Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 16 September 2002

68 articles found

New tyranny from legislature

New tyranny from legislature The House of Representatives has insisted on passing the bill on broadcasting into a law despite strong protests from many groups. The Association of Indonesian Television Journalists (IJTI) has heavily criticized the bill, which proposes the formation of the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI). The House expects the commission to formulate the quality standard, content and classification of the shows to be aired.

RI seamen smuggle wildlife

RI seamen smuggle wildlife SINGAPORE: Two Indonesians have been charged with smuggling in Singapore after thousands of dollars worth of endangered parrots and turtles eggs were found on their fishing boat, a report said Sunday. Customs officers were acting on a tip off when they raided the boat at Singapore's Jurong fishing port, the Sunday Times said. Officials found 26 parrots, some of them endangered species, packed in a cage hidden underneath a hatch in the vessel.

1. US (1 x 30)

1. US (1 x 30) U.S. consumers spend heartily 2. Net (2 x 40) Internet use taking root in ASEAN, says e-ASEAN Task Force head Romulo 3. ASEAN (2 x 18) ASEAN, Australia, NZ work for closer ties 4. Argent (1 x 30) Duhalde proposes ambitious draft

Aid yet all arrived in Nunukan: Task force

Aid yet all arrived in Nunukan: Task force Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Amid the constant influx of undocumented migrant workers from Malaysia to Nunukan island, East Kalimantan, a local government official questioned on Sunday the whereabouts of the aid promised by Jakarta. Nunukan deputy regent Kasmir Foret said that as of Sept. 13, the regency had received Rp 1.7 billion (US$191,000) in cash as well as food supplies and other aid amounting to Rp 3.7 billion.

VIPs do not deserve leave: Amien

VIPs do not deserve leave: Amien MALANG, East Java: People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais voiced his opposition against President Megawati Soekarnoputri's request for a leave, citing the unabated crisis and the heavy burden the country has to bear. Speaking after closing a student orientation program at the Malang Muhammadiyah University, Amien said both the President and Vice President did not need annual leaves because they got enough rest every Sunday.

U.S. shrimp farmers latest challenge to relations with Vietnam

U.S. shrimp farmers latest challenge to relations with Vietnam Agence France-Presse Hanoi Vietnam has condemned moves by the U.S. shrimp industry to consider anti-dumping action against its seafood exporters, in the latest challenge to bilateral trade relations between the two former military foes. U.S.

1. OPEC (4 x 14)

1. OPEC (4 x 14) OPEC chief sees no oil shortage 2. RP (2 x 24) Progress in Philippine's recovery slowed by deficit 3. Thai (1 x 27) Thai's bad debts set to rise 4. Taiwan (2 x 20) Return of investors to Taiwan unlikely

Militaryman detained for robbery

Militaryman detained for robbery JAKARTA: A presidential security guard has been detained by the Jakarta Military Police Command for allegedly robbing an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver. Private Suyitno was sent to the city military police by the Tagerang military police on Saturday, city military police commander Col. Subagdja Djiwardipraja was quoted by detik.com as saying on Sunday.

U.S. Embassy, Consulate to open on Monday

U.S. Embassy, Consulate to open on Monday The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta and the U.S. Consulate in Surabaya, East Java, will resume normal operations on Monday after they closed for four days in response to alleged terrorist threats. However. U.S. authorities warned in a statement on Sunday that the threat remained and urged the public to refrain from visiting the embassy unless "absolutely necessary".

Sugarcane farmers to lose Rp 11.7b

Sugarcane farmers to lose Rp 11.7b JEMBER, East Java: At least 3,000 sugarcane farmers in Jember regency, East Java, could sustain a potential loss of Rp 11.7 billion due to a recent large fall in the price of sugar in the area. M.

ASEAN, India agree to long-term free-trade goal

ASEAN, India agree to long-term free-trade goal Martin Abbugao Agence France-Presse Bandar Seri Begawan A "landmark meeting" between economic ministers of ASEAN and India on Sunday agreed to the long-term goal of establishing a regional free-trade area. The ministers also decided to set up a task force to draw up a draft framework agreement to boost trade and economic cooperation.

Thousands of shoppers flee Karawaci mall in panic

Thousands of shoppers flee Karawaci mall in panic The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Thousands of customers at Supermal Karawaci in Tangerang fled the mall in panic on Sunday after hearing a thundering sound followed by thick smoke emerging from the Timezone entertainment center. "I was 300 meters from the center when I heard a bang. Everyone panicked as they thought it was a bomb," said Hendarsyah, a shopper who was at the mall with his wife and three young daughters.

Governor mulls opening oil palm project for TKIs

Governor mulls opening oil palm project for TKIs Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta In response to Malaysia's crackdown on illegal Indonesian workers (TKIs), the East Kalimantan administration is considering opening up one million hectares of oil palm plantations to provide employment for tens of thousands of returning workers.

House to probe selection of forest auditors

House to probe selection of forest auditors Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta House of Representatives Commission III for forestry and agricultural affairs plans to investigate alleged irregularities in the appointment of forest auditors by the Ministry of Forestry. Legislator Achmad Havizi Kurnain, head of the forestry subcommission, said over the weekend that the commission would ask the ministry for documents needed for the investigation.

Muninggar Sri Saraswati

Muninggar Sri Saraswati The Jakarta Post Jakarta Implementation of the National Immunization Week (PIN) in Greater Jakarta failed to run smoothly, with several PIN centers lacking polio vaccines while at other centers supplies were left unused due to a lack of participants. A volunteer at a PIN center in Setiabudi, South Jakarta, acknowledged the oversupply of polio vaccines and vitamin A. "On Thursday, there were dozens of toddlers who came for the vaccinations and vitamins.

Military, police barred in free zone

Military, police barred in free zone ATAMBUA, East Nusa Tenggara: Belu Police chief Adj. Sr. Comm. Agus Nugroho said on Saturday that the Indonesian Military (TNI) and police personnel would not be allowed to stay in the Indonesia-East Timor free zone, based on a technical agreement between his office and the UN civilian police. Military and police personnel could enter the area only if something related to their functions or duties took place there, he said.

'Sutiyoso involved in money politics'

'Sutiyoso involved in money politics' With Governor Sutiyoso having secured a second term in office, many people have expressed skepticism about his ability to lead the city. Some say Sutiyoso lacks public support and does not deserve the position due to allegations of money politics being behind his victory. Toha, 21, is a traditional beverage vendor in Permata Hijau, South Jakarta. He has lived in the city since 1995 with his brother on Jl. Arteri, South Jakarta.

Thai's bad debts set to rise

Thai's bad debts set to rise Associated Press, Bangkok Official bad loan totals for Thailand's financial institutions are set to balloon when the central bank adopts international standards for tallying unrecoverable loans, the bank announced Friday. Bank of Thailand Governor Pridiyathorn Devakula told reporters the bank plans to include uncollateralized loans that have already been written off in its reports of bad loan statistics in the nation's financial system.

One generation, two kinds of political trials

One generation, two kinds of political trials Max Lane, Visiting Fellow, Center for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia Akbar Tandjung has finally been sentenced to three years in gaol. He was given a light sentence because, the judges said, he did not benefit personally from the corruption. Both Akbar and many of the members of the Golkar party in the legislature maintain, however, that he has not been proved guilty yet.

Pressure escalates as Akbar refuses to quit

Pressure escalates as Akbar refuses to quit Berni K. Moestafa and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As disgraced House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung continued to turn a deaf ear to the mounting calls for him to step down, representatives of dozens of legislators will submit on Monday their petition against him to the House's steering committee.

Public officials'

Public officials' arrogance From Media Indonesia Some 88 members of the House of Representatives (DPR) and 67 from the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) are apparently in breach of Law No.28/1999 on clean governance. They are required to report and announce their wealth before and after occupying their posts. But in reality they have failed to obey the law.

Indonesian arrested in Bangkok

Indonesian arrested in Bangkok Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (right) inspects a cache of 140 kilograms of heroin and other drugs in front of arrested suspects Tjong Leng Oei (center) from Indonesia and his adopted Thai son Direk Ruangritthi (left) at Bangkok's police headquarters on Friday. The prime minister confronted three suspected heroin traffickers, including the two suspects, on Friday as they were paraded before the media. "Do you know we have capital punishment in Thailand?

1. YLKI - 4x 12

1. YLKI - 4x 12 Consumers to sue PLN over power blackouts 2. PIN - 2x 25 National Immunization Week gets off to shaky start 3. Toll - 1x 40 Tangerang to build new toll road and port 4. Speak - 1 x 30 'Sutiyoso involved in money politics'

Hassan Wirayuda meets top U.S. official

Hassan Wirayuda meets top U.S. official Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda met U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage in Washington on Friday, and discussed Iraq, among other issues, as the U.S.'s embassy in Jakarta still closed by a security scare. Hassan lunched with Armitage, as Secretary of State Colin Powell was at the United Nations in New York, drumming up support for a harsh Security Council resolution critical of Iraq.

Partnerships for online community's benefit

Partnerships for online community's benefit Vishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, Jakarta In this heyday of hype and hypocrisy, it is sometimes refreshing to see a project that is created with the public's interest in mind. Universitas Terbuka (Open University) Indonesia, a government- owned institution, has been offering programs through distance learning in which busy professionals can study during their free time.

Internet use taking root in ASEAN countries

Internet use taking root in ASEAN countries Martin Abbugao, Agence France-Presse, Bandar Seri Begawan Internet use is taking root in governments, schools and with the public in Southeast Asia despite impediments such as poor infrastructure and the need for more training, the head of the e- ASEAN Task Force said.

Megawati may be able to remain president until 2009

Megawati may be able to remain president until 2009 R. William Liddle, Political Scientist, The Ohio State University In Jakarta in July of this year I interviewed several high level party leaders and parliamentarians from each of the major parties.

Stocks likely to fall amid U.S.-Iraq tension

Stocks likely to fall amid U.S.-Iraq tension A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta stock market could remain under pressure this week amid jitters over a possible attack on Iraq by the U.S., an analyst said. The global tension created by the possibility of an attack has caused investors in the U.S. stock market to unload stocks. A further retreat on Wall Street could trigger a retreat in the regional and local stock markets as well.

Internet use taking root in ASEAN: e-ASEAN Task Force head

Internet use taking root in ASEAN: e-ASEAN Task Force head Martin Abbugao Agence France-Presse Bandar Seri Begawan Internet use is taking root in governments, schools and with the public in Southeast Asia despite impediments such as poor infrastructure and the need for more training, the head of the e- ASEAN Task Force said.

ASEAN, India agree to long-term free-trade goal

ASEAN, India agree to long-term free-trade goal Agence France-Presse, Bandar Seri Begawan A "landmark meeting" between economic ministers of ASEAN and India on Sunday agreed to the long-term goal of establishing a regional free-trade area. The ministers also decided to set up a task force to draw up a draft framework agreement to boost trade and economic cooperation.

Compulsory vasectomy

Compulsory vasectomy needed From Bisnis Indonesia For quite a long time I've been overwhelmed by a great concern for the increasing number of Indonesians who are becoming poorer and less well-educated, while the birth rate rises. I cannot imagine what it would be like if the country is some day hit by a population explosion because of the following: The government is no longer financially capable of undertaking massive family planning campaigns as before.

Hassan meets top U.S. official

Hassan meets top U.S. official WASHINGTON: Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda met U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage on Friday, and discussed Iraq, among other issues, as Washington's embassy in Jakarta still closed by a security scare. Wirayuda lunched with Armitage, as Secretary of State Colin Powell was at the United Nations in New York, drumming up support for a harsh Security Council resolution critical of Iraq.

House discussing Batam FTZ status

House discussing Batam FTZ status Adianto P. Simamora and Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Batam The House of Representatives is currently drafting a law that would provide a long-awaited legal basis for Batam Island to obtain free trade zone (FTZ) status and put an end to the confusion faced by investors doing business on the industrial island. Under the proposed draft, Batam will be granted FTZ status or designation as a tax and duty-free industrial zone for 70 years.

* Headlines:U.S. embassy, consulate to open Monday 2

* Headlines:U.S. embassy, consulate to open Monday 2 * National:Aid yet all arrived in Nunukan: Task force 4 * Archipelago:Governor mulls opening oil palm project for TKIs 5 * Opinion:Megawati may stay until 2009: Liddle 6 * City:Consumers to sue PLN over power blackouts 8 * Sports:De La Hoya cripples Vargas in 11th round 9 * World:Pressure builds on Iraq 12 * Business:House discussing Batam FTZ status 13 * Features:DNA identification creates new forensic tools17

Police probe grenade findings

Police probe grenade findings PEKANBARU: Riau Police chief Adj. Sr. Comm. Pandiangan said on Saturday that police had found five grenades, one mortar and seven bullets on a dredger ship in Dumai regency over the past two days. He said that the police had yet to determine ownership of the explosive materials because his team was still questioning the "Sulawesi II" dredger captain and its 30-man crew about the findings.

National Immunization Week gets off to shaky start

National Immunization Week gets off to shaky start Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Implementation of the National Immunization Week (PIN) in Greater Jakarta failed to run smoothly, with several PIN centers lacking polio vaccines while at other centers supplies were left unused due to a lack of participants. A volunteer at a PIN center in Setiabudi, South Jakarta, acknowledged the oversupply of polio vaccines and vitamin A.

East Timor rebuilds health infrastructure from ashes

East Timor rebuilds health infrastructure from ashes The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The new government in East Timor would try to heal the psychological trauma suffered by many of its people in the 1999 violence when Indonesia withdrew from the territory, the country's health minister said. "The result of that violence was devastating," Rui Maria de Araujo said in an interview on the sidelines of the WHO Southeast Asia Region meeting in Jakarta this week, where East Timor attended as an observer.

Megawati was the clear favorite of voters according to our

Megawati was the clear favorite of voters according to our data, and probably pulled PDI Perjuangan along with her. The difference between PNI's 22 percent in 1955 and PDI Perjuangan's 34 percent in 1999 is almost certainly due in part to Megawati's appeal. The direct presidential election in 2004 means that the personal factor will play an even more important role.

Indonesia after Sept. 11: Rowing between the cliffs

Indonesia after Sept. 11: Rowing between the cliffs Siswo Pramono, PhD Graduate Student in Political Science and International Relations, The Australian National University, Canberra The U.S.-led war on terror is not a war between the West and Islam; however, as a country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia cannot escape the impact of this war.

Indian Kashmir prepares for violent vote

Indian Kashmir prepares for violent vote Terry Friel and Sheikh Mushtaq Reuters Srinagar, India Islamic militants ambushed a Kashmiri minister's car on Sunday as the Indian state appeared set for a violent start to voting in elections that are likely to do little to ease tensions with Pakistan. Two policemen died in the attack in the southern village of Boh, but Tourism Minister Sakina Itoo was not injured, officials said.

Robbery on a train

Robbery on a train From Kompas I went home by train from Kota station to Pondok Ranji, Bintaro Jaya, Tangerang, some time ago, when a robbery took place within a matter of seconds in North Jakarta, traumatizing me. Several robbers appeared from behind, standing beside me and wielding a long dagger. While threatening passengers, they turned toward me, with a blade pointed to my face. I was so scared that I could only close my eyes tightly until they left.

Timorese refugees urged to relocate

Timorese refugees urged to relocate The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Unsure about the outcome of reconciliation attempts by former pro-Indonesia fighters, leaders of East Timorese people in squalid camps in Belu, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), have started urging refugees to participate in transmigration programs to other parts of the country.

Security in Papua should be left to the police: ICG

Security in Papua should be left to the police: ICG The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Recurring violence in the easternmost province of Irian Jaya will continue to rage unless authorities in Jakarta withdraw their troops in the resource-rich territory and rely on local police for security, an advocacy group said on Friday.

ASEAN, Australia, New Zealand work for closer ties

ASEAN, Australia, New Zealand work for closer ties Agence France-Presse, Bandar Seri Begawan Southeast Asian economic ministers on Saturday signed a declaration with Australia and New Zealand to forge a sweeping agreement on closer economic ties aimed at removing trade barriers and doubling trade and investments.

RI, Egypt ask U.S. to go to UN on Iraq

RI, Egypt ask U.S. to go to UN on Iraq Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia and Egypt agreed on Sunday that the United States must obtain approval from the United Nations before going through with its plan to attack Iraq. In a joint statement issued in Cairo by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his visiting Indonesian counterpart Megawati Soekarnoputri, they said the Iraq issue should be resolved within the UN framework.

Consumers to sue PLN over power blackouts

Consumers to sue PLN over power blackouts Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Consumers of electricity provided by the state-owned electricity company (PLN) have expressed their intention to file a class action suit against the company for power blackouts on Thursday and Friday which they allege have resulted in billions in economic losses. "We have received dozens of complains from the people over the power outage on Friday.

Kabelvision's poor service

Kabelvision's poor service Last September I had Kabelvision installed in my office in Semanggi, Jakarta, in order to access the Internet via cable. That was the beginning of a very frustrating and completely unfruitful relationship with the company, which continues to this day. From the very first day, the service never worked properly. The cable modem kept losing connection. I began calling Kabelvision's customer care, and sometimes a technician would be sent over to check the signal.

Widespread illegal logging to bring more drought, floods

Widespread illegal logging to bring more drought, floods Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Prolonged droughts and forest fires will continue to hit the country during the dry season as more and more protected forests are destroyed by illegal logging, the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) said on Saturday. Walhi said flashfloods and landslides would also plague people during the rainy season as the remaining forest would no longer be able to absorb and hold water.

VCD vendors attack navy men

VCD vendors attack navy men JAKARTA: Business in Glodok, West Jakarta, was temporarily halted after a clash between dozens of vendors of pirated VCDs and several members of the navy on Saturday. A vendor and two navy personnel were seriously injured during the lunchtime brawl. Reports said that one of the sailors claimed that he was cheated as the VCDs he had bought for between Rp 5,000 and Rp 10,000 were different from what mentioned on the covers.

Rights body urges fresh probe into Aceh abuses

Rights body urges fresh probe into Aceh abuses Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has reminded the government of its unfinished investigations into a number of alleged crimes against humanity involving the state in Aceh. Commission member M.M.

Batam councillors get new cars

Batam councillors get new cars Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam A number of non-governmental organizations have condemned the provision of luxury cars by the Batam administration to 26 members of the city legislative council, saying both the city administration and the legislature did not have a sense of crisis.

KL wants neighbors to boost border security

KL wants neighbors to boost border security Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia will ask Indonesian and Philippine authorities to intensify border security to prevent the return of thousands of illegal immigrants who were expelled from Malaysia in a recent crackdown, news reports said on Sunday. "We will request Indonesia and the Philippines to beef up security," Deputy Defense Minister Mohamed Shafie Apdal was quoted as saying by the national news agency, Bernama.

Tangerang to build new toll road and port

Tangerang to build new toll road and port Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tigaraksa In its attempt to attract foreign investors, Tangerang regency has planned to build a new toll road from Serpong to Teluk Naga near the Soekarno Hatta airport, a container complex in Cikupa, and a seaport in Tanjung Pasir, Teluk Naga district.

House fire started by candle

House fire started by candle JAKARTA: A house burned down in Sunter Jaya, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, on Sunday morning. The fire, which started at about 10:15 a.m., was started by a child playing with a candle, according to the North Jakarta Fire Department. It was extinguished within less than an hour, Antara reported. Earlier, the news agency reported that fire destroyed dozens of houses in at least 13 locations across the city on Thursday and Friday during a blackout.

50 teachers killed recently in Aceh

50 teachers killed recently in Aceh BANDA ACEH: The Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI) Aceh chapter urged the government to give a security guarantee to teachers in the strife-torn province, as 50 teachers had been killed and 200 others physically assaulted in the past two years. Aceh PGRI chairman Aminuddin said that incidents of violence against teachers were not dealt with properly via due legal process.

JP/14/Brief

JP/14/Brief Merpati starts flight to Philippines JAKARTA: Indonesia's Merpati Nusantara Airlines (MNA) has opened a new route linking the city of Manado on Sulawesi island to Davao in the southern Philippines, an airline executive said Sunday. The new route is served once a week on Thursdays by a Fokker 28 with 85 passenger seats, MNA corporate secretary Iman Turidy told the Antara news agency. The first trial flight was held on Sept. 5 but the route was only officially inaugurated on Sept.

Police streamline driving license services

Police streamline driving license services JAKARTA: The city police have streamlined its services, allowing residents to get their driving licenses or renew their licenses at the nearest police precincts, instead of going to the Daan Mogot Integrated Service Office in West Jakarta. "Residents can go to the nearest police precinct from Oct. 1 to get their driving licenses or renew their old ones," National Police chief, Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Friday.

Plane fails to land in Manila

Plane fails to land in Manila PHILIPPINES: A Philippine Airlines plane from Australia failed to land in Manila on Sunday due to bad weather and was diverted to a central Philippine airport, officials said. The pilots of the Airbus 330, which originated from Melbourne and Sydney, decided to land in Cebu province after encountering low clouds and rains that obscured visibility in Manila, airport officials said.

War on terrorism: A political slogan or the real thing?

War on terrorism: A political slogan or the real thing? Many say the United States government has gone too far in its war on terrorism. American Muslim scholar Mahmoud M. Ayoub, a professor of Islamic studies at Temple University in Philadelphia speaks to The Jakarta Post's Muhammad Nafik after addressing an international seminar on Islam and the West in Jakarta last weekend. Excepts follows: The U.S.

Airlines focus on efficiency to survive

Airlines focus on efficiency to survive A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The liberalization of the country's airline industry two years ago has led to cut-throat competition among airline operators, forcing them to slash fares to gain customers. While the entry of new airlines provides travelers with more options and cheaper fares, there is been concern this will someday lead to compromised safety when financially strained airlines lower standards to reduce costs.

Activists urge suspension of election results

Activists urge suspension of election results Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Activists demanded on Sunday the results of the gubernatorial election be suspended following the recent confession by a candidate who admitted paying Rp 200 million (US$22,222) to 40 councillors. Interviewed separately by The Jakarta Post, the activists, lawyer Tubagus H.

Illegal fees mar anti-polio drive

Illegal fees mar anti-polio drive JAKARTA: Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi said that there were some government workers demanding fees during the first part of a national polio vaccination program that was under way. Sujudi said, however, that the number of officials at fault was not significant enough to put the program in a bad light. "There are only a few of them, which doesn't compare to the millions of others who are honest workers," Sujudi said on Saturday.

Doing business with China

Doing business with China The chairman of China's National People's Congress, Li Peng, recently visited Indonesia, opening up opportunities for increased bilateral economic ties that both sides must properly and quickly seize. In the New Order era, ethnic Chinese businesspeople were intentionally placed between the ruler and the people. During this period, Indonesia's economy grew impressively but was tainted by rampant corruption, collusion and nepotism.

Ancient statue discovered

Ancient statue discovered YOGYAKARTA: A team of archeologists renovating the Kadulan temple east of Yogyakarta has discovered a stone statue of the Hindu god Siva, which is believed to be from the fifth century. Team leader Tri Hatmadji said the statue, which stands two meters high and weighs 2.3 tons, might have been buried by lava following the eruption of Mount Merapi in the year 1006. The statue was found on Friday in the compound of the temple and excavated the next day.

Boycott Akbar Tandjung

Boycott Akbar Tandjung From Rakyat Merdeka We were rightfully disappointed by the Bulog II trials as they failed to divulge the involvement of high-ranking members of Golkar and the Golkar Party as an institution for allegedly using non-budgetary Bulog funds for its own interests and for Golkar's election campaign in the 1999 general election. On Sept.

Mega's accusation

Mega's accusation of the press From Bisnis Indonesia The mass media needs to react to President Megawati's accusation that the press has blown the deportation of migrant Indonesian workers in Nunukan out of proportion by refraining to report anything connected to her as a President or a private person. This may be what Megawati wants, given that she is a tight- lipped introvert who cannot stand criticism.

Students protest gambling dens

Students protest gambling dens BATAM: Dozens of students from four universities in Batam staged a peaceful rally in front of the mayor's office on Saturday demanding the closure of gambling dens in the city. Hari, one of the students, said that gambling dens in the city were unrestrained because they received "protection" from corrupt officers in the local administration and in central government.

Domestic problems await Mega's arrival

Domestic problems await Mega's arrival Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri returned home on Sunday evening from her trip to Africa and Europe, bringing with her a bundle of memorandums of understanding that need further discussion before they can materialize. Ending the 15-day whirlwind tour to six countries, Megawati touched down safely at Halim Perdanakusumah Airport and was greeted by Vice President Hamzah Haz and several Cabinet members.