Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 4 February 2002

63 articles found

. Headlines: Goh Chok Tong says no to wearing 'jilbab' 2

. Headlines: Goh Chok Tong says no to wearing 'jilbab' 2 . Opinion : Megawati and Hamzah fall short of expectations 4 . City : Caught in the flood, the most horrifying time 6 . Archipelago: Banten strives to retrieve 22 islands from Jakarta 7 . National : Papuans again reject military in Theys case 8 . World : RP's ground strike kills 20 suspected rebels 9 . Business : Indonesia needs good leaders to resolve crisis 11 . Features : Floods could tip stock market down 12 . Sports : Jones Jr.

JP/4/CABINET

JP/4/CABINET Kornelius Purba Staff Writer The Jakarta Post Jakarta Should President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz wait for a Cabinet decision to console hungry refugees in Jakarta? Or should they wait for each other to initiate a simple but effective way to help flood victims -- and simultaneously help their own public relations needs?

Megawati and Hamzah fall short of expectations

Megawati and Hamzah fall short of expectations Kornelius Purba, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Should President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz wait for a Cabinet decision to console hungry refugees in Jakarta? Or should they wait for each other to initiate a simple but effective way to help flood victims -- and simultaneously help their own public relations needs?

Jakartans clean up as sporadic rain continues

Jakartans clean up as sporadic rain continues The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two days of sunshine on Saturday and Sunday gave a glimmer of hope for Jakartans that water in their flooded houses might recede. Unfortunately, another heavy rain that might fall at any time in the near future could wash away such hopes. The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency has warned people of the possibility of more rain in the days ahead and for the rest of this month.

Fund examines customs problems

Fund examines customs problems The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two experts from the International Monetary Fund are here on a ten-day special assignment to examine customs and tax problems which have been raised by industrial associations and foreign chambers of commerce.

JP/17/BANDUNG

JP/17/BANDUNG =================== Tantri Yuliandini The Jakarta Post Jakarta ------------------- His navy blue shirt bears the picture of a polo player, his neatly pressed trousers have a little tag at the back that reads Dockers, and his shiny shoes bears the La Coste alligator logo. The ring of a mobile phone disturbs his gait, and he casually takes out a Nokia Communicator, the latest. At the other end of the line, a woman in a simply cut -- and obviously overpriced -- dress is talking.

'Floods could tip stock market down'

'Floods could tip stock market down' Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Selling pressure might drag the local stock market down in lackluster trading this week. And many traders might skip work as heavy flooding continues to paralyze the capital, analysts said over the weekend. Investment analysts at Mandiri Sekuritas, Zulfiqar said that even without the flooding, the market's more than one-month rally was nearing its end.

The Jakarta Post

The Jakarta Post Jakarta Santi, not her real name, never imagined the difficulties she would encounter after she filed for divorce to end her 10-year marriage. Since filing for divorce with the West Jakarta Religious Court in the middle of 1999, she has had to live on the run to avoid terrorizing phone calls and threats made by anonymous men. She suspects that her estranged husband is behind all of the terror.

Heavy rains spell disaster in several provinces

Heavy rains spell disaster in several provinces Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang While many provinces have enhanced their preparedness for possible disasters during the rainy season, floods and landslides have brought suffering to many people in other provinces. A heavy downpour and strong winds caused a flash flood and landslides in Alor, East Nusa Tenggara, destroying 151 houses on the island.

Jamsostek to build 4 hospitals

Jamsostek to build 4 hospitals JAKARTA: The state-owned social security company PT Jamsostek will construct four hospitals this year in a bid to improve its services, its commissioner, Sjukur Sarto, said on Sunday. Sjukur said the hospitals would be built in Bumi Serpong Damai in Tangerang, Cilegon, both in Banten province, Karawang in West Java and in East Jakarta.

Page 7

Page 7 Headings 1. Banjir: 8 x 4 lines: Heavy rains spell disaster in several provinces 2. Banten: 20 x 2 lines Banten strives to retrieve 22 islands from Jakarta 3. Singkil: 24 x 2 lines Corruption among officials plagues Aceh Singkil

Yogyakarta tense after clashes

Yogyakarta tense after clashes Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Tension engulfed the tourist city of Yogyakarta on Sunday as hundreds of supporters of the United Development Party (PPP) clashed here with groups of local people, leaving several people seriously wounded and several vehicles burned or damaged. Security authorities closed several main streets including Jl. Malioboro and Jl.

1. STUCK (48cm) -- 48pt Bodoni Bold 3/3 (3x48pt)

1. STUCK (48cm) -- 48pt Bodoni Bold 3/3 (3x48pt) Caught in the floods: the most horrifying time in a person's life 2. OJEK (45cm) -- 36pt Bodoni Bold 4/1 (1x30) People become resilient during disaster 3. HOTEL (46cm) -- 28pt Bodoni Bold 4/1 (1x40) Hotel occupancy rates up due to deluge 4. POSKO (45cm) -- 28pt Bodoni Bold 3/1 (1x32) Volunteers struggle to evacuate victims ================ 5. GREATER JAKARTA 6. PIX 4x12 7. ADS 3x12.5 (Indonesia), 2x3 (Bahasa), 1x7 (Course

Aceh tops piracy attacks: Report

Aceh tops piracy attacks: Report Agencies, Kuala Lumpur The on-going separatist violence in Indonesia's Aceh province is a leading contributor to piracy in Southeast Asia, an international watchdog has said. The Piracy Reporting Center said worldwide actual or attempted piracy attacks from January to December 2001 was 335, down 29 percent from the all time high of 469 posted in the previous year. In 1998 it was 300.

More Personal Digital Assistants hit stores

More Personal Digital Assistants hit stores Zatni Arbi, The Jakarta Post, Columnist If you spend a couple of hours window-shopping in Dusit Mangga Dua and the upper floors of Mal Mangga Dua, you will notice that more and more stores there are showcasing Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). Slimmer, more graceful and somewhat more affordable, they still come in two main flavors: PocketPC and Palm. Making the choice between the two still difficult, as Palm still holds strong in the competition.

Jakarta floods leave the question: Who's to blame?

Jakarta floods leave the question: Who's to blame? The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It is impossible to stop the rain. But it is possible to minimize floods, or at least be prepared them. Unfortunately, what happened in Jakarta was just the opposite. It had long been predicted that major flooding would hit the city. In 1996, it was severely affected, and then, there was a warning such a disaster could happen once every five years. But the city administration took it lightly.

Ericsson expects to double sales

Ericsson expects to double sales The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson expects to double its sales in Indonesia as the country's telecommunications market continues to grow. "Ericsson Indonesia doubled its revenue last year. We expect this year to improve our position. Historically, we have doubled (our revenue annually)," PT Ericsson Indonesia's president Ulf Mansson told The Jakarta Post last week. He did not provide figures.

Volunteers bail out those stranded

Volunteers bail out those stranded The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Sometimes sincerity is just not enough to help others. Volunteers wanting to help flood victims throughout Jakarta have had to face intimidation from thugs taking advantage of catastrophe. "Many people, such as hoodlums, took advantage of people's misery.

Technology to minimize losses from flood chaos

Technology to minimize losses from flood chaos Zatni Arbi, Columnist, Jakarta, zatni@cbn.net.id Could you imagine how much fossil fuel was wasted the entire week last week, with all the cars stuck in traffic for hours and their engines were running? It may be good news to our state-oil company, Pertamina, but it is certainly a horror story for the rest of us. The appalling wastage of fuel was just perhaps a fraction of the loss that we all suffered last week.

Four workers killed in fire

Four workers killed in fire JAKARTA: Four people, exhausted after a day battling flood waters, were burned alive after fire tore through the Barokah foodstall in Central Jakarta, early Saturday. Seven fire trucks were sent to extinguish the fire on Jl. Kramat Pulo, Senen, despite the heavy rains and floods just after midnight. The four casualties, included three women, Imah (35), Yanah (18) and Nurhayati (21), and a male worker Kardan (17).

Ignorance keeps maternal death rate high

Ignorance keeps maternal death rate high Asip Agus Hasani, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Ignorance within society and among policymakers has contributed to Indonesia maintaining it status as the country with the highest maternal death rate in all of Southeast Asia, despite more than two decades of child and mother health programs, a newly installed professor says.

JP/4/CABINET

JP/4/CABINET Kornelius Purba Staff Writer The Jakarta Post Jakarta Should President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz wait for a Cabinet decision to console hungry refugees in Jakarta? Or should they wait for each other to initiate a simple but effective way to help flood victims -- and simultaneously help their own public relations needs?

Malaysia to deport illegal workers only: Yusril

Malaysia to deport illegal workers only: Yusril The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Malaysia will only deport illegal Indonesian workers and will allow legal workers to stay in that country, Indonesian Justice and Human Rights Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra says. "(Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad) says not all Indonesian workers will be deported.

Finance ministry official accused of abusing power

Finance ministry official accused of abusing power The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A number of staff members at the Directorate General for State Credit and Auction of State Assets have urged Minister of Finance Boediono to dismiss director general Karsono Suryowibowo for alleged abuse of power resulting in losses to the state.

Papuans again reject military in Theys case

Papuans again reject military in Theys case Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Religious leaders in the restive province of Papua rejected on Saturday the inclusion of military and police personnel in the planned National Investigation Commission (KPN), arguing that they wanted only independent, professional and trustworthy people to join the team. "We stand by our position that ... the commission should be endowed with strong legal powers by the President ...

Gas exporting group loses and gains new members

Gas exporting group loses and gains new members Peg Mackey Reuters Algiers A gas exporters' forum launched about a year ago to address gas supplies, marketing and pricing issues, recruited four new members on Friday but two founding members dropped out. Ministers and senior gas officials are gathered in the Algerian capital Algiers for the second ministerial meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).

. Headlines: Goh Chok Tong says no to wearing 'jilbab' 2

. Headlines: Goh Chok Tong says no to wearing 'jilbab' 2 . Opinion : Megawati and Hamzah fall short of expectations 4 . City : Caught in the flood, the most horrifying time 6 . Archipelago: Banten strives to retrieve 22 islands from Jakarta 7 . National : Papuans again reject military in Theys case 8 . World : RP's ground strike kills 20 suspected rebels 9 . Business : Indonesia needs good leaders to resolve crisis 11 . Features : Floods could tip stock market down 12 . Sports : Jones Jr.

TV Program: Monday, February 4, 2002

TV Program: Monday, February 4, 2002 TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:05 Environment 8:45 City News 10:00 Music 10:30 30 Minutes with Anita Rahman 11:00 News 11:30 Music 12:00 p.m. News 1:00 Talk Show 2:00 News 2:30 Debating 3:30 Talk Show 4:00 Quiz 5:00 TV Drama 6:00 News 7:00 Dialog 8:00 Variety Show 9:00 News 9:30 Blues Night 11:00 TV Drama TPI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 7:00 Entertainment News 7:30 Cartoon 8:00 Music 9:00 Indian Film 12:00 p.m.

Economy behind military return in Aceh?

Economy behind military return in Aceh? Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Rumors of the motives behind the revival of the Iskandar Muda Military Command in the restive province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) might abound, but economic rather than security reasons, may prove to the main driving force behind the move.

1. BANDUNG, 2 lines, 25 counts

1. BANDUNG, 2 lines, 25 counts Wear expensive-looking clothes -- from Bandung 2. ABORT: 1 line, 35 counts Critics sway pregnant women with ultrasound

Headlines: Goh Chok Tong says no to wearing 'jilbab' 2

Headlines: Goh Chok Tong says no to wearing 'jilbab' 2 Opinion : Megawati and Hamzah fall short of expectations 4 City : Caught in the flood, the most horrifying time 6 Archipelago: Banten strives to retrieve 22 islands from Jakarta 7 National : Papuans again reject military in Theys case 8 World : RP's ground strike kills 20 suspected rebels 9 Business : Indonesia needs good leaders to resolve crisis 11 Features : Floods could tip stock market down 12 Sports : Jones Jr.

Goh says no to wearing 'jilbab'

Goh says no to wearing 'jilbab' Agencies, Singapore The four Muslim students at the center of a headscarves row will be suspended from their schools if they insist on wearing scarves to classes, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said in remarks published in the Sunday Times. "You cannot give way on that. If the schools give way, then I think let us not have any rules," Goh said in his first public comments on the issue. "So that is very clear. They will be suspended," he said.

Aceh talks move slowly in Switzerland

Aceh talks move slowly in Switzerland Agencies, Geneva, Switzerland Talks between Indonesian government officials and separatist rebels from the troubled province of Aceh were advancing slowly on Sunday at an undisclosed location in Switzerland, sources linked to the talks said.

JP/4/CABINET

JP/4/CABINET Kornelius Purba Staff Writer The Jakarta Post Jakarta Should President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz wait for a Cabinet decision to console hungry refugees in Jakarta? Or should they wait for each other to initiate a simple but effective way to help flood victims -- and simultaneously help their own public relations needs?

Hotel occupancy rates up due to deluge

Hotel occupancy rates up due to deluge Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta February is not the peak season for tourism, yet many hotels in Jakarta have reported an increase in their occupancy rates for the past few days. It's certainly not because Indonesia's economy is getting better. The fact is, many people are seeking refuge from floods in the comfort of hotel rooms.

Legislators should repent

Legislators should repent From Warta Kota I wholeheartedly agree with some of the protest rallies rejecting the price hikes. These rallies should go on until the government and the country's leaders become aware of the problems and decide to reduce the fuel prices, as they will certainly spur other prices of goods to soar. Do the leaders and those currently in power care to listen or empathize with people's sufferings?

JP/4/CABINET

JP/4/CABINET Kornelius Purba Staff Writer The Jakarta Post Jakarta Should President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz wait for a Cabinet decision to console hungry refugees in Jakarta? Or should they wait for each other to initiate a simple but effective way to help flood victims -- and simultaneously help their own public relations needs?

City Police deploys 21,000 personnel

City Police deploys 21,000 personnel JAKARTA: Jakarta Police have claimed it deployed a total of 21,000 personnel during the flooding, while the Jakarta Military Command says it deployed around 500 personnel to help the police. However, they have not been seen in the flooded areas, specially by residents in need of help. Adil, a resident in Manggarai, South Jakarta, said: "They only appear when high-ranking officials visit the flooding areas." Manggarai is one of the most destroyed neighborhood.

Corruption among officials plagues Aceh Singkil

Corruption among officials plagues Aceh Singkil The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The leakage of Rp 4 billion in the Aceh Singkil administration has brought to the fore the rampant practice of corruption, collusion and nepotism in on the ongoing attempt to topple the new regency' leader. Non-governmental organizations in the province have blamed the weak supervisory system in the administration, which they say indirectly encourages local officials to become involved in corruption and collusion.

Aid for flood victims 'highly politicized'

Aid for flood victims 'highly politicized' Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The next general election in 2004 is still a long way off, but political parties have been seen politicizing the severe floods in the capital city as clearly displayed during the handover of humanitarian aid by party' leaders to flood victims. Their actions are designed to enable them to succeed in the general election, political analysts have said.

Revolt at state companies

Revolt at state companies State company employees seemed to have tasted blood when the government succumbed last year to the demand of Semen Gresik workers and some vested-interest groups to cancel the sale of the cement company to Mexico's Cemex, the world's third-largest cement group, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Trade unions at several other state companies moved to reject new boards of directors, alleging that their integrity was questionable.

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, Feb. 4, 2002

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, Feb. 4, 2002 Exhibitions * Painting, Sculpture: PEREK - "Womens' experiment" by members of the Yogyakarta-based art group, The British Council Gallery, S. Widjoyo Centre, Jl. Jendral Sudirman 71, South Jakarta, until Feb. 16. * Painting by Lucia Hartini, Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Jl. Palmerah Selatan no. 17, Central Jakarta (Tel. 5483008 ext. 7912), 10:30 a.m to 6 p.m., until Feb. 10. * Painting by Yuswantoro Adi, Lontar Gallery, Jl.

People become resilient during disaster

People become resilient during disaster Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Garbage has always been hated by people, especially when it is dirty and smelly. However, they have welcomed the new function of garbage carts during flooding that has plagued Jakarta since Monday. In some flooded areas, people have taken advantage of garbage carts as a means of transportation to either convey people through the floodwaters or to evacuate others from their inundated houses.

JAKARTA: Srilankan Airlines will commence a weekly service

JAKARTA: Srilankan Airlines will commence a weekly service from Jakarta to Colombo starting this week, with a nonstop flight every Wednesday. "We have had a big demand and our new flight will be particularly useful for our customers traveling onward to the Middle East as it offers convenient connections through Colombo to Dubai, Kuwait and Riyadh," Srilankan's Manager for Indonesia Lakshman Weerasooriya said in a statement.

Zainuddin should quit politics

Zainuddin should quit politics From Republika KH Zainuddin MZ is a renowned Muslim preacher who has been put to a severe test by Almighty God. This Muslim leader's engagement in politics could ruin his popularity as a revival mullah for a million Muslims. Islam, as an ideal religion, has always become the reference point for all aspects of our life, especially disagreement. Thus, it should be debated whether Zainuddin has carefully thought out his acts.

Wear expensive-looking clothes -- from bandung

Wear expensive-looking clothes -- from bandung Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta His navy blue shirt bears the picture of a polo player, his neatly pressed trousers have a little tag at the back that reads Dockers, and his shiny shoes bears the La Coste alligator logo. The ring of a mobile phone disturbs his gait, and he casually takes out a Nokia Communicator, the latest. At the other end of the line, a woman in a simply cut -- and obviously overpriced -- dress is talking.

JP/4/CABINET

JP/4/CABINET Kornelius Purba Staff Writer The Jakarta Post Jakarta Should President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz wait for a Cabinet decision to console hungry refugees in Jakarta? Or should they wait for each other to initiate a simple but effective way to help flood victims -- and simultaneously help their own public relations needs?

Heavy rain to hit E. Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara

Heavy rain to hit E. Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Some rain is expected in Jakarta, but not on the order of last week's storms, over the next few days, but heavy thunderstorms are expected to pound East Java, Central Java, Bali, West and East Nusa Tenggara in the coming days beginning Sunday, meteorologists predict.

. Headlines: Goh Chok Tong says no to wearing 'jilbab' 2

. Headlines: Goh Chok Tong says no to wearing 'jilbab' 2 . Opinion : Megawati and Hamzah fall short of expectations 4 . City : Caught in the flood, the most horrifying time 6 . Archipelago: Banten strives to retrieve 22 islands from Jakarta 7 . National : Papuans again reject military in Theys case 8 . World : RP's ground strike kills 20 suspected rebels 9 . Business : Indonesia needs good leaders to resolve crisis 11 . Features : Floods could tip stock market down 12 . Sports : Jones Jr.

Water levels at Jakarta's flood gates

Water levels at Jakarta's flood gates Flood gates; Normal water level; water level on Sunday; peak level (Friday) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Depok 80-90 cm 150 cm 310 cm Karet 400-420 cm 535 cm 730 cm Sunter Hulu 40-50 cm 75 cm 340 cm Pesanggrahan 60-70 cm 120 cm 400 cm Manggarai 660-700 cm 800 cm 1,050 cm Pulogadung 450-470 cm 720 cm 800 cm --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sea level 70-80 cm 119 cm 150...

Caught in the flood, the most horrifying time of people's lives

Caught in the flood, the most horrifying time of people's lives Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jan. 21, 2002, will be the date Suminem will never forget. It was when her family was in danger of being swept away to their deaths, trapped in the middle of strong-flowing flood waters three-meters deep.

RI urged to press ahead with power sector liberalization

RI urged to press ahead with power sector liberalization Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former Philippine president Fidel V. Ramos has urged the Indonesian government to press ahead with its liberalization program on the electricity sector to avoid a power crisis across the country.

Indonesia needs good leaders to resolve crisis: Megawati

Indonesia needs good leaders to resolve crisis: Megawati Rita A.Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali President Megawati Soekarnoputri has stressed the need to have good leaders both in the government and the private sector to bring about changes in every aspect of people's lives and to get Indonesia out of its multidimensional crisis.

Banten strives to retrieve 22 islands from Jakarta

Banten strives to retrieve 22 islands from Jakarta The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Banten's first governor, Djoko Munandar, faces tough challenges to improve the welfare of the local people and to develop his new province, part of which is still under the control of the Jakarta administration. One of the toughest challenges is likely to be whether the new province is successful in its attempts to acquire 22 islands in the Kepulauan Seribu island chain located northwest of Jakarta.

Tough task ahead for Banten governor

Tough task ahead for Banten governor The Jakarta Post Tangerang Banten's first governor, Djoko Munandar, faces tough challenges to improve the welfare of the local people and to develop his new province, part of which is still under the control of the Jakarta administration. One of the toughest challenges is likely to be whether the new province is successful in its attempts to acquire 22 islands in the Kepulauan Seribu island chain located northwest of Jakarta.

JP/4/CABINET

JP/4/CABINET Kornelius Purba Staff Writer The Jakarta Post Jakarta Should President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz wait for a Cabinet decision to console hungry refugees in Jakarta? Or should they wait for each other to initiate a simple but effective way to help flood victims -- and simultaneously help their own public relations needs?

RI dismisses criticism of U.S. envoy

RI dismisses criticism of U.S. envoy Kurniawan Hari and Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Medan An Indonesian official brushed off criticism on Sunday from an American diplomat, who said he was concerned that Indonesia was not doing enough to combat terrorism, by claiming that police could not arrest suspected terrorists without evidence.

JP/7/acros04

JP/7/acros04 Foreign used cars flood Batam BATAM: Riau: Used cars from Singapore and Japan continue to flood the industrial island of Batam in Riau province, causing traffic jams to increase in the city. Local customs and excise officials and automotive businessmen say that at least 500 used cars, mostly sedans, enter Batam every month. This means an additional 6,000 vehicles enter the crowded city every year.

Crisis managed

Crisis managed The progress of the migrant-worker issue proves once again that in crisis there lies opportunity. Following the recent rampages of Indonesian workers, corrective action and forthright policy decisions followed upon each other with commendable celerity. Troublemakers were sent home; Indonesians were denoted workers of last choice; nationals of other foreign countries were invited to take up the slack.

BCA bidders: When things are not as they seem

BCA bidders: When things are not as they seem Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The final bidders have been announced, the financial markets are calm, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is satisfied, so what worries analysts behind one of the country's most controversial divestment efforts: the sale of Bank Central Asia (BCA)? For one, it is the bidders, said Mirza Adityaswara and Lin Che Wei, two banking analysts who have followed the BCA sale process from scratch.

Malaysia detains man for link to KMM

Malaysia detains man for link to KMM Reuters, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia has used a controversial internal security law to detain a businessman and former army captain wanted by the United States over the Sept. 11 aircraft attacks, the New Sunday Times said. Yazid Sufaat, arrested last month while returning home from Pakistan via neighboring Thailand, will spend two years at the Kamunting detention center in the northern state of Perak under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

JP/Mulkan Salmona

JP/Mulkan Salmona Many new models have entered the domestic car market in completely built-up form such as Toyota's new sedan (above) thanks to the country's more liberal automotive policy.

BKMP plans region rating program

BKMP plans region rating program The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) is planning a rating program to assess the competitiveness of each region for investment. BKPM's chairman Theo Toemion told The Jakarta Post recently that the rating program was aimed at providing potential investors with better information about each region. "We (BKPM) are now in talks with Finance Minister Boediono on this plan," Theo said.