Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 17 January 2003

62 articles found

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Time to get realistic about forest crisis Longgena Ginting Executive Director The Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi) Jakarta 2. WB -- WB briefs CGI before Bali meeting 1 x 30 Part 1 of 2 Stability, growth, reform: WB 3. UN -- UN is being used as a fig leaf for aggression 2 X 22 UN being used as a fig leaf for aggression Seumas Milne Guardian News Service London

1. Budget - 1x27

1. Budget - 1x27 Council criticizes proposed budget 2. Dolog - 2x18 Sutiyoso demands that Dolog chief be fired 3. Gading - 2x 25 Residents lose class action filed against Sutiyoso 4. Speak - 2x20 'Police rely on money from drug dealers'

Sutiyoso demands that Dolog chief be fired

Sutiyoso demands that Dolog chief be fired Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Angered by what he sees as chaos in the distribution of subsidized rice to the poor, Governor Sutiyoso urged on Thursday the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) to replace its provincial logistics agency (Dolog) chief, Hary Syahdan. "He (Hary) should be replaced since he never told me about the distribution of cheap rice.

House to summon Susilo over Aceh

House to summon Susilo over Aceh JAKARTA: The House of Representatives' Commission I for defense and political affairs will summon Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono over the troubled province of Aceh. The legislators expect to quiz the minister on the progress of the cessation of hostilities agreement signed by the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Dec. 9. "We have not yet received any official report on the agreement.

KPPU loses legal battle in Indomobil case

KPPU loses legal battle in Indomobil case A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) has lost a legal battle against parties it ruled to have manipulated the Indomobil sale last year. The Supreme Court said that the KKPU ruling was legally flawed because the anti-monopoly watchdog used a statement "For the shake of justice, based on the belief in one Supreme God" in its decree.

New envoys present credentials

New envoys present credentials JAKARTA: Tunisian Ambassadors Mohammed Mouldi Kefi and Afghanistan Ambassador Abdul Rahim Sayed Jan submitted their credentials to President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday. After a short ceremony at the Merdeka Palace, Megawati had separate brief talks with the two new envoys. Abdul Rahim Sayed Jan is the first ambassador representing the new Afghanistan government that replaced the Taliban regime in 2001. Jakarta had never acknowledged the Taliban government.

SE Asian states form antiterror committee

SE Asian states form antiterror committee Agence France-Presse, Manila The Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand on Thursday agreed to form a joint committee that will boost multilateral cooperation against terrorism and other transnational crimes. The decision to create the committee came at the end of a three-day security conference in Manila that was aimed at fine- tuning multilateral responses to terrorism hosted by the Philippines' National Security Adviser Roilo Golez.

`Police rely on money from drug dealers'

`Police rely on money from drug dealers' Drug abuse is one of the serious problems facing the country, especially big cities like Jakarta. Under the antidrug laws which allow the death penalty for drug traffickers, 21 people have been sentenced to death. But none have been executed. The Jakarta Post talked to several people about the government's efforts to deal with drug problems. Kremi, not his real name, 28, is a civil servant who works for the Ministry of Justice.

Privatization of water may get House backing

Privatization of water may get House backing Bambang Nurbianto and Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite some criticism due to nationalistic and perhaps environmental concerns, the privatization of water resources in the country could soon receive strong legal backing as the House of Representatives prepares to debate the water resource bill.

Time to get realistic about forest crisis

Time to get realistic about forest crisis Longgena Ginting, Executive Director, The Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi), Jakarta Indonesia's forests are in dire straits. This fact is not debatable anymore, and is in such a state that there is no longer any news value in the tragic state of affairs.

RI needs $2.4b to $2.8b more loans from CGI: WB

RI needs $2.4b to $2.8b more loans from CGI: WB Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The World Bank said on Thursday Indonesia would need to obtain between US$2.4 billion to $2.8 billion in fresh loans from the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) donors to help finance the 2003 state budget deficit.

Ali, Mubarok transferred to Bali

Ali, Mubarok transferred to Bali Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali The police transferred Ali Imron, Mubarok and 13 other suspects in the Oct. 12, 2003, Bali blasts to Bali on Thursday for further interrogation. The 15 suspects flew in on a chartered Merpati Fokker 28 airplane and arrived here at 8:55 p.m. local time.

Illegal logging costs $609m, environmental destruction

Illegal logging costs $609m, environmental destruction Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Widespread illegal logging costs US$609 million annually in environmental destruction throughout the country, an expert has said. Senior lecturer at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) Bintang Simangunsong said here on Thursday that the main impacts were in the form of carbon consumption, landslides, floods and non-wood product extraction.

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso was upset upon hearing that the

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso was upset upon hearing that the central government had distributed cheap rice for poor families in Jakarta without his awareness. He said that it was the city administration that is the most informed about the number of poor families and where they live in the capital city. Sutiyoso became even angrier after housewives in Klender, East Jakarta, complained that no single family in the area has received the cheap rice, worth Rp 1,000 per kilogram.

The water saga

The water saga My wife and I are devastated by the handling of PT Thames Pam Jaya (TPJ) of our case. For five years our monthly payment had been below Rp 400,000. In May 2002 we received a bill for Rp 1,104,100, then in June 2002 we received a bill of Rp 983,500. Fearing that there was somehow a mistake, we lodged a complaint with TPJ's office.

Hospitals have

Hospitals have social function From Media Indonesia Several hospitals in East Java have raised their treatment fees. In Indonesia, as a developing nation or even a poor country, hospitals have a social function, while a commercial motive is, in my opinion, not yet appropriate. As a rule, hospitals have several classes for their patients such as VIP or super VIP, premier and first through fourth classes.

1. INSIGHT: 1 x 50

1. INSIGHT: 1 x 50 Rising utility prices: Something we have to give 2. KELLY: 1 x 40 No easy way out of Korea crisis: Kelly 3. TERROR: 1 x 38 SE Asian states form antiterror body

Cigna Open likely to lack top players

Cigna Open likely to lack top players Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The 2003 Cigna Open organizers have confirmed an increase in prize money, but the tennis tournament will likely lack top national players due to clashes with other tournaments. The tournament will run from Feb. 9 through Feb. 16 at the Hilton tennis hardcourts, Central Jakarta, with prize money being upped from Rp 60 million last year to Rp 80 million (US$9,000) this year.

4 x 10

4 x 10 Kalimantan rejects Madurese migrants JP/5/Aceh 2 x 25 Continuing violations in Aceh threaten peace pact JP/5/mayat 1 x 23 Man held for cannibalism Pdip 1 x 36 Police detain dozens over PDI-P attack

Railway fares

Railway fares From Republika In the opinion of train commuters, the idea of the Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi divisions of railway company PT KAI to increase railway fares as of Jan. 1, 2003, really defies reason; first and foremost, for the reason that the latest fare hikes were just introduced on July 1, 2002. This only proves that the present government can no longer think of appropriate ways to tap financial sources for state-owned enterprises lacking in fresh funds.

Diplomacy with CGI is really a `dangdut' thing

Diplomacy with CGI is really a `dangdut' thing Kornelius Purba, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, korpur@yahoo.com It might be worth their while for Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Yutaka Iimura, U.S. Ambassador Ralph L.

Stability, growth, reform: WB

Stability, growth, reform: WB World Bank, Jakarta Indonesia experienced another year of modest growth amidst a hesitant global recovery, and a deteriorating investment climate. Significant progress was made in democratization, macroeconomic stability and fiscal sustainability, but growth did not pick up and progress in poverty reduction stalled. Growth remained largely consumption driven, as investors increasingly felt the pinch of a cooling investment climate and a weak legal system.

Continuing violations in Aceh threaten peace pact

Continuing violations in Aceh threaten peace pact Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh The cessation of hostilities agreement that Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (MOU) signed in Geneva on Dec. 9, 2002, has come under threat following a series of violations over the last two months. The latest violation occurred on Thursday when a group of rebels shot Chief Pvt. Hadi in Krueng Teunom village, Lammo district, West Aceh.

ROAD REPAIRS: A truck dumps soil to rebuild part of a road that

ROAD REPAIRS: A truck dumps soil to rebuild part of a road that collapsed following a recent landslide in Payakumbuh, West Sumatra, which borders Riau province. The repair work on the 700- meter stretch of road will cost billions of rupiah. The West Sumatra police warned motorists traveling near Payakumbuh on Thursday of the possibility of further landslides amid continuing heavy rain.

German journalist gets 10 months for visa offense

German journalist gets 10 months for visa offense M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A German TV cameraman was sentenced to 10 months in prison on Thursday for violating his visa by doing business-related activities. The presiding judge at the South Jakarta District Court, Effendi, handed down the sentence, less than the prosecutor's demand of 18 months, to Seyam Reda, a German citizen of Arab descent, after finding him guilty of violating the immigration law.

City gets no benefit from islands

City gets no benefit from islands JAKARTA: At least 34 islands of the Kepulauan Seribu (Thousand Islands) group located off the north coast of Jakarta are still private property, as the owners, who have been licensed to manage them, have not opened them to the public.

Want Rp 10m? Stand near tree

Want Rp 10m? Stand near tree Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta If one of the city's trees or its branches falls and results in a person's death, family members are entitled to receive up to Rp 10 million (US$1,100) in compensation from the city administration. But if a person is injured or their car or any of their possessions is damaged from falling branches or trees, claimants will receive less than Rp 10 million from the city-owned insurance firm Askrida.

Job accidents increase, safety measures do not

Job accidents increase, safety measures do not M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Novi had to rush to her factory because she was afraid of being late for her night shift and it never occurred to her that something awful was going to happen at work. As it turned out she fell asleep on the job and nearly had a finger cut off while doing at the assembly line of a cotton factory.

PDI-P, PPP support state campaigners

PDI-P, PPP support state campaigners Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a move that observers fear could perpetuate abuses of power, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and the United Development Party (PPP) have come out in favor of state officials being allowed to take part in preelection campaigns.

Religious leaders vow greater role in ending conflict

Religious leaders vow greater role in ending conflict Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi Leaders of various religions agreed on Thursday to play more active roles in guiding their followers to prevent the possibility of further sectarian conflicts in the country.

Man held for cannibalism

Man held for cannibalism Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Purbalingga, Central Java The people of the Central Java regency of Purbalingga were horrified by the arrest of a local 31-year-old man who confessed to stealing a human corpse and eating it in order to obtain supernatural powers. Sumanto, a resident of Palumutan village in Kemangkon subdistrict, admitted to digging up the corpse of one Rina and eating pieces of the body.

;AFP;KOD;

;AFP;KOD; ANPAu..r.. Aglance-Malaysia-vice Malaysia to clamp down on foreign prostitutes JP/11/ASEAN KL clamps down on foreign prostitutes MALAYSIA: Nearly 13,000 tourists and foreign students were arrested in Malaysia over the past three years for involvement in immoral activities, especially prostitution, local media reported on Thursday. Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung revealed that 12,888 tourists and foreign students had been detained in that time.

Exporters must change strategy in trade with Canada

Exporters must change strategy in trade with Canada Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian companies exporting goods to Canada could boost their earnings if they shipped the goods directly instead of going through the U.S. "Exporting directly to Canada means Indonesian exporters could sell their commodities a lot cheaper, compared to sending them to the U.S. where they are liable to U.S. customs duties and are also marked-up by third parties," said Peter J.

Blind people protest eviction

Blind people protest eviction JAKARTA: Sixty visually impaired people living in a home in the Cawang area, East Jakarta, went to City Council on Thursday to protest the administration's plan to move them to another shelter in the Cengkareng area of West Jakarta.

More foreign males told to register in United States

More foreign males told to register in United States Curt Anderson, Associated Press, Washington Thousands more males age 16 and older from Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait and Bangladesh will be required to register with U.S. immigration authorities in the latest expansion of a post- Sept. 11 program that has drawn strenuous protest. In addition, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) will give long-term visitors from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan and Syria who missed a Dec.

Telkom reacts `childishly' to govt delay

Telkom reacts `childishly' to govt delay A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President of state-owned telecommunications giant PT Telkom Kristiono said the delay of phone charge increases would limit the company's ability in developing fixed lines and providing telephone services to more people in the country. "Of course it will automatically affect (the fixed-line development) because the intention of the higher rate is for penetration," he was quoted by detik.com as saying on Thursday.

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;REUTERS;KOD; ANPAu..r.. ATW -Japan-NKorea-husband Ex-US soldier wants abductee wife back in N. Korea JP/12/ATW Ex-U.S. soldier wants wife back JAPAN: An ex-U.S. soldier living in North Korea has asked his Japanese wife -- one of five people abducted by North Korean agents but now back in their homeland -- to return to Pyongyang, a Japanese official said on Thursday.

Ginting works to win public support

Ginting works to win public support Moch. N.Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Funding sources may not seem too sensitive a topic, but when a non-governmental organization (NGO) is directly questioned about the source of their funds, it can be hard for them to answer, and at times even upsetting.

Govt attempt to appease fails to stem angry protests

Govt attempt to appease fails to stem angry protests Kurniawan Hari and Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Thousands of people throughout the country took to the streets seeking the cancellation of utility price hikes on Thursday despite a decision by the government to delay the increase in telephone charges. The protesters, whose numbers were far below those of Wednesday, demanded the government annul the hike in electricity charges and restore the fuel subsidy.

* Headlines: Illegal logging costs $609 million 2

* Headlines: Illegal logging costs $609 million 2 * National:Suspects Ali, Mubarok transferred to Bali4 * Archipelago: Kalimantan rejects Madurese migrants 5 * Opinion:Time to get realistic about forest crisis7 * City:Council criticizes proposed budget8 * Sports: Clijsters, Hewitt ruthless at Aussie Open10 * World: South Korea is prepared for worst scenario11 * Business:KPPU loses legal battle in Indomobil case 16 * Features: Ginting dreams of a better environment 20

TV Today: Friday, January 17, 2003

TV Today: Friday, January 17, 2003 .TB.30" .90" TVRI .tb .30" .90" 5:00 a.m.Teletilawah 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:30 Obladi-Oblada 8:00 DRTV 8:30 Environment 9:00 Budi Pekerti 9:30 Hidup Halal 10:30 Entertainment 11:00 News: Berita Dearah 11:30 Music: Konteswara 12:00 p.m.

;JP;dan;

;JP;dan; ANPAf..r.. Rupiah-conversion-rates Rupiah Rates Jan. 16 JP/13/Conver Rupiah Rates Jan.

Council criticizes proposed budget

Council criticizes proposed budget Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The City Council urged the Jakarta administration on Thursday to be more efficient and prudent in drafting the 2003 City Budget as there was a lot of overlapping and unnecessary items included in the draft budget. Councillors made their criticisms during a plenary meeting when individual factions gave their overall responses to the draft budget.

Govt yet to name 11,801 islets

Govt yet to name 11,801 islets JAKARTA: The government needs to name some 11,801 small islands across the country to maintain Indonesia's control over its territory and to avoid any further border disputes with neighboring countries, a discussion concluded on Thursday. Focusing on the country's maritime borders, the discussion said only some 5,707 of the country's 17,508 islands had been named.

Mobile phone companies expect robust sales this year

Mobile phone companies expect robust sales this year Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Cellular-phone makers are optimistic sales will continue to increase this year on the back of strong market potential. The limited availability of fixed-line services in the country should provide a greater opportunity for mobile phone manufacturers to sell more handsets, industry players said.

Rising utility prices: Something we have to give

Rising utility prices: Something we have to give Jati Hidayat, Business Analyst, Jakarta Economics is the study of how to manage unlimited wants with limited means. Nobody can have everything, and all of us must make choices -- remember that when we scream foul at rising utility prices or the privatization of our state companies. It takes money to suppress prices at certain levels. Fuel subsidies alone cost the government Rp 30 trillion (US$3.3 billion) last year.

Jakarta Index down 2.1% on heavy selling

Jakarta Index down 2.1% on heavy selling Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesian shares closed lower Thursday, with investors selling more shares in telecommunication blue chips after the government canceled a hike in telephone tariffs following nationwide protests against the move, dealers said. The Jakarta Stock Exchange Composite index ended down 2.1 percent, or 8.489 points, at 397.109, off an intraday low of 392.948. Decliners led gainers 44 to 28, with 77 stocks unchanged.

Group vs national interests

Group vs national interests I have lived in Indonesia for 15 years in total, that is for most of my adult life plus one year while at high school here. I speak fluent Indonesian and have an Indonesian partner but I am now very sorry to have to say that I used to love Indonesia. Reading the paper is depressing.

Kalimantan rejects Madurese migrants

Kalimantan rejects Madurese migrants Yuliansyah, The Jakarta Post, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan Traumatized by past ethnic killings, indigenous Dayak residents in Kalimantan provinces have rejected the resettlement of Madurese people in Kalimantan under the government's transmigration program this year, officials have said.

RI plans to evacuate 30,000 from Gulf

RI plans to evacuate 30,000 from Gulf Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is preparing to evacuate about 30,000 Indonesians from Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries ahead of a possible U.S.-led strike against Baghdad. Most of the 30,000 Indonesians are migrant workers employed in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. There are 78 Indonesians living in Iraq.

Symptoms vs cause?

Symptoms vs cause? The kind of reactions to the small but growing calls for President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz to step down in the wake of the increases in utility prices, is a classic example of people mistaking the symptoms for the cause of the disease. Like poorly trained doctors, they are more likely to prescribe medicines to treat the symptoms, but not to cure the disease.

Cafe ransacked by gang of eight

Cafe ransacked by gang of eight BOGOR: Eight people, including a man in military uniform, ran amok at a cafe in the district of Kemang in Bogor early Thursday morning, damaging the establishment and injuring the cafe owner and his father, as well as two employees. Iwan Setiawan, 31, owner of Lumbayung Cafe, said that the incident occurred at around 2 a.m. He was just about to close the cafe when the eight people walked in.

JP/5/Across

JP/5/Across 3 officials grilled over bribery KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: A team consisting of eight prosecutors quizzed on Thursday three provincial councillors over charges of receiving bribes in the election of the Southeast Sulawesi governor and his deputy. The three suspects were Amir Pidani, who chairs the Golkar Party faction on the council, Abidin Ramli, who is a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle and Asmaun Parate, of the Reform faction.

Police detain dozens over PDI-P attack

Police detain dozens over PDI-P attack La Remmy, The Jakarta Post, Palu, Central Sulawesi Police here said on Thursday they had arrested at least 30 people suspected of involvement in an attack on the headquarters of President Megawati Soekarnoputri's party in Palu, Central Sulawesi. However, six of them were released, due to lack of evidence, and the remaining 24 are being held for interrogation, Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Taufik Ridha said.

Minister warns of plot against government

Minister warns of plot against government Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono warned on Thursday of a move by certain groups to create martyrs among anti-price hike protesters, a turn of events that would then be used to justify attempts to bring down the government. As usual Susilo did not identify the groups, but asserted that they intended to sacrifice students and other protesters for their own purposes.

Justice for

Justice for ordinary people From Kompas The increase in fuel prices, and electricity and telephone charges have no direct impact on the poor people, who have no motorized vehicles. However, the impact of the price increases -- soaring prices of daily necessities, will hit them hard. Also, the 17 percent hike in the fares of economy class trains has seriously burdened the low-income bracket people, who cannot afford to travel by ship, bus or, of course, plane.

Time to get realistic about Indonesia's forest crises

Time to get realistic about Indonesia's forest crises Longgena Ginting Executive Director The Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi) Jakarta Indonesia's forests are in dire straits. This fact is not debatable anymore, and is in such a state that there is no longer any news value in the tragic state of affairs.

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, January 17, 2003

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, January 17, 2003 Exhibitions *Holey Things - Beads by Dharma Mulia Galleries, Lobby Bimasena Club, Dharmawangsa, Jl. Dharmawangsa Raya No. 39 Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta (Tel. 021-7258668) Jan 18 until Feb. 2, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Subjektif Photografie Gerakan Jerman 1948 - 1963, Galeri Nasional, Jl. Merdeka Timur 14, Central Jakarta. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 17 until Jan. 29. * Photo Energi Penghabisan, by Sony Soemarsono, Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara, Jl.

Soeharto blamed for Priok atrocity

Soeharto blamed for Priok atrocity JAKARTA: The National Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) demanded on Thursday the Attorney General's Office charge former president Soeharto and his generals suspects with crimes against humanity committed in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta 19 years ago. Kontras chairman Ori Rahman expressed discontent with the fact that prosecutors investigating the Tanjung Priok massacre exempted Soeharto, Gen. (ret) Benny Moerdani and Gen.

Residents lose class action filed against Sutiyoso

Residents lose class action filed against Sutiyoso Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Residents of Kelapa Gading district, North Jakarta, lost on Thursday their class-action suit against Governor Sutiyoso at the Jakarta State Administrative Court.

Bill could legalize privatization of water

Bill could legalize privatization of water Bambang Nurbianto and Adianto P. Simamora The Jakarta Post Jakarta Despite some criticism due to nationalistic and perhaps environmental concerns, the privatization of water resources in the country could soon receive strong legal backing as the House of Representatives prepares to debate the water resource bill.

Govt given one week to reassess fuel, power hikes

Govt given one week to reassess fuel, power hikes The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A day after an agreement to delay the telephone charge increase, the House of Representatives gave one week to the government to reassess the hikes in fuel and power prices.