Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 19 February 2002

78 articles found

Transco I stake sale deadline extended

Transco I stake sale deadline extended Dow Jones, Singapore The deadline for bids for a 25 percent to 40 percent stake in state-owned PT Perusahaan Gas Negara's pipeline developing unit, Transco I, has been delayed until March 26, six weeks behind schedule, PGN said Monday. Transco 1 plans to develop the South Sumatra-Singapore gas pipeline, which will deliver about US$9 billion worth of natural gas over 22 years to Singapore starting 2003.

Workers strike over wages

Workers strike over wages TANGERANG: About 850 workers at garment manufacturer PT Hyun Indonesia on Jl. Telesonic No. 1, Jatiuwung, Tangerang, launched a massive strike on Monday. They rejected the company's plan to eliminate transportation and food allowances for workers following the increase in the minimum regional wage (UMR). "We preferred to strike because we don't have any labor union to negotiate with the factory's management," one of the protesters said.

Railroad to return to normal by Tuesday

Railroad to return to normal by Tuesday The Jakarta Post Jakarta The state-owned rail company, PT Kereta Api Indonesian (KAI), had completed on Monday more than 60 percent of the repair work on damaged tracks in Batang regency, Central Java, officials said. The main Jakarta-Semarang-Surabaya railroad along the north coast of Central Java is expected to begin returning to normal by not later than Tuesday evening, they added.

20,000 flood-victim babies face hunger

20,000 flood-victim babies face hunger The Jakarta Post Jakarta Diarrhea is not the only threat to flood-victim babies, many of whom still remain with their parents in temporary shelters. The threat of hunger is on the way. Data shows that 20,000 of 26,000 flood-victim babies face the risk of hunger as they have been malnourished during the last three weeks since serious flooding hit the capital on Jan. 28. "So far, only 6,000 babies have received milk porridge to eat.

Bush says Japan reforms vital, Koizumi vows action

Bush says Japan reforms vital, Koizumi vows action Reuters Tokyo U.S. President George W. Bush said on Monday he saw signs of a recovery in the U.S. economy and expressed his support for Japan's structural reform policy, saying Japanese growth was vital for the world economy. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, for his part, vowed after a meeting with Bush to overcome Japan's crisis of confidence and get the world's second largest economy back on track.

Tangerang trash increases after flood

Tangerang trash increases after flood TANGERANG: Following the recent floods, Tangerang's garbage output has increased from 1,200 cubic meters per day to 2,100 cubic meters, an official from Tangerang municipality said. "We're currently facing difficulties transporting the trash, as our garbage trucks do not have enough capacity to take it to Rawa Kucing dump," the municipality's Sanitation Agency Chief, Daryanto, told Antara on Sunday.

Former political prisoners told to stay out of politics

Former political prisoners told to stay out of politics A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It is years ago now, but Sugeng PS, a former political prisoner remains in the dark as to why the New Order regime sent him into internal exile on Buru Island in Maluku. Sugeng asserted that he did not deserve the eight-year jail sentence he received for his alleged involvement in the aborted coup blamed on the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) in 1965, a charge which he has always denied.

'No runners for TNI top job meet criteria'

'No runners for TNI top job meet criteria' The Jakarta Post, Jakarta None of the four candidates for the post of military chief meet the professional criteria and the appointment of any of them will not only hamper the regeneration process but also stall reform within the military itself, analysts say.

Ending violence top priority after Malino accord: Crouch

Ending violence top priority after Malino accord: Crouch A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Security fears remain the most crucial problem facing both Muslims and Christians in Maluku after the signing of the Malino peace accord last week, an observer says.

IPB plants teak trees

IPB plants teak trees BOGOR: The School of Forestry at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) planted 2,500 teak trees at the Walat Mountain forest near Hegarmanah village, Sukabumi, on Sunday. IPB rector, Amman Wirakartakusumah, said planting the trees was expected to help local farmers generate additional income. "We hope they can harvest the teak leaves in the next two or three years. Currently, the price of one teak leaf at the traditional market is Rp 10 (US cents 0.98)," he said.

Mega urged to do more to end discrimination

Mega urged to do more to end discrimination The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri's decision on Sunday to declare the Lunar New Year or Imlek a national holiday beginning 2003 is a step toward bridging the divide between the ethnic Chinese and indigenous Indonesian communities, Chinese Indonesians say. They, however, call on the Megawati administration to follow the ruling with legislative reform to address remaining inequalities.

Blackout continues in N. Aceh

Blackout continues in N. Aceh BANDA ACEH: Residents of Lhokseumawe in North Aceh regency complained about the continued blackout caused by troubles in the power transmission unit in Rauntau Bayeun, East Aceh, damaged by unidentified people recently. Muhammad Karim, a resident of Lhokseumawe, said the blackout started on Feb. 12, 2002 and so far no repair had been carried out, causing disruption to local people's daily activities.

20,000 flood-victim babies face hunger

20,000 flood-victim babies face hunger The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Diarrhea is not the only threat to flood-victim babies, many of whom still remain with their parents in temporary shelters. The threat of famine is on the way. Data shows that 20,000 of 26,000 flood-victim babies face the risk of famine as they have been malnourished during the last three weeks since serious flooding hit the capital on Jan. 28. "So far, only 6,000 babies have received milk porridge to eat.

New gold, tin reserves discovered in North Sumatra

New gold, tin reserves discovered in North Sumatra Apriadi Gunawan The Jakarta Post Medan Two local mining companies have discovered gold, tin and zinc reserves in North Sumatra province, a local government official said on Monday.

Pertamina to bid for oil fields in Egypt

Pertamina to bid for oil fields in Egypt JAKARTA: The state-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina said on Monday it would take part in a tender for oil and gas fields in Egypt in April as part of its expansion program. Pertamina upstream director Iin Arifin Takhyan said the company was interested in bidding for two oil fields in the Nile river area and in the Western desert of Egypt. "The fields are quite prospective for exploration.

Economy grew by 3.32% in 2001: BPS report

Economy grew by 3.32% in 2001: BPS report Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia's economy fared better last year compared to many other economies in the region amid the global economic slowdown with gross domestic product (GDP) growing by 3.32 percent. The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) said in a report released on Monday that domestic consumption, which grew by 5.94 percent, had been the prime mover of the economy in 2001.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in Rupiah) on Feb.

Test of Megawati's leadership

Test of Megawati's leadership The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) is increasingly in disarray. There is still no indication that the party's leaders will end the internal conflict. An extraordinary meeting of the party's executive board has been proposed for the reorganization of the party. The internal conflict in the party, which is led by Megawati Soekarnoputri, was sparked by dissatisfaction with the party's internal and political policies.

Developer challenges public to take case to court

Developer challenges public to take case to court Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The developer of luxurious housing complex Pantai Indah Kapuk in North Jakarta, which is accused of causing floods, challenged the public on Monday to take the case to court. "We are ready to face any legal action," the president of developer PT Mandara Permai, Budi Nurwono, told reporters after meeting Governor Sutiyoso at City Hall.

Unprofessional service

Unprofessional service On Jan. 26, I took my mobile phone which had stopped working -- instead heating up on the side and back panel when I tried to use it -- to be examined and repaired in the Global Teleshop Service Center in Wisma Perkasa, South Jakarta. I purchased the phone, an Ericsson R310sc, brand new on Jan. 3 so, without question, it fell under the one-year warranty. The young woman who took my complaint told me that it would be fully repaired by Jan.

Habibie to answer summons in March

Habibie to answer summons in March JAKARTA: A lawyer representing B.J. Habibie revealed on Monday that the former president would answer the Attorney General's Office summons in March. Yan Djuanda Saputra told reporters at the Attorney General's Office on Monday that Habibie, who is now residing in Germany, plans to visit Jakarta for four days from March 11 and expected state prosecutors to adjust the schedule for his questioning.

Rupiah Rates Feb. 18

Rupiah Rates Feb. 18 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Hindu and Christian leaders solve Katung case peacefully

Hindu and Christian leaders solve Katung case peacefully Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar Representatives of both Christian and Hindu communities in Katung, Kintamani, some 45 kilometers northwest of here, held a reconciliation meeting here on Monday aimed to reaching a settlement after the recent torching of houses belonging to Christian residents in the village. The meeting, which was organized by Bangli Police precinct chief Adj. Sr. Comr.

PM warns against head scarves

PM warns against head scarves SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong has warned local Muslims against asserting their own identity and involving outsiders in a campaign to allow the wearing of Islamic head scarves in public schools. The Straits Times reported on Monday that Goh revealed over the weekend that some Singaporeans had traveled to Malaysia to seek support and raise funds for their cause following a controversy over the head scarf ban.

Chinese should respect

Chinese should respect other religions Around the time of the Lunar New Year or Imlek, television stations aired a number of Chinese-themed programs and serials, and the print media published articles on Chinese dress, food, etc. To top it off, the government has announced that Imlek will be a national holiday. This clearly indicates that indigenous Indonesians have never been against the Chinese and that their culture has long been considered to enrich the local culture.

* Headlines: Indonesia says no to extradition 2

* Headlines: Indonesia says no to extradition 2 * Opinion: Govt needs war-room decision-making process 4 * City: Victims protest poor handling of flood problems 6 * Archipelago: Terror case in Bali resolved peacefully 7 * National: Ex-political prisoners told to stay out of politics 8 * World: Nepal to hit back at rebels 10 * Business: South Korea complains of rising wages 11 * Features: Walter van Oel's visual experiment 15 * Sports: Witty has last laugh as U.S. piles up medals 20

Victims protest Governor Sutiyoso's poor handling of flood problems

Victims protest Governor Sutiyoso's poor handling of flood problems Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Some 700 flood victims from two groups of demonstrators staged a rally on Monday to protest the city administration's poor handling of flood problems and to demand Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso's resignation.

Diana's withdrawal does 'not affect Fed Cup team'

Diana's withdrawal does 'not affect Fed Cup team' Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Fed Cup team, dealt a blow following the late withdrawal of Diana Julianto, has been tipped to go ahead with the women's world tennis team competition. Diana's withdrawal, which was officially announced on Sunday, has now left the Indonesian women's team with three players, which prompted team manager Martina Widjaja to ponder whether or not to join the tournament.

War-room leadership needed to end crisis

War-room leadership needed to end crisis Vincent Lingga, Senior Editor, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government and economic players in the real sector seem to live in different worlds. While the economic crisis is entering its fifth year, the government is still talking about concepts, mulling over a recovery plan.

Debt extension may threaten Paris Club deal: Minister

Debt extension may threaten Paris Club deal: Minister Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Pressure is growing to scrap a debt extension plan for private debtors, as Minister of Finance Boediono said the plan might impede Indonesia's debt restructuring talks with the Paris Club of creditor nations. Boediono said the debt repayment extension plan was part of the Letter of Intent (LoI) to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), that formed the basis for a deal with the Paris Club.

Labor row expected to dominate Malaysia-Indonesia meeting

Labor row expected to dominate Malaysia-Indonesia meeting Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur A controversial crackdown on the hiring of Indonesian workers in Malaysia is expected to dominate a meeting of ministers from the two countries here on Tuesday. Senior officials who gathered on Monday to prepare for the meeting were tight-lipped over the controversy, which was sparked by two riots by Indonesian workers in Malaysia in January.

KPKPN fails again to keep its words

KPKPN fails again to keep its words Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Public Servants' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN) once again failed to fulfill its own promise on Monday to reveal the names of legislators who had not reported their wealth to the commission by the deadline last Friday.

Gold, tin reserves found in N. Sumatra

Gold, tin reserves found in N. Sumatra Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan Two local mining companies have discovered gold, tin and zinc reserves in North Sumatra province, a local government official said on Monday.

Teams prepared for U-17 tourney

Teams prepared for U-17 tourney MEDAN, North Sumatra: The Thai soccer squad will only seek a tie in its first match against host Indonesia during the opening match of Group B of the U-17 Southeast Asian Cup which is due to start at the Teladan Stadium here on Tuesday. "We are looking for a 1-1 result against Indonesia. My team can't afford to set a higher target because we can't underestimate the opponents," Thai coach Withaya Laohakol told a press conference.

Efforts afoot to protect Bali's coral reefs

Efforts afoot to protect Bali's coral reefs Pariama Hutasoit, Contributor, Bali Around the world the bleaching and dyeing of coral reef, as a way of recognizing the destructive changes in ocean and climate conditions, has begun. Along with these changes, the coral reef ecosystem has been devastated, affecting people whose lives depend on them. Changes in climate conditions will continue to affect coral reefs for some time. But that is not all.

Terror suspect helping rebels: KL

Terror suspect helping rebels: KL MALAYSIA: A Malaysian who hosted al-Qaeda operatives as his guests in 2000 also helped supply weapons for a planned Islamic holy war in Southeast Asia, the Malaysian government alleges. Yazid Sufaat, a former Malaysian army captain, donated cash to buy guns for Islamic rebels fighting government troops in the Philippines and bought supplies to make bombs for Muslims fighting Christians on Indonesia's Ambon island, a government document alleges.

Indonesian woman jailed in KL

Indonesian woman jailed in KL MALAYSIA: A court sentenced an Indonesian woman to 15 months' imprisonment on Monday for abandoning her newborn son in a drain, the national news agency Bernama reported. Fitriyanti Mawardi, a 21-year-old production operator, pleaded guilty to abandoning the infant in front of her home in a Kuala Lumpur suburb Aug. 12. The crying boy was found by a neighbor and rescued.

Court sets rule for class action lawsuits

Court sets rule for class action lawsuits Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Supreme Court has taken the initiative to set guidelines for lower court judges in handling class action suits in a bid to fill the vacuum of a law on the procedures code. Supreme Court deputy chief justice for civil cases Soeharto said on Monday that provisions on class action suits stipulated in several existing laws were still unclear.

Governor should be proactive

Governor should be proactive From Suara Karya Since the implementation of regional autonomy, each region has been playing an important role in handling crime, particularly in terms of the role of governors. We all know that crimes and violent acts have been on the increase because of the number of unemployed people and the limited employment opportunities as well as the slowdown in the country's economy.

Govt needs war-room decision-making process

Govt needs war-room decision-making process War-room leadership needed to end crisis Vincent Lingga Senior Editor The Jakarta Post Jakarta 2. UK -- UK saw Milosevic as part of solution 1 x 32 36pt Bodoni UK saw Milosevic as part of solution Brendan Simms Author, 'Unfinest Hour: Britain and the Destruction of Bosnia' Observer News Service London

Two Malaysians arrested in Batam

Two Malaysians arrested in Batam BATAM, Riau: Local police are still questioning two Malaysian citizens, identified as Wj and Skh, arrested for taking the banned drug, shabu-shabu, in the Happy Garden area of Batam Island on Saturday. Antara news agency reported on Monday that the two sustained gunshot wounds to their legs when resisting police arrest. The police also seized equipment for consuming the methanol- based substance, plus Rp 1.6 million and S$70 in cash.

U.S. war on terror haunts ASEAN meeting in Thailand

U.S. war on terror haunts ASEAN meeting in Thailand Dan Eaton, Reuters, Bangkok Terrorism will overshadow talks between Southeast Asian foreign ministers in Thailand this week, with the region fearful and divided over Washington's declaration of an "axis of evil" that has its roots firmly planted in Asia. The informal retreat with no official agenda on the southern resort island of Phuket comes as U.S. President George W. Bush conducts a whistlestop tour of China, South Korea and Japan.

RI, East Timor to iron out issues

RI, East Timor to iron out issues JAKARTA: The planned bilateral talks between Indonesia and East Timor in Denpasar, Bali on Feb. 25 will discuss 13 urgent issues, a government official says. East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) spokesperson Johannis Bastian Kosapilawan said on Monday in Kupang that the meeting would take up issues related to the payment of pension funds of former civil servants and former military and police officers, Antara reported.

Poso Muslims demand rights probe

Poso Muslims demand rights probe JAKARTA: Muslim Lawyers Team (TPM), together with several victims of the Poso sectarian conflict, went to the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) on Monday, calling for a thorough investigation into alleged human rights violations in the area. The victims claimed that they had lost family members and their belongings in the bloody riots. They also urged the commission to facilitate their return to their homes.

Subdistricts to receive Rp 250 million each

Subdistricts to receive Rp 250 million each Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After donating Rp 50 million (US$5,000) to each of the 167 flood-hit subdistricts, the city administration announced on Monday it would soon disburse Rp 250 million to each of the city's 265 subdistricts. "The Rp 250 million should be used for programs to empower local residents.

Journalists questioned on murder of Theys

Journalists questioned on murder of Theys R.K Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta At least three journalists covering events in Irian Jaya have been questioned by government investigators as witnesses in connection with last year's murder of top Papuan separatist leader Theys Hiyo Eluay. Eva Rukdiati, who works for the Jayapura bureau of Antara, was the latest to face questioning by the Military Police team on Monday.

Samarinda garden used for study

Samarinda garden used for study SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: The Samarinda Botanical garden (KRS) will be developed to become a research center for flora and fauna in East Kalimantan. Earth Foundation chairman Ade Fadli said here on Sunday that the decision was made in a coordination meeting between local nongovernmental organizations and the local administration.

Central Java's north coast railway line expected to reopen today

Central Java's north coast railway line expected to reopen today The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The state-owned rail company, PT Kereta Api Indonesian (KAI), had completed on Monday more than 60 percent of the repair work on damaged tracks in Batang regency, Central Java, officials said. The main Jakarta-Semarang-Surabaya railroad along the north coast of Central Java is expected to begin returning to normal by not later than Tuesday evening, they added.

BI predicts foreign debt repayment $8.9b in Q1

BI predicts foreign debt repayment $8.9b in Q1 The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Some US$8.9 billion in both private and public foreign debt repayment looms on the fragile rupiah during the first quarter of this year, according to Bank Indonesia. Foreign debt pressure from principal and interest repayments would grow to $10 billion in the second quarter, Bank Indonesia was quoted as saying by Dow Jones on Monday.

'Imlek' a misnomer

'Imlek' a misnomer Being a Chinese-Indonesian, I must compliment your reporter on the page one article Govt declares 'Imlek' as national holiday (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 18, 2002) and the news coverage in the same issue. But Imlek is, in effect, a misnomer. As your editorial and reporting are more often than not transcribed by your respectable peers in Southeast Asia, I feel the need to make a correction. Imlek is the word for lunar calender.

Rice output to drop this year: BPS says

Rice output to drop this year: BPS says The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) predicted on Monday that the country's unhusked rice output would drop by 1.89 percent to 48.65 million tons this year, down from 49.56 million tons last year due to a decline in the area under rice. "It is estimated that the area of paddy fields to be harvested in 2002 will fall 3.02 percent to 10.99 million hectares," it said in a prepared statement for the press.

Govt revokes, reviews regional rulings

Govt revokes, reviews regional rulings Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The central government has annulled one regional ruling and is reviewing another 14 following complaints that the rulings had produced unacceptable tax burdens for mining companies, according to a senior official at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Doubts about TNI reform

Doubts about TNI reform After a long wait, the promised reorganization in the ranks of the Indonesian Military (TNI), was finally announced in what amounts to the biggest reshuffle of personnel in years, although the chief commander and chief-of-staff of the Army have yet to be replaced.

S. Korea complains about RI wage hike

S. Korea complains about RI wage hike Anastasya Emmanuelle and Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Korean businesses operating in Indonesia have expressed concern over various labor issues, in particular the recent rise of the minimum wage, according to Minister of Industry and Trade Rini M. Soewandi.

2. Duit ( 4 X 17

2. Duit ( 4 X 17 Asian monies mixed late, some hurt by yen's brief fall 3. Rice 2 X 27 Rice output to drop this year, BPS says 4. Deposit ( 3 X 17 Gold, tin and zinc reserves discovered in North Sumatra

State officials urged to give up party position

State officials urged to give up party position The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State officials have been urged to relinquish their strong grip on their respective political parties because the dual role could easily lead to abuse of power at the expense of national interests.

Unprofessional

Unprofessional service On Jan. 26, I took my mobile phone which had stopped working -- instead heating up on the side and back panel when I tried to use it -- to be examined and repaired in the Global Teleshop Service Center in Wisma Perkasa, South Jakarta. I purchased the phone, an Ericsson R310sc, brand new on Jan. 3 so, without question, it fell under the one-year warranty. The young woman who took my complaint told me that it would be fully repaired by Jan.

ICF defends selectors Perth Festival

ICF defends selectors Perth Festival JAKARTA: The Indonesian Cricket Foundation (ICF) defended its Board of Selectors who named members of Indonesia's first ever cricket team for the 2002 East Asia Cricket Eights Festival to be held in Perth, Australia. "We have received many letters of complaint from disappointed expatriate players after we announced the national cricketers for the Perth tour," ICF chairman Alan Wilson told The Jakarta Post in a written statement on Monday.

Man found floating in Ciliwung

Man found floating in Ciliwung BOGOR: A young man who fell when he was relieving himself by a riverbank was found dead two days later, on Monday, floating on the Ciliwung river. The victim, Eman Sumarna, 22, a driver, slipped and fell into the river on Saturday morning, and drowned, according to his friend, Sutisna. Wandi, who was also answering the call of nature at the riverbank, tried to help, but Eman was dragged away by the strong current.--JP

New gold, tin reserves discovered in North Sumatra

New gold, tin reserves discovered in North Sumatra Apriadi Gunawan The Jakarta Post Medan Two local mining companies have discovered gold, tin and zinc reserves in North Sumatra province, a local government official said on Monday.

Inclusion of photo

Inclusion of photo We refer to an article appearing in The Jakarta Post's Sunday edition of Feb. 17. While we do agree with the reported subject, we are rather disappointed to find the inclusion of a photo taken (without our consent) at our YA-UDAH Bistro. The combination of the photo with the article is misleading in that it gives the impression that the author is directing her article at our Bistro.

Officials plan to close Kalijodo

Officials plan to close Kalijodo JAKARTA: In light of Saturday's arson in the Kalijodo prostitution complex in North Jakarta, city administration officials have announced plans to shut down the red-light district soon. Governor Sutiyoso said on Monday that Kalijodo was notorious as a den of illegal prostitution. "It has caused many problems. We have asked the police and public order officials to restore security to the area.

Jakartans clean up their houses amid fears of further flooding

Jakartans clean up their houses amid fears of further flooding Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Many flood victims continued to clean their homes on Monday as the floodwater, which had inundated their homes for days, receded considerably, but fears remained that flooding might hit their homes again. For most residents, the fear of renewed floods still haunted them such that they were reluctant to take the risk of putting their belongings back on the floor.

Valentine's Day and our sensitivity

Valentine's Day and our sensitivity The celebration of the day filled with love and affection known as Valentine's Day is an interesting point of discussion. This Western tradition, which has been adopted by Eastern nations, has been transformed into a lucrative market. There is no ban on celebrating Valentine's Day in Indonesia, and celebrating this day which commemorates love is natural.

1. FUND: 55 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 24

1. FUND: 55 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 24 Subdistricts to receive Rp 250 million each 2. KALI: 36 pt, 1 cols, 3 x 11 Officials plan to close Kalijodo 3. DEMO: 40 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 32 Flood victims protest Sutiyoso's poor handling of flood problems 4. FLOOD: 36 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 33 Victims clean houses amid fear of more floods JP/6/FLOOD Jakartans clean up their houses amid fears of further flooding

Yokohama Rubber, Continental eye tieup

Yokohama Rubber, Continental eye tieup TOKYO : Number two Japanese tire maker Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. said Monday it was in talks with German counterpart Continental AG to start a joint venture in Japan. "We are holding discussions at the moment ... and an announcement will be made imminently," said a Yokohama Rubber spokesman. The alliance, Yokohama Continental Tire, would open for business in April, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper said, citing sources close to the matter.

Pertamina to bid for oil fields in Egypt

Pertamina to bid for oil fields in Egypt JAKARTA: The state-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina said on Monday it would take part in a tender for oil and gas fields in Egypt in April as part of its expansion program. Pertamina upstream director Iin Arifin Takhyan said the company was interested in bidding for two oil fields in the Nile river area and in the Western desert of Egypt. "The fields are quite prospective for exploration.

OPEC plans Moscow oil meeting

OPEC plans Moscow oil meeting LONDON: Oil cartel OPEC will send a high level delegation to Moscow in early March to lobby the world's number two oil exporter to prolong a curb on its exports, an OPEC official said on Monday. OPEC Secretary-General Ali Rodriguez and OPEC President Rilwanu Lukman plan to meet Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov on Mar. 3-5, he said.

Father asks court to jail daughter

Father asks court to jail daughter MANILA: The father of a sex film actress has asked a Philippine court to send his 17-year-old daughter to prison as a disciplinary measure, a news report said Monday. Aurelio Tambis, father of actress Aleck Bovick, also asked the regional court in the Manila suburban city of Quezon to ban the showing of her daughter's movies. Bovick stars in two movies, one of which is currently being shown in theaters in the capital.

?

? The Jakarta Post, Jakarta None of the four candidates for the post of military chief meet the professional criteria and the appointment of any of them will not only hamper the regeneration process but also stall reform within the military itself, analysts say. They are also calling on the administration of President Megawati Soekarnoputri to formulate a reform agenda for the Indonesian Military (TNI), arguing that the military should respect civilian supremacy.

S'pore claims medical first

S'pore claims medical first SINGAPORE: A hospital said on Monday it had performed the world's first unrelated cord blood transplants for two patients without the use of chemotherapy. Cord blood transplants involve taking blood cells from umbilical cords to enable patients to grow normal blood cells. The two operations, which took place in November and December at the Singapore General Hospital, were performed on a Singaporean suffering from leukemia and an Indonesian with multiple myeloma.

More evidence revealed in Yogyakarta scandals

More evidence revealed in Yogyakarta scandals Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Further information has surfaced relating to the alleged involvement of local legislators in two corruption scandals, including the election of Yogyakarta's deputy governor and the construction of the Jogya Expo Center (JEC).

Governor should be proactive

Governor should be proactive From Suara Karya Since the implementation of regional autonomy, each region has been playing an important role in handling crime, particularly in terms of the role of governors. We all know that crimes and violent acts have been on the increase because of the number of unemployed people and the limited employment opportunities as well as the slowdown in the country's economy.

Indonesia says no extradition as E. Timor indicts 17 men

Indonesia says no extradition as E. Timor indicts 17 men Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian officials said they would not hand over 17 men indicted by prosecutors in East Timor on Monday for alleged crimes against humanity, saying that Jakarta has no extradition agreement with the territory.

Terrorist leaders still at large in Indonesia: Lee

Terrorist leaders still at large in Indonesia: Lee Agencies, Singapore Singapore remains at risk from a terrorist attack because leaders of regional extremist cells are still at large in Indonesia, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew said in remarks published on Monday. The Straits Times reported that the former prime minister, speaking on Sunday at a community gathering, likened terrorist groups to multinational corporations with a presence in several countries.

Big four ASEAN auto markets post 8.0 percent growth in 2001

Big four ASEAN auto markets post 8.0 percent growth in 2001 Motor vehicle sales in Southeast Asia's top four markets grew 8.0 percent to 1.069 million units in 2001 from 989,884 units the previous year, according to an industry report released Monday. Automotive Resources Asia Ltd. (ARA) said the growth momentum was expected to remain strong this year in the four markets covered -- Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.

Mount Merapi remains dangerous

Mount Merapi remains dangerous Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Yogyakarta Volcanology Observation Agency renewed its warning to sand miners and climbers of the possibility of a major outburst of hot lava and steam from Mount Merapi in the coming weeks, due to the rainy season.

Fishermen demand Megawatirevoke forthcoming taxes

Fishermen demand Megawatirevoke forthcoming taxes Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Purwokerto Thousands of fishermen in Central Java are slated to meet President Megawati Soekarnoputri later this week to demand her intervention in revoking two separate fishing taxes, which are scheduled to be introduced shortly by the government. They protested the introduction of two taxes, called the fishing vessel tax (PPP) and the fishing income tax (PHP).