Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 15 August 2002

83 articles found

UN on track to finish East Timor mission

UN on track to finish East Timor missionEdith M. Lederer, Associated Press, United Nations The United Nations is on track to wrap up its peacekeeping mission in East Timor in mid-2004 following the country's successful transition from UN administration to independence, the Security Council said on...

20 foreigners to get sentences cut

20 foreigners to get sentences cut JAKARTA: Twenty foreign prisoners on the Indonesian resort island of Bali will have their sentences cut by one to five months to mark country's independence day, a report said Wednesday.

Asahan Aluminum's output may fall

Asahan Aluminum's output may fall SINGAPORE: PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminum's primary aluminum output is likely to fall 18 percent on year to 160,000 metric tons in the fiscal year ending March 2003, as the company's power supply has been inadequate, a company official said Wednesday.

Unilever to invest $500m in RI

Unilever to invest $500m in RI JAKARTA: PT Unilever Indonesia plans to invest an estimated US$500 million in the next 10 years in Indonesia, an official with its parent company said Wednesday.Niall Fitzgerald, the global chairman of Unilever Plc.

Fuel smuggling rampant in Atambua

Fuel smuggling rampant in Atambua ATAMBUA, East Nusa Tenggara: Fuel smuggling in Belu regency bordering East Timor has shown no sign of slowing down although the local police have arrested many suspected smugglers, a community leader said on Wednesday.

Kartika raises funds for Unicef

Kartika raises funds for UnicefMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The youngest daughter of former president Sukarno, Kartika Soekarnoputri, visited a posyandu (health clinic) on Wednesday to raise funds for UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund).

Councillors' trips criticized

Councillors' trips criticized PURBALINGGA, Central Java: The Purbalingga People's Movement for Reform Today -- an alliance of non governmental organizations (NGOs) here -- urged local councillors on Wednesday to provide the public with a complete accounting of their recent trip to Riau.

Asahan Aluminum's output may fall

Asahan Aluminum's output may fall SINGAPORE: PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminum's primary aluminum output is likely to fall 18 percent on year to 160,000 metric tons in the fiscal year ending March 2003, as the company's power supply has been inadequate, a company official said Wednesday.

JP/4/Autonomy

JP/4/AutonomyRegents reject overseas trip policyThe Jakarta Post JakartaAssociation of Indonesian Regency Administrations (Apkasi) chairman Syaukani H.R. rejected on Wednesday a government policy that requires regional administrators and officials to secure presidential approval before embarking on...

Independence celebrations more muted in elite areas

Independence celebrations more muted in elite areasNovan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The neighborhood looks deserted, with just a few cars passing a street that has red-and-white flags flapping in the wind in front of houses in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

Correction

CorrectionThe name of the new Japanese ambassador to Indonesia, which appeared in the Aug. 14, 2002 edition of The Jakarta Post, should have been written Yutaka Iimura. We apologize for the error.Editor

Prospects for Bali's garment export remains grim

Prospects for Bali's garment export remains grimMoch.N. Kurniawan and Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali The garment and textile industry has been over the years one of the engines driving Bali's economy, but the prospects for the industry look gloomy and will probably remain so...

Malaria relapse affects 500

Malaria relapse affects 500 PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Lack of control in the use of anti- malarial drugs and abatement programs have caused malaria to spread further in Banyumas regency, Central Java, affecting at least 500 people.

Taiwan VP's visit to Indonesia likely to ruffle China's feathers

Taiwan VP's visit to Indonesia likely to ruffle China's feathersAgencies, Jakarta Taiwan's Vice President Annette Lu flew in to Indonesia on Wednesday for a visit likely to ruffle China's feathers, but Jakarta said her trip was unofficial and a Taipei representative said it had nothing to do with...

'Soekarno reincarnation' forms party

'Soekarno reincarnation' forms party YOGYAKARTA: A man who thinks he is the reincarnation of first president Soekarno or Bung Karno, set up his own political party on Wednesday in a bid to join the 2004 general election.

Security forces blamed for Poso attacks

Security forces blamed for Poso attacksThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Palu Armed assailants involved in attacks in the Central Sulawesi town of Poso remain a mystery, but the authorities' failure to capture them or uncover their identities and whereabouts has sparked speculation that security forces may...

HIV in Riau reaches alarming levels

HIV in Riau reaches alarming levelsHaidir Anwar Tanjung and Fadli The Jakarta Post Pekanbaru/BatamBatam was rocked by the news in July 2002 that two residents with AIDS died in separate places on the tourist island.

Bali at a crossroads: Tourism or agriculture

Bali at a crossroads: Tourism or agricultureI Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar Bali, one of the richest provinces in Indonesia, celebrated its 44th anniversary on Aug. 14. Despite an abundance of economic, natural and cultural assets, the province is facing a number of pressing problems.

APP defends its management, reforms in Singapore court

APP defends its management, reforms in Singapore courtHasan Jafri and June Goh, Dow Jones, Singapore A court-appointed management to replace the Widjaja family would hinder restructuring at Asia Pulp & Paper Co.

Usman announced as UI's new rector

Usman announced as UI's new rectorLeo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The University of Indonesia's (UI) board of trustees elected acting rector Usman Chatib Warsa as the new rector of UI on Wednesday.

Foundation probes 1968 Blitar massacre

Foundation probes 1968 Blitar massacre JAKARTA: The Kasut Perdamaian Foundation said on Wednesday that it was conducting an investigation into the massacre in South Blitar, East Java, that happened between 1965 and 1968 as part of its peace efforts.

Regents reject govt policy on overseas trip

Regents reject govt policy on overseas tripThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Association of Indonesian Regency Administrations (Apkasi) chairman Syaukani H.R. rejected on Wednesday a government policy that requires regional administrators and officials to secure presidential approval before embarking on an...

Prosecutors dismiss Akbar's defense

Prosecutors dismiss Akbar's defenseThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Prosecutors on Wednesday rejected the defense statement by House Speaker Akbar Tandjung in the Rp 40 billion (US$4.4 million) graft scandal dubbed Buloggate II, insisting he receive a four- year prison sentence.

Plan to ban press coverage slammed

Plan to ban press coverage slammed JAKARTA: State Minister of Communications and Information Syamsul Mu'arif slammed on Wednesday plans by the Jakarta High Court to ban reporters from covering trials, calling it baseless.

KONI to unveil Asian Games team by Thursday

KONI to unveil Asian Games team by ThursdayMusthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Sports Council (KONI) expects to announce most of the team for the 2002 Asian Games on Thursday, but for a few sports they remain undecided, according to national training director here on Wednesday.

1. KARINA: 28 pt, 1 cols, 4 x 9

1. KARINA: 28 pt, 1 cols, 4 x 9Kartika raises funds for UNICEF 2. KPKPN: 50 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 25KPKPN to summon City Council leaders, Sutiyoso 3. TOMMY: 36 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 47Tommy shuns court again, his sickness doubted For the third time, former president Soeharto's youngest son Hutomo "Tommy"...

Astra says it can get debt deal by October

Astra says it can get debt deal by OctoberDow Jones, Jakarta PT Astra International, Indonesia's largest car maker, said Wednesday it plans to reach a debt restructuring deal with creditors by October."We are optimistic that we can reach a deal with our creditors to restructure our debt by...

JP/13/L00

JP/13/L00 JP/13/ConverRupiah Rates Aug. 14Bank notes rates TT ratesSelling Buying Selling BuyingRp Rp Rp RpAustralian dollar 1 5,002.72 4,461.96 4,758.03 4,706.42Brunei dollar 1 5,321.95 4,749.22 5,061.65 5,009.42Canadian dollar 1 5,953.38 5,313.12 5,662.20 5,604.21Swiss franc 1 6,286.16 5,610.

1. Astra (4x10)

1. Astra (4x10) Astra says it can get debt deal by October 2. Market (1x27)Dollar drops on Fed warning3. CAR (2x23) Draft on new CAR ruling expected by end of year

Sutiyoso advances smoothly

Sutiyoso advances smoothly Sutiyoso's route to the Jakarta governorship (again) is now distinctly possible after the Jakarta Provincial Legislative Council accepted his accountability speech on a vote on Monday.

Semen Padang in trouble

Semen Padang in trouble PT Semen Padang management's rebellion against shareholders has plunged the West Sumatra cement manufacturer into a severe financial crisis, with all major banks having now shunned the company as too risky a client to deal with.

Market awaits concrete action from govt after MPR session

Market awaits concrete action from govt after MPR sessionA'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While the government may be let down with the lukewarm response of the financial market to the positive outcome of last week's People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) annual session, analysts said that...

Women-only curfew in E. Java

Women-only curfew in E. Java JEMBER, East Java: Women will not be allowed out at night here following a curfew imposed by the local police.The police chief, Adj. Sr. Comr. Winardi, said on Wednesday that the curfew, which is effective from 11 p.m.

Tommy likely to be moved to Nusakambangan on Thursday: The

Tommy likely to be moved to Nusakambangan on Thursday: The convicted son of former president Soeharto, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, is scheduled to be flown by helicopter from his cell in Cipinang penitentiary in East Jakarta to a high security prison on Nusakambangan island, Central Java, on...

Illegal fishing still rampant in RI waters: Minister

Illegal fishing still rampant in RI waters: MinisterNana Rukmana and Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon/Makassar Fish theft by foreign fishermen reaches between one million tons and 1.5 million tons annually due to the absence of tight supervision from the authorities, says Minister of Maritime...

Correction

CorrectionThe name of the new Japanese ambassador to Indonesia, which appeared in the Aug. 14, 2002 edition of The Jakarta Post, should have been written Yutaka Iimura. We apologize for the error.Editor

Demands for a new province in Aceh mounts

Demands for a new province in Aceh mountsTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Takengon, Central Aceh Demands have escalated for the formation of a new province, separate from Aceh, just days before the central government announces a new policy for the restive province.

Govt rules out higher education budget

Govt rules out higher education budgetFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri looks set to shatter people's dreams of increased education spending when she announces the draft state budget for 2003 before the House of Representatives on Friday.

RI new vehicle sales down 0.8%

RI new vehicle sales down 0.8% JAKARTA: New vehicle sales in Indonesia fell 0.8 percent on month to 26,892 units in July, car assemblers' association Gaikindo said Wednesday.The country's largest vehicle maker PT Astra International - which has a joint venture with Toyota Motor Corp.

Small businesses turn to loan sharks

Small businesses turn to loan sharks BEKASI: About 60 percent of small-scale businesspeople in Bekasi are trapped by loan sharks, an activist said on Wednesday.Hayyidrali Muhammad of the Bekasi chapter of the New Indonesia Society told a discussion on small-scale enterprises here that recent...

Prostitutes go on strike in Kupang

Prostitutes go on strike in KupangYemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang Hundreds of hoodlums, gambling bosses and prostitutes grouped under the The Poor People's Union (SKM) went on strike on Wednesday in Kupang, capital of East Nusa Tenggara province, demanding the city administration and...

Prosecutors stick to charges against Akbar

Prosecutors stick to charges against AkbarThe Jakarta Post JakartaProsecutors on Wednesday rejected the defense statement by House Speaker Akbar Tandjung in the Rp 40 billion (US$4.4 million) graft scandal dubbed Buloggate II, insisting he receive a four- year prison sentence.

1. HIV: 8 x 4 lines

1. HIV: 8 x 4 lines HIV rate rises alarmingly in Riau Batam was rocked by two explosive news in July 2002 when two residents with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) died in separate places on the tourist island.

Tommy shuns court again, his sickness doubted

Tommy shuns court again, his sickness doubtedMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang For the third time, former president Soeharto's youngest son Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra failed to appear in the Tangerang District Court on Wednesday to testify in the trial of three people accused of harboring...

Poor children to be immunized for polio

Poor children to be immunized for polioDebbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government urged parents from all walks of life on Tuesday to participate in the National Immunization Program (PIN) for polio on Sept. 12 and Oct.

It's getting

It's getting hot in here From Kompas The contribution fee for Old Age Security (JHT) under the Worker Social Security (Jamsostek) scheme is borne by the employers and the employees. Two percent is deducted from the monthly salary of the employees concerned, while 3.7 percent is paid by the company.

Hasyim devotes life to peace

Hasyim devotes life to peaceTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Many predicted a meeting between President Megawati Soekarnoputri and her predecessor Abdurrahman Wahid recently was unlikely, but Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi used his sense of humor to save the occasion.

Prosecutors stick to charges against Akbar

Prosecutors stick to charges against AkbarThe Jakarta Post JakartaProsecutors on Wednesday rejected the defense statement by House Speaker Akbar Tandjung in the Rp 40 billion (US$4.4 million) graft scandal dubbed Buloggate II, insisting he receive a four- year prison sentence.

KPKPN to summon leaders of City Council, Sutiyoso

KPKPN to summon leaders of City Council, SutiyosoBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Public Servants' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN) will summon leaders of the City Council next week in connection with reports of money politics in the selection of gubernatorial candidates.

On parking at Carrefour

On parking at Carrefour We, as the organizer of Secure Parking, wish to clarify the letter from Noviyani published in The Jakarta Post on July 25, titled Insecure parking at Carrefour. Noviyani was shopping at Carrefour at Jl.

Plan to ban press coverage slammed

Plan to ban press coverage slammed JAKARTA: State Minister of Communications and Information Syamsul Mu'arif slammed on Wednesday plans by the Jakarta High Court to ban reporters from covering trials, calling it baseless.

Press coverege ban plan slammed

Press coverege ban plan slammed JAKARTA: State Minister of Communications and Information Syamsul Mu'arif slammed on Wednesday plans by the Jakarta High Court to ban reporters from covering trials, calling it baseless.

Ambassador

Ambassador Correction: The name of the new Japanese ambassador to Indonesia, which appeared in the Aug. 14, 2002 edition of The Jakarta Post, should have been written Yutaka Iimura. We apologize for the error. -- Editor

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, August 15, 2002

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, August 15, 2002Exhibitions* Bronze Sculptures Corpus Terrae by Teguh Ostenrik, at Valentine Willie Fine Art, The Chedi, Desa Malinggih Kelod, Payangan, Gianyar (Tel. 081 23607011), until Sept. 10.

U.S. aid will focus on training Philippine troops:U.S. military

U.S. aid will focus on training Philippine troops:U.S. military aid to the Philippines in coming months will focus less on supporting direct anti-terrorism missions and more on training "so the Americans don't have to be there forever," Philippine Defense Secretary Gen. Angelo Reyes said on Tuesday.

JP/4/Autonomy

JP/4/AutonomyRegents reject overseas trip policyThe Jakarta Post JakartaAssociation of Indonesian Regency Administrations (Apkasi) chairman Syaukani H.R. rejected on Wednesday a government policy that requires regional administrators and officials to secure presidential approval before embarking on...

Malaysia lifts ban on RI's construction workers

Malaysia lifts ban on RI's construction workersAgence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia lifted a ban on the recruitment of Indonesian construction workers on Wednesday in the face of serious labor shortages following a recent clampdown on illegal immigration.

Article 29 and religious harmony

Article 29 and religious harmony The Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has been concluded. Billions of rupiah were spent to organize this event.One of the heated debates in this Annual Session was about Article 29 of the 1945 Constitution.

Flexible wage policy needed to resolve unemployment

Flexible wage policy needed to resolve unemploymentRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Experts urged the government on Wednesday to adopt a flexible wage policy as a short-term measure to help resolve the severe unemployment problem in the country.

More migrant workers die in Nunukan camps

More migrant workers die in Nunukan campsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta More illegal migrant workers fleeing Malaysia have died in squalid camps in Nunukan, East Kalimantan. The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) said on Wednesday that eight adult migrant workers and four children had died from hypertension,...

Village heads told to prevent violence

Village heads told to prevent violence JAKARTA: Indonesia's home minister Hari Sabarno instructed village heads across the country on Wednesday to try to detect conflicts at village borders at an early stage.

Tourism investment redirected to North and West Bali

Tourism investment redirected to North and West BaliMoch.N. Kurniawan and Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar/Singaraja, Bali Tourism has been the flesh and blood of Bali's economy since the island first opened up to outsiders in the l920s.

Draft on new CAR ruling expected by end of year

Draft on new CAR ruling expected by end of yearDadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Indonesia says it will move ahead with its plan to tighten requirements for banks in calculating their capital adequacy ratio (CAR), a policy which analysts said could lower banks CAR levels.

SBI rate down to 14.78%

SBI rate down to 14.78% JAKARTA: The weighted average interest rate on the benchmark one-month SBI promissory notes fell at an auction Wednesday from a week ago, the central bank said.The rate on one-month SBI notes stood at 14.78 percent, down from 14.

Attorneys' appeal to Jakarta Council

Attorneys' appeal to Jakarta CouncilFrom Rakyat MerdekaA credible election committee is required for the nomination of Jakarta's gubernatorial candidates, while the mechanisms and process of the election should be transparent.

RI lacks pediatric radiologists

RI lacks pediatric radiologists JAKARTA: The small number of pediatric radiologists in the country has prevented children from obtaining the best medical assistance, a radiologist said on Tuesday.Daniel Makes, a radiologist at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, said that currently there were 20...

Night golf tournament in Karawaci

Night golf tournament in Karawaci TANGERANG: To celebrate the 57th anniversary of Indonesian independence, Lippo Imperial Golf Club will hold its first evening Glow Ball Golf tournament in Karawaci on Friday.

East Java legislature delays travel plans

East Java legislature delays travel plansAinur R. Sophiaan, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya The East Java legislative council has finally agreed to postpone its 19 members' plan to make an overseas visit late this month, bowing to mounting public pressure.

Abilio gets three years in jail for rights violations

Abilio gets three years in jail for rights violationsMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares has been jailed for three years after Indonesia's landmark human rights tribunal found him guilty of human rights abuses.

Govt denies report on TNI-terror links

Govt denies report on TNI-terror linksFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government refuted on Wednesday a report which detailed the Indonesian Military's (TNI) involvement in establishing terrorist groups in the country, and branded it as baseless.

1. Discourse --- 1x38

1. Discourse --- 1x38 Analyzing the results of the Annual Session 2. CEO ------- 2x26 Corporate America faces CEO, CFO oaths deadline Govt rules out higher education budget or Megawati rejects higher education budget for 2003 4. Workers --- 1x28 Malaysia lifts ban on RI's workers

Security forces blamed for Poso attacks

Security forces blamed for Poso attacksThe Jakarta Post Jakarta/PaluArmed assailants involved in attacks in the Central Sulawesi town of Poso remain a mystery, but the authorities' failure to capture them or uncover their identities and whereabouts has sparked speculation that security forces may...

Marine tourism boasts unexplored underwater world

Marine tourism boasts unexplored underwater worldPariama Hutasoit, Contributor, Sanur, Bali Robert Koke may not ring a bell to most Balinese. He is not as famous as other Westerners who have big names in arts, such as painters Walter Spies, Le Mayeur and Rudolf Bonnet.

'I don't feel independent in this country'

'I don't feel independent in this country' Everyone wants to be independent. But while the country celebrates Independence Day on Aug. 17, some people still feel unliberated from the heavy burdens of life. They shared their dreams with The Jakarta Post.

* Headlines: Demands for a new province in Aceh mounts 2

* Headlines: Demands for a new province in Aceh mounts 2 * National: More migrant workers die in Nunukan 4 * Archipelago: Regents reject govt policy on overseas trip 5 * Opinion:RI Muslims and the commitment to sharia 6 * City: KPKPN to summon council leaders, Sutiyoso 8 * Sports: Tiger set for...

Analyzing the results of the Annual Session

Analyzing the results of the Annual Session The Indonesian Military (TNI) has been given a lot of credit for its role in persuading other parties to accept constitutional amendments, and for its readiness to leave the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) earlier than scheduled.

10 teams gear up for Asian Beach Volleyball tour

10 teams gear up for Asian Beach Volleyball tourThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Ten Asian and Pacific countries have been confirmed to take part in the Asian Beach Volleyball Tour in Bali next week as Indonesia's pairs will have much at stake ahead of the 2002 Asian Games.

Indonesian Muslims and the commitment to sharia

Indonesian Muslims and the commitment to shariaAbdul Mu'ti, Chairman, National Board Muhammadiyah Youth Movement, Jakarta The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) finally reached an agreement on the second alternative among three alternative amendments to Article 29 of the 1945 Constitution on...

Legislator refuses to be interrogated

Legislator refuses to be interrogatedKasparman, The Jakarta Post, Padang West Sumatra legislature chairman Arwan Kasri has refused to be interrogated by the prosecutor's office who are investigating alleged corruption in the provincial legislative council.

Remembering 'Bung' Hatta

Remembering 'Bung' Hatta The centennial of Mohammad Hatta, one of the founding fathers of the country and former first Indonesian vice president, reflects the country's longing for a model leader.So far, we haven't had a single leader who is honest, thrifty and polite like Hatta, who was known as...

Waskita marks up building cost

Waskita marks up building cost BEKASI: State-owned company PT Waskita Karya, which won the tender to build the administration office in Bekasi regency in Sukamahai village, Cikarang, marked up the cost by Rp 11 billion, a councillor said on Tuesday.

Party for small

Party for small businessesFrom Pikiran Rakyat Small and medium-size businesses, plus the informal sector, locally abbreviated as UKM, are players in the people's economy, which serves as the backbone of the national economy.

Prosecutors stick to charges against Akbar

Prosecutors stick to charges against AkbarThe Jakarta Post JakartaProsecutors on Wednesday rejected the defense statement by House Speaker Akbar Tandjung in the Rp 40 billion (US$4.4 million) graft scandal dubbed Buloggate II, insisting he receive a four- year prison sentence.