Archive: 17 September 2002
Showing 1-50 of 71 articles
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Govt to assign new firms to repair Java, Sumatra roads
Govt to assign new firms to repair Java, Sumatra roads The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government will appoint several new contractors, without a tender procedure, to repair roads on Java's northern coast and Sumatra's eastern coast until November, a Cabinet minister said on Monday.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Class action against PLN
Class action against PLN Power blackout which affected most parts of Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi last Thursday also inflicted big losses on the public. Thousands of passengers of the electrical (commuter) train serving Jakarta-Bogor route were abandoned untransported. Fires in Jakarta and other areas on Thursday night were reportedly caused by candles and oil lamps. These were an indirect impact of the power blackout. Motorists were caught in traffic jams as all traffic lights were out.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Money laundering meeting in Bali
Money laundering meeting in Bali UNITED NATIONS: Australia and Indonesia said Sunday that they would co-host a conference on money laundering and terrorist financing, to be held on the Indonesian island of Bali on Dec. 12 and Dec. 13. Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and his Indonesian counterpart, Hassan Wirajuda, said in a joint statement they would open the conference together.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Demand for Asia's ant-eaters up in China
Demand for Asia's ant-eaters up in China Trirat Puttajanyawong, Reuters, Bangkok Thailand has long been notorious as a transit point for the trafficking of drugs, weapons and people. Now, a new commodity is being smuggled -- the scaly, ant-eating pangolin. Thailand has emerged as a hub for smugglers bringing pangolins from Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia and sending them to China, where they end up in cooking pots and traditional medicine shops.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
U.S. embassy reopens after terror threat
U.S. embassy reopens after terror threat The United States embassy here and the consulate in Surabaya reopened on Monday after four working days closed as a result of a terrorist threat from the al-Qaeda network. Dozens of people were seen queuing at the embassy to arrange documents, while heavily armed police stood guard outside the building located on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta. But U.S. diplomats here warned American citizens to still avoid facilities associated with the U.S.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Tembok Bolong: Portrait of urban poverty
Tembok Bolong: Portrait of urban poverty Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Sadum, a semi-employed 55-year-old man, lives with his wife and five children in his five meter by seven meter semi-permanent home on disputed land on the Tembok Bolong coast, Penjaringan district, North Jakarta. To support his family, he works as a porter at Sunda Kelapa port, one kilometer from his house. If he is lucky he can earn up to Rp 20,000 per day, but sometimes he earns nothing.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Six in hospital after blast
Six in hospital after blast The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Six people were still in hospital on Monday following the explosion of a gas pipe at Supermal Karawaci, which caused thousands of people to flee in panic on Sunday. Heru Nasution, general manager of the mall, said that 18 people were taken to hospital, but 12 were allowed to return home after receiving medical treatment.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Power crisis looms in S. Kalimantan
Power crisis looms in S. Kalimantan BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: South Kalimantan will soon face a serious power crisis as its hydroelectric power plant (PLTA) Riam Kanan cannot supply enough power to the province due to decreasing water supply to the plant. The volume of water at Riam Kanan dam is now well below the crisis level of 52 meters, forcing the power plant to stop operating two of three turbines.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Gubernatorial candidate retracts statement about money politics
Gubernatorial candidate retracts statement about money politics Ahmad Junaidi The Jakarta Post Jakarta Failed gubernatorial candidate, Mahfudz Djailani, revoked on Monday his earlier admission that he had paid Rp 200 million (US$22,000) as a down payment of a total Rp 2 billion promised to 40 city councillors in order that they would elect him as the next governor. "I didn't directly give any money.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Drought hits more than 200 villages in Banyumas
Drought hits more than 200 villages in Banyumas Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Purwokerto Tens of thousands of people in over 200 villages in Banyumas regency, Central Java, are experiencing severe clean water shortages as most artesian wells have dried up due to the prolonged drought. Residents in the villages told The Jakarta Post Monday that they often had to forego bathing just to save clean water for cooking and drinking. "I haven't taken a bath for three days.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
S'pore nabs more terror suspects
S'pore nabs more terror suspects SINGAPORE: Singapore said on Monday it had arrested 21 terror suspects in August in addition to 13 now in detention for plotting to blow up the U.S. embassy and other targets in the city state. The Ministry of Home Affairs said the 21 were Singaporeans and that 19 were members of Jemaah Islamiah (JI), a Muslim group which Singapore says has links to the al-Qaeda network accused of carrying out the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Peddlers complain of toll road ban
Peddlers complain of toll road ban TANGERANG: About 300 peddlers eking out a living selling food and drinks at the Cikupa toll road gate in Tangerang are planning to hold a protest rally against their evictions by the toll road operator. Pasir Gadung village chairman M. Dahlan said on Monday that they planned to protest against PT Jasa Marga, who they believed had issued the ban. He said they would protest the policy as the vendors had nowhere else to go.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Organized crime ring pillaging forests: Official
Organized crime ring pillaging forests: Official Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Organized criminals, comprising government officials as well as military officers, were the likely culprits behind the widespread illegal logging in the country, an official said on Monday. It also seemed likely that they were involved with an international network, according to the ministry's data.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
* Headlines: RI told to 'do more' to fight terrorism2
* Headlines: RI told to 'do more' to fight terrorism2 * National: Govt moves to raise spending on education4 * Archipelago: New firms to repair Java, Sumatra roads 5 * Opinion:Poverty encourages fundamentalism to grow 7 * City: Free baby vaccines sold at markets 8 * Sports: Italy beats USA in women's volleyball10 * World: Saudi changes position on Iraq 12 * Business: House starts drafting geothermal bill13 * Features: Ex-bombmaker turns peacemaker 20
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Bengkulu needs 460 teachers
Bengkulu needs 460 teachers BENGKULU, Bengkulu: Rejang Lebong regency in Bengkulu is still in need of 460 teachers for 398 elementary schools, 40 junior high schools and 14 senior high schools. Rejang Lebong education office head Tarmizi Usuludin said on Monday that the regency was planning to construct 32 junior high schools in several districts. Currently Rejang Lebong Regency has only 4,000 teachers.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Lia learns to sing Javanese songs
Lia learns to sing Javanese songs JAKARTA: Beside playing the role as Rano Karno's girlfriend, Sarah, in the seventh installment of Si Doel Anak Sekolahan TV series, Cornelia Agatha has been busy sharpening her singing skill in tembang (Javanese ethnic songs). In her newest venture with S. Kardjono's Gitawrta Saijah dan Adinda (Dance and song Saijah and Adinda), the 29-year-old has to explore the Javanese pentatonic scale.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Atomic energy a miracle cure: Hatta
Atomic energy a miracle cure: Hatta JAKARTA: State Minister of Research and Technology Hatta Radjasa was named the president for the 46th General Conference of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, which began on Monday. In his opening speech, Hatta proposed that the conference discuss the use of nuclear technology for the general public's welfare.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
AGO files appeals on controversial rights cases
AGO files appeals on controversial rights cases Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a bid to address public concern, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) has filed appeals to the Supreme Court on the controversial acquittal of six East Timor rights abuse suspects. In a hearing with House of Representatives Commission II on legal affairs on Monday, Attorney General M.A. Rachman said that the appeals had been submitted to the Supreme Court on Sept. 4.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
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;JP; ANPAf..r.. Jakarta-stock-table Stock quotations on JSX JP/13/BEJ Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Govt moves to increase spending on education
Govt moves to increase spending on education Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Ministry of National Education and legislators are demanding a hundred percent increase in the 2003 education budget, from Rp 13.6 trillion (US$15.2 billion) as proposed by President Megawati Soekarnoputri, to about Rp 26 trillion, saying the rise is crucial to achieve the goals of national education.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Govt planning to inject genitals
Govt planning to inject genitals JAKARTA: The government is intensifying its campaign for men's participation in the national family planning program by offering contraceptive through injections. National Family Planning Board head Yaumil Agoes Achir told the House of Representatives on Monday that the method was undergoing feasibility tests at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta and at Sriwijaya University in Palembang before its application next year.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
On emergency landing
On emergency landing I was very disturbed by the article in The Jakarta Post on Sept. 9 regarding the recent emergency landing of Garuda flight 601 at Makassar and would like some clarification from Garuda about this matter. The article describes engine trouble with a rapid drop in cabin air pressure and that few oxygen masks in the aircraft were functioning. It goes on to describe how all passengers and stewardesses were panicking and screaming.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
House team to allow four mines to proceed in protected forest
House team to allow four mines to proceed in protected forest Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A special team formed by the House of Representatives has agreed to permit four mining companies to resume open-pit mining operations in protected forests. "The four mining companies can definitely resume their operations.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN sees modest economy recovery
ASEAN sees modest economy recovery Rebecca Thurlow, Dow Jones, Bandar Seri Begawan Economic ministers from the Association of South East Asian Nations are predicting a modest economic recovery in the region this year but warn growth could be stunted by a double dip in the U.S. economy or an oil shock associated with an attack on Iraq.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Tourism assaults Thailand's pristine isle
Tourism assaults Thailand's pristine isle Denis Gray, Associated Press, Koh Chang, Thailand First come the reconnaissance teams, the backpackers, followed by light infantry, the local tourist operators. Then the last wave storms ashore: big Thai and international developers firing salvos of cash and corporate savvy. With military precision, one stunning but poorly defended tropical island after another in Thai waters has been overrun in the tourism onslaught.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Mega, Akbar sued over advocate bill
Mega, Akbar sued over advocate bill MEDAN, North Sumatra: The North Sumatra chapter of the Association of Indonesian Advocates (Ikadin) in Medan has filed a suit against President Megawati Soekarnoputri and House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tanjung over the delay in the endorsement of a bill on advocates. Ikadi spokesman Aldian Pinem said on Monday that the suit was filed on Sept.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
1. EXHIBIT: 2 lines, 21 COUNTS
1. EXHIBIT: 2 lines, 21 COUNTS Roving art exhibition a window to Indonesia 2. BOB: 1 LINE, 40 COUNTS Bob 'Sick' Yudhita pictures war with himself
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Thai vehicle sales jump 35%
Thai vehicle sales jump 35% BANGKOK: Thailand's domestic vehicle sales in the first eight months of 2002 grew 34.9 percent over the same period last year to 251,752 units, according to industry figures released Monday. The numbers were boosted by robust sales growth of 51.2 percent in August, according to the industry's appointed monitor Toyota. "It is the sixth straight month that vehicle sales have reached more than 30,000 units," Toyota said in a statement.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
TNI ready to leave conflict zones: Chief
TNI ready to leave conflict zones: Chief The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Military (TNI) said it was ready to withdraw its involvement in settling armed conflicts in the country, provided that this decision came from the people. "I leave it to their consensus. If we are to withdraw from the conflict zones, we would be happy to do so. The more tasks taken away from us, the happier we will be because we can just rest at home, but still get a salary," TNI chief Gen.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Govt called on to annual Jakarta governor election
Govt called on to annual Jakarta governor election Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Three councillors and dozens of activists urged Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno on Monday to annul the result of the recent gubernatorial election due to accusations that city councillors took bribes to vote for certain candidates. They also demanded the annulment due to the strong public objection against Sutiyoso, who was elected by the 84 councillors on Wednesday for a second term.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Japan should face history squarely
Japan should face history squarely Kim Sok Bom, The Asahi Shimbun, Tokyo What a pleasant surprise. Although the announcement of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to Pyongyang appeared sudden, it is the fruit of year-long negotiations behind the scenes. The process itself provides hope, to a certain extent, that the meeting will go well.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
2. Asahi -- Japan should face history squarely
2. Asahi -- Japan should face history squarely 3. Strait -- Squabbles have disturbed nonviolent ASEAN
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
An American tried for drugs
An American tried for drugs JAKARTA: An American went on trial on Monday for allegedly possessing and using marijuana in a bar in Blok M area, South Jakarta, two months ago. Prosecutors accused defendant Darryl W. Davis, an engineering consultant of Devon Energy oil company, for violation against Law No 22/1997 on drugs which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail and Rp 100 million in fine. Davis was arrested on July 18 by officers of the Jakarta Police.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
79 legislators urge Akbar to resign
79 legislators urge Akbar to resign Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Disgraced House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung received an expected political blow on Monday when 79 legislators officially asked Akbar to step aside until the graft case against him was settled.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Ad-hoc trial should ensure protection of rights
Ad-hoc trial should ensure protection of rights Munir, Director Indonesian Human Rights Watch (IMPARSIAL), Jakarta The first round of the ad hoc Human Rights Tribunal on the East Timor case ended in anticlimax as the suspects of crimes against humanity were mostly acquitted from all charges. The verdict cast by the first human rights court conducted in this republic's history carries a danger that we may not have taken seriously.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Schools must be tough to fight drug problems
Schools must be tough to fight drug problems Simon Marcus Gower, Principal, Harapan Bangsa High School, Tangerang, Banten A group of schoolboys sit huddled in a stairwell near to one of Jakarta's many fast food restaurants. In their early teens, their uniforms somehow seem more worn and dirty than most school kids but they have the youthful smiles and laughter of innocent childhood. Huddled together their excited behavior is what first draws attention to them.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Ex-Bombmaker turns peacemaker
Ex-Bombmaker turns peacemaker Pandaya, The Jakarta Post, Ambon News mixing with rumors about loved ones being killed, houses ransacked and places of worship attacked swept across Ambon like a hurricane. Nervous, everybody in Christian and Muslim neighborhoods prepared for war -- in the name of religion. They wielded weapons, erected road barricades and examined strangers' identity.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Megawati may retain power until 2009
Megawati may retain power until 2009 R. William Liddle, Political Scientist, The Ohio State University Voter perceptions of the qualities of individual leaders appear to play an important part in Indonesian elections, according to the earlier mentioned survey. Megawati Soekarnoputri was the clear favorite of voters according to our data, and probably pulled the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI Perjuangan) along with her.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Bob 'Sick' Yudhita pictures war with himself
Bob 'Sick' Yudhita pictures war with himself Christina Schott, Contributor, Yogyakarta Bob "Sick" Yudhita doesn't need to do any acting to get attention. His physical appearance is already theatrical enough. Therefore an exhibition of his art would not be complete without his presence. "Since my pictures are a part of myself, I am as well part of my pictures", Bob says. No question.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Munir
Munir Director Indonesian Human Rights Watch (IMPARSIAL) Jakarta The first round of the ad hoc Human Rights Tribunal on the East Timor case ended in anticlimax as the suspects of crimes against humanity were mostly acquitted from all charges. The verdict cast by the first human rights court conducted in this republic's history carries a danger that we may not have taken seriously.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Cleaning up the banks
Cleaning up the banks Bank Indonesia (the central bank) is right in persistently pushing ahead with its efforts to reduce the number of non- performing loans (NPls) in the banking industry to a maximum of 5 percent of outstanding loans by the end of 2002.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Candidate retracts bribery statement
Candidate retracts bribery statement Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Failed gubernatorial candidate, Mahfudz Djailani, revoked on Monday his earlier admission that he had paid Rp 200 million as a down payment of a total Rp 2 billion promised to 40 city councillors in order that they would elect him as the next governor. "I didn't directly give any money. But I don't know if my sponsors had given any money," Mahfudz, a travel agent, told reporters at his office on Jl.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Karaoke lounge opens despite ban
Karaoke lounge opens despite ban TANGERANG: Owners of Hotel Istana Nelayan in Tangerang have ignored the municipal administration's direction not to operate karaoke lounges without possessing the required permits. A staff member at the hotel on Jl. Gatot Subroto said on Monday that in order to deceive administration officials and public order officers, the hotel management had changed operation times of the karaoke lounge from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Reelection of Sutiyoso worries poor people
Reelection of Sutiyoso worries poor people Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The reelection of Governor Sutiyoso, who is notoriously known for his long record of the eviction of slums and poor communities across the capital, has worried the poor residents for another term of hardship. "The (Sutiyoso's) reelection for his second term really makes us worried as we must face again imminent uncertainties in the near future," said Asih, a resident of Bojong, Pondok Gede, East Jakarta.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
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.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Free baby vaccines sold at markets
Free baby vaccines sold at markets Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After reports earlier this year that donated medicine intended for flood victims was finding its way into the city's markets, a similar scandal has erupted involving certain vaccines essential for the health and well-being of babies. "The vaccines should be given for free to babies.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
BPKP to audit central government loan to regions
BPKP to audit central government loan to regions Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) is investigating possible misuse by regional governments of investment funds provided by international financial agencies through the central government. The audits follow the failure of the regional governments to repay a total of Rp 5.4 trillion (US$606 million) in debts, including interest, principal payments and fines, over the past six years.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Boyce tells RI to 'do even more' to fight terrorism
Boyce tells RI to 'do even more' to fight terrorism Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta United States Ambassador to Indonesia Ralph L. Boyce urged the Indonesian government on Monday to "do even more" in countering terrorism as no suspects linked to the al-Qaeda network had so far been arrested by security authorities here.
Tue, 17 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
TNI told to seek non-U.S. military aid
TNI told to seek non-U.S. military aid Dadan Wijaksana and Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Legislators recommended on Monday that the Indonesian Military (TNI) maintain the nation's dignity and sovereignty by seeking other sources of military aid to end dependency on the U.S. and to curb the resulting U.S. interference in Indonesia's affairs. The recommendation was made during a hearing between House Commission I on security affairs and TNI Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto.