Archive: 24 September 2002
Showing 1-50 of 68 articles
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Grenade explodes near U.S.-owned property
Grenade explodes near U.S.-owned property Damar Harsanto and Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bogor A grenade exploded in the early hours of Monday morning in a Kijang van traveling close to U.S.-owned property here, killing one passenger and injuring the driver. Meanwhile, the police gave conflicting statements over the blast. National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said the grenade was meant to be tossed at an unoccupied house belonging to the U.S.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
JP/6/SANTI
JP/6/SANTI North Maluku, a greater disaster in the waiting Santi W.E. Soekanto Contributor Ternate, Maluku Ridwan Miraj, the chief of Muhajirin district in Ternate City, fought back tears. He was watching the Loloda and Galela refugees sheltering in his neighborhood pack their meager belongings accumulated over the past three years of their displacement.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Senior councillor reveals bribery
Senior councillor reveals bribery Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta There is stronger indication about the irregularities in the recent gubernatorial election as a senior councillor of the National Mandate Party (PAN) faction admitted on Monday that a gubernatorial candidate had given 10 cheques worth Rp 450 million each to 10 councillors from the party.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Budget that prepares for quality workers
Budget that prepares for quality workers V.K. Chin, The Star, Asia News Network, Selangor, Malaysia The 2003 Budget, presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Parliament last week, was definitely good for the education sector, which received 27 percent of the total allocations or a whopping RM29.6 billion. This is indeed a fantastic boost to the sector and augurs well for the future of education in the country.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
In the shadow of the apes: Vietnam almost loses gibbons
In the shadow of the apes: Vietnam almost loses gibbons Ben Rowse, Agence France-Presse, Hanoi Conservationists are calling for urgent action to prevent the extinction of the world's most endangered primate, after 26 eastern black crested gibbons were discovered last month in Vietnam.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
PPD bus crews go on strike, leaving thousands stranded
PPD bus crews go on strike, leaving thousands stranded Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta About 2,000 bus drivers, conductors and other employees of state- owned Djakarta Transportation company (PPD) went on strike on Monday morning, causing thousands of commuters to be left stranded at bus stops and stations during rush hour. Many people were late for work as they had to find alternative transportation.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Police look for heavier charges against Sadler and McCulloch
Police look for heavier charges against Sadler and McCulloch Agencies, Jakarta Aceh Police said on Monday that they would broaden their investigation of a British academic and an American nurse in their custody to include more serious offenses than simple visa violations. "We will widen the investigation to include heavier charges," Aceh Police spokesman Taufik Sutiyono told AFP. The police also denied reports on Monday that one of the women had become ill. "The suspects are in good condition.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
'Traitors will be punished'
'Traitors will be punished' BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: South Kalimantan Legislative Speaker Mansyah Add warned local councillors on Monday that anyone who betrayed their agreement to topple Governor Sjachriel Dachram would receive severe punishment. "I have the names and factions of those who may be planning to break our agreement.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Minister joins call on U.S. to explain terrorist allegations
Minister joins call on U.S. to explain terrorist allegations Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Pressure escalated on Monday for the United States to produce evidence of its recent allegation that cells of Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist network were operating here, with some of the country's high-ranking officials joining in the chorus.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Backup for antiterror war lamented
Backup for antiterror war lamented Tiarma Siboro and Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The absence of legal grounds to deal with transnational crime and a lack of coordination among government institutions are obstructing the country's efforts to curb terrorist-related activities, according to intelligence sources.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Terrorism must be fought within UN framework: Asian, EU leaders
Terrorism must be fought within UN framework: Asian, EU leaders Agencies, Copenhagen European and Asian leaders said that the global fight against terrorism must be conducted within the framework of the United Nations as they met for talks on Monday including discussion of possible U.S. strikes on Iraq.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
War fever forces up oil price to 19-month peak
War fever forces up oil price to 19-month peak Andrew Mitchell, Reuters, Osaka War fever drove U.S. oil prices to a new 19-month high on Monday as dealers took fright at the growing threat of a U.S. assault on Iraq. U.S. crude futures in electronic trade by 0520 GMT (12.20 p.m. Jakarta time) jumped 57 cents to US$30.41 a barrel after setting a high of $30.48. Dealers said Baghdad's decision to reject any new U.N.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Flawed procurement
Flawed procurement There is nothing surprising about the uncovering of strong evidence of conspiracy among bidders and collusion between bidders and officials in the tendering of works for World Bank and Asian Development Bank-funded projects in Sulawesi and North Sumatra worth more than US$103 million. The discovery of the rigged bidding process that was disclosed last week serves only to confirm the long-established perception of the Indonesian government as among the most corrupt in Asia.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Police fail to reveal bomb attack masterminds
Police fail to reveal bomb attack masterminds The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Prior to the grenade blast early on Monday morning close to the U.S.-owned property here that claimed one life, a string of bomb attacks had already struck Jakarta. The table below shows that targets, dates and locations of the attacks are so varied that it is difficult to discern a pattern from the blasts to predict potential future targets.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Insurance industry sees slower business this year
Insurance industry sees slower business this year Fitri Wulandari The Jakarta Post Jakarta Business for the country's insurance industry is likely to be slower this year due to weak economic conditions at home, an industry expert said. Hotbonar Sinaga, chairman of the Indonesian Insurance Council (DAI), said that during the first semester of 2002, general insurance only grew by 20 percent while life insurance grew by 25 percent in terms of gross premium.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Is it that difficult to stop illegal logging?
Is it that difficult to stop illegal logging? Matthew Linkie and Patricia Sibarani, Contributor, Kerinci Seblat Arson attacks on Government vehicles, three Government officials severely beaten up, and nine kidnapped from a public bus. These are not the war-torn regions in Afghanistan. These are the risks involved with protecting one of the last refuges for elephants, tigers and rhinos from illegal logging in Indonesia.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Bomb-making materials found at Tegal firecracker factory
Bomb-making materials found at Tegal firecracker factory Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Tegal, Central Java Investigators have discovered bomb-making materials at a firecracker plant in Tegal, Central Java, that was destroyed in an explosion last Saturday, Tegal Police chief of detectives, Adj. Comm. Ahmad Zulfikar, said on Monday.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Minister issues new import ruling, sugar prices to rise
Minister issues new import ruling, sugar prices to rise Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Ministry of Trade and Industry has issued a new decree regulating sugar imports, which only authorizes government importers to import sugar in a bid to increase the current low price of the commodity in domestic markets. According to Minister of Trade and Industry Rini M Soewandi, Decree No.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Haze covers most of Kalimantan
Haze covers most of Kalimantan The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Haze from forest and ground fires on Monday continued to veil most parts of Kalimantan, Riau, and North Maluku. In Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan, visibility was 500 metres, up from just two meters last week, when Governor Asmawi Agani declared an optional holiday for schools and government offices in Palangkaraya and surrounding areas.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
RI strongly condemns Israel's siege of Arafat HQ
RI strongly condemns Israel's siege of Arafat HQ Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian government strongly denounced on Monday Israel's siege of the West Bank headquarters of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, demanding that the Jewish state stop the offensive immediately.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Foreign leader for RI citizens?
Foreign leader for RI citizens? Metro TV's report broadcast at 7:09 p.m. on Aug. 28 referred to "Hassan di Tiro, trustee of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), a Swedish citizen." A trustee implies the head of state (as in the period of the Federal Republic of Indonesia/RIS). The information as a whole is controversial. It seems as if GAM has became part of Indonesia called RIS. The GAM head of state in exile is at the same time a Swedish citizen.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Firms come under fire over sweatshops
Firms come under fire over sweatshops Victoria Knight, Dow Jones, Brussels The working conditions were terrible. More than 3,000 women toiled for up to 70 hours a week in a stifling hot factory without access to cool, clean drinking water. They risked being fired, or even prosecuted, for joining unions. And they were paid a mere 2 euro a day.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Stock prices at the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept.23, 2002
Stock prices at the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept.23, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 270 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 750 -50 40,500 Adindo Foresta 45 0 0 AGIS Tbk 85 0 0 Akbar Indo Makmur 260 0 3,000 Alakasa Industrindo 190 0 0 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 825 25 11,000 Alter Abadi Tbk 10 0 0 Alumindo Light 375 0 0...
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Ericsson Corp. remains upbeat on Asia Pacific market
Ericsson Corp. remains upbeat on Asia Pacific market The Jakarta Post, Shanghai, China The Swedish-based telecommunications equipment maker Ericsson Corp. remains optimistic that the current weak market faced by the industry would be short-lived, especially when emerging markets such as Asia Pacific countries continue to show signs of improvement. President of Ericsson Asia Pacific Ltd.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Haze in Serawak hits unhealthy level
Haze in Serawak hits unhealthy level Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Haze caused by forest and ground fires from Indonesia's Borneo island has hit a neighboring Malaysian state, officials said on Monday. They classified the situation as serious amid fears the 1997 smog crisis that enveloped parts of Southeast Asia could be repeated.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Student dies after school brawl
Student dies after school brawl YOGYAKARTA: A student from SMUN IX public high school in Yogyakarta died on Saturday when he was shot by unidentified motorists using a slingshot loaded with five-centimeter nails near his school in Sagan, Gondokusuman, Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta Police Investigation Directorate head Sr. Comm. Toto Sunyoto said on Sunday that the attackers shot R. Andhika Aditya in the chest with a slingshot loaded with the nail.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Motorola launches four products
Motorola launches four products JAKARTA: Motorola launched on Monday a series of new products in response to the skyrocketing sales of cellular phones in Indonesia. The four new products are the C330, E360, V60i and T720 models, and were expected to capture much of the market share from other competitors in the country, an executive said here, adding that the company had funded a promotion campaign worth US$1 million this year in an effort to win the Indonesian market.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Bill on new regencies in the pipeline
Bill on new regencies in the pipeline JAKARTA: The House of Representatives (DPR) has arranged the deliberation of its initiative bills on the establishment of five regencies. The five regencies to be established under the new bills are Samosir, Batubara and Humbung Hasu Dutan in North Sumatra, and East Luwu and North Mamuju in South Sulawesi.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
RI athletes arrive in Busan for Asian Games
RI athletes arrive in Busan for Asian Games Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Busan, South Korea The main batch of Indonesian athletes for the Busan 2002 Asian Games arrived in the South Korean southern port city of Busan after a six-hour flight from Jakarta on Monday morning. The athletes say they are determined to realize the National Sports Council's (KONI) target of six gold medals.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Faisal Basri: A study in humility
Faisal Basri: A study in humility Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta On Faisal Basri, modesty stands out like his trademark khaki trousers, his light-colored shirt and his leather sandals among other men in suits. "Help yourself please," he said, pointing to a selection of tea and coffee, in the corner of his office while he prepared himself a bowl of instant noodles, "I don't like how people here pamper someone just because he's the dean." Faisal actually deserves some pampering.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
North coast of Java facing severe water deficit due to deforestation
North coast of Java facing severe water deficit due to deforestation Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A severe water crisis is looming for big cities along the north coast of Java island, including Jakarta, Semarang in Central Java and Surabaya in East Java, due to the rapid rate of deforestation and excessive water consumption, State Minister for the Environment Nabiel Makarim said on Monday.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Selling a lifestyle, realizing a dream
Selling a lifestyle, realizing a dream Saytasuryawan, Contributor, Jakarta Are you still dreaming of becoming a wealthy person? Then this is not suitable for you as it will not only make you dream longer but also disturb your sleep? Double trouble, right? The moment you catch sight of the Ferrari 360 Modena, you will be charmed. Its bright red lines and the curves of the body keep your eyes glued to the automobile. Don't be surprised: it costs some Rp 5 billion (about US$580,000).
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Asian leaders look to euro as alternative to dollar in int'l trade
Asian leaders look to euro as alternative to dollar in int'l trade Agence France-Presse, Elsinore, Denmark Asian leaders gathered here for the ASEM meeting with EU members have shown a keen interest in the euro as a possible alternative to the dollar in international trade, Danish prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
KL punishes RI migrant workers
KL punishes RI migrant workers JAKARTA: Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda reported to the House of Representatives on Monday that 218 undocumented migrant workers had been sentenced in line with the new immigration act imposed in Malaysia. The minister said the workers were handed down punishment ranging from jail sentences of between nine days and three years to fines of between RM 500 and RM 20,000. These workers will also receive up to four strokes of the cane, Hassan said.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Garbage containers cause traffic jam
Garbage containers cause traffic jam JAKARTA: The East Jakarta sanitation office has put garbage in containers at the roadside before transporting it to the final dump, causing traffic jams in the area. Head of the office Ratim Aman told beritajakarta.com that the garbage was put in containers along Jl. Jatinegara Barat, Jl. Otista and Jl. Dewi Sartika as they found it difficult to find a site for use as a temporary waste dump due to opposition from local residents.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Optik Tunggal unprofessional
Optik Tunggal unprofessional With a big name like Optik Tunggal, one would presume that they are very professional. Well, don't make any conclusions yet, because they are not. On Friday, Sept. 20, I went to Optik Tunggal in Pasar Baru, with my fiance, to order new lenses for him (Receipt No. 2860). They promised they would be ready on Sunday, Sept. 22. The next day, Sept. 21, I called them and asked what time we could pick them up on Sunday. A salesperson told me that they would be ready at 2 p.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
RI looks to China for billion dollar energy projects
RI looks to China for billion dollar energy projects The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia hopes to further tap the expansion drive of Chinese investors with a list of 25 energy related projects worth more than US$2.8 billion that it has proposed to a Chinese business delegation here. The projects cover the oil, gas, electricity and coal sectors and were presented to the delegation during the China-Indonesia Energy Forum in Bali from Sept. 25 to 27.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Calls mount for revision of antiterrorism bill
Calls mount for revision of antiterrorism bill Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The controversy surrounding the arrest and status of suspected terrorist Omar al-Faruq has prompted calls for an antiterrorist law that would provide a legal basis for the fight against terrorism, while also preventing arbitrary detention.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
PPP urged to clarify on QSAR
PPP urged to clarify on QSAR SURABAYA, East Java: Executives of the East Java provincial chapter of the United Development Party (PPP) urged the party's central board on Monday to clarify the Rp 5 billion investment in troubled agribusiness company PT Qurnia Subur Alam Raya (QSAR).
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
No retaliation for Malaysia auto tariffs: Thai official
No retaliation for Malaysia auto tariffs: Thai official Dow Jones, Bangkok The Thai government won't take any retaliatory steps against Malaysia for its delay in implementing import tariff cuts for automobiles and parts required under the Asean Free Trade Area, or AFTA, agreement, a senior official at the Commerce Ministry told Dow Jones Monday.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
ADB, WB body to back foreign investment in Asia
ADB, WB body to back foreign investment in Asia Agence France-Presse, Manila A World Bank agency and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) agreed Monday to support foreign direct investment (FDI) in Asia through lending and the provision of investment guarantees, a joint statement here said.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
House offers to mediate for controversial labor bills
House offers to mediate for controversial labor bills Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak and Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Makassar Following the indefinite delay to the endorsement of two bills on labor issues, the House of Representatives offered on Monday to mediate between employers and workers, both of whom are upset, in a bid to improve the draft laws.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Golkar internal pressure increases against Akbar
Golkar internal pressure increases against Akbar Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Senior Golkar leaders opposed to Akbar Tandjung's leadership, both in the party and at the House of Representatives, have predicted that the convicted corrupter will eventually bow to public pressure and quit the two top posts. Golkar co-chairwoman Marwah Daud Ibrahim, one of Akbar's staunchest critics within the party, said on Monday the move to unseat Akbar was snowballing.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Workers protest 'sudden' closure
Workers protest 'sudden' closure Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Some 6,800 locked-out workers of PT Doson Indonesia, a subcontractor for shoe giant Nike, staged a rally on Monday in front of the company factory. They protested that the management had closed the company suddenly without giving them any advance warning. All the steel gates of the factory, which is located on Jl. Raya Legok in the Legok district of Tangerang regency, were welded shut on Sunday.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
[b]An illusion of calm
An illusion of calm in North Maluku Santi W.E. Soekanto Contributor Ternate, Maluku 2. Takuji -- N. Korea eager for economic aid 1 X 30 N. Korea eager for economic aid Takuji Kawata and Yoshikazu Shirakawa The Daily Yomiuri Asia News Network Tokyo 3. Star -- Budget that prepares for quality workers 1 X 32 Head start for Malaysia's workers V.K. Chin The Star Asia News Network Selangor, Malaysia
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Direct gubernatorial election sought
Direct gubernatorial election sought JAKARTA: The House of Representatives' plenary session approved on Monday the House's initiative bill revising Law No. 34/1999 on Jakarta administration, including the application of a direct gubernatorial election. Spokesman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Manase Malo said his faction viewed the direct election as the people's will, Antara reported.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Govt sets new price for sand exports
Govt sets new price for sand exports The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government announced on Monday a new export price for sand from Riau province: US$3 per cubic meter, double the current $1.5 price level. Minister of Trade and Industry Rini M. Soewandi said that the new price level, effective as of Oct. 1, would be valid for three months. "The new export price of sand will be $3 starting Oct.1 and will be effective for three months," Rini told reporters. She did not elaborate.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
C. Jakarta has woman subdistrict chief
C. Jakarta has woman subdistrict chief JAKARTA: Tri Mulyani, who was inaugurated on Wednesday as chief of the Gondangdia subdistrict, is the only woman to hold this position in Central Jakarta at present. Mulyani, 46, who was formerly the subdistrict secretary, was installed by Mayor Hosea Petra Lumbun to replace Marhayadi. "We have no problem being commanded by a woman. We are proud to have her as our chief," one of her staff, Hambali, told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
;JP;aps
;JP;aps ANPAf..r.. Interbank-Foreign-Exchange JP/13/DOLLAR U.S Dollar Rates Sept.23 Latest %Chg Yen 123.14-21 -0.24 Euro* 0.9830-32 +0.30 Sterling* 1.5553-55 +0.13 Swiss franc 1.4887-90 -0.23 Canadian dollar 1.5785-91 +0.18 Australian dollar* 0.5458-60 0.00 New Zealand dollar* 0.4703-08 +0.28 Deutsche mark 2.2150-75 0.00 Czech koruna 30.736-71 -0.18 Hungary forint 247.23-58 -0.21 Danish krone 7.5550-80 -0.22 Norwegian krone 7.4847-47 -0.40 Polish zloty 4.1325-65 +0.06 Russian ruble 31.640-50 -0.
Tue, 24 Sep 2002, 00:00 WIB
Attracting investment, lessons from China
Attracting investment, lessons from China Bahtiar Arif, Center for Indonesian Reform (CIR), Jakarta, bahtiararif@yahoo.com As the Prophet Muhammad said "Seek knowledge in the country of China". As our foreign direct investment (FDI) fell by 59 percent or Rp 1.67 billion in the first five months of the current year compared with Rp 3.98 billion for the same period last year, this would be a good time to learn from China.