Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 28 March 2002

70 articles found

Mega embarks on historic Korean visit

Mega embarks on historic Korean visit Susanto Pudjomartono, The Jakarta Post, Fuzhou, China Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday morning embarks on possibly the most important diplomatic mission of her brief presidency as she flies to Pyongyang carrying an invitation for North Korea to again engage in peaceful dialog.

Megawati told to reject money laundering bill

Megawati told to reject money laundering bill Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Constitutional law expert Harun Alrasyid suggested on Wednesday that President Megawati Soekarnoputri object to the House of Representatives-endorsed money laundering bill due to the low attendance by legislators when the bill was being voted on. "The President should not sign the bill into law as it lacks (persuasive) legal force," Harun, of the University of Indonesia, told The Jakarta Post.

U.S. Jingoism

U.S. Jingoism The news about the U.S. plan to send its troops to Indonesia has been denied. Yet, pressure on the Indonesian government has seemingly not subsided yet. United States officials, the mass media and intellectuals continue to voice their belief that Indonesia is a potential den of terrorists. How should we respond to such pressure? The international community and the U.S.

'RCTI' must stop airing 'Baywatch'

'RCTI' must stop airing 'Baywatch' From Republika I fully support the Council of Indonesian Ulemas' call that airing of television programs called Dansa Yo Dansa, Love and Life, and Joget be stopped. Yet, there is one program which is truly vulgar and whose airing must be immediately stopped. What I mean is Baywatch, a show excessively and openly showing parts of a woman's body actually not allowed to be shown in public.

Some of alleged recipients of Bulog funds

Some of alleged recipients of Bulog funds (January 1998-December 1999): Name Amount Rahardi Ramelan Rp 51.4 billion House of Representatives Rp 566.7 million State Palace Rp 445.0 million Golkar Party Rp 25.0 million A state prosecutor's office Rp 635.0 million Development Finance Comptroller Rp 416.0 million State Minister of Food Rp 186.0 million Presidential Guards Rp 560.0 million Indonesian Military Rp 310.0 million Source: ICW

RI workers protest dismissal of colleagues

RI workers protest dismissal of colleagues KUCHING: More than 1,000 Indonesian workers of a plywood factory in the Pending industrial area, Kuching, Malaysia staged a protest on Wednesday against the management's decision to fire seven of their colleagues. The protest started at noon and about 50 policemen were sent to the factory to ensure no untoward incidents took place.

Income tax returns may be filed on Saturday, Sunday

Income tax returns may be filed on Saturday, Sunday The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Tax offices will stay open on Saturday and Sunday to serve those wishing to file their income tax returns by the March 31 deadline, a spokesman said but added that tax offices would be closed on Friday's national holiday. Directorate General of Taxation spokesman Nono Hanafie said that tax offices would serve taxpayers filing their income tax returns throughout the weekend.

BoA freezes Pertamina assets

BoA freezes Pertamina assets Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Independent power producer Karaha Bodas Co. LLC said Bank of America (BoA) had frozen more than US$130 million in funds belonging to the state-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina under a U.S. court order. Karaha legal counsel Christopher Dugan said the move was by the power company's efforts to collect $261 million in unpaid compensation from Pertamina.

Golkar scheme may be behind plan to move Akbar's trial

Golkar scheme may be behind plan to move Akbar's trial Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A lawyer warned of a "systematic ploy" on the part of the Golkar Party behind the plan to move the venue for the corruption trial of House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung from the Central Jakarta District Court to the Jakarta Fairground in Kemayoran.

Sampoerna's net profit drops 5.8%

Sampoerna's net profit drops 5.8% JAKARTA: The publicly-listed cigarette maker PT Hanjaya Mandala Sampoerna reported a 5.8 percent drop in 2001 net profit on Wednesday to Rp 955.4 billion (US$98.5 million) from Rp 1.01 trillion in 2000 due to a new accounting procedure. The company said in a statement that the new rule required it to book foreign currency swap contracts at their current market value, resulting in a Rp 522 billion one-time write-down.

Floods, garbage excluded from speech

Floods, garbage excluded from speech Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso is scheduled to deliver his 2001 city budget statement on Thursday. The statement is expected to highlight several successes over the last year, but avoid failures. The biggest and hottest issue will be the administration's efforts last year to prevent flooding. This has been pushed to the fore by the three-weeks of major floods that hit the capital in late January and early February.

ICW reveals misuse of Rp 337b in Bulog cash

ICW reveals misuse of Rp 337b in Bulog cash Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The need for transparency in the use of State Logistics Agency (Bulog) funds has found a fresh cause as the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) disclosed on Wednesday an alleged misuse of over Rp 377 billion belonging to the institution between January 1998 and December 1999.

Hasjim under city arrest

Hasjim under city arrest JAKARTA: Suspect in the Bank Indonesia Liquidity Support Fund (BLBI) case, Hasjim Djojohadikusumo, has been placed under city arrest effective Wednesday at 3 p.m. Presiding Judge Halim Rusdi of the Central Jakarta District Court fulfilled the request of Hasjim's lawyer, Hotman Paris Hutapea, to change Hasjim's status. Hasjim, former president commissioner of Bank Industri, and the bank's director Umar Yudi have been detained at Salemba Penitentiary since March 13.

Scapegoat claim by RI suspects

Scapegoat claim by RI suspects Yogita Tahilramani and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono dismissed speculation on Wednesday that the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) was behind the recent arrests of three Indonesians in Manila possession of bomb materials.

Misty mysteries of a forgotten master

Misty mysteries of a forgotten master Yusuf Susilo Hartono, Contributor, Jakarta When painter Zaini died on Sept. 25, 1977 after a morning jog near his home in Tomang, West Jakarta, he bequeathed some 200 paintings to his wife and four children. About 70 percent of these works, painted between the 1940s and 1970s, are watercolor paintings made on small paper. The rest were drawn on small-and-medium-sized paper. His mediums were oil paint, china ink, pastel, pencil and marking pens.

America's exaggerated interest in radical groups may backfire

America's exaggerated interest in radical groups may backfire Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The United States and its allies should tread carefully in their recriminations of radical religious groups here, since over-emphasizing their potential threat may create unwarranted sympathy for these groups, a leading Islamic scholar warned. Azyumardi Azra said such these diminutive groups would gain recognition if they were continually slammed by major powers.

Rupiah Rates March. 27

Rupiah Rates March. 27 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Preparatory meetings to hammer out action plan

Preparatory meetings to hammer out action plan The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Preparatory meetings for the upcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) are currently underway in New York, and will be continued in Bali, Indonesia, from late May through early June, to hammer out the action plan for the summit.

Antiterror support not linked with Paris Club

Antiterror support not linked with Paris Club Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia could count on U.S. support during debt rescheduling talks with the Paris Club according to one senior U.S. official, who also warned that the meeting should not be linked with Indonesia's much criticized role in combating terrorism.

Japanese investors need clear message

Japanese investors need clear message Indonesia is seeking to reschedule some US$5.5 billion of its sovereign debt maturing this year and in 2003, from the Paris Club of creditor nations. Japan, the biggest country lender to Indonesia has indicated its readiness to discuss the issue with President Megawati Soekarnoputri's government, if Indonesia is able to meet all the required conditions.

Kerosene peddlers attack quota

Kerosene peddlers attack quota PEKANBARU, Riau: Dozens of kerosene peddlers held a rally in front of Pekanbaru mayoralty on Wednesday, claiming their businesses are being crippled by a new quota. A new regulation requires anyone buying kerosene to show a family card, and limits purchases to 40 liters. The peddlers, who demonstrated outside the building with empty jerrycans and carts, say they are being forced out of work.

Hasjim under city arrest

Hasjim under city arrest JAKARTA: Suspect in the Bank Indonesia Liquidity Support Fund (BLBI) case, Hasjim Djojohadikusumo, has been placed under city arrest effective Wednesday at 3 p.m. Presiding Judge Halim Rusdi of the Central Jakarta District Court fulfilled the request of Hasjim's lawyer, Hotman Paris Hutapea, to change Hasjim's status. Hasjim, former president commissioner of Bank Industri, has been detained at Salemba Penitentiary since March 13.

* Headlines: Antiterror support not linked with Paris Club 3

* Headlines: Antiterror support not linked with Paris Club 3 * Opinion: Interfaith dialog can promote a plural society4 * City: Floods, garbage excluded from speech 6 * Archipelago: Mass exodus from Bonggo due to damaged road7 * National: Political elite told to support economic recovery 8 * World: S.

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

1. EXODUS: 55 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12 Mass exodus from Bonggo site due to damaged road 2. ZAITUN: 40 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 24 Students brainwashed at Islamic school: Parents 3. AIRLINE: 36 PT, 3 COLS, 2 X 28 Opposition grows to N. Sumatra govt's plan to set up airline

Interfaith dialog can promote a plural society

Interfaith dialog can promote a plural society Th. Sumartana, Institute for Inter-Faith, Dialog in Indonesia, Yogyakarta Since its establishment in 1999, the Institute for Inter-Faith Dialog in Indonesia (Interfidei) has been fully engaged in popularizing inter-faith dialog, particularly during the unstable late 1990s. Because of its nature, Interfidei has greater freedom to develop its vision and mission.

Flood-related diseases kill 67

Flood-related diseases kill 67 JAKARTA: A total of 67 people have died due flood-related diseases after the huge floods that hit the capital recently. Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi said on Tuesday that 26,629 people fell ill and 67 died. Twenty-six died due to diarrhea, 17 due to leptospirosis, 12 of respiratory problems and 12 of dengue fever, Antara reported. Flood victims were entitled to free medical treatment and hospitalization.

No rest for the energetic Old Master

No rest for the energetic Old Master Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Magelang, Central Java For painting maestro Widayat, age is just irrelevant. At 83, he remains passionately engrossed in painting -- and very productive -- even though he is not as vigorous as when he was young. Born in Kutoarjo, Central Java, on March 9, 1919, Widayat has seen his physical ability decline as the years advance. He needs a rattan stick to help him walk steadily.

Unemployment a major concern in East Timor

Unemployment a major concern in East Timor Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Dili Life is hard in East Timor despite three years after it voted to break away from Indonesia, unemployment remains a serious problem plaguing the country's former province, currently under the UN administration. Most of the local workforce are jobless due to the limited vacancies and lack of business capital on their part.

Balinese children struggle to escape poverty

Balinese children struggle to escape poverty I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali It was an unusually hot, dusty and windy Sunday afternoon, leaving the road barren of all activity. Apparently most people preferred to stay home, either sleeping or digesting a television show, no matter how uninteresting, with a refreshing glass of ice water at their side, perhaps.

JP/12/BEJ

JP/12/BEJ .pl .rm Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in Rupiah) on March 27, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Shares Close Change Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,150 0 140,000 Adindo Foresta 65 0 0 AGIS Tbk 130 0 646,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 235 10 23,000 Alakasa 175 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 750 -25 60,500 Alter Abadi Tbk 45 0 0 Alumindo Light 625 0 0 Andhi Chandra 330 -5 10,000 Aneka Kimia Raya...

Antiterror support

Antiterror support not linked with Paris Club Berni K. Moestafa The Jakarta Post Jakarta Indonesia could count on U.S. support during debt rescheduling talks with the Paris Club according to one senior U.S. official, who also warned that the meeting should not be linked with Indonesia's much criticized role in combating terrorism.

Mass exodus from Bonggo site due to damaged road

Mass exodus from Bonggo site due to damaged road RK Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura More than 7,000 of the 9,000 people sent as migrants to the government sponsored Bonggo migration site several years ago have moved to Jayapura, the capital city of Irian Jaya province, due to serious damage in the road linking it to the city. Bonggo subdistrict's head of administration, B. Kyeu Kyeu said that currently only some 1,573 people remained in the migration site, which consists of four villages.

Indofood sees 2002 sales up 10%

Indofood sees 2002 sales up 10% JAKARTA: Publicly listed instant noodle maker PT Indofood Sukses Makmur expects sales revenue this year to increase by 10 percent on the back of strong domestic sales. Indofood president Eva Riyanti Hutapea said on Wednesday the company would focus on the local market in 2002. "After looking at the current situation, we have decided to go back to basics and focus on the existing market," Eva said.

House approves bank merger fund

House approves bank merger fund The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives finally approved late on Tuesday the government proposal to earmark between Rp 3 trillion and Rp 4 trillion (US$412.37 million) to help finance the merger of five banks. The funds, to be taken from the government account in Bank Indonesia called Account 519, will only be used to cover depositors money in the banks in case a rush occurs during the merger process.

Ex-cop wanted for rape of daughters

Ex-cop wanted for rape of daughters JAKARTA: A former police officer is wanted on suspicion of raping his two daughters. The suspect, First. Sgt. (ret) Igedius Petrus, 50, allegedly escaped after his wife, Lily H. Elizabeth, 45, caught him sexually abusing the girls late Tuesday night at their residence in Cipayung, East Jakarta, East Jakarta Police chief of detectives Sr. Comr. Putu Wijaya said on Wednesday.

All-Stars match aims to entertain Proliga fans

All-Stars match aims to entertain Proliga fans Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A volleyball All-Stars match will be held in Bandung on Sunday, but the caretaker coaches are doubtful whether they will order their respective teams to battle it out. The match will be the prelude to the 2002 grand finals of the inaugural national volleyball professional league, locally known as Proliga, the following week. Stars from Jakarta-based clubs will play against those from outside Jakarta.

TNI claims GAM kidnapped oil workers

TNI claims GAM kidnapped oil workers Agencies, Banda Aceh Separatist rebels in Indonesia's Aceh province are demanding a ransom for three kidnapped oil company workers, the military said here on Wednesday. The three Indonesians, who are employed by a subcontractor of state energy firm Pertamina, have been held since March 16 by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), military spokesman Maj. Zaenal Muttaqin told AFP.

Tasikmalaya smash kills five

Tasikmalaya smash kills five TASIKMALAYA, West Java: Five people were killed on Wednesday when their Mitsubishi minibus collided with a Kramatjati bus near Mulai Rasa village in Ciawi subdistrict of Tasikmalaya regency. Ciawi Police said that the minibus, with five passengers, was on the way from Soekarno-Hatta airport to pick up migrant workers. The minibus was completely destroyed in the crash and all its passengers -- three men and two women -- died instantly.

City pays Rp 14b to Bekasi as compensation for dump

City pays Rp 14b to Bekasi as compensation for dump The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso handed over a Rp 14 billion (US$1.4 million) check to Bekasi Mayor Nonon Sonthanie on Wednesday, to compensate the reopening of Bantar Gebang dump site in Bekasi. The money is part of Rp 22 billion agreed by both administrations for the reopening of the site, which accommodates most of Jakarta's garbage, until the end of 2003. "The remaining Rp 8 billion will be handed over next year.

Samsung set to reenter TV market

Samsung set to reenter TV market JAKARTA: Electronics company PT Samsung Electronics Indonesia (SEIN) said on Wednesday it was set to market its round tube color-TVs here after reopening its factory three months ago. SEIN closed its factory in Cikarang, West Java, in 1998 following the regional economic crisis. SEIN sales director Nugroho S. expected the company to be able to sell 320,000 round tube TVs and 80,000 flat TVs this year.

1 x 40 48 pt Bodoni

1 x 40 48 pt Bodoni Indonesia is seeking to reschedule some US$5.5 billion of its sovereign debt maturing this year and in 2003, from the Paris Club of creditor nations. Japan, the biggest country lender to Indonesia has indicated its readiness to discuss the issue with President Megawati Soekarnoputri's government, if Indonesia is able to meet all the required conditions.

Building statue at HI roundabout

Building statue at HI roundabout The news that the Jakarta administration plans to spend US$1.2 million on the renovation of the Hotel Indonesia (HI) fountain roundabout, rather than spending it on the much needed North Jakarta dam project, is a glaring example of why Jakarta needs a direct election of its governor and 85 city council members immediately.

Merpati struggling to repay its debt

Merpati struggling to repay its debt Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Faced with continuing financial difficulties, PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines plans to issue medium-term notes worth Rp 300 billion to repay its debts, pending government approval.

More access to higher education crucial

More access to higher education crucial Maddaremmeng A. Panennungi, Researcher, School of Economics, University of Indonesia, Jakarta One key factor of the war on poverty is equality of opportunity for higher education for students from low-income families. Most of the debate of economic policies have focused on one area: How to attract the capital inflow again to recreate the golden years of growth.

Dude, where's my car?

Dude, where's my car? From Republika On March 11, my family and I went to the Safari Park in Cisarua, Bogor. We parked our car in front of a ticket booth near the cable cars. At about 1 p.m., we found that our car was gone. We asked the man in charge of the ticket booth about our 1996 dark blue Grand Extra Kijang van. He answered that about five minutes earlier, two men had gotten into a dark blue Kijang van whose alarm was going off. Unfortunately, he had seen no reason to become suspicious.

Tommy scolded for slouching in court, told to sit straight

Tommy scolded for slouching in court, told to sit straight Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, who is charged with murder, sat so lazily during the trial at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday that the prosecutor asked the judge to order him to sit properly to respect the court. "Your honor, please warn the defendant to respect the court, he is sitting impolitely," prosecutor Andi Rahman Asbar said.

Opposition grows to proposed airline

Opposition grows to proposed airline Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan Opposition grew on Wednesday to the North Sumatra government's plan to establish an airline company amid the country's prolonged financial crisis. Critics said the plan would be of no benefit for the economically disadvantaged, but instead would only benefit the rich.

Scrap discriminatory 'rulings on Chinese'

Scrap discriminatory 'rulings on Chinese' Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While President Megawati Soekarnoputri was preaching to Chinese businessmen that there was no racial discrimination in Indonesia, experts and activists back home were demanding that her administration revoke over 60 rulings that discriminate against Indonesians of ethnic Chinese descent.

Money laundering law seen as positive for the country

Money laundering law seen as positive for the country The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bankers, businessmen and analysts hailed the country's newly approved money laundering law, saying it would help clean up business practices, as well as boost investor confidence in the economy. They also said that the new law was in line with international standards.

Coach criticizes U-20 for indifferent play

Coach criticizes U-20 for indifferent play The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The national soccer U-20 team, due shortly to participate in the Asian Cup, was held to a 1-1 draw by First Division team Perserang at Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Wednesday, with the national team coach criticizing his players for lack of motivation and concentration. "I can't say much about the match. They are about to depart soon but they seemed to lack spirit.

Coral destruction goes on in Bali

Coral destruction goes on in Bali Pariama Hutasoit, Contributor, Serangan Island, Bali Surfers crowd Serangan beach, Bali, enjoying breezy waves while other visitors leisurely sip their canned drinks at the nearby cafes. Not far from them, an elderly couple, Wayan and his wife, were busy sawing hard sea corals near the shores. Their bodies were partly submerged in the water. Once in a while the seawaves dashed against their dark and wrinkled skins.

JP/8/CHINESE

JP/8/CHINESE Some anti-Chinese laws & rulings 1945 Constitution Article 26 on citizenship differentiates the population into indigenous Indonesians and people from other races. Law No. 62/1958 on citizenship obliges Indonesian-born Chinese to have documents normally not required for 'indigenous' Indonesians. Presidential Decree No.240/1966 obliges all those of Chinese descent to adopt Indonesian names.

Stand-in legislators installed

Stand-in legislators installed JAKARTA: Five replacements for Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) legislators who were recruited to the Cabinet and other state institutions were sworn in on Wednesday. House Deputy Speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno, on behalf of detained Speaker Akbar Tandjung, installed Kamang Rumambi of North Sulawesi, Sutanto Pranoto of Central Java, Hobbes Sinaga of Jakarta, Sterra Pietrz of West Java and Ni Luh Maryani Tirtasari to replace Theo F.

Students brainwashed at Islamic school: Parents

Students brainwashed at Islamic school: Parents Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung Islamic boarding school staff in West Java are brainwashing students into supporting the fundamentalist group Indonesian Islamic State (NII), parents claim. Police and prosecutors are investigating the Al-Zaetun Islamic boarding school in the town of Indramayu, after parents complained to the provincial legislative council that the school's director, K.H. Abu Toto, was a leader of the NII movement.

No foreign parties involved in talks with GAM

No foreign parties involved in talks with GAM Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono asserted on Wednesday that no foreign party would be involved when the government resumed peace talks with the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Susilo said the problems in Aceh should be addressed by Indonesians, as they were a domestic matter.

RI and U.S. to review security cooperation: Official

RI and U.S. to review security cooperation: Official Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Senior United States officials from the State and Defense Departments are to meet with their Indonesian counterparts here next month to review and discuss all forms of security cooperation between the two countries.

Memory of Sutan Takdir Alisyahbana fades away

Memory of Sutan Takdir Alisyahbana fades away Wayan Sunarta, Contributor, Kintamani, Bali A portrait of an old man wearing an udeng (Balinese head scarf) is hung on the wall of a small cottage restaurant in Toyabungkah village near the Kintamani resort area in Bangli, some 65 kilometers north of Denpasar. Most Indonesians would have known the man in the picture.

Hamzah tells political elite to fully back recovery plans

Hamzah tells political elite to fully back recovery plans Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali Vice President Hamzah Haz called on the members of the country's political elite on Wednesday to help create a conducive atmosphere to encourage foreign investors to put their money back into Indonesia, arguing that economic recovery programs needed to be backed up by supportive political conditions.

JP/12/BEJ

JP/12/BEJ .pl .rm Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in Rupiah) on March 27, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Shares Close Change Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,150 0 140,000 Adindo Foresta 65 0 0 AGIS Tbk 130 0 646,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 235 10 23,000 Alakasa 175 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 750 -25 60,500 Alter Abadi Tbk 45 0 0 Alumindo Light 625 0 0 Andhi Chandra 330 -5 10,000 Aneka Kimia Raya...

Where to go in Bali: Thursday, March 28, 2002

Where to go in Bali: Thursday, March 28, 2002 Exhibitions * Painting Opposite Attraction by Charles Cham, Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Resort, Jimbaran Bay, Nusa Dua, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., (Tel.

Free ID cards planned but officials uninformed

Free ID cards planned but officials uninformed Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang The Tangerang municipal administration's manpower and population agency has announced that, starting April 1, residents may apply for free ID cards and birth certificates. Subdistrict officials, however, replied that they were unaware of the plan.

Payakumbuh mayor suspended

Payakumbuh mayor suspended PADANG, West Sumatra: Home Affairs Minister Hari Sabarno has suspended Payakumbuh Mayor, Darlis Ilyas, who is accused of corruption by his fellow councillors. West Sumatra's Deputy Governor Fachri Ahmad confirmed on Wednesday that the suspension was confirmed in a ministerial decree on March 20. "I cannot tell you the details. As the letter was addressed to West Sumatra governor, I have to give it first to him.

Sutiyoso unaware of corruption

Sutiyoso unaware of corruption JAKARTA: Governor Sutiyoso claimed on Wednesday he had not received the report from the City Audit Agency about the alleged corruption and irregularities at his office, which had inflicted Rp 179 billion (US$17.9 million) losses to the city administration. But he said that he would not hesitate to take action against anyone involved in the offense.

Tourist arrivals drop due to security fears

Tourist arrivals drop due to security fears Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The number of foreign tourists predicted to visit the capital will fall by 10 percent this year, mostly owing to security concerns, an official said.

Thumbs down to DPR

Thumbs down to DPR The House of Representatives ends another working session today after three months of what appeared to be a busy and hectic work schedule, but one in which it delivered very little in terms of substance. Let the record -- on what the House has done, or more importantly it has not done -- speak for itself. The House completed the deliberation on four bills (at least as of Wednesday) out of the 24 that it started when it began its working session in January.

House motion hits a snag

House motion hits a snag JAKARTA: The initiator of a proposed motion to question President Megawati Soekarnoputri over her Rp 30 billion donation for the renovation of military and police housing facilities has reconsidered his move. Djamal Doa of the United Development Party (PPP) announced his change of mind to the press on Wednesday after a meeting with PPP secretary-general Ali Marwan Hanan, who is also the minister of cooperatives.

Makro to launch Internet-based system

Makro to launch Internet-based system JAKARTA: PT Makro Indonesia, a retail wholesaler, said Wednesday it will launch next Monday an Internet-based business- to-business system connecting the company with suppliers to increase inventory efficiency. The online system will link Makro with its 1,700 suppliers, and will help them improve procurement and payment logistics to increase efficiency in the supply chain, said Makro Indonesia's president director Simon Collins.

Govt told not to push privatization program

Govt told not to push privatization program The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Experts warned the government not to press ahead with its privatization program without support from employees of the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and other stakeholders. "The government has to be patient and must talk with all stakeholders. Don't force it because it's very dangerous," senior economist Mubyarto said at a seminar on economy on Wednesday.

SBI rate down to 16.76%

SBI rate down to 16.76% JAKARTA: The weighted average interest rate on one-month Bank Indonesia SBI promissory notes dropped to 16.76 percent at the Wednesday weekly auction, the central bank announced. The previous rate was 16.8 percent. Bank Indonesia also said it accepted Rp 26 trillion (US$2.6 billion) in bids at the auction, or 84.7 percent of total bids.

'Int'l community could help make RI strong'

'Int'l community could help make RI strong' A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Sectarian violence, the potential danger of insurgencies in the regions and rampant corruption in Indonesia are indications that Indonesia is in a weak state, says a prominent world peace activist says that Indonesia.