Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 27 March 2002

70 articles found

Andersen, KPMG executives try to rescue Asian merger

Andersen, KPMG executives try to rescue Asian merger Peh Soo Hwee, Reuters, Singapore Senior executives of troubled accounting firm Andersen huddled for a second round of talks in Singapore on Tuesday to salvage a proposed merger with KPMG in Asia after several Andersen units defected to other firms. Sources close to Andersen said issues raised at the meeting included concerns about the KPMG proposal, discussions on the options available and a debate of whether a vote should be taken.

House leaders rule Akbar will retain speakership

House leaders rule Akbar will retain speakership Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite his graft trial, Golkar Party chairman won one of the battles of his political career as leaders of the House of Representatives (DPR) dismissed on Tuesday debates over his status as speaker of the legislative body.

One-stop service center disappoints the public

One-stop service center disappoints the public Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The idea behind the establishment of a one-stop document service center was to provide better and faster service for Jakartans processing official documents. But the early results of the pilot project at the North Jakarta mayoralty office on Jl. Yos Sudarso, which began on March 6, have so far been less than satisfying.

A warming relationship?

A warming relationship? Given the myriad pressing problems of Indonesia today, it is hardly surprising that President Megawati Soekarnoputri's decision to go on a tour of Asia is causing controversy. Observers, analysts and the public are intensely interested in the pros and cons of the President's first official visit to China, North and South Korea and India.

Cirebon port management allows smuggling to grow

Cirebon port management allows smuggling to grow Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon The Cirebon seaport in West Java has long been a destination for smuggled goods from other islands across the country and abroad due to its poor law enforcement and security, says a former local district military chief. Soenaryo, a deputy speaker of the Cirebon legislative council, said logs, timber, electronic equipment and luxury cars were among the goods often smuggled via the port.

Witness says Bulog fund used for many activities

Witness says Bulog fund used for many activities The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The non-budgetary fund of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) was disbursed for many reasons -- including scholarships for swimming athletes -- a former deputy of finance for the agency testified at the corruption trial of former Bulog chief Rahardi Ramelan on Tuesday.

Petrochina, Pertamina ink oil cooperation

Petrochina, Pertamina ink oil cooperation Xu Yihe, Dow Jones, Singapore China and Indonesia have expanded their energy ties, through a partnership agreement in the upstream oil sector between Indonesia's Pertamina and PetroChina Co., a China-based industry official said Tuesday. The agreement between Indonesia's state-owned oil and gas company and China's largest oil company will make Indonesia China's largest energy supplier in Asia by 2005.

JP/12/BEJ

JP/12/BEJ .pl .rm Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in Rupiah) on March 26, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Shares Close Change Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,150 0 62,000 Adindo Foresta 65 5 60,500 AGIS Tbk 130 0 3,389,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 225 10 65,000 Alakasa 175 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 775 25 68,000 Alter Abadi Tbk 45 0 0 Alumindo Light 625 -75 32,000 Andhi Chandra 335 0 0 Aneka...

1. DOCTORS: 55 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12

1. DOCTORS: 55 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12 Hundreds of doctors go on strike in Lampung 2. Cirebon port management allows smuggling to grow 3. (BOX) POSO: 30 PT, 3 COLS, 1 X 4O Military confiscate mortars, bombs in Poso 4. YOGYAKARTA: 28 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 40 Prosecutors to quiz councillor about bribe

RI, UNDP pledge support for world summit

RI, UNDP pledge support for world summit JAKARTA: The Indonesian government and the UN Development Program signed a project document to support the Preparatory Committee meeting for the World Summit on Sustainable Development on Tuesday. The signing marked the cooperation between the two parties in preparation for the summit, to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from Aug. 26 to Sept. 4.

East Timorese vow to forgive ex-militiamen

East Timorese vow to forgive ex-militiamen Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Dili East Timorese residents want their compatriots -- including former anti-independence militiamen -- currently sheltering at refugee camps in East Nusa Tenggara to return home, signifying their full acceptance in their homeland. Pro-Indonesia militias were blamed for the rampage in East Timor when it voted to break away from Indonesia in August 1999.

Megawati to get to the heart of 'axis of evil'

Megawati to get to the heart of 'axis of evil' Bantarto Bandoro, Editor, 'The Indonesian Quarterly' Center for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta Many Korea-watchers still remember the Perry Process, which in May 1999 sought to improve relations between North Korea and the United States. The Perry Process, named after the then U.S. Secretary of Defense, William Perry, was meant also to accelerate peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula.

Tension grips Menteng Atas

Tension grips Menteng Atas JAKARTA: Tension has gripped the Menteng Atas area in South Jakarta following a series of molotov cocktail explosions early Tuesday morning. The incident, which took place around 1:30 a.m., almost sparked a brawl between warring Gang Sawo residents and Gang Lontar residents. A resident of Gang Sawo, who refused to be named, said that three molotov cocktails were thrown by a person from Gang Lontar.

Legislators move to summon Mega

Legislators move to summon Mega Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Legislators from different factions are attempting to forcibly summon President Megawati Soekarnoputri to the House to explain the source of her Rp 30 billion grant to the military and the police. Djamal Doa of the United Development Party (PPP) faction said that he and fellow legislators were collecting signatures in support for the plan.

The Italian mozzarella bubbles in Pondok Indah

The Italian mozzarella bubbles in Pondok Indah Peach Melba, Contributor, Jakarta Attending the launch of Izzi Pizza's first restaurant in Jakarta last month, I couldn't find the words to describe the fresh-from-the oven dish sitting in front of me.

Kemayoran fairground to host Akbar trial

Kemayoran fairground to host Akbar trial Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A spacious fair ground compound in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, will likely become the venue for the corruption trial of House Speaker Akbar Tandjung. The Central Jakarta District Court requested the move because the court building could not accommodate the huge crowds of onlookers.

Lending to small businesses is rewarding

Lending to small businesses is rewarding As large enterprises remain debilitated under mountains of bad debt, most banks, starved of loan assets, are zeroing in on lending to small-and-medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), which before the 1997 economic crisis were shunned by big banks as highly risky borrowers. But who are the SMEs really and how costly and risky is lending to these businesses? Pramukti Surjaudaja, chief executive officer, M.

Rupiah Rates March. 26

Rupiah Rates March. 26 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Hundreds of doctors go on strike in Lampung

Hundreds of doctors go on strike in Lampung Oyos Saroso, The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung Three hundred and twenty nine temporarily-employed doctors went on strike in Bandarlampung, protesting to late payment of salaries, demanding a rise in allowances and guaranteed full-time employment, on Tuesday. The doctors, who are members of the Communication Forum for general practitioners and dentists (Forsidogi), previously held a demonstration at the Lampung Health Agency.

JP/11/J06

JP/11/J06 Canadian firm to invest US$5b in fish-processing The Jakarta Post Jakarta A Canadian company is ready to invest some US$5 billion for the development of a fish-processing business in Indonesia, an official said on Sunday. Soempeno Putro, a senior official of the Marine and Fishery Ministry, said in Bogor, West Java, that a Canadian company which has joined the Chianti Group would develop a squid and shrimp- processing business as "ready to eat food" in Indonesia.

Crackdown on dirty money

Crackdown on dirty money The House of Representatives' approval of the Anti-Money Laundering bill on Monday may earn Indonesia a positive review from the developed countries' Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on money laundering and could eventually result in the removal of its name from the blacklist of non-cooperative countries in the global fight against dirty money.

Kota station looks messy

Kota station looks messy From Warta Kota As a final destination of all trains from Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi, Jakarta-Kota railway station is untidy and dirty. The waiting room is filled by vendors who have also taken up much needed space along the station platforms. Passengers are frequently jostled as they have to squeeze and push their way through the crowds. This mess could be overcome if vendors were not allowed to sell their wares there.

Hotel workers to get jobs back

Hotel workers to get jobs back JAKARTA: The Jakarta State Administrative Court has ordered the Shangri-La Hotel to re-employ 79 workers laid off 16 months ago. Presiding Judge Marcus Lande and a panel of justices ruled the sackings were unlawful, overruling an earlier decision in the hotel's favor by the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration's labor dispute committee.

Widodo dismisses major TNI reshuffle

Widodo dismisses major TNI reshuffle Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S. brushed reports of an impending replacement of himself and all his chiefs of staff aside on Tuesday. "I have no knowledge about the plan as the Wanjakti has yet to come up with any proposals for a major reshuffle at all," Widodo said, referring to the TNI's high-ranking promotions and duty rotation council.

Asian currencies mixed, rupiah climbs to six-month high

Asian currencies mixed, rupiah climbs to six-month high Netty Ismail, Dow Jones, Singapore Asian currencies were mixed late Tuesday, mostly off their intraday lows, as the yen reclaimed some ground. The Singapore dollar, South Korean won and New Taiwan dollar had succumbed to the yen's slide toward 133.50 yen to the U.S. currency in early trading.

Governor threats parking operators over hike

Governor threats parking operators over hike The Jakarta Post, Jakarta City Governor Sutiyoso has threatened private parking operators who overcharge motorists, warning he will launch legal action or shut them down. "We would warn and take action against those who increase the fees and violate parking regulation," Sutiyoso told reporters after a ceremony in North Jakarta. A gubernatorial decree stipulates that the parking fee is Rp 1,000 (US cents 10) per hour.

VP under fire for 'political visits'

VP under fire for 'political visits' SURABAYA: Vice President Hamzah Haz has been accused of misusing state funds in an early campaign for the 2004 elections. East Java's vice chairman of The National Awakening Party (PKB) Wahyudin Husein said on Tuesday that Hamzah was using public money to visit Islamic boarding schools throughout the country.

Military officers to be linked to Theys' murder

Military officers to be linked to Theys' murder Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Internal investigators of the Indonesian Military (TNI) are likely to name several officers as suspects in the murder of Papuan independence leader Theys Hiyo Eluay last November, a TNI official said. Without identifying anyone by name, TNI spokesman Maj. Gen.

Singapore hospital targets SE Asian patients

Singapore hospital targets SE Asian patients The National University Hospital of Singapore, which aims to attract wealthy patients from neighboring countries, recently invited The Jakarta Post's Bali-based correspondent I Wayan Juniartha to observe its facilities and attend a seminar it hosted. The following is his report.

Govt establishes new agency to combat rising drug abuse

Govt establishes new agency to combat rising drug abuse Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Confronted with an alarming increase in the number of drug users, the government has set up a more powerful agency to combat drug abuse. State Minister of Administrative Reforms Feisal Tamin said on Tuesday that President Megawati Soekarnoputri had issued Decree No.

Audit body discloses corruption in city firms

Audit body discloses corruption in city firms Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta City auditing head Hendarin Ono Saleh revealed on Tuesday that his office had identified 22 financial irregularities that had caused the administration losses of Rp 179.53 billion (US$17.9 million) last year. "We recommend that city officials involved in the irregularities be dismissed," Hendarin said, without mentioning the names of the officials.

;AP;KOD;

;AP;KOD; ANPAu..r.. Aglance-Myanmar-Leaders Myanmars top general makes first public appearance in weeks JP/9/ASEAN Top general makes public appearance MYANMAR: The head of Myanmar's military government, Gen. Than Shwe, has made his first public appearance, nearly three weeks after the junta said it foiled a coup plot by the family of former dictator Ne Win.

JP/7/yogya

JP/7/yogya Prosecutors to soon quiz councillor over bribe Asip A. Hasani The Jakarta Post Yogyakarta The Yogyakarta prosecutor's office said on Tuesday that Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno has given it permission to question a senior local legislator charged with role-playing in a bribery case in the Jogja Expo Center (JEC) project.

Civil society can be a threat to freedom of the press

Civil society can be a threat to freedom of the press Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Leo Wahyudi S., The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Mob violence against journalists coupled with questionable reporting practices by some among members of the Jakarta press corps are threatening Indonesia's freedom of the press, according to two prominent journalists.

Police welcome money laundering legislation

Police welcome money laundering legislation Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Police welcomed the newly endorsed legislation on money laundering, despite concerns that the law could cause substantial capital outflow from the country's financial systems. "It might be a little bit tougher for police detectives to chase after money launderers after the passage of the bill ... since the new law, we believe, might result in capital flight.

JP/12/

JP/12/ A number of share prices on Jakarta Stock Exchange list appearing in Saturday March 23, and Tuesday March 26, editions, were incorrect. We apologize for any inconveniences. - Editor

Only one Islamic party necessary

Only one Islamic party necessary From Republika Two Islamic parties have recently been established, one led by a noted preacher and the other founded by a politician who has lived through three eras. I think this phenomenon isn't something we should feel grateful for. I am apprehensive, instead. God willing, many others will share my concern. Why?

Where to go in Surabaya, for Wednesday, March 27, 2001

Where to go in Surabaya, for Wednesday, March 27, 2001 Exhibitions * Photo, Jalan-Jalan Keliling Jakarta, CCCL - French Cultural Center, Jl. Darmokali 10 (Tel.

Poso military confiscate bombs

Poso military confiscate bombs Erik W, The Jakarta Post, Palu In a series of raids for weapons in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, the military confiscated three mortar shells, 10 bombs and dozens of arrows, rifles and handguns. The raids took place after a bomb exploded in the office of the social welfare agency in Poso on Sunday night. The bombing caused extensive damage to the building, but there were no casualties. The head of the military operation, First Lt.

Indonesians held in Manila: Scapegoats or terrorists?

Indonesians held in Manila: Scapegoats or terrorists? The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Speculation is growing is some circles that the three Indonesians recently arrested in Manila were made scapegoats to ease international pressure on Jakarta to act against reported terrorist elements establishing roots in the country. At least that is what the three arrested men -- Tamsil Linrung, Abdul Jamal Balfas and Agus Dwikarna -- along with family and friends here would have us believe.

Kalijodo eviction uncertain: Mayor

Kalijodo eviction uncertain: Mayor JAKARTA: The North Jakarta municipality is uncertain about continuing its eviction program at the Kalijodo brothel and gambling complex due to the lack of funds to compensate the residents. Mayor Soebagio told reporters on Tuesday that the municipality must pay a total of Rp 150 million (US$15,000) to 200 families living along the West Flood Canal riverbank.

Crackdown on dirty money

Crackdown on dirty money The House of Representatives' approval of the Anti-Money Laundering bill on Monday may earn Indonesia a positive review from the developed countries' Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on money laundering and could eventually result in the removal of its name from the blacklist of non-cooperative countries in the global fight against dirty money.

The decision by the House of Representatives (DPR) to endorse the

The decision by the House of Representatives (DPR) to endorse the money laundering bill on Monday despite the poor attendance of legislators has raised questions on whether or not the bill could be enacted into law. Constitutional expert Suwoto from Airlangga University in Surabaya said on Tuesday that the plenary meeting should not have endorsed the bill under such a situation. "It (the endorsed money laundering bill) lacks legal force.

Street vendors cheated out of income and stalls

Street vendors cheated out of income and stalls Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Eighty two street vendors operating near Jatinegara Railway Station in East Jakarta filed a complaint with East Jakarta Police on Tuesday, after being cheated out of Rp 3.8 million (US$380).

Govt urges quick end to KPC legal dispute

Govt urges quick end to KPC legal dispute The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government urged owners of coal mining company PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) and the East Kalimantan province to drop their legal dispute on Tuesday, to end the latest snag blocking the sale of a US$400 million stake in KPC. Spokesman at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Nur Winakun said on Tuesday the government might intervene to speed up talks to end the dispute, which he called superfluous.

Local autonomy limits graft: Academic

Local autonomy limits graft: Academic A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia must continue boosting the autonomy of regional and local governments, a Philippine scholar has urged. Decentralization improves living standards and can help limit corruption, said Cielito F. Habito, who was secretary for socioeconomic planning under former president Fidel Ramos from 1992 to 1998.

JP/1/Inside

JP/1/Inside * Headlines: Bulog fund used for many activities: Witness 2 * Opinion: Flirting with fire: NU's invitation to Peres4 * City: Audit body discloses graft in city firms 6 * Archipelago: Hundreds of doctors go on strike in Lampung7 * National: Legislators move to summon Megawati 8 * World: Israelis split on Arafat's trip to Beirut 10 * Business: Textile sector needs $4.9m for new machinery 11 * Features: S'pore hospital targets SE Asian patients 15 * Sports: Lewis-Tyson fight set in...

JP/12/correct

JP/12/correct A number of share prices on Jakarta Stock Exchange list appearing in Saturday March 23, and Tuesday March 26, editions, were incorrect. We apologize for any inconveniences. - Editor

Over 1,000 workers hold rally

Over 1,000 workers hold rally TANGERANG: More than 1,000 workers from two companies protested in front of the Tangerang Manpower and Population Agency office here on Tuesday. About 700 of the protesters came from Korean-owned PT Indolim, a sewing company. One of the workers told The Jakarta Post the company owed them money.

Textile sector needs $4.9m to upgrade machinery

Textile sector needs $4.9m to upgrade machinery Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country's textile industry needs some US$4.9 million to upgrade or replace old machinery in a bid to boost production, according to an executive of the Indonesian Textile Association (API). API executive director Indra Ibrahim said on Tuesday that about 60 percent of the existing textile machinery had been in use for more than 15 years and needed immediate replacement.

Batam residents seize water truck

Batam residents seize water truck BATAM, Riau: Dissatisfied over the two-month long shortage of clean water supply, residents from the Tanjung Sengkuang housing complex in Batam seized a local administration's truck carrying 4000 liters of drinking water.

JP/12/correct

JP/12/correct A number of share prices on Jakarta Stock Exchange list appearing in Saturday March 23, and Tuesday March 26, editions, were incorrect. We apologize for any inconveniences. - Editor

Govt to improve bureaucracy

Govt to improve bureaucracy JAKARTA: In response to President Megawati Soekarnoputri's remarks on the poor quality of bureaucrats, the Minister of Administrative Reforms office is currently in the process of drafting a new working concept for the state apparatus.

Merpati's CN-235s may fly again

Merpati's CN-235s may fly again The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After having been grounded since 1999, locally-assembled CN- 235 fixed-wing aircraft belonging to PT Merpati Nusantara Airline will likely fly again once the company gets the finances to operate them, the airline said on Tuesday. Merpati president Wahyu Hidayat told a media conference that the airline currently has 11 CN-235 aircraft; all of which are grounded.

JP/ /

JP/ / A number of share prices on Jakarta Stock Exchange list appearing in Saturday March 23, and Tuesday March 26, editions, were incorrect. We apologize for any inconveniences. - Editor

Indonesian lifters to warm up in Qatar before 2002 Asian Games

Indonesian lifters to warm up in Qatar before 2002 Asian Games The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Five Indonesian weight lifters will take part in the World Championship in Qatar next May as part of their preparations for the 2002 Asian Games. The World Championship will be held from May 10 to May 14. Asia's biggest multievent spectacle will take place in Pusan, South Korea, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 14.

Govt targets Rp 6.2 trillion from BII divestment

Govt targets Rp 6.2 trillion from BII divestment The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is targeting some Rp 6.29 trillion (about US$630 million) from the sale of its majority stake in the publicly listed Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII) at the end of this year.

ADB to disburse $350m loan to RI

ADB to disburse $350m loan to RI Agence France-Presse, Jakarta The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Tuesday it expected to disburse a US$350 million loan tranche to Indonesia within the next six weeks after parliament approved the country's anti-money laundering bill. "That tranche could be granted in the next five to six weeks," ADB Indonesia director Jan PM van Heeswijk told AFX-Asia, an AFP- owned financial newswire.

Santi W.E. Soekanto

Santi W.E. Soekanto Journalist Jakarta 2. Suhardi -- Common responsibility in urban development 1 x 32 36pt Bodoni City govt needs to involve public more Suhardi Suryadi Institute for Social and Economic Research, Education and Information (LP3ES) Jakarta 3. Campaign -- Applaud the campaign bill as a first step 1 x 32 36pt Bodoni New U.S. campaign bill is a first step Thomas E. Mann Brookings Institution, Washington The Christian Science Monitor Boston

Prosecutors to soon quiz councillor about bribe

Prosecutors to soon quiz councillor about bribe Asip A. Hasani, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta The Yogyakarta prosecutor's office said on Tuesday that Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno has given it permission to question a senior local legislator charged with role-playing in a bribery case in the Jogja Expo Center (JEC) project.

Indonesia and terrorism

Indonesia and terrorism From Warta Kota Indonesia is worsening after several years of economic crisis. Since the United States declared a war against terrorists, Indonesia has seemingly become a hidden target of the U.S. Of course the U.S. is not openly eying Indonesia. However, the news and opinions that have got around show that the U.S. continues to eye Indonesia, the biggest country in the Southeast Asian region. The U.S. is engaged in a political game.

Falling into trap of disintegration

Falling into trap of disintegration From Warta Kota As one of many indigenous Betawi flood victims involved in the Advocacy for the 2002 Jakarta Flood Victims, I wish to express my deep concern over attacks, acts of intimidation and violent threats using sharp weapons by a group of people claiming to be Betawi. My concern is related to the following: First, the attacks by these purported Betawi people against fellow Betawi people has only created a bad image of life in Jakarta.

Drug convicts walk freely

Drug convicts walk freely From Suara Karya Drug abuse is a serious issue in East Java. Yet those convicted of drug-related crimes are never put behind bars. Ironically, although they have been sentenced, they remain free. Aik, otherwise known as Eddy Brewok or Eddy Susanto, currently under arrest in Jakarta, is a good example. In Surabaya, Aik got 7.5 years in jail but he was free to travel as he pleased and was later caught again.

Muslim majority urged to rise and speak out

Muslim majority urged to rise and speak out Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia's conservative Muslim majority is being urged to rise from its inertia and become a more vocal alternative to balance extremist views which create misperceptions of Islam among non- Muslim audiences.

RI's ratings still hinge on debt talks

RI's ratings still hinge on debt talks Jennifer Chen, Reuters, Singapore Ratings agency Standard & Poor's said on Tuesday Indonesia's long-term sovereign ratings are still at risk of a downgrade to "selective default" despite recent positive economic and political developments.

DPR's vote on laundering bill may be invalid

DPR's vote on laundering bill may be invalid Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The decision by the House of Representatives (DPR) to endorse the money laundering bill on Monday despite the poor attendance of legislators has raised questions on whether or not the bill could be enacted into law. Constitutional expert Suwoto from Airlangga University in Surabaya said on Tuesday that the plenary meeting should not have endorsed the bill under such a situation.

Four policemen fired in Papua

Four policemen fired in Papua JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Four police officers from the Jayapura district police precinct in Irian Jaya have been dismissed for being absent for more than three consecutive months. The fired police officers were identified only by their ranks and initials as Second Brig. Akbr, Second Brig. Es, First Brig. Mr and First Brig. Cv. Jayapura district police chief Adj. Comr.

A warming relationship?

A warming relationship? Given the myriad pressing problems of Indonesia today, it is hardly surprising that President Megawati Soekarnoputri's decision to go on a tour of Asia is causing controversy. Observers, analysts and the public are intensely interested in the pros and cons of the President's first official visit to China, North and South Korea and India.

City govt needs to involve public more

City govt needs to involve public more Suhardi Suryadi, Institute for Social and Economic, Research, Education and Information (LP3ES), Jakarta The controversy over the floods which hit Jakarta have provoked demands that Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso resign, suggestions to review the Pantai Gading Indah Kapuk housing project in North Jakarta and proposals to impose a 700 percent property tax on houses in water reserve areas in the Puncak mountain resort.

Muninggar Sri Saraswati

Muninggar Sri Saraswati The Jakarta Post Jakarta A spacious fair ground compound in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, will likely become the venue for the corruption trial of House Speaker Akbar Tandjung. The Central Jakarta District Court requested the move because the court building could not accommodate the huge crowds of onlookers. Central Jakarta District Court chief Subardi said on Tuesday that the court had requested a permit from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights to move the trial.