Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 July 2002

65 articles found

More attention for agriculture

More attention for agriculture From Republika In the 1970s and 1980s Indonesia was known as a successful agrarian country with Karawang regency and some other places in Central and East Java being the country's largest rice-producing areas. In these two decades Indonesia was self-sufficient in rice. It is strange, however, that today many rice fields in Karawang, Tangerang and Cianjur, for example, have been converted into shopping centers, office buildings and housing complexes.

Public remain unaware of virus-infected fish

Public remain unaware of virus-infected fish Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Most of the public remains in the dark about a herpes virus infecting ikan mas (carp) despite the recent discovery of it in carp and koi fishponds across Java earlier this month and a government warning issued to cook the fish thoroughly to avoid infection.

ASEAN to study establishment of anti-poverty bank

ASEAN to study establishment of anti-poverty bank Agence France-Presse, Bandar Seri Begawan Southeast Asia is considering the development of an anti-poverty bank providing loans to poor families and financing small business ventures, according to ASEAN documents sighted Sunday.

Projects at the Ministry of Communications

Projects at the Ministry of Communications The House of Representatives (DPR) is now focusing its attention on the materials procurement for several infrastructure projects at the state ministry of communications and information. In a working meeting between the ministry and House Commission IV last week, a number of questions were asked about the construction of the north terminal of Juanda airport, a project allegedly marred by 150 overpriced buses for (state-owned bus company) PPD.

'All Soeharto family members should be tried'

'All Soeharto family members should be tried' Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra became the first member of the once-untouchable Cendana family to face the prospect of spending a long time behind bars. The Central Jakarta District Court sentenced him to 15 years in jail for the murder of Supreme Court Justice M. Syafiuddin Kartasasmita on July 26 last year, illegal possession of firearms and fleeing justice. What do people have to say about the verdict?

Observers set up new political party to net upset voters

Observers set up new political party to net upset voters Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a move to net potential voters who have been disappointed with the performances of existing political parties represented in the country's supreme law-making body, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), two noted political observers declared a new party on Sunday.

Corrupt official escapes sentence

Corrupt official escapes sentence BANDAR LAMPUNG: Kotabumi subdistrict chief Darmajaya Yusuf, who was sentenced to one-year in jail and fined Rp 50 million for embezzling the administration of Rp 125 million, has escaped and is fleeing from police. First Insp. Siregar of the Kotabumi Police station, said eight police officers had been chasing him for a week, but the convicted official was still at large.

PC imports soar, but sales only moderately higher

PC imports soar, but sales only moderately higher Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Imports of personal computers soared 43 percent in the first semester of the year as local traders aggressively added to their stock on the strengthening of the rupiah to the U.S. dollar. But domestic sales of PCs only moderately increased 10 percent in that period, according to the Indonesian Association of Computer Dealers (Apkomindo).

Conflict-torn Aceh, Ambon lacking specialist doctors

Conflict-torn Aceh, Ambon lacking specialist doctors Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Health officials from Aceh and Maluku said over the weekend that the prolonged conflicts in the two provinces were hindering the public's access to government health services.

Defending RI's homeland costly, but necessary

Defending RI's homeland costly, but necessary Bantarto Bandoro, Editor, 'The Indonesian Quarterly', Center for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta Indonesia straddles one of the world's busiest sea and air communication zones, and while it is relatively weak in economic terms, its location makes it a significant geostrategic actor in the Asia Pacific region. However, this advantage has its vulnerability when matched against its geographic fragmentation.

KBC receives US$75 million payout from insurance firm

KBC receives US$75 million payout from insurance firm The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The United States-based power producer Karaha Bodas Corporation (KBC) has admitted to receiving US$75 million from an insurance claim from Lloyd's of London following the suspension of its geothermal power project in West Java. Nevertheless, the firm vowed to continue the litigation process to obtain $261.1 million in compensation from state oil and gas company Pertamina.

NU ends Congress, opposes amendment of Article 29

NU ends Congress, opposes amendment of Article 29 Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country's largest Muslim organization, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), closed its four-day congress on Sunday, with recommendations including opposing the planned amendment on Article 29 of the 1945 Constitution and supporting a direct presidential election.

Kupang imports 1,500 Australian cows

Kupang imports 1,500 Australian cows KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The administrations of East Sumba and West Sumba regencies have imported 1,500 Brahman cows from Australia to develop a special breed that is of a high quality. Samuel Rebo, the chief of the husbandry section of the local agriculture office, said over the weekend that the importation of cows was aimed at preventing the extinction of local cows, which were of the Ongole variety.

Yusril defended RI's dignity

Yusril defended RI's dignity From Rakyat Merdeka Making a criticism is everyone's right. As a sovereign nation, we reserve the right to maintain the dignity and integrity of our country.

Unreliable police data causes failures in fighting crime

Unreliable police data causes failures in fighting crime Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Observers revealed that a wide discrepancy between crime reported to the police and reality on the ground could wreck police attempts to crack down on crime. Both criminologist of the University of Indonesia Mulyana W. Kusumah and chairman of the police watchdog, Police Watch, Adnan Pandupraja highlighted the importance of data on which to draw up a strategy to combat crime.

July 27 case needs to be dealt with

July 27 case needs to be dealt with We have deliberately raised this issue because some people wonder why the July 27 incident, which happened six years ago, has resurfaced now. Is this case being politicized or is it used to corner certain people? In our journey as a nation, there are too many events that we have simply allowed to pass. We have never tried to re-construct all the historical events in this journey. What for? To make everyone of us see the journey of our nation in full.

Aceh military ready to help rights body

Aceh military ready to help rights body BANDA ACEH: Maj. Gen. M. Djali Yusuf, chief of the Iskandar Muda Military Command overseeing security in Aceh, said on Saturday that the military was ready to accompany the National Commission of Human Rights' inquiry team to investigate the fatal shooting of employees of PT Bumi Flora in Idi Rayeuk, East Aceh. "We're ready to help if the team asks for several personnel to accompany them in their investigation," he said. The team, led by B.N.

NU wants death sentences for convicted corrupt officials

NU wants death sentences for convicted corrupt officials Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Corruption, bribery, money politics and state debt were among the nation's most crucial problems that were rigorously discussed during Nahdlatul Ulama's (NU) national conference, which closed on Sunday.

Thousands of illegal TKIs return to RI

Thousands of illegal TKIs return to RI JAKARTA: Thousands of Indonesians working illegally in Malaysia have returned home through the East Kalimantan district of Nunukan which borders the Eastern Malaysian state of Sabah. No less than 2,000 workers were reported to be returning through the district every day ahead of a Malaysian government- imposed deadline of Aug. 1 for all illegal workers to leave or face being jailed and beaten with a cane.

Ambon returns to normal after powerful bomb blast

Ambon returns to normal after powerful bomb blast Oktovianus Pinontoan, The Jakarta Post, Ambon Life returned to normal in Ambon on Sunday, a day after a powerful bomb blast injured at least 53 Christians in Ambon. On Sunday morning, churches around the city were full with worshipers, including at Bethel church just 20 meters from the bomb site in Kudamati area, Sirimau subdistrict.

Aswin-Mamby bout postponed

Aswin-Mamby bout postponed JAKARTA: The non-title welterweight ten-round boxing contest between national champion Aswin Cabui and American veteran Saoul Mamby in Jakarta has been postponed for two weeks due to the People's Consultative Assembly's Annual Session, the promoters claim. The bout was initially scheduled for July 31 at the Sahid Hotel but it would have coincided with the Annual Session, which will run from Aug. 1 to Aug. 10.

ASEAN-U.S. pact OK, but no troop deployment

ASEAN-U.S. pact OK, but no troop deployment Agencies, Bandar Seri Begawan An anti-terrorism pact to be signed by the United States and 10 Southeast Asian nations allows for greater cooperation in counter-terrorism measures, but stops short of providing for U.S. troop deployment in the region, an ASEAN foreign minister said Sunday.

TNI chief warns against protests

TNI chief warns against protests JAKARTA: Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto on Saturday warned the public against organising mass protests during the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Annual Sesssion starting Aug. 1. "The Annual Session must proceed as expected. Let us not organize mass protests," Endriartono said after attending a meeting at the State Palace. He said the Indonesian military was ready to help police safeguard the session any time it was needed.

Bearish mood prevails in stock market, say analysts

Bearish mood prevails in stock market, say analysts A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Volatility on Wall Street, coupled with rising political tension at home in the run up to the upcoming People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) annual session, will keep stock investors here in a bearish mood, an analyst says. Chief economist at state-owned Bank Mandiri Martin Panggabean said Saturday that volatility in the U.S.

Antara

Antara 3 x 11.5 DRUG VICTIM: Health Minister Achmad Suyudi chats with a drug addict undergoing treatment in Bogor. Suyudi officially changed the name of the state-run Bogor Mental Hospital to the Marzoeki Mahdi General Hospital on Sunday. The hospital provides special treatment for victims of substance abuse.

Villagers run amok in BSD complex

Villagers run amok in BSD complex JAKARTA: Some 300 villagers ran amok and attacked the security guard office of the upmarket Bumi Serpong Damai housing estates in Tangerang last Saturday following the death of one of their neighbors who was accused of stealing a toilet bowl. Armed with sticks and stones, hundreds of angry local people from Lengkong Gudang Barat kampong, marched to the office after they heard rumors that Nur Alim, 26, was killed by the security guards from the elite complex.

Police search IDs in Menteng

Police search IDs in Menteng JAKARTA: Police captured 12 prostitutes, nine transvestites and 10 others who failed to produce their identity card (ID) during a raid early on Sunday morning in several areas in Central Jakarta. Menteng police subprecinct chief Comr. Syahardianto revealed that the people were apprehended on Jl. Blora and Jl. Agus Salim.

Business plans in disarray amid vague economic vision

Business plans in disarray amid vague economic vision Weakness in national leadership has had a more negative impact than positive impact, according to some economists. The Jakarta Post's contributor Rikza Abdullah talked to Djisman S. Simandjuntak, executive director of Prasetya Mulya business school, who shared his thoughts on the economic vision of President Megawati Soekarnoputri's administration. Question: Would you say the government lacks commitment to policy reform?

Our professional doctors?

Our professional doctors? Recommended by a friend of my son, I went to an otorminolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat - THT - specialist) at a THT clinic run by a private foundation on Jl. Ciranjang, Kebayoran Baru, on Wednesday, July 24, 2002, in the evening. When I confirmed on Wednesday morning -- by phone -- I was told by the receptionist that the specialist would be available at 7 p.m. I arrived at the clinic at about 7 p.m. in the hopes that I could get early treatment.

Questionable funds for councillors 'not a gift'

Questionable funds for councillors 'not a gift' Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Responding to the widespread criticism of the Rp 25 billion given to members of the West Java legislature, Governor R. Nuriana said the money was not a gift but was released at the request of the legislative council.

Government restricts coastal sand extraction to aid environment

Government restricts coastal sand extraction to aid environment Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has issued a decree on the zoning of the country's coastal and sea areas for sand quarrying, a policy that will reduce existing sand mining areas.

China, wary about U.S., seeks warmer SE Asia ties

China, wary about U.S., seeks warmer SE Asia ties Brian Rhoads, Reuters, Bandar Seri Begawan China, wary about U.S. influence in Southeast Asia, will seek in Brunei this week to strengthen ties with its southern neighbors while fending off American accusations it exports weapons of mass destruction, diplomats said.

For Sunday July 28

For Sunday July 28 ;JP; ANPAc..r.. Golf-equipment-sales I. Christianto Contributor Jakarta It's not just hitting the ball in the fairway Playing golf is not just walking down the fairway and hitting the ball. It is a lifestyle that describes one's social status, which is why money does not matter for most golfers in Indonesian when purchasing golf paraphernalia. This has created a lucrative industry: the sale of golf equipment and golf accessories.

Are today's events bad for us?

Are today's events bad for us? Fauzi Ichsan, Gobal Markets Economist, Standard Chartered Bank, Jakarta, Fauzi.Ichsan@id.standardchartered.com As accounting scandals rock the United States, sending the New York stock market into a tailspin, some economic analysts are now predicting "gloom and doom" for Indonesia. Their analysis is pretty straightforward.

Mega parties as July 27 is remembered

Mega parties as July 27 is remembered The Jakarta Post, Jakarta What was President Megawati Soekarnoputri doing when thousands of her die-hard supporters and victims of the July 27 bloody attack were crying out for justice last Saturday? Throwing a party for her children, brothers and sisters of her businessman husband Taufik Kiemas, and several family business friends to celebrate her one year in office.

Legal loopholes abound in Tommy's 15-year verdict

Legal loopholes abound in Tommy's 15-year verdict Berni K. Moestafa and Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Amid the cheers following the sentencing of former president Soeharto's son, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, to 15 years in jail, legal experts warned on Saturday of flaws in the verdict that could lead a higher court overturning it.

Stefanova closer to title at Wismilak chess tournament

Stefanova closer to title at Wismilak chess tournament The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Collecting another one-and-a-half points from the last two rounds, Bulgarian women's Grand Master (GM) Antoaneta Stefanova is almost certain to cruise to the victory at the Wismilak International Chess Tournament. Stefanova, who has come to Surabaya following her success in the European Championship, has amassed an overall 7.5 points to stay on the top of the provisional standings in the 12-strong competition.

Bearish mood

Bearish mood prevails in stock market, say analysts Meanwhile, currency analyst Wawan Wiradjaya from DBS Vickers said that the Indonesian currency will also remain weak next week. 2. Karaha 2 X 28 KB receives US$75 million payout from insurance firm 3. Bush 2 x 45 Bush gets more involved in encouraging compromises on major economic bills 4. Die 3 X 20 Economist Rudi Dornbusch dies at age 60

5. Thai ---- 1x26

5. Thai ---- 1x26 Thai illegal arms trade threatens region

* Headlines: NU ends Congress, opposes amendment of Article 292

* Headlines: NU ends Congress, opposes amendment of Article 292 * National: PPP will fight for sharia law, Hamzah says 4 * Archipelago: Questionable funds for councillors 'not a gift' 5 * City: Unreliable police data causes failure in fighting crime 8 * Opinion: Defending RI's homeland costly, but necessary 7 * Sports: Hayes, Gamez share three shot lead in Illinois 9 * World: U.S.

Foreign maids happy working in Singapore, survey shows

Foreign maids happy working in Singapore, survey shows Agencies, Singapore Foreign maids in Singapore are generally happy with their work, a survey showed on Sunday, despite a series of highly publicized cases of domestic worker abuse. A poll of 100 Indonesians and Filipina maids by the Sunday Times newspaper showed many described their living and working conditions as either "okay" or "very good", with only a handful expressing a desire to work for someone else.

KL continues push for new secretariat in wider ASEAN

KL continues push for new secretariat in wider ASEAN Jasbant Singh, Associated Press, Bandar Seri Begawan Malaysia fought off an effort by Singapore and Indonesia to kill its proposal to host a new secretariat for a regional grouping comprising ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea, officials said on Sunday.

Govt seeks release of kidnapped doctor

Govt seeks release of kidnapped doctor Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi hinted on Sunday that the government, with the help of a mediation body, was still negotiating with the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) over the abduction of the director of state-run Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Mental Hospital and his son. "I have yet to receive the latest report, but we're trying our best to release them.

Number of children working as domestics increasing in Asia

Number of children working as domestics increasing in Asia Agence France-Presse, Manila An increasing number of children are being employed as domestic servants in dire conditions across Asia amid rapid modernization and poverty, a study presented at a forum on child labor in the Philippines showed on Sunday.

;JP;CHRISTINA SCHOTT;

;JP;CHRISTINA SCHOTT; ANPAc..r.. Life-Surabaya-prostitutes JP/19/HOTLINE Surabaya's prostitutes live on the edge Prostitutes in Surabaya: Life at the border of society Christina Schott Contributor Surabaya Evi, not her real name, fell down the stairs. Or, maybe she was hit by a motorbike while crossing the street. Her claims, however, cannot hide the fact that the young woman now lying in a clinic's examination bed was badly beaten by somebody.

PPP will fight for sharia law, Hamzah says

PPP will fight for sharia law, Hamzah says Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a move apparently made to maintain the support of its supporters, United Development Party (PPP) Chairman Hamzah Haz said the party would continue to fight for the inclusion of sharia law in future amendments to the 1945 Constitution.

Court draws criticism for overturning KPPU ruling

Court draws criticism for overturning KPPU ruling Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The court decisions to overturn the ruling of the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) over the Indomobil sale has drawn criticisms from some local legal experts, who blamed the "wrong" decision on the judges's lack of knowledge about the case.

1. Bandung: 8 x 4 lines

1. Bandung: 8 x 4 lines Questionable funds for councillors 'not a gift' 2. Kapal: 24 x 1 line Navy foils sand smuggling to S'pore 3. Waduk: 20 x 2 lines Indramayu to build giant dam to increase rice production

Navy foils sand smuggling to S'pore

Navy foils sand smuggling to S'pore Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam The Navy captured over the weekend seven vessels trying to smuggle thousands of tons of sand from the Riau waters to Singapore. Col. Adyaman, chief of the naval base on Batam Island, said the vessels, several carrying foreign flags, were arrested because they failed to show necessary documents for the sand they were carrying.

High times in RI's prisons

High times in RI's prisons JAKARTA: Around 40 percent of prisoners nationwide are abusing narcotics and psycotropics, Justice and Human Rights Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said Saturday. "The problem is indeed difficult to deal with," Yusril said as quoted by Antara during a lecture at Medan University, North Sumtara on Saturday. He said the government was still constructing special penitentiaries with tighter surveillance systems to prevent prisoners from taking drugs.

Book cover replacement sought

Book cover replacement sought JAKARTA: Embattled House of Representative (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung asked the publisher of the book Bulogate: Abdurrahmangate, Akbargate, Megaskandal to not use his picture on the cover of the book. Akbar, who is currently standing trial at the Central Jakarta District Court for fraud involving the State Logistics Agency (Bulog), claimed that the book's publisher had used his picture without permission.

Vasindo to take police to court

Vasindo to take police to court JAKARTA: Vasindo Group, a prepaid telephone calling card operator and internet service provider, intends to haul the police before the State Administrative Court, saying that a recent police raid on the company involved substantial financial and moral issues. "This week we'll serve a legal notice on the police.

Today's games are no longer child's play

Today's games are no longer child's play Vishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, Jakarta When you hear the term video games, you might immediately think of children huddled in front of a TV screen or monitor, shooting down alien invaders or jumping over barrels thrown down by that ugly Donkey Kong. The general public has always considered video games to be for the very young and not fun enough for adults. That way of thinking, however, is extremely old-fashioned.

Bambang, Joko win berths for Italian tour

Bambang, Joko win berths for Italian tour The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bambang Sulistyo and Joko Riadi won the Audi quattro Cup amateur golf tournament at the Rancamaya Golf Course in Bogor, West Java, on Sunday to book their places at the world finals in Sardinia, Italy, in October. The one-day tournament, which used the stableford scoring system, featured as many as 150 amateur golfers divided into flight A and flight B.

Djaduk: A musician of endless fancy

Djaduk: A musician of endless fancy Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Perhaps the Javanese proverb "Lots of children bring good fortune" fits artist Djaduk Ferianto, 38, although for him it might read better as lots of children motivate one's creativity. Djaduk's close friends usually tease him about the proverb because he receives a lot of work and needs an unlimited source of creativity.

Surabaya's prostitutes: Life on edge of society

Surabaya's prostitutes: Life on edge of society Christina Schott, Contributor, Surabaya Evi, not her real name, fell down the stairs. Or, maybe she was hit by a motorbike while crossing the street. Her claims, however, cannot hide the fact that the young woman now lying in a clinic's examination bed was badly beaten by somebody. She has been losing blood for almost a week, probably because the blows to her stomach caused a miscarriage. Maybe it is now too late to save her life.

Indramayu to build giant dam to increase rice production

Indramayu to build giant dam to increase rice production Moch. N. Kurniawan and Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Indramayu, West Java Officials from Indramayu and the central government are planning to construct the Jatigede dam to solve farmers' irrigation woes by bringing much-needed relief from annual droughts and floods to the area.

1. Wall (3x18)

1. Wall (3x18) Wall St finally sees some light at end of tunnel 2. Sand (2x38) Government restricts coastal sand extraction to aid environment 3. KPPU (2x27) Court draws criticism for overturning KPPU ruling 4. Insur (2x32) Insurance firms may switch to stocks as bank guarantee ends

Insurance firms may switch to stocks as bank guarantee ends

Insurance firms may switch to stocks as bank guarantee ends Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government's plan to phase out its bank guarantee program will likely push insurance companies to increase their investment exposure in bonds or in the stock market rather than in bank time deposits as investments, an industry expert says. "Placing money in banks would have the same risk like in other investments ...

NU embraces, promotes moderation among Muslims

NU embraces, promotes moderation among Muslims Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite being known as a traditionalist organization by many people, the 40-million strong Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has in fact chosen a moderate path in developing Islamic thought. Nahdlatul Ulama leaders and scholars said the NU, the nation's largest Muslim organization, was striving to sustain and promote moderate thinking and a pluralist and tolerant attitude among the younger generation.

Colombo, Tigers hold direct talks in London

Colombo, Tigers hold direct talks in London Agence France-Presse, Colombo The Sri Lankan government said on Sunday it had held face-to-face talks in London with Tamil Tiger rebels ahead of formal peace negotiations in Thailand. Minister of Economic Reform Milinda Moragoda, one of two ministers picked by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to pursue the Norwegian-sponsored peace process, met with the Tigers' chief negotiator Anton Balasingham in London on Saturday, a government statement said.

Leadership

Leadership The recent 16th National Seminar organized by the Indonesian Political Science Association in Malang, East Java, pointed out that Indonesia is suffering from a leadership crisis. The current (national) leaders are said to be lacking a sense of direction. These are not really new statements. Most Indonesians have been aware of the leadership crisis even when the New Order regime was still in power. Confusion occurred when the country rejected B.J.

Council won't judge Sutiyoso's performance

Council won't judge Sutiyoso's performance Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Political analysts said that city councillors, who would accept City Governor Sutiyoso's accountability speech, would base their assessment solely on political considerations rather than the administration's performance. "They will use only political factors and Sutiyoso's personal standing to evaluate his accountability," Mulyana W.

1. Closing -- 3x14

1. Closing -- 3x14 NU ends Congress, opposes amendment of Article 29 2. Moderate -- 2x24 NU embraces, promotes moderation among Muslims 3. Corrupt --- 2x26 NU wants death sentences for convicted corrupt officials 4. Mega ------ 1x22 Mega parties as July 27 is remembered 5. Migrants -- 1x32 KL ups security for exodus of illegal workers

Workers' hospital built

Workers' hospital built JAKARTA: Manpower Minister Jacob Nuwa Wea laid the first cornerstone of a workers' hospital in Banda Aceh on Saturday. "Now that the Aceh governor and the Aceh Besar district chief have made a real start to construct this hospital, we will seriously support the project," Minister Jacob said.