Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 24 May 2002

72 articles found

U.S.-RI military ties should focus on management: Juwono

U.S.-RI military ties should focus on management: Juwono Muhammad Nafik The Jakarta Post Jakarta Training programs for Indonesian soldiers in the United States should focus on financial management, says a former defense minister. Juwono Sudarsono said on Thursday the Indonesian Military (TNI) should handle combat skill training for its troops and ask the U.S. to provide them with skills in financial management of military affairs. "What the U.S.

State budget 101

State budget 101 From Republika The good intention of the government, in this case President Megawati Soekarnoputri, to provide aid for the repair of Indonesian Military/National Police barracks has prompted legislator Djamal Doa, a member of the United Development Party (PPP) faction in the House of Representatives, to question the aid by initiating an interpellation on the source of the Rp 30 billion in extra-budgetary funds.

Speed the sales of assets

Speed the sales of assets Christopher Lingle, Global Strategist, eConoLytics.com, CLINGLE@eConoLytics.com Indonesia has made painfully slow progress in its structural reform and its timetables agreed to with international lenders and donors have constantly been renegotiated or violated. A combination of high indebtedness and dubious corporate and political governance are harming the economy's future growth potential.

Traders play music for all

Traders play music for all Asip A. Hasani, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Do you have a favorite old band and badly want their tapes? Or, are you a collector of old recordings wanting to add to your precious collection? Then go to the southwest corner of Beringharjo traditional market on Jl. Malioboro, where dozens of street vendors are offering secondhand cassettes. But, don't be mistaken. Unlike other vendors in the market who start business early, these cassette sellers start at 5:30 p.m.

Ex-police chief suspect in criminal case

Ex-police chief suspect in criminal case JAKARTA: Former city police chief Comr. Gen. Sofjan Jacoeb is among a group of top officers suspected of being involved in the smuggling of luxury cars. National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Thursday the matter was being investigated by a team led by the inspector general of the National Police, Comr. Gen. Ahwil Luthan, Antara reported.

Five Cirebon officials to be probed over car smuggling

Five Cirebon officials to be probed over car smuggling Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon The prosecutor's office in Cirebon will grill five customs officials in the city as part of an investigation into the alleged smuggling of 19 containers containing luxury cars and electronic goods from Singapore.

SUPPLEMENT: INDOCEMENT

SUPPLEMENT: INDOCEMENT Publication: Monday, May 20 Genuine Bridges that enhance lives The scene is the village of Leuwi Karet in Bogor regency on Nov. 14, 2001. The event is the inauguration of a brand new vital piece of infrastructure for the isolated village. "For years we have been expecting this kind of bridge, because previously we had to use one made of coconut wood and bamboo. Thanks to Indocement, we can now reach Citeureup market in just 10 minutes.

Nightlife in Dili bustling after independence

Nightlife in Dili bustling after independence Pandaya, The Jakarta Post, Dili It is 9 p.m. in Dili. Cafes and restaurants that have mushroomed along the streets in the heart of the city, where the beach-view presidential palace stands, are packed with hundreds of expatriates hanging around late into the night.

Rights workers told to join hands against all terror

Rights workers told to join hands against all terror Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In the absence of legal protection and political will on the part of the government, human rights activists have been told to strengthen their solidarity against all forms of terror aimed at them. "We should be aware of the difficult times in the years ahead.

From Bisnis Indonesia

From Bisnis Indonesia I run a telecommunications kiosk in Central Jakarta. Unfortunately, I always end up paying more than what is stated on the telecommunications kiosk's bill from PT Telkom. The difference ranges from between Rp 12,000 and Rp 21,000, and in May 2002 it was Rp 196,000.

Public told to help protect environment

Public told to help protect environment Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government, private businesses and representatives of the people signed on Thursday a memorandum to express their joint commitment to establishing the environmental governance that may give wider access for the public to take part in preserving the environment.

Endriartono's hearing

Endriartono's hearing This is the first time an Indonesian Military (TNI) chief candidate has had to pass a fit-and-proper test under which the candidate had to sit alone to face various questions raised by members of the House of Representatives (DPR). We witnessed such a scene on Wednesday when Army chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto had to answer a wide variety of questions from House members.

Experts seek end to Telkom monopoly

Experts seek end to Telkom monopoly Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Noted analysts and telecommunications businessmen urged the government on Thursday to pursue its plan to open up the telecommunications sector by removing the monopoly of state-owned telecommunications firm PT Telkom. The monopoly's removal would boost the public's access to telephone lines and other telecommunications services, they said at a seminar.

Date in governor's letter to President creates intrigue

Date in governor's letter to President creates intrigue Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso has blamed his subordinates for typing the wrong date of when his tenure ends in a letter to President Megawati, which gave the impression that Sutiyoso had extended his term. His term ends on Oct. 6, but the letter says it ends on Oct. 31. "I didn't pay much attention o the date because there were many letters for me to sign," Sutiyoso said at City Hall on Thursday.

House okays BII's rights issue plan: The House of Representatives

House okays BII's rights issue plan: The House of Representatives Commission IX on financial affairs approved late on Thursday for a Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII) rights issue plan to raise Rp 4.81 trillion in funds. The measure was proposed by the government, which would become the standby buyer of the new shares, in a bid to boost the capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of the bank from minus 47 percent last year to 20 percent by the end of this year. -- JP

'The country will lose a whole generation if ...'

'The country will lose a whole generation if ...' A number of defendants found guilty of smuggling drugs into the country through the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport have been sentenced to death. The Jakarta Post asks two judges and a lawyer to comment on drugs and the death penalty. Silvester Djuma, a judge at the Central Jakarta District Court who has imposed the death penalty to at least six defendants in drugs cases: Strong action is needed for drug cases.

Violence, legal doubts repelling investors: WB

Violence, legal doubts repelling investors: WB Agence France-Presse, Jakarta Violence and legal uncertainty are the main stumbling blocks in Indonesia's push to attract the foreign investment it needs for economic growth, a World Bank official said Thursday. "Currently many investors are frightened away by the inability of the judicial system to enforce contracts (and) by the increased tendency to resort to violence to settle disputes," the bank's country director Mark Baird told a seminar here.

Nightspots get green light to reopen

Nightspots get green light to reopen JAKARTA: The city administration said on Thursday that it had granted permission for two West Jakarta nightspots, forced to shut down for selling ecstasy, to reopen after the management promised in writing to ban drugs from being sold on the premises.

JP/ /

JP/ / Rupiah Rates May 23 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying U.S.

Indosat's advisers blamed for rumors on inside trading

Indosat's advisers blamed for rumors on inside trading The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The controversy surrounding the sale of PT Indosat shares escalated on Thursday when Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) chairman Herwidayatmo accused the company's private placement advisors for spreading rumors about insider trading in the sale process.

Plaza Senayan's security

Plaza Senayan's security From Koran Tempo I am really disappointed with the security system at Plaza Senayan. On May 9, a woman friend of mine, with the initials D, was attacked and robbed by a man, who was later identified as EB, in parking lot P7 of the shopping center. In the attack, my friend's handbag was seized and its contents removed. When my friend tried to take back her bag, she was punched in the right eye.

Cirebon urged to protect workers' rights

Cirebon urged to protect workers' rights CIREBON, West Java: An alliance of non-governmental organizations urged the Cirebon administration to give social security to workers, especially those who worked in the handicraft industry. Yoyon Suharyono, chairman of Labor and Environment Foundation (YBLH), said that there were 900 rattan manufacturers absorbing around 50,000 workers and only 10 percent of them registered their workers with state-owned social security company (Jamsostek).

WSSD has to focus on the suffering of the vulnerable

WSSD has to focus on the suffering of the vulnerable Iskandar Hadrianto Fellowship Student United Nations University Leadership Academy Jakarta ndorois@hotmail.com Contained in the opening principle of the 1992 Rio Declaration is the assertion that: Human beings are at the center of concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature.

Activists demand UN help in Aceh as 17 killed

Activists demand UN help in Aceh as 17 killed Ibnu Mat Noor, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh Prodemocracy and human rights activists called on the Indonesian government and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) for a ceasefire to pave the way for a comprehensive and peaceful solution through all- inclusive dialogs as stipulated in the recent Geneva agreement between the two sides. The calls come as fresh reports emerge that 17 people have been killed in violence in Aceh in the last three days alone.

Al-Qaeda network has 'toehold' in Indonesia, U.S. warns

Al-Qaeda network has 'toehold' in Indonesia, U.S. warns Belinda Goldsmith, Reuters, Canberra A top U.S. security official said on Thursday there was evidence that Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda militant network had established a toehold in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation. Paul Fujimura, the U.S.

Rupiah strengthens to new eight-month high

Rupiah strengthens to new eight-month high The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The rupiah closed higher at Rp 8,960 to the U.S. dollar on Thursday, making it the first time the local currency had crossed the psychologically important boundary of Rp 9,000 since September last year. Traders said state-owned banks were aggressively selling dollars as the U.S. greenback also lost strength against the yen and other regional currencies.

Govt to pursue good relations with E. Timor

Govt to pursue good relations with E. Timor Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a clear message to forget the bitter past and look toward the future, the government said on Thursday that Indonesia would keep good relations with the newly born state of East Timor. Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said that future relations with East Timor could not be separated from regional relations with the other Pacific countries.

Gas deal tops agenda in Howard, Jiang talks

Gas deal tops agenda in Howard, Jiang talks Visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard Thursday met with Chinese President Jiang Zemin and pushed again for a multi- billion-dollar gas deal. On the second full day of a three-day visit to China, Howard had lunch with Jiang in the southwestern city of Chongqing, officials traveling with the Australian leader said.

BP names panel on Tangguh project

BP names panel on Tangguh project The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Anglo-American energy giant BP Plc has appointed a four-strong international panel of experts to advise it on various issues regarding the Tangguh liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Papua. The International Advisory Panel on the Tangguh Project comprises Sabam Siagian, the former Indonesian ambassador to Australia, Rev.

Structural problems causing poverty remain unaddressed

Structural problems causing poverty remain unaddressed Fabiola Desy Unidjaja The Jakarta Post Jakarta Siti Solikhatun Nasirun, 22, packs her bag and gets ready to join a group of Indonesian migrant workers to Singapore. "If I had a chance of better living conditions in Indonesia, I would never choose to go and work outside the country," Siti said at her family's small hut in Cirebon, West Java.

The spirit of Rio must be reinvoked in Bali

The spirit of Rio must be reinvoked in Bali Hira Jhamtani Board member of KONPHALINDO an environmental NGO based in Jakarta. In June 1992, Rio de Janeiro saw a celebration of the spirit to save earth and humankind through the Earth Summit. World leaders, civil society groups and international agencies came together to pledge their commitment to the Earth.

Asian currencies mixed, BoJ intervenes again

Asian currencies mixed, BoJ intervenes again Alan Yonan Jr., Dow Jones, Singapore Asian currencies were mixed in narrow trading ranges Thursday as market participants remained cautious of further U.S. dollar buying by Japanese authorities to curb the yen's strength. The Bank of Japan and Ministry of Finance intervened in the currency markets for the second straight day, following through on the MOF's threat to "take action when necessary" to keep the currency pair in line.

1. Duit (1 x 35)

1. Duit (1 x 35) Asian monies mixed, BOJ intervenes 2. WHO (2 x 24) Duty-free retailers lash WHO tobacco convention 3. Oil (2 x 20) Oil recovers as U.S. starts driving season JP/

Political alienation and antipathy rules

Political alienation and antipathy rules Mochtar Buchori, Legislator, Jakarta, mbuchori@indo.net.id Antipathy toward political parties among the Indonesian public has been growing rapidly. All political parties, big and small, have managed somehow to alienate themselves from the public. This will have grave consequences for the projected 2004 general election. It is feared that the percentage of people abstaining to vote will be very high this time.

Pledge to preserve forests needs dust off

Pledge to preserve forests needs dust off The Jakarta Post Jakarta Former state minister of environment Emil Salim, who went to the Rio de Janeiro world summit in 1992, must be disappointed. Not only has the government failed to follow up its pledges under the Rio declaration, forests are disappearing faster today than at anytime in the past.

Police in dark about Bambang Rachmadi

Police in dark about Bambang Rachmadi JAKARTA: The police said on Thursday they would begin a search for Bambang Rachmadi, a key suspect in the Rp 40 billion corruption case at the state-owned Jamsostek, if he did not respond to a second summons to appear for questioning. City police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara said the police currently had no idea as to Bambang's location. "But if he fails to come (for questioning) we will begin hunting for him," he said.

Democracy interrupted: Lessons from Venezuela

Democracy interrupted: Lessons from Venezuela Philips J Vermonte Centre for Strategic and International Studies Jakarta pjvermonte@link.net.id A study conducted jointly by two respectable institutions, LP3ES and Cesda, concludes that the Indonesian Military (TNI) is still a major political player in the country's politics. The study reveals that the TNI is still trying to reassert its political control over the civilian leadership (The Jakarta Post, 10/5).

EAEG: Acronym for regional prosperity

EAEG: Acronym for regional prosperity The peace dividend is the imperative driving the Prime Minister, again, to persuade East Asian nations -- this time in Tokyo -- to adopt the East Asian Economic Grouping (EAEG). Why? As he points out, Europe has had a half century of peace because of the European Economic Community, now renamed simply the European Community (EC). And, with peace comes prosperity.

Democracy interrupted: Lessons from Venezuela

Democracy interrupted: Lessons from Venezuela Philips J Vermonte, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta, pjvermonte@link.net.id A study conducted jointly by two respectable institutions, the Institute for Economics and Social Research, Education and Information (LP3ES) and the Center for the Study of Development and Democracy (Cesda), concludes that the Indonesian Military (TNI) is still a major political player in the country's politics.

A Yogyakarta craftsman gives teeth artistic touch

A Yogyakarta craftsman gives teeth artistic touch Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Go to local souvenir shops. There, you will find extensive handicrafts made out of different materials like wood, dried flower, clay or recycled paper. A resident in Nogotirto village, Sleman regency, Saryanto, decided to give teeth his artistic touch. For almost 10 years now the man has been supporting his family by producing and selling souvenir items made out of cow and horse teeth.

Date in governor's letter creates furor

Date in governor's letter creates furor Ahmad Junaidi The Jakarta Post Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso has blamed his subordinates for typing the wrong date of when his tenure ends in a letter to President Megawati, which gave the impression that Sutiyoso had extended his term. His term ends on Oct. 6, but the letter says it ends on Oct. 31. "I didn't pay much attention o the date because there were many letters for me to sign," Sutiyoso said at City Hall on Thursday.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 23, 2002: -------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Abdi Bangsa Tbk 380 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,100 -25 96,500 Adindo Foresta 55 0 50,000 AGIS Tbk 125 0 484,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 365 0 494,000 Alakasa 170 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 775 0 109,000 Alter Abadi Tbk 50 0 0 Alumindo Light 625 -25 7,500...

Military's virginity ruling, 'a rights violation'

Military's virginity ruling, 'a rights violation' The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Women took their turn on Thursday to berate the Indonesian Military (TNI) for human rights abuses -- outside of the courtroom. A student activist from South Kalimantan braved the presence of former TNI chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto at a discussion on the military to denounce the long-standing, gender-biased practice of requiring female applicants to the military academy to prove they are virgins. "Why only women?

Indonesia to snub European offer on rights abuse probe

Indonesia to snub European offer on rights abuse probe Annastashya Emmanuelle and Oktovianus Pinontoan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Ambon The Indonesian government is set to formally reject the European Parliament's suggestion to invite a United Nations investigating team to probe human rights abuses in the country's conflict areas.

No paper

No paper In observance of Prophet Muhammad's birthday and the Buddhist Day of Enlightment, The Jakarta Post will not be published on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26. Our website, however, will run as normal. The Post will resume publication on Monday. -- Publisher

JP/Muninggar Sri Saraswati

JP/Muninggar Sri Saraswati Photo B: no credit

Alkatiri makes it to the top

Alkatiri makes it to the top Pandaya, The Jakarta Post, Dili After taking oath on May 20, East Timor Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri warned that his government would have to "often take unpopular measures" to keep it going. He did specify what he meant by "unpopular measures" but he insisted that the action would be necessary to create a solid government.

1. SUTIYOSO: 50 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 27

1. SUTIYOSO: 50 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 27 Date in governor's letter to President creates intrigue 2. ELZA: 30 pt, 1 cols, 4 x 11 Police extend detention of Tommy's lawyer 3. DRUGS: 30 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 22 Two nightspots reopen 4. SPEAK: 30 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 42 'The country will lose a whole generation if ...'

Reforestation program around Lake Toba

Reforestation program around Lake Toba MEDAN, North Sumatra: Toba Lake Ecosystem Observation Agency plans to build 1,000 large ponds in the catchment area around Lake Toba in North Sumatra in a bid to support the reforestation program launched by President Megawati Soekarnoputri last March. Chief of the North Sumatra Environmental Management Agency, Soangkupon Siregar, said that the project would save 168,770 hectares of the mountainous resort from devastation.

1. Aceh: 8 x 4 lines

1. Aceh: 8 x 4 lines Activists demand UN help in Aceh as 17 killed 2. Smuggle: 20 x 2 lines: Five Cirebon officials to be probed over luxury car smuggling 3. Makassar: 40 x 1 line Ambon kids express trauma through painting

Civil servants told to quit politics

Civil servants told to quit politics JAKARTA: The government is in the process of collecting data on civil servants who are registered members of political parties and threatens to dismiss those found holding double positions. Quoting Government Regulations on government employees conduct, State Minister of Administrative Reforms Feisal Tamin said on Thursday that a civil servant was not allowed to join a political party while in office.

House to sign off on Endriartono nomination

House to sign off on Endriartono nomination The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While the question of internal reform in the Indonesian Military (TNI) hangs in the balance, legislators and military observers gave a thumbs-up to President Megawati Soekarnoputri's nomination of Gen. Endriartono Sutarto for TNI's top post on Thursday. Legislators said the legislative body was not actually in a position to reject Endriartono, since the President had proposed only one candidate.

2. Trial ---- 2x23

2. Trial ---- 2x23 Rights trial witnesses fail to detail E. Timor mayhem

Development may damage most of Earth's surface

Development may damage most of Earth's surface The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Unless urgent action is taken, the continuing development of poorly planned infrastructures will affect 70 percent of the Earth's surface over the next three decades, a UN report said on Thursday. The report by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) warned that continuing damage to the Earth's surface would cause difficulties for people trying to access water.

Reuters

Reuters London Gold took a breather on Thursday from its sprint to 2-1/2 year price highs but violence in the Middle East and fears of an Indian-Pakistan war were expected to keep the precious metal bubbling over, traders said. Talk of war between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan over their disputed Kashmir border, fresh violence in Israel and fears of a repeat terror attack in the United States has prompted investors to pile into the ultimate safe-haven asset.

Ambon children express trauma through art

Ambon children express trauma through art Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Makassar Dear Tammi Aimi, Ternate. I'm longing for my home and to see all my friends. But I'm scared, wondering if you, my friend Tammi, are willing to welcome me back, as we saw our family among those who attacked yours. Your friend, Sukardi The letter was written by 12-year-old Sukardi Razak, an Ambonese refugee in Makassar and was one of seven that made it to the final of a painting, poetry and letter writing competition.

Govt urged to pursue communications liberalization plan

Govt urged to pursue communications liberalization plan Moch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post Jakarta Noted analysts and telecommunications businessmen urged the government on Thursday to pursue its plan to open up the telecommunications sector by removing the monopoly of state-owned telecommunications firm PT Telkom. The monopoly's removal would boost the public's access to telephone lines and other telecommunications services, they said at a seminar.

TV Program: Friday, May 24, 2002

TV Program: Friday, May 24, 2002 TVRI .tb .30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Environment 8:30 Children's Program 9:00 Cooking Program 10:00 Technology 11:00 Regional News 11:30 Music 12:00 p.m. News 1:00 Talk Show 3:00 Music 4:00 TV Drama 6:00 News 7:00 Talk Show 8:00 Music 9:00 News 9:30 Music: Jazz Club 11:00 Puppet Play TPI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 7:00 Quiz 8:00 Music 9:30 Entertainment News 10:00 Music 11:00 Quiz 12:00 p.m.

No common vision

No common vision One popular theme of National Awakening Day (May 20) and the reform commemorations has been that Indonesians lack a shared vision. At the moment the only shared vision seems to be that someone else is causing the problems. If we have wealth and privileges to protect, the troublemakers are those rowdy demonstrators who stir fights and prevent the economy from running smoothly.

Govt told to revise distribution of textile quotas

Govt told to revise distribution of textile quotas Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Legislators called on the Ministry of Industry and Trade to revise the existing allocation system of export quotas for textile products due to the lack of transparency.

Endriartono told to keep his pledges

Endriartono told to keep his pledges The Jakarta Post Jakarta While the question of internal reform in the Indonesian Military (TNI) hangs in the balance, legislators and military observers gave a thumbs-up to President Megawati Soekarnoputri's nomination of Gen. Endriartono Sutarto for TNI's top post on Thursday. Legislators said the legislative body was not actually in a position to reject Endriartono, since the President had proposed only one candidate.

Police extend detention of Tommy's lawyer

Police extend detention of Tommy's lawyer The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Hutomo "Tommy" Putra Mandala's lawyer Elza Syarief, who has been accused of bribing witnesses to lie in Tommy's trial, will be spending more time behind bars since the city police have extended her detention by 20 days. The chief of detectives at the city police corruption division, Adj. Snr. Comr.

RI-U.S. military ties must focus on management: Juwono

RI-U.S. military ties must focus on management: Juwono Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Training programs for Indonesian soldiers in the United States should focus on financial management, says a former defense minister. Juwono Sudarsono said on Thursday the Indonesian Military (TNI) should handle combat skill training for its troops and ask the U.S. to provide them with skills in financial management of military affairs. "What the U.S.

Intrigue surrounds governor's letter

Intrigue surrounds governor's letter Ahmad Junaidi The Jakarta Post Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso has blamed his subordinates for typing the wrong date of when his tenure ends in a letter to President Megawati, which gave the impression that Sutiyoso had extended his term. His term ends on Oct. 6, but the letter says it ends on Oct. 31. "I didn't pay much attention o the date because there were many letters for me to sign," Sutiyoso said at City Hall on Thursday.

Where to go in Yogyakarta: Friday, May 24, 2002

Where to go in Yogyakarta: Friday, May 24, 2002 Exhibitions * Photo Indonesia 1949 by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Museum Sono Budoyo Yogyakarta, Jl. Trikora 6 (Tel. 0274-376 775), until July 6 (contact number: CCF French Cultural Center, 0274-566520). * Installation Art The Arching Project by Ichi Ikeda, Cemeti Art House, Jl. D.I. Panjaitan 41 (Tel. (0274) 371015), until May 30. * Painting by The Door, Taman Budaya Yogyakarta, Bulaksumur (Tel. 0274-561914), May 27 - 31.

Brittle confidence

Brittle confidence Finance Minister Boediono chartered out a much brighter economic outlook for next year but the macroeconomic assumptions he proposed in the preliminary deliberations with the House of Representatives on the state budget plan for 2003 still very much reflects the brunt of the five-year old economic crisis.

Busway system, a no-rush project for Jakarta: Experts

Busway system, a no-rush project for Jakarta: Experts Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Experts warned the city administration on Thursday not to rush into implementing the new transportation busway system, which was scheduled to start in December, linking Blok M, South Jakarta, and downtown Kota, West Jakarta.

70,000 kids in prostitution

70,000 kids in prostitution YOGYAKARTA, Central Java: As many as 70,000 children in Indonesia are estimated to be working as prostitutes, most due to financial hardship and lack of other work. The Central Java representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) I Made Sutama said on Thursday that commercial sexploitation of children had become increasingly prevalent in the past few years due to dire social and economic conditions in the country.

Bisri to be sworn in on June 5

Bisri to be sworn in on June 5 JAKARTA: People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais said on Thursday that Cholil Bisri would be sworn in as deputy Assembly speaker on June 5 replacing Matori Abdul Djalil. Cholil would represent the embattled National Awakening Party (PKB) faction under the leadership of Alwi Shihab. The news comes as a huge blow for Matori who is heading a splinter faction of the PKB.

Trade issues may cloud world summit on environment

Trade issues may cloud world summit on environment Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Trade and environment issues may intertwine at the upcoming United Nations summit on the environment, possibly harming Indonesian businesses if it fails to negotiate these "tricky" subjects, a senior delegation member said on Thursday.

Nightspots get green light to reopen

Nightspots get green light to reopen or City gives green light to delinquent nightspots to reopen JAKARTA: The city administration said on Thursday that it had granted permission for two West Jakarta nightspots, forced to shut down for selling ecstasy, to reopen after the management promised in writing to ban drugs from being sold on the premises.

1. Photo of Bridge:

1. Photo of Bridge: The Leuwi Karet bridge opens up isolated villages 2. Photo of Plant (aerial view): Clean and environmentally friendly factory complex 3. Photo of new equipment (large filters): Newly upgraded Electrostatic Precipitator 4. Photo of classroom with students: Education, one of the important needs in life 5. Photo of Emergency Clinic and Mobile Health Unit: Providing the community with better health care