Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 11 April 2002

77 articles found

SBI down at 16.70 percent

SBI down at 16.70 percent JAKARTA : The weighted average interest rate on Bank Indonesia one-month SBI promissory note notes fell at auction, the central bank said Wednesday. The one-month SBI notes stood at 16.70 percent at the weekly auction Wednesday, down from 16.74 percent last week, Bank Indonesia said. The central bank said it accepted Rp 19.00 trillion in bids at the auction, or 90.6 percent of total bids.

Subdistricts demand split from East Lampung

Subdistricts demand split from East Lampung BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Thousands of people from the subdistricts of Pekalongan, Batanghari, and Metrokibang have stepped up pressure on the Lampung administration to allow their regions to split from the East Lampung regency to join the neighboring Metro City regency.

Foundation plans to open casino in Seribu Islands

Foundation plans to open casino in Seribu Islands Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Puncak, West Java Jakarta's Seribu Islands regency may eventually become a haven for gamblers as a number of investors have proposed to the regency that they be allowed to open casinos. Seribu Islands Regent Abdul Kadir revealed here on Wednesday that one particular investor had even submitted a written proposal to his office. "Yes, several investors have expressed their plans verbally to me.

Next election depends on MPR

Next election depends on MPR Kurniawan Hari and A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Legislators gave the go-ahead on Wednesday for an amendment to the constitution, which is currently being implemented by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), despite recent attempts to block its process.

Illegal fees

Illegal fees still rife From Kompas I recently processed a permit in an office under the supervision of the finance ministry. Talking with one of the office division heads, I was told that the office had a very limited operational fund while it had to provide services to the public to process various permits. He went on to say that sometimes its staffers had to make their own efforts to provide or fix office equipment and were forced to ask the public's understanding.

Scalpers, collusion wreck low-cost housing hopes

Scalpers, collusion wreck low-cost housing hopes Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The City Administration hopes that people from the slum areas will move into low-cost, centrally located apartments built for them, but collusion between scalpers and certain city officials is damaging those hopes. And the units are being sold to middle- class Jakartans, who are not legally eligible.

UPS plans to fly six nights per week to RI

UPS plans to fly six nights per week to RI The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Atlanta-based courier United Parcel Service (UPS) plans to triple the freight capacity of its Indonesian services to 14 tons per night starting in June this year, indicating the company's confidence in Indonesia's trade prospects.

Bomb hoax at Menara BCD

Bomb hoax at Menara BCD JAKARTA: The Menara BCD office building on Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 26, Central Jakarta, was the subject of a bomb hoax on Wednesday at 9:20 a.m. The threat forced the building's management, PT Nico Central, to evacuate some 500 workers from 50 companies, mostly foreign ones, from the building. PT Nico Central receptionist, Maemunah, received a phone call from an unidentified man saying that a bomb had been planted on the first floor of the building.

Amien Rais goes to the web

Amien Rais goes to the web JAKARTA: People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais is sick of having his words twisted, so he is going direct to the web. "As a public figure I often felt that my press interviews were to a great extent sometimes distorted by our journalists," Amien said Tuesday at the launch of www.e-amienrais.com.

Robberies committed by bogus policemen on the rise

Robberies committed by bogus policemen on the rise Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Alamsyah was driving his Toyota Kijang along Jl. R.E. Martadinata, North Jakarta, when two men in police uniform stopped his car. It was late at night and Alamsyah was suspicious, but after seeing their bronze badge, he opened the window to show his vehicle registration. To his surprise, one of the two men suddenly forced open the door while the other pointed a gun at 22-year-old Alamsyah.

Indonesia pledges RP 1b in aid to Palestine

Indonesia pledges RP 1b in aid to Palestine Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian government has pledged to provide the Palestinian people with Rp 1 billion (US$94,300) in food and medical aid. Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla told reporters after a limited ministerial meeting here that the government would finance the aid from the state budget allocated for the Ministry of Social Affairs.

JP/R. Berto Wedhatama

JP/R. Berto Wedhatama HOMAGE TO 'GREAT LEADER': North Korean Ambassador Kim Pyong-hong (second from left) invites Mrs. Supeni (second right), a respected independence fighter, to a toast at a dinner to mark the 90th anniversary of the birth of the late North Korean leader Kim Il-sung. The dinner was held on Wednesday night at the North Korean Embassy in Kuningan, South Jakarta.

Govt seeks more tax revenue from SOEs

Govt seeks more tax revenue from SOEs The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State Minister of State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi said the government was discussing ways of raking in more tax revenue from state-owned enterprises (SOEs). "More tax revenue should be tapped from the state enterprises," he told a press conference following a meeting with Vice President Hamzah Haz on the subject.

Weighty slogan on an empty wall

Weighty slogan on an empty wall This second part of our series in our weekly column, prepared with the help of marketing expert Hermawan Kartajaya, illustrates the professional views and thoughts of Yaya Winarno Junardy, president director of PT Bentoel Internasional Investama, a publicly listed cigarette manufacturer and distributor. The following ia an excerpt of the recent interview compiled by The Jakarta Post reporter K. Basrie.

Civil servants's savings gone?

Civil servants's savings gone? From Kompas Civil Servants (PNS) are subjected to compulsory housing savings through the monthly salary withholding of Rp 3,000 for group I, Rp 5,000 for group II, Rp 7,000 for group III and Rp 10,000 for group IV. On average, Rp 6,250 is withheld monthly from the salaries of all civil servants in Indonesia. Based on 1995 data, Indonesia's PNS numbers reached 4,044,703 people.

Coal firms struggle to annul VAT ruling

Coal firms struggle to annul VAT ruling Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Coal mining companies in Indonesia are working to have a value added tax (VAT) introduced by the government in 2000 annulled. The secretary-general of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI), Jeffrey Mulyono, said on Wednesday the tax policy had forced mining firms to hold royalty payments last year, and had also discouraged new investment in the sector. "We had no choice but to hold the royalties.

Gulf Indonesia Ltd. to invest at least $200m

Gulf Indonesia Ltd. to invest at least $200m The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Oil and gas company Gulf Indonesia Resources Ltd. will invest US$200 million per year for the "next few years" to explore and develop new oil and gas fields in Indonesia. "During the last ten years we've invested more than $1 billion. And we've committed to make new investments of $200 million per year in the next few years," company government and public relations coordinator Cino Calfino told The Jakarta Post.

Rupiah Rates April 10

Rupiah Rates April 10 JP/11/Conversion Rupiah Rates April 10 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Batam rocked by mysterious murders

Batam rocked by mysterious murders BATAM, Riau: Mysterious murders are on the increase on the industrial island of Batam, where at least six people have been killed by unidentified assailants since January, local police said on Wednesday. The killers had since disappeared and were still at large. Barelang Police chief Sr. Comr. Suhartono said he would continue to work hard to capture the killers.

Justice for Sutiyoso?

Justice for Sutiyoso? The public question of whether Governor Sutiyoso would comply with a court summons in the Ancolgate case has been answered. He has obeyed the summons issued by the Jakarta High Prosecutor's Office.

Appointments of 'unskilled teachers' protested

Appointments of 'unskilled teachers' protested PADANG, West Sumatra: The Padang administration in West Sumatra has been criticized for appointing around 100 allegedly unqualified teachers as civil servants in public schools. At least 100 temporarily employed teachers demonstrated at the Padang mayor's office on Tuesday to demand that the appointments by the local state employment agency be annulled. The agency was spending more than Rp 180 million to train the new teachers.

Puncak meeting goes ahead despite being 'ineffective'

Puncak meeting goes ahead despite being 'ineffective' Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Puncak, West Java Three months ago, the City Council was criticized for conducting a meeting on the 2002 draft city budget at the city- owned Wisma Jaya Raya resort in Cipayung, in the Puncak hill resort area south of Jakarta. On Wednesday, however, most of the 85 city councillors traveled to Puncak again for a similar reason -- this time to discuss Governor Sutiyoso's 2001 budget statement.

Can we queue only by enforcement?

Can we queue only by enforcement? Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It would be sad to conclude that Indonesians can only manage to wait in lines via enforcement by security officers. This, regrettably, seems to be the case in some private buildings. Two well-dressed women who were queuing at the Bank Central Asia counter in the GKBI building on Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta grew visibly mad recently at a man who suddenly jumped ahead of them in line.

Colin Powell's 'mission impossible'

Colin Powell's 'mission impossible' Riza Sihbudi Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Indonesian Society for Middle East Studies (ISMES) Jakarta Colin Powell, the United States State Secretary, is in the Middle East in an effort to ease tensions in the region, following the brutal aggression of Israeli soldiers in Palestine.

S'pore ready for airport war with KL

S'pore ready for airport war with KL Agence France-Presse, Singapore Singapore's airport operator said Wednesday it is prepared to face competition from Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur announced an ambitious plan to attract top airlines away from its neighbor. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), which operates Changi Airport, said it would try to keep providing quality service while monitoring comparative costs at other airports. "Competition is no stranger to Changi Airport.

1. CRISTI: 1 line, 35 counts

1. CRISTI: 1 line, 35 counts Indonesian art vies for world-class status 2. INDIAN: 1 line, 35 count Promoting friendship through Indian art

Regional tourism

Regional tourism The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) recently issued a report on developments in the nation's tourist industry. BPS noted that the number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia through 13 points of entrance reached about 625,300 people in January and February. Compared to this same period last year, this was a slight increase of about 0.11%.

1. Oil (1 x 30)

1. Oil (1 x 30) Oil stays up near six-month high 2. Duit (1 x 32) Asian monies up on Mideast violence 3. Gulf (3 x 10) Gulf Ltd to invest $200m in RI 4. Gold (2 x 20) Gold retrenches, but trend stays positive

Cendrawasih on brink of extinction

Cendrawasih on brink of extinction JAYAPURA, Papua: Protected cendrawasih, or birds of paradise, found in the Papuan village of Yairus, are facing extinction due to excessive forest exploitation, according to environmental activists. Gerry Yeuyanan, of the Eco Papua Alliance Foundation, said on Wednesday that research conducted by his group recently indicated that most big trees, the natural homes of the birds, have been felled by loggers.

Alwi briefs US on RI Muslims

Alwi briefs US on RI Muslims JAKARTA: Former minister of foreign affairs Alwi Shihab has recently visited the United States to brief a couple of key officials on the state of radical Islam in Indonesia. During his American visit, Alwi, who is also a Muslim scholar, met with deputy defense secretary Paul Wolfowitz, who once served as the U.S. ambassador to Indonesia, and an aide to President George W. Bush, Steve Hadley.

Rituals are not good enough

Rituals are not good enough Recently the Wana Kretih ritual was held in Bali in an attempt to return the island to its natural balance and protect Bali from environmental disaster. For 16 years I have been coming to the "Islands of the Gods". But how it has changed over such a short period of time! Air, water and soil pollution, caused by carelessness and greed for profit, have brought floods, landslides, erosion and an alarmingly decrease in the population of local marine fauna and flora.

Prisons for HIV/AIDS carriers?

Prisons for HIV/AIDS carriers? I was shocked to read The Jakarta Post's article on April 4, 2002 about the increasing number of inmates afflicted by HIV/AIDS in Jakarta's prisons. The Post quoted health officials as saying that 22 percent of 200 prisoners who took HIV/AIDS tests at Salemba Penitentiary in Central Jakarta tested positive. These figures are indeed appalling if the report is accurate. This raises the suspicion that the same thing has also happened in other prisons.

Kenari Mas market site to become a mall

Kenari Mas market site to become a mall JAKARTA: Kenari Mas market on Jl. Salemba, Central Jakarta, will become a mall. The market, which was popularly known as a center for electrical and technical appliances, will be rebuilt as a mall after it was razed by fire on July 12, 1996 that was caused by a short circuit.

Indonesian art vies for world-class status

Indonesian art vies for world-class status Agus Dermawan T., Contributor, Jakarta The South-East Asian Painting auction held at The Regent Hotel in Singapore on April 7, 2002 by Sotheby's saw collectors involved in an exciting bid for the paintings put on offer. Hundreds of collectors, mostly from Indonesia, were highly enthusiastic. The auction, which released 213 lots, consequently had to be divided into two series and brought quite a few of surprises in terms of prices.

Oil stays up on Venezuela, Iraq supply hitches

Oil stays up on Venezuela, Iraq supply hitches Tom Ashby, Reuters, London Oil prices stayed up near six-month highs on Wednesday on continued supply disruptions from Iraq and Venezuela, despite growing inventories in the world's top consumer the United States. Striking executives at Venezuela's state oil company halted most shipments from the world's No.4 exporter and many oilfields were forced to shut down.

Outages worry people in West Sumatra, Riau

Outages worry people in West Sumatra, Riau Kasparman, The Jakarta Post, Padang Power blackouts in West Sumatra and Riau provinces have been causing anxiety among the public, particularly those involved in small and medium businesses. Chairman of the Indonesian Consumers' Foundation in Padang, Abdul Kadir Usman, noted that his organization had expressed its concern over the blackouts, saying they would inflict losses on local residents.

Acehnese rebel group members seek asylum at Finnish Embassy

Acehnese rebel group members seek asylum at Finnish Embassy Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two civilian members of the Aceh-Sumatra National Liberation Front (ASNLF) requested asylum upon entering the Finnish Embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday, saying that they feared for their lives.

State prosecutor team for Tommy's trial strengthened

State prosecutor team for Tommy's trial strengthened Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State prosecutors handling the Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra murder trial switched gears on Wednesday, adding two more people to strengthen their three-member team. But even with the new show of force, it remains to be seen just how effective the prosecutors' role in the battle will be.

Young doctors cry foul over abuses

Young doctors cry foul over abuses Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Temporarily employed doctors are winning more support for their plight, with the National Commission on Human Rights charging that the mandatory service required of new medical graduates by the government is a form of rights abuse. Members of the Commission believe that these physicians are being treated discriminatively and that the terms of their contracts are also unacceptable.

Robbers sentenced to lengthy jail terms

Robbers sentenced to lengthy jail terms BOGOR: Two of five robbers who shot and killed a police officer and a security guard during a botched robbery near Bogor last year have been sentenced to lengthy jail terms. The Bogor District Court sentenced on Wednesday Antono Dwi Hendaryanto to 15-years jail and Tugiyanto to 14-years jail after the pair were found guilty of charges stemming from the PT Great River Garments robbery.

Singapore economy shrank by 2.6 percent in first quarter

Singapore economy shrank by 2.6 percent in first quarter Agence France-Presse, Singapore Singapore's economy shrank 2.6 percent in the first quarter in a worse than expected performance amid weak electronics demand, government figures showed Wednesday. Although the market reacted negatively to the year-on-year data, economists said the figures -- the best since the first half of last year -- showed Singapore was continuing to move out of recession.

Texchem pumps $5.7m in China, RI

Texchem pumps $5.7m in China, RI KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian conglomerate Texchem Resources Bhd., said on Wednesday it was investing US$5.7 million in Indonesia and China as part of efforts to become a major chemical and manufacturing group in the region. Texchem, which sells industrial chemicals, manufactures household insecticides and makes plastics packaging product, is investing an initial $3.1 million to build a packaging plant in Wuxi, China.

JP/12/BEJ

JP/12/BEJ .pl .rm Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in Rupiah) on April 10, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Shares Close Change Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 235 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,225 50 939,000 Adindo Foresta 65 5 14,000 AGIS Tbk 135 5 3,232,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 295 35 7,500 Alakasa 175 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 800 25 199,000 Alter Abadi Tbk 50 0 6,000 Alumindo Light 675 25 24,500...

1. (BOX) NII: 30 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 22

1. (BOX) NII: 30 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 22 No legal basis to charge NII followers: Police 2. SANDRA: 55 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 18 TV journalists held hostage in Boyolali 3. PLTA: 40 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 40 Outages worry people in West Sumatra, Riau 4. NELAYAN: 36 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 28 Fishermen cancel tax protest 5. JEC: 30 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 30 Probe into JEC bribery stalls

Colin Powell's 'mission impossible' to Mideast

Colin Powell's 'mission impossible' to Mideast Riza Sihbudi, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Indonesian Society for Middle East Studies (ISMES), Jakarta Colin Powell, the United States State Secretary, is in the Middle East in an effort to ease tensions in the region, following the brutal aggression of Israeli soldiers in Palestine.

No legal basis to charge NII followers: Police

No legal basis to charge NII followers: Police The West Java Regional Police released on Wednesday the remaining five followers of the Negara Islam Indonesia (NII), suspected of planning to establish an Islamic state in the country, as they could not find a legal basis on which to charge them. "We cannot charge them with planning to establish an Islamic state as the Subversion law was revoked several years ago.

Hearing adjourned, flood victims disappointed

Hearing adjourned, flood victims disappointed Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Flood victims who filed a class action suit against the President, Jakarta governor and West Java governor were disappointed on Wednesday as the first hearing was postponed due to a lack of understanding of procedures by defense lawyers.

Inaplas urges Pertamina to provide more naphtha

Inaplas urges Pertamina to provide more naphtha Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Olefin and Plastic Industry Association (Inaplas) urged state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina to produce more naphtha products for local petrochemical companies to help boost the competitiveness of the domestic plastic industry ahead of the liberalization of the sector next year. Naphtha is used in the production of raw materials needed by the plastic industry.

Irregularities continue as govt fails to act: BPK

Irregularities continue as govt fails to act: BPK Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Although the government has constantly vowed to eradicate graft and corruption, the level of budget malfeasance remains high as action is rarely taken by the relevant government institutions to follow up on reports of irregularities released by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK).

Promoting friendship through Indian art

Promoting friendship through Indian art Mehru Jaffer, Contributor, Jakarta Despite the delays inherent in the art of globetrotting, the relationship between the people of Indonesia and India was probably far more intense in the past. Apart from trading goods with each other, there was a hectic exchange of ideas as well. Today, this precious bond is reduced to most Indonesians enjoying Indian films, while many Indians fail to realize that there is much more to this archipelago nation than Bali.

Australia feared to become haven for RI's criminals

Australia feared to become haven for RI's criminals Claire Harvey and Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra expressed fear on Wednesday that Australia could become a haven for Indonesian criminals if the country fails to expedite its extradition procedures.

Suspect Akbar back to House, claims he is still in control

Suspect Akbar back to House, claims he is still in control Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Corruption suspect House Speaker Akbar Tandjung reported back to work on Wednesday, declaring that he was still the speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR).

Probe into JEC bribery stalls

Probe into JEC bribery stalls Asip A. Hasani, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Progress in the much-demanded investigation into a bribery scandal over the Jogja Expo Center (JEC) project remains uncertain despite prosecutors obtaining the approval of the home minister to summon a local senior legislator as a suspect.

Councillor Aziz Boeang passes away

Councillor Aziz Boeang passes away JAKARTA: Councillor Aziz Boeang of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) passed away on Wednesday at the Pertamina hospital in South Jakarta. The 70-year-old Aziz, a member of the Council's budget commission, had been receiving treatment for nearly a month at the hospital following a heart attack, as well as diabetes and hepatitis. Azis, who conducted a haj pilgrimage last month, was survived by his wife and eight children.

Telkom secures $63.5m loan

Telkom secures $63.5m loan Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State telecommunications company PT Telkom said on Wednesday that it has signed a US$63.5 million loan to finance the development of its transmission network project in Sumatra. Telkom finance director Mursyid Amal told The Jakarta Post that $51.35 million would be provided by a Citibank-led consortium, and another Rp 173 billion would come from Bank Central Asia (BCA).

Two Acehnese slip into Finnish Embassy

Two Acehnese slip into Finnish Embassy Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two civilian members of the Aceh-Sumatra National Liberation Front (ASNLF) requested asylum upon entering the Finnish Embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday, saying that they feared for their lives.

Govt denies Ne Win in coma

Govt denies Ne Win in coma MYANMAR: The military government denied on Wednesday that former dictator Ne Win had fallen into a coma while under virtual house arrest in the wake of an alleged coup attempt by some of his relatives. The denial followed speculation that his daughter, Sandar Win, had sought official permission to take the 91-year-old former autocrat to Singapore for medical treatment.

Rupiah Rates April 10

Rupiah Rates April 10 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Indonesia plans 'cheap package' for 2003 SEAG

Indonesia plans 'cheap package' for 2003 SEAG Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With the 2003 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam still less than a year away, Indonesia has unveiled a plan to lobby for a number of sporting events in which it has better medal prospects. M.

World Bank clarifies

World Bank clarifies I read with interest the article entitled WB finds N. Sumatra administration guilty of graft in your April 6 edition. This article on the World Bank and corruption in a project that we financed, the Kecamatan (district) Development Project (KDP), made several important and correct points, but it also made several factual errors. Unlike what was stated in the article, the KDP is not meant "to kick start businesses or regional investments".

TV journalists held hostage in Boyolali

TV journalists held hostage in Boyolali The Jakarta Post, Surakarta/Jakarta Violence against the media is still rampant in certain parts of Indonesian despite the reforms introduced following the downfall of former dictator Soeharto four years ago. The latest case was experienced by four television journalists, who were held hostage for more than seven hours last week by thousands of residents of Guwo village in the subdistrict of Kemusu, Boyolali regency, Central Java.

* Headlines: Suspect Akbar, out of detention, back to House 2

* Headlines: Suspect Akbar, out of detention, back to House 2 * Opinion: Paris Club and the case for debt arbitration4 * City: Hearing adjourned, flood victims disappointed 6 * Archipelago: TV journalists held hostage in Boyolali7 * National: Young doctors cry foul over abuses 8 * World: Malaysia inks $364m missile deals 9 * Business: Govt seeks more tax revenue from SOEs 11 * Features: Watch out, it's demons everywhere 15 * Sports: Indonesia plans 'cheap package' for 2003 SEAG20

Watch out, it's scary demons everywhere

Watch out, it's scary demons everywhere I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali Balinese youth have a very unique way of reminding everybody that Nyepi, the Hindu Day of Silence, is near: by trying to scare everybody off. Take for instance the youth of Bengkel, a small suburban hamlet in Denpasar.

;REUTERS;

;REUTERS; ANPAf..r.. Shipping-Malaysia-Port Malaysian port nabs Evergreen from Singapore JP/cargo Patrick Chalmers Reuters Kuala Lumpur Malaysia's Port of Tanjung Pelepas, dealing its second big blow in two years to Singaporean rival PSA, has landed a deal with Taiwanese shipping line Evergreen Marine Corp, the two firms said on Wednesday. "Evergreen Marine Corporation and the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) signed a terminal service agreement on April 1, 2002," they said in a statement.

Doctor says Estrada needs surgery

Doctor says Estrada needs surgery PHILIPPINES: Detained former president Joseph Estrada will be crippled within three years without immediate knee surgery, a government doctor told a court on Wednesday. The court heard a two-month-old petition by Estrada, who is on trial for corruption, to travel abroad for a surgical remedy to osteoarthritis in his right knee.

JP/4/C04

JP/4/C04 COMPANY: Borobudur Hotel Klub Borobudur: The right place to keep you fit and healthy Most people have their own theories about what makes a gym or fitness center special, and most of the theories are correct; It's the pampering, the exercise, the facilities and the equipment. At Klub Borobudur, the staff establish good relationships with members.

JP/12/BEJ

JP/12/BEJ .pl .rm Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in Rupiah) on April 10, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Shares Close Change Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 235 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,225 50 939,000 Adindo Foresta 65 5 14,000 AGIS Tbk 135 5 3,232,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 295 35 7,500 Alakasa 175 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 800 25 199,000 Alter Abadi Tbk 50 0 6,000 Alumindo Light 675 25 24,500...

Where to go in Bali: Thursday, April 11, 2002

Where to go in Bali: Thursday, April 11, 2002 Exhibitions * Painting by Made Somadita, The Chedi (Tel. 0361 975963), Desa Malinggih Kelod, Gianyar, Ubud, until April 20. * Painting Discovery and Concern by Made Alit Suaja, Ketut Lekung Sugantika, I Wayan Susana, Taman Budaya Denpasar, April 16 - 21. * Painting Wajah 3 Rupa, Gallery 9, Lod Tunduh, Ubud, until April 30. * Painting A Woman's Style, by Ni Made Kurniati Andika, Seniwati Gallery, Jl. Sriwedari 2b, Banjar Taman, Ubud, until May 2.

An outdated Constitution

An outdated Constitution With pressure on the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) mounting to have its formulation of a draft amendment to the 1945 Constitution completed by August -- which is when the Assembly is slated to meet for its annual session -- voices for and against an amendment are once again being widely heard in various sections of the Indonesian public.

Politicians' behavior

Politicians' behavior From Kompas The behavior of politicians in the House of Representatives/People's Consultative Assembly (MPR/DPR) should arouse the nation's grave concern. Almost none of them are of good character, and remain consistent in pursuit of their own interests. The public is, in fact, sick of their conduct. But they always claim to act in the name of the people, from whom their salaries originate.

Art embraces all in multicultural Bali

Art embraces all in multicultural Bali Rita A.Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar Art has no boundaries. It encompasses religion, culture, race and geographical borders. "Only in art forums, we can sit or stand equally. We seek no differences but similarities. No anger and jealousy but love and respect," said Kadek Suardana of Arti Foundation during the opening of Festival Seni Perdamaian 2002, Arts for Peace Festival, at the Bali Arts Center in Denpasar over the weekend.

Malaysia inks $364 million missile deals, wants subs

Malaysia inks $364 million missile deals, wants subs Eileen Ng, Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on Wednesday ordered British and Russian missile systems worth US$364 million to boost its air power and agreed to buy its first ever submarines, but denied the shopping spree was aggressive. The government, which has long harbored ambitions to establish a submarine fleet, agreed to order three French vessels in its maiden subs deal, official sources said.

Fishermen cancel tax protest

Fishermen cancel tax protest Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Purwokerto Thousands of fishermen from Central Java canceled their plan to storm Jakarta on Wednesday in protest over the newly decreed fishing taxes, after Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Rohimin Dahuri heeded some of their demands. The fishermen from many parts of Central Java were planning to stage a massive demonstration at Dahuri's office in Jakarta on April 10.

Malaysia, RI to boost intelligence cooperation

Malaysia, RI to boost intelligence cooperation Antara, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia has called for more exchange in intelligence information with Indonesia, including on terrorist networks in the two countries, Malaysian Police Inspector-General Norian Mai said on Tuesday. He said he voiced the proposal at his meeting with Indonesian National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar at the federal police headquarters here.

'Nggapulu' set for maiden voyage

'Nggapulu' set for maiden voyage JAKARTA: Luxury vessel Nggapulu, the newest in the fleet belonging to national cruise liner PT Pelni, will set sail on its maiden voyage on Sunday for the route across eastern Indonesia. The passenger ship, named after a peak of the snowy Jayawijaya mountains in Papua, will set sail from the port in Jayapura, the capital of the country's easternmost province, after being inaugurated by Minister of Transportation Agum Gumelar.

BBN raids another drug lab in Tangerang

BBN raids another drug lab in Tangerang Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Narcotics Agency (BBN), with the help of police detectives, raided on Wednesday another drug laboratory producing ecstasy pills in the Cipondoh area of Tangerang, seizing, among other things, around 700 kilograms of raw materials used in the production of ecstasy, a cooling tank and a distillation machine. The BNN's chief, Comr. Gen.

TaylorMade launches new drivers

TaylorMade launches new drivers JAKARTA: Indonesia's golfers were again provided with another choice of drivers when TaylorMade launched its latest products here on Wednesday. At the Prestasi Andalan Golf Driving Range, the Japan-based golf equipment maker introduced the R300 Ti and R320 Ti, which are allowed for use only in Asia and Europe. "These series are for the European and Asian tours because they do not conform with the USGA rules.