Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 9 February 2002

90 articles found

Fuller leads bad weather Kosaido

Fuller leads bad weather Kosaido JAKARTA: American Michelle Fuller took the lead at the weather- disrupted 2002 Kosaido Indonesian Ladies Open at the Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club in Bedugul, Bali, after carding six-under- par 66 on Friday's first round. Marine Monnet of France recorded 68 in the second place followed by Danish Amanda Moltke-Leth who shot a three-under-par 69, as reported by the event organizer.

Nurdin approved Goro-Bulog deal

Nurdin approved Goro-Bulog deal JAKARTA: A commissioner of retailing company PT Goro Batara Sakti, Nurdin Halid, provided on Friday damaging evidence against former deputy chairman of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) Ahmad Ruskandar with his confession that he signed the cancellation document for a land swap deal between the two institutions.

Some schools and JSX closed on Chinese New Year

Some schools and JSX closed on Chinese New Year Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Following the government's announcement that the upcoming Chinese New Year on Feb. 12 was an alternative holiday, many schools and private firms have decided to take a day off. Even the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX), for the first time in its history, will cease operating in observance of the celebration, popularly known here as Imlek.

Malaysia urges Jakarta to stop RI illegal workers:

Malaysia urges Jakarta to stop RI illegal workers: Kuala Lumpur has urged Jakarta to try to prevent its citizens from entering Malaysia illegally to seek work, a news report said Friday. It was better for Indonesian workers to be stopped at the departure points in their country than being caught and running into trouble with Malaysian law, Bernama news agency quoted Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Rastam Mohammed Isa as saying.

Many areas remain deluged

Many areas remain deluged Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Most of Jakarta's flood victims have returned home in relief after days of huddling in evacuation camps. But as of Friday, many people still unable to leave the shelters, as their neighborhoods remained submerged by floodwaters. At least 100,000 residents of four out of five subdistricts in Penjaringan, North Jakarta, still could not return to their homes because floods in their area had not receded.

HSBC has positive outlook for Indonesian economy

HSBC has positive outlook for Indonesian economy Alex Wilson, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta HSBC Indonesia CEO Brian Fredrick has expressed confidence in the Indonesian government's economic management and the country's ability to return to prosperity. Fredrick said the positive steps toward recovery were often not given recognition abroad.

JP/P.J. Leo

JP/P.J. Leo DINING AND FISHING: The restaurant business is not only about selling food but also selling an atmosphere to attract food lovers. Besides offering crabs as its main menu, a semi-open air restaurant in Muara Angke, North Jakarta, also allows customers to fish while dining.

Australian PM Howard praised at home for his coolness in Jakarta

Australian PM Howard praised at home for his coolness in Jakarta Belinda Goldsmith, Reuters, Canberra Australian Prime Minister John Howard was applauded at home on Friday for keeping his cool during a visit to repair ties with Indonesia despite taunts from Amien Rais and other parliamentarians.

Rupiah Rates Feb. 8

Rupiah Rates Feb. 8 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Diarrhea claims more lives

Diarrhea claims more lives The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The aftermath of the recent catastrophic floods in the capital has brought more pain to the victims, with four toddlers dying from diarrhea. Many other victims, including babies, young people and adults, are now threatened by disease following the subsidence of the floodwaters. The four infants died in the intensive care unit of Tarakan Hospital in Central Jakarta. Two other babies had reportedly died earlier in North Jakarta.

No justice found in Trisakti, Semanggi cases

No justice found in Trisakti, Semanggi cases Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The continued defiance by military and police officers of a summons issued by the Human Rights Commission of Enquiry (KPP HAM) investigating the Trisakti, Semanggi I and Semanggi II incidents has failed to dishearten the parents of the students killed in the three shooting incidents.

Jakarta beats Lucknow at cities chess event

Jakarta beats Lucknow at cities chess event JAKARTA: Jakarta, which is represented by the BNI Chess Club, beat Lucknow of India 3-1 on the opening day of the US$6,000 Cities Chess Championship in Aden, Yemen, on Thursday. International Master (IM) Danny Juswanto and FIDE Master (FM) Syarif Mahmud scored wins while Grand Master (GM) Ardiansyah and FM Sukirman Teddy could only draw with their respective opponents, according to a press release.

Oesman to lead regional reps

Oesman to lead regional reps JAKARTA: As expected, Oesman Sapta was elected the chairman of the regional representatives faction at the People's Consultative Assembly for the 2002/2004 period on Friday. Oesman, who represents West Kalimantan but lives in Jakarta, won 34 votes in a secret ballot at the legislature in Senayan, Central Jakarta. Nusa Tundan finished second, with 19 votes, for the post of secretary.

Akbar Tandjung

Akbar Tandjung should resign From Sinar Pagi The calls for Akbar Tandjung's resignation from his position as Speaker of the House of Representative (DPR) have been strengthened by the decision to appoint him as a suspect in a corruption case wherein he is charged with abusing Rp 40 billion in non-budgetary funds of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog).

Indonesia may just

Indonesia may just become history From Rakyat Merdeka I feel hurt to see that some big-wig corruptors remain legally untouched. They have committed wrong, abused their power for money, position and robbed the country of its wealth by using various cunning tricks. It is their immoral conduct that has caused our country to fall into the abyss of debt. If this condition remains unsolved and is not correctly handled, it is likely that Indonesia will just become history.

.RM 6.50"

.RM 6.50" .TB.30" 4.00" 6.20" Golf courses in Greater Jakarta Name Location Hole 1. Jakarta Golf Club Rawamangun, Jakarta 18 2. Pondok Indah Golf and Country Club Pondok Indah, Jakarta 18 3. Jaya Ancol Golf Club Ancol, Jakarta 18 4. Pangkalan Jati Golf Club Pd. Labu, Jakarta 18 5. Senayan Golf Club South Jakarta 18 6. Kemayoran Golf Course Central Jakarta 18 7. Pantai Indah Kapuk North Jakarta 18 8. Fatmawati Golf Club South Jakarta 9 9. Matoa Golf Course Ciganjur, Jakarta 18 10.

New clues discovered in Gafur bribery case

New clues discovered in Gafur bribery case The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police have said that a number of witnesses are willing to provide startling new testimony in the bribery scandal involving North Maluku's governor-elect Abdul Gafur, who has been charged with bribing fellow legislators to elect him governor.

1. Loss - 4x 10

1. Loss - 4x 10 City suffers Rp 400 billion in losses due to floods 2. Health - 1x 22 Diarrhea claims more lives 3. Flood - 1x 28 Many areas remain deluged 4. Divorce - 1x 40 Women cannot easily get a divorce 5. Div2 - 1x30 Divorce can prove traumatic

Medco to up average output to more than 90,000 bpd

Medco to up average output to more than 90,000 bpd Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Publicly listed energy company PT Medco Energi International said on Friday it planned to raise its average oil production to more than 90,000 barrel per day (bpd) this year from an average output of 82,000 bpd last year. Medco's chief executive officer (CEO) Hilmi Panigoro said the extra production would come the Matra and Soka oil fields in South Sumatra, where the company would resume production.

JP/12/BEJ

JP/12/BEJ .pl .rm Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in Rupiah) on Feb.

INCO's profit drops sharply

INCO's profit drops sharply JAKARTA: Publicly listed nickel miner PT International Nickel Indonesia (INCO) said on Thursday its net profit fell to US$9.3 million in 2001 from $80.5 million in the previous year. INCO president Rumengan Musu said in a statement that the company attributed the sharp decline in profits to the significant drop that had taken place in the price of the commodity. INCO's realized price averaged $4,836 per ton for the year 2001, compared with $6,744 per ton in 2000.

Akbar shows who's the boss

Akbar shows who's the boss Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Surviving dirty politics is one thing. Surviving party politics is quite another.

StanChart unswayed by protests

StanChart unswayed by protests Dow Jones, London Standard Chartered PLC. said Thursday that it would stick by its bid for Indonesia's PT Bank Central Asia, despite employee protests reminiscent of those that scuttled its bid for another Indonesia bank three years ago. Standard Chartered leads a consortium favored to win the bidding for a 51 percent stake in the nationalized BCA.

Navy sends 6 warships to combat piracy

Navy sends 6 warships to combat piracy The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Navy has deployed only six warships and a number of reconnaissance planes specifically to rid the country's territorial waters in the Malacca Straits of pirates and arms smugglers. Navy spokesman First Adm. Franky Kayhatu told reporters on Friday that a fleet of 26 ships and 10 aircraft were conducting daily patrols throughout the nation's waters, including in the piracy-prone zone.

Regent hotel closed until May

Regent hotel closed until May JAKARTA: The Regent hotel on Jl. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta was still flooded with 60,000 cubic meters of water in its basement and would remain closed until next May. As many as 252 guests were evacuated from the hotel when the floods hit last Friday. Hanny Wahyuni, the hotel's director of public relations, could not estimate the expected financial loss.

Divorce can prove traumatic

Divorce can prove traumatic 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.

Ban on sand exports to Singapore gains support

Ban on sand exports to Singapore gains support M. Ara Syaf, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru The central government's decision to halt the much-criticized export of sand from Riau to Singapore has gained political support from the provincial legislative council.

Floods in Jakarta

Floods in Jakarta From Rakyat Merdeka Metro TV screened at 8 p.m. on Jan. 27 an interview by phone with Kwik Kian Gie, who commented on the floods affecting Jakarta. He said the floods were inseparable from corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) in the past. Jakarta's spatial layout has been encroached upon by developers' interests.

Pulp mills put heavy pressure on forests: Study

Pulp mills put heavy pressure on forests: Study The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The remaining natural forest in Riau Province is on the brink of destruction as the country's giant pulp producers, Sinar Mas Group and Raja Garuda Mas Group, plan to clear almost 500,000 hectares of natural forest in Sumatra by 2007, according to a joint study compiled by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR).

Anti-Howard demonstration turns violent

Anti-Howard demonstration turns violent Asip A. Hasani, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Dozens of students scuffled with police on Friday during a protest against Canberra's alleged interference in Indonesia's domestic affairs when Australian Prime Minister John Howard met leaders of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta. Several protesters and police personnel, including Deputy Sleman Police Chief Comr. Edy Sukaryo, were slightly injured in the brief clash.

Sutiyoso refuses to stop housing projects

Sutiyoso refuses to stop housing projects Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso has voiced opposition to the central government's decision to stop development of housing projects in Greater Jakarta, saying that such a suspension would only lead to increased unemployment. "In my opinion, these projects must not be stopped, only re- evaluated.

IndoTrade

IndoTrade Assisting investors to go global With its proven track record, IndoTrade, a corporate and foreign business investment consultant, is now offering one-stop services for businesses and investors planning on expanding their activities overseas. According to managing director Johan Bukit, IndoTrade has been expanding its expertise to help firms settle new ventures internationally.

Jakarta beats Lucknow at cities chess

Jakarta beats Lucknow at cities chess JAKARTA: Jakarta, which is represented by the BNI Chess Club, beat Lucknow of India 3-1 on the opening day of the US$6,000 Cities Chess Championship in Aden, Yemen, on Thursday. International Master (IM) Danny Juswanto and FIDE Master (FM) Syarif Mahmud scored wins while Grand Master (GM) Ardiansyah and FM Sukirman Teddy could only draw with their respective opponents, according to a press release.

Pertamina to build two new fuel depots

Pertamina to build two new fuel depots The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina plans to develop major fuel depots and pipelines worth US$145 million this year to maintain the security of fuel supplies in Java, according to company president Baihaki Hakim. Baihaki said the company planned to build a new $60 million fuel depot in Cikampek, West Java, and a pipeline to connect the Cikampek depot with the Balongan depot in Indramayu, West Java.

JP/1/HOUR

JP/1/HOUR Tonton maintains lead: Indonesian cyclist Tonton Susanto, who is riding for the Malaysian Telekom team, kept his lead in the Asian division of the 2002 Tour de Langkawi. Tonton clocked a total time of 24:43:15 on Friday. -- tdl.com.my Plane skids in Makassar: A Pelita Air plane carrying 40 passengers, skidded off the runway after landing at the Hasanuddin international airport in Makassar, South Sulawesi on Friday. No casualties were reported. The accident at 2 p.m.

Families of Trisakti and Semanggi victims want justice

Families of Trisakti and Semanggi victims want justice Kurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post Jakarta The continued defiance by military and police officers of a summons issued by the Human Rights Commission of Enquiry (KPP HAM) investigating the Trisakti, Semanggi I and Semanggi II incidents has failed to dishearten the parents of the students killed in the three shooting incidents.

Sports council wants to intensify communications with media

Sports council wants to intensify communications with media The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Sports Council (KONI) is seeking more intensified communications with the media in its latest move to quell transparency concerns about its management. "The media is indispensable to the buildup of sports and we want them to take a pro-active role," KONI deputy chairman Arie Sudewo said on Friday. KONI suggested a number of mechanisms it would probably carry out to meet its ends.

Flame chalks up third consecutive win

Flame chalks up third consecutive win Musthofid The Jakarta Post Jakarta Surabaya Flame extended its winning streak to three after it defeated Jakarta Patriot 3-0 in Proliga here on Friday. The Flame did not lose a single set either in its three games, including the previous two fixtures against Jakarta Phinisi and Tunas Bogor on the opening days of the competition in Gresik, East Java.

Al-Ghozi gives evidence on Manila bombing

Al-Ghozi gives evidence on Manila bombing Agence France-Presse, Manila A detained Indonesian suspected of being an accomplice of Osama bin Laden Friday made a sworn deposition over his alleged role in a Manila bombing that killed 22 people, Philippine prosecutors said. Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi said in a sworn affidavit that he gave 250,000 pesos (US$4,882) to a men who was later indicted along with two other suspects in the bomb attack on a railway coach in December 2000.

Filipina brides online? Beware

Filipina brides online? Beware Michael Barker, Reuters, Manila Dian Marie, a domestic helper from Cebu in the Philippines, is looking for a husband on the Internet and there are only two major requirements listed -- he has to be Catholic and he has to be a Westerner. "I'm interested in marrying a foreign guy...I will prefer a Canadian, Italian, English or American gentleman with high moral values, (who is) positive, humble and must be Catholic," says her advertisement on www.filipina.com.

Megawati inaugurates Asam-Asam power plant

Megawati inaugurates Asam-Asam power plant The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri inaugurated on Friday the Asam-Asam 130 Megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Tanah Laut regency, South Kalimantan, which is owned by PT Indonesia Power, a subsidiary of state electricity company PT PLN. The power plant was inaugurated in a modest ceremony where the President did not make a speech but simply pressed the button to mark the start of operations at the plant, Antara reported.

What went wrong?

What went wrong? Considering the suffering that the recent floods have inflicted on hundreds of thousands of city residents, the government's decision on Wednesday to halt all housing development in the Jakarta-Bogor-Tangerang-Bekasi (Jabotabek) area for the next six months is a good beginning.

Women cannot easily get a divorce

Women cannot easily get a divorce Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta About 12 couples in the city were divorced every day last year, data states. And in most cases, it is the wife who wants to end the marriage - because of two main reasons: either the man neglected the family or he had an affair with another woman. "There are many reasons for a divorce.

More relief pours in for victims of flood disaster

More relief pours in for victims of flood disaster The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Relief continued to pour in on Friday for the thousands of victims affected by the devastating floods and landslides across Indonesia which have claimed the lives of nearly 150 people over the past two weeks. Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi said that the central government is prepared to disburse Rp 500 billion of reserve funds to support people still suffering from the floods and their aftermath.

200,000 children in Aceh malnourished

200,000 children in Aceh malnourished BANDA ACEH, Aceh: A total of 200,000 children in Aceh aged under five years old are facing malnutrition because of the prolonged economic crisis and conflict, says a local official. Haniff Asmara, deputy chief of the local health office, said the malnutrition had something to do with the fact that many mothers and their children were too poor to afford medical attention from public health centers and hospitals.

'Govt drive against illegal logging empty rhetoric'

'Govt drive against illegal logging empty rhetoric' The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government's determination to fight illegal logging in the country remains largely rhetorical, as seen from the various unsolved cases involving log theft. The most recent log theft case is the arduous and time- consuming effort to solve a large-scale log smuggling link, which was uncovered in November last year and allegedly involved the participation of importers from other countries.

Taxi robbery in Tangerang

Taxi robbery in Tangerang TANGERANG: Three men managed to make off with Rp 221,000 and a Toyota Soluna sedan after stabbing and throwing the driver out the taxi near a cemetery in Pademangan village, Curug district of Tangerang on Thursday. Tangerang police deputy detective Insp. Kustanto said that the victim, Saidun, 24, was a resident of Rawapajang village, Sepajang Jaya subdistrict, East Bekasi. Kustanto said that the driver was passing by Jl.

The 'tudung' affair: Principles and wisdom

The 'tudung' affair: Principles and wisdom Meidyatama Suryodiningrat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Many in Indonesia were shocked this week to read that two very young Singaporean girls in elementary school were suspended by the government in the city-state for wearing a headscarf or tudung to school. Most here could not fathom the fuss when seeing the picture of the innocent seven-year-olds embroiled in a national controversy which they themselves do not understand.

Logging persists in Palu's protected forest

Logging persists in Palu's protected forest Illegal logging in the Lindu Lore National Park in Central Sulawesi is continuing unchecked, threatening the future of the protected 228,000 hectare-forest. Park management office headn Bandjar Yulianto Laban said at least 1,500 hectares of the forest, located in the Donggala and Poso regencies, had been destroyed or damaged.

2. Star -- Govt-to-govt pacts on foreign labor will ease burden

2. Star -- Govt-to-govt pacts on foreign labor will ease burden 1x 32 36 pt Foreign govts must play role in labor Governments must comply with KL over labor or KL seeks help from govts on foreign labor or KL asks each govt to control their labor V.K. CHIN The Star Asia News Network Selangor, Malaysia 3. Asahi -- Create new strategy to enhance ODA quality 1x 32 36 pt New strategy needed for Japanese aid Takao Asai Chief Researcher Asahi Shimbun Research Center Tokyo

Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, Feb. 9, 2002

Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, Feb. 9, 2002 Exhibitions * Painting by Dutch painter Walter van Oel, Cemara 6 Gallery, Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto, Central Jakarta, until March 8. * 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.

City suffers Rp 400b in losses

City suffers Rp 400b in losses Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city administration estimated on Friday that it has suffered as much as Rp 400 billion (US$40 million) in losses due damages to public facilities caused by the recent flooding. Deputy Governor for Development Affairs Budhihardjo Sukmadi announced that the destruction took place on roads, school buildings, and three traditional markets, including Cipulir market in South Jakarta.

Two 18-hole golf courses face destruction

Two 18-hole golf courses face destruction Primastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The existence of 31 golf courses in Greater Jakarta was apparently one cause of the big floods last week. Governor Sutiyoso announced on Thursday that his administration had agreed to the demolition of two 18-hole golf courses: Pantai Indah Kapuk in North Jakarta and Kemayoran in Central Jakarta.

Primastuti Handayani

Primastuti Handayani The Jakarta Post Jakarta The existence of 31 golf courses in Greater Jakarta was apparently one cause of the big floods last week. Governor Sutiyoso announced on Thursday that his administration had agreed to the demolition of two 18-hole golf courses: Pantai Indah Kapuk in North Jakarta and Kemayoran in Central Jakarta.

JP/12/brief

JP/12/brief SingTel net profit dives almost 25% SINGAPORE: Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (SingTel) Friday said net profit in the nine months to December fell almost 25 percent to S$1.45 billion (US$655.74 million), but rejected criticism over its overseas investments. The lower profit reflected goodwill charges following SingTel's acquisition of Australia's CW Optus last year for S$9 billion as part of an effort to expand beyond Singapore's small domestic market.

VP tells generals to respect summons

VP tells generals to respect summons Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Vice President Hamzah Haz urged on Friday military and police generals to comply with the summonses issued by the Commission of Inquiry into Human Rights Violations (KPP HAM) in connection with three high profile incidents in the capital in 1998 and 1999. However, Hamzah also said that the summonses should be pertinent and should only be issued based upon strong grounds, as the officers' reputations were at stake.

Just say substation

Just say substation It is a bit annoying to learn that The Jakarta Post keeps using improper terms or words like "power generator" or "relay station" instead of "electrical (distribution) substation" or just "substation" for the electrical facilities recently shut down by the state electricity company (PLN) due to the floods in Jakarta and its environs. The use of the first two terms could mislead the Post's readers.

326 refugees sent home

326 refugees sent home MANADO, North Sulawesi: Some 326 refugees in the province were sent back to their homes in Tobelo, North Maluku on Thursday. Jeffri Prang, chief of the local social affairs office, said the repatriation of the North Maluku refugees was the second the provincial administration had conducted over the past two months. He said the refugees were sent home because the situation in North Maluku had stabilized. They were transported by a ship chartered by the local administration.

Kiwis back from disaster against Indonesia

Kiwis back from disaster against Indonesia Agence France-Presse, Invercargill, New Zealand Davis Cup veteran Alistair Hunt brought New Zealand back from the brink to avoid an opening round disaster in the tennis tie against Indonesia here Friday. Hunt beat Indonesian No 1 Suwandi 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 to square the rubber at 1-1. But Kiwi No 1 Mark Nielsen never settled into his game before going down to Peter Handoyo 2-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.

People are kind despite crisis

People are kind despite crisis On the evening of Jan. 31, on the way back from a hospital checkup for my pregnant wife, my family was trapped by the floods and couldn't get back home. Our taxi driver wouldn't go through the water and dropped us off just west of Kedoya near Puri Indah. There were many people in a similar situation. After waiting for about 15 minutes, a local man hailed down a Kijang van and helped guide us in the car. The driver of the car was just coming back from Surabaya.

* Headlines: VP tells generals to respect summons 2

* Headlines: VP tells generals to respect summons 2 * Opinion: 'Tudung' affair: Principles and wisdom 4 * Archipelago: C. Sulawesi Police to expel troublemakers 7 * National: Drive against illegal logging empty rhetoric 8 * World: Arafat 'forgives' Sharon 10 * Business: Pulp mills put heavy pressure on forests 11 * Features: Chinese-themed movies hit local TV 15 * Sports: Skaters told 'no more splayed legs' 20

JP/13/Money

JP/13/Money Budiman reelected as IRSG Sec-Gen JAKARTA: Indonesian AFS Budiman has been reelected as secretary general of the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) during its 103rd meeting in Glasgow on Feb. 7, a statement from the Indonesian embassy in London has said. Budiman has been reelected for the next two-year term through a vote participated in by 15 out of 17 member countries, said the statement which was made available to Antara here Friday.

Stop building any more villas in Puncak: VP

Stop building any more villas in Puncak: VP The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Vice President Hamzah Haz called on the West Java provincial administration to stop the development of luxurious villas in Bogor, Puncak and Cianjur (Bopunjur) which have been partly blamed for the devastating Jakarta floods.

Lindu Lore National Park looted

Lindu Lore National Park looted Jakarta Post, Palu Illegal logging in the Lindu Lore National Park in Central Sulawesi is continuing unchecked, threatening the future of the protected 228,000 hectare-forest. Park management office headn Bandjar Yulianto Laban said at least 1,500 hectares of the forest, located in the Donggala and Poso regencies, had been destroyed or damaged.

Headings

Headings 1. Flood: 8 x 4 lines More aid pours in for victims of disasters 2. Poso: 20 x 2 lines: Central Sulawesi Police to expel troublemakers 3. Kodam: 30 x 1 line New Aceh military command: Quo vadis? 4. Pasir: 24 x 2 lines Ban on sand exports to Singapore gains support 5. Lore: 24 x 1 line Lindu Lore National Park looted

Golkar supports Akbar until 2004

Golkar supports Akbar until 2004 A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country's second largest and former ruling party Golkar concluded its three-day congress here on Friday with a unanimous support for Akbar Tandjung to serve his full term until 2004. It was a moral boosting achievement for Akbar, who had previously seen his political career in peril after he was named a suspect in a Rp 40 billion financial scandal involving the State Logistics Agency (Bulog).

Midwife arrested for killing own baby

Midwife arrested for killing own baby BANJARNEGARA, Central Java: Twenty-one-year-old Naimah, a midwife from the subdistrict of Madukara in Barnjarnegara regency was arrested by local police on Friday for killing her newborn. She killed the baby by strangling it with the umbilical chord. The murder was committed on Jan. 23, 2002, only several hours before the baby's corpse was found by her husband, Mukti, in their backyard.

Central Sulawesi Police to expel troublemakers

Central Sulawesi Police to expel troublemakers Erick W., The Jakarta Post, Palu The police are making an inventory of immigrants in Poso in their attempt to expel troublemakers from the regency as part of the Malino declaration to end sectarian conflict. The decision was made at a coordination meeting presided by Central Sulawesi Police Brig. Gen. Zainal Abidin in the city of Poso on Feb. 5, 2002. Also attending the meeting were Col.

Thousands demand wage hike

Thousands demand wage hike BOGOR: More than 7,000 employees of PT Great River International in Cibinong district, in Bogor regency, held a demonstration to demand wage hikes. They started the rally on Thursday, and continued on Friday, urging the clothing company pay the new minimum wage of Rp 576,169, as set by the local government. The workers could not accept the company's decision to increase the wage gradually because of declining orders.

KL asks each govt to control their labor

KL asks each govt to control their labor V.K. Chin, The Star, Asia News Network, The participation of governments whose citizens are keen to work in Malaysia is a logical step to take in the effort to control and streamline the number of foreign workers in the country. So far, the recruitment of such workers has always been left entirely to the private sector and this has led to numerous problems, the main one being repatriation.

Poultry safe, ban should go: U.S.

Poultry safe, ban should go: U.S. Asian nations that have banned imports of poultry from the U.S. state of Pennsylvania due to fears of avian flu should lift the restrictions as the virus is not harmful to humans, a U.S. trade official said on Friday. After China joined Japan and the Philippines in imposing the ban, which could damage the image of the multi-million-dollar U.S.

. Duit (4 x 10)

. Duit (4 x 10) JP/ Asian monies mostly down, focus on G7 meeting 2. Japan (2 x 21) Japan urges stock-buying body to fight sell-off 3. Medco ( 2 x 24 ) Medco to up average output to more than 90,000 bpd 4. 12 belum 2 (2 x 18) Oil price firms on technical factors 5. Pertamina Pertamina to build two new fuel depots

Chinese-themed movies hit local TV

Chinese-themed movies hit local TV Luas Samudera, Contributor, Jakarta Many blame the Dutch colonial government for giving Indonesians of Chinese descent privileges over native Indonesians, a policy which created a long-lasting resentment toward the Chinese-Indonesians which is still prevalent today.

Lawyers doubt rights prosecutors' capability

Lawyers doubt rights prosecutors' capability The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Human rights lawyers have raised concerns that the 24 prosecutors appointed to the ad hoc human rights tribunal lack the necessary knowledge and experience to pursue the cases of human rights abuses that took place in East Timor in 1999 and during the Tanjung Priok incident in 1984.

Dutch minister to visit RI

Dutch minister to visit RI JAKARTA: Dutch education minister Loek Hermans will visit Indonesia next week in a bid to boost cooperation in both the technology and education fields between the two countries. A media statement released by the Dutch Embassy here said that during his trip between Feb. 11 and Feb. 15, Hermans will sign a memorandum of understanding that will extend cooperation in research to 2004, a project that will cost 25 million euros.

National Archive building gets Unesco heritage award

National Archive building gets Unesco heritage award Ida Indawati Khouw, Contributor, Jakarta There's good news for building conservation efforts in Indonesia. Despite the lack of attention given to the conservation of historical buildings here, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation has been awarded to Indonesia.

TV Today: Saturday, Feb. 9, 2002

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

New Aceh military command: Quo vadis?

New Aceh military command: Quo vadis? Ibnu Mat Noor, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh The future of strife-torn Aceh has become unclear since the Iskandar Muda Military Command was reinstated on Feb. 5, 2002, which has raised mixed reactions from all sides, both at home and abroad.

Limitation on

Limitation on land ownership From Suara Karya By virtue of Decree No. 6/1998 of June 26, 1998 issued by State Minister for Agrarian Affairs/Head of the National Land Agency on the awarding of the right of proprietorship on land used for housing purposes, one purchasing a plot of land is required to sign a statement acknowledging that with this land purchase one's right of proprietorship over the land for one's own residence will cover not more than five plots of land, measuring not more than...

Govt declares battle against bad debtors

Govt declares battle against bad debtors Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After more than three years of abuse by bad debtors, the government looks set to strike back, calling the nation to prepare for a legal battle in salvaging billions of U.S. dollars in public money. State Minister for State Enterprises, Laksamana Sukardi said on Friday that bad debtors would be prosecuted.

Flame chalks up third consecutive win

Flame chalks up third consecutive win Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Surabaya Flame extended its winning streak to three after it defeated Jakarta Patriot 3-0 in Proliga here on Friday. The Flame did not lose a single set either in its three games, including the previous two fixtures against Jakarta Phinisi and Tunas Bogor on the opening days of the competition in Gresik, East Java.

Back on speaking terms in Jakarta

Back on speaking terms in Jakarta As a devotee of cricket, Prime Minister John Howard can appreciate the virtues of playing with a straight bat. He applied the principle to diplomacy in Indonesia this week and, in the face of a hostile attack on a sticky wicket, the technique served him well. It served the interests of improving relations between Australia and Indonesia, to the extent of formulating what could be a basis for a regional response to terrorism.

Paris Club talks to avoid private debt rescheduling

Paris Club talks to avoid private debt rescheduling Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government said it would negotiate with the Paris Club creditor nations not to extend the rescheduling of its sovereign debts to its private debts, as it would downgrade Indonesia's country rating to selective default.

Telkom, Pramindo seal buyout deal

Telkom, Pramindo seal buyout deal The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State telecommunications company PT Telkom said on Friday that it has finally completed a planned asset buyout with its joint operating partner, PT Pramindo Ikat. "Both parties have agreed on a buyout deal," Mursyid Amal, Telkom's financial director, told The Jakarta Post. He declined to reveal its value, however, as "both parties agreed it will be announced only after we sign a memorandum of understanding on Feb.

Offer of sponsorship

Offer of sponsorship With regard to the many public reports and complaints about offers of cooperation or sponsorship in conjunction with the launching of a book or an agenda book and so forth in the name of Bank Indonesia as an agency or on behalf of its officials, we hereby assert that: 1. Bank Indonesia never makes any cooperation or agreement with any party to publish any books or diaries and so on for sale. 2.

GAM accuses Jakarta of declaring war

GAM accuses Jakarta of declaring war Agence France-Presse, Jakarta Separatist rebels in Aceh have criticized Indonesia's decision to extend military operations there as a "declaration of war," further clouding the prospects for peace in the troubled province. Top security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday announced the extension of military operations for six months in the energy-rich province on the north of Sumatra island.

1. Bopunjur - 12 x 3 lines

1. Bopunjur - 12 x 3 lines Stop building any more villas in Puncak: VP 2. Howard - 21 x 2 lines Howard praised at home for coolness in Jakarta 3. Imlek - 18 x 2 lines Schools, JSX closed on Chinese New Year 4. Yogya - 24 x 1 line Anti-Howard rally turns violent 5. Ghozi - 32 x 1 line Al-Ghozi gives evidence on RP bombing

RI turns down proposal for lower import tariff on sugar

RI turns down proposal for lower import tariff on sugar Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government will maintain the current high import tariff on sugar to protect local farmers despite a proposal from Thailand for a lower tariff, according to a senior official at the Ministry of Trade and Industry. "We will keep the import tariff on sugar at between 20 and 25 percent," Budi Darmadi, director of regional cooperation at the ministry told The Jakarta Post.

I. Christianto

I. Christianto Contributor Jakarta Competition gets fiercer as new comers arrive The food, beverage and entertainment business has been mushrooming in the capital, offering greater choice to consumers. The economic turmoil gripping Indonesia since late 1997 has severely affected the industry. Many businesses have closed down or changed their functions. However, the sluggish situation could mean new opportunities for some.

Dining with themes of love, and Chinese flavor

Dining with themes of love, and Chinese flavor By Sudibyo M. Wiradji Contributor Jakarta Scattered cafes and restaurants in Jakarta are gearing up for the Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day with many eateries planning to offer special menus and romantic treats.