Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 3 July 2002

78 articles found

The Jakarta Post

The Jakarta Post Jakarta A Balinese businessman who was here for a business trip had a pleasant surprise upon his arrival in the city on Tuesday morning. When he checked in at Hotel Indonesia at 8:05 a.m., he was told that the room was free of charge. Putu Purwata, chairman of the Bali chapter of Real Estate Indonesia, got the complimentary room because he was the first guest the day. The day itself was special as Hotel Indonesia (HI) was celebrating its 40th anniversary.

1. BOMB: 50 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12

1. BOMB: 50 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12 Shopping malls increase security amid blasts 2. MALL: 40 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 22 Planned Plaza Semanggi another traffic nightmare 3. TAX: 36 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 34 Councillors divided over lottery tax 4.HI: 36 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 44 Country's oldest hotel goes strong at 40 5. SPEAKUP: 36 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 44 'Megawati nominating Sutiyoso is a mistake'

Xanana's receives red-carpet welcome

Xanana's receives red-carpet welcome Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta East Timor President Xanana Gusmao made his historic first official visit to Jakarta on Tuesday, complete with full state welcome, red carpet and 21-gun salute. In an amazing twist of fate, Indonesian Military (TNI) officers, who had hunted him down as a separatist guerrilla leader in the past, paid salute to Xanana as leader of the newly born neighboring country.

Gusmao, Horta to speak in Makassar

Gusmao, Horta to speak in Makassar MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: East Timor President Xanana Gusmao and foreign minister Jose Ramos-Horta are scheduled to attend an eastern Indonesia (KTI) development seminar as keynote speakers in Makassar on Thursday. Andi Jaya Sose of the New Indonesia Alliance (PIB), which is sponsoring the program, said in Makassar on Tuesday one-day seminar was expected to find ways to accelerate development in eastern Indonesia.

Beautify the city or improve its choking transportation system?

Beautify the city or improve its choking transportation system? Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta To Governor Sutiyoso, spending Rp 14 billion on renovating a water fountain at a Jakarta traffic circle may have seemed a wise gift for the capital's anniversary last week, but residents here who commute to work daily consider it an insult.

Children protest bill on child protection

Children protest bill on child protection JAKARTA: Nearly one hundred children gathered outside the House of Representatives (DPR) building on Tuesday protesting the ongoing deliberation of the Child Protection Bill. They urged the legislators to revise and upgrade the bill before endorsing it. The teenaged children wore red Committee for Child Protection (KPA) headbands, held banners and passed out pamphlets.

'Tempo' sues lawyer for slander

'Tempo' sues lawyer for slander JAKARTA: The weekly magazine Tempo has countersued lawyer Lucas, saying he damaged the magazine's reputation and obstructed press freedom. Tempo deputy chief editor Toriq Hadad said on Monday the complaint followed Lucas' statement in its June 30 edition that Tempo reporters were paid to make him look bad. Tempo's article implied that Lucas was involved in the alleged engineered bankruptcy verdict of insurance company PT Asuransi Jiwa Manulife Indonesia.

Stock quotations on JSX

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 2, 2002: -------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Abdi Bangsa Tbk 370 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,150 50 31,000 Adindo Foresta 40 -5 1,000 AGIS Tbk 120 0 1,200,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 365 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 185 0 0 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 750 -25 57,500 Alter Abadi Tbk 45 0 0 Alumindo Light 600 0...

Councilors divided over lottery tax

Councilors divided over lottery tax Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The factions in the City Council remain divided over a proposed bylaw that would require companies that organize lucky draws to pay taxes on the contests. The largest faction in the council, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), has said it supports the bylaw because it would fatten the city's coffers.

Two nabbed for selling marijuana

Two nabbed for selling marijuana BOGOR: Two food vendors were arrested for selling drugs on Jl. Raya Bogor and Jl. Pancasan. The chief of the Bogor Police, Adj. Sr. Comr. Setyo Wasisto, said on Monday that Eman Suherman, 40, a soto (chicken soup) vendor, and Nurdin, 27, who sells fried rice, were arrested at their food stalls on Friday and Thursday, respectively.

On youth matters

On youth matters Bravo The Jakarta Post with your Youth Matters page! Hopefully this will become a bridge for our youth to reach out to adults and to their peers. A place where they can pour out what they feel and the worries that bother them. So far, we have read informative and educative articles written by some articulate young ladies. This type of thing should be more encouraged. I would like to make a comment about the article on prejudice.

House to ask Da'i over press attacks

House to ask Da'i over press attacks Kurniawan Hari and Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta House of Representatives legislators intend to summon National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar for an explanation following a series of violent attacks perpetrated by his men against journalists on assignment. House Commission I, which oversees the mass media and information affairs, condemned the poor example set by the police and threatened to cut the police budget.

Old habits die hard

Old habits die hard "The law, not the use of force should be your weapon," President Megawati Soekarnoputri told top brass and field officers of the National Police assembled at the Senayan east parking lot on Monday to celebrate the corps' 56th anniversary.

Timorese continue protests

Timorese continue protests KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: East Timorese refugees living in various camps in West Timor continued with their protests on Tuesday, demanding aid from the government for some 20,000 refugee families, or some 54,000 refugees in all. Tuesday's protest was the third since Saturday. Protest coordinator Feliks Fernandez told reporters that they would continue their protests until the government heeded their demands.

Planned Plaza Semanggi another traffic nightmare

Planned Plaza Semanggi another traffic nightmare Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city administration is assessing the possible impact on traffic flow of a proposed shopping mall to be built near the Semanggi cloverleaf in Central Jakarta. U. Pristono, head of the traffic division at the Jakarta Transportation Agency, said that the developer of Plaza Semanggi, submitted the traffic impact analysis (Andal) to the agency on June 10.

Government urged to disband armed groups

Government urged to disband armed groups Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite the absence of clear regulations, pressure is mounting on the government to disband groups of armed civilians as part of the attempt to stop continuing violence in the country.

Woman gets five years for drug

Woman gets five years for drug TANGERANG: A housewife jumped up jumped up in happiness Tuesday soon as the Tangerang District Court sentenced her on to five years in jail for drug dealing and the possession of 6.5 grams of putauw (low grade heroin). "Thank God. I thought I'd be sentenced to death like all the other 17 drug defendants," said Sri Lestari, 29, who held her head low and sobbed during the court session presided over by judge Ade Komarudin.

South Korean killed in apartment

South Korean killed in apartment JAKARTA: A South Korean man was found stabbed to death in a room at Permata Executive Apartment in Kelapa Dua, Kebon Jeruk in West Jakarta on Tuesday. A second South Korean man was found tied up in the same room. The deceased, identified as Parg Yenog Huan, 35, was taken to Ciptomangunkusumo hospital for an autopsy, while the survivor was taken to a hospital nearby for medical treatment.

Genuine bilingual

Genuine bilingual education possible I refer to the article Bilingual education remains a fantasy for Indonesian schools by Simon Marcus Gower, published on Monday July 1. This questioned the capability of Indonesian private schools to offer genuinely bilingual English/Indonesian education. Gower made the claim that bilingual schools can only be effective if, "there are parallel languages in existence within the society or community that the school is part of...

Labor bill to protect workers, hurt businesses

Labor bill to protect workers, hurt businesses The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government and the House of Representatives are deliberating upon a controversial labor bill that requires employers to pay compensation to resigning workers and those fired for offenses such as theft or physical violence against a fellow employee. The bill which is similar to the once-rejected Ministerial Decree No.

Country's oldest hotel going strong at 40

Country's oldest hotel going strong at 40 The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A Balinese businessman who was here for a business trip had a pleasant surprise upon his arrival in the city on Tuesday morning. When he checked in at Hotel Indonesia at 8:05 a.m., he was told that the room was free of charge. Putu Purwata, chairman of the Bali chapter of Real Estate Indonesia, got the complimentary room because he was the first guest the day.

On youth matters

On youth matters Bravo The Jakarta Post with your Youth Matters page! Hopefully this will become a bridge for our youth to reach out to adults and to their peers. A place where they can pour out what they feel and the worries that bother them. So far, we have read informative and educative articles written by some articulate young ladies. This type of thing should be more encouraged. I would like to make a comment about the article on prejudice.

Kudos to Garuda

Kudos to Garuda "Please check the seat pocket in front of you before leaving the airplane". This friendly warning was not enough to bring me back to my senses after a fitful nap on Flight GA 601 from Makassar last Saturday. On arriving home, I discovered that I had left some very important notes in the seat pocket. A few telephone calls to the airport -- the Turkey-Korea soccer match was playing so it took some time -- yielded the number for Garuda's lost property service.

RI chicken boycott angers U.S. poultry producers

RI chicken boycott angers U.S. poultry producers Associated Press, Jakarta Neil Carey knew it wouldn't be easy selling chicken to a Muslim country like Indonesia. He had to fly in two imams to his Missouri slaughterhouse to certify that the chickens were halal, or permissible to eat under Islamic law. He never expected his efforts to land his company in the middle of a trade fight between the U.S. and Indonesia - a battle sparked by Indonesia's decision to ban U.S. poultry two years ago.

Banyumas legislators on strike

Banyumas legislators on strike Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Purwokerto All 45 members of the Banyumas legislative council in Central Java went on strike on Monday in protest against a two-year jail term for the chairman of the council, Tri Waluyo Basuki, for his involvement in a land dispute. The councillors refused to receive guests or other people wanting to express their complaints and grievances.

Over-zealous

Over-zealous police at Puncak From Kompas As we were driving home from Bandung to Jakarta via Puncak on May 20, 2002, traffic police officers stopped us to examine our driving license near the Gunung Mas tea plantation. Despite the papers being all in order, our minibus was still held for what they said was a infringement of Article 54 of traffic regulations, due to our failure to carry a first aid box, which they said constituted a serious violation.

Shopping malls increase security amid blasts

Shopping malls increase security amid blasts Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Shopping malls are boosting security following Monday evening's blast at Graha Cijantung Mall in East Jakarta. The management of major shopping malls in the city told their security to stay alert after the explosion, which injured eight shoppers.

Government has much work to do to lure investors

Government has much work to do to lure investors Moch. N. Kurniawan and Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government must reform the legal system to reverse the declining trend of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Indonesia, investors and analysts said on Monday. According to analysts Raden Pardede of Danareksa Research Institute and Didik J.

Bus plunges into ravine, 22 killed

Bus plunges into ravine, 22 killed The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An overloaded bus carrying kindergartners and their parents to the beach for a field trip plunged into a ravine near the East Java town of Jember on Tuesday, killing at least 22 people and injuring many others, police and doctors said. Most of the victims -- 10 children and 12 adults -- died instantly in the crash, which occurred at about 7:30 a.m.

Government mulls cutting number of civil servants

Government mulls cutting number of civil servants Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The central government is planning measures to rid itself of lazy and useless civil servants by offering early pensions in a bid to cut operating costs, a Cabinet minister said on Tuesday. State Minister of State Administrative Reforms Feisal Tamin said that as only 35 percent to 40 percent of the Indonesia's around four million civil servants were working effectively, jobs should go.

Ernst & Young, Andersen form largest accounting firm in RI

Ernst & Young, Andersen form largest accounting firm in RI Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Post The Indonesian units of public accountants Ernst & Young and Arthur Andersen finalized months of merger talks by signing on Tuesday an agreement to combine their businesses, making it the largest public accounting firm in Indonesia.

Disabled students optimistic about going to university

Disabled students optimistic about going to university Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Disability does not necessarily bar high school graduates from taking the entrance test for state universities (SPMB), as shown by 29 blind students, who are among nearly 400,000 students nationwide participating in the annual test. Abdul was among eight blind students taking the admission test at the University of Indonesia (UI) campus on Jl. Salemba in Central Jakarta on Monday.

Texmaco factories, including a 360,000-ton capacity purified

Texmaco factories, including a 360,000-ton capacity purified terephtalic acid factory in Karawang, West Java, are located in several towns across Java. Texmaco's engineering goods, such as textile machinery, machine tools, automobile components, fabrics and garments have entered markets in South Africa, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the United States.

Coping with postpartum blues and depression

Coping with postpartum blues and depression Donya Betancourt, Pediatrician, Sanur, Bali, drdonya@hotmail.com Many new mothers experience a mild form of depression which is sometimes called the "Baby Blues". Mothers who suffer from depression have been known to have negative thoughts about their baby. A result of those thoughts is they begin to believe that they are not good mothers. All mothers can be comforted to know that the baby blues is very common and considered normal.

The decision of Chairwomen of the Indonesian Democratic Party of

The decision of Chairwomen of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Megawati Soekarnoputri to nominate incumbent Governor Sutiyoso as a gubernatorial candidate may affect the party's performance. Some of her party supporters have expressed their disappointment as have the common people. Lianto Sianipar, 28, a trader at the International Trade Center Mangga Dua, North Jakarta.

Holiday makers trapped at Merak-Bakauheni ferry ports

Holiday makers trapped at Merak-Bakauheni ferry ports Oyos Saroso, The Jakarta Post, Merak, Banten Travelers from Java to Sumatra and vice versa have had to wait for hours for the Merak-Bakauheni ferry during the school holidays because many of the 24 passenger ships usually in service are not operational. Traffic queues, which started on Monday, stretched for up to six kilometers from Merak in Banten province. However, there were no reports of violence or other trouble caused by the delays. M.

On bilingual education

On bilingual education I refer to the article Bilingual education remains a fantasy for Indonesian schools by Simon Marcus Gower, published on Monday July 1. This questioned the capability of Indonesian private schools to offer genuinely bilingual English/Indonesian education. Gower made the claim that bilingual schools can only be effective if, "there are parallel languages in existence within the society or community that the school is part of...

2. Japan (2 x 16)

2. Japan (2 x 16) Foreign banks post losses in Japan 5. Newco (1 x 27) Newco to issue Rp 29t in bonds 4. KPC (2 x 20) KPC and govt agree to delay investment

Siemens launches new CT Scanner for Asia

Siemens launches new CT Scanner for Asia Siemens Medical Solutions launched its new CT scanner Somatom Smile at Beaufort Hotel on Sentosa Island in Singapore. The company invited 10 journalists from Malaysia, South Korea, the Phillipines, Thailand and Indonesia, including The Jakarta Post's Damar Harsanto. What is the fundamental difference between a cellular phone and a state-of-the-art piece of medical equipment made by the same brand?

KPC, govt agree to delay divestment

KPC, govt agree to delay divestment The Jakarta Post, Jakarta JAKARTA: Coal mining company PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) and the government have agreed to extend to July 31 the deadline for the divestment of a 51 percent stake in the company. Under a previous agreement with the government, KPC was to have sold the 51 stake by the end of June.

Newco to issue Rp 29t in bonds

Newco to issue Rp 29t in bonds The Jakarta Post, Jakarta PT Newco, a holding company set up to restructure Texmaco Group's huge debts to the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), will issue exchangeable bonds as part of its debt payment scheme. IBRA deputy chairman for Asset Management Credit (AMC) Mohammad Sjahrial said that the bonds, maturing in eleven years, would replace all the Group's debts, worth Rp 29 trillion (US$ 3.45 billion), in both principal and interest.

Foiled Bulogate inquiry blows reform sky-high

Foiled Bulogate inquiry blows reform sky-high Bernie K. Moestafa and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The collapse of all hopes of a political inquiry into House Speaker Akbar Tandjung's alleged involvement in a graft case shows that the mighty flare sent up by the 1998 reform movement has turned into a damp squib. A motley collection of miniscule political parties and a civil society still in its infancy were now the reform movement's only hope, analysts said.

Rupiah Rates July 1

Rupiah Rates July 1 JP/13/Conver Rupiah Rates July 1 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Reporter, family killed in crash

Reporter, family killed in crash SEMARANG, Central Java: A reporter, his entire family and a driver died in an accident involving four cars on the Mangkang highway in Semarang, Central Java, on Monday after their minivan collided head-on with a truck.

Habibie testifies in Bulog case via video linkup

Habibie testifies in Bulog case via video linkup Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former president B.J. Habibie testified in the Buloggate corruption scandal on Tuesday from Hamburg, Germany, through a video linkup, but the court failed to properly cross-examine him, apparently due to lack of time.

New labor bill adding to investors' jitters

New labor bill adding to investors' jitters The Jakarta Post, Jakarta PT Indomobil Sukses Internasional, the country's second largest automaker, had planned to hire some 2,000 new workers this year in response to growing demand at home for automobiles. Now it has put these plans on hold because of increasing uncertainty in employing workers here.

Trade unions campaign against child labor

Trade unions campaign against child labor JAKARTA: Trade unions vowed on Monday to fight the child slave and sex industry in Indonesia and called for legislation banning work for children aged under 18. "We are all for it (against child labor). But, we need clear and strict laws to fight the worst forms of child labor in our workplaces," M. Amri, chairman of the Indonesian National Trade Union, said.

Police to build new cells for drug offenders

Police to build new cells for drug offenders JAKARTA: The police are constructing a new detention center to cope with the rising number of drug offenders. City Police Chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara laid on Tuesday the foundation stone of the new detention center, which would consist of 40 cells for drug-related criminals. The new detention building is built especially for victims or small drug traffickers. Police allocated Rp 7.5 billion (US$872,000) to construct the new detention center.

Bapepam needs more time on insider trading probe

Bapepam needs more time on insider trading probe Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) said on Tuesday it was unable yet to prove the alleged involvement of U.S. financial firm Merrill Lynch in insider trading during the sale of government shares in state-owned telecommunications firm PT Indosat in May.

Asia haunted by spread of HIV/AIDS

Asia haunted by spread of HIV/AIDS Harmonie Toros, Associated Press, United Nations Asia's highly populated countries, including China, India and Indonesia, face one of the greatest challenges -- and risks -- in the global battle against HIV/AIDS, according to the United Nations AIDS agency.

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.

Tourism offices face budget crises

Tourism offices face budget crises A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Cash-strapped local governments are facing difficulties in promoting their tourist attractions as they can no longer rely on the central government following the introduction of the local autonomy policy, according to a senior official of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Ministry secretary Sapta Nirwandar said on Tuesday that the decentralization drive, launched early last year, gave local governments greater power in...

Darwin-Bali yacht race to resume

Darwin-Bali yacht race to resume DENPASAR, Bali: The annual yacht race from Darwin in Australia to Benoa in Bali starts on July 27, boasting no less than 40 participants, Antara reported. Organizing committee spokesman Yos K. Amerta told the news agency on Monday the first yacht was expected to cross the finish line four days after the race begins in the Northern Territory capital.

Stately welcome for Xanana

Stately welcome for Xanana When East Timor President Xanana Gusmao began his official visit in Indonesia on Tuesday, he was received with a red carpet welcome and full military honors fitting for all visiting heads of state. But Gusmao is no ordinary visitor. He is a special guest, and should be treated as such.

Where to go in Surabaya

Where to go in Surabaya Performances * Music by Jet Set group band, at Desperados Bar and Cafe, Shangri-La Hotel, Jl. May. Jend. Sungkono 120 (Tel. 031 5661550), every Monday to Saturday, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. * Theater: Mas Tom by Teater Gandrik, Butet Kartaredjasa, Djaduk Ferianto, at Gedung Serbaguna, Bank Jatim, Jl. Basuki Rachmat 9 - 10, July 9 - 10. Open House * Britzone Week and quiz organized by British Council Surabaya, at the British Council Surabaya, Jl. Cokroaminoto 12A, 10 a.m.

RI's 'madrasah' producing techno-illiterates

RI's 'madrasah' producing techno-illiterates Mochtar Buchori, Educator, Legislator, Jakarta, mbuchori@indo.net.id Western observers have concluded that in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the madrasah (Islamic schools) are a hotbed for Islamic fundamentalism and a breeding ground for terrorism. They wonder whether this is also the case with Indonesian madrasah. Indonesian madrasah differ in several respects from the ones in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

'Megawati nominating Sutiyoso a mistake'

'Megawati nominating Sutiyoso a mistake' The decision of Chairwomen of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Megawati Soekarnoputri to nominate incumbent Governor Sutiyoso as a gubernatorial candidate may affect the party's performance. Some of her party supporters have expressed their disappointment as have the common people. Lianto Sianipar, 28, a trader at the International Trade Center Mangga Dua, North Jakarta.

U.S., S'pore launch exercises

U.S., S'pore launch exercises SINGAPORE: Singapore and the United States launched on Tuesday their most significant military exercises since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, with the participation for the first time of aircraft from the U.S. marines. About 2,000 troops from the navy, army, marine corps and coast guard of the two allies, as well as 14 ships will take part in the 11-day Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercises in the South China Sea and the southern islands.

Andersen Malaysia faces lawsuit

Andersen Malaysia faces lawsuit KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian unit of beleaguered accounting giant Arthur Andersen faces a 350-million-ringgit (US$92 million) lawsuit for alleged oversights while auditing publicly-listed CSM Corp. and its two subsidiaries, news reports said Tuesday. CSM, CSM Capital and CSM Properties are claiming that Andersen, the group's auditor in 1998-2000, failed to detect irregularities in the accounts of the three companies, The New Straits Times daily said.

Two in chopper crash found dead

Two in chopper crash found dead The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A 16-member rescue team has recovered a body and a human head from an Army helicopter crash site in Paniai regency, Papua, a military spokesman said on Tuesday. Spokesman for the Trikora (Papua) Military Regional Command Maj. G.P. Situmorang confirmed to Antara that the rescue team had discovered a body and the head of one of the three missing passengers. He identified the body as that of Sgt. Magito.

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.

Kudos to Garuda

Kudos to Garuda "Please check the seat pocket in front of you before leaving the airplane". This friendly warning was not enough to bring me back to my senses after a fitful nap on Flight GA 601 from Makassar last Saturday. On arriving home, I discovered that I had left some very important notes in the seat pocket. A few telephone calls to the airport -- the Turkey-Korea soccer match was playing so it took some time -- yielded the number for Garuda's lost property service.

PBSI select 58 players for Olympics

PBSI select 58 players for Olympics The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) has named 58 athletes who will take part in a special training program for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Project manager Rudy Hartono said on Tuesday the athletes comprised veteran and younger players selected from both inside and outside the Cipayung national badminton training center.

Cambodia offers compromise

Cambodia offers compromise CAMBODIA: Cambodia said on Tuesday it was willing to compromise to end a row with the United Nations that has scuppered plans for a joint tribunal to put leaders of the Khmer Rouge "killing fields" regime on trial for genocide. The United Nations pulled out of plans for a joint Khmer Rouge trial with Cambodia in February, ending five years of talks, saying a law drawn up by Phnom Penh to enable the trials was flawed and would not guarantee impartial hearings.

Mandiri named 'best local bank'

Mandiri named 'best local bank' JAKARTA: State-owned Bank Mandiri has been named the best local bank in Indonesia this year by Hong Kong-based financial magazine FinanceAsia. "Bank Mandiri is Indonesia's largest bank by a solid margin. Its total assets are Rp 262 trillion (US$26.5 billion) and its net profit $119 million. It return on equity is 38.09 percent," the magazine said.

Soldier gets 3.5 years for Ambon bombings

Soldier gets 3.5 years for Ambon bombings Oktovianus Pinontoan, The Jakarta Post, Ambon A court martial held in the troubled Maluku province's capital city of Ambon sentenced a soldier to three years and six months in jail on Tuesday for his involvement in a series of bombings in the eastern Indonesian city before last February's peace deal was signed. Chief Pvt.

War on graft not over yet

War on graft not over yet Endy M. Bayuni, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post The House of Representatives may have terminated one battle against corruption by voting down the Buloggate II inquiry, but the war against corruption is not over yet by a long shot.

Kudos to Garuda

Kudos to Garuda "Please check the seat pocket in front of you before leaving the airplane". This friendly warning was not enough to bring me back to my senses after a fitful nap on Flight GA 601 from Makassar last Saturday. On arriving home, I discovered that I had left some very important notes in the seat pocket. A few telephone calls to the airport -- the Turkey-Korea soccer match was playing so it took some time -- yielded the number for Garuda's lost property service.

Due diligence on IBRA loan assets starts

Due diligence on IBRA loan assets starts The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) is set to open the bidding process on July 17 for its planned sale of Rp 150 trillion (US$17 billion)-worth of nonperforming loans (NPLs), with 53 investors so far having begun their due diligence inspections on the offered loans.

Judge Prim tough on drug offenders

Judge Prim tough on drug offenders Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang His name comes last on the list of the Tangerang District Court judges as seen on the board hanging on the wall at the court building. This is because he is the most junior judge at the court. But never underestimate him. The 39-year-old Judge Prim Haryadi, who has been at the court since in 1999, and he is a "death judge".

KL, S'pore talks on water end without agreement

KL, S'pore talks on water end without agreement SEAN Yoong, Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur The foreign ministers of Malaysia and Singapore ended two days of talks on Tuesday without resolving disputes over water prices and other long-standing issues. "The meeting has achieved some progress and provided momentum for both sides to continue the negotiations in resolving the package of issues," a joint press statement said.

Megawati hopes to shelve direct presidential vote

Megawati hopes to shelve direct presidential vote Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a strong blow to constitutional reform, President Megawati Soekarnoputri revealed on Tuesday her desire of postponing direct presidential elections until 2009.

UPC says jobs, not guns can reduce conflict

UPC says jobs, not guns can reduce conflict Bernie K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the government plans to invest Rp 1 trillion (about US$111 million) to patch up the country's poor security, it would be better spent on fighting unemployment rather than on the Indonesian Military (TNI), an activist said.

Team managers deplore absence of strong challenge at Milo Open

Team managers deplore absence of strong challenge at Milo Open Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya With many of the participating countries failing to send their top badminton players, this year's version of the Milo Junior Indonesia Open will be less competitive, the Indonesian team manager said here on Tuesday. "I have to praise the organizers for luring foreign countries to the event.

Over-zealous police at Puncak

Over-zealous police at Puncak From Kompas As we were driving home from Bandung to Jakarta via Puncak on May 20, 2002, traffic police officers stopped us to examine our driving license near the Gunung Mas tea plantation. Despite the papers being all in order, our minibus was still held for what they said was a infringement of Article 54 of traffic regulations, due to our failure to carry a first aid box, which they said constituted a serious violation.

China eases investment ruling

China eases investment ruling BEIJING: China is to raise the foreign ownership limit for domestic airlines to 49 percent from 35 percent in an attempt to attract more overseas investment to the industry, officials said Tuesday. The new regulations, which will take effect from Aug. 1, will allow foreign companies to buy shares and directly invest in airlines, said a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Kudos to Garuda

Kudos to Garuda "Please check the seat pocket in front of you before leaving the airplane". This friendly warning was not enough to bring me back to my senses after a fitful nap on Flight GA 601 from Makassar last Saturday. On arriving home, I discovered that I had left some very important notes in the seat pocket. A few telephone calls to the airport -- the Turkey-Korea soccer match was playing so it took some time -- yielded the number for Garuda's lost property service.

Autonomy regulations needed

Autonomy regulations needed JAKARTA: The absence of supporting regulations for the regional autonomy law has created some obstacles in its implementation, mainly in regional maritime and fisheries development, said a scientist on Tuesday.