Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 23 February 2002

91 articles found

Business as usual for non-star accommodation

Business as usual for non-star accommodation Sudibyo S. Wiradji Contributor Jakarta While the lull in the number of foreign tourists has significantly affected hotel bookings in most of the country's three to five-star hotels over the past several years, lower star accommodation has managed to maintain a monthly occupancy rate of up to 70 percent.

Rupiah Rates Feb. 22

Rupiah Rates Feb. 22 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

MoU to be signed to empower wealth audit commission

MoU to be signed to empower wealth audit commission Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Public Servants' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding that will allow an investigation into state officials, including military officers, whom the commission suspects of having been involved in corruption, collusion and nepotism.

Akram hopes to revive Indopak ties

Akram hopes to revive Indopak ties KARACHI: Famed Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram Thursday said he is ready to serve as a "goodwill ambassador" to revive Pakistan- India cricket ties when he appears on a popular Indian cricket television show next week. "I would love to give a goodwill message to the Indian public that both the countries should revive cricket because the public of both the countries want to see it," Akram told AFP.

Dengue fever cases reported

Dengue fever cases reported JAKARTA: The Jakarta's Crisis Monitoring Center announced on Friday that there have been 287 cases of dengue fever in the capital, with the highest number in the Palmerah subdistrict, where there have been 20 reported cases since Jan 2. The elderly and others over 46 years old, suffered the most with 192 cases, health officials said.

Help for poor Maluku students

Help for poor Maluku students AMBON, Maluku: The Indonesian community in Western Australia will give financial assistance to 161 poor vocational school students in conflict-ridden Maluku. The donation, valued at Rp 300,000 (US$29.5) per student, will be channeled through the local office of the National Family Planning Coordination Board (BKKBN).

West Java administration suspends industrial logging

West Java administration suspends industrial logging Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The West Java administration has decided to suspend all industrial logging for the next three years in an attempt to regreen its barren forest areas, which have contributed to environmental deterioration and natural disasters such as floods and landslides over the last few years.

FOR FOCUS ISSUE -- SUNDAY 24[b]

FOR FOCUS ISSUE -- SUNDAY 24 ;JP;ICN; ANPAc..r.. Focusissue-hotel-outlook I. Christianto Contributor Jakarta Heading for better days After years of stagnant business, the hotel industry is estimated to have better days this year thanks in part to an improvement in the country's economy.

Fire razes five shop-houses

Fire razes five shop-houses JAKARTA: Fire razed five shop-houses at Jl. Dahlia Indah Blok GA/8 in the Harapan Indah housing complex in Bekasi on Friday. The five buildings belonged to Anang Agus Setiawan, an employee of a state enterprise, who lives on Jl. Lores 11 in Kampung Ambon, Rawamangun in East Jakarta. The police suspected the fire was caused by a short circuit in one of the five shop-houses, which housed a photocopy machine, photography equipment, documents and flammable substances.

Rapist gets eight years in jail

Rapist gets eight years in jail TANGERANG: The Tangerang District Court sentenced a man on Thursday to eight years imprisonment for raping a woman in his rented house in Ledug village, Alam Jaya subdistrict, Jatiuwung, last September. Presiding Judge Horasman Nainggolan said the defendant, Edi Susanto, 25, had been found guilty of raping the victim, who had just arrived from Central Java and was looking for a house to rent in the village.

TNI spokesman, a beginning or an end of Sjafrie's career

TNI spokesman, a beginning or an end of Sjafrie's career New TNI spokesman, Sjafrie's new controversy Imanuddin Staff writer The Jakarta Post Jakarta 2. Fedex -- The future of the services sector in post-WTO China 1 x 32 36pt Bodoni Future of China's services sector David L. Cunningham, Jr. President FedEx Asia Pacific Jakarta

Artist Nindityo Adipurnomo inspired by hair buns

Artist Nindityo Adipurnomo inspired by hair buns Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta In the eyes of contemporary artist Nindityo Adipurnomo, a hair bun is more than just a cluster of hair pulled back neatly into a coil. If the hair bun is seen traditionally as a symbol of one's social status and if modern women see it simply as an accessory, Nindit, as the artist is popularly called, finds it a source of inspiration, a media of expression.

'Idul Adha' brings peace to conflict-torn areas

'Idul Adha' brings peace to conflict-torn areas The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The peaceful nationwide commemoration of Idul Adha (Day of Sacrifice) on Friday brought fresh signs of hope, especially in strife-torn regions, of a move closer towards reconciliation and long-term peace. Despite tight security, thousands of Muslims in Ambon, the capital of Maluku, went to open fields without fear of unrest to perform Idul Adha prayers despite light rain.

Rupiah Rates Feb. 21

Rupiah Rates Feb. 21 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Manokwari's education boosted

Manokwari's education boosted MANOKWARI, Irian Jaya: The Manokwari-based Caritas Foundation is due to open schools of economics and law in the regency as soon as licenses from the higher education directorate general have been received. Foundation chairman Roberth Hammar said the establishment of two higher education institutions in the regency was aimed at helping the local administration to prepare qualified human resources to support the regional autonomy.

Flood victims skeptical about free city services

Flood victims skeptical about free city services Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The City Population Agency started a week of free services on Thursday for flood victims seeking identity cards (KTP), birth certificates and family cards. However, the service has proven ineffective and has failed to meet public expectations.

Regional languages in school

Regional languages in school From Kompas The curriculum in the country needs a major review as the advancement of the country's education is still slow. Take for example the regional language subject, which is compulsory in elementary schools outside the capital city of Jakarta. As we live in Bekasi, West Java, my six-year-old son, who is still in the first grade of an elementary school, is taught Sundanese.

Rupiah Rates Feb. 21

Rupiah Rates Feb. 21 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Citibank To Double Asia Customer Base In 3 years

Citibank To Double Asia Customer Base In 3 years Amit Prakash Dow Jones Singapore Citibank, a unit of Citigroup, expects to double its consumer banking base in Asia, excluding China, to 20 million customers over the next three years, said Frits Seegers, Citibank's Asia- Pacific head of consumer banking, on Thursday. The U.S.

Workers continue to go to Malaysia

Workers continue to go to Malaysia PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: Despite Malaysia's decision to sharply reduce the number of Indonesian workers, South Sumatra continues to send laborers to the neighboring country, a provincial manpower official said. Some 85 male and 69 female workers left South Sumatra to work in Malaysia last month, said Surya Darma, chief of the South Sumatra manpower office, on Thursday.

Richard B. Ness

Richard B. Ness President-Director, PT Newmont Pacific Nusantara Jakarta 2. Freedom -- Untrammeled media the price of freedom 2 x 24 36pt Bodoni Untrammeled press and media the costly price of freedom The Nation Asia News Network Bangkok

1. Calpers (3x 15)

1. Calpers (3x 15) U.S. pensions giant Calper exits four ASEAN markets 2. Rice (3 x 15) 'Asia's 2002 rice output may be affected by El Nino' 3. HK (3 x 12) HK jobless rate hits record high

Distrust hurts Indonesia-Singapore bilateral relations, says analyst

Distrust hurts Indonesia-Singapore bilateral relations, says analyst Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The statement by Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew on terrorism reflects the city state's distrust of Indonesia and will hamper stable bilateral relations between the two neighbors and cooperation among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a political analyst says.

Pilgrims 'stone the devil' on Idul Adha in Mina

Pilgrims 'stone the devil' on Idul Adha in Mina Agencies, Mina, Saudi Arabia Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims "stoned the devil" on Friday in the last -- and highly risky -- stage of the annual haj, as Muslims around the world marked the first day of Idul Adha (Feast of Sacrifice). Masses of faithful, still clad in a two-piece seamless white cloth or Ihram, flocked to Mina valley, just outside the holy city of Mecca, where three giant concrete pillars symbolizing "Satan" stand.

Govt to take time to lift Maluku emergency

Govt to take time to lift Maluku emergency Annastashya Emmanuelle and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government sees no urgency in lifting the state of civil emergency in Maluku despite the recent peace accord signed by the two warring groups there, a top security official has said.

Business group urges U.S.-ASEAN free trade deal

Business group urges U.S.-ASEAN free trade deal Jim Wolf, Reuters, Washington A prominent U.S. business group urged the Bush administration on Friday to beat China to the punch in creating a free-trade area with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). China is seeking to boost its economic and political clout in Southeast Asia, possibly in a way that could freeze out U.S.

Megawati orders accurate probe into Theys' death

Megawati orders accurate probe into Theys' death Annastashya Emmanuelle and R.K. Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Jayapura President Megawati Soekarnoputri has given a three-month deadline to the National Investigation Commission (KPN) to investigate the murder of Papua proindependence leader Theys Hiyo Eluay, despite opposition from the local elite, especially religious leaders.

* Headlines: Mega to name one candidate for TNI top post2

* Headlines: Mega to name one candidate for TNI top post2 * Opinion: RI struggles with its own war on terror4 * City: Sutiyoso says he is ready to serve again 6 * Archipelago: Ex-deputy governor prosecuted for graft 7 * National: Equal treatment key to stable society 8 * World: Bush says U.S. would defend Taiwan 10 * Business: Govt to set up anti-smuggling team11 * Features: Times are changing for Yogya's craftsmen 15 * Sports: Aussie stuns Tiger at World Match Play 20

Good Corporate Governance

Good Corporate Governance A.B. Susanto, Managing Partner, The Jakarta Consulting Group The Enron scandal has caught the whole world by surprise. So, it would appear, such scandals can still happen in developed country like the United States. The White House has become the center of public attention for its alleged role in the financial fiasco.

Sutiyoso says he is ready to serve again

Sutiyoso says he is ready to serve again Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta City Governor Sutiyoso ate his own words by announcing his readiness to be reelected in the next gubernatorial election, which is due to be held in October, if he was firmly supported by the public. "If the people strongly support me and there are no other strong candidates, then I'm ready," Sutiyoso said at a meeting with editors at City Hall on Thursday.

No Cabinet reshuffle seen: Hamzah

No Cabinet reshuffle seen: Hamzah JAKARTA: Vice President Hamzah Haz said on Friday he had not heard that President Megawati Soekarnoputri planned to reshuffle the Cabinet. "I don't know. There is no reshuffle," he said after presenting cattle for sacrifice for the Islamic Day of Sacrifice, at the office of his political party, the United Development Party (PPP) in Jakarta. Rumors had it that transportation minister Agum Gumelar would exchange positions with defense minister Matori Abdul Djalil.

Gembira Loka Zoo manager grilled over money politics

Gembira Loka Zoo manager grilled over money politics Asip A. Hasani, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta The Yogyakarta provincial prosecutor's office summoned the Gembiro Loka Zoo's general manager, Joko Tirtono, on Thursday in connection with his involvement in the alleged money politics behind the Yogyakarta deputy gubernatorial election last October. The prosecutors who grilled the suspect were, however, not available for comment.

IBF sets recommendation on shuttler transfers

IBF sets recommendation on shuttler transfers The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The executive council of the International Badminton Federation (IBF) finally issued a recommendation over shuttler transfers to other countries on Friday as a response to Indonesia's proposal. "The recommendation may include the revision of existing rules on shuttler transfers and set a new precedent.

Only one candidate for TNI chief, says minister

Only one candidate for TNI chief, says minister Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputeri looks set to name just one candidate for the new Indonesian Military (TNI) chief post early next month in the hope the House of Representatives can give its approval before it goes into recess on March 28. Her decision to forward just one name to the House signals her determination to expedite the process and not to allow any faction to politicize the replacement of Adm.

Worker killed in car collision

Worker killed in car collision BANDUNG, West Java: Thirty-year-old Wati's hopes of celebrating the Day of Sacrifice with her family in Banyumas, Central Java, faded after she was killed in a collision between a van carrying her and nine other workers with a truck in the Padaleunyi toll road in Bandung early on Thursday. The incident occurred when the van the workers had chartered to take them to their home village in Banyumas, hit the rear of the truck.

Don't throw in the towel on customs or reform

Don't throw in the towel on customs or reform Richard B. Ness President Director PT Newmont Pacific Nusantara Jakarta Two weeks ago, when a team from the IMF was in Jakarta reviewing the effectiveness of customs procedures in Indonesia, I was dismayed to read an article in which a senior editor of The Jakarta Post effectively threw in the towel on reform (Feb. 5) The author wrote very convincingly on the serious problems with professionalism and corruption in the Customs office.

Governor complains about press reports on him

Governor complains about press reports on him The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso was unable to remain silent over media reports that often criticized him in handling the current floods here, saying that the reports were not proportional. During a meeting with editors at City Hall on Thursday, Sutiyoso noted that one of the reports compared him and the floods with New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and the 11 Sept. attack.

Thousands crowd Jakarta's Istiqlal for free meat

Thousands crowd Jakarta's Istiqlal for free meat Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Thousands of poor people packed the Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Central Jakarta and struggled to get a share of the free meat being distributed to mark the celebration of the Islamic Day of Sacrifice, Idul Adha on Thursday.

Tommy still enjoys special treatment

Tommy still enjoys special treatment Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former president Soeharto's youngest son Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra continues to enjoy special treatment even though he is now behind bars at Cipinang Penitentiary in East Jakarta. While other detainees have to share a cell with three or four other people, Tommy, who was sent to the penitentiary on Wednesday, occupies a newly renovated, spacious, furnished cell in a separate block.

'Imlek' and its consequences

'Imlek' and its consequences From Warta Kota Reading a news story about President Megawati declaring Imlek or the Lunar New Year a national holiday, I am of the opinion that this judgment should be welcomed. At least it indicates that there is no more discrimination against the ethnic Chinese in the country. Understandably, Chinese attributes and rituals were forbidden for years.

UNFPA clarifies

UNFPA clarifies I always value the sense of fair judgment of your editorial staff in quoting news resources and also their high commitment in presenting accurate information to the readers. However, I would like to clarify some statements from a news excerpt on Feb. 9, 2002 of the National Scene section. The excerpt mentioned that the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is overseen by United nations Development Program (UNDP) and the government has lobbied population aids to UNDP.

RI seeks to reschedule over $5b in debt

RI seeks to reschedule over $5b in debt The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is seeking to obtain a rescheduling facility for more than US$5 billion worth of external debts maturing between April 2002 and December 2003 from the Paris Club of creditor nations, according to a senior official at the finance ministry. Achmad Royadi, head of the Fiscal and Financial Analysis Body, said that the rescheduling would include both debt principal and interest.

'Lapen' becomes the choice in times of crisis

'Lapen' becomes the choice in times of crisis Asip A. Hasani, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta After finishing work at Wirogunan prison in Yogyakarta, 63- year-old prison warden "Parman" set off to his local street bar on Jl. Jend. Sudirman, where he would spend the evening drinking a cheap alcoholic beverage known locally as Lapen.

SINGAPORE, Feb 22 (AFP) - Leading second round scores in the 900,000 US dollar Singapore Masters golf tournament at the Laguna

SINGAPORE, Feb 22 (AFP) - Leading second round scores in the 900,000 US dollar Singapore Masters golf tournament at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club Friday: 135 - Nick O'Hern (Aus) 64-71 136 - Jim Johnson (USA) 69-67 137 - Nick Faldo (Eng) 68-69, Charlie Wi (Kor) 70-67, Mike Cunning (USA) 67-70 138 - Christopher Hanell (Swe) 69-69, Wang Ter-chang (Tpe) 67-71, Ted Purdy (USA) 69-69, Carlos Rodiles 66-72, Gary Clark (Eng) 72-66, Chris Williams (Eng) 67-71.

Lee Kuan Yew should clarify his statement

Lee Kuan Yew should clarify his statement The remarks by Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew on terrorists in Indonesia have reverberated around the region and the world. Lee has touched on the most sensitive issue in the world today. Though the truth of the accusation still needs proof, it is feared that Lee's remarks and The Straits Times' report will give rise to impressions at the regional and global levels that will certainly discredit Indonesia and could, in fact, spoil its image.

1. KKN: 8 x 4 lines:

1. KKN: 8 x 4 lines: Ex-deputy governor prosecuted for corruption 2. Balak: 20 x 2 lines West Java administration suspends industrial logging 3. BANjir -- 20x2 C. Java flood victims in need of humanitarian relief 4. Money --- 24x2 Gembira Loka Zoo manager grilled over money politics

More on Mercantile Club

More on Mercantile Club I would like to add my full agreement with the letter from Mr. Sia Ka-Mou entitled Desperate Mercantile Club (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 15, 2002). I am also a Life Member of the Mercantile Club, Jakarta and have also raised strong objections to the arbitrary and unreasonable policy of charging a minimum monthly fee to Life Members of the Club in particular. I fully subscribe to Mr. Sia's view that, it is not the amount of the charge which is at issue here but the principle.

Top officers to be tried for rights violence

Top officers to be tried for rights violence Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia moved closer to its first human rights trial on Thursday after state prosecutors submitted to the Central Jakarta Human Rights Court three dossiers indicting seven senior officials and security officers for crimes including genocide in East Timor in 1999.

* Headlines: Mega to name one candidate for TNI top post2

* Headlines: Mega to name one candidate for TNI top post2 * Opinion: RI struggles with its own war on terror4 * City: Sutiyoso says he is ready to serve again 6 * Archipelago: Ex-deputy governor prosecuted for graft 7 * National: Equal treatment key to stable society 8 * World: Bush says U.S. would defend Taiwan 10 * Business: RI seeks to reschedule over $5b debt11 * Features: Times are changing for Yogya's craftsmen 15 * Sports: Aussie stuns Tiger at World Match Play 20

Hundreds of houses burned near Kalijodo brothel

Hundreds of houses burned near Kalijodo brothel Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Another brawl occurred in Kalijodo brothel and gambling complex in North Jakarta early on Friday, just a week after the last riot that claimed one life. The brawl also resulted in the burning down of hundreds of houses on nearby Jl. Jembatan Dua Barat. Angry masses also pelted stones at firefighters who arrived at the site at 3:30 a.m. and prevented them from extinguishing the fire.

Asian monies lower on Calpers news

Asian monies lower on Calpers news Dow Jones, Singapore A major U.S. pension fund's decision to pull its public investments from four Southeast Asian countries continued to drag down currencies in that region Friday, although analysts said the market impact will probably be short lived. In North Asia, the South Korean won and New Taiwan dollar also weakened.

Restoration of damaged forests

Restoration of damaged forests From Republika Various forest management systems have been applied over the years to ensure sustainable forest conservation. But the selective logging system, which has been in place for 20 years, has consistently failed to foster forest conservation, as the wood cutting in the forests has not spared trees with a small width (less than 20 cm in diameter).

KL, RI resume talks on power grid

KL, RI resume talks on power grid SINGAPORE : Malaysia and Indonesia have resumed discussions on building the first interconnection between their national power transmission grids, an official with Malaysia's state power utility Tenaga Nasional Bhd. said Thursday. He said discussions between Tenaga and Indonesia's state utility PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara, or PLN, on building the interconnection stalled in 1998 due to the financial crisis that hit the region.

Thousands of C. Java flood victims in urgent need of humanitarian relief

Thousands of C. Java flood victims in urgent need of humanitarian relief Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Pati Tens of thousands of displaced people whose houses are still under water following the floods that hit the central Java regencies of Pekalongan, Batang, Pati and Kudus are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

KL plan on border wall welcomed

KL plan on border wall welcomed PONTIANAK, W. Kalimantan: Police officers in West Kalimantan welcomed Malaysia's plan on Thursday to build a brick wall along its 870-kilometer border with Indonesia on Borneo island. West Kalimantan Deputy Police chief Sr. Comr. Iwan Panji Winata said the Malaysian plan would help police and other security agencies on both sides of the border fight transnational crime.

Seven new airlines set to take to the skies

Seven new airlines set to take to the skies Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Seven new airlines are set to enter the domestic airline market despite the already stiff competition in the industry, which has been weakened by years of economic hardship at home.

'Imlek' and its consequences

'Imlek' and its consequences From Warta Kota Reading a news story about President Megawati declaring Imlek or the Lunar New Year a national holiday, I am of the opinion that this judgment should be welcomed. At least it indicates that there is no more discrimination against the ethnic Chinese in the country. Understandably, Chinese attributes and rituals were forbidden for years.

'No restructuring in new SME debt scheme'

'No restructuring in new SME debt scheme' Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A new scheme for restructuring the debts of small and midsize enterprises (SME) falls short of providing for just that, an SME expert said referring to the government's plan to kick start the payment of some Rp 39 trillion (about US$3.8 billion) in SME debts.

Justice for debtors

Justice for debtors In view of the provisional agreement given by the government last month to the extension by six years of the repayment period for almost Rp 140 trillion (US$13.3 billion) in bad debts owed by the former owners of private banks already liquidated or nationalized, it is only fair to provide the same treatment to small and mid-sized bad debtors.

KL urged to review AFTA auto policy

KL urged to review AFTA auto policy Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur U.S. car giant Ford Motor Co. on Thursday urged Malaysia to review its plan to delay opening up its auto industry by two years under a regional free trade area agreement. Under the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), most countries in the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must cut import tariffs to a maximum of five percent by 2003.

BI to finish screening of BCA bidders soon

BI to finish screening of BCA bidders soon The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Indonesia will submit the results of its fit-and-proper test on the bidders of Bank Central Asia (BCA) to the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) by next week, according to senior deputy governor Anwar Nasution. "We will surrender the results of the test to IBRA by next week," he told reporters during a seminar on Thursday.

1. ASEAN (3 x 15)

1. ASEAN (3 x 15) Business group urges U.S.-ASEAN free trade deal 2. Loan (2 x 25) China's bad loans larger than Japan's: Goldman Sachs 3. US (1 x 30) U.S. powering out of recession: Index 4. Citi (2x 25) Citibank to double Asia customer base in three years 5. Music (2 x 25) Web music piracy pact to come into force 6. Ford (2 x 20) KL urged to review AFTA auto policy

Don't throw in the towel on customs or reform

Don't throw in the towel on customs or reform Richard B. Ness President Director PT Newmont Pacific Nusantara Jakarta Two weeks ago, when a team from the IMF was in Jakarta reviewing the effectiveness of customs procedures in Indonesia, I was dismayed to read an article in which a senior editor of The Jakarta Post effectively threw in the towel on reform (Feb. 5) The author wrote very convincingly on the serious problems with professionalism and corruption in the Customs office.

'Terror allegations not matched with evidence'

'Terror allegations not matched with evidence' Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite the Malaysian Police sharing extensive information with their Indonesian counterparts on the alleged involvement of three Indonesian Muslim clerics in a regional terror network, the Indonesian Police claim they cannot act on the information without solid evidence. National Police inspector-general Comr. Gen.

UNFPA clarifies

UNFPA clarifies I always value the sense of fair judgment of your editorial staff in quoting news resources and also their high commitment in presenting accurate information to the readers. However, I would like to clarify some statements from a news excerpt on Feb. 9, 2002 of the National Scene section.

Indonesia struggles with its own war on terror

Indonesia struggles with its own war on terror Peter Milne, Managing editor of the Van Zorge Report, Jakarta As the American "War on Terror" moves from its first to second stage, Indonesia is once again under the international spotlight- this time for purportedly not doing enough to track down possible terrorist cells in the country.

RI eases up on KL over migrant workers

RI eases up on KL over migrant workers Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has admitted that it sees no real chance of persuading Malaysia to lift its restrictive policy on Indonesian migrant workers in the near future. Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea said on Thursday that Indonesia would just wait until the Malaysian government had calmed down before talks on reopening the border to Indonesian migrant workers.

Legacy of debts

Legacy of debts From Kompas We all stand against the policies drafted by the New Order regime. Unfortunately, most university students and some others have missed the point of the New Order's products, for example, subsidies that have deceived us all. We know that subsidies given to the people form a large part of foreign debts as these funds were not grants, as the New Order ruler once said. Today's government has been burdened with debts, the New Order's legacy, which have to be paid.

U.S. pensions giant Calper exits four ASEAN markets

U.S. pensions giant Calper exits four ASEAN markets Reuter, Singapore/San Francisco The largest U.S. pension fund Calpers will sell its assets in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia because those countries failed new investing criteria including human rights and labor practices. The move pushed Thai shares and the baht lower and helped send Malaysian shares down on Thursday despite a strong Wednesday rally in U.S. shares.

Yamisa seen as illegal

Yamisa seen as illegal PAREPARE, South Sulawesi: The local administration called the Ahli Sunnah Waljamaah Islamic Mission (Yamisa), which has offered financial assistance to locals, an illegal organization as its operations have raised suspicions among locals and the administration.

5-0 loss does not bar RI shuttlers from semis

5-0 loss does not bar RI shuttlers from semis Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Being battered 5-0 by South Korea did not stop the Indonesian badminton team from cruising to the semifinals stage of the women's team Uber Cup qualifying round in Melbourne, Australia, on Friday. After scoring two victories against host Australia on Wednesday and Thailand on Thursday in Group B, the Indonesian girls swallowed a bitter pill with such a humiliating score.

Times are changing for Yogya's craftsmen

Times are changing for Yogya's craftsmen Asip A. Hasani, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta After spending more than 10 years of his time as a craftsman, Munandar is still running the same business, selling various wooden souvenir items from his modest showroom in a small rented house in Kampong Nagan, Yogyakarta. However, he might not be able to keep his showroom any more. "I will close this showroom next month. I can't afford the rent anymore," Munandar said.

'Asia's 2002 rice output may be affected by El Nino'

'Asia's 2002 rice output may be affected by El Nino' Dow Jones, Bangkok A likely return of the drought-inducing El Nino weather phenomenon this year could affect rice paddy harvests in Asia, the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization, or FAO, said Friday. An expected recurrence of the El Nino weather condition could affect paddy output in the Philippines and Indonesia, according to the FAO's latest Rice Market Monitor released in Bangkok Friday.

Ex-migrant worker on trial for drug smuggling

Ex-migrant worker on trial for drug smuggling Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang The Tangerang District court began the trial on Thursday of a former Indonesian migrant worker (TKW) for the attempted smuggling of one kilogram of heroin from Kathmandu, Nepal, into the country last October. Prosecutor Puji Raharjo, who read out the 5-page indictment, said the defendant, Merry Utami, 27, a resident of Jl.

Obituary

Obituary Leading human rights activist H.J.C. Princen died of a stroke at the age of 76 at 5 a.m. at his home in Utan Kayu, East Jakarta on Friday. Many fellow activists, including Muchtar Pakpahan, Luhut Pangaribuan, Chris Siner Key Timu and Hariman Siregar, paid their last respects to him at his home where his body was laid in state. His daughter Yolanda Princen told the press that her father had been bedridden since 1998 when he suffered the first of a series of strokes.

Assets of Soeharto's cronies

Assets of Soeharto's cronies From Rakyat Merdeka As the Megawati government has been "compelled" to raise fuel prices as well as electricity and telephone rates for the sake of abolishing subsidies, why can't it wield its power to recover public funds misappropriated by former president Soeharto and his cronies? The multidimensional crisis now plaguing the country continues to impoverish the common people.

Equal treatment key to stable society

Equal treatment key to stable society A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Amien Rais underscored on Thursday the importance of respecting differences between people and the need for equal treatment for all as basic tenets of civil society in Indonesia.

The Bays bring the house down at National Museum

The Bays bring the house down at National Museum Cameron Bates and Adrian Smith, Contributors, Jakarta Arriving at the dance party featuring The Bays at the National Museum in Central Jakarta last Friday night, you would not have noticed that the dust had not had enough time to settle. The London quartet had brought the house down during an earlier sound check, when ceiling panels in the building's new wing crashed to the floor, shaken loose by the vibrating bass.

TNI turns down summons by rights commission

TNI turns down summons by rights commission Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel insisted on defying several subpoenas on Friday from the Commission of Inquiry into Human Rights Violations (KPP HAM) for their alleged involvement in the Trisakti, Semanggi I and Semanggi II killings. The rejection was made despite the Central Jakarta District Court's ruling, which supports the commission in exercising its subpoena rights. Maj.

TV Today: Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002

TV Today: Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002 TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Cartoon 8:30 Documentary 9:00 Music 10:30 Comedy 11:00 News 11:30 Music 12:00 p.m. News 1:00 Talk Show 2:00 News 3:30 Religious Teachings 4:30 Magic Show 5:00 Music 6:00 News 7:00 Music 8:00 Quiz 9:00 News 9:30 Music 11:00 Sports TPI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Comedy 8:30 Cooking Program 9:00 Quiz 10:00 Indonesian Film 2:00 p.m.

Don't throw in the towel on customs or reform

Don't throw in the towel on customs or reform Richard B. Ness President Director PT Newmont Pacific Nusantara Jakarta Two weeks ago, when a team from the IMF was in Jakarta reviewing the effectiveness of customs procedures in Indonesia, I was dismayed to read an article in which a senior editor of The Jakarta Post effectively threw in the towel on reform (Feb. 5) The author wrote very convincingly on the serious problems with professionalism and corruption in the Customs office.

Customs service subterfuge

Customs service subterfuge Many might be amazed at reading newspaper stories for two consecutive days this week about the successes of the customs service in foiling smuggling attempts through Jakarta's Tanjung Priok port and at seeing the pictures of Customs and Excise Director General Permana Agung proudly flaunting his contraband catch. How impressive the customs service's performance seemed to be.

The rich can

The rich can buy the law From Rakyat Merdeka In today's harsh realities, the law only applies poor people who wield little influence, while guilty tycoons can easily buy justice as they seem to be the "owners" of the law. The little people are always victimized by the legal process since they cannot afford to hire lawyers, while the affluent elite, with the aid of their smart lawyers, are always able to find loopholes, or make appeals to avoid any sentencing.

10 held in Landono arson case

10 held in Landono arson case KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Unaaha police station held 10 people as the main suspects in the recent arson of three houses belonging to migrants in Telumbinga village in Landono district, some 80 kilometers north of the provincial capital, Kendari. "Our investigation is still under way and, in the meantime, we have identified at least ten people to be held as main suspects," Unaaha Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Teguh Prayitno said on Thursday.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in Rupiah) on Feb. 21, 2002 Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,150 25 83,500 Adindo Foresta 70 0 0 AGIS 120 0 804,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 230 -20 7,500 Alakasa 210 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 750 -25 78,500 Alter Abadi 45 0 0 Alumindo Light 575 0 0 Andhi Chandra 330 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 550 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,000 -25 535,500 Anta Express Tour 450 0 462,500 Apac Citra 220 -5...

Citibank to double Asia customer base in three years

Citibank to double Asia customer base in three years Amit Prakash, Dow Jones, Singapore Citibank, a unit of Citigroup, expects to double its consumer banking base in Asia, excluding China, to 20 million customers over the next three years, said Frits Seegers, Citibank's Asia- Pacific head of consumer banking, on Thursday. The U.S.

U.S. chopper crashes in RP, no survivors yet

U.S. chopper crashes in RP, no survivors yet Pedro Uchi, Reuters, Dumaguete, Philippines Three American soldiers were killed when their special forces helicopter involved in anti-terrorist training exercises crashed in the sea in the southern Philippines on Friday, officials said. Seven others were listed as unaccounted for and rescuers said hopes of finding any of them alive were fading.

TNI spokesman, a beginning or an end of Sjafrie's career

TNI spokesman, a beginning or an end of Sjafrie's career Imanuddin Staff writer The Jakarta Post Jakarta There was a total of 118 high-ranking officers affected by the Feb. 15 reshuffle of the Indonesian Military (TNI), but a particularly controversial change was the appointment of Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin as the new TNI spokesman replacing Rear Adm. Graito Usodo.

Govt to set up anti-smuggling team

Govt to set up anti-smuggling team Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Annastashya Emmanuella, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Amid mounting criticism of the apparent impotence of the customs and excise office in curbing rampant smuggling in the country, the government decided at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday to set up a powerful interdepartmental team to tackle illegal activities that had caused the state to suffer massive financial losses.

Ex-deputy governor prosecuted for graft

Ex-deputy governor prosecuted for graft Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung Amid the war against corruption in the province, two former West Java senior officials are being prosecuted on corruption charges. On Tuesday, prosectuors called for Ukman Sutaryan, former West Java deputy governor, to face ten years in prison and a fine of Rp 30 million over a Rp 17.9 billion corruption case during his tenure between 1993-1999.

U.S Dollar Rates Feb.22

U.S Dollar Rates Feb.22 Latest %Chg Yen 134.39-44 +0.23 Euro* 0.8726-31 +0.32 Sterling* 1.4272-78 +0.13 Swiss franc 1.6953-57 -0.28 Canadian dollar 1.5908-18 +0.03 Australian dollar* 0.5145-50 -0.25 New Zealand dollar* 0.4186-91 +0.10 Deutsche mark 2.2401-14 -0.32 Czech koruna 36.327-57 -0.49 Hungary forint 278.96-36 -0.13 Danish krone 8.5141-56 -0.42 Norwegian krone 8.8829-59 -0.24 Polish zloty 4.1685-15 +0.13 Russian ruble 30.949-59 +0.25 Swedish krona 10.4766-26 -0.33 Dutch guilder 2.5240-55...