Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 12 June 2002

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Poor get medical treatment for free in a rare show of solidarity

Poor get medical treatment for free in a rare show of solidarity P.J. Leo, The Jakarta Post, Mendut, Central Java People from all walks of life crowded Candi Mendut temple with various expressions on their faces. Beginning in the early morning, they had arrived at the temple to wait their turn for free medication from doctors who were providing the three-day service. Even those who could not afford medication showed up, having their eyes, teeth, tumors and even family planning problems treated.

Legislators continue their dismal attendance record

Legislators continue their dismal attendance record Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite strong criticism of their performance, members of the House of Representatives (DPR) remained stubbornly undisciplined on Tuesday, skipping a scheduled plenary meeting for reasons known only to them. Only 122 of the 500 legislators in the DPR were present on Tuesday when the House was about to approve the nominations of Bunbunan Hutapea and Aslim Tadjuddin as Bank Indonesia deputy governors.

'Bung' Hatta's centenary

'Bung' Hatta's centenary From Koran Tempo Reading various articles on the occasion of the centenary of Bung Hatta, I recall a small event that took place in 1946 in a town in East Java. It was the custom at that time, in order to arouse the fighting spirit to give substance to the national independence, the nation's leaders, including Bung Hatta, often visited remote areas to attend general meetings.

Where to go in Surabaya, for Wednesday, June 12, 2001

Where to go in Surabaya, for Wednesday, June 12, 2001 Exhibitions * Graphic Signe, CCCL - French Cultural Center, Jl. Darmokali 10 (Tel. 031 5615246), until June 15. * Education, Shangri-La Hotel, Pelangi room, Jl. May. Jend. Sungkono 120 (Tel. 031 5661550), 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., June 12. Performances * Concert Dewa boyband, Shangri-La Hotel, Jl. May. Jend. Sungkono 120 (Tel. 031 5661550), 8 p.m., June 13. * Music by Jet Set group band, at Desperados Bar and Cafe, Shangri-La Hotel (Tel.

Experts hail new tariff plan for agriculture products

Experts hail new tariff plan for agriculture products Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Experts welcomed the government's plan to raise import tariffs on agriculture products saying such a move would help protect local farmers against cheaper imported products. "I am very happy with the plan. The government finally wants to raise import tariffs," said HS Dillon, executive director at the Center for Agriculture Policy Studies (CAPS) told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

Great River faces bankruptcy petition

Great River faces bankruptcy petition JAKARTA: Citibank N.A. filed a bankruptcy petition Tuesday against PT Great River International, one of Indonesia's largest garment makers and retailers, over a US$2 million debt, a spokesman for the bank said. The petition, filed in Central Jakarta's commercial court, seeks to recover a $2 million working-capital loan issued by the bank in 1994, the spokesman said.

The new curriculum: Hopes and challenges

The new curriculum: Hopes and challenges Muhammad Zuhdi, Faculty of Education, Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic State University, Jakarta The Ministry of National Education will use the 2002 School Curriculum soon. This will replace the previous 1994 curriculum. What differentiates the new one is that it has been developed under the spirit of reform and decentralization, while previous ones were developed under an authoritarian and centralized system.

Activists face hard fight as smokers puff away

Activists face hard fight as smokers puff away Nopporn Wong-Anan, Reuters, Jakarta An Indonesian mother covers her baby's face in a pram while a well-dressed young woman next to her takes her last puff on a cigarette at Jakarta's posh Plaza Indonesia. The air in the restaurants there is dense with tobacco smoke. There is no section set aside for non-smokers.

Indonesians taste buds try French cheeses

Indonesians taste buds try French cheeses Christina Schott, Contributor, Jakarta Why do Indonesian people dislike cheese? "It stinks", most would probably say. "But why do you like Durian?" "Well, that's something else; the fruit is indigenous and sweet..." Yes, it might be something else - but it is probably not the strong smell or taste of cheese in general, but a question of familiarity to the typical scent.

Attitudes to rape: The media's role

Attitudes to rape: The media's role Angela Black, Contributor, Jakarta Recently I was yet again appalled at media representations of rape, when a local TV network accounted for the cause of sexual violence with this statement: "Women walking at night should not wear mini skirts in order to avoid rape". This advice was not the result of research and evidence, but of moralistic judgements ironically aimed at female victims.

Mastel condemns govt for violating ruling on VoIP

Mastel condemns govt for violating ruling on VoIP A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Telecommunications and Information Society (Mastel) criticized the government on Tuesday for only allowing five companies to run the lucrative Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) business, saying that it was a gross violation of the government's own regulation.

Aceh rebels arrested in Kupang

Aceh rebels arrested in Kupang Police officers in East Nusa Tenggara province have arrested 20 of 25 alleged Free Aceh Movement (GAM) members trying to sneak into East Timor, Belu regent Marsel Bere said on Monday. "I was informed by the police that 20 of 25 alleged GAM members were arrested in Kupang, while the remaining five are still at large," Marsel told The Jakarta Post by phone from his office on Monday.

Regencies suspect markup in oil production costs

Regencies suspect markup in oil production costs Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Association of Oil and Gas Producing Regencies (FKDPM) has questioned the calculation of oil and gas production costs by the Ministry of Finance, saying the costs had been marked up so as to reduce the regencies' revenues. "We have data indicating that the production costs of the oil and gas companies in many areas are lower than the figures released by the Ministry of Finance.

Rezon's leads ASEAN chess event

Rezon's leads ASEAN chess event JAKARTA: Rezon Yanuar of Indonesia shared the lead with Vietnamese Huynh Vinh Thang on three points in the Under-8 category of the 3rd ASEAN Age-Group Chess Championship in Singapore on Monday. Rezon was the only one of the 16-strong Indonesian players who managed to win all three of his matches.

Aceh's biggest lake drops 3 meters

Aceh's biggest lake drops 3 meters BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The level of Lake Laut Tawar in Takengon, Central Aceh regency, has dropped by around three meters, the biggest water level drop in ten years, as a result of deforestation.

Nobody could want Soya massacre to happen: Hamzah

Nobody could want Soya massacre to happen: Hamzah The Jakarta Post Ambon/Jakarta Vice President Hamzah Haz listened to first hand accounts on Tuesday of the massacre in Soya village on April 28 which left at least 12 people dead and dozens injured, as well as 36 buildings burned, including an historic church.

JP/13/L00

JP/13/L00 JP/13/Conver Rupiah Rates June 11. Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Software piracy alarming with Vietnam, China, RI worst offenders

Software piracy alarming with Vietnam, China, RI worst offenders Agence France-Presse, Washington The software industry's watchdog arm said on Monday that piracy of computer programs is on the upswing, with four out of 10 programs in use around the world unauthorized. The Business Software Alliance said the piracy rate of 40 percent in 2001 was up from 37 percent in 2000.

Kobe Steel, Timet tie up

Kobe Steel, Timet tie up TOKYO: Japan's Kobe Steel Ltd. said Tuesday it has licensed a next generation titanium alloy to U.S. counterpart Titanium Metals Corp. (Timet) -- the world's largest titanium producer. Under the deal, Timet will make Kobe Steel's relatively new alloy -- suitable for the aerospace industry -- in the United States and Britain. It will also market the product in the two countries along with seven other nations.

Witnesses confirm Suai church attack

Witnesses confirm Suai church attack Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak The Jakarta Post Jakarta Witnesses testified before the human rights ad hoc trial for the 1999 East Timor atrocities on Tuesday that pro-Jakarta militia groups attacked proindependence supporters taking refuge in the St. Ave Maria Church in Suai town, Covalima regency, East Timor, on Sept. 6, 1999.

Arroyo gets cold shoulder at wake for RP hostage

Arroyo gets cold shoulder at wake for RP hostage Agence France-Presse, Lamitan, Philippines President Gloria Arroyo was given the cold shoulder on Tuesday by grieving residents of this town who blame her government for a year-long hostage crisis that led to the deaths of a local nurse and a U.S. missionary last week.

Hotel Mulia agrees to pay its debt

Hotel Mulia agrees to pay its debt JAKARTA: The management of Hotel Mulia Senayan finally agreed to pay its Rp 15 billion (US$1.7 million) debt to the city administration to escape a court order to seize the hotel. Lawyer Hotman Paris Hutapea claimed that the management of the hotel, located on Jl. Asia Afrika, Central Jakarta, made the payment on Tuesday afternoon.

Bank Rakyat Indonesia

Bank Rakyat Indonesia BRI 14040 offers quick and easy banking transactions by phone Executives, professionals, academics and businesspeople who are always on the move can now make banking transactions by phone anywhere and anytime through Bank BRI, Indonesia's only bank which has offices in almost every town across the country.

Public Order officers sued

Public Order officers sued JAKARTA: The Independent Journalists Alliance (AJI) of Jakarta chapter launched legal action in the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday against Governor Sutiyoso, the East Jakarta Mayor and the East Jakarta public order office after public order officers allegedly intimidated a journalist on March 27.

Businesses protest Tax Tribunal policy

Businesses protest Tax Tribunal policy Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Companies were surprised by the plans of the new Tax Tribunal to open its hearings to the public, saying the policy would be detrimental to their operations as confidential information could be obtained by competitors.

Aceh councillor killed by assailant

Aceh councillor killed by assailant Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh An unidentified man in a "military-like" uniform killed an Aceh provincial legislative councillor from the Crescent Star Party (PBB) late Monday evening, adding to the number of legislators who had been murdered in the past two years. The councillor, Taslim A.

Military told to be transparent about funds

Military told to be transparent about funds Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former defense minister Juwono Sudarsono urged the Indonesian Military (TNI) on Tuesday to reveal its financial sources apart from the state budget to avoid irregularities in fund-raising and use. Juwono, who served for 10 months in the short-lived Cabinet of president Abdurrahman Wahid, said that for decades the state budget only covered 30 percent of the military's expenditure.

Sultan to open 'Peh Cun' ritual

Sultan to open 'Peh Cun' ritual YOGYAKARTA: Yogyakarta Governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X is slated to open the Peh Cun ritual that will feature ethnic Chinese and Javanese attractions at the Parangtritis seaside resort on June 15. A local martial arts group, Ibetado, and an acrobatic troupe, Kubro Siswo, will highlight the ritual, which is a tradition of Chinese origin locally handed down through generations as an expression of gratitude to God.

Diplomats fail to show to meeting seeking support to fight radicalism

Diplomats fail to show to meeting seeking support to fight radicalism Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Prominent Muslim and Christian leaders held a meeting here on Tuesday with foreign diplomats to solicit support for a national moral campaign against radicalism in Indonesia. "What we hope from the meeting is actually how to establish a synergy between our moral movement and ambassadors, so as to make it a success," Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) leader Solahuddin Wahid told The Jakarta Post.

Gaikindo upgrade 2002 car sales forecast

Gaikindo upgrade 2002 car sales forecast The Indonesian automakers association (Gaikindo) has revised upward its forecast for domestic vehicle sales to 320,000 units this year from initial predictions of 300,000, as the economy continues to show signs of stability. Gaikindo chairman Bambang Trisulo was quoted by Antara as saying Tuesday that the strengthening of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar would increase car sales in the country.

Prambanan temple

Prambanan temple for prayers From Kompas With reference to the letter sent by I Nyoman Mettayasa from Tabanan, Bali, regarding the permit for conducting prayers at the Prambanan temple in Yogyakarta, it should be noted that as the nation's cultural heritage, Prambanan is safeguarded by Law No.5/1992 on protected cultural sites. This law was promulgated on March 24, 1992 in the Statute Book of the Republic of Indonesia No.27/1992, so that everybody is assumed to be cognizant of it.

74 judges vie Supreme Court seats

74 judges vie Supreme Court seats JAKARTA: At least 74 senior judges had been nominated as Supreme Justices and were ready to undergo the rigorous fit-and- proper test by the House of Representatives (DPR), House Commission II Chairman Teras Narang said Tuesday. "(The commission) will choose only 18 judges to fill the vacant seats in the Supreme Court," said Teras Narang, a legislator of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI- Perjuangan).

[b]The new curriculum:

The new curriculum: Hopes and challenges Muhammad Zuhdi Faculty of Education Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic State University Jakarta 2. Angela -- Rape by media 1 x 32 48 pt Bodoni Attitudes to rape: The media's role Angela Black Jakarta 3. Lesley -- 1 x 32 48 pt Bodoni The obligations of sovereignty Lesley McCulloch School of Asian Studies University of Tasmania Australia

Judge slams prosecutors in Buloggate trial

Judge slams prosecutors in Buloggate trial Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Presiding judge Lalu Mariyun slammed prosecutors on Tuesday for attempting to oppose the South Jakarta District Court's plan to hear the testimony of former president B.J. Habibie via videoconference in the trial of former chief of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) Rahardi Ramelan. The court had planned to hear Habibie's testimony live through videoconference later this month.

Great River faces bankruptcy petition

Great River faces bankruptcy petition JAKARTA: Citibank N.A. filed a bankruptcy petition Tuesday against PT Great River International, one of Indonesia's largest garment makers and retailers, over a US$2 million debt, a spokesman for the bank said. The petition, filed in Central Jakarta's commercial court, seeks to recover a $2 million working-capital loan issued by the bank in 1994, the spokesman said.

Hendarsyah Tarmizi

Hendarsyah Tarmizi The Jakarta Post Jakarta Hoping for big fortune from China's LNG imports China is set to announce this month whether Indonesia, Australia or Qatar will win the multi-billion dollar contract to supply the country with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). For Indonesia, winning the tender will further strengthen its leading role in the world's LNG market.

Bali resorts are heading for a more promising year

Bali resorts are heading for a more promising year Rita A.Widiadana The Jakarta Post Nusa Dua, Bali The word "resort" always conjures up a picture of a serene and integrated holiday site surrounded by white sandy beaches or a lush mountainous panorama where you can escape from your hectic life in the city and take a deep breath to rejuvenate your body and mind. And Bali offers dozens or maybe hundreds of such resorts across the island, from beach areas to secluded sites high up in the mountains.

Witnesses say Suai church attacked by armed militia

Witnesses say Suai church attacked by armed militia Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Witnesses testified before the human rights ad hoc trial for the 1999 East Timor atrocities on Tuesday that pro-Jakarta militia groups attacked proindependence supporters taking refuge in the St. Ave Maria Church in Suai town, Covalima regency, East Timor, on Sept. 6, 1999.

U.S. has stake in Indonesia's reform

U.S. has stake in Indonesia's reform The Jakarta Post, Jakarta U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz was in Singapore to attend the Asia Security Conference, organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, last week. During an interview to the Associated Press and Reuters he talked at length about how he sees Indonesia's role in the fight against terrorism and the ongoing political reforms in the Indonesian Military.

Tourists yes... but environment first

Tourists yes... but environment first Dean Yates Reuters Selemadeg Kaja, Bali Staring at the terraced green rice fields that drop away into the distance, Putu Mahardika ponders how to tap the tourist trade on Indonesia's Bali island without harming his village's pristine environment.

Probosutedjo facing fraud charges

Probosutedjo facing fraud charges JAKARTA: Magnate Probosutedjo, a step brother of former dictator Soeharto, is to be charged with swindling Rp 44 billion of state funds, Attorney General's Office spokesman Barman Zahir said Tuesday. Investigators handed Probosutedjo's fraud case to the Jakarta Prosecution Office on Tuesday. It is expected to take at least three weeks for the case to be brought to the Central Jakarta District Court.

Foreign debt hampers access to food: Megawati

Foreign debt hampers access to food: Megawati Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri told a United Nations summit on food and agriculture that the burden of foreign debt on poor nations restricted access to food and undermined poverty reduction efforts. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) summit in Rome on Monday, Megawati said that efforts to achieve food security should imply an assurance of food accessibility.

Jakartans undeterred by bomb blasts

Jakartans undeterred by bomb blasts The planting of four bombs outside three entertainment centers in Jakarta on Sunday -- two of which exploded injuring five people -- has sparked fears among residents that they could be the next casualties. Some of them, who were undeterred by the incident, shared their concerns with The Jakarta Post. They realize that life must go on although the police have failed to reveal suspects in previous bombings in the past.

Wolfowitz's reality

Wolfowitz's reality The address to the Asia Security Conference by U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, published in The Jakarta Post on June 5 and June 6, was, I assume, intended as a morale booster and, therefore, one should not be surprised by its lack of intellectual rigor. However, Wolfowitz comes across as having watched one too many of Hollywood's Batman, Superman or Spider-Man films, and he seems obsessed with a Green Goblin in the form of Muslim terrorists.

TNI must leave politics 'ahead of schedule'

TNI must leave politics 'ahead of schedule' Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Members of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police will have to leave politics ahead of schedule as the newly proposed bill on general elections states they will no longer be represented in the legislative bodies in 2004. Despite a negative response from the TNI, the government insists that servicemen who wish to pursue a political career play by the new rules.

Thailand to ask EU for tariff cut for drugs war

Thailand to ask EU for tariff cut for drugs war Dominic Whiting, Reuters, Bangkok Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will ask the European Union (EU) to slash tariffs on imports from the Southeast Asian country as a reward for battling the illicit drugs trade during his visit to Brussels this week.

RP projects lower inflation

RP projects lower inflation MANILA: The Philippine government expects consumer prices to rise at a slower pace than projected this year, while upgrading the export target, Finance Secretary Jose Camacho said Tuesday. Manila now expects inflation to average 4.5-5.5 percent, compared to the previous target of 5.0-6.0 percent, he told reporters. Export revenues should rise by four percent, instead of being flat, he added.

Taking a break from oppressive Jakarta

Taking a break from oppressive Jakarta Sudibyo M. Wiradji Contributor Jakarta With serene and peaceful ambience, resorts surrounding Jakarta witness regular customers wishing to spend their weekends or holiday breaks. Staying in a resort has become an alternative getaway for Jakartans, especially revelers wishing to avoid the hustle bustle of the city. Most of the retreats are situated outside the bustling metropolis but not too far away. It only takes a few hours drive to reach the sites.

Maluku victims cry for justice

Maluku victims cry for justice The Jakarta Post, Ambon/Jakarta Victims of the Soya attack in Ambon handed on Tuesday to visiting Vice President Hamzah Haz their accounts of the grim massacre in their village over a month ago. Jeanne Hitijahubessy, a victim, appealed to Hamzah and the security authorities to probe the massacre thoroughly and bring the culprits to justice. "We are not members of the separatist South Maluku Republic movement.

Tourists keep flocking Poso

Tourists keep flocking Poso PALU, Central Sulawesi: Both foreign and local tourists are still flocking to Southeast Sulawesi despite a spate of bomb explosions in the province. "Although a series of bomb explosions have rocked the capital city of Poso, tourists still flock to the province, and so far we have received no cancellation from tourists planning to visit resorts in the districts," a tour guide from a local travel agency, Anwar said here on Tuesday.