last day is worth celebrating. And no New Year's Eve fiesta is complete without paper trumpets.