Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 1 July 2002

72 articles found

'Syariah' won't rid corruption, say scholars

'Syariah' won't rid corruption, say scholars Asip A. Hasani, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Two noted Muslim scholars, Nurcholis Madjid and Solahuddin Wahid, rejected on Sunday a proposal that the country adopt syariah (Islamic law) to rid the country of its deep-rooted problem of corruption. Nurcholis said adopting syariah would not guarantee that corruption would be reduced. "The mosques are always full of people praying.

Cholil wants AG replaced

Cholil wants AG replaced JAKARTA: People's Consultative Assembly deputy speaker Cholil Bisri supported calls that Attorney General MA Rachman be replaced for his blatant failure to handle high-profile corruption cases. "It's obvious that the Attorney General's Office doesn't have the will to probe cases involving former president Soeharto and his cronies. It's always just the small fish," he was quoted by Antara as saying on Sunday.

Hiddink, Troussier invited to party with Kim, Koizumi: report

Hiddink, Troussier invited to party with Kim, Koizumi: report TOKYO: Japan's premier has invited South Korean soccer coach Guus Hiddink and Japan coach Philippe Troussier to a dinner party in honor of South Korean President Kim Dae-jung on Monday, a report said. "As I understand, coach Hiddink was invited along with Chung Mong-joon and Lee Yun-yaek, co-chairmen of the Korean World Cup organizing committee," a South Korean government source told Yonhap-Kyodo news Sunday.

'Kerak telor', a traditional Jakarta snack tries to survive

'Kerak telor', a traditional Jakarta snack tries to survive Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakartans have long been fond of kerak telor, one of the capital's traditional foods that are often sold whenever a major event like the Jakarta Fair or the Jl. Jaksa Festival takes place. This particular snack is rarely seen on normal days, unlike ketoprak or ketupat sayur, which are usually served for breakfast or dinner. Kerak telor is made up of a spoon of glutinous rice put in a hot pan.

Expert calls for debate on gubernatorial candidates

Expert calls for debate on gubernatorial candidates Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An executive director of the Urban and Regional Development Institute (URDI), Wicaksono Saroso, called on the Jakarta City Council on Saturday to sponsor proper debate between pairings of gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial candidates through television or other media. "Many non-governmental organizations are ready to facilitate such debates," he said.

PhotoA;

PhotoA; JP/Asip A. Hasani Supriyanto sketches on material made from the eceng godok water plant. He sells his batik paintings from Rp 150,000 to Rp 500,000 (about US$59). Photo: B JP/Berto ??? Various artifacts are displayed at a gallery in Kemang, South Jakarta. The area has become a center of art and craft galleries and ethnic furniture stores.

Hiddink, Troussier invited to party

Hiddink, Troussier invited to party TOKYO: Japan's premier has invited South Korean soccer coach Guus Hiddink and Japan coach Philippe Troussier to a dinner party in honor of South Korean President Kim Dae-jung on Monday, a report said. "As I understand, coach Hiddink was invited along with Chung Mong-joon and Lee Yun-yaek, co-chairmen of the Korean World Cup organizing committee," a South Korean government source told Yonhap-Kyodo news Sunday.

Hiddink, Troussier invited to party with Kim, Koizumi: report

Hiddink, Troussier invited to party with Kim, Koizumi: report TOKYO: Japan's premier has invited South Korean soccer coach Guus Hiddink and Japan coach Philippe Troussier to a dinner party in honor of South Korean President Kim Dae-jung on Monday, a report said. "As I understand, coach Hiddink was invited along with Chung Mong-joon and Lee Yun-yaek, co-chairmen of the Korean World Cup organizing committee," a South Korean government source told Yonhap-Kyodo news Sunday.

The new twist in governmet accountability

The new twist in governmet accountability Marc Robinson, Technical Advisor, Development Finance, Comptroller (BPKP), Jakarta The first rule of business is to keep your customers happy. If you produce products which are poor quality or too expensive, you'll go out of business. If you produce products the customer doesn't want, you'll go bust even faster. But if a government agency produces a poor or inappropriate service, so what?

Fed and ECB intervene for BOJ to weaken yen

Fed and ECB intervene for BOJ to weaken yen Andrea Ricci, Reuters, Tokyo/New York Japan enlisted the European Central Bank and the U.S. Federal Reserve to help sell yen on Friday, raising the specter that unease may be growing in the world's three top economies over volatile currencies. Japan has been eager to dampen the export-damaging strength of its currency, and the Bank of Japan has already intervened to sell yen for dollars at least six times since May 22.

What we need is leadership, not quarrels about the IMF

What we need is leadership, not quarrels about the IMF Sayidiman Suryohadiprojo, Former governor of National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas), Jakarta State Minister of National Development Planning Kwik Kian Gie has surprised many people when he strongly suggested that Indonesia should terminate its relationship with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the end of 2002. In fact, this is not the first time that Kwik has expressed his dissatisfaction with the IMF.

The new accountability revolution in government

The new accountability revolution in government -------------------------- Marc Robinson Technical Advisor Badan Pengawasan Keuangan dan Pembangunan (BPKP) Jakarta -------------------------- The first rule of business is to keep your customers happy. If you produce products which are poor quality or too expensive, you'll go out of business. If you produce products the customer doesn't want, you'll go bust even faster. But for government, it's been different.

Makassar soccer fans head to Jakarta

Makassar soccer fans head to Jakarta MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Some 6,000 supporters of South Sulawesi's soccer team left for Jakarta on Sunday morning for a soccer match, after running amok at a port. State-owned shipping company PT Pelni attempted to delay the Ceremai's docking at Makassar Port because thousands of people without tickets were waiting to board the ship.

Parents face headache in getting kids into school

Parents face headache in getting kids into school Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta From Monday to Thursday of this week, the city will be filled with frazzled parents accompanying their children as they apply for seats at popular state high schools. Many of these parents are concerned that their children, recent junior high school graduates, will be unable to gain entrance to the high schools of their choice because of the tough competition.

Restoration of historic Sunda Kelapa still a dream

Restoration of historic Sunda Kelapa still a dream Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Dozens of phinisi ships dock at the Sunda Kelapa harbor in North Jakarta. The traditional large wooden sailing vessels with tall masts, all in a row, create an illusion of a busy intercontinental center of trade in the days long past.

Corruption cannot be dealt with by adoption of 'syariah'

Corruption cannot be dealt with by adoption of 'syariah' Asip A. Hasani The Jakarta Post Yogyakarta During a seminar here on Sunday, one participant proposed that the country adopt syariah (Islamic law) to rid the country of its deep-rooted problem of corruption. The proposal came from Irfan S. Awwas, secretary-general of a small Muslim group, the Mujahidin Council, which has openly been campaigning for the adoption of syariah in Indonesia.

U.S. forces end exercise in KL

U.S. forces end exercise in KL MALAYSIA: The United States and mostly Muslim Malaysia, allies in the international war on terror, ended an eight-day military exercise involving nearly 3,000 of their troops on Sunday. Some 1,400 U.S. servicemen and 1,500 Malaysian troops took part in the eighth annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training exercise on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

World Cup success likely to provide huge boost to Asian soccer

World Cup success likely to provide huge boost to Asian soccer Slobodan Lekic Associated Press Jakarta The success of Japan and South Korea in hosting the World Cup will likely provide a huge boost to the development of soccer throughout the world's largest and most populous continent, regional sports officials said Sunday.

Indonesian Septi caps double win at Thamrin tennis event

Indonesian Septi caps double win at Thamrin tennis event Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Septi Nindya Yutami shrugged off the jitters to win the girls' singles competition at the Thamrin Cup International Junior Tennis Championships here on Saturday. She beat Chan Yung Jan of Chinese Taipei 6-4, 7-5 in the finals at the Hilton Hardcourts.

Police to probe Tommy conspiracy

Police to probe Tommy conspiracy JAKARTA: National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar has ordered a team from the Jakarta Police to probe alleged collusion between former president Soeharto's youngest son Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra and security personnel when the former was on the run. "The team has been given a month to investigate the case," Da'i said after observing a rehearsal for the commemoration of the National Police's anniversary at the Senayan parking lot here on Saturday.

Refugees picket governor's office

Refugees picket governor's office Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang Hundreds of hungry East Timorese refugees thronged the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) governor's office compound on Saturday to protest the government's unilateral decision to stop providing humanitarian aid. Crying for food, the visibly impoverished refugees arrived at the compound at 10:30 a.m. in three trucks and a bus. Some of them rode motorcycles. "We are hungry. We ask for food.

1. REFUGEE: 12 x 4 lines

1. REFUGEE: 12 x 4 lines Hungry refugees picket governor's office Hundreds of hungry East Timorese refugees thronged the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) governor's office compound on Saturday to protest the government's unilateral decision to stop providing humanitarian aid. Crying for food, the visibly impoverished refugees arrived at the compound at 10:30 a.m. in three trucks and a bus. Some of them rode motorcycles. "We are hungry. We ask for food.

Citibank clarifies

Citibank clarifies I refer to A. Jakubowski's letter, Citibank's service (The Jakarta Post, June 6), and Pieter's letter, Citibank again (June 10). We have contacted the above customers and have resolved the problems satisfactorily. We would like to assure our customers that we will continue to provide services to their satisfaction. DITTA AMAHORSEYA Corporate Affairs Head Citibank, Jakarta

Govt opens special tax office for big business groups

Govt opens special tax office for big business groups The Jakarta Post Jakarta The government is scheduled to officially open the Large Taxpayers' Office (LTO) on Monday, which is specially assigned to collect taxes from the country's top 200 businesses. Coordinator for the LTO project Petronius Saragih said over the weekend the new tax office would not be fully operational on Monday as there were still many things to be prepared to make the office complete.

'Police continue to carry out their daily tasks poorly'

'Police continue to carry out their daily tasks poorly' Tiarma Siboro and Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Police, officially dubbed the defenders of the country's justice system, have a long way to go in satisfactorily performing their duties of providing public security and combating rampant corruption, collusion, and nepotism, observers said on Sunday.

Rupiah expected to remain stable

Rupiah expected to remain stable Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The rupiah is expected to hover at between Rp 8,650 and Rp 8,700 per U.S. dollar this week amid prevailing positive sentiment and weakening confidence in the greenback, according to an analyst. "As long as there is no negative political news, the rupiah will stay in this range," Fauzi told The Jakarta Post over the weekend.

Govt tries to strip independent bodies of their power

Govt tries to strip independent bodies of their power or Independent bodies stripped of their power Edith Hartanto and Moch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post Jakarta We are back to square one. Democracy is backpedaling to what it was during the Soeharto regime, experts said here on Saturday. "This country is practicing a fictitious democracy. The government is running an authoritarian system as it had in the past. Democracy is merely rhetorical and procedural," political observer F.X.

RI to join maritime contest

RI to join maritime contest JAKARTA: A team of 18 students from the Surabaya Institute of Technology are to leave for the United State to take part in an international maritime contest called the Atlantic Challenge 2002. Their departure was officially announced on Friday night by Minister of Tourism and Culture I Gde Ardika, who said the team's participation served as an "important moment" for Indonesia to make its presence felt as the world's largest maritime country.

TNI told on to be more accountable

TNI told on to be more accountable The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The days when national security depends on funds from obscure sources should be brought to an end, legislators and analysts said. They urged the Indonesian Military (TNI) to get accountable and make its budget transparent. Legislator Aberson Marle Sihaloho of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) said the military's involvement in business was unacceptable.

Give us a just system

Give us a just system The decrease of almost 60 percent in foreign direct investment approvals and 30 percent in licensed domestic investment projects in the first five months of this year provide further evidence of the worsening disadvantages of doing business in Indonesia.

World Cup success likely to help boost Asian soccer

World Cup success likely to help boost Asian soccer Slobodan Lekic, Associated Press, Jakarta The success of Japan and South Korea in hosting the World Cup will likely provide a huge boost to the development of soccer throughout the world's largest and most populous continent, regional sports officials said Sunday.

IT, an alternative to conventional programming

IT, an alternative to conventional programming Vishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, Jakarta There once was a time when Information Technology (IT) belonged to the elite. Needed to computerize your catalog system? You had to call in a programmer. Did the company require a new database system? Get a database specialist. Did you want to integrate all the departmental functions into a single computer system that could cater to their individual needs? Buy Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software.

Batik painting: Success story from the past

Batik painting: Success story from the past Asip A. Hasani, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta For visitors, Yogyakarta is not only one of the country's ancient cities but also the center of batik painting. But its popularity as the city of batik is on the decline. Almost 10 years ago, galleries displaying batik paintings were found in almost every corner of the city. For visitors, buying a piece of hand-made batik was proof enough that they had visited the place. Times, however, have changed.

Four students drown, seven injured

Four students drown, seven injured KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Four vocational high school students from Soe district drowned and seven others were injured in a boating accident on Saturday, an official said. Kupang Police deputy chief First Insp. Sabarudin Ginting said the four students -- Melfi Hala, 16; Willem Kebkole, 17; Elisabeth Natonis, 16; and Martha Nesimnasi, 16 -- were riding on a boat at Lasiana beach along with 25 other students.

RI needs a student

RI needs a student party now! From Rakyat Merdeka Since the fall of the Old Order, the emergence of the New Order and the ousting of former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur' Wahid, students have become manipulated by certain parties, purportedly for the establishment of a just and prosperous society. It is a pity these students continue to be used by certain parties at general elections or in efforts to bring down a government.

PDI Perjuangan chief gets 5-month term

PDI Perjuangan chief gets 5-month term BANDARLAMPUNG: Chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Lampung chapter Anshori Yunus was sentenced on Saturday to a five-month suspended sentence for abusing a worker. S. Gani Parlaungan, the judge at the Tanjungkarang District Court, said that Anshori was guilty of violating Article 351 of the Criminal Code and would be put in jail if he broke the law again.

ILO delays appointment of officer

ILO delays appointment of officer MYANMAR: The International Labor Organization (ILO) has delayed the appointment of its permanent liaison officer in Myanmar by at least one month, a report here said. The ILO interim liaison officer in Myanmar, Leon de Riedmatten, whose mandate was extended for another month in mid- June, told the Myanmar Times that the deferral was to ensure the most suitable person was chosen for the position.

Selling works of arts in Kemang area

Selling works of arts in Kemang area Grace Emilia , Contributor, Jakarta People would regard it strange if someone enrolled in the faculty of arts in the 1970s. But the trend is currently reversing as parents are trying hard to enroll their children in such schools. "A good piece of art is now seen as an investment which sometimes is even more valuable than gold," says Nyoman Nuarta, a Balinese artist who built the massive Garuda Wisnu Kencana sculpture in Bali. Nuarta has a point.

Corruptors bribe lawyers

Corruptors bribe lawyers From Rakyat Merdeka Inconsistent and weak law enforcement has only triggered more corruption as legal practitioners and corruptors collude to ensure that the latter will be acquitted from corruption charges. In addition, our own laws have loopholes allowing legal agencies to engage in corruption when doing their jobs. Consider these points: * The laws are drafted by legislators, the majority of whom are corrupt and supporters of the New Order regime.

PDI Perjuangan claims that Akbar's trial is effective

PDI Perjuangan claims that Akbar's trial is effective Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Defying fierce criticism over its decision to block moves to probe House Speaker Akbar Tandjung's alleged corruption, leaders of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (DPI Perjuangan) insisted on Saturday that the current legal process was going well. They, however, were silent when asked to explain in what way the process could unravel Akbar's alleged corruption.

Fire razes six kiosks at Senen market

Fire razes six kiosks at Senen market Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Only a day after a fire destroyed the Taman Puring market in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, a fire swept through the Senen market in Central Jakarta. The fire, which began early on Sunday morning, destroyed six kiosks and damaged eight others on the second floor of section B3 of Senen market. There were no fatalities in the incident.

Bilingual education remains a fantasy for Indonesian schools

Bilingual education remains a fantasy for Indonesian schools Simon Marcus Gower, High School Principal Harapan Bangsa High School, Tangerang, Banten At the time of year when schools open their doors to receive registrations of new or continuing students for the coming academic year, all kinds of marketing ploys are being utilized to attract the eye of prospective parents and secure those signatures to fill the classrooms.

Ki Manteb, a true puppeteer

Ki Manteb, a true puppeteer Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Karanganyar, Central Java His very firm and energetic sabetan, a puppet master's way of moving puppets in fighting scenes, has earned Ki Manteb Soedharsono the name Dalang Setan, a devilish puppet master, among Javanese wayang (shadow puppet show) lovers. His popularity is unquestionable. Anytime the puppet master performs, wayang fans would crowd the arena the whole night long.

Two survive chopper accident in Papua

Two survive chopper accident in Papua The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two out of five military officers aboard a missing military helicopter in remote Paniai regency in Timika, Irian Jaya province, were found alive on Sunday, after they had managed to reach the nearest settlement, Kobae village, a two-hour walk from the crash site, Antara reported. The spokesman for Trikora Reginal Military Command, which oversees the province, Maj. G.P. Situmorang, said the two -- First Lt. Ikhwan and First Lt.

Bali's galleries promote local artists on global stage

Bali's galleries promote local artists on global stage Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali In Bali two different worlds coexist, Bali, the center of arts and culture and Bali, one of the world's foremost tourist destinations. It is obvious that the continuing construction of hotels, restaurants and other buildings has almost surpassed the development of facilities to foster the island's artistic endeavors.

Oct. 23, 2001:

Oct. 23, 2001: 50 legislators sign a petition demanding the establishment of a special committee (Pansus) to investigate the Bulog scandal Oct. 24, 2001: Taufik Kiemas, the husband of PDI Perjuangan chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, meets suspect Akbar Tandjung who is seeking the party's support not to bring the scam before a House special committee Nov.

JAKARTA: A Bell 205 helicopter belonging to the Indonesian

JAKARTA: A Bell 205 helicopter belonging to the Indonesian Military (TNI) carrying five servicemen went missing in Papua on Saturday morning and is feared to have crashed shortly after takeoff at 10:10 a.m. The helicopter took off from Timika and was on its way to Eranotali, the capital of Paniai regency. Twenty-five minutes after takeoff the air traffic control in Timika reported it had lost contact with the helicopter.

Govt opens special tax office for big business groups

Govt opens special tax office for big business groups The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is scheduled to officially open the Large Taxpayers' Office (LTO) on Monday, which is specially assigned to collect taxes from the country's top 200 businesses. Coordinator for the LTO project Petronius Saragih said over the weekend the new tax office would not be fully operational on Monday as there were still many things to be prepared to make the office complete.

New labor bill could turn foreign investors away

New labor bill could turn foreign investors away Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Businessmen criticized the new bill on labor protection and development as "overly protective" and at the expense of investors, saying that if it is passed into law, it will further deteriorate the country's business climate.

Eight more die in Aceh violence

Eight more die in Aceh violence Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh Eight people were killed in a series of violence incidents in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province over the weekend, the military and the GAM separatist group both said on Sunday. In the latest incident, the military said suspected members of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) ambushed a car carrying soldiers, killing a junior military officer. "A local military subdistrict chief, Capt.

Mega must act for total reform

Mega must act for total reform From Rakyat Merdeka For the sake of the country and the nation, President Megawati Soekarnoputri must make a clean break with the New Order forces and carry out a total reform agenda. If she unites herself with the forces of the New Order, our country will go through a protracted disaster and she will continuously be criticized by the ordinary people.

1. Soccer --- 2x22

1. Soccer --- 2x22 Ronaldo scores two goals to give Brazil fifth triumph 2. Pansus --- 1x34 PDI Perjuangan betrays the people: Observers PDI Perjuangan accused of betrayal 3. Labor ---- 3x12 New labor bill could turn foreign investors away

RI should forget assets and help East Timor

RI should forget assets and help East Timor Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With East Timorese President Xanana Gusmao arriving on Monday for a five-day visit, Jakarta should drop demands that East Timor compensate it for Indonesian assets in the territory, and instead offer support for the new country. Political analyst Soedjati Djiwandono said dropping the issue of assets would be a good start to building a positive relationship with East Timor.

Milo junior meet attracts eight countries

Milo junior meet attracts eight countries The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Milo Junior Indonesia Open badminton championships, which will start next week in Surabaya, East Java, has attracted foreign players. Seven countries with a total of 30 players will add to the bulk of the local hopefuls for the 2002 event. The seven nations are Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Belgium, Sweden and Brunei Darussalam. Only Japan and Brunei Darussalam joined the 2001 event in Salatiga, Central Java.

Logging ban pleases environmentalists but upsets pulp industry

Logging ban pleases environmentalists but upsets pulp industry Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government's plan to temporarily ban logging in natural forests has been praised by environmentalists but upsets industry players who fear the policy will have a big impact on their businesses. The Ministry of Forestry is reportedly drafting a decree on the logging moratorium's details following the issuance of governmental regulation No.

PDI Perjuangan betrays the people: Observers

PDI Perjuangan betrays the people: Observers Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Noted political observers bemoaned on Saturday the decision of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) to spurn moves within the House of Representatives (DPR) to probe Speaker Akbar Tandjung's involvement in a Rp 40 billion scandal.

S'pore's, Malaysia to tackle differences

S'pore's, Malaysia to tackle differences Agencies, Kuala Lumpur Singaporean Foreign Minister S.Jayakumar arrived in Malaysia on Sunday, a day ahead of talks to iron out longstanding disputes that have strained relations between the two neighbors. Jayakumar, who is due to meet Malaysian foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar on Monday, arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) with a delegation of ministry officials, an airport spokesman told AFP.

Manulife case, another blow to foreign investment

Manulife case, another blow to foreign investment Novan Iman Santosa and Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Foreign investors are saying that the controversial Manulife ruling is further proof of how weak the country's legal system is and is yet another blow to the investment climate here.

Police search bus driver

Police search bus driver JAKARTA: Bogor Police are still searching for the driver and assistant of a Benteng Jaya bus, which was involved in a fatal accident in Cisarua, Bogor, on Saturday. Both the driver and assistant are currently at large following the accident, in which two passengers were killed and 13 injured. According to witness Agus Muharam, 38, the bus apparently lost control and attempted to stop by plowing into a Panther car.

Recovery of RI sailors test pact

Recovery of RI sailors test pact Agence France-Presse, Manila Military operations to recover three Indonesian sailors held captive by Muslim gunmen in the southern Philippines is seen by Indonesia as a test of a trilateral terrorism pact it signed with Manila and Malaysia last month, an official said on Sunday.

Mega wants death for drug dealers

Mega wants death for drug dealers JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri repeated on Saturday her earlier demand that drug dealers be sentenced to death in an effort to effectively eradicate the misuse of narcotics in the country. Speaking at a ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of National Family Day in Gorontalo province, she called on the public at large to help the authorities enforce the law against drug users and distributors.

Defense policy should be rewritten: Analyst

Defense policy should be rewritten: Analyst The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government should revise its defense policy first before proposing an additional budget allocation of Rp 1 trillion (about US$ 116 million) for the military and the police to handle security problems. Military observer Salim Said said over the weekend that the Indonesian Military's (TNI) budget was based on an outdated national defense policy that put more emphasis on financing the Army.

21 online accounts hacked into at DBS Bank

21 online accounts hacked into at DBS Bank Deutesche Presse-Agentur Singapore DBS Bank, Singapore's largest, acknowledged a hacker broke into 21 online accounts and transferred amounts up to S$5,000 (US$2,700) into his own account, a spokesman said on Saturday. The Development Bank of Singapore or DBS "was singled out by the individual as he has an account with the bank," The Straits Times quoted the spokesman as saying. The amounts siphoned off ranged from as low as S$200 ($110).

On decolonization of East Timor

On decolonization of East Timor I would like to refer to the May 21 letter from Onghokham titled Decolonization of East Timor. It is surprising that the noted historian categorically described the integration of East Timor (1976-1999) as "colonization and imperialism". The facts provide a different picture. East Timor was the 27th province of Indonesia for 23 years, making the East Timorese Indonesian citizens during this time.

JP/ /

JP/ / Army's Special Force gets new chief: Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu has appointed Brig. Gen. Sriyanto the new chief of the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) to replace Maj. Gen. Amirul Isnaini. Sriyanto is currently Amirul's deputy. Ryamizard said Sunday Amirul would become chief of the Wirabuana Military Command based in Makassar, South Sulawesi. He will replace Maj. Gen. A. Yahya, who will head the Jakarta Military Command to replace Lt. Gen. Bibit Waluyo.

Healthy diet helps reduce cancer risk, expert claims

Healthy diet helps reduce cancer risk, expert claims Debbie A Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Early cancer detection and adopting a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of breast cancer and secondary cancers in women, according to a health expert.

People regret Megawati's support for Sutiyoso

People regret Megawati's support for Sutiyoso Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri's decision to throw her weight behind the incumbent, Sutiyoso, in September's gubernatorial election has raised many eyebrows. A number of people share their opinion on the whole matter with The Jakarta Post. Karya Er Sada, 30, an activist with the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment.

RP foreign minister quitting

RP foreign minister quitting PHILIPPINES: Vice President Teofisto Guingona, embroiled in policy differences with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, has bowed to pressure and is definitely quitting as foreign minister, a newspaper said on Sunday. Guingona, a staunch nationalist, has long expressed his reservations about the presence of U.S. military forces to train Filipino troops in fighting Muslim guerrillas.

China act against Internet cafes

China act against Internet cafes Agence France-Presse, Beijing The Chinese government has ordered the re-registration of all the nation's Internet cafes, state press said Saturday, amid fears the move is designed to limit freedom of access to the world wide web. "Internet cafes without proper licenses are to be closed and owners will be prosecuted.

RP to get US$100m WB loan

RP to get US$100m WB loan MANILA: The Philippines will likely borrow US$100 million from the World Bank for a poverty alleviation project, the presidential palace said here Saturday. The presidential statement said that government economic planners merely need to approve the budgeting for the project before Manila obtains the loan for its funding.

30 prostitutes arrested in raid

30 prostitutes arrested in raid JAKARTA: A total of 30 prostitutes working in five mayoralties were arrested early on Saturday during a joint operation by the Jakarta Public Order Office, Jakarta Social Affairs Agency, the Jakarta Police and the city's military garrison. The prostitutes, who were accused of violating Bylaw No. 11/1988 on public order, were sent to the Kedoya rehabilitation center in West Jakarta.

Price of premium gasoline unchanged

Price of premium gasoline unchanged The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina announced on Sunday the price of premium gasoline for the month of July would remain at Rp 1,750 per liter. But the company said the price of other fuel products, except fuel oil, would be lowered.