Archive: 2 January 2003
62 articles found
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Acehnese flee homes after peace deal
Acehnese flee homes after peace deal Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Aceh Peace remains elusive in Aceh even after the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) signed a landmark peace agreement on Dec. 9, 2002. Despite their pledge to end all hostilities, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and GAM fighters have increasingly engaged in armed contact, forcing innocent civilians, who had put high hopes on the accord, to flee their homes. Since Dec.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
'RI bond market to grow at healthy clip'
'RI bond market to grow at healthy clip' I Made Sentana, Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesia's primary bond market is expected to continue its robust expansion in 2003 as corporates issue more debt amid falling domestic interest rates and a limited availability of bank loans, analysts say. With local banks still unable to provide much new loans because of their poor capital base, analysts expect Indonesian firms to continue to turn to the debt market for their borrowings.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Crush GAM if
Crush GAM if they betray The public was shocked to learn from the army chief of staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu that the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) had shot Acehnese and members of the Indonesian military. According to the Indonesian military, since the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the Indonesian government and GAM in Geneva, Switzerland, on Dec. 9, GAM has violated the agreement 24 times.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Javanese transmigrants refuse to return to Aceh
Javanese transmigrants refuse to return to Aceh Debbie A. Lubis The Jakarta Post Jakarta Dozens of Javanese transmigrant families who were forced to leave Aceh earlier this year now do not want to return to the troubled province despite the signing of an agreement between the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to end hostilities there on Dec. 9.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Megawati defends her administration's record
Megawati defends her administration's record Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri has defended the record of her 18-month administration despite criticism from the public, including analysts, activists and her political opponents.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia still respect
Indonesia still respect the "one China policy" Jusuf Wanandi Founder and Member Board of Trustees Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta If there is one country that understands more fully what China's "one-China policy" means, that country is Indonesia. Indonesia, a diverse country encompassing a huge archipelago, has faced challenges of separation since she was established in 1945, and still faces some demands for independence in Aceh and West Papua.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Nothing has been done for education
Nothing has been done for education Fuad Abdul Hamied, Vice Rector for Cooperation Indonesian University of Education (UPI), Bandung, West Java The Indonesian public education system has long faced several complicated challenges in nurturing reliable human resources expected to be capable of competition in the global arena.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Suspected people-smuggler released, faces deportation
Suspected people-smuggler released, faces deportation The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An Egyptian man whom Australia suspects of involvement in a ship accident that drowned hundreds of asylum seekers heading for its shores was released from prison on Wednesday and faces deportation. Egyptian Abu Quassey walked free after spending six months in prison for visa violations. Immigration officials picked him up upon his release.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
New Year colors
New Year colors Amid the prolonged crisis and continuing terror threats, Indonesians welcome the New Year with lively and peaceful celebrations. Like people in other parts of the country, Greater Jakarta residents celebrated New Year's Eve with colorful activities, including a street party, fireworks and prayers. We all hope for a better, more secure Indonesia in 2003. Photo A: NewYear JP/R.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Jakartans take to the streets to mark New Year
Jakartans take to the streets to mark New Year Damar Harsanto and Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Forget bomb threats. Forget the economic and political crisis. It's time to party, to blow trumpets, to have fun and share joy and laughter. On New Year Eve, some points across Jakarta turned into a sea of people as hundreds of thousands of party revelers left their homes to flood the fiesta venues.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Waterless toilet
Waterless toilet at TIM 21 From Suara Karya As one of the regular visitors to Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), I feel reluctant to use the women's toilets in the building. Although the toilets are relatively clean and seem to be well- maintained, they have no water nor toilet paper. Through this letter, I would like to appeal to the Cinema 21 management at TIM or the management of Cinema 21 in general to pay special attention to the needs and comfort of customers. MAHA PRASTIKA DEWI Jakarta
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
'I hope to buy one or two cows in 2003'
'I hope to buy one or two cows in 2003' With the coming of the new year, people hope for better days during 2003, especially as past years have been clouded by economic difficulties. The Jakarta Post interviewed some city residents about their hopes and dreams for 2003. Bu Sarip, is a mother of four children who has been selling mung bean porridge for three years. She lives on Jl.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Challenging year
Challenging year New Year is, in reality, nothing special. New Year becomes special when we use it as a moment to review the past (year) and look to the future. We still have abundant work to do in the new year as we have yet to deal properly with problems relating to the economy, politics, security, social issues and finance, which have existed since 1997. The rupiah has been growing stronger, but on the whole the economic crisis has not been overcome.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Megawati defends 'release and discharge' policy
Megawati defends 'release and discharge' policy The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri defended a controversial policy of exonerating a number of former bank owners of past banking crimes, saying the move was a necessary part of efforts immediately to resolve the huge debts owed by the bankers to the state.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Taufik Kiemas' role set to grow
Taufik Kiemas' role set to grow Karim Raslan, Lawyer, Kuala Lumpur Indonesia's "First Gentleman," Taufik Kiemas is a loud man and larger-than-life. Charming, street-smart and just a little bit shifty, Taufik Kiemas comes across as a slightly older version of Tony Soprano, the lead character from the successful HBO TV series The Sopranos based on a New Jersey Mafioso clan.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia Danamon Expects '03 Net To Grow 25%
Indonesia Danamon Expects '03 Net To Grow 25% Edhi Pranasidhi Dow Jones Jakarta PT Bank Danamon Indonesia expects net profit growth to slow to around 25 percent next year, from 38 percent projected this year, due to a fall in interest income amid declining interest rates. "We expect our net profit to increase to around Rp 1.25 trillion next year," Bank Danamon's finance director Prasetio said in an interview Monday.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Four killed when trains hit van
Four killed when trains hit van INDRAMAYU, West Java: Four people died when express trains KA Cirebon 105 and 106 hit a minivan on an intersection at Plosokerep village, Cikedung district, here on Tuesday. The four casualties were members of a family. They were Hari Herman Rustaman, his wife Cecilia Sri Hartati and their children Anastasia Siska Anggraeni and Gregorius Edo Bramantyo. Indramayu Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Eko Budi Sutedjo said the deceased were taken to a nearby hospital.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Moving on with ASEAN
Moving on with ASEAN Philips J. Vermonte, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta In the past three decades, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has been the corner stone of Indonesia's foreign policy. But, things have changed rapidly, triggered by the economic crisis and its severe consequences starting from 1997.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Landslide damages 26 houses
Landslide damages 26 houses WONOSOBO, Central Java: At least 26 houses were damaged when landslides hit a housing complex in the village of Suroyudan, Sukoharjo district, here on Wednesday. About two hectares of farmland were also devastated as some of the land subsided by half a meter. Nine families, whose houses were totally damaged, were now staying at the houses of relatives. Local residents feared more landslides and flooding as heavy rains continued.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
1. Crowd - 1x 28
1. Crowd - 1x 28 Streets quiet, malls crowded 2. Speak - 1x 30 'I hope to buy a cow in 2003' 3. Trans - 1x 58 Jakarta a huge metropolis with traffic congestion to match
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Streets quiet, malls crowded
Streets quiet, malls crowded Ahmad Junaidi and Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Most city streets were quiet on the first day of the new year, while thousands of Jakartans flocked to shopping malls and recreation centers across the capital. At malls, most people simply window-shopped or ate at the food courts and restaurants. Only a few were observed carrying shopping bags full of recently purchased goods. Motorists had to be patient as there were long queues to enter some malls.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Foreign ministry's inefficiency
Foreign ministry's inefficiency From Kompas I met an Indonesian diplomat in Singapore in September on his way to Beijing for an Asia Pacific coordination meeting of the foreign affairs ministry's information department. It reminded me of the various overseas meetings of ambassadors and consuls general frequently held when I studied abroad.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Government adds fuel to price increase list
Government adds fuel to price increase list A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Instead of chomping down headache tablets for those nursing New Year's Day hangovers, Indonesians were forced to swallow a more bitter pill in the form of sharp price increases dispensed by the government in a bid to lift the country out of its economic ills. Fuel price hikes of up to 22 percent, effective as of Thursday, were announced Wednesday.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Absurdity of our legislators
Absurdity of our legislators From Koran Tempo Some members of the House of Representatives are attempting to interpellate President Megawati Soekarnoputri regarding two matters. The Reform faction of the House wants to exercise its right to interpellation regarding the sale of assets of state- owned enterprises in connection with the government's release and discharge policy. And Commission I of the House will interpellate the President regarding the loss of Sipadan and Ligitan islands.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Spotlight
Spotlight Photo: Hotel NEW HOTEL: President Megawati Soekarnoputri (center) inaugurates the Nirmala Biak Beach Hotel, an international hotel owned by the Djajanti Group, in Biak, Papua. Witnessing the dedication were, among others, (from left) Papua Governor Jaap P. Solossa, Minister of Mines and Energy Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Bank Mandiri Executive Vice President M. Sholeh Tasripan (5th from left) and the hotel's General Manager Busli Saraka (7th from left).
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Telecommunications sector slowly opens market
Telecommunications sector slowly opens market Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country's telecommunications sector struggled this year to curtail the domination of state-owned phone operator PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) and create a more competitive market.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Police release alleged JI-linked militant
Police release alleged JI-linked militant The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police released on Wednesday an activist and alleged member of the Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist group after detaining him for two days on charges of falsifying documents. Dutch citizen Abdul Wahid Kadungga carried a Tangerang ID card when he was arrested on Monday. Although reportedly linked to JI, police said his arrest was not connected to the series of bombings it believes were the work of the organization.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Job training center shut down
Job training center shut down TANGERANG: The Tangerang Municipal Manpower Agency finally shut down on Tuesday the job training center belonging to PT Adisanta Kencana Mas on Jl. Iskandar Muda 8, Neglasari district of Tangerang, which had allegedly mistreated and locked up hundreds of job seekers for several months. Adang Turwana of the municipal agency office said it was closed as the company had been operating illegally.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Javanese transmigrants refuse to return to Aceh
Javanese transmigrants refuse to return to Aceh Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Dozens of Javanese transmigrant families who were forced to leave Aceh earlier this year now do not want to return to the troubled province despite the signing of an agreement between the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to end hostilities there on Dec. 9.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Don't lose
Don't lose more islands From Media Indonesia My heart broke to learn that, whatever the reasons, Indonesia had lost East Timor. And I found it strange that Abdurrahman Wahid -- when he was president -- changed the name of Irian Jaya to Papua, a phenomenon that I believe has the potential to cause disintegration as Papua is the name of a state on the eastern part of the island where Irian Jaya is located.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Budiono leads detikcom out of the storm
Budiono leads detikcom out of the storm Fitri Wulandari The Jakarta Post Jakarta This year's Idul Fitri holiday season gave workaholics, such as Budiono Darsono, a rare break. Budiono deserved the extended rest from Dec. 5 to Dec. 10, as it was the first time he has taken a break since the birth of detikcom, the online media he co-founded in 1998 and which survived the worldwide dotcom business crash last year.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
AFTA in full force
AFTA in full force The ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) that came into effect on Wednesday has been designed to develop this region with a population of more than 500 million into an integrated market and investment area. As a common market, the 10-member ASEAN will become a more attractive, alternative manufacturing base to China, which has been getting most of the foreign investment flows to East Asia.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
President wants terrorist network rooted out
President wants terrorist network rooted out Muhammad Nafik and I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Denpasar President Megawati Soekarnoputri has called on security authorities to root out the terrorist network connected with the Bali bombings that killed over 190 people and wounded more than 300 last October.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bank Danamon expects net profit to grow 25 percent in 2003
Bank Danamon expects net profit to grow 25 percent in 2003 Edhi Pranasidhi, Dow Jones, Jakarta PT Bank Danamon Indonesia expects net profit growth to slow to around 25 percent next year, from 38 percent projected this year, due to a fall in interest income amid declining interest rates. "We expect our net profit to increase to around Rp 1.25 trillion next year," Bank Danamon's finance director Prasetio said in an interview Monday.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
The Jakarta Post
The Jakarta Post Jakarta Consumer confidence in the country significantly dropped in November following the Bali bombing, but the terrorist attack failed to impact consumers' shopping plans, according to a survey. According to the survey by the Danareksa Research Institute, the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) dropped by 4.8 percent to 94.1 in response to the bombings in Bali and Manado on Oct.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
President tells people to watch RI's borders
President tells people to watch RI's borders The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Disappointed at the recent loss of two islands to Malaysia, President Megawati Soekarnoputri told Indonesians on Tuesday evening to be more alert over border issues. "Learning from this experience, I ask the people of Indonesia and all those in the government, be they in Jakarta or in the regions, to carefully observe similar cases in other places," the President said in her new year address to the nation.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Caption photo: 3 cols
Caption photo: 3 cols NEW HOTEL: President Megawati Soekarnoputri (center) inaugurates the Nirmala Biak Beach Hotel, an international hotel owned by the Djajanti Group, in Biak, Papua. Witnessing the dedication were (from left) Papua Governor Jaap P Solossa, Minister of Mines and Energy Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Mrs. Soedjono, Djajanti chairman Soedjono Varinata, Bank Mandiri Executive Vice President M. Sholeh Tasripan and the hotel's General Manager Busli Saraka.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta's nightmarish traffic congestion
Jakarta's nightmarish traffic congestion Novan Iman Santosa The Jakarta Post Jakarta Jakarta is the one metropolis in Southeast Asia without a clear transportation policy as evidenced here daily by the hectic traffic jams. There are so many horror stories about how residents have to get up at dawn just to get to their workplace or school on time without being caught in the traffic jams.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
JI used donations to fund bombings: Report
JI used donations to fund bombings: Report Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asia's chief terrorist suspect collected hundreds of thousands of dollars through a front charity in Malaysia and used the funds for bombings and to send recruits for military training, a newspaper reported on Wednesday.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bogor Municipal Waterworks
Bogor Municipal Waterworks From Warta Kota I am very disappointed with the service given by Bogor Municipal Waterworks, as for the last month the flow of clean water from this company has been disrupted many times. It is a pity that the flow of clean water usually stops in the morning, when this water is very much needed.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
'Bajaj' cause
'Bajaj' cause traffic congestion From Warta Kota In my opinion, the traffic congestion around the Mayestic Market/Taman Puring in South Jakarta is attributable to the presence of bajaj (three-wheeled motorized vehicles). Many of these vehicles wait for passengers along the sidewalks, thus inconveniencing pedestrians. They also drive back and forth in front of the market, emitting thick smoke and worsening pollution in the area.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Edhi Pranasidhi
Edhi Pranasidhi Dow Jones Jakarta PT Bank Danamon Indonesia expects net profit growth to slow to around 25 percent this year, from 38 percent projected in 2002, due to a fall in interest income amid declining interest rates. "We expect our net profit to increase to around Rp 1.25 trillion next year (2003)," Bank Danamon's finance director Prasetio said in a recent interview.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Husband advises Mega to step down at right time
Husband advises Mega to step down at right time Rita Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Sanur, Bali The birthday party was lavishly held at the elegant Agung Room of Grand Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur, Bali, on the last day of 2002. Around 1,000 neatly and luxuriously dressed VIP guests attended the special birthday party of Taufiq Kiemas, the spouse of President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who turned 60 on Dec. 31. The gift for the "boy" was also special.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Special troops withdrawn from Poso
Special troops withdrawn from Poso Palu, Central Sulawesi: Central Sulawesi Military Commander Col. Suwahyuhadji said on Tuesday that some 12 personnel of the Army's Special Force (Kopassus), who had been deployed in conflict-torn Poso regency, would be withdrawn in January 2003. He said the decision to withdraw the troops was made in observance of the more stable security condition in the area. "They have completed their tasks.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
* Headlines:Acehnese flee homes after peace deal2
* Headlines:Acehnese flee homes after peace deal2 * National: Regions to decide on transmigration 4 * City: Jakarta has no clear transportation policy 5 * Opinion: Moving on with ASEAN 6 * Sports: U.S. pair swat Spain from Hopman Cup 9 * World: U.S. orders troops to Gulf region 11 * Business: Mega defends 'release and discharge' policy 13 * Features: Bali's craftsmen hope for better business 17 * Images: New Year colors 20
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Kalipke worries over Sakai survival
Kalipke worries over Sakai survival Haidir Anwar Tanjung The Jakarta Post Pekanbaru, Riau Few Indonesians are interested in the diverse number of tribes living in the country's hinterland, much less in the origins of the Malay dialect, which is the base of Indonesia's national language. But that is not the case with Hans Kalipke, an 85-year-old German who has lived for more than 17 years among the Sakai tribespeople in a remote area of Riau province.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bomb attack could spark unrest in Singapore: Goh
Bomb attack could spark unrest in Singapore: Goh Agence France-Presse, Singapore A bomb attack on ethnically diverse Singapore might spark racial unrest, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong warned on Wednesday as he called for stronger bonds among the city-state's Chinese, Muslim and Indian communities. Speaking at the opening of a mosque, Goh urged Singapore's Malay Muslim community to guard against the creeping of Islamic militancy into their ranks.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Motorists pay Rp 188b in taxes
Motorists pay Rp 188b in taxes TANGERANG: The Tangerang Motor Vehicle Taxation Office collected Rp 188 billion from vehicle owners this year, an official at the office said on Monday. The office manager, Gunawan Hermawan Syah, told The Jakarta Post on Monday that the amount had far exceeded the target. "The regency administration had only targeted bringing in Rp 140 billion in revenue from vehicle taxes this year," he said.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta security concerns to linger in 2003: Police
Jakarta security concerns to linger in 2003: Police Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakartans should continue to be on alert in 2003 with security threats in the capital to remain high amid the protracted economic crisis and expected political rallies in the run-up to the 2004 elections, the city police chief said on Wednesday.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Honda to consolidate production in ASEAN
Honda to consolidate production in ASEAN Dow Jones, Tokyo Honda Motor Co. intends to consolidate production in the Southeast Asian countries where it builds cars, now that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is due to substantially lower import tariffs for autos among member countries, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in its Tuesday edition, citing company sources.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia and ASEAN must move on together
Indonesia and ASEAN must move on together Philips J Vermonte CSIS In the past three decades, ASEAN has been the corner stone of Indonesia's foreign policy. But, things have changed rapidly, triggered by the economic crisis and its severe consequences starting from 1997. To a large extent, Indonesia has lost its credibility within ASEAN, shifting from "a country that could assert the leadership role" into a country that is widely seen as "source of the problems" in the region.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Regions to decide on transmigration
Regions to decide on transmigration Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government will focus its transmigration policy on facilitating the migration of people whereby, instead of Jakarta, the regions will decide what they need and when. Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea said last Monday that his office was still completing the changes necessary to adjust the once top-down policy of transmigration with a now decentralized government.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Dam project to affect 4,000 families
Dam project to affect 4,000 families JAKARTA: As many as 4,000 families will be evicted from swamp land in Pluit, North Jakarta as part of a dam dredging project expected to begin early next year. About 80 hectares of swamp will be dredged by the City Public Works Agency to widen a dam in a bid to ease annual flooding. Antara reported that it was estimated that as much as 459,560 cubic meters of mud and soil would be removed from the area.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Soldiers wounded in Papua
Soldiers wounded in Papua Nethy Darma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua Police failed to hold an on-site investigation on Wednesday over the shooting of four Papuan women near the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border after unknown gunmen fired at a joint military- police convoy heading for the shooting site earlier in the morning. At least two military personnel were wounded in the attack. Jayapura Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bali's craftsmen hope for better business in 2003
Bali's craftsmen hope for better business in 2003 Tri Vivi Suryani, Contributor, Denpasar, Bali I Gusti Ngurah Cakra Yasa looks very sad sitting on the verandah of his workshop in Sedang village of Abiansemal, Badung, some 10 kilometers north of Denpasar. The craftsman was staring wistfully at the rows of wooden statues and piles of other handicraft items untouched by customers since Bali was hit by terrorist attacks. The Oct. 12 bombings in Kuta brought misery to all the people of the island.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
It's the holidays, but Bali beaches deserted
It's the holidays, but Bali beaches deserted Achmad Sukarsono, Reuters, Bali It should be the height of the season in Bali. In past years, tourists from around the world besieged the holiday island at Christmas and New Year to surf, party or laze beside the pool. Not this year. At a five-star resort normally packed during Christmas, few people were sunbathing, no one was cooling off in the luxurious pool and the golf course was empty. "It has been like this since the bombings.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
A new year with message of peace
A new year with message of peace Kurniawan Hari and Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesians enjoyed new year festivities peacefully amid tight security by police and military personnel. No violence or bombings were reported during the celebrations across the archipelago. Police said 200,000 personnel aided by the military safeguarded celebrations. In Jakarta, celebrations centered on the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle and Jl. M.H.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
'Pre-emptive raids must be retaliated'
'Pre-emptive raids must be retaliated' MALAYSIA: Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad vowed on Tuesday that Malaysia would give a "bloody nose" to any foreign governments that launch pre-emptive strikes against terrorists here. Mahathir's warning in a nationally televised New Year's Eve speech were an apparent reference to Australian Prime Minister John Howard's stance advocating pre-emptive attacks against militants in Southeast Asia.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta a huge metropolis with traffic congestion to match
Jakarta a huge metropolis with traffic congestion to match Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta is the one metropolis in Southeast Asia without a clear transportation policy as evidenced here daily by the hectic traffic jams. There are so many horror stories about how residents have to get up at dawn just to get to their workplace or school on time without being caught in the traffic jams.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Jetskiers still missing
Jetskiers still missing DENPASAR, Bali: No trace was found Wednesday of two Indonesian jetskiers who disappeared during the five-day Bali International Offshore 2002 Competition on Monday. "We are trying very hard to find them. We have radioed all the fishermen and ships in the vicinity about the incident.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
Battered Southeast Asia faces uphill battle saving its forests
Battered Southeast Asia faces uphill battle saving its forests Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Jakarta Southeast Asia wasn't winning any medals for forestry preservation back when the region's economy was booming. After five years of economic doldrums, the toss-up between quick bucks off trees or sustainable development hasn't gotten easier for regional governments. Indonesia serves as a good example.
Thu, 02 Jan 2003, 00:00 WIB
The politics of Muslims-Christian relations in Indonesia
The politics of Muslims-Christian relations in Indonesia Bob S. Hadiwinata Head International Relations Department, University of Parahyangan, Bandung Open conflict between the majority Muslims and minority Christians has been rare in Indonesian history. When it does break out, however, it is often violent and brutal. Violent clashes between Muslims and Christians in Maluku, Kalimantan and Sulawesi perhaps represent the most brutal episode of Muslims- Christian relations in Indonesian history.