Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 27 September 2002

53 articles found

Hindu and Buddha archeological sites found in West Sumatra

Hindu and Buddha archeological sites found in West Sumatra Kasparman, The Jakarta Post, Padang, West Sumatra Archeologists from the West Sumatra Ancient Heritage Conservation Center are studying historical objects that were recently found in six Hindu and Buddha archeological sites in Sawahlunto Sijunjung and Limapuluh Kota regencies.

Ciamis regent demands subordinates' loyalty

Ciamis regent demands subordinates' loyalty Nana Rukmana The Jakarta Post Cirebon West Java Deputy Governor Moch. Husein Jachjasaputra regretted Ciamis Regent Oman Subarna's move asking all village and subdistrict heads in the regency to express their loyalty to him himself, saying it was not in line with the reform movement. He said he did not know Oman's reasons for the latter's move but will summon him to seek clarification on it.

Aceh talks aimed at cessation of hostility

Aceh talks aimed at cessation of hostility The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Banda Aceh Hope remains for peace in Aceh as both the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) expressed unprecedented support for a cease fire ahead of peace talks scheduled for early next month.

TNI seeks clear legal basis to fight war on terrorism

TNI seeks clear legal basis to fight war on terrorism Tiarma Siboro and Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto suggested on Thursday that if the government were to continue the fight against terrorism it must impose a tough law that provides room for the military's involvement.

Malaysia demands RI open its drug market

Malaysia demands RI open its drug market Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Malaysian government has banned new drug imports from Indonesia since the middle of this year in retaliation against the long and bureaucratic procedure faced by Malaysian pharmaceutical firms to register their products in Indonesia. Head of the Indonesian food and drug Agency (POM) Sampoerno said on Thursday that the Malaysian government had voiced its concern with the agency over this problem.

Busway operation delayed

Busway operation delayed JAKARTA: The city administration will delay until next year operation of the busway, a new system bus line connecting Blok M in South Jakarta and Kota in Central Jakarta. Previously the administration planned to operate the busway system in October this year. "This year is only for the preparation phase and the development of supporting facilities," Governor Sutiyoso said on Thursday.

Six defiant lawmakers reported to police by wealth commission

Six defiant lawmakers reported to police by wealth commission The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Senior officials with the Public Servants' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN) have reported six defiant legislators to the police because they have ignored the obligation on them to submit their wealth report. Commission chairman Jusuf Syakir said that the six legislators had failed to comply with Law No.28/1998 on the obligation of state officials to report their wealth.

City wants Rp 400b more for 2002 budget

City wants Rp 400b more for 2002 budget The Jakarta Post, Jakarta City councillors questioned on Thursday the proposal by the city administration to increase its 2002 budget from Rp 9.3 trillion to Rp 9.7 trillion, including a Rp 10 billion hike in spending for administration employees. According to the revised budget, the money for employees' salaries would increase from Rp 2.642 trillion in the current budget to Rp 2.652 trillion.

Concern over Bank Niaga's divestment

Concern over Bank Niaga's divestment In connection with the divestment of Bank Niaga, there are several things I would like to convey to the public. First, the process has proven that we cannot be fair. The divestment was carried out in phases starting in August 2002. It has proceeded smoothly except for the selection of the tender winner, Commerce Asset Holding Bhd.

Army chief denies involvement in Freeport attack

Army chief denies involvement in Freeport attack Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu denied on Thursday allegations that soldiers stationed in Papua were involved in a shooting last month near the Freeport mine that left two Americans and one Indonesian dead.

VP or family planning?

VP or family planning? From Kompas While the economic situation has yet to return to normal, there are still government officials who make the public nervous with their statements. Our Vice President, Hamzah Haz, said that family planning would not make anybody smart or rich. If everybody agreed with the Vice President, then countries wouldn't send delegates to study how family planning has been implemented in Indonesia.

Minister sued over 'hidden treasure'

Minister sued over 'hidden treasure' BOGOR: Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agil Al-Munawar and President Megawati Soekarnoputri are facing a class action lawsuit filed by the Sundanese community over the excavation in the Batutulis archeological site here in effort to find "hidden treasures". The site, which has a history of the past Sundanese kingdom of Padjadjaran, was excavated last month upon the order of the minister, following the suggestion of a paranormal.

The gray area between luminescence and twilight

The gray area between luminescence and twilight Cameron Bates, Contributor, Jakarta Gerard Mosterd is conflicted. He was raised on both nasi (rice) and potatoes. The darkish, dancing Dutchman, born to a blue-eyed, blonde- haired Dutch father and an Indonesian mother in the Netherlands, is wrestling with his cultural background -- a struggle that first saw him return to his "mother country" two years ago to begin the fight to find his roots, to confront head-on his dual identity.

1. Arrest - 2x16

1. Arrest - 2x16 Activist arrested for slandering Sutiyoso 2. Train - 1x25 PT KAI letting commuters down 3. Budget - 2x 18 City proposes raising 2002 budget by Rp 400b 4. Drug - 1x 30 Dutch citizen on trial for drugs 5. Speak- 2x20 'Trains overcrowded, riddled with thugs'

Legal reform going nowhere, commission tells President

Legal reform going nowhere, commission tells President The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Four years since the beginning of the reform era, legal reform is still going nowhere because the government, the legislature and the judiciary are reluctant to cooperate to guide reform, the National Legal Commission (KHN) said. Presenting this to President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday, the commission underlined the importance of drawing up a blueprint for legal reform.

Walking the tightrope

Walking the tightrope With the United States and other countries in the world, including some of our closest neighbors, beginning to lose their patience, the government now seems ready to make good its pledge to join the world in the fight against terrorism.

Stock prices at The Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept.26,2002

Stock prices at The Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept.26,2002 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 270 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 725 0 0 Adindo Foresta 45 0 0 AGIS Tbk 80 0 50,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 250 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 190 0 0 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 800 0 102,500 Alter Abadi Tbk 10 0 0 Alumindo Light 330 0 0 Andhi...

Dutch citizen on trial for drugs

Dutch citizen on trial for drugs Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang An Dutch citizen who was born in Indonesia went on trial on Thursday for producing and trafficking millions of ecstasy pills between September 1999 and March 2002. Prosecutor Martha P. Berliana told the Tangerang District Court that Ang Kiem Soei, 50, alias Kim Ho, alias Ance Tahir alias Tommy Wijaya, who was born in Fak Fak, Irian Jaya, resides at Rosevelt Ln 234, Utrech, Netherlands.

Ciamis regent demands subordinates' loyalty

Ciamis regent demands subordinates' loyalty Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon West Java Deputy Governor Moch. Husein Jachjasaputra regretted Ciamis Regent Oman Subarna's move asking all village and subdistrict heads in the regency to express their loyalty to him, saying it was not in line with the reform movement. He said he did not know Oman's reasons for the move but would summon him to seek clarification on it. "Oman's move is unjustifiable.

Democracy without education: Quo vadis?

Democracy without education: Quo vadis? Nirwan Idrus, Executive Director, Indonesian Institute for Management Development (IPMI), Jakarta The euphoria about democracy in Indonesia lasted a few years. Reality took over and democracy is no more. One begins to hear the longing for the New Order of the Soeharto regime. Some say that the cleanliness of the major roads around Jakarta was a sense of pride. Footpath vendors were not to be found alongside these major roads. But now?

'Trains overcrowded, riddled with thugs'

'Trains overcrowded, riddled with thugs' Commuter trains are cheap and fast, but many passengers complain about the poor service and lack of safety. Some commuters shared their concerns with The Jakarta Post. Awi, 52, is a freelance contractor who lives in Sudimara, Tangerang, with his wife and four children. He has taken the train to his office in Kota, West Jakarta, for four years: In general, I would say that the management of (state-owned railway company, PT KAI), remains poor.

Revolution not reform

Revolution not reform From Rakyat Merdeka When students and politicians touted the term "reform" in 1998, I said to myself it should have been revolution. We should have drawn up an agenda for a revolution, instead of reform. Why? There are changes now but they are superficial. When a revolution is waged, there will be total and fundamental changes. Students and progressive and revolutionary young people must keep aflame their revolutionary spirit.

Bank Niaga and bribery

Bank Niaga and bribery It is a bitter reality that in Indonesia you can practically buy anything. This corrupt mentality has even been accepted as normal behavior. Now in the divestment of 51 percent of the shares of Bank Niaga under the government's control, corruption is also heavy in the air. There were rumors that legislators from the House Commission IX were bribed by the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) to ensure that the divestment process was plain sailing.

Irrationality is enticing

Irrationality is enticing Visiting the "haunted house" on Jl. Metro Pondok Indah in South Jakarta is much better than sitting around complaining about life's hardships. This could be what is on the minds of the many Jakarta residents who have flocked to the empty house in the luxurious housing complex in Pondok Indah. Visiting the "haunted house", people can talk about anything related to superstition.

Pot calling the kettle black

Pot calling the kettle black It is interesting to note that President Megawati was greatly disappointed in the reactions of certain demonstrators, saying that their behavior was considered to be mismanaged and beyond ethical norms. There is of course some truth in those statements, but even the most naive will know the reasons why.

Thousands suffer delayed visas to visit U.S.

Thousands suffer delayed visas to visit U.S. Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The U.S. policy of tightening visa procedures has caused thousands of Indonesians, including students, to delay or even drop their travel plans to the country. Students are among those worst affected by the policy with some of them failing to begin or continue their studies at American universities because of denied or delayed visas.

RI expects lower CGI loan this year

RI expects lower CGI loan this year Berni K. Moestafa The Jakarta Post Jakarta Indonesia is expecting to receive loans below last year's figure of US$3.14 billion from creditor countries under the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI), a senior government official said, citing the lower state budget shortfall for 2003. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro- Jakti said on Thursday the country needed to refrain from accruing new debts and to cut back its reliance on CGI funds.

Mega's absence from ASEM summit questioned

Mega's absence from ASEM summit questioned Kornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post, Staff Writer, Jakarta, korpur@yahoo.com President Megawati Soekarnoputri decided not to attend a key multilateral summit this week, following her much-criticized frequent overseas trips. But she also plans to attend three different multilateral summits next month. Perhaps only the President can explain the logic of this decision.

No progress in war on graft: Bagir

No progress in war on graft: Bagir The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government's campaign to eradicate corruption since the onset of the reform movement four years ago was nothing more than half- hearted slogans as the crime was still rampant, Chief Justice Bagir Manan complained. But Bagir denied allegations that his judges were to blame for contributing to poor law enforcement in the corruption fight.

Foreigners working in Indonesia

Foreigners working in Indonesia Once again it appears that an Indonesian government is on the verge of retreating into paranoia. A couple of women are alleged to have broken visa laws by a couple of groups of people, with plenty of motive to lie about it (the Police and Military in Aceh), and a Minister and Vice President start squealing for an end to automatic tourist visas, and ridiculous (and ineffective) screening by consular officials (The Jakarta Post, Sept. 23).

RI athletes continue practicing despite fall breeze

RI athletes continue practicing despite fall breeze Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Busan, South Korea Indonesian athletes keep up their training sessions ahead of the Busan 2002 Asian Games, to be opened on Sunday, amid the autumn weather which is getting colder each day and with constant winds in South Korea's southern port city.

1,500 teachers to get promotion

1,500 teachers to get promotion PURWOKERTO, Central Java: The Central Java deputy governor, Achmad, said on Thursday the provincial administration would promote some 1,500 contract-based teachers at state-run elementary schools in the province to permanent status. Currently, there are 15,000 teachers in the province who have been employed for 10 years on a contract basis, receiving a monthly salary of Rp 100,000.

Foreign investors' flight

Foreign investors' flight From Media Indonesia Labor movements constitute the main reason why foreign investors are leaving Indonesia, according to a Media Indonesia editorial, Aug. 28, 2002. Is this view correct? First, a survey of productivity has indicated that when Indonesian workers' productivity increases, their wages stay low, but when wages rise slightly, higher productivity is demanded of them.

Orangutans infected with hepatitis

Orangutans infected with hepatitis SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: The Wanariset Semboja orangutan conservation center has found 58 of the orangutans it is currently handling have been infected with hepatitis. Spokesman for the center Jean Mandala said on Thursday the orangutans were now receiving treatment and had been isolated from the rest of the animals. Some of them have been diagnosed as having hepatitis C.

Saving the Balinese ancient art of 'lontar'

Saving the Balinese ancient art of 'lontar' Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Buleleng, Bali A great many of Indonesia's indigenous arts have disappeared because the younger generation lives in the pop culture, and considers anything indigenous as "out of fashion". This situation has added credence to the conviction that you should expose your children at the earliest age possible to the culture that you want and expect them to grow up loving and nurturing.

Govt lacks resolve in settling Poso conflict

Govt lacks resolve in settling Poso conflict The prolonged communal conflict in Poso, Central Sulawesi has yet to be entirely settled despite government efforts in sponsoring the Malino peace deal. Sulaiman Mamar, a professor of anthropology at the Tadulako University in the province capital of Palu spoke to Jakarta Post contributor Badri Jawara about the root causes of the conflict which originated five years ago.

New agrarian law needed to settle land disputes

New agrarian law needed to settle land disputes The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Uncertainties over land ownership have appeared to have caused massive land disputes involving peasants occupying the land for years against the official corporate owners, a condition which have been neglected for over three decades.

Legislators indifferent, delay talks on Akbar

Legislators indifferent, delay talks on Akbar Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives' steering committee (Bamus) on Thursday agreed to postpone the deliberation of a petition against its convicted speaker Akbar Tandjung until the end of October, indicating that the legislators were halfhearted in the maneuver. The delay was the second time after the House decided to shelve its discussion on Sept. 19. Deputy House speaker A.M.

Indonesia and China sign Fujian LNG contract

Indonesia and China sign Fujian LNG contract Fitri Wulandari and Johannes Simbolon, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State oil and gas company Pertamina and Chinese energy giant China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) signed here on Thursday a contract to supply US$8.5 billion worth of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Fujian province from the planned Tangguh LNG plant in Papua.

Munying, a Dayak traditional healer

Munying, a Dayak traditional healer Munying is not much different from everybody else in his village. Living in a four meter-by-five meter wooden house in Tanjung village, Jalai Hulu district, he makes a living as a farmer. But he is also known as a healer, or baliatn. Since childhood he has never been much interested in religion. "I can't comprehend religion," he says. "Once I had an illness that was hard to cure and I almost went mad," he recalls.

Indonesia's Sampoerna earnings soars to Rp 887b

Indonesia's Sampoerna earnings soars to Rp 887b JAKARTA: Cigarette producer PT HM Sampoerna said Thursday its net profit for the first six months of this year jumped to Rp 887.92 billion (US$95.5 billion) from Rp 249.89 billion. It attributed the huge jump in net profit to gains from a new accounting treatment at Rp 521.82 billion and the increase in sales. The company said it will provide an explanation for the new accounting treatment to the public Friday.

* Headlines: New agrarian law needed to settle land disputes2

* Headlines: New agrarian law needed to settle land disputes2 * National: Legislators indifferent, delay talks on Akbar4 * Archipelago: Army denies involvement in Freeport attack5 * Opinion: Democracy without education: Quo Vadis?7 * City: Activist arrested for slandering Sutiyoso8 * Sports: Arsenal ends away hoodoo, Real hits six9 * World: Former UN official fears Israeli nuke response11 * Business: Economy hard to forecast: Greenspan16 * Features: Saving the Balinese ancient art of 'lontar'20

Dayak folk-healing yields to modern cures

Dayak folk-healing yields to modern cures Erma S. Ranik, Contributor, Pontianak, West Kalimantan The cold was gripping in Sikukng mountain range area, Jagoi Babang district, Bengkayang regency. The clock struck 11 -- a time when everyone in the village goes to bed. In Batu Ampar village, however, Magang and his daughter were still busy. He was chanting prayers while his eight-year-old daughter played a bracelet-like music instrument to accompany the prayers.

AGO to bring into court IBRA bribe scandal

AGO to bring into court IBRA bribe scandal A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Attorney General's Office (AGO) said on Thursday it would bring into court the alleged corruption case in Bank Niaga divestment program, once the Police completed the dossier of the case. "Whether the case would be proceeded to court, it depends on the police courage to probe the case.

RI expects lower CGI loan this year, says minister

RI expects lower CGI loan this year, says minister Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia is expecting to receive loans below last year's figure of US$3.14 billion from creditor countries under the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI), a senior government official said, citing the lower state budget shortfall for 2003.

Rupiah Rates Sept.26

Rupiah Rates Sept.26 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp Australian dollar 1 5,198.17 4,647.31 4,949.46 4,895.79 Brunei dollar 1 5,333.71 4,770.18 5,078.52 5,025.22 Canadian dollar 1 6,018.99 5,382.67 5,731.01 5,670.46 Swiss franc 1 6,348.89 5,679.39 6,045.13 5,983.05 Danish krone 1 1,252.83 1,120.61 1,192.89 1,180.52 Euro 1 9,306.49 8,323.63 8,861.22 8,768.67 Poundsterling 1 14,838.45 13,271.35 14,128.52 13,980.92 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,219.28 1,091.00 1,160.94...

PT KAI letting commuters down

PT KAI letting commuters down Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakartans must try to forget the concept of commuter trains as a comfortable and safe means of transportation as the state-owned railway company PT KAI fails to provide a sufficient supply of trains to meet the massive demand, mostly due to poor management. Every day, especially during rush hour, thousands of passengers squeeze into the trains with many others ignoring safety by sitting on its roof.

1. DAYAK: 1 LINE, 35 COUNTS

1. DAYAK: 1 LINE, 35 COUNTS Dayak folk-healing yields to modern cures 2. MUNYIN: 2 LINE, 20 COUNTS Munying, a Dayak traditional healer

Activist arrested for slandering Sutiyoso

Activist arrested for slandering Sutiyoso Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Outspoken activist Azas Tigor Nainggolan was arrested by city police on Thursday for slandering Governor Sutiyoso by alleging that he had bribed city councillors. Tigor, chairman of the Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta), was arrested as he was about to board a city bus in front of the Central Jakarta District Court after attending a hearing of a class action suit against Sutiyoso filed by flood victims.

Megawati agrees on subsidy plan for sugarcane farmers

Megawati agrees on subsidy plan for sugarcane farmers Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri has agreed to a plan to subsidize local sugarcane farmers, according to the chairman of the Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI), Siswono Yudhohusodo. "The President has emphasized that we need to provide a subsidy to local sugarcane farmers, but it is only temporary," Siswono was quoted by Antara as saying after meeting with Megawati on Thursday.

33 Sumatran tigers killed every year

33 Sumatran tigers killed every year PEKANBARU, Riau: Natural Resources Conservation Agency chairman Adi Susmianto said on Thursday that Sumatran tigers were on the verge of extinction, because of the uncontrolled killing of the rare and protected species. "The Sumatran tiger will be extinct within 12 years unless concrete action is taken to stop the rampant poaching in their habitat on the island of Sumatra," he said during a seminar on the conflict between humans and wildlife.

1. Purba -- Mega's absence from

1. Purba -- Mega's absence from ASEM summit questioned 2. Martin -- The push for world peace amid weapons availability and anger

I didn't lie at Earth Summit: Minister

I didn't lie at Earth Summit: Minister Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government challenged on Wednesday an alliance of non- governmental organizations (NGOs) to prove their allegation regarding the manipulation of reports the country presented during the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg recently. State Minister for the Environment Nabiel Makarim told reporters here his office had drafted the report based on recognized and official data.