Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 23 September 2002

46 articles found

Mobile phone sales skyrocket in RI

Mobile phone sales skyrocket in RI Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Cellular phone sales in the country catapulted 67 percent to more than 2.4 million in the first half of the year, compared to the same period last year, due in most part to declining prices for handsets and phone cards, according to the Indonesian Cellular Phone Association (ATSI).

JP/4/let

JP/4/let Are the two hospitals highlighted supposed to be different, or isn't the writer actually talking about the same hospital? Hospital refuses patient From Kompas It was harrowing to read about Abigail, a woman who delivered a baby in the corridors of the Manado General Hospital. In the present era of reform, there are still some people who refuse to help their fellow humans. More and more people have become selfish.

Security concerns cloud Megawati's brief trip to Aceh

Security concerns cloud Megawati's brief trip to Aceh Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Lhokseumawe President Megawati Soekarnoputri is planning to visit Aceh on Wednesday amid concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the troubled province. The visit, her second since assuming the national leadership, will be very short -- only one hour -- and be confined to Banda Aceh's Sultan Iskandar Muda airport.

Govt determined to change visa policy

Govt determined to change visa policy Muhammad Nafik The Jakarta Post Jakarta The government is likely to go ahead with its controversial plan to abolish its visa-on-entry policy given to citizens of 48 countries following the recent arrests of several foreigners in connection with separatism or terrorism activities in the country.

Abrasion looms over Lampung eastern coast

Abrasion looms over Lampung eastern coast Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Sukadana, Lampung Timur Thousands of people's homes and hectares of fish ponds along the eastern shore of Lampung could be submerged in seawater within two years as a result of the massive clearing of mangrove forests by unauthorized fish farmers. Mangrove forests on the eastern coasts of Lampung and Tulangbawang have been widely destroyed by about 4,000 fish farmers who illegally cleared the forests for fish ponds.

Two bombs found in Ambon

Two bombs found in Ambon AMBON, Maluku: Security personnel found two bombs planted behind the command post of army battalion I troops assigned to the restive town of Ambon at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday. The commander of army battalion I, Major Tria Wibawa, confirmed the find, saying that the bombs were assembled locally. He said that unidentified people had thrown the bombs out to avoid a military raid on illegal weapons.

Golkar cracks under strong public pressure

Golkar cracks under strong public pressure Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Golkar's previously solid leadership is now cracking under relentless public pressure for Akbar Tandjung to quit his post as Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), with more leaders also demanding that the convicted corrupter relinquish his Golkar chairmanship to save the party.

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I can't correct part (c) of the "Malaysia" column properly because the screen keeps jumping over to the left.

Will Jiang Zemin step down?

Will Jiang Zemin step down? Natalia Soebagyo, Board Member, Center for Chinese Studies, Jakarta Now that the date for the 16th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been confirmed for Nov. 8, speculation is high about what will President Jiang Zemin do. Will he or won't he step down gracefully as the Party secretary-general? What is important to note is the attempt of CCP leaders to secure an orderly political succession. How serious are they?

Under-pressure House to review labor bills

Under-pressure House to review labor bills Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta House of Representatives legislators will focus on contentious points when they extend the deliberation of the much-criticized bills on labor protection and industrial disputes. Due to tough opposition from both workers and the business community, the House will announce a delay in the endorsement of the bills on Monday, and present a new bill to repeal the 1997 labor law.

TV Program: Monday, September 23, 2002

TV Program: Monday, September 23, 2002 TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Environment 8:30 Music 9:00 Film 10:00 Documentary 11:00 News 11:30 Music 12:00 p.m. News 1:00 Talk Show 2:30 Documentary 3:00 Children's Program 3:30 Cartoon 4:00 Music 5:00 Music 6:00 News 7:00 Dialog 8:00 Quiz 9:00 News 9:30 Music 11:00 News TPI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 7:00 Quiz 8:00 Music 9:00 Indonesian Film 11:00 TV Drama 12:00 p.m.

'There are casualties in successful businesses'

'There are casualties in successful businesses' Yanuar Nugroho, Director, Business Watch Indonesia, Researcher, Unisosdem Jakarta, yanuar-n@unisosdem.org The head of The Indonesian Control Body for Stock Market (Bapepam) Herwidayatmo last month stated that the number of public investors in Indonesia now number only 55,000, down from 1995 when there were more than two million investors.

Two detained in fatal blast as death toll rises to 16

Two detained in fatal blast as death toll rises to 16 Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Tegal, Central Java Two suspects are in police custody after a fatal firecracker explosion at a factory in Tegal, Central Java claimed the lives of 16 workers on Sunday. Tegal deputy police chief Yohanes Edy Kusnowo told The Jakarta Post on Sunday that the two suspects were both residents of Tegal.

Visa policy change to go ahead despite criticism, minister says

Visa policy change to go ahead despite criticism, minister says Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is likely to go ahead with its controversial plan to abolish its visa-on-entry policy given to citizens of 48 countries following the recent arrests of several foreigners in connection with separatism or terrorism activities in the country.

JP/4/SCENE

JP/4/SCENE SEAMEO conference in Surakarta SURAKARTA, Central Java: Education ministers from the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are scheduled to meet here next week. The meeting of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) and SEAMEO Regional Open Learning Center (SEAMOLEC) will take place from Wednesday through Friday.

Wanted: A visionary to implement alternative power

Wanted: A visionary to implement alternative power Vishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, Jakarta, vmahmud@yahoo.com Last week, sitting in my darkened room -- courtesy of the Great Jakarta Blackout part 2, I began to wonder about mankind's thirst for electricity. Nowadays, everything we do requires electrical power, be it in the form of batteries or wall sockets.

The threat of terrorism

The threat of terrorism The reaction by many politicians and organizations to recent reports about threats of international terrorist attacks in Indonesia has reached unhealthy proportions, especially with the latest claims that these reports were nothing more than American propaganda.

Quality of our diplomats

Quality of our diplomats From Koran Tempo The foreign ministry has been in the public spotlight recently, particularly because our embassies/consulates general and other representative offices abroad are still ineffective. Indeed, the majority of the officials sent abroad have been picked not on the basis of their qualifications, as their selection entails a certain amount of money agreed upon by both sides.

Govt asked to treat foreign NGOs fairly

Govt asked to treat foreign NGOs fairly Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Calls have surfaced for the government not to be unreasonable in its treatment of foreign non-governmental organizations following allegations that they may have abused their humanitarian mission in conflict-ridden areas.

'Weakening consumption poses a threat to economic growth'

'Weakening consumption poses a threat to economic growth' A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Analysts are divided on whether the latest data on a decline in sales of electronic goods and cigarettes indicates a weakening of domestic consumption.

'Rupiah to remain at 9,000 this week'

'Rupiah to remain at 9,000 this week' The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After hitting Rp 9,000 to the U.S. dollar again last Monday, the rupiah is likely to stay there in this week's trading one analyst said, citing continued foreign debt payments and concerns over of a prolonged, weak U.S. economy. Bank Mandiri chief economist Martin Panggabean predicted the rupiah would weaken towards the end of the year on pressure from foreign debt payments, but might return to the 8,000 level temporarily.

Controversial bills

Controversial bills After the press community rejected the draft bill on broadcasting, now business circles are coming out against a bill on labor. There is fear these two bills will be the death of the respective communities. If passed into law, the broadcasting bill will have the power to curtail the freedom of the press at anytime. Deliberation of the bill has been postponed following waves of protest.

'Sutiyoso should do something to win back public sympathy'

'Sutiyoso should do something to win back public sympathy' Despite public outcry and opposition against governor-elect Sutiyoso, it is almost certain that he will carry out his second tenure as city governor. Some residents shared their views with The Jakarta Post. Eka, 29, has been an environmentalist of a noted organization since 1998. She resides in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta with her family: I personally oppose Sutiyoso as city governor.

ADB revises upward RI's 2002 GDP growth estimate

ADB revises upward RI's 2002 GDP growth estimate A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised upward its 2002 economic growth prediction for Indonesia from an earlier 3 percent to 3.2 percent. The higher prediction was based on an expected recovery in exports, particularly on the back of higher oil prices.

Imported used clothes

Imported used clothes From Bisnis Indonesia Indonesians are fond of consuming used goods ranging from used aircraft, rail cars, buses, luxury cars, factory machines, electronics, paper, to used clothes and other products. Some of these goods are imported legally and others are contraband. Indonesia is capable of producing such goods but they are more expensive or their quality lower than imported used commodities.

* Headlines: President Megawati to visit Aceh 2

* Headlines: President Megawati to visit Aceh 2 * National: Autonomy law sparks disputes4 * Archipelago:KKN infects many N. Sumatra projects5 * Opinion: RI's educational standards not that poor7 * City: Car-free day ignored due to lack of publicity 8 * Sports:France, Russia near Davis Cup showdown9 * World: Malay group forecasts war with S'pore11 * Business: govt urged to review shipping policy 13 * Features: New CCF director fascinated with Jakarta 20

NGOs reject reconciliation with Sutiyoso

NGOs reject reconciliation with Sutiyoso Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Several non-governmental organizations (NGO) rejected last Saturday an offer to reconcile with elected Governor Sutiyoso and Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo, saying that they no longer trusted the two officials.

SERANG, Banten: A textile worker was killed when 230 kilograms

SERANG, Banten: A textile worker was killed when 230 kilograms of cotton knocked him over on Saturday. Jamaluddin, 28, died after a heavy bale of cotton hit him while he was standing in the parking lot of PT Budi Texnindo company in the Jawilan subdistrict of Serang, witnesses said. The accident occurred when the packed cotton was about to be unloaded from a container. A 230-kilogram bale of cotton fell on Jamaluddin when the container's door was opened, they said.

Dompu officials required to read Koran

Dompu officials required to read Koran MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Muslim civil servants in Dompu district in Indonesia's West Nusa Tenggara province, must be able to read the Koran fluently before they can hope to receive a promotion. "Even if they have passed all the other tests, they are not going to get a promotion if they fail to read the Koran," Dompu district head Ahmad Abubakar said here on Saturday.

Soeharto's granddaughter marries

Soeharto's granddaughter marries JAKARTA: Eno Sigit, the granddaughter of former president Soeharto from his first son Sigit Harjojudanto, got married to Fahmi David, with the wedding reception held at her father's house in the upmarket housing complex on Jl. Jusuf Adiwinata, Central Jakarta, on Sunday. The wedding, which started at 1 p.m., caused several roads nearby, including Jl. Cendana, Jl. Rasamala and Jl.

Indonesia to ink China LNG deal Thursday: Purnomo

Indonesia to ink China LNG deal Thursday: Purnomo Maki Aoto, Dow Jones, Osaka Indonesia will sign a long-term contract with China Thursday to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Fujian province, energy minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said. A bilateral meeting in Bali Wednesday will be followed by a formal agreement the next day, Purnomo told Dow Jones Newswires in an interview Sunday on the sidelines of the International Energy Forum.

Council member goes on trial

Council member goes on trial TANGERANG: The Tangerang District Court will try Tangerang municipal council spokesman Gian Sugiharsono and an alleged drug producer, Ang Kiem Soei, in two separate trials this week, a court staff member said over the weekend. The staff member, who requested anonymity, said Gian would be tried for illegally renting out a 7,000-square-meter plot belonging to Yayasan Pendidikan Kuncung on Jl. Siliwangi, Jatiuwung subdistrict to 10 tenants.

Car-free day ignored due to lack of publicity

Car-free day ignored due to lack of publicity Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta This year's Jakarta Car-Free Day turned out to be a flop on Sunday as many private cars continued to use the slow lane on Jl. Sudirman, which was designated the city's only car-free road.

Pornographic VCDs

Pornographic VCDs From Kompas I am annoyed and saddened by the helplessness and ineffectiveness of the police in dealing with the sellers and distributors of pornographic video compact disks (VCDs). In August, I saw the sellers of bootleg pornographic VCDs along the road from Jakarta's downtown Glodok-Harco plaza to Jl. Pinangsia Raya offering their illicit products to passers-by without shame, regardless of their age.

Religious, youth leaders warn of anti-U.S. backlash

Religious, youth leaders warn of anti-U.S. backlash Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Leaders of religious and youth groups are asking the United States to stop spreading what they consider to be black propaganda against Indonesia, warning that such propaganda will only create widespread resentment against Washington. They also demanded that the U.S.

Denying basic human rights

Denying basic human rights I question the logic of the statements made by Brig. Gen. Iman Haryatna, the police chief of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), regarding the reasons behind the ransacking and burning of the Ahmadiyah secretariat building and the Ahmadiyah mosque at Selong (East Lombok calm after arson attacks, The Jakarta Post, Sept. 13).

KL ready to help RI battle forest fires

KL ready to help RI battle forest fires Agencies, Kuala Lumpur Malaysian firefighters have been put on alert to help combat hundreds of fires raging out of control in Indonesia and sending plumes of smoke billowing across nearby countries, news reports said on Sunday.

Government urged again to review shipping policy

Government urged again to review shipping policy Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian National Shipowners Association (INSA) has renewed calls for the government to review its shipping industry policy, warning that foreign shipping companies will entirely control the industry in the near future unless the policy is changed. INSA chairman Barens Th.

YLKI, passengers complain of poor service

YLKI, passengers complain of poor service Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) and train commuters blasted state-owned railway firm PT KAI on Saturday for its failure to provide good service and facilities for its customers. Tulus Abadi of YLKI's legal division said the worst service was its poor punctuality.

Autonomy law sparks disputes, undermines national integrity

Autonomy law sparks disputes, undermines national integrity Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The division of power, as set out in Law No. 22/1999 on regional autonomy, tends to create disputes between regional and central administrations and spark sectarian conflicts in society, an official has said. He compared the law, under which the central and regional administrations enjoy unprecedented exclusive authority, to what took effect in the United States in the 19th century.

RI oil, coal reliance seen rising

RI oil, coal reliance seen rising Agence France-Presse, Osaka, Japan Indonesia's primary energy demand is expected to rise by 3.5 percent a year until 2030 with gas demand increasing with the country's reliance on oil and coal showing signs of easing. According to the World Energy Outlook, which appears every two years by the International Energy Agency (IEA), demand for gas will grow at 3.4 percent, and coal by 5.2 percent a year.

Poor people lack of skills to organize themselves

Poor people lack of skills to organize themselves Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Five days of stimulating discussions on poverty during the Asian People's Dialogue II in Cibubur ended last Thursday, but they failed to produce any concrete recommendations amid the deficiencies affecting poor communities here regarding the organizational and managerial skills crucial to organizing themselves. "The meeting was supposed to come up with recommendations.

KKN infects many projects in N. Sumatra

KKN infects many projects in N. Sumatra Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan Some 70 percent of development projects in the North Sumatra provincial administration were tarnished by the practices of collusion, corruption and nepotism (KKN), two business associations said on Saturday.

Antiterror war conceals global injustices

Antiterror war conceals global injustices Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian religious leaders marked Saturday's International Day of Peace by calling for a war on global injustices as a prerequisite to fighting worldwide terrorism and violence across the country. They also told the United States and other Western countries to cease their arrogance deemed to have led to feelings of enmity, hatred and hostility in the developing world.

Councillors get money for canceled trip

Councillors get money for canceled trip SURABAYA: Ten councillors from Commission E of the East Java legislative council have accepted money for trips that were canceled, according to commission chairman Harbiyah Shalahuddin. Harbiyah said on Saturday the money was for preparing administrative documents such as visas and passports. She, however, declined to name the councillors.

RI's educational standards not that poor

RI's educational standards not that poor Simon Marcus Gower, Principal, Harapan Bangsa High School, Tangerang, Banten Pessimism, sadly, seems to consume much of the thought processes of many an observer of Indonesia's education system.