Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 15 July 2002

61 articles found

Government should do more to help Agus: Legislators

Government should do more to help Agus: Legislators The Jakarta Post, Jakarta House of Representative members asked the government to step up diplomatic approaches with the Philippines to support Agus Dwikarna, who was last week sentenced to 10 to 17 years in prison for a series of bomb-related charges in Manila. Claiming that it was the government's obligation to defend its citizens, legislators said on Sunday that at least Jakarta could have asked for a reduction of the punishment for Agus.

'Death better than living as a refugee'

'Death better than living as a refugee' Yogita Tahilramani and Edith Hartanto, The Jakarta Post, Sampang, Madura Time comes to a stop in Sampang. As the sun scorches the roads, time still refuses to move for some 3,000 refugees living in a transit center in the Ketapang district of Sampang regency. "We want to die. The local administration should round us up and kill us all. It's better than living in this hell," a 26-year-old refugee from Sampit told The Jakarta Post last Thursday.

Residents complain about sugar factories

Residents complain about sugar factories CIREBON, West Java: Locals are protesting against three sugar factories and one methylated spirits manufacturer in Sindanglaut regency in Cirebon which they believe are dumping their chemical waste into local rivers. Antara reported on Saturday that the four rivers that run through Pangenan regency: Rawa Urip, Kalibangka, Ender and Pengarengan, had turned black and gave off a foul smell.

inal standings:

inal standings: No. Team Gold Silver Bonze 1. West Java 9 4 1 2. Jakarta 4 2 4 3. East Java 1 - 4 4. East Kalimantan 1 - 2 5. Yogyakarta 1 - 1 6. Central Java - 4 5 7. Maluku - 2 - 8. Papua - 1 3 9. Bengkulu - 1 - 10. Central Sulawesi - 1 - 11. Banten - - 3 12. South Sulawesi - 1 3 13. Lampung - - 2 14. North Sumatra - - 1 15. Bali - - 1 16. Jambi - - 1 17. East Nusatenggara - - 1

Soeharto clan's past abuses emerge

Soeharto clan's past abuses emerge The involvement of the Soeharto family in the country's arms procurement business only started in the early 1990s. Nevertheless, in a short time, their reach had quickly spread to various quarters of the military. In 1993, Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardiyanti "Tutut" Rukmana, under PT Bheering Diant Pramata "helped" procure eight British Hawk-100s for training and 16 Hawk-200 jet fighters with a total contract value of $690 million.

Thailand, RI agree on barter deal

Thailand, RI agree on barter deal BANGKOK: Thailand has agreed in principle to exchange Thai rice for Indonesian civilian aircraft to use in a royal artificial rainmaking project, an official said Saturday. Officials from the two countries met in Bangkok on Friday and agreed on a broad framework for the barter deal, but couldn't agree on details such as the type of aircraft, said Anant Bhusitthikul, the Thai deputy permanent secretary for agriculture and cooperatives.

Rupiah, stocks to remain under pressure: Analysts

Rupiah, stocks to remain under pressure: Analysts Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The local currency and shares will remain under pressure this week amid lingering negative sentiment that has rocked the market over the past several weeks, analysts said. As regards the rupiah, currency analyst Farial Anwar said that market sentiment would remain bearish on continued concerns over various domestic issues.

Indonesia relies on NGOs, not govt, to fight HIV

Indonesia relies on NGOs, not govt, to fight HIV Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With HIV spreading rapidly in Indonesia, the country cannot expect much from the government but instead many non-governmental organizations and foreign groups are tackling the problems. The government is moving slowly with its eight-year-old National AIDS Commission (KPA) to prevent the possible emergence of an out-of-control HIV epidemic.

1. Pawn - 2x 17

1. Pawn - 2x 17 Parents seek quick loans at pawnshops 2. Parent - 2x 20 Students enter school, parents foot the bills 3. Speak - 2x20 'Thank God, pawnshop provides instant cash'

Investigation into massacre at Aceh plantation reopens

Investigation into massacre at Aceh plantation reopens The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A Jakarta-sanctioned commission to investigate human rights abuses at the Bumi Flora palm oil plantation in Aceh (KPP HAM Bumi Flora) is scheduled to reopen on Monday with the questioning of 17 witnesses in the murder of 31 civilians at the plantation last year.

IBRA should get tough with errant debtors, legislators say

IBRA should get tough with errant debtors, legislators say Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) should get tough against former bank owners deemed to be uncooperative in repaying the huge debts they owe to the government, senior legislators said. They said the agency should no longer cave in to "time buying" tactics of the recalcitrant debtors.

PPP Reformasi not to return to PPP

PPP Reformasi not to return to PPP JAKARTA: Founders and supporters of the United Development Party of Reform (PPP Reformasi) will not return to their original party, PPP, even though PPP has vowed to meet their demand to reschedule PPP's national congress for next year. One of PPP Reformasi's leaders, Ghazali Abbas Adan, said on Sunday the decision to change the schedule for the congress from 2004 to 2003 had come too late. "That was what we were calling for when we were still with the PPP.

Govt told to revive peace talks with rebels

Govt told to revive peace talks with rebels Nani Farida and Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Jakarta As most Acehnese have rejected the government's proposal that a state of civil emergency be imposed on the restive province, there is no option left for the government except to forge ahead with dialog, activists and legislators said on Sunday.

Shooting Aceh's messenger, killing peace hopes

Shooting Aceh's messenger, killing peace hopes Lesley McCulloch, School of Asian Studies, University of Tasmania, Australia The pursuit of a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Aceh has been viewed with skepticism by many for some time. But now confirmation of the Indonesian government's lack of commitment to the peace process seems imminent.

Singaraja empire set to make a big comeback

Singaraja empire set to make a big comeback Moch. N. Kurniawan and Novan Iman Santosa The Jakarta Post Singaraja, Bali The Buleleng regency in North Bali is ready to open its region for investment, ranging from tourism to plantations, to fully exploit its underutilized, abundant natural resources.

430 workers complain of exploitation

430 workers complain of exploitation Apriadi Gunawan and Jacob Herin, Jakarta Post, Medan/Maumere More than 430 workers from East Java occupied the North Sumatra legislature building out of fear of being traded like slaves in neighboring country Malaysia, demanding the government send them back home as soon as possible. They were part of more than 900 workers deported through Belawan port for entering Malaysia illegally on Friday.

Parents seek quick loans at pawnshops

Parents seek quick loans at pawnshops Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With the new school year beginning, parents are facing increased financial demands. Those parents unable to come up with their children's school fees are forced to turn to pawnshops to raise the necessary cash. As the school year approaches, business at the Pasar Senen Pawnshop in Central Jakarta has been on the rise, with parents lining up at the counters to raise some cash.

Jakarta Fair attracts fewer than expected

Jakarta Fair attracts fewer than expected Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The capital's annual month-long fair, the Jakarta Fair (PRJ), which was held at Kemayoran Fairground, was officially closed on Sunday, with the organizing committee complaining about the lack of visitors. Spokesman of the PRJ organizing committee Adhie M. Massardi, said two million visitors had been expected to visit the fair. "However, only 1.7 million visitors came in the end.

House ends session this week, misses legislation target

House ends session this week, misses legislation target Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives (DPR) will bring its current session to a close on Friday, with the same old problems simmering in the background, namely its inability to finish the deliberation of targeted bills. With only five days left, it is impossible for legislators to pass 22 bills on the priority list of this ongoing session, which includes crucial bills on political parties and elections.

Experts decry backroom political deals

Experts decry backroom political deals Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Deals among the political parties reached outside the House of Representatives over the amendment of the 1945 Constitution will only undermine public participation in the process and devalue the meaning of democracy, experts have said.

Lower interest rates key for deficit control

Lower interest rates key for deficit control Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Although the state budget deficit in the first semester of this year turned out to be much lower than predicted, economists said the government still had to work extra hard to maintain a "favorable domestic environment" to help ensure that the full- year deficit would not inflate beyond the safe limit.

TV Program: Monday, July 15, 2002

TV Program: Monday, July 15, 2002 TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Environment 8:30 Children's Program 9:30 Music 10:00 Documentary 11:00 News 11:30 Music 12:00 p.m. News 1:00 Talk Show 2:30 Documentary 3:00 Children's Program 3:30 Cartoon 4:00 Music 5:00 Music 6:00 News 7:00 Dialog 8:00 Quiz 9:00 News 9:30 Blues Night 11:00 Talk Show 12:00 a.m. News TPI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 7:00 Quiz 8:00 Music 9:00 Indonesian Film 11:00 TV Drama 12:00 p.m.

Street children get aid

Street children get aid JAKARTA: Up to 70 students from the School for Street Children in Kampung Kakap, Penjaringan subdistrict, North Jakarta, received assistance on Monday from the state's social safety network program. Director General of Middle and Basic Education at the Ministry of National Education Indradjati Sidi symbolically handed over the money, amounting to Rp 150,000 for each student, to the students' parents in a modest ceremony on Sunday in Kampung Kakap.

Refugees still want to go home to Sampit

Refugees still want to go home to Sampit The Jakarta Post Sampang, Madura Sixty-year-old refugee Wafir, a neighborhood unit head in Sampit and a teacher, said that he spent his days wondering how things went so horribly wrong. "One day, we were told the Dayaks were coming to attack us, and we were informed by the security forces to take refuge at the local administration's office. The next thing we knew, our houses were burned down.

2. ASIA 2 X 27

2. ASIA 2 X 27 Asia vulnerable to U.S.-style accounting fiascos despite reforms 3. Spore 2 X 20 No quick relief for fussy Singaporeans 4. Drug 3 X 20 Bristol-Myers, Merck cases mark struggles of drug industry

Equal chances for schoolchildren

Equal chances for schoolchildren From Media Indonesia At the moment, many schoolchildren are busy choosing which state school to continue their studies in the coming scholastic year. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to be accepted at such schools as competition is unusually tight. Understandably, many parents are under a great deal of stress, especially those in the middle-to-lower income brackets.

No quick relief for fussy Singaporeans

No quick relief for fussy Singaporeans Bernice Han, Agence France-Presse, Singapore Singapore's unemployment woes are not expected to ease any time soon, despite a growing flow of economic data indicating the recession that straggled the country last year is easing its grip, economists said.

Recruitment of

Recruitment of civil servants From Bisnis Indonesia State Minister of Administrative Reforms Feisal Tamin was right when briefing officials of echelons I and II in Banten's provincial administration recently. He stressed that the recruitment of civil servants must not be linked to a person's ethnicity, religion, racial origin or ideology as in this respect the priority lies in his capability and professionalism.

'Thank God, pawnshops provides intant cash'

'Thank God, pawnshops provides intant cash' Pawnshops are a popular alternative for people, especially those in the lower income brackets, looking to raise some quick cash. Besides the speed of the whole process, some people prefer pawning their valuables because of the "low" interest rates compared to those offered by loan sharks. This is why so many Jakartans turn to pawnshops when they need money fast. Purnomo, 45, a Jakarta-born security guard at an entertainment center in West Jakarta.

Asia vulnerable to U.S.-style accounting fiascos despite reforms

Asia vulnerable to U.S.-style accounting fiascos despite reforms Martin Abbugao, Agence France-Presse, Singapore The slew of scandals rocking corporate America should prompt Asia to review its own accounting and auditing standards, regional analysts say, cautioning against gloating at the apparent reversal of fortunes. As Asia emerges stronger after its 1997-98 financial crisis, it sits in the box seat as the United States takes stock of the debacles jarring some of its most revered companies.

Privatizing public goods: Our lives up for sale

Privatizing public goods: Our lives up for sale Yanuar Nugroho, Researcher, General Secretary, Uni Sosial Demokrat, Jakarta, yanuar-n@unisosdem.org Beware. In the coming years, we in Indonesia may have to pay more not only for our drinking water, but also for bathing and watering flowers at home. We may also have to pay for permission to dig a well in our backyards.

Ong, trendsetter in book cover design

Ong, trendsetter in book cover design Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta The threat by certain organizations last year to seize and destroy books they considered leftist in content sent a chill down the backs of not only writers, bookstores and publishers, but also book designers. Ong Hari Wahyu, 44, one of Indonesia's leading book cover designers, was one of those terrified by the threats. "Si Ong", as he is known, was the designer for some of the targeted books.

;JP;HEN;

;JP;HEN; ANPAc..r.. Property-Australia-guides Practical guide to buying residential property Deden Sudarbo Associate Director Residential Department, PT Procon Indah Given its close proximity and travel time, relatively stable political and economic climates, reputable schools, colleges and universities, and existing Indonesian communities within several of its large cities, Australia has a lot going for it in terms of attracting locals here to consider buying into the residential property...

[b]Privatizing public goods:

Privatizing public goods: Our lives up for sale Yanuar Nugroho Researcher, General Secretary Uni Sosial Demokrat Jakarta yanuar-n@unisosdem.org 2. ODA -- Long-term strategy needed for ODA progress 1 x 32 ODA needs long-term strategy OR Long-term strategy needed for ODA Koji Tajima The Asahi Shimbun Tokyo 3. Strait -- How direct for Taiwan? 1 X 32 How direct for Taiwan? The Straits Times Asia News Network Singapore On Jan.

Refugees still want to go home to Sampit

Refugees still want to go home to Sampit Yogita Tahilramani and Edith Hartanto, The Jakarta Post, Sampang, Madura Sixty-year-old refugee Wafir, a neighborhood unit head in Sampit and a teacher, said that he spent his days wondering how things went so horribly wrong. "One day, we were told the Dayaks were coming to attack us, and we were informed by the security forces to take refuge at the local administration's office. The next thing we knew, our houses were burned down.

Students enter school, parents foot the bill

Students enter school, parents foot the bill Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the new school year begins on Monday, many parents of new students are facing another headache due to all the financial commitments required for their children. "I'm relieved that my children have been admitted to state schools.

1. Insight: 1 x 45

1. Insight: 1 x 45 Shooting Aceh's messengers, killing peace hopes 2. WINTERS: 1 x 57 MPR Annual Session, 2004 election not important: Winters 3. ICC: 2 x 25 Battle over ICC is over, but the war is not

We are people with AIDS

We are people with AIDS Your detailed coverage of HIV and AIDS during the current International AIDS Conference is much appreciated. However, may I once more plead for more care in terminology, particularly in the headlines. The headline of the article on page 18 of The Jakarta Post on July 10 refers to HIV victims.

checked

checked Melbourne lures many Indonesians I. Christianto Contributor Jakarta Alexander, an executive of a private company in Jakarta, leaves for Australia twice a year for his second home, a two- bedroom apartment in Sydney's central business district (CBD). Alex is just one of the growing number of Indonesians buying residential properties in various cities in the continent state as their second homes.

Irwanto secures last Wismilak berth

Irwanto secures last Wismilak berth Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta FIDE Master (FM) Irwanto Sadikin took the last berth for the US$6,000 Wismilak International Grandmaster chess tournament after beating Yoseph R. Majella in a two-match, one-day playoff at the F. Sumanti Chess Center here on Sunday. Irwanto won both matches. He became the eighth Indonesian player to be fielded at the Wismilak tournament in Surabaya, East Java, from July 22 to 28.

Onyas leads West Java to championship

Onyas leads West Java to championship Musthofid The Jakarta Post Jakarta West Java retained the tae kwon do national championship after winning nine gold medals in the four-day LG Cup, which ended on Sunday at the Bung Karno Tennis Indoor Hall here. The champion also added four silvers and a bronze to its collection. Jakarta finished in second place with four gold, two silver and four bronze medals followed by East Java in third with a gold and four bronzes.

Defense equipment mark-up practices likely to continue

Defense equipment mark-up practices likely to continue Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The rampant practice of exorbitant mark-ups will likely continue as a senior defense official responsible for equipment procurement has refused to cut out the role of contractors. Director General of Defense Equipment Procurement Maj. Gen. Aqlani Masa claimed that contractors were still needed for purchasing defense equipment.

Pasar Minggu more chaotic

Pasar Minggu more chaotic From Pelita The market area on Jl. Raya Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, is becoming increasingly chaotic as public transportation vehicles and street vendors occupy the entire road around the market area. So traffic jams are common in this area, from whichever direction you come from. Buses pick up and drop off passengers anywhere they feel like it around the market area, instead of at the bus terminal.

Hanoi, Beijing move to settle disputes

Hanoi, Beijing move to settle disputes VIETNAM: Vietnam and China have moved a step closer to settling their decades-old territorial disputes through the laying of a symbolic marker stone on their land border, Vietnamese officials said on Sunday. The first marker along the western section of their common frontier was placed between Vietnam's border town of Lao Cai and the Chinese border station of Hekou in the southwestern province of Yunnan on Saturday.

What makes flat TV so special?

What makes flat TV so special? Gatot Tio, Contributor, Jakarta Did you attend the recent Consumer Electronics Exhibition at the Jakarta Hilton Convention Center. Well, most of the participants were displaying flat TV models, a sure sign of the growing popularity of this new TV technology. What makes the flat TV so special. As we know, there are three kinds of TV models: direct-view TV, projection TV and flat panel.

Lower interest rates key for deficit control

Lower interest rates key for deficit control Fitri Wulandari The Jakarta Post Jakarta Although the state budget deficit in the first semester of this year turned out to be much lower than predicted, economists said the government still had to work extra hard to maintain a "favorable domestic environment" to help ensure that the full- year deficit would not inflate beyond the safe limit.

Monas project to finish in October

Monas project to finish in October JAKARTA: The controversial Rp 8 billion fencing project at the National Monument (Monas) park in Central Jakarta began over the past weekend and is scheduled to be completed in October. The project manager, David Manariur, speaking after launching the project on Friday, said the 3.2-meter high iron fence that will encircle the park is being made by three workshops in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, in Bekasi and in Tangerang.

Bad IMF

Bad IMF From Kompas Fertile and rich in natural resources, Indonesia, ironically, is in worse shape than a country poor in natural resources. In Indonesia, the abundant natural resources have not been properly managed, and in many cases they have been taken away by western capitalist countries. In 1997 a monetary crisis began to hit Indonesia. This crisis later developed into a protracted economic crisis, the squeeze of which is still felt today.

checked

checked Finding dream homes Down Under I. Christianto Contributor Jakarta Alexander, an executive of a private company in Jakarta, leaves for Australia twice a year for his second home, a two- bedroom apartment in Sydney's central business district (CBD). Alex is just one of the growing number of Indonesians buying residential properties in various cities in the continent state as their second homes.

1. Aceh

1. Aceh Govt urged to revive peace talks with rebels 2. Refugee Poverty forces refugees into living hell Out of House deals reduce democracy or Experts decry backroom political deals

Govt to improve Katulampa dam

Govt to improve Katulampa dam BOGOR: The government plans to rehabilitate the Katulampa dam on the Ciliwung river near Bogor with a view to improving its ability to irrigate rice fields in the area and as an improved flood warning system for the city. Minister of Resettlement and Regional Infrastructure Soenarno told the media about the plan when he visited the dam last Friday, a media release from the ministry announced.

MPR Annual Session, 2004 election not important: Winters

MPR Annual Session, 2004 election not important: Winters Berni H. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Those who expect the 2004 general election will turn the country around need a reality check, according to American political observer Jeffery A. Winters. While it seems that all the political parties have their eyes on the elections -- raising funds and haggling over amendments to the 1945 Constitution -- Winters said genuine reform would have to come from outside the political parties.

We are people

We are people with AIDS Your detailed coverage of HIV and AIDS during the current International AIDS Conference is much appreciated. However, may I once more plead for more care in terminology, particularly in the headlines. The headline of the article on page 18 of The Jakarta Post on July 10 refers to HIV victims.

Page 5

Page 5 Headings 1. Invest: 20 x 2 lines Singaraja opens its region to new investment options 2. TKW: 40 x 1 line 430 workers complain of exploitation by agents

The AIDS time bomb

The AIDS time bomb The latest warning about the global AIDS menace has failed to resonate in Indonesia. To most people in this country, any mention of Barcelona will conjure up the image of the awesome Spanish football (soccer) club and its World Cup hero, Rivaldo. Very few people would recall that the Catalan city just hosted the largest ever international conference on the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), which closed on Friday.

New terminal may become center for extortion

New terminal may become center for extortion The Jakarta Post, Surabaya It is feared the Rp 4.5 billion terminal planned by the government for Djuanda Airport in Surabaya will become just another center for extortion. "I am afraid the new airport terminal will be used as a place to extort returning Indonesian laborers," said a taxi driver at Djuanda airport in Surabaya, as quoted by Antara news agency.

Pantura Festival in dire need of promotion

Pantura Festival in dire need of promotion Yusuf Susilo Hartono, Contributor, Jakarta In this era of regional autonomy, even organizing an art festival is not an easy thing to do. The 2002 West Java North Coast Cultural Festival, or the Pantura Festival, experienced some problems while trying to bring together traditional arts, and tourist and sports activities from five regencies -- Cirebon, Subang, Indramayu, Bekasi and Karawang -- in the province, plus the Cirebon mayoralty.

Golkar will comeback, says Akbar

Golkar will comeback, says Akbar MANADO: Golkar will make a comeback to lead this country again one day, says the party's chief Akbar Tandjung. "It will seize the highest slot which is the president of this republic," Akbar claimed in front of the New Order bulwark supporters here, seemingly alluding to himself. Akbar, who is also Speaker of the House of Representatives, is on a whirlwind trip to Ternate, North Maluku and Manado.

;JP;HEN;

;JP;HEN; ANPAc..r.. Property-Australia-guides Tips to buying homes for own use or for investment Deden Sudarbo Associate Director Residential Department, PT Procon Indah Given its close proximity and travel time, relatively stable political and economic climates, reputable schools, colleges and universities, and existing Indonesian communities within several of its large cities, Australia has a lot going for it in terms of attracting locals here to consider buying into the residential property...

Detained Australian ship has required documents

Detained Australian ship has required documents The Jakarta Post, Ambon The Maluku governor and an Ambon immigration official have admitted that a detained Australian ship and its crew had all the legal documents necessary for being in Indonesian waters. After days of furor over the detention, Ambon immigration office chief Wiryono said on Saturday that the ship's captain, John Kevin Means, had all the required papers for entering Ambon water and for possessing firearms.

W. Java keeps tae kwon do championship

W. Java keeps tae kwon do championship Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta West Java retained the national tae kwon do championship after winning an overall nine gold medals in the four-day LG Cup, which ended on Sunday at the Bung Karno Tennis Indoor Hall here. The champion, who also won the title in 2001, added four silvers and a bronze to its collection.