Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 22 March 2002

75 articles found

Tirta loses again in second game of Japfa Chess Match

Tirta loses again in second game of Japfa Chess Match Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Tirta Chandra lost in his second game to Alexandra Kosteniuk on Thursday, leaving the home side's hopes resting on its last card, Susanto Megaranto, to match the Russian women's grand master in the Japfa Chess Match. Tirta appeared unable to lift his game from his shaky play the day before. He was forced to resign after 40 moves as Kosteniuk threatened to checkmate him in two moves.

Looking for vision in troubled times

Looking for vision in troubled times Nirwan Idrus, Executive Director, Indonesian Institute for Management Development, Jakarta The joint Indonesian-Australian and Australian-Indonesian Business Councils Annual Conference held in Bali recently was for all practical purposes, very successful.

Floods could still hit Lampung: meteorologist

Floods could still hit Lampung: meteorologist Oyos Saroso HN The Jakarta Post Bandar Lampung Further flood resulting from heavy rain could still hit Lampung province, and disrupt its Raden Intan airport and the trans-Sumatra highway as happened on Wednesday. The deputy chairman of the Lampung Geophysics and Meteorology Information Team, Bambang N.S. said on Thursday that Lampung residents had to take the possibility of flooding seriously as convection clouds were sill present over the province.

Japanese investors turning away from RI

Japanese investors turning away from RI The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia continues to fall further behind China and Thailand in the competition for Japanese investment, and it could be overtaken by Vietnam and India if it does not take immediate steps to improve its investment climate, a new survey of Japanese companies found.

Meanwhile, Golkar legislator Agun Gunandjar Sudarsa of House

Meanwhile, Golkar legislator Agun Gunandjar Sudarsa of House Commission II for law and domestic affairs admitted on Thursday that the House's poor performance in the legislation was particularly caused by its internal regulations. "How can we reach a quorum if some factions have less than 15 members?" Agun asked, alluding to a ruling allowing 10 legislators to set up a faction.

;JP;SUR;

;JP;SUR; ANPAs..r.. Supplement-Water Conserving groundwater easier said than done Soeryo Winoto The Jakarta Post Jakarta It is indisputable that the capital city, Jakarta, depends fully on its neighboring provinces' water resources. The capital still obtains water from West Java's multipurpose Jatiluhur dam, which retains water from the Citarum River. The Cisadane River in Tangerang, Banten, is also an important water resource for Jakarta.

4 x 10

4 x 10 Shipping routes off Cilacap endangered BANJIR 2 x 15 Lampung warned of further flooding 4 x 8 Plane with pilgrims skids off runway tentara 1 x 20 14 soldiers jailed for murder haze 2 x 20 Senior Medan officials slam Malaysia over haze

Growing sales of fake bottled water raise health concerns

Growing sales of fake bottled water raise health concerns Sudibyo M. Wiradji, Contributor, Jakarta Demand for bottled water continues to increase in line with the continuing decline in sources of clean water. State-owned water company PDAM, which relies on surface water like rivers and lakes, can no longer meet the growing demand for clean water, while underground water sources are vulnerable to contamination and the effects of overpopulation.

Enron India file for bankruptcy help

Enron India file for bankruptcy help NEW YORK : Enron Corp. on Wednesday said three units holding its share in an Indian power plant filed for bankruptcy protection, raising the stakes in a growing battle over the sale of the troubled US$2.9 billion plant. The subsidiaries hold Enron's 65 percent stake in the Dabhol power project, a gas-fired plant on India's west coast that is rusting away while creditors and shareholders battle over its sale.

Papuans want justice for past rights abuses, warns activist

Papuans want justice for past rights abuses, warns activist Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Special autonomy status for Papua will not achieve peace unless past human rights abuses are settled and dialogs between the central government and local people take place, a rights activist has said.

Shipping routes off Cilacap disrupted

Shipping routes off Cilacap disrupted Agus Maryono The Jakarta Post Cilacap, Central Java Shipping routes in the waters off Cilacap, Central Java, have recently been disrupted by fishermen who persist in casting their nets along designated shipping lanes.

Protesters threaten to arrest, beat Wardah

Protesters threaten to arrest, beat Wardah The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Betawi Brotherhood Forum (FBR) chairman, A. Fadloli El Muhir, issued a threat on Thursday that the forum's members would arrest Wardah Hafidz, chairwoman of the Urban Poverty Consortium (UPC). They were furious over Wardah's allegation that they were paid by Governor Sutiyoso during a rally at City Hall on March 13.

Labor union supports change in oil labor system

Labor union supports change in oil labor system Moch N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia's leading labor union welcomed the government's plan to improve standards of employment in the country's oil and gas sector on Thursday, saying that the unjust treatment of workers, in particular temporary workers, has been rampant throughout the industry.

14 soldiers jailed for murder

14 soldiers jailed for murder Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Purwokerto The Purworkerto military court in Central Java sentenced 14 soldiers to between four months and a year in prison on Wednesday for attacking two suspected criminals, leaving one of them dead. The punishment was more severe than the sentences of between three and 10 months initially sought by military prosecutor Maj. Fauzi during the two-day trial. Lt. Col.

KPC agrees to make share offer

KPC agrees to make share offer JAKARTA: PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC), which operates a huge coal mine in Sangatta, East Kutai regency, East Kalimantan, said it had agreed with the government to proceed to sell 51 percent of its stake. Under the agreement signed on Monday, KPC is valued at US$822 million and the company is to offer the 51 percent stake by March 31 this year.

;JP;SUR;

;JP;SUR; ANPAs..r.. Supplement-Water Conserving groundwater easier said than done Soeryo Winoto The Jakarta Post Jakarta UNESCO has chosen "Water for Development" as the theme of this year's World Water Day, which falls on March 22. Without better management of water resources and related ecosystems, two-thirds of humanity will suffer from severe or moderate shortages by the year 2005.

Soeharto's trial

Soeharto's trial From Kompas Last January, the possibility that president Soeharto would be absolved became the hot topic. In the context of Soeharto's case, I would like to call on the authorities to settle the case immediately and permanently so that his children, grandchildren and so on will not be stigmatized by history.

Edited

Edited Growing sales of fake bottled water raise health concerns Sudibyo M. Wiradji Contributor Jakarta Demand for bottled water continues to increase in line with the continuing decline in sources of clean water. State-owned water company PDAM, which relies on surface water like rivers and lakes, can no longer meet the growing demand for clean water, while underground water sources are vulnerable to contamination and the effects of overpopulation.

Teachers perform poorly due to debt

Teachers perform poorly due to debt SERUI, Irian: Most of the 1,873 teachers in Yapen Waropen regency are deep in debt, making them unable to perform their duties well, said chairman of the local Indonesian Teachers Union in the regency, Orie Runtuboy, here on Wednesday. "The teachers buy their daily necessities on credit. They have to borrow money from banks or money lenders to send their children to study in the capital city of Jayapura," Rontuboy said.

VIP toilets

VIP toilets at Gambir From Warta Kota The fee for using VIP toilets at Gambir railway station, Central Jakarta, has been increased to Rp 1,000 probably because they are mostly used by passengers who travel on executive-class trains. At all other railway stations in Jakarta, the fee is still just Rp 500 per person. Two toilets for the disabled on the ground floor at Gambir railway station are always locked. Once I saw, to my surprise, a physically able man using one of these special toilets.

Shipping routes off Cilacap endangered

Shipping routes off Cilacap endangered Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Cilacap, Central Java Shipping routes in the waters off Cilacap, Central Java, have recently been disrupted by fishermen who persist in casting their nets along designated shipping lanes.

Susilo set to head new party

Susilo set to head new party Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono looks set to join and eventually head a new political party, which could help bring greater exposure if the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs decides to run for president in 2004. Former Golkar politician Bambang W. Suharto on Thursday said he is in the closing stages of setting up the party, to be called the Democratic Party.

Suspected monkey traders questioned

Suspected monkey traders questioned BANDAR LAMPUNG: Two suspected monkey traders, identified by the initials of HER and AMN, were questioned by a team from NGO Natural Conservation Agency here on Thursday. They were questioned following an investigation conducted by the Lampung Alas Foundation and the Wild Animal Conservation Body, which concluded that the illegal trading of monkeys was rampant in Bandar Lampung. Worse yet, some restaurants in the city sold monkey meat to their customers.

Legislators' salaries

Legislators' salaries From Kompas To avoid any criticism that members of the House of Representatives receive salaries for doing nothing, allow me to suggest that the system of remuneration be changed as follows: 1. The monthly take-home pay of a House member will be made up of their monthly remuneration (fixed), the fee for attending a meeting, the transportation fee for attending a meeting and a health allowance (with a ceiling). 2.

Lake Lindu, eco-tourism's little-explored haven

Lake Lindu, eco-tourism's little-explored haven Bambang M., Lore Lindu Park, Central Sulawesi As a tourist destination, the province of Central Sulawesi is not as famous as North and South Sulawesi. Despite being not as well known as its neighbors, Central Sulawesi boasts the 218,00 hectare Lore Lindu National Park, an area offering many an interesting site for tourists. One of the must-visit tourist attractions in the park is Lake Lindu.

Plane with pilgrims skids off runway

Plane with pilgrims skids off runway Ainur R. Sophiaan, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya A Saudi Arabian airliner carrying at least 449 Indonesian pilgrims from Mecca skidded off an East Java runway on Thursday. All the Saudi Airlines passengers survived the minor accident at Juanda international airport in the provincial capital Surabaya, which occurred around 12:45 a.m. No injuries were reported.

Lawyers probe legality of rights trials

Lawyers probe legality of rights trials Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Defense lawyers for two men accused of committing human rights atrocities in East Timor in 1999 challenged the legality of the ongoing trials against them on Thursday, arguing that the country's legal code does not recognize retroactive principles. They also insisted that Law No.

* Headlines: Japanese investors turning away from RI2

* Headlines: Japanese investors turning away from RI2 * Opinion: What can Mega do for the Korean peninsula?4 * City: 'Becak' drivers win over Sutiyoso 6 * Archipelago: Shipping routes off Cilacap endangered 7 * National: Team urges officers be tried for rights abuses 8 * World: Car bomb kills 9 near U.S.

Tommy-related cases: When A becomes B

Tommy-related cases: When A becomes B Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Many people tell lies. They may lie to their boss, spouse, neighbors, and even to the police, or judges. During police investigation, a suspect may say 'A', but then, when he or she is brought to court, he or she may say 'B' instead of 'A'. Defendants commonly withdraw their statements made before the police, claiming that they were coerced into making certain statements.

Governor's team justifies dismissal of Surabaya mayor

Governor's team justifies dismissal of Surabaya mayor Ainur R. Sophiaan, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya Controversy surrounding January's dismissal of Surabaya Mayor Sunarto Sumoprawiro by the local legislative council is expected to end soon after a special team investigating the high-profile case defended the decision as legitimate.

No to Sutiyoso's reelection

No to Sutiyoso's reelection JAKARTA: About 20 people staged a rally at the City Council building on Thursday, urging councillors to suspend Governor Sutiyoso, whose term will end in October, and not reelect him. The protesters, grouped in the Youth Movement of July 27, 1996, said that Sutiyoso did not deserve the seat because he was involved in the attack on the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) headquarters, Antara reported.

Islam and Democracy

Islam and Democracy Many years ago an Middle Eastern ambassador, who had been in Indonesia only three days, claimed to understand our political system. The guiding principles, he said, were musyawarah and muwafaqah; deliberation leading to consensus, taught by the Koran. He was not being completely honest. The truth was that those noble Islamic teachings were being abused by dictator-presidents Soeharto and Sukarno for their own political ends.

Cases of Tommy's Aquaintances

Cases of Tommy's Aquaintances Name Police dossier Indictment Statements at trial Elize Maria Tuwahatu Elize was arrested with two Same as dossier She apologized to Tommy plastic bags containing bombs for implicating him in at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah the case. She claimed the bombs in East Jakarta. were given to her by a man Several pictures of Tommy who looked like Tommy. and a garbage can containing firecrackers were found in her house in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

175,000 died of TB in Indonesia each year

175,000 died of TB in Indonesia each year The Jakarta Post, Jakarta At least 175,000 people die from tuberculosis (TB) in Indonesia each year, primarily due to ignorance and a reluctance to seek medical treatment, an official said on Thursday. Ministry of Health medical supervisor for lung disease eradication Halim Danusantoso said its data showed that the disease was prevalent in Indonesia with about 500,000 people being infected by the disease annually.

Islam and Democracy

Islam and Democracy Many years ago an Middle Eastern ambassador, who had been in Indonesia only three days, claimed to understand our political system. The guiding principles, he said, were musyawarah and muwafaqah; deliberation leading to consensus, taught by the Koran. He was not being completely honest. The truth was that those noble Islamic teachings were being abused by dictator-presidents Soeharto and Sukarno for their own political ends.

Police arrest seven for exchanging fake money

Police arrest seven for exchanging fake money Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta City Police managed to thwart an attempt by a group of counterfeiters to exchange Rp 108.000,000 (US$10,000) in fake Rp 100,000 notes into U.S. dollars at the PT. Limindo money changer on Wednesday on Jl. Sultan Iskandar Muda, South Jakarta. The incident is the fifth such known case in Jakarta in the last two years. Three were reported in 2000, while another one was reported last year.

Medco buying East Java oil field

Medco buying East Java oil field JAKARTA : Indonesia's oil and gas company PT Medco Energi Internasional is in the process of buying an onshore oil field in Tuban, East Java, from Australia's Energy Equity Corp., a Medco official said Thursday. Medco's Chief Financial Officer Sugiharto said the two companies signed a preliminary agreement last week. The deal, however, is subject to conditions, including approval from minority shareholders.

JP/7/tentara

JP/7/tentara Soldiers get up to one-year for extra-judicial killing Agus Maryono The Jakarta Post Purwokerto The Purworkerto military court in Central Java sentenced 14 Indonesian army soldiers to between four months and a year in prison on Wednesday for attacking two suspected criminals, leaving one of them dead. The punishment was more severe than the sentences of between three and 10 months initially sought by military prosecutor Maj. Fauzi during the two-day trial. Lt. Col.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in Rupiah) on March 21, 2002

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in Rupiah) on March 21, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Shares Close Change Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,175 0 109,500 Adindo Foresta 65 0 2,000 AGIS Tbk 140 5 10,878,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 215 -5 2,500 Alakasa 175 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 750 25 65,000 Alter Abadi Tbk 50 0 37,500 Alumindo Light 650 0 33,500 Andhi Chandra 335 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 500 0 0...

First legal review on bad debtors ready by next week

First legal review on bad debtors ready by next week The Jakarta Post, Jakarta At least one of the 33 debtors under the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) could become the target of tougher legal actions, as a legal team to identify IBRA's bad debtors is to conclude its first review next week. Head of the legal counsel's directive team, Hadiah Herawati said on Thursday she expected to have the review ready next week. "We keep evaluating data from the debtors," Hadiah told reporters.

Don't defame Indonesia

Don't defame Indonesia For the time being, we can only hope that some clarification about the arrest of Indonesians charged with terrorism in the Philippines will soon be forthcoming. They are accused of possessing items that could be assembled into a bomb. One of the suspects, Fathurrohan Al Ghozy, allegedly planned to bomb various U.S interests. We cannot simply deny the claims of the Philippine government concerning the suspects without first obtaining incontestable evidence.

Waiting for Indonesia's court verdicts

Waiting for Indonesia's court verdicts The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore Indonesia should be enjoying a good run in the court of public opinion. A clutch of court appearances involving the untouchables is raising hopes that the government is not as timorous as thought in wanting to sweep out venality and shore up respect for the law. The qualification, "should be", is a necessary safeguard.

Union marches to protest planned Indosat sale

Union marches to protest planned Indosat sale Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Around 700 ISP Postel union members from various state-owned post and telecommunications companies staged a rally on Thursday to protest against government plans to sell a majority stake in international telecommunications operator PT Indosat to foreign investors.

JP/7/tentara

JP/7/tentara Soldiers get up to one-year for extra-judicial killing Agus Maryono The Jakarta Post Purwokerto The Purworkerto military court in Central Java sentenced 14 soldiers to between four months and a year in prison on Wednesday for attacking two suspected criminals, leaving one of them dead. The punishment was more severe than the sentences of between three and 10 months initially sought by military prosecutor Maj. Fauzi during the two-day trial. Lt. Col.

JP/7/tentara

JP/7/tentara Soldiers get up to one-year for extra-judicial killing Agus Maryono The Jakarta Post Purwokerto The Purworkerto military court in Central Java sentenced 14 Indonesian army soldiers to between four months and a year in prison on Wednesday for attacking two suspected criminals, leaving one of them dead. The punishment was more severe than the sentences of between three and 10 months initially sought by military prosecutor Maj. Fauzi during the two-day trial. Lt. Col.

Teachers yet to receive allowances

Teachers yet to receive allowances JAKARTA: Teachers at some state elementary schools in South Jakarta have yet to receive their allowances for the first three months of this year. Late last year, the city administration announced that all state elementary school teachers would receive monthly allowances of Rp 85,000 (about US$8.50), retroactive to January 2001.

Megawati's East Asian tour

Megawati's East Asian tour It is a pity that with only two days to go, a few details of President Megawati Soekarnoputri's nine-day East Asian tour remain uncertain. After all, the invitation for the visit was extended when Megawati was still vice president. Given the political muddle that prevailed then, it is quite likely it was the Indonesian side that caused the delay.

Rupiah Rates March 21

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

SUBJECT: ADVERTORIAL

SUBJECT: ADVERTORIAL COMPANY: Borobudur Hotel Klub Borobudur: The right place to keep you fit and healthy Most people have their own theories about what makes a gym or fitness center special, and most of the theories are correct; It's the pampering, the exercise, the facilities and the equipment. At Klub Borobudur, the staff establish good relationships with members.

Mekarwangi residents attack PLN office

Mekarwangi residents attack PLN office TASIKMALAYA, West Java: Dissatisfied with the service provided by the state electricity company PLN, some 600 residents of Sidonghilir village in Tasikmalaya regency ran amok on Wednesday, damaging the PLN office in the area. Successive power outages on Tuesday and Wednesday and a sharp increase in electricity bills resulting from inaccurate meter readings had caused the residents to attack the building.

Man tried for producing fake oil

Man tried for producing fake oil TANGERANG: A man went on trial before the Tangerang District Court on Thursday for producing fake lubricating oil. Prosecutor Rustam Nawawi said that defendant Herman, alias Afu, 35, produced the fake oil on Sept. 25 last year, and put it into empty cans and bottles bearing the names of popular oil brands such as Top-1, Formula 1, Mesran and Meditron S. Nawawi charged the defendant with violating Article 90 of Law No.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in Rupiah) on March 21, 2002 Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,175 0 109,500 Adindo Foresta 65 0 2,000 AGIS Tbk 140 5 10,878,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 215 -5 2,500 Alakasa 175 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 750 25 65,000 Alter Abadi Tbk 50 0 37,500 Alumindo Light 650 0 33,500 Andhi Chandra 335 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 500 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,075 0 1,010,500 Anta Express Tour 410 -15...

Remains of Japanese troops returned

Remains of Japanese troops returned BIAK, Papua: The remains of dozens of Japanese troops who died in World War II in Papua were handed over to representatives of the Japanese government on Thursday. Biak Numfor deputy regent LS Rumbiak said the handing over of the remains was part of an agreement between the two countries to search for Japanese World War II soldiers in the easternmost province, whether dead or alive. Under the agreement, Japan is not allowed to recover any remains found.

Conserving groundwater easier said than done

Conserving groundwater easier said than done Soeryo Winoto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta UNESCO has chosen "Water for Development" as the theme of this year's World Water Day, which falls on March 22. Without better management of water resources and related ecosystems, two-thirds of humanity will suffer from severe or moderate shortages by the year 2005. The looming water crisis is one of the most critical challenges facing the world today, including Indonesia, particularly in Jakarta.

UNESCO has chosen "Water for Development" as the theme of this

UNESCO has chosen "Water for Development" as the theme of this year's World Water Day, which falls on March 22. Without better management of water resources and related ecosystems, two-thirds of humanity will suffer from severe or moderate shortages by the year 2005.

Punish big corruptors

Punish big corruptors From Rakyat Merdeka The current state of our country is attributable to rampant corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN), as well as the mega- debts that are strangling the economy. How can the country remain unaffected if some Rp 150 trillion is now in the hands of dirty business magnates and some Rp 500 trillion in debts has yet to be repaid? The total amount reaches about Rp 650 trillion, a figure nearly as large as the government's foreign debts.

On language equality

On language equality I would like first of all to congratulate your newspaper for the excellent coverage of language issues. The report of March 14 in The Jakarta Post (ASEAN leaders advised to back campaigns for Malay) shows once more how political leaders of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must be continually prodded to take a more proactive stance toward Asian languages, including Malay, a language spoken by approximately 250 million people in Asia.

DPR failure in legislation 'should draw penalty'

DPR failure in legislation 'should draw penalty' Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The failure of the House of Representatives (DPR) to pass 24 bills into law during the current session deprives the public of legislation badly needed to overhaul the country's economic and political scenes. It will also further delay deliberations on other bills scheduled for the next session as the House has embarked on an ambitious campaign to enact 80 bills this year.

Hardliners do not represent majority Muslims: Hamzah

Hardliners do not represent majority Muslims: Hamzah Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Vice President Hamzah Haz played down on Thursday the presence of Muslim hardliners in the country, saying they did not represent the majority of Indonesian Muslims.

Minister confirms naming of new IBRA chief

Minister confirms naming of new IBRA chief Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State Minister for State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi said on Thursday that the government was planning to replace the chairman of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), but added that a replacement had yet to be chosen.

'Becak' drivers win over Sutiyoso

'Becak' drivers win over Sutiyoso Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Central Jakarta District Court ruled in favor of dozens of becak (pedicab) drivers and street vendors on Thursday in their suit against the City Administration, Jakarta Police and the Jakarta Military Command for arbitrary evictions.

;JP;SUR;

;JP;SUR; ANPAs..r.. Supplement-Water Conserving groundwater easier said than done Soeryo Winoto The Jakarta Post Jakarta UNESCO has chosen "Water for Development" as the theme of this year's World Water Day, which falls on March 22. Without better management of water resources and related ecosystems, two-thirds of humanity will suffer from severe or moderate shortages by the year 2005.

Kostrad troops trained for Afghan peacekeeping task

Kostrad troops trained for Afghan peacekeeping task The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) troops are being groomed for peacekeeping duties in the event they are needed in Afghanistan, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said on Thursday. Endriartono said that members of the Indonesian peacekeeping force would all be drawn from the 305th Battalion of Kostrad.

Laos joins ASEAN-Japan promo center

Laos joins ASEAN-Japan promo center INDONESIA: Laos on Wednesday officially joined the Tokyo-based ASEAN-Japan Promotion Center on Trade, Investment and Tourism. The inclusion of Laos was formalized when Laos Ambassador Leuane Sombounkhan signed the agreement in Jakarta, which acceded his country's participation in the Center. The signing ceremony was witnessed by ASEAN Secretary General Rodolfo C. Severino and the Center's director, Ryo Imoto.

2. Idrus -- Indonesia bashing -the risk of democratization?

2. Idrus -- Indonesia bashing -the risk of democratization? 1 x 32 36pt Bodoni Looking for vision in troubled times Nirwan Idrus 3. Strait -- Watching Indonesia 1 x 32 36pt Bodoni Waiting for Indonesia's court verdicts The Straits Times Asia News Network Singapore

Rights team urges officers be tried for rights abuses

Rights team urges officers be tried for rights abuses Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Commission of Inquiry into Human Rights Violations (KPP HAM) has identified 50 high and middle-ranking military and police officers believed to be involved in the Trisakti and Semanggi killings, and demanded they be charged.

Lampung warned of further flooding

Lampung warned of further flooding Oyos Saroso HN, The Jakarta Post, Bandar Lampung Further flood resulting from heavy rain could still hit Lampung province, and disrupt its Raden Intan airport and the trans-Sumatra highway as happened on Wednesday. The deputy chairman of the Lampung Geophysics and Meteorology Information Team, Bambang N.S. said on Thursday that Lampung residents had to take the possibility of flooding seriously as convection clouds were sill present over the province.

Senior N. Sumatra officials slam Malaysia over haze

Senior N. Sumatra officials slam Malaysia over haze Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan A North Sumatra administration report has criticized Malaysia's "sluggishness" in efforts to put out its forest fires that have shrouded the region in a thick, even perhaps deadly, haze.

Gus Dur laments loss of cassettes

Gus Dur laments loss of cassettes KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid says he does not regret being ousted; his only agony is losing his collection of cassettes of Ludwig von Beethoven. Abdurrahman was responding to a lecturer of Widya Mandira Catholic University, where the former president addressed a public lecture. "Why should I be upset? What made me sad is the loss of Beethoven's compositions.

Halt villa construction

Halt villa construction From Kompas As reported in this newspaper on Feb. 8, Vice President Hamzah Haz has called for a halt to construction in Puncak, West Java. This is heartening news for the public. The construction of houses in Puncak benefits only tycoons and a small group of people. It is disadvantageous to the public.

Sending of labor overseas to be limited

Sending of labor overseas to be limited JAKARTA: The Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration is aiming to limit the deployment of Indonesian workers overseas beginning May 1, 2002, former chairman of the Association of Manpower Recruitment Agencies (Apjati) Abdulla Umar said on Thursday.

Shipowners ask for govt conducive policy

Shipowners ask for govt conducive policy The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian National Shipowners Association (INSA) repeated on Thursday its call on the government to create a conducive policy to boost the country's ailing shipping industry. Association chairman Firdaus Wadjdi said local shipowners had seen their share in the country's shipping market steadily declining and that the government's help was necessary for them to be competitive with foreign shipping firms.

ICW chairman urges councillors to revise budget

ICW chairman urges councillors to revise budget Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Chairman of the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW), Teten Masduki, criticized Governor Sutiyoso and the City Council for allocating Rp 17.83 billion (US$ 1.783 million) for several council sessions, including Sutiyoso's budget speech. He also said spending such a large amount of money only for the councillors stipend was illogical.

MPR mulls direct election for regional governments

MPR mulls direct election for regional governments A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) is debating the possibility of introducing a direct election system for heads of regional administrations, an MPR member said on Thursday.

Indonesia 2002 inflation seen down to 9.5 pct

Indonesia 2002 inflation seen down to 9.5 pct Reuters, Jakarta Indonesia's inflation is forecast to slow to 9.5 percent this year and 8.8 percent in 2003 as a firmer rupiah helps mitigate the impact of price hikes in basic necessities, a Reuters poll of 10 research houses showed. "Inflation is forecast to fall...but it will still be high," said Raden Pardede, chief economist at local brokerage Danareksa Sekuritas. The inflation rate was 12.55 percent in 2001.