Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 18 July 2002

71 articles found

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.

Ryaas to establish new party

Ryaas to establish new party JAKARTA: Former state minister of administrative reform Ryaas Rasyid and popular political analyst Andi Malarangreng will declare a new political party in Jakarta on July 28 to contest the 2004 elections. "The new party will be named the Nation's Democratic Party (PDB)," Ryaas said in Eaat Java capital of Surabaya on Wednesday. He claimed that a number of noted political analysts and retired high-ranking military officers will join the party.

Buleleng focuses on living up to its potential

Buleleng focuses on living up to its potential Buleleng accounts for Bali's largest regency, but due to inadequate infrastructure, a great deal of its tremendous economic potential has yet to be tapped. The Jakarta Post's Novan Iman Santosa and Moch. N. Kurniawan visited the regency and filed the following report. Although the northern regency of Buleleng is the largest in Bali, that does not mean the area is the richest.

UN rapporteur says RI judiciary in serious trouble

UN rapporteur says RI judiciary in serious trouble Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta On his third day of his mission to investigate the independence of Indonesia's judiciary, a United Nations legal expert said on Wednesday that it had serious problems. UN special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Dato' Param Cumaraswamy said his impression stemmed from the frequent corruption reports in the local media.

Government to resume food aid to refugees

Government to resume food aid to refugees Yemris Fointuna and Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Kupang/Yogyakarta The government has decided to re-start its rice distribution for Timorese refugees in East Nusa Tenggara in response to a series of protests aired by the displaced people.

1. Yayasan-I -- 3x15

1. Yayasan-I -- 3x15 Foundations law to take effect as of next month 2. Yayasan-II -- 1x27 Revision plan on foundations law hailed 3. Parrot -- 1x22 TNI linked to illegal bird trade 4. Manila -- 1x30 Moves to freeze terror funds called for

1. ARNESS: 1 line, 28 counts

1. ARNESS: 1 line, 28 counts Arness still a fan of his films 2. SPAIN: 1 LINE, 35 COUNTS Spain's Palacio speedy, smart, a survivor 3. DEWI: 3 lines, 20 counts Indonesia's former first lady faces tax penalties

Mother, son, ex-model tried for harboring Tommy

Mother, son, ex-model tried for harboring Tommy Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang The Tangerang District Court began on Wednesday the trial of a mother, her son and a former model for their alleged involvement in hiding former president Soeharto's youngest son, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, who was on the run from September 2000 to November 2001.

E. Kalimantan protected forest burnt

E. Kalimantan protected forest burnt SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: There has been a minor forest fire in Tarakan, East Kalimantan, induced by the long dry spell, even though the forest's fire rating was only medium according to experts. With the fire in Tarakan, the forest has been placed on alert, according to the fire information unit of the Integrated Forest Fire Management, an Indonesian-German technical forum cooperating with the local forestry office in Samarinda on Wednesday.

Navy to buy 48 patrol vessels

Navy to buy 48 patrol vessels JAKARTA: Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Bernard K. Sondakh said on Wednesdaythe Navy would give priority to the planned purchase of 48 more patrol vessels to complement the 22 existing ones.

AGO to resume murder probe

AGO to resume murder probe JAKARTA: The Attorney General's Office announced on Wednesday that it would resume its investigation into the killing of Dutch journalist Sander Thoenes in East Timor in 1999. Spokesman Barman Zahir said that human rights ad hoc prosecutors would soon collect the necessary information after his office received the results of an investigation carried out by Dutch police Col. G.W.C. Thiry.

;AP;KOD;

;AP;KOD; ANPAu..r.. Aglance-Thai-RI-haze Thailand issues health warning over haze from Indonesia JP/11/ASEAN Bangkok issues warning over RI haze THAILAND: Bangkok has warned people in five southern provinces about health risks posed by smoke drifting across the area from forest fires in Indonesia, officials said on Wednesday. A Health Ministry statement released on Tuesday advised southern Thais to seek medical help if smoke irritates their eyes or throats.

1. CIREBO: 1 LINE, 35 COUNTS

1. CIREBO: 1 LINE, 35 COUNTS Cirebon neglects its historic buildings 2. MOMMY: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS Working-mom syndrome hits S. Korea 3. GAMES: 2 LINES, 27 COUNTS Study suggests video games lead to concentration loss

President signs regulation on oil body

President signs regulation on oil body The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri has signed a regulation on the establishment of an Implementing Body, which will take over from state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina as the country's highest authority in the oil and gas sector. The body, which is better known by the acronym Balak, will perform jobs that had been held by Pertamina for decades.

Revision plan on foundations law hailed

Revision plan on foundations law hailed A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Large social organizations supported the government's plan to revise the controversial law on groups and foundations, saying that the law was too "restrictive." The Muhammadiyah and Atma Jaya Foundations said that they needed certain flexibility in carrying out their social and humanitarian tasks. Muhammadiyah is the second largest Muslim organization in the country, claiming to have 30 million members.

Governors to gain new powers from central government

Governors to gain new powers from central government Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The central government is set to hand over 19 powers currently held by the Ministry of Home Affairs to governors to empower them to maintain stability in the provinces and to help make the implementation of regional autonomy a success.

Missing plane found in E. Kalimantan, rescue delayed

Missing plane found in E. Kalimantan, rescue delayed The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Search and Rescue (SAR) team found the cargo plane on Wednesday that crashed in the vast jungles of East Kalimantan, but have not been able to rescue the 10 people believed to be on board yet.

High price, labor strike hit cigarette earnings

High price, labor strike hit cigarette earnings Rendy A. Witular The Jakarta Post Jakarta Excise revenue from cigarettes for this year will likely fall short of targets due to the decline in demand and the recent one- week labor strike at the country's largest cigarette producer PT Gudang Garam.

UN mission and RI's legal system

UN mission and RI's legal system There has been ample news coverage in the newspapers on the upcoming visit of a UN fact-finding mission under Special Rapporteur Dato Param Cumaraswamy, reportedly to assess Indonesia's legal system, while focusing on the independence of judges and law practitioners in particular.

Business is brisk for loan sharks at traditional markets

Business is brisk for loan sharks at traditional markets Leo Wahyudi S The Jakarta Post Jakarta Some shun them, while others seek them. Loan-sharking is one of the oldest professions that still exists despite public criticism. Many small-scale traders in traditional markets ask for cash loans from loan sharks no matter how high the interest payment is as they need the money to run their business.

Rupiah Rates July 17

Rupiah Rates July 17 JP/13/Conver Rupiah Rates July 17 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

HIV cases up in West Kalimantan

HIV cases up in West Kalimantan PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: The Communicable Diseases Control Division at the West Kalimantan Health Office announced on Wednesday that the number of people recorded with HIV in the province in December last year revealed a sevenfold increase since the first cases were detected in 1999.

TNI linked to illegal bird trade

TNI linked to illegal bird trade Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar The office of Animal Conservation for Life (KSBK) has reported that some members of the Indonesian Military (TNI) are involved in the transportation of hundreds of protected birds including parrots from Maluku and Papua provinces.

Govt, BI end dispute on BLBI loans

Govt, BI end dispute on BLBI loans Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives is likely to approve a new deal between the government and Bank Indonesia on a mechanism to resolve a two-year dispute over how to share the burden of misused emergency loans (BLBI) given to ailing banks in the late 1990s. Under the agreement, the government will issue special bonds called perpetual promissory notes (PPN) to the central bank to cover the loans.

Loan sharks make profits in traditional markets

Loan sharks make profits in traditional markets Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Some shun them, while others seek them. Loan-sharking is one of the oldest professions that still exists despite public criticism. Many small-scale traders in traditional markets ask for cash loans from loan sharks no matter how high the interest payment is as they need the money to run their business.

Civil servants' productivity

Civil servants' productivity From Rakyat Merdeka An article titled President's officials at echelon I to work better published in Rakyat Merdeka recently has not only surprised me but aroused my curiosity as well. The warning was conveyed by the President to some state officials at the opening of a national coordination meeting at the Department of Forestry some time ago.

Anticipating UN mission

Anticipating UN mission Judging from the ample news coverage in the newspapers on the oncoming visit of the UN fact-finding mission, under Special Rapporteur Dato Param Cumaraswamy, reportedly to assess Indonesia's legal system, while focussing on the independence of judges and law practitioners in particular.

Businessmen urged to exploit RI's eastern waters

Businessmen urged to exploit RI's eastern waters Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali President Megawati Soekarnoputri, while expressing concern about the environment, called on local businessmen to make more of Eastern Indonesia's waters, home to an abundance of fish and other marine life.

Commission wants civil emergency for Aceh

Commission wants civil emergency for Aceh Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Ignoring public rejection and defying earlier statements from the speaker of the House of Representatives, the House's Commission I for defense and National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar on Wednesday agreed that a state of civil emergency for Aceh was necessary to restore security and order in the restive province.

Sutiyoso and Megawati

Sutiyoso and Megawati From Kompas The political situation in Indonesia has been disappointing for many years and the people are used to it. However, a statement by President Megawati Soekarnoputri that she supports Sutiyoso because he can maintain security in Jakarta is even more disappointing. It is true that the general election in 1999 was safe, but this does not mean that Sutiyoso is capable of making Jakarta safe. And we can also ask, who has said that Jakarta is safe.

Groups plan anti-Sutiyoso protests

Groups plan anti-Sutiyoso protests JAKARTA: With Governor Sutiyoso scheduled to present his accountability statement on Thursday, activists from various groups have announced plans to stage anti-Sutiyoso demonstrations. Hundreds of professionals will hold a protest at the Jakarta Stock Exchange building at noon.

Grenade blast kills bomb squad member

Grenade blast kills bomb squad member Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung A member of the West Java Police's Mobile Brigade bomb squad was killed and three other officers were injured on Wednesday when the grenade they were deactivating exploded at their base in Cikeruh, Sumedang, about 20 kilometers west of here. The blast killed Brig. Mugiyanto, the bomb squad leader.

1. Trial: 8 x 4 lines

1. Trial: 8 x 4 lines TNI formed East Timor militias: eyewitness 2. Gub: 20 x 2 lines Governors to gain new powers from central government 3. Agus: 24 x 1 line 'RI respects RP court verdict' 4. PPP: 30 x 1 line: Hamzah unchallenged in next PPP race 5. Fish: 36 x 1 line Businessmen urged to exploit RI's eastern waters

Dewi Sukarno faces tax penalties

Dewi Sukarno faces tax penalties Associated Press, Tokyo Japanese tax officials have ordered Indonesia's former first lady to pay taxes on 130 million yen (US$1.1 million) in income she allegedly failed to report, newspapers said Wednesday. Tax investigators discovered that Ratna Sari Dewi Sukarno, the Japanese widow of Indonesia's founding President Sukarno, failed to report income she earned from 1999 to 2001, the Nihon Keizai newspaper and several other media reports said.

'I don't think Sutiyoso a good guy'

'I don't think Sutiyoso a good guy' Many Jakartans do not believe that Governor Sutiyoso, who will deliver his accountability speech to the City Council on Thursday, is up to the task of resolving some of the city's most pressing problems, including an inadequate and inefficient transportation system and poor public services. Many residents are urging the city councillors to reject the governor's accountability speech, which would prevent him from seeking another five-year term in office.

Bapepam gains momentum in insider trading probe

Bapepam gains momentum in insider trading probe Fitri Wulandari The Jakarta Post Jakarta An investigation into alleged insider trading in the sale of government shares in state-owned telecommunications firm PT Indosat gained momentum after the Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) managed to obtain the list of beneficial owners from U.S. investment firm Merrill Lynch, analysts said.

Textile imports are threatening local industry: API

Textile imports are threatening local industry: API Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Tough times lie ahead for the country's ailing textile firms as cheaper smuggled textiles have started to flood the local market, according to the Indonesian Textile Association (API). API chairman Lili Asdjudiredja warned that unless the government takes immediate measures to curb the rampant smuggling, more textile companies would go bankrupt this year.

Working-mom syndrome hits S. Korea

Working-mom syndrome hits S. Korea Cho Mee-young, Seoul, Reuters Choi Kun-ju is a promising bank worker with almost 10 years experience. She works late on most days and is studying for extra qualifications. Yet, as busy as she is, Choi keeps one regular slot in her diary free. Every Saturday, she drives almost three hours through heavy traffic and along mountain roads from Seoul to the northeastern town of Chunchon to see her baby, who lives with her mother.

Cirebon neglects its historic buildings

Cirebon neglects its historic buildings Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon, West Java A city that fails to conserve its historic buildings is a city without a memory, so says Eko Budihardjo, a noted architect and the rector of Diponegoro University in Semarang, Central Java. This statement fits Cirebon, a small town of 37.35 square kilometers in the northern coastal area of West Java.

Corruption still name of game in Jakarta

Corruption still name of game in Jakarta Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Collusion and corruption are still rampant in procurements of goods and services in nearly all units of the city administration. A number of executives of goods and services suppliers to the city government said that collusion and corruption could take place both when firms were directly appointed to take charge of projects and when projects were put out to tender.

Bad debtors may benefit from IBRA loan auction

Bad debtors may benefit from IBRA loan auction Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) opened on Wednesday the bidding for its ambitious sale of some Rp 145 trillion (US$16 billion) worth of non-performing bank loans, taxpayers may face a bitter reality that most of the loan assets could be retaken by their old owners at huge discounts off of face value.

Harassment clarification

Harassment clarification I write regarding Berni K. Moestafa's piece, Jeffrey Winters, critic who loves RI, in The Jakarta Post on July 17, 2002. I agree that there are high risks of politically motivated attacks if one writes or speaks critically in Indonesia. One small point I would like to clarify concerns the case of me being mugged in Yogyakarta when Habibie was still president.

Real protection urged for maids

Real protection urged for maids Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Activists questioned on Wednesday the seriousness of the City Council and the administration to provide legal protection for housemaids. Lawyer Ratna Batara Murti of the Legal Aid Association of Indonesian Women for Justice (LBH APIK) and researcher Dhevy Setya Wibawa of Atma Jaya University criticized the administration's failure to implement Bylaw No. 6/1993 on the supervision of domestic helpers in the city.

'Indonesia respects RP court verdict'

'Indonesia respects RP court verdict' The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Makassar Demands for the government to use diplomatic channels to seek the release of Agus Dwikarna, who was sentenced to 17 years in prison by a Philippine court, are unrealistic and contradict international codes, Minister for Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda says. "There are international codes that we have to respect, including the laws of other countries.

Bekasi has shortage of fire trucks

Bekasi has shortage of fire trucks BEKASI: The Bekasi City Council has asked the Bekasi mayoralty to buy new fire trucks as it only has five trucks, which is not enough to cover the whole city area. Nurul Yaqin, a councillor from the National Mandate Party (PAN) said on Wednesday that five fire trucks were not enough for the whole city, which covers a total area of 21,000 hectares. "The mayoralty should have at least 17 trucks," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

RI amateurs to vie for world tourney

RI amateurs to vie for world tourney Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Audi quattro Cup, an amateur golf tournament, will be played for the first time in Indonesia with the winners qualifying for the world finals in Italy. The one-day tournament will be played at the Rancamaya Golf Course and Country Club on July 28. The organizers said 130 of the expected 144 players had confirmed their participation. A few of them are invitees.

Legal experts call for man's release

Legal experts call for man's release PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Noted legal experts and watchdog institutions urged security officers on Tuesday to release a man, who has been in prison for 30 days without appropriate legal procedures.

Moves to freeze terror funds called for

Moves to freeze terror funds called for Agence France-Presse, Manila Southeast Asia and its major western trading partners are expected to call for moves to freeze terror funds and stronger cooperation to fight terrorism in an upcoming meeting in Brunei, Filipino officials said on Wednesday.

N. Sumatra lack teachers, schools

N. Sumatra lack teachers, schools MEDAN, North Sumatra: North Sumatra is in dire need of more elementary school teachers and buildings to accommodate junior high school students, an official said. Head of the provincial education office Nazaruddin Hisyam, estimated on Tuesday that 16,000 elementary teachers and 250 junior high school buildings were needed. He said Nias island was in most urgent need of teachers.

Prosecution for Tommy

Prosecution for Tommy A very important phase in the trial of Tommy Soeharto peaked last week when prosecutors sought a 15-year jail term for the youngest son of former president Soeharto. He was charged with masterminding the killing of Justice Syafiuddin Kartasasmita, while his hitmen -- Maulawarman and Noval Hadad -- have been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Badalu sees the world from different angles

Badalu sees the world from different angles Christina Schott, Contributor, Jakarta There is always more than one perspective - everywhere. One only has to find it. And this often needs time and patience. Self-educated photographer John Badalu is obviously patient enough to take his time. He always finds a different angle wherever he goes with his almost 20-year-old pocket camera. "If I come to a place, I usually try to find a corner, where nobody else goes," the Jakarta-based freelancer says.

Drugs, fake money set on fire

Drugs, fake money set on fire TANGERANG: Tangerang prosecutors destroyed on Wednesday confiscated illicit drugs and counterfeit money used as evidence against defendants tried at Tangerang District Court over the past year. The evidence, which was set on fire within the Science and Technology Center complex in Serpong, had been seized from 97 drug cases and one counterfeit money case.

Legislators want civil emergency for Aceh

Legislators want civil emergency for Aceh Kurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post Jakarta Ignoring public rejection and defying earlier statements from the speaker of the House of Representatives, the House's Commission I for defense and National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar on Wednesday agreed that a state of civil emergency for Aceh was necessary to restore security and order in the restive province.

'Dreams and Teams' project launched

'Dreams and Teams' project launched JAKARTA: Fourteen high school students and seven teachers from seven schools here have joined a five-day sports program to improve leadership, team work, self-esteem, and organizational and negotiating skills. The program, which kicked off on Monday in Ciloto, Puncak, is aimed at enlightening students and teachers on how to use sport to improve leadership skills among young people.

Mangu paints love for nature

Mangu paints love for nature Yusuf Susilo Hartono, Contributor, Jakarta Fishermen walk in rows on the coast in the morning. An elderly woman selling fish waits for buyers at the seaside. There are fish with hooks in their mouths. There are women engaged in sand quarrying. Then there is the expanse of the Serangan coast.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 17, 2002:

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 17, 2002: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 365 -5 1,000 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,075 0 2,500 Adindo Foresta 40 0 0 AGIS Tbk 110 5 932,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 365 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 185 0 0 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 725 -25 53,000 Alter Abadi Tbk 55 0 0 Alumindo Light...

Gubernatorial candidates to be screened in camera

Gubernatorial candidates to be screened in camera Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After being criticized for discriminating against some gubernatorial candidates, a number of the City Council's factions are inviting candidates for governor and vice governor to attend closed-door screening meetings to explain their policies and visions for the capital. The National Mandate Party (PAN) faction began screening candidates on Wednesday.

China to be a huge market for ASEAN: Lee

China to be a huge market for ASEAN: Lee Agence France-Presse, Singapore China will eventually become a huge potential market for ASEAN as the country emerges from being a cheap labor source to be a producer of hi-tech goods, Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew said Wednesday.

What Jakarta's

What Jakarta's governor must do From Sinar Pagi Whoever is elected governor of Jakarta for the 2002-2007 period should improve the social, economic, security and educational conditions of this capital city. They must also, as former Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin said in an interview with Tempo magazine in its June 24-30 edition, revive youth centers. During the 1970s, every municipality had a youth center.

Hamzah unchallenged in next PPP race

Hamzah unchallenged in next PPP race Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Vice President Hamzah Haz will likely retain his current top position in the United Development Party (PPP) without a challenge during the 2003 party congress as none of the party's other senior figures are planning to contest the leadership race.

Exhibitions

Exhibitions * Photo Glory of the Past by Nonot S Utomo, Jezz Gallery, Jl. Imam Bonjol 400, Denpasar, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until July 22. * Photo Indonesie 1949 by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA), Jl. Pengosekan - Ubud, Gianyar, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Aug. 3. * Painting Dialogue of the Heart by I Wayan Sujana Suklu, Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Resort Bali, Jimbaran Bay (Tel. 0361 701010), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Aug. 2.

Political dumbing-down

Political dumbing-down Making backroom deals, it seems, has become the preferred method of resolving political differences in Indonesia. And President Megawati Soekarnoputri, nearly one year into her presidency, has become so adept at this game that she felt comfortable enough to publicly tout some of her latest deals.

Mega ready for direct presidential election

Mega ready for direct presidential election I Wayan Junartha, The Jakarta Post, Kuta, Bali Megawati Soekarnoputri, chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), said on Wednesday evening that she was ready to contest a direct presidential election in 2004 and that her party would support all the constitutional amendments for that process.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 17, 2002:

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 17, 2002: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 365 -5 1,000 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,075 0 2,500 Adindo Foresta 40 0 0 AGIS Tbk 110 5 932,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 365 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 185 0 0 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 725 -25 53,000 Alter Abadi Tbk 55 0 0 Alumindo Light...

TNI formed East Timor militias: Eyewitness

TNI formed East Timor militias: Eyewitness Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After two months of hearings by the East Timor ad hoc human rights trial, held in the absence of eyewitnesses from East Timor, an East Timorese finally took the stand on Wednesday to testify about the military's support for pro-Jakarta militia groups at the time.

Megawati chides obsequious aides, groveling officials

Megawati chides obsequious aides, groveling officials Rita A. Widiadana and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Bali/Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri rebuked sycophantic officials and aides in her government on Monday, accusing them of regularly submitting false reports to her, just to keep her happy. But politicians once close to Megawati, blamed the fawning officials for the President's dislike of criticism.

DJ Asian Currencies Higher Late;Dlr Outlook Remains Bearish

DJ Asian Currencies Higher Late;Dlr Outlook Remains Bearish Alan Yonan Jr. Dow Jones Singapore The dollar declined further against most Asian currencies Tuesday, reflecting the increasingly bearish global outlook for corporate America. The South Korean won, New Taiwan dollar, Thai baht and Singapore dollar all strengthened to fresh multi-month highs. The Philippine peso also edged higher, while the Indonesian rupiah was unchanged.

Mayor's dismissal stems from legal confusion: Expert

Mayor's dismissal stems from legal confusion: Expert Ainur R. Sophiaan, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya The removal of Surabaya mayor Bambang Dwi Hartono by the City Council is the result of legal confusion which could, in part, be blamed on the central government, an expert has said. Ryaas Rasyid, the former government official who largely drafted the regional autonomy law, said on the sidelines of a seminar here that Government Decree No.

Foundations law to take effect as of next month

Foundations law to take effect as of next month Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has dismissed rumors it has issued a presidential decree delaying the implementation of the much-protested law on foundations, saying the law would take effect on Aug. 6 as planned. "There is no presidential decree delaying the implementation of the law," Erman Rajagukguk, the deputy secretary of the Cabinet, told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

Asian central banks seen gradually building up euro reserves

Asian central banks seen gradually building up euro reserves Martin Abbugao, Agence France-Presse, Singapore Major Asian central banks will continue to lift the proportion of euros in their bulging reserves after it reached parity with the dollar but analysts said the move would be gradual. Nevertheless, the dollar will continue to be the dominant currency in Asian reserves, reflecting the United States role as Asia's dominant trading partner and expectations that the U.S.

Regional buyers to visit E. Java travel fair

Regional buyers to visit E. Java travel fair SURABAYA, East Java: East Java's third Majapahit Travel Fair (MTF) will invite traders from the Asia-Pacific region in the second week of September to boost the region's tourism. "Originally scheduled for October 24-28, 2001, MTF had to be postponed because of unfavorable international conditions. This time, though, it will definitely be held," said Sardjono, head of the provincial tourism office, in Surabaya on Wednesday.