Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 4 March 2002

79 articles found

Sutiyoso denies mark up allegation

Sutiyoso denies mark up allegation Governor Sutiyoso denied allegation that the Jakarta administration has misused Rp 1 billion (US$98,040) in sanitation funds to manage garbage collection after the recent floods. "I assure you that the fund has been used appropriately," he was quoted by Antara on Sunday. According to Sutiyoso, the money was used to rent dump trucks by the Jakarta Sanitation Agency to transport garbage to the Bantar Gebang dump in Bekasi.

The funniest

The funniest DPR members From Kompas I can still remember the sweet promises by the would-be members of the House of Representatives (DPR) during the last general election. With great hopes I trusted them to fulfill those promises and duly represent the people's aspirations. Regrettably, once they sat comfortably on the soft chairs of the House, they completely forgot the interests of the people. Unashamedly they drive around in their luxury cars and live cozily in their brand-new houses.

Sim games: Painless fun for kids and adults

Sim games: Painless fun for kids and adults Vishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, Jakarta Trapped by one of Jakarta's hideously all consuming traffic jams, I decided to pass the time at the office by playing a "sim", short for simulation game, as they are known in the gaming world. They represent a virtual reality for us "users" to master and manipulate via our digital decisions.

Taking governor to task

Taking governor to task From Bisnis Indonesia The following ideas were conveyed by Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso in comments he made on separate occasions: 1. Violating city bylaws by building a villa without a building permit was just "for fun" (Kompas of Feb. 20, 2002). If a leader can do something for fun, will the people also be allowed to have fun? 2. "It is hard to organize aid for flood victims, so it is also difficult to gather together rubber dinghies".

Wild elephants ransack houses, force farmers to flee in Aceh

Wild elephants ransack houses, force farmers to flee in Aceh Ibnu Mat Noor, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh Wild elephants once again came out of the jungle in West Aceh regency and destroyed houses and land belonging to farmers, who were forced to flee their villages. The elephants have been terrorizing the villagers for the last two weeks, and residents have asked the local government for help in driving the elephants away.

Money talks in Kalijodo complex

Money talks in Kalijodo complex The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Money talks. Even though prostitution and gambling is officially illegal, the Kalijodo red light area in Pejagalan subdistrict, North Jakarta, which later also developed into a gambling den, had been going strong for five decades. At least 600 brothels and gambling dens had been established in the complex before it was officially "closed down" two weeks ago.

Illegally built villas threaten the environment say specialists

Illegally built villas threaten the environment say specialists Bambang Nurbianto The Jakarta Post Jakarta The government's policy not to demolish villas, including those built illegally without building permits, in the mountain resort of Puncak, West Java, is bad news for the environment, say green experts. "The government should not withdraw its commitment to protect the environment.

Ethnic gangster groups in war to grab hot money

Ethnic gangster groups in war to grab hot money Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The three notorious gang leaders of the Kalijodo brothel and gambling complex in Pejagalan subdistrict, North Jakarta, emerged to take it over at the same time in 1994. Up until that time, several gangs feuded for control, but only three managed to survive in the end.

Another notebook player revamps its presence

Another notebook player revamps its presence Zatni Arbi, Columnist, Jakarta, zatni@cbn.net.id If you think a built-in modem, a Bluetooth and a Wi-Fi transceiver, an infrared port, a fast Ethernet port, a DVD-ROM drive, plus more traditional multimedia capabilities are the most that notebook computer makers can stuff into their products, you should have seen the ASUS' launch of their new products at the Hotel Mulia in Jakarta last week.

Threats to the BCA sale

Threats to the BCA sale Bank Central Asia (BCA), Indonesia's largest retail bank, is certainly the most controversial of the US$ 65 billion-worth of assets that were taken over by the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) amid the country's worst-ever banking crisis in 1997-1999. BCA's initial public offering of 22.50 percent of its shares was postponed several times before it was finally launched in May, 2000. Its secondary issue last July left behind allegations of price manipulation.

Complaint in order?

Complaint in order? I should have read the article Complaint in order? Time to speak up (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 17), before I left the house that morning. A few days before I was attracted by an advertisement in the Post for a prasmanan (buffet) of dim sum, several types of porridge, desserts and wedang ronde (small balls made of flour in hot sweet ginger tea). The place was a lobby lounge in a hotel near Sarinah Thamrin.

Former industry and trade minister Tunky Ariwibowo passes away

Former industry and trade minister Tunky Ariwibowo passes away Former minister of industry and trade Tunky Ariwibowo succumbed to lung disease on Sunday morning in a Singapore hospital. He was 65. Born in Malang, East Java, in 1936, Tunky served former president Soeharto as minister of industry and trade from 1995 to 1998. He began his career at the ministry of industry in 1960, and 15 years later became president director of state-owned steelmaker PT Krakatau Steel.

Former industry and trade minister Tunky Ariwibowo passes away

Former industry and trade minister Tunky Ariwibowo passes away Former minister of industry and trade Tunky Ariwibowo succumbed to lung disease on Sunday morning in a Singapore hospital. He was 65. Born in Malang, East Java, in 1936, Tunky served former president Soeharto as minister of industry and trade from 1995 to 1998. He began his career at the ministry of industry in 1960, and 15 years later became president director of state-owned steelmaker PT Krakatau Steel.

Lorena makes right decision

Lorena makes right decision The bus company Lorena has just made a decision. My previous letter to The Jakarta Post recounted how my husband and I abandoned a bus journey to Bali by disembarking in West Java. We got off the super executive bus because the clove cigarette puffing driver was maneuvering the machine like a drunken pre- teen. Mr.

Where's my TV?

Where's my TV? On March 26, 1998 I purchased an RCA big screen television (Model RP 46 IJ) from Bali Makmur Elektronics in Denpasar, Bali. I was impressed with the picture quality, the manual was in English and printed in the USA and as an extra bonus it offered a two-year guarantee. I thought this was proof that RCA trusted the quality of its appliances so much that it was confident to offer double the warranty offered by other brands. The price was just under US$2,000.

Obituary

Obituary Former minister of industry and trade Tunky Ariwibowo succumbed to lung disease on Sunday morning in a Singapore hospital. He was 65. Born in Malang, East Java, in 1936, Tunky served former president Soeharto as minister of industry and trade from 1995 to 1998. He began his career at the ministry of industry in 1960, and 15 years later became president director of state-owned steelmaker PT Krakatau Steel.

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;JP; ANPAv..r.. Photo-Bali-furniture JP/Murdani Usman FURNITURE BONANZA: In addition to its status as the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia, Bali is also known as one of the country's important furniture producers.

Illegally built villas threaten the environment say specialists

Illegally built villas threaten the environment say specialists Bambang Nurbianto The Jakarta Post Jakarta The government's policy not to demolish villas, including those built illegally without building permits, in the mountain resort of Puncak, West Java, is bad news for the environment, say green experts. "The government should not withdraw its commitment to protect the environment.

Does a flood of AIDS

Does a flood of AIDS await as flood recedes? Christopher Purdy Director, DKT Indonesia Jakarta In case you had not noticed, AIDS is here in Indonesia. In the last 12 months, the Ministry of Health released data indicating that 80,000 to 120,000 Indonesians were infected with HIV. The government stated that transmission rates of HIV among "high- risk" groups such as sex workers, transvestites, and intravenous drug users are higher (in some cases, much higher) than 5 percent.

Sjahril verdict expected Wednesday

Sjahril verdict expected Wednesday JAKARTA: The Central Jakarta District Court is expected to deliver a verdict in the case of Central Bank Governor Sjahril Sabirin on Wednesday. The state prosecutor earlier demanded the court sentence Sjahril to four years in jail for his alleged involvement in the 1999 Bank Bali scandal, which caused the government losses of Rp 904 billion (US$88.63 million).

Govt in quandary over long-distance classes

Govt in quandary over long-distance classes Leo Wahyudi S and Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Yogyakarta Though higher education remains unattainable for the majority of Indonesians, the government is forcing three reputable state universities and institute to shut down their long-distance learning services.

Tourist visa denied

Tourist visa denied With the honorable Australian Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs Mr Ruddock MP currently visiting Indonesia, I would like to pose a very simple question: Why? My wife, an Indonesian citizen, recently applied for a tourist visa to accompany myself, an Australian citizen, on a short visit to Australia.

Governor's policy

Governor's policy From Warta Kota As a citizen of Jakarta, I am very much concerned about and disappointed at the statements and comments of Jakarta governor Sutiyoso and his policies as reflected in his attitude in anticipating floods in Jakarta and in overcoming problems created by the floods.

Batam prospering during crisis

Batam prospering during crisis Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Singapore While Indonesia still reels from falling foreign direct investment (FDI), investors flocking to Batam helped push the tiny island's economy up by an impressive 7.7 percent last year, far above the national growth rate of 3.32 percent.

Boeing, Airbus vying for dominance in Asia

Boeing, Airbus vying for dominance in Asia Agence France-Presse, Singapore U.S. giant Boeing Co. and Europe's Airbus Industrie are vying for dominance of Asia's aviation industry as the sector emerges from the turbulence triggered by the Sept. 11 terror attacks. China has emerged as a key battleground with the restructuring of its civil aviation authority, while Japan is another major market, industry players who attended the Asian Aerospace 2002 conference and exhibition here said.

Legacy of debts

Legacy of debts From Kompas We all stand against the policies drafted by the New Order regime. Unfortunately, most university students and some others have missed the point of the New Order's products, for example, subsidies that have deceived us all. We know that subsidies given to the people form a large part of foreign debts as these funds were not grants, as the New Order ruler once said. Today's government has been burdened with debts, the New Order's legacy, which have to be paid.

Megawati steps up attacks on regional governments

Megawati steps up attacks on regional governments The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri stepped up her attack on Indonesia's regents and mayors on Sunday who have consistently opposed her move to revise the Autonomy Law, saying their lack of understanding of the law has resulted in deviations and abuses.

110 couples get divorced in a month

110 couples get divorced in a month BOGOR: The Cibinong Religious Court in Bogor handles an average of 110 divorce cases in a month. The court's jurisdiction covers Bogor and Depok, which has a population of 4.5 million. The court chief, HM Nadjmi, says that the number of divorces in Bogor is low compared with several areas in West Java.

Debt standstill and capital control

Debt standstill and capital control D.A. Simarmata School of Economics University of Indonesia Jakarta Something surprising came out of the IMF headquarters in Washington last November. The new number two at the International Monetary Fund, Ann Krueger, proposed a temporary suspension of debt payments for indebted countries, accompanied by momentary capital controls. It was startling, because such an idea had until then been unthinkable.

Asia-Europe ties, in a nut-(meg)-shell

Asia-Europe ties, in a nut-(meg)-shell Joseph Yap Asia Europe Foundation Singapore At the end of the 16th Century, nutmeg from Indonesia was worth over 60,000 times more in Europe than the value at its source. Some claimed that it was a cure-all for anything from coughs and fevers, to flatulence and even impotence. Battles were fought and lives were lost -- all over a simple spice which today does little more than make your coffee smell good.

Mega launches Lake Toba regreening

Mega launches Lake Toba regreening Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra President Megawati Soekarnoputri kicked off on Sunday a major regreening program at Lake Toba, North Sumatra, telling local people to learn from the past in which indiscriminate logging in the province caused severe environmental damage.

Chinese acrobats perform in Riau

Chinese acrobats perform in Riau PEKANBARU, Riau: As many as 32 acrobats from Guandong Province in China, have been holding performances in three cities in Riau province since Saturday. The chairman of the province's Chinese Association, Chaidir, said here that the shows, which feature Chinese arts and traditional operas, were part of a cultural exchange between China and Indonesia.

2002 The Jakarta Post Readers' Survey

2002 The Jakarta Post Readers' Survey As part of its efforts to maintain a close relationship with valued readers, The Jakarta Post is conducting Readers' Survey 2002 on pages 17 and 18. Please use this opportunity to communicate your views so that proper steps may be taken toward making The Jakarta post a better newspaper to serve your needs.

S'pore looks into extremists links with al-Qaeda

S'pore looks into extremists links with al-Qaeda The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Singapore continues to investigate possible links between extremist groups reportedly present in the island state and the al-Qaeda terrorist network, diplomats in Singapore said.

Dehydration kills 77 haj pilgrims

Dehydration kills 77 haj pilgrims JAKARTA: Dehydration remains the chief reason for the death of Indonesians who have completed their haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, an official said. The deputy chairman of the Indonesian committee for haj pilgrimage, Yusharmen, said some of the haj pilgrims, particularly the older ones, were exhausted after they prayed in Arafah desert and went on to throw stones at three pillars symbolizing satan in Mina.

Looters trigger brawl in Cikini

Looters trigger brawl in Cikini JAKARTA: A group of thugs looted a street vendor's merchandise on Jl. Cikini, Central Jakarta, in front of Bung Karno University early on Sunday morning and sparked off a brawl. The vendor, Tedjo, said the thugs had come from Jl. Anyer, which is located about five kilometers way, at 12.30 a.m., and began stealing his merchandise. As the situation got worse, vendors in the area began to chase the thugs by throwing stones and other solid objects at them.

Cannibal's identity remains mystery

Cannibal's identity remains mystery Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Tangerang hospital morgue officials finally buried the body of a mysterious cannibal in Tanjung Legok public cometary in Karawaci, Tangerang, on Saturday, two weeks after he was shot dead by the police. Until today, Luri Hasanuddin's true identity remains a mystery as none of his family came forward to claim his body.

Police ban Falungong parade at last minute

Police ban Falungong parade at last minute The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Police placed a last-minute ban on Sunday on an already-approved parade by the Falungong spiritual movement from the National Monument (Monas) to the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle. About 700 Falungong members, including representatives from 10 foreign countries, arrived at the National Monument at about noon.

TENSE MOMENT: A Military Police officer tries to calm down a

TENSE MOMENT: A Military Police officer tries to calm down a security guard from the Harimau Karaoke night club, involved in a verbal conflict with a cameraman from state-run TVRI. The quarrel erupted as the journalist was prevented from entering the club to cover an incident when a Military Police team raided the building on Saturday night. At least three solders were arrested in the operation.

Special team verifies data on East Timorese refugees

Special team verifies data on East Timorese refugees The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The central government has dispatched a special team to verify the exact number of East Timorese refugees currently stuck in East Nusa Tenggara, where they are facing starvation after food aid was discontinued on Jan. 1.

Residents relieved as rains recede, but future still cloudy

Residents relieved as rains recede, but future still cloudy Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The recent heavy rains have been lessening over the last week; a welcome respite for the people whose houses were inundated by the big floods last month. Confirmation that the peak of the rainy season peak has passed was received from an official of the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency's (BMG) on Saturday.

Multa Fidrus

Multa Fidrus The Jakarta Post Tangerang Tangerang hospital morgue officials finally buried the body of a mysterious cannibal in Tanjung Legok public cometary in Karawaci, Tangerang, on Saturday, two weeks after he was shot dead by the police. Until today, Luri Hasanuddin's true identity remains a mystery as none of his family came forward to claim his body. His horrifying behavior had caused terror among residents of the Perumnas I housing complex in Jatiuwung.

40 houses destroyed by fire at Bantar Gebang

40 houses destroyed by fire at Bantar Gebang BEKASI: Around 40 temporary houses at the Bantar Gebang dumpsite in Bekasi burned down on Sunday afternoon, leaving 240 scavengers homeless. No fatalities were reported during the incident. Several victims fled to a nearby public health center for medical treatment. The homeless are currently staying at shelters. Eyewitness Muchlis said the incident occurred when residents burnt garbage on the site.

4 X 8

4 X 8 Team again examines Kopassus compound Atambua 2 X 18 Special team verifies data on East Timorese refugees gajah Wild elephants ransack houses, force farmers to flee in Aceh

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, March 4, 2002

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, March 4, 2002 Exhibitions * Painting, Sculpture: Tying the Heart by Sanggar Caping Yogyakarta, The British Council Jakarta's Gallery, S. Widjoyo Centre, Jl. Jendral Sudirman 71, South Jakarta (Tel. 252 4115), until March 31. * Painting Oltrelaforma by Pupillo, Italian Cultural Institute, Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto 117, Central Jakarta (Tel. 3927531), until March 15. * Painting Between Heaven and Earth by Dutch painter Walter van Oel, Cemara 6 Gallery, Jl.

2. Chris -- Does a flood of AIDS await as flood recedes?

2. Chris -- Does a flood of AIDS await as flood recedes? 1 x 32 36pt Bodoni Does flood of AIDS await Indonesia? Amid ignorance, watch out for AIDS Christopher Purdy Director, DKT Indonesia Jakarta 3. Korea -- Japan's economic lesson 1 x 32 36pt Bodoni South Korea: Japan's economic lesson The Korea Herald Asia News Network Seoul

No press coverage for Sjafrie

No press coverage for Sjafrie JAKARTA: Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin will officially take over from Rear Air Marshal Graito Usodo as the Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman in a rare closed-door ceremony on Monday. Unlike in the past, no invitations have been sent to the press to cover the ceremony, which will take place at TNI Headquarters in the East Jakarta suburb of Cilangkap.

Authorities fail to take action against ad law violators

Authorities fail to take action against ad law violators Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Slimming product advertisements that have been bombarding people, especially women, have turned out to provide misleading information. Many of these products do not include sufficient information to warn consumers properly of the possible side effects of substances they contain.

MILF denies links with RI terror suspect

MILF denies links with RI terror suspect Agence France-Presse, Manila The Philippines' main Moro separatist group on Sunday denied having links with an Indonesian man alleged by security experts to have played a key role in the al-Qaeda terrorist network in Southeast Asia. Linking the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to Fathur Rahman al-Ghozi "is part of a grand design to have us labeled as terrorists," rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu told AFP.

Good deals on flooded houses

Good deals on flooded houses Damar Harsanto and Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After the recent floods, many residents of Jakarta and its surrounding areas, traumatized by the deluge and concerned similar floods may reoccur in the near future, appear to be determined to say goodbye to their properties. Notices reading "House for sale" can be seen in front of many properties in the areas hit by the floods.

Bidders promise the sky for BCA

Bidders promise the sky for BCA Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta By now Indonesians should acknowledged the fact that Bank Central Asia (BCA) will soon no longer remain under local hands. So what will BCA end up looking like once the British-based Standard Chartered Bank Plc or the U.S. investment firm Farallon Capital Management take over the country's largest retail bank. For one, both investors have ruled out major changes in the bank.

Govt pushed to act on illegal villas

Govt pushed to act on illegal villas Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government's policy not to demolish villas, including those built illegally without building permits, in the mountain resort of Puncak, West Java, is bad news for the environment, say green experts. "The government should not withdraw its commitment to protect the environment.

Rendi A. Witular

Rendi A. Witular The Jakarta Post Jakarta Money talks. Even though prostitution and gambling is officially illegal, the Kalijodo red light area in Pejagalan subdistrict, North Jakarta, which later also developed into a gambling den, had been going strong for five decades. At least 600 brothels and gambling dens had been established in the complex before it was officially "closed down" two weeks ago.

VP favors recall revival

VP favors recall revival JAKARTA: Vice President Hamzah Haz says the reinstitution of recall over members of the House of Representatives (DPR) is necessary to ensure that democratization proceeds smoothly. "The absence of any right of recall (over legislators) would harm the process of democratization because it makes legislators very immune," Hamzah said here after the Friday prayer at the Al- Furqon Mosque in Central Jakarta.

Exploring readiness for ad hoc human rights court

Exploring readiness for ad hoc human rights court Agung Yudhawiranata, Institute for Policy, Research and Advocacy (ELSAM), Jakarta The ad hoc human rights court is now official. Presidential decree no. 96/2001 mandates the establishment of the court to try charges of human rights violations in the Tanjung Priok shootings and post-referendum East Timor cases. The establishment of the ad hoc court reinforces the implementation of Act No. 26/2000 (the initial basis for the court's creation).

Japan donates money to Medan school

Japan donates money to Medan school MEDAN, North Sumatra: The government of Japan has donated US$ 48,166, or about Rp 481 million, for the renovation of an Islamic school for the mentally retarded in Medan, North Sumatra. Japan's consul general in Medan, Yohiteru Iida, presented the money to the school principal, Teten Taufik, at the consulate on Thursday. Taufik said the money would be used to renovate a dormitory for mentally retarded children.

Illegally built villas threaten the environment say specialists

Illegally built villas threaten the environment say specialists Bambang Nurbianto The Jakarta Post Jakarta The government's policy not to demolish villas, including those built illegally without building permits, in the mountain resort of Puncak, West Java, is bad news for the environment, say green experts. "The government should not withdraw its commitment to protect the environment.

'Rupiah will continue to climb'

'Rupiah will continue to climb' Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Impressed by the strengthening of the rupiah last week, analysts expressed confidence that the local currency would continue to climb next week. The rupiah closed last week at Rp 10,110 against the U.S. dollar, up from Rp 10,180 the week before. Since the start of this year, the rupiah has been gradually gaining more and more ground against the dollar, but last week's closing was definitely the strongest since December.

The Jakarta Post 2002 Readers' Survey

The Jakarta Post 2002 Readers' Survey As part of its efforts to maintain a close relationship with its valued readers, The Jakarta Post is conducting a 2002 Readers' Survey on pages 17 and 18. Please use this opportunity to communicate your views and opinions so The Jakarta Post can continue taking steps to better serve your needs.

Cockfight in Bali

Cockfight in Bali The article about Bali's cockfighting that appeared in The Jakarta Post on Jan. 24 made me remember an experience I had during the first time I visited Bali with my then still-small children plus a nephew, some 25 years ago. When we arrived at the airport it didn't take long to find a taxi. We were lucky when a USA-style car, a type of small limousine, approached us. Without hesitation we jumped in, the six of us.

Three soldiers nabbed in nightclubs

Three soldiers nabbed in nightclubs DENPASAR, Bali: Three off-duty Army soldiers were nabbed by Military Police officers at two local entertainment places during an operation on Saturday night. The three soldiers were arrested after they were unable to justify their presence at the nightclubs. Two soldiers -- Cpl. Slamet Supriyadi and Pvt. Dadang S -- were caught at the Pesona Irama Nada nightclub in Kuta, and the third, Pvt. Daniel Lulu, was arrested at Harimau Karaoke in Sawung.

Mega asks politicians to work for country

Mega asks politicians to work for country The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri called on the political elite and the people in general on Sunday to sacrifice personal ambition and to start working to bring the country out of the current crisis. Speaking before tens of thousands of her supporters in Medan, North Sumatra, Megawati said that her government needed solid support from political parties.

Is the ASEAN

Is the ASEAN spirit dead? The lofty ideals of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), founded more than thirty years ago with such high hopes and big fanfare, and which has now grown from five nations to the 10 it is today, may be perceived by the peoples of ASEAN as seemingly dead in spirit. They fail to understand why Indonesian workers are unwelcome in Malaysia.

Japanese monks pray for world peace

Japanese monks pray for world peace The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Japanese Buddhist monks from the International Zen Exchange Friendship Association (IZEFA) pray at Borobudur Temple in Central Java. The monks prayed on Sunday for world peace, as well as for the Japanese and Indonesians who died during World War II, when the Japanese occupied Indonesia. The prayer was led by IZEFA Kyoto president Shuman Hoshi Noritake.

Govt, DPR drag their feet in supporting human rights

Govt, DPR drag their feet in supporting human rights Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia is dragging its feet in upholding human rights, and both the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) have shown little interest in human rights issues in the country, caretaker of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Irianto says.

Megawati urges workers and employers to seek compromise

Megawati urges workers and employers to seek compromise The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri urged employers and their employees on Saturday to exercise restraint when seeking settlements to industrial disputes. The President suggested that both parties sit down and talk together to seek a favorable solution that would leave nobody to feel they had lost out. "Pragmatism, a realistic attitude is needed to deal with disputes.

Former industry and trade minister Tunky Ariwibowo passes away

Former industry and trade minister Tunky Ariwibowo passes away Former minister of industry and trade Tunky Ariwibowo succumbed to lung disease on Sunday morning in a Singapore hospital. He was 65. Born in Malang, East Java, in 1936, Tunky served former president Soeharto as minister of industry and trade from 1995 to 1998. He began his career at the ministry of industry in 1960, and 15 years later became president director of state-owned steelmaker PT Krakatau Steel.

I. Christianto

I. Christianto Contributor Jakarta Antiques in high demand despite sluggish market Exhibitions and furniture fairs are held regularly in Jakarta and other major cities in the country. The number of such events continues to increase despite the not-so-favorable economic conditions in the country.

PAN wants Amien to stay on as party head

PAN wants Amien to stay on as party head Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The executive board of the National Mandate Party (PAN) officially announced its opposition to Amien Rais' expressed intention to relinquish the top post in the party, saying that his leadership was still needed at least until the general election in 2004.

Tata interview:

Tata interview: a PR exercise? I'm really tired of the way the media, especially the television stations, are treating the case of Tommy Soeharto. Though its legal process is important, the coverage is out of proportion, making it low quality journalism. I was most irritated by the way SCTV and Metro TV interviewed Tata, Tommy's wife. In my opinion it was a lengthy interview on a trivial subject matter, which should not have been covered in a special interview.

Corruption kills

Corruption kills Corruption reared its ugly head in Indonesia once again this week. And sadly, the reaction, both from the public and government, was one of indifference, even if it caused deaths. The Indonesian Health Consumer Empowerment Foundation said in a report that up to half of all subsidized medicines, including donations from foreign governments intended for the poor, had found their way onto the black market, earning hefty profits, needless to say.

"Made in Bali" becoming well-known overseas

"Made in Bali" becoming well-known overseas Rita A. Widiadana The Jakarta Post, Kuta, Bali Twenty years ago, no one in Bali would dare to have suggested that its furniture products would stand gorgeously in many homes, luxury hotels and opulent holiday resorts around the world. Just visit a five star hotel in Asia, Europe or America, you may quite possibly find pieces of wooden or rattan furniture made in Bali.

If your teacher cannot give the answer, go to your PC

If your teacher cannot give the answer, go to your PC Zatni Arbi, Columnist, Jakarta In this digital age, to be a teacher in this country is harder than ever. On the one side, teachers do not earn enough to support their families. They have to do other jobs to supplement their monthly salaries, while their cost of living and of fulfilling the needs of their own children continue to skyrocket.

The MUI should be

The MUI should be more proactive From Republika The Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) management has been occupied by some figures whose capabilities are beyond doubt, bringing some fresh air for Muslims. The role of MUI becomes highly essential in an atmosphere of ghiroh, where people have a developed a good appetite for learning about their religion. Muslims in general have a particularly limited understanding of fiqih (Islamic law), let alone in contemporary matters.

Sutiyoso denies misuse of funds

Sutiyoso denies misuse of funds Governor Sutiyoso denied allegation that the Jakarta administration has misused Rp 1 billion (US$98,040) in sanitation funds to manage garbage collection after the recent floods. "I assure you that the fund has been used appropriately," he was quoted by Antara on Sunday. According to Sutiyoso, the money was used to rent dump trucks by the Jakarta Sanitation Agency to transport garbage to the Bantar Gebang dump in Bekasi.

Team again examines Kopassus compound

Team again examines Kopassus compound R.K. Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura Members of a Military Police fact-finding team again examined on Saturday the compound of the Army's Special Force Kopassus, where they unearthed a plot of land that could be hiding the body of Aristoteles Masoka, the missing driver of top Papuan rebel leader Theys Ohio Eluay. The second inspection after the Feb.

Are uniforms

Are uniforms such a necessity? I have lived in Indonesia for three years now, but it was not long after I arrived that the importance of a uniform here was obvious. Everywhere I go in Jakarta, uniforms are proudly worn by various groups of people. Whilst working as a volunteer both with a school sponsorship program in South Jakarta and overseeing a feeding program at a school in North Jakarta, I realized that this emphasis begins at an early age.

The Jakarta Post

The Jakarta Post Jakarta The three notorious gang leaders of the Kalijodo brothel and gambling complex in Pejagalan subdistrict, North Jakarta, emerged to take it over at the same time in 1994. Up until that time, several gangs feuded for control, but only three managed to survive in the end. Once in Kalijodo, there were five ethnic gangs, with members from places as far away as Madura, East Java, Makassar, Bugis and Mandar in South Sulawesi, and Banten.

Peace returns to Ambon after clash

Peace returns to Ambon after clash Oktovianus Pinontoan, The Jakarta Post, Ambon A minor clash on Saturday failed to prevent Muslims and Christians in the city of Ambon in Maluku province from continuing to mend fences after years of violence. Public activities across the town returned to normal on Sunday, with people from both communities gathering in small groups and talking with each other.