Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 6 April 2002

70 articles found

'Suu Kyi-junta talks nearing landmark stage'

'Suu Kyi-junta talks nearing landmark stage' MYANMAR: The opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) is optimistic that 18-month talks between its leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the ruling junta are nearing a landmark stage, a top official said on Friday.

BLBI team to advise on financial sector reform

BLBI team to advise on financial sector reformThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said its special team of experts assigned to help decide the burden sharing between the government and the central bank over losses resulting from abuse in bank liquidity support facility...

MPR's Bali trip canceled

MPR's Bali trip canceled You may not have been to Paris, Venice or the island of Capri, but you certainly have been to the famous tourist island of Bali at least once. The number of foreign tourists planning a holiday in Bali seems to increase every year.

Two to Tango

Two to Tango Excellent write-up and courage shown by your reporter illuminating the cash packets delivered to the Judge's Chambers. Bribery in legal system not merely fictitious story (The Jakarta Post on April 4, 2002).

Aid, prayers better than traveling to Palestine: Hamzah

Aid, prayers better than traveling to Palestine: HamzahFabiola Desi Unidjaja and Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Vice President Hamzah Haz said on Friday that the government would neither prevent nor facilitate the deployment of Indonesian volunteer fighters to war-ravaged Palestine.

Goh: Militant group plans to crash plane into Singapore

Goh: Militant group plans to crash plane into SingaporeEdward Harris, Associated Press, Singapore A Singaporean member of an Islamic militant group linked to the al-Qaida terrorist network is suspected of planning to hijack a plane and crash it into the city-state's international airport,...

Just the facts, please

Just the facts, pleaseThe Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore And here they go again. In Malaysia's Dewan Rakyat, in the national press and in party channels, Singapore is being flayed anew for being un-neighborly, un-cooperative, insensitive, selfish.

The irony of tax reporting

The irony of tax reporting Amid the intense government campaign through its taxation institution to encourage all citizens to possess taxpayer code numbers (NPWP) and submit their annual tax returns (SPT), still there is a foreign investment company, PT OPC (NPWP: 1-081-598-3- 407), which refuses...

ASEAN agrees on scheme to boost electronics trade

ASEAN agrees on scheme to boost electronics tradeThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Economics ministers of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed on Friday a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for electronics and electrical equipment, which is expected to significantly reduce the cost of...

* Headlines: Aid, prayers better than travelling to Palestine 2

* Headlines: Aid, prayers better than travelling to Palestine 2* Opinion: What good governance is for4* City: Jakarta governor hires top-notch lawyers 6* Archipelago: Two bomb explosions rock Poso 7 * National: Dirty politicians a blight on Indonesia 8* World: Bounties offered for killing of...

Textile Museum closed for a month

Textile Museum closed for a month JAKARTA: The Museum Tekstil's main exhibition room will be closed down for one month, from April 5 to May 4, as announced by the City Museum and Restoration Agency on Thursday at the city administration's official website BeritaJakarta.com.

Amien questions privatization plan

Amien questions privatization planKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais questioned on Friday the government's plan to sell a number of state companies, saying that the policy would cause the nation to suffer losses in the future.

Should Megawati have stayed home?

Should Megawati have stayed home?Umar Hadi, Diplomat, Jakarta While an editorial in The Jakarta Post on April 1 praised the visit of President Megawati Soekarnoputri to the Korean Peninsula, the following day an article by J. Soedjati Djiwandono in essence criticized Megawati's recent trip.

Akbar set free, can go abroad

Akbar set free, can go abroadTertiani ZB Simanjuntak and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It's probably a mere coincidence that the Central Jakarta District Court freed big-time corruption suspect House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung from detention on his wife's 42nd birthday on...

Govt to plead for leniency in Paris

Govt to plead for leniency in Paris Brought down to its knees by mountains of almost US$140 billion in foreign and domestic debt burdens, the Indonesian government is meeting again with the Paris Club of sovereign creditors on Monday asking for a another deferment of debt payments due between April...

Two bomb explosions rock Poso, peace process shaken

Two bomb explosions rock Poso, peace process shakenErik W., The Jakarta Post, Palu At least two bomb explosions have rocked the Poso district in troubled Central Sulawesi amid ongoing raids by local security authorities implementing last December's peace accord.Central Sulawesi Police spokesman Adj.

WB finds N. Sumatra administration guilty of graft

WB finds N. Sumatra administration guilty of graftApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan The World Bank found that most of the Rp 7 billion revolving development assistance fund to North Sumatra had been misused by 17 subdistricts in the province, a World Bank official said here on Thursday.

Indonesia takes commanding 2-0 lead over Lebanon

Indonesia takes commanding 2-0 lead over LebanonMusthofid, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya, East Java Indonesia took a commanding 2-0 lead over Lebanon on the opening day of their Davis Cup playoff, after Suwandi and Febi Widhiyanto won their respective first singles matches at the Embong Sawo Tennis...

U.S. court rules Pertamina in contempt

U.S. court rules Pertamina in contemptMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The U.S. District Court in Houston, Texas, has issued a contempt order against the state-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina for using a Jakarta court to avoid paying damages to foreign controlled power company Karaha...

Farallon pays rest of BCA stake

Farallon pays rest of BCA stakeThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta U.S. investment firm Farallon Capital Management has finalized payment for a 51 percent stake in Bank Central Asia (BCA) on Friday, according to a spokeswoman at Farallon's local unit Farindo Investment Limited.

Gas stations defy land use plan, operate in greenbelt

Gas stations defy land use plan, operate in greenbeltBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city administration's decision to extend permits for 32 gas stations on green areas across the capital has received sharp criticism.

Waiting for an explanation

Waiting for an explanation From the beginning, the arrest of three Indonesians at the Benigno Aquino International Airport in Manila, the Philippines, raised questions.The climax was when the former chief of the Indonesian State Intelligence Coordination Agency (BIN), Lt. Gen. (ret.

Waiting for an explanation

Waiting for an explanation From the beginning, the arrest of three Indonesians at the Benigno Aquino International Airport in Manila, the Philippines, raised questions.The climax was when the former chief of the Indonesian State Intelligence Coordination Agency, retired Lt. Gen.

Violent mob burn 'rapist' alive in horror attack

Violent mob burn 'rapist' alive in horror attackAgus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Purbalingga Hundreds of residents of Siremeng village in Purbalingga, Central Java, stormed the local police station on Thursday night, removing the alleged rapist of a teenage girl from his cell and executing him.

Rupiah Rates April 5

Rupiah Rates April 5 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S. dollar 1 10,105.00 9,105.00 9,653.00 9,557.00Australian dollar 1 5,361.71 4,826.56 5,121.88 5,066.17Brunei dollar 1 5,500.82 4,953.75 5,254.76 5,199.67Canadian dollar 1 6,338.60 5,707.75 6,055.07 5,991.

Funds sought to finance repatriation

Funds sought to finance repatriation JAKARTA: Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla said on Friday that Indonesia still needed US$20 million to repatriate 9,000 former civil servants and military personnel currently staying in makeshift refugee camps in West Timor.

Religious chiefs to visit Ambon to promote peace, boost morale

Religious chiefs to visit Ambon to promote peace, boost morale Despite security problems including Wednesday's violence in Ambon, religious leaders still plan to visit the provincial capital, Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Islamic organization (NU) Hasyim Muzadi told The Jakarta Post contributor...

4 x 10 x 1 colom

4 x 10 x 1 colom Violent mob burn 'rapist' alive in horror attack poso2 x 25 x 4 colomn Two bomb explosions rock Poso, peace process shaken WB1 x 30 x 5 colomn World Bank finds N. Sumatra guilty of corruption SEMEN1 x 20 x 3 column PT Semen Padang reshuffle opposed

Sjahrir to launch new party

Sjahrir to launch new party JAKARTA: Economist Sjahrir, who is also the chairman of New Indonesia Association (PIB), will soon launch his newly established political party.He has refused to disclose the name of the party as well as the announcement date.

Hamzah undecided about PPP congress

Hamzah undecided about PPP congress JAKARTA: United Development Party (PPP) chairman Hamzah Haz said on Friday that his party had yet to determine the exact date on which its national congress would be held, saying the issue would be discussed during a leadership meeting in June.

SINGAPORE: Total motor vehicle sales in Southeast Asia's top

SINGAPORE: Total motor vehicle sales in Southeast Asia's top four markets namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines during the two months to February rose 19 percent to 177,644 units from 149,533 a year earlier, Automotive Resources Asia Ltd (ARA) said.

EU-ASEAN free trade pact still way off, says Patten

EU-ASEAN free trade pact still way off, says PattenMartin Abbugao, Agence France-Presse, Singapore European Commissioner Chris Patten said Friday that he discussed the idea of an ASEAN-EU free trade agreement (FTA) with Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, but no commitments were made.

1. TOMMY (28cm) -- 28pt Bodoni Bold 1/4 (4x8)

1. TOMMY (28cm) -- 28pt Bodoni Bold 1/4 (4x8) Tommy fails to testify at trial 2. LAWYER (46cm) -- 48pt Bodoni Bold 4/2 (2x18) Top lawyers hired to defend governor 3. MULIA (38cm) -- 36pt Bodoni Bold 5/1 (1x37) City threatens to seize Hotel Mulia 4.

Andersen Indonesia in no hurry to merge

Andersen Indonesia in no hurry to mergeAdianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Arthur Andersen's affiliate in Indonesia says that it is in no hurry to join the merger frenzy of its Asian peers, but would closely watch their developments, as its U.S.

One inmate in Cipinang infected by HIV

One inmate in Cipinang infected by HIVDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The warden of Cipinang Penitentiary in East Jakarta denied a report by the City Health Agency that HIV/AIDS was a major problem in Jakarta's penitentiaries, saying there was only one reported case of an HIV-positive...

Bus owners demand security in Majalengka

Bus owners demand security in Majalengka MAJALENGKA, West Java: A number of public bus operators have asked the local police and the local office of the Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) to provide security for their vehicles serving the Majalengka route.

AGO to help curb corruption at SOEs

AGO to help curb corruption at SOEsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Office of the State Minister of State Enterprises and the Attorney General's Office are joining forces to fight corruption at state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

Sekar and Bunga bloom in fine arts galore

Sekar and Bunga bloom in fine arts galoreYusuf Susilo Hartono, Contributor, Jakarta Edwin's Gallery in South Jakarta has been running an exhibit of the finest works of two female artists both of whom have names that happen to mean "flower", in Indonesian, Sekar and Bunga.

'Marsinah' fails to portray the truth of the controversy

'Marsinah' fails to portray the truth of the controversyJoko E.H. Anwar, Contributor, Jakarta Marsinah, (**1/2 out of four stars); Drama, 115 minutes; Starring Diah Arum, Megarita, Intarti, Tosan Wiryawan; Directed by Slamet Rahardjo Djarot; A Gedam Sinemuda Perkasa Production.

No control of ground water use

No control of ground water use TANGERANG: The creation of the Banten province has created a new problem for Tangerang's conservation management and its licensing agency for the control of ground water usage due to the excessive use of ground water by companies operating in the area.

Regional administrations told to revoke 80 regulations

Regional administrations told to revoke 80 regulationsKurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post Jakarta The central government has asked regional administrations to revoke at least 80 problematic regulations for fear that they will discourage investment, a senior official said on Thursday.

'Syariah in Aceh silencing women's voices'

'Syariah in Aceh silencing women's voices' There are fears that the official implementation of syariah, or Islamic Law, in Aceh since March 15 has compromised demands for bringing human rights violators to trial. There have been also been incidents of violence involving syariah.

ICW demands probe into non-budgetary funds

ICW demands probe into non-budgetary fundsTertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) renewed its demands to the Attorney General's Office on Friday to investigate all findings concerning the off-balance sheet funds in government institutions and their...

Is there a magic formula for disciplining the nation?

Is there a magic formula for disciplining the nation? Bantarto Bandoro Editor, 'The Indonesian Quarterly' Centre for Strategic and International Studies Jakarta In her trip to China, North Korea and South Korea, President Megawati Soekarnoputri stated openly that, despite the troubles those...

Asian monies up, rupiah closes at 6-month high

Asian monies up, rupiah closes at 6-month highDow Jones, Singapore Southeast Asian currencies were bolstered by the resilient yen Friday, while foreign exchange markets in Taiwan and South Korea were closed for public holidays.

JP/12/BEJ

JP/12/BEJ .pl .rmStock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in Rupiah) on April 5, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Shares Close Change Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 235 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,150 0...

PT Semen Padang reshuffle opposed

PT Semen Padang reshuffle opposedKasparman, The Jakarta Post, Padang The people of West Sumatra have reacted strongly to an instruction by State Minister of State Enterprise Laksamana Sukardi directing PT Semen Gresik to replace the boards of directors of PT Semen Padang and PT Semen Tonasa.

ASEAN ministers say back in economic recovery after crisis

ASEAN ministers say back in economic recovery after crisisDavid Brunnstrom, Reuters, Yangon Southeast Asian finance ministers agreed on Friday their region's economy was back in recovery mode but said this needed to be consolidated and protected from outside shocks through further reform.

No need to consult KL on land reclamation: S'pore

No need to consult KL on land reclamation: S'poreAgence France-Presse, Singapore A Singapore minister said on Friday there was no need to consult Malaysia on a reclamation project near the neighbors' maritime border, which has raised protests from Kuala Lumpur.

Audit body 'lacks teeth to fight corruptions'

Audit body 'lacks teeth to fight corruptions'Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso claimed in his 2001 budget speech last week that his administration was serious in eradicating corruption from the city government.

Japanese businessmen ask for security, policy consistency

Japanese businessmen ask for security, policy consistencyThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Japanese businessmen urged the Indonesian government on Friday to provide better security and consistent investment policies in a bid to lure more investment and help revive the country's ailing economy.

Religious office head under fire

Religious office head under fire PADANG, West Sumatra: Employees at the West Sumatra religious affairs office have demanded that their boss, Dalimi Abdullah, be dismissed for his alleged involvement in corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN).

1. Bandoro -- Is there a magic formula for disciplining the

1. Bandoro -- Is there a magic formula for disciplining the nation? 1 x 22 48 pt Bodoni What's the trick to discipline? Magic for discipline? Bantarto Bandoro Editor, 'The Indonesian Quarterly' Centre for Strategic and International Studies Jakarta 2.

The new art of vertical gardening

The new art of vertical gardeningBambang Parlupi, Contributor, Jakarta More and more people have taken up gardening as a hobby and are growing flowers, fruit and vegetables in yards, lawns or other open spaces. They have utilized idle land for urban agriculture.

Dirty politicians a blight on Indonesia: Scholar

Dirty politicians a blight on Indonesia: ScholarA'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The integrity of members of the House of Representatives (DPR) needed to be overhauled, not the political system, noted political scientist Deliar Noer said in Jakarta on Friday.

Second officer named in brutality case

Second officer named in brutality case YOGYAKARTA: A second policeman, Soleh, was named a suspect by the Yogyakarta Police in the torture of Aan Yulianto, who died in the hospital after being questioned by police over his suspected involvement in a brawl between police officers and a group of...

Govt to plead for leniency in Paris

Govt to plead for leniency in Paris Brought to its knees by almost US$140 billion in foreign and domestic debt, the Indonesian government is meeting again with the Paris Club of sovereign creditors on Monday to ask for another deferment of debt payments, which are due between April and the end of...

Paiton Energy seeking loan for power project

Paiton Energy seeking loan for power projectMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Independent power producer (IPP) Paiton Energy is currently negotiating with several foreign financial institutions to obtain a loan for the development of unit 3 and unit 4 power generating units of the...

Hold Sutiyoso accountable

Hold Sutiyoso accountable Members of the Jakarta Legislative Council should use the democratic power vested in them to scrutinize heavily the performance of Governor Sutiyoso.They have that opportunity now as they are assessing his speech -- in which he gave an account of his leadership for the...

Tommy fails to testify in trial

Tommy fails to testify in trialThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Murder accused Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra was not required to testify at the trial of an alleged accomplice in the killing because prosecutors failed to include him on a list of witnesses, the presiding judge said on Friday.

Yogyakarta seeks to get back ancient books

Yogyakarta seeks to get back ancient booksAsip A. Hasani, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta The royal family of Yogyakarta Palace has called on members of public, especially those living overseas, to return thousands of the Palace's ancient books, which were looted by British and Dutch soldiers in...

Racing between peace and war in Maluku

Racing between peace and war in Maluku The "Malino II" agreement that was signed in February between Maluku's conflicting groups was supposed to have ended the communal violence which has killed thousands of people there since January 1999.

Order on toll roads urgently needed

Order on toll roads urgently needed In the name of practicality, toll roads are currently no longer treated as freeways.At any given moment, we can see how city buses pick up and drop off passengers at will on some sections of the roads.

Police summon witnesses on FBR case

Police summon witnesses on FBR case JAKARTA: City Police summoned 12 people on Friday as witnesses of a violent attack conducted by the Betawi Brotherhood Forum (FBR) at the National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM) on March 28.Among the witnesses were women and children.

Top-notch lawyers hired to defend governor

Top-notch lawyers hired to defend governorThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city administration is hiring three top-notch lawyers to defend itself in a class action suit filed by flood victims who are demanding compensation for the losses they incurred as a result of the February floods.

City threatens to seize Hotel Mulia

City threatens to seize Hotel MuliaThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city administration told private developer PT Jakarta Country Club, which owns the Hotel Mulia Senayan in Central Jakarta, on Friday to pay Rp 15 billion (more than US$1.

Regent may be sued for accident

Regent may be sued for accident BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Dozens of Way Kanan residents are planning to file a lawsuit against Regent Tamanuri for a hit-and- run accident.The residents allege that the regent struck with his car two men riding on a motorcycle -- 24-year-old Suparlan and 22-year- old...

Ambon blast may be linked to military

Ambon blast may be linked to militaryThe Jakarta Post, Ambon/Jakarta Maluku security authorities have no leads in the bombing which killed at least seven people in the city of Ambon, but public speculation is growing that the powerful blast was linked to the Indonesian military.

Over 100 buildings demolished

Over 100 buildings demolished TANGERANG: The Tangerang municipal administration began demolishing over 100 buildings along Jl. Jend Sudirman on Thursday because -- according to the administration -- their construction was illegal, they disturbed traffic flow and were an eyesore.

Telkom in talks to embrace VoIP operators

Telkom in talks to embrace VoIP operatorsDebbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned telecommunication company PT Telkom said it was holding talks with telephone Internet operators to adopt their services, as a recently issued decree bans their operation to make way for new operators...