Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 August 2002

71 articles found

Jakarta's security situation dramatically worsening

Jakarta's security situation dramatically worseningDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta has seen its security situation worsen considerably recently as indicated by the increase in street crime over the last three years, and many people are now afraid of utilizing public facilities, a...

Mysticism magazines sell like hotcakes

Mysticism magazines sell like hotcakesMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Mysticism is more interesting than politics or economics. At least, that is the impression created by the sale of magazines and tabloids on the street.Suparno, a vendor on Jl.

Govt, legislators divided over mending fences with Malaysia

Govt, legislators divided over mending fences with MalaysiaThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Surabaya Indonesia's high-ranking officials remain divided in trying to mend fences with Kuala Lumpur over the deportation of illegal Indonesian workers from Malaysia.

Taiwan asks RI to fix business climate

Taiwan asks RI to fix business climateA'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Taiwanese manufacturing companies are joining calls for the government to improve the investment climate here or more companies will relocate their operations to other countries.

Government drafting law on foreign debt

Government drafting law on foreign debtThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta To help avoid another financial crisis in the future, the government is finalizing a draft law on foreign debt, which will serve as a legal basis and provide a clearer mechanism on how to get and make use of foreign borrowings.

Broadcasters want bill on broadcasting to be revised

Broadcasters want bill on broadcasting to be revisedMuhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives is in the final stages of deliberating the controversial broadcasting bill and will likely approve it later next month despite mounting pressure from media companies for the...

JP/3/CHATIB

JP/3/CHATIBCorruption a constraint to achieving tax revenue target The government, under its budget plan recently proposed to the legislature aims to increase its total tax and excise revenue by 18.7 percent to Rp 260.78 trillion (nearly US$30 billion) next year from Rp 219.

Pedophile victims in Bali haunted by their dark past

Pedophile victims in Bali haunted by their dark past "Buy me sir, buy me madam," shouted seven-year-old Wayan, while carrying a bamboo basket filled with sliced watermelon, pineapple and other kinds of fruit at Lovina beach near Singaraja, some 90 kilometers north of Denpasar.

Economic and Financial Developments in Malaysia

Economic and Financial Developments in Malaysia The Malaysian economy expanded at a stronger pace in the second quarter of 2002. Sustained strength in domestic demand and a recovery in exports raised real GDP growth to 3.8 percent on an annual basis, from 1.1 percent in the first quarter.

South Kalimantan close to political vacuum: Law expert

South Kalimantan close to political vacuum: Law expertUmi Sriwahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Banjarmasin Political analysts warned against a political vacuum that would hit South Kalimantan soon, following a decision made by the provincial legislative council to impeach Governor Sjachriel Darham last...

Beach volleyball competition a success

Beach volleyball competition a successMurdani Usman and Pariama Hutasoit, Contributors, Seminyak, Bali Huge numbers of foreign and local tourists pour in to the beautiful Petitenget Beach near the famous Kuta holiday resort.

Trial of FKM members adjourned

Trial of FKM members adjourned AMBON, Maluku: The panel of judges at the Ambon District Court postponed until next week the trial of six members of the proindependence Maluku Sovereignty Forum (FKM) who are facing subversion charges for raising the South Maluku Republic's flag in Saparua, Central...

Rini proposes PSI system on imports

Rini proposes PSI system on importsAdianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Trade and Industry Rini MS Soewandi has proposed reestablishing the pre-shipment inspection (PSI) system on imports as one way of curbing rampant smuggling into the country.

'Self-government may not foster public well-being'

'Self-government may not foster public well-being'Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As legislators consider 10 bills for the creation of 35 new regencies, 2 municipalities and one province in response to a nationwide clamor for autonomy, analysts warned that the localities concerned...

Acehnese want direct elections for officials

Acehnese want direct elections for officialsNani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh The direct election of governors, regents and mayors in war-torn Aceh as stipulated in Law No. 18/2001 on the province's special autonomy status, has gained support from numerous sides and is viewed as a way to...

"Win One Billion Rupiah".

"Win One Billion Rupiah". CAPT - 2HSBC recently donated Rp 100 million to cover the cost of 90 wheelchairs made for handicapped children.

Rupiah Rates Aug 28

Rupiah Rates Aug 28 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp Australian dollar 1 5,190.57 4,633.78 4,938.59 4,885.53 Brunei dollar 1 5,372.65 4,797.92 5,111.82 5,058.59 Canadian dollar 1 6,045.96 5,398.82 5,752.45 5,692.14 Swiss franc 1 6,288.83 5,617.43 5,983.53 5,922.

Top players lose in preliminary matches

Top players lose in preliminary matches Top singles players competing in the Sanyo Indonesia Open 2002 were surprisingly expelled from the five-star badminton championship, which is being held in the Kertajaya Sports Stadium in Surabaya, East Java.

1,000 students go on strike in SE Sulawesi

1,000 students go on strike in SE Sulawesi KENDARI, North Sulawesi: More than one thousand students from various universities in Kendari and Baubau in Buton Regency, held a demonstration here on Wednesday, demanding that the North Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen.

Proindependence activists arrested in Aceh

Proindependence activists arrested in Aceh BANDA ACEH: Security authorities in Aceh have arrested 12 members of the proindependence Front for Acehnese People's Democratic Resistance.They were netted in a security operation conducted by a group of security personnel from the Police Mobile Brigade,...

Boediono defends ambitious growth target for 2003

Boediono defends ambitious growth target for 2003Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government defended on Wednesday its ambitious economic growth target of 5 percent for 2003, saying consumption would remain robust, while the global economic recovery would improve the country's...

Riau Police investigate bribery case

Riau Police investigate bribery caseHaidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru Riau Provincial Police have assigned a special team to investigate 32 local councillors for allegedly taking Rp 50 million (US$5,000) each in bribes to support the proposed formation of Riau Islands province.

Grace period for GAM

Grace period for GAM The government's period of grace to the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) until the fasting month of Ramadhan in December to decide whether or not GAM will continue dialogs within the framework of special autonomy to end the armed conflict, should get a response from GAM to...

My nightmare at Hotel Salak

My nightmare at Hotel Salak I have been reading your column for 14 years and doing business in Asia for 23 years. My worst nightmare started on July 20 when I arrived in Bogor. My hotel room was not ready at 1:30 p.m.

U.S. and UN fail to understand RI dilemma

U.S. and UN fail to understand RI dilemma Following the U.S. disappointment expressed last week, chairperson of the UN High Commission for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, has also reiterated her dissatisfaction with the outcome of Indonesia's recent trial of cases of human rights abuses in East Timor.

Bogus victim of July 27 beaten

Bogus victim of July 27 beaten JAKARTA: A man claiming to be a victim of the July 27 incident was beaten up by a real victim of the incident when he tried to use the latter to extort money from Governor Sutiyoso.

Putrajaya: New administrative capital

Putrajaya: New administrative capital Putrajaya is a new Federal Government Administrative Center of Malaysia. It is named in honor of Malaysia's first Prime Minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.

1. Pilsung: 8 x 4 lines

1. Pilsung: 8 x 4 linesAcehnese want direct elections for officials2. Buruh: 20 x 2 lines Two more labor activists arrested in Bandung3. Suap: 24 x 1 lineRiau Police probe bribery case 4. Banjar: 24 x 2 linesSouth Kalimantan close to political vacuum: Law expert

Trisutji Kamal launches books with concert

Trisutji Kamal launches books with concertTantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian pianist and composer Trisutji Kamal will launch three books on her creations encompassing more than 35 years of work, inspiration and self-reflection.

Semanggi cases stalled again

Semanggi cases stalled again JAKARTA : The Attorney General's Office has once again returned the case files for the Semanggi I and II tragedies to the National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM) due to technical mistakes made by the Commission.Komnas HAM chairman H.R.

Yogyakarta newspaper terrorized: Kedaulatan Rakyat daily's main

Yogyakarta newspaper terrorized: Kedaulatan Rakyat daily's main office located on Jl. Mangkubumi in Yogyakarta was shaken by powerful firecrackers that sounded like a bomb early on Wednesday but no serious damage or casualties were reported.

Air Force probes helicopter crash

Air Force probes helicopter crash JAKARTA: The Air Force has formed a special team to investigate the helicopter crash in the West Java town, Subang, that resulted in the death of a crewman on Tuesday.Spokesman for the Air Force Commodore Eddy Harjoko told Antara on Wednesday that the team...

Exhibition explores fascinating 'Ramayana'

Exhibition explores fascinating 'Ramayana'I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Ubud, Bali Once a year, if you are lucky, an art museum nearby will come up with a good exhibition, one that fills you with a sense of wonder, excitement, and, simultaneously, satisfy your thirst for both the trivial and...

1. SUTIYOSO: 50 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 21

1. SUTIYOSO: 50 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 21 NGOs call for direct gubernatorial election2. EGYPT: 40 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 20 Only 6-month prison term requested for Egyptian3. BRAWL: 36 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 23 Student brawls caused by stress on school grounds 4.

Drivers complain of extortion at Ciputat

Drivers complain of extortion at Ciputat TANGERANG: A number of traders and public minivan drivers in Ciputat have complained about hoodlums who extort money from them everyday.Asep, one of the drivers who serves the Ciputat-Cileduk route, said he must give at least Rp 3,000 to the hoodlums each...

'My psychic is more like a psychologist to me'

'My psychic is more like a psychologist to me' Believe it or not, but many people often visit psychics when they encounter problems in life. Some of them share their experiences with The Jakarta Post.Esmiralda Tambunan, 34, is a nurse at a hospital in Central Jakarta.

Indonesia remains one of the world's most corrupt nations

Indonesia remains one of the world's most corrupt nationsAgencies, Berlin Indonesia has been ranked once again as one of the world's most corrupt countries by Transparency International.The Berlin-based anti-corruption group said its 2002 Corruption Perception Index had Bangladesh at the bottom,...

TV film disappointing

TV film disappointingFrom RepublikaI'm a keen observer of Indonesian TV films. A TV film series aired by SCTV and titled Secret of a marriage, starring Ferry Salim and Keke Harun, ended on July 23, 2002.The last episode has left a problem.

Election body launches website

Election body launches website JAKARTA: The General Elections Commission (KPU) officially launched on Wednesday its website to provide the public access to the election process.KPU chairman Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin said the website, kpu.co.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, August 29, 2002

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, August 29, 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.

Immaturity causes student brawls

Immaturity causes student brawlsDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Student brawls are often associated with junior high school and high school students, still too young and immature to control their emotions and deal with problems in a mature, nonviolent manner.

U.S. visas may take 8 weeks longer

U.S. visas may take 8 weeks longer JAKARTA: Due to security concerns, the U.S. government announced on Wednesday that Indonesians might have to wait eight weeks or more before they received a visa as new application procedures will call for tighter scrutiny.

[b]Future challenges to

Future challenges to Indonesia-Singapore ties 2. 1 X 30The three misrepresentations of China

1. Growth (3x16)

1. Growth (3x16) Boediono defends ambitious growth target for 2003 2. Rini (3x17) Rini proposes pre-shipment inspection system 3. Rice (2x30) Weather threatens Asia rice harvest but exports unaffected 4. Bali (2x20) Govt to inject Rp 4t into merged Bank Bali

pl

pl .rm Stock prices at The Jakarta Stock Exchange (on rupiah) on Aug.28,2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 270 0 0 Ades...

Illiteracy up by 250,000 annually

Illiteracy up by 250,000 annually JAKARTA: Illiterates in the country are increasing by 250,000 people annually due to a large number of children dropping out of elementary schools.Director General for Extracurricular Activities and Sports at the Ministry of National Education Fasli Jalal said on...

Chicago Marathon staged locally

Chicago Marathon staged locally JAKARTA: For the fourth year in a row, the Chicago Marathon in the Far East is being staged on Oct. 13. This year the marathon starts in Labuan and ends in Anyer, West Java. Like the annual Chicago Marathon, the track is 26.2 miles (42.6 kilometers) long.

Indonesia advances to Rosenblum Cup final

Indonesia advances to Rosenblum Cup finalImanuddin, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian team participating in the Rosenblum Cup in Montreal, Canada, lost the first three sessions in its semifinal match against the Burgay team from Poland, before dominating the fourth session to win the...

Four governors fail to submit wealth report

Four governors fail to submit wealth reportThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Four out of 30 governors have not yet reported their wealth to the Public Servants' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN), the government said on Wednesday.

Judges for rights trial appeals appointed

Judges for rights trial appeals appointedMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Chief Justice Bagir Manan has appointed four career judges for the ad hoc human rights tribunal to handle appeals in the cases of alleged perpetrators of the violence and destruction in East Timor in 1999.

SBI rate falls again

SBI rate falls again The weighted average interest rate on the benchmark one-month Bank Indonesia SBI promissory notes fell to 14.35 percent at an auction Wednesday from 14.54 percent a week ago, the central bank said.The fall was slightly sharper than the market had expected.

RI, Australia to boost ties

RI, Australia to boost ties DENPASAR, Bali: Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Rick Smith said on Wednesday the governments of the two countries were trying to step up mutually-beneficial cooperation.The current bilateral cooperation should be enhanced, especially in the tourism and investment...

Bali, safe haven for international pedophiles

Bali, safe haven for international pedophilesAditya Nusantara and Magdalena Damayanti, Contributors, Singaraja, North Bali Although Bali is known around the world for its unique culture and beautiful scenery, it has been attracting more than just tourists wanting to explore its charm.

Six-month prison term requested for Egyptian

Six-month prison term requested for EgyptianThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Prosecutors asked the South Jakarta District Court Wednesday to sentence an alleged Egyptian people smuggler to six months in jail for violating immigration laws here, despite the fact that the maximum sentence is six years.

Easing tension

Easing tension Tension has built up very fast between Indonesia and Malaysia. People's Consultative Assembly speaker Amien Rais criticized Malaysia for caning undocumented Indonesian workers. Malaysia's foreign minister Syeh Hamid Albar responded with no less acrimony.

Weather threatens Asia rice harvest but exports unaffected

Weather threatens Asia rice harvest but exports unaffectedAgence France-Presse, Bangkok Adverse weather conditions across Asia could affect the region's rice harvest this year but exports are unlikely to be harmed, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said Wednesday.

1. OSVALDO: 1 LINE, 28 COUNTS

1. OSVALDO: 1 LINE, 28 COUNTS Composer Golijov at new heights2. MEGA: 1 LINE, 35 COUNTSMegawati's bracelets tell stories

2. TAIWAN: 1 x 33

2. TAIWAN: 1 x 33 Taiwan asks RI to fix business climate or Taipei joins in calls for business reform 3. ACEH: 1 x 38 Talks for Aceh to resume in September: Govt or Govt backpedals, agrees to Aceh talks soon4. SUMMIT: 2 x 25 Earth Summit experts urge world to take urgent action on water 5.

Govt to inject Rp 4t into merged Bank Bali

Govt to inject Rp 4t into merged Bank BaliThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government will inject some Rp 4 trillion (US$450 million) into Bank Bali after the bank is merged with four weaker banks, according to the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA).

Investors need protection

Investors need protection "People should be extra-careful in investing in agribusiness, otherwise they might be cheated. But here in my company, everything is transparent. Our business propositions are clear, investors can easily calculate the costs, foresee what will be the price of farm produce...

Megawati's bracelets tell stories

Megawati's bracelets tell stories JAKARTA: Trendy President Megawati Soekarnoputri's trademark, it appears, is a number of different bracelets she wears on her right wrist.Megawati swears she is not a bracelet collector but says that each of the bracelets she wears has its own particular story.

Teachers complain about dismissal

Teachers complain about dismissal JAKARTA: Ten representatives of temporarily employed teachers here came to the City Council on Wednesday to complain about the various problems they were facing, including unfair dismissal, low-salaries and other examples of allegedly discriminatory treatment.

NGOs demand direct election, current process terminated

NGOs demand direct election, current process terminatedBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A total of 49 non-governmental organizations on Wednesday demanded that President Megawati Soekarnoputri stop the ongoing Jakarta gubernatorial election process, stressing that it was being carried...

JSK: Agak panjang kareana posisi photo dua kolom berdiri

JSK: Agak panjang kareana posisi photo dua kolom berdiri Metro Department StoreBIGGEST BRICK FLAG: Jaya Suprana (left), the head of the Indonesian records museum, MURI, presents a certificate of recognition to Christine Bakri, the president director of PT Metropolitan Retail Mart, for the chain's...

JAKARTA : State-owned Bank Mandiri signed on Wednesday an

JAKARTA : State-owned Bank Mandiri signed on Wednesday an agreement with software company PT Microsoft Indonesia under which the latter would help the giant bank in strengthening its IT (information technology) infrastructure.

Two more labor activists arrested in Bandung

Two more labor activists arrested in BandungYuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Heavily-armed police in the West Java capital of Bandung have arrested two more labor activists in apparent attempts to suppress the labor movement in the province.

Dollar overcomes early loses

Dollar overcomes early losesAlan Yonan Jr, Dow Jones, Singapore The dollar recovered from early losses to finish mixed against Asian currencies Wednesday.The dollar was weaker across the board in early Asian trading, but capitalized on its gains against the yen later in the session to close higher...

Justice Party and forest fires

Justice Party and forest fires JP/4/letJustice Party and forest firesFrom Bisnis Indonesia Our observations over the past two years has shown that 70 percent of the fires in this country occur on plantations and land, while the remaining 30 percent are in forested areas.

Govt backpedals, agrees to Aceh talks soon

Govt backpedals, agrees to Aceh talks soonFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After throwing down the gauntlet, the Indonesian government announced on Wednesday it would resume talks with Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebels next month.

Judicial Commission's task needs to be defined: Judge

Judicial Commission's task needs to be defined: JudgeThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The work of the yet-to-be-established Judicial Commission should be clearly defined to avoid overlapping functions with the Supreme Court, a judge said Wednesday.

Corruption a barrier to achieving tax revenue target

Corruption a barrier to achieving tax revenue target The government, under its budget plan recently proposed to the legislature aims to increase its total tax and excise revenue by 18.7 percent to Rp 260.78 trillion (nearly US$30 billion) next year from Rp 219.62 trillion expected this year.