Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 21 January 2003

81 articles found

Fires raze homes, four killed

Fires raze homes, four killed Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Amid the prolonged dry season buffeted by high temperatures, two fires razed dozens of homes on Monday in two separate areas in East and Central Jakarta. Four fatalities were reported, including an eight-month-old baby. The first fire destroyed a home in Cakung, East Jakarta right after midnight or early on Monday morning.

1. WATER:

1. WATER: Green NGOs oppose bill legalizing water privatization 2. CASES: 1 x 42 Case studies of privatization: A backlash 3. BILL: 1 x 40 Legislators uninterested in water bill 4. JOGG: 1 x 32 Joggers protest Thamrin closure 5. MEDIA: 1 x 39 Malaysia silences Internet newspaper 6. SING: 2 x 30 Singapore considers terror biggest threat since communism

FBI not part of probe team: Minister

FBI not part of probe team: Minister JAKARTA: Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Monday that the visit of U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigators to Papua should not be seen as intervention into the investigative process regarding the Freeport shooting.

Humankind's blood thirst threatens animals' future

Humankind's blood thirst threatens animals' future Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A long-tailed macaque is suspended by the tail from the ceiling of what appears to be a workshop, while a man holds the primate's head to stop it struggling as he burns the animal with a blowtorch to seal in its internal juices.

City will buy Japan's JITF shares

City will buy Japan's JITF shares The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Japanese government is offering to sell its 42 percent share in firm PT Jakarta International Trade Fair (JITF) to the city administration for just US$10 million -- but only if JITF get a court to rule it cannot pay its debt. And administration plans to increase its holdings to become the majority shareholder in the corruption-tainted JITF, are well advanced.

Prosecutors reject dossier on S.Kalimantan Governor

Prosecutors reject dossier on S.Kalimantan Governor Yuliansyah The Jakarta Post Banjarmasin South Kalimantan prosecutors refused on Monday to accept a dossier of a police investigation into corruption charges against Governor Sjachriel Darham, reasoning they needed President Megawati Soekarnoputri's permission first.

Leprosy still widespread in 111 regencies

Leprosy still widespread in 111 regencies Debbie A. Lubis The Jakarta Post Jakarta The public's belief that leprosy is incurable, their ignorance of the medical treatment's available and their prejudices against the sufferers are three major contributors to a rise in the number of leprosy cases in some of the country's regencies, an official said. "Most of the people who suffer from leprosy do not have adequate information about the disease and its treatment.

RI children need counseling

RI children need counseling Ignas Kleden, Sociologist, The Center for East Indonesian Affairs (CEIA), Jakarta, ceia@centrin.net.id Viewed from the perspective of time, the future are our children. The question as to what the future would look like depends on the extent to which children are given the proper attention they deserve in the present. This is why the broad issue of education is so important, given normal political situations and social conditions.

[b]Rupiah Rates Jan. 20

Rupiah Rates Jan. 20 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 5,543.02 4,948.33 5,273.76 5,217.37 Brunei dollar 1 5,416.62 4,836.79 5,153.49 5,099.77 Canadian dollar 1 6,112.12 5,457.44 5,815.21 5,754.16 Swiss franc 1 6,842.83 6,111.64 6,510.42 6,443.93 Danish krone 1 1,344.00 1,200.32 1,278.71 1,265.58 Euro 1 9,993.40 8,924.61 9,507.94 9,409.84 Poundsterling 1 15,114.95 13,500.55 14,380.70 14,234.58 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,203.62 1,075.35 1,145.15 1,133.82...

Lake Tempe to be rehabilitated

Lake Tempe to be rehabilitated MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: State Minister for the Environment Nabiel Makarim is scheduled to announce the rehabilitation of Lake Tempe in Wajo regency, South Sulawesi, on Tuesday. Abdul Rachman, chairman of the Save Lake Tempe organizing committee, said in Makassar on Monday the meeting on Tuesday also would establish a forum for Lake Tempe's rehabilitation.

Present coalition

Present coalition still going strong In the political scene, it is virtually impossible for the solid coalition of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-Perjuangan), the faction of the Functional Group (Golkar) behind Akbar Tandjung and the United Development Party (PPP) to lose the 2004 elections. The mafia have only moved from one political vehicle (Golkar) to a new one (PDI-Perjuangan).

;JP;ASA;

;JP;ASA; ANPAf..r.. Business-CGI-Garuda JP/ /1CGI Plane forced to make emergency landing: A Garuda plane carrying dozens of participants to Bali for the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) meeting was forced to return to Jakarta and make an emergency landing after about 25 minutes in the air, according to a passenger. He said there was a noticeable shake in the airplane before the plane turned back around to Jakarta.

ISSI ponders SEAG training period

ISSI ponders SEAG training period The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Cycling Association (ISSI) remains undecided on whether to adopt a long or short training period for the cyclists ahead of the 2003 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, an ISSI official said on Monday. "If we opt for the long period, we would have to start training next February. On the other hand, a short preparation would need only three months of training," Sofian Ruzian, ISSI's deputy secretary-general, told The Jakarta Post.

Hope for national leaders

Hope for national leaders From Bisnis Indonesia Many circles of society have staged demonstrations against increases in fuel prices, electricity tariffs and telephone rates, apparently with the same goal of rejecting the hikes. As a matter of fact, however, each sector of society has an ulterior motive, such as tax facilities for entrepreneurs, political bargaining power for legislators, and so forth.

Govt cuts fuel prices after weeks of protests

Govt cuts fuel prices after weeks of protests The Jakarta Post Jakarta The government announced on Monday a reduction in fuel prices and discounts for certain electricity users following weeks of nationwide protests over the recent fuel and utility price hikes. "The government today has set new prices for fuel to come into effect on Jan. 21 at midnight," Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti told a press conference following a cabinet meeting.

Elite culture and people's culture

Elite culture and people's culture From Koran Tempo President Megawati Soekarnoputri said that the burning of the President's and Vice President's effigies in rallies staged to protest against the hike in utility prices was indicative that the people were lacking in respect and that their cultural values had eroded. The President said on Jan. 12 in Bali, that for the sake of a better future of the people and nation, she must be ready to take unpopular measures.

Six SMS fraudsters arrested

Six SMS fraudsters arrested JAKARTA: After operating for a year and obtaining Rp 50 million (US$5,600) by deception, six Short Message Service (SMS) fraudsters were arrested by the city police. The messages they sent stated that the receivers had been nominated as winners of Rp 5 million from the Pro-XL millionaire lottery. For further information the receivers had to contact these numbers: 0818-191-466, 0818-840-428, 0817-917-9545 or 0817- 791-91378, or the web address www.exelcom.co.id.

Amin Syam sworn in as new governor of S. Sulawesi

Amin Syam sworn in as new governor of S. Sulawesi Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi As in Southeast Sulawesi, the swearing-in of Amin Syam as new governor of South Sulawesi has been in limbo amid the ongoing police investigation into bribery allegations during the gubernatorial election. Home Minister Hari Sabarno swore in Amin as governor, with Syachrul Yasin Limbo as deputy governor, to replace H.Z.B. Palaguna for the 2003 to 2008 period.

Mandala raises salary by 100%

Mandala raises salary by 100% JAKARTA: Local airline Mandala Airlines has increased the basic salary of its 1,345 employees by between 60 percent and 100 percent in a bid to improve their welfare. The move was also in anticipation of the hikes in prices of basic commodities and the cost of living, resulting from the increases in gas and electricity.

Heritage runs deep in Sita's veins

Heritage runs deep in Sita's veins Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta For Laretna T. Adishakti, her very persona and heritage activities are one and the same, an integral whole. Employed as a lecturer in Gadjah Mada University (UGM)'s School of Architecture, Laretna's interest in heritage started during her student days at the university. But she finally became completely hooked in the late 1980s when participating in a program overseas.

Students, workers to continue protests

Students, workers to continue protests Students, workers and employers vowed on Monday to continue their street rallies to force the government to make radical changes to economic policies aimed at bailing the country out of its multidimensional crisis.

Case studies of privatization: A backlash

Case studies of privatization: A backlash The Jakarta Post, Jakarta One of the strongest arguments in favor of water privatization is the widespread inability of public utilities in the developing world to provide clean water. As pointed out by the World Bank's senior water adviser John Briscoe in The New York Times last August, public utilities are "heavily overstaffed, provide poor quality, are unwilling or unable to invest, with not enough money to serve everybody".

Hollywood lost $640m to Asian pirates in 2002

Hollywood lost $640m to Asian pirates in 2002 Reuters Bangkok Hollywood lost a record $640 million in 2002 to Asian criminal syndicates using cutting-edge technology to produce and export illegal copies of blockbuster films, a U.S. industry representative said on Monday. Michael Ellis, Asia-Pacific regional director for the Motion Picture Association (MPA), told Reuters lax laws and innovative gangs meant the revenue lost by Hollywood had grown six percent in the last year.

Investigation into Sulawesi bribery allegations to go forward

Investigation into Sulawesi bribery allegations to go forward The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite recent objections from councillors, the government prosecutor's office in Kendari, capital of Southeast Sulawesi, said it would go ahead with its plan to investigate the alleged bribery in the recent gubernatorial election in the province. The chief prosecutor, N. E.

Joggers protest closure of Thamrin-Sudirman roads

Joggers protest closure of Thamrin-Sudirman roads Damar Harsanto and Muninggar Sri Saraswati The Jakarta Post Jakarta Those who used to jog and exercise along Jakarta's main arteries of Jl. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta are angry about Governor Sutiyoso's decision to close the roads to all Sunday sports activities. "The argument to close the roads is nonsense.

Joggers protest Thamrin closure

Joggers protest Thamrin closure Damar Harsanto and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakartans who used to jog and exercise along the capital's main arteries Jl. M.H. Thamrin and Jl. Jend. Sudirman in Central Jakarta on Sundays, blasted the decision of Governor Sutiyoso to close the roads to all sports activities, saying the policy restricted access to public spaces. "The reason given for closing the roads is nonsense.

Residents protest road damage in Tangerang

Residents protest road damage in Tangerang Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Thousands of residents from the districts of Balaraja, Kresek and Kronjo in Tangerang, Banten province, blocked the main road connecting the three districts on Monday to demand the regency administration repair the damaged artery. The road was blocked from Ceplak market in Balaraja to Kronjo district, preventing all vehicles except motorcycles from passing.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 20, 2003

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 20, 2003 ------------------------------------------------------------- Name Close Change Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 600 0 5,000 Adindo Foresta 50 0 0 AGIS Tbk 55 0 0 Akbar Indo Makmur 205 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 105 0 0 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 750 0 2,500 Alter Abadi Tbk 10 0 0 Alumindo Light 170 5 30,000 Andhi Chandra 450 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 600 0 0...

1,000 women demand independence

1,000 women demand independence BANDA ACEH, Aceh: More than 1,000 Acehnese women staged a peaceful demonstration in the city on Monday, demanding the government grant full independence to the country's westernmost province. "Independence is not only the right of GAM (the Free Aceh Movement) but also of all Acehnese people," coordinator of the demonstration Cut Farah said at a free speech forum at the Darussalam field at the city.

JP/4/scene

JP/4/scene Team formed to discuss antiterrorism bills JAKARTA: The House of Representatives (DPR) on Monday formed a special committee to deliberate the much-awaited antiterrorism bills. The establishment of the special committee took place two months after the bills were submitted by the government in November last year. Previously, legislators pledged that they would have finished deliberating the new legislation by November last year. The bills were prompted by the Oct.

House and the Indosat divestment

House and the Indosat divestment From Koran Tempo The Indosat divestment case has drawn public attention and it remains to be seen how it will end. And now there is another case: The simultaneous hikes of fuel prices, electricity rates and telephone tariffs. Rallies have been held everywhere, lashing out strongly at the government. These rallies are legal and natural.

[b]U.S. Dollar Rates Jan. 20

U.S. Dollar Rates Jan. 20 Latest %Chg Yen 118.24-29 +0.25 Euro* 1.0651-54 -0.04 Sterling* 1.6069-72 -0.32 Swiss franc 1.3704-09 +0.29 Canadian dollar 1.5353-63 +0.04 Australian dollar* 0.5893-98 -0.36 New Zealand dollar* 0.5501-06 -0.34 Deutsche mark 2.2150-75 0.00 Czech koruna 29.389-45 -0.16 Hungary forint 228.60-35 -0.13 Danish krone 6.9777-97 +0.02 Norwegian krone 6.8680-31 +0.50 Polish zloty 3.8130-70 -0.31 Russian ruble 31.820-30 +0.01 Swedish krona 8.6305-05 +0.12 Dutch guilder 2.4957-85...

CGI delegates: Save Aceh's forests!

CGI delegates: Save Aceh's forests! Thousands of letters from all over the world have arrived on my desk. Petitions opposing the construction of the Ladia Galaska Road network through the last tropical rain forest in Aceh province are approaching the one million mark. Opposition is growing stronger, ever since the Governor of Aceh decided to approve the construction of a network of roads inside the Leuser forests.

Controversial Manulife judges exonerated

Controversial Manulife judges exonerated Fabiola Desy Unidjaja The Jakarta Post Jakarta Once again the Indonesian judiciary would appear to have shot itself in the foot with the Supreme Court finding the three judges who declared Canadian-based insurance company Manulife bankrupt innocent of all the allegations made against them.

Oil ticks higher as U.S. says time short for Iraq

Oil ticks higher as U.S. says time short for Iraq Reuters, London Oil prices ticked higher on Monday as top U.N. weapons inspectors spent a second day in Iraq and the United States said time was running out for Baghdad to prove compliance with disarmament resolutions. London Brent blend in early trade added 19 U.S. cents to US$30.73 a barrel. U.S. crude, closed on Monday for Martin Luther King day, set a new two-year high of $34 a barrel on Friday.

RI leaders warn U.S. not to attack Iraq

RI leaders warn U.S. not to attack Iraq or 'U.S. must not fight Iraq as it will cause chaos in RI' Fabiola Desy Unidjaja The Jakarta Post Jakarta Noted Muslim leaders, scholars and activists warned the United States on Saturday against attacking Iraq, saying that a war against Baghdad would only encourage radicalism and undermine efforts to promote democracy, particularly in Indonesia. In a meeting with U.S. under Secretary of State James A.

JP/13/Thai

JP/13/Thai Thais seize Indonesian ship smuggling oil from Singapore = Thai customs authorities seized an Indonesian freighter and arrested its captain on charges of oil smuggling, officials said Monday in Bangkok. Indonesian citizen Totok Suprapto, 40, was arrested at about midnight Sunday night as his ship, the MV Pelangi Frontier, was off-loading diesel oil at a pier in Songkhla province, 680 kilometers south of Bangkok, Thai officials said.

W. Sumatra regency on edge following deadly clashes

W. Sumatra regency on edge following deadly clashes Kasparman, The Jakarta Post, Padang, West Sumatra The situation remained tense in Pasaman regency, West Sumatra, on Monday, six days after a clash between two villages there left five people dead and six others seriously injured. The violence prompted the West Sumatra provincial police to take over security in the regency and deploy additional officers to the area. West Sumatra Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr.

City Council talks money in Puncak

City Council talks money in Puncak Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta City councillors and officials start to discuss the 2003 city budget, which amounts to Rp 11.05 trillion (US$1.23 billion), on Tuesday amid public criticism of their poor performance and of the huge renumeration packages they receive.

* Headlines: Policeman gets 3 years for rights crimes2

* Headlines: Policeman gets 3 years for rights crimes2 * National:Controversial Manulife judges exonerated4 * Archipelago: Amin sworn in as governor of S. Sulawesi5 * Opinion: Indonesian children need counseling 6 * City: Lovers bicycle around the world 8 * Sports: Els makes it two straight wins9 * World: Group asks RP Congress to impeach Arroyo11 * Business:NGOs criticize plans to amend forestry law13 * Features: Heritage runs deep in Sita's veins20

1. Islam: 25x 1 line

1. Islam: 25x 1 line West, Muslims told to forget past 2. Manulife: 35 x 1 line Controversial Manulife judges exonerated 3. Leprosy: 40 x 1 line Leprosy on the rise in 111 regencies

Legislators uninterested in water bill

Legislators uninterested in water bill The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Many consider the water resource bill an important bill but that is not apparently the case for legislators who will deliberate upon it at the House of Representatives. A number of legislators from the House of Representatives' Commission IV on infrastructure, which is tasked to debating the bill, confirmed to The Jakarta Post that the commission would debate the bill soon.

`She's an incompetent leader'

`She's an incompetent leader' With the country still mired in an economic crisis, President Megawati Soekarnoputri has called on people to live modestly and to tighten their belts. Of course, many people found it hard to take the President seriously considering her own lifestyle, which few of her fellow Indonesians would describe as modest. The Jakarta Post talked to a number of Jakartans about the issue. Lutfi, 37, is a motorcycle taxi driver in Palmerah, West Jakarta.

Policeman gets 3 years for rights crimes

Policeman gets 3 years for rights crimes Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former Dili police chief Lt. Col. Hulman Gultom was sentenced to three years in prison on Monday by a human rights court for crimes against humanity in East Timor in 1999. However, like previous convicts, he remained free pending an appeal with the High Court.

Hope for national leaders

Hope for national leaders From Bisnis Indonesia Many circles of society have staged demonstrations against increases in fuel prices, electricity tariffs and telephone rates, apparently with the same goal of rejecting the hikes. As a matter of fact, however, each sector of society has an ulterior motive, such as tax facilities for entrepreneurs, political bargaining power for legislators, and so forth.

Lovers bicycle around the world

Lovers bicycle around the world Laetitia van der Elst and Frederic Duprat, who are traveling around the world by bike, pose with Indonesia's Usmadi, who is journeying across the archipelago by bike, near Cirebon, West Java. Laetitia, a doctor, visited The Jakarta Post's offices on Sunday, and said that she and Duprat, a computer engineer, had decided to make the journey to discover the world. Starting out from the U.S. city of San Diego on Feb.

Susilo grilled over asset declaration

Susilo grilled over asset declaration JAKARTA: Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was questioned on Monday by the Public Servants' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN) over the comprehensiveness of his asset declaration to the commission. KPKPN deputy chairman Muchayat said after the questioning that there was nothing suspicious about Susilo's declaration and that it "needs no further investigation by the KPKPN".

Govt cuts fuel prices after weeks of protests

Govt cuts fuel prices after weeks of protests The Jakarta Post Jakarta The government announced on Monday a reduction in fuel prices and discounts for certain electricity users following weeks of nationwide protests over the recent fuel and utility price hikes. "The government today has set new prices for fuel to come into effect on Jan. 21 at midnight," Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti told a press conference following a cabinet meeting.

Present coalition

Present coalition still going strong In the political scene, it is virtually impossible for the solid coalition of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-Perjuangan), the faction of the Functional Group (Golkar) behind Akbar Tandjung and the United Development Party (PPP) to lose the 2004 elections. The mafia have only moved from one political vehicle (Golkar) to a new one (PDI-Perjuangan).

West, Muslims told to forget past

West, Muslims told to forget past Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With the war on terror risking putting a wedge between the Western and Islamic worlds, scholar and former foreign minister Alwi Shihab said both sides must let go of pasts dating back to the Middle Ages, as it was there that their animosity was rooted.

House and the Indosat divestment

House and the Indosat divestment From Koran Tempo The Indosat divestment case has drawn public attention and it remains to be seen how it will end. And now there is another case: The simultaneous hikes of fuel prices, electricity rates and telephone tariffs. Rallies have been held everywhere, lashing out strongly at the government. These rallies are legal and natural.

CP Open Biennale commences new art initiative

CP Open Biennale commences new art initiative Carla Bianpoen, Contributor, Jakarta The CP Foundation through its chairperson Tjianan Djie and curator Jim Supangkat announced on Jan. 15 its upcoming CP Open Biennale in a press conference and discussion with Jakarta artists at the National Gallery here. The team, including co- curators Rizky A. Zaelani and Asmudjo J. Irianto, proceeded to Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Bali and Bandung to inform the art community and the general public about the event.

Doubts remain about ASEAN's resolve to fight terrorism

Doubts remain about ASEAN's resolve to fight terrorism Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police chiefs from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) started an antiterrorism workshop here on Monday amid serious doubts over the region's resolve to crack down on terrorist networks. President Megawati Soekarnoputri, in her opening speech, underlined the urgency of establishing more effective cooperation among ASEAN member countries.

NGOs criticize plans to amend forestry law

NGOs criticize plans to amend forestry law The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Several non-governmental organizations have criticized plans by legislators in the House of Representatives to amend Law No. 41/1999 on forestry affairs. The chairman of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), Longgena Ginting, said on Monday the motive behind the plan was clearly to accommodate the interests of mining companies that wanted to exploit minerals located inside protected forests.

American protesters urge Bush to drop war plan

American protesters urge Bush to drop war plan Harry Bhaskara, The Jakarta Post, San Francisco, California As the world holds its breath over the possibility of war between the U.S. and Iraq only weeks from now, antiwar activists around the world are intensifying their campaigns. Protest rallies were held over the weekend in a number of countries, including the U.S., Japan and Egypt.

New province to

New province to solve Papua issue From Media Indonesia People in the region of Irian Jaya, now called Papua, are still lagging behind in their standard of living, while the political movement to secede from the Republic of Indonesia is escalating. Despite the region's rich gold and copper deposits, Papuans remain poor and underdeveloped, possibly due to the vastness of the province, which makes development efforts ineffective and centered only in certain areas.

Three killed in truck accident

Three killed in truck accident BOGOR: Three people died instantly, while six others were seriously injured after a truck overturned on Jl. Raya Gunung Sindur in Bogor early on Sunday morning. The fatalities were Darmawan, 30, Hadi, 20, and Seto, 25. While those injured were Mardianto, 20, Jumadi, 22, Tursino, 20, Dewanto, 18, Sujono 19 and Warsito, 20, who were rushed to the Red Cross Hospital in Bogor for medical treatment.

Young Susanto leads national chess competition

Young Susanto leads national chess competition Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Sixteen-year-old Susanto Megaranto is assured of becoming the leader of the national chess league after the competition completed six of its planned eight legs at the weekend. The official standing has yet to be released, but, given the sixth leg's matches, in which Susanto came out runner-up behind FIDE Master (FM) Irwanto Sadikin, his climb to the top of the league is unstoppable.

Controversial Manulife judges exonerated

Controversial Manulife judges exonerated Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Once again the Indonesian judiciary would appear to have shot itself in the foot with the Supreme Court finding the three judges who declared Canadian-based insurance company Manulife bankrupt innocent of all the allegations made against them.

New province to

New province to solve Papua issue From Media Indonesia People in the region of Irian Jaya, now called Papua, are still lagging behind in their standard of living, while the political movement to secede from the Republic of Indonesia is escalating. Despite the region's rich gold and copper deposits, Papuans remain poor and underdeveloped, possibly due to the vastness of the province, which makes development efforts ineffective and centered only in certain areas.

1. FIRE: 50 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 35

1. FIRE: 50 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 35 Fires raze homes, four killed 2. CUTLINE: 28 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 30 Lovers bicycle around the world 3. ROAD: 28 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 22 Residents protest road damage in Tangerang 4. JITF: 28 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 30 City will buy Japan's JITF shares 5. SPEAK: 28 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 30 'She's an incompetent leader'

Govt finally bows to public pressure and cuts fuel prices

Govt finally bows to public pressure and cuts fuel prices The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government announced on Monday a reduction in fuel prices and discounts for certain electricity users following weeks of nationwide protests over the recent fuel and utility price hikes. "The government today has set new prices for fuel to come into effect on Jan. 21 at midnight," Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti told a press conference following a cabinet meeting.

CEO SUITE: Viewing matters from clients' perspective is key to

CEO SUITE: Viewing matters from clients' perspective is key to success While almost all providers of serviced offices claim that they work on this principle in serving their clients, one visit to CEO Suite's fully serviced offices, located at the GKBI and JSX buildings, will instantly reveal the real difference as to how it is applied down to the most minute details to completely satisfy even the most discerning clients. Everything at CEO Suite works around the clients' requirements.

Thais seize RI ship smuggling oil

Thais seize RI ship smuggling oil Thai customs authorities seized an Indonesian freighter and arrested its captain on charges of oil smuggling, officials said on Monday in Bangkok. Indonesian citizen Totok Suprapto, 40, was arrested late on Sunday night as his ship, the MV Pelangi Frontier, was off- loading diesel oil at a pier in Songkhla province, 680 kilometers south of Bangkok, Thai officials said.

Police name two more suspects in Bali bombings

Police name two more suspects in Bali bombings The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bali The police have named two more suspects in the Oct. 12 Bali blasts, though of all the suspects named so far two are assumed to have died in the attack. Chief investigator Insp. Gen. I Made Mangku Pastika said in Jakarta on Monday that the two new suspects were identified as Zulkifli Marzuki, a Malaysian citizen, and Jim, who is believed to have been killed during the bombings.

[b]U.S. Dollar Rates Jan. 20

U.S. Dollar Rates Jan. 20 Latest %Chg Yen 118.24-29 +0.25 Euro* 1.0651-54 -0.04 Sterling* 1.6069-72 -0.32 Swiss franc 1.3704-09 +0.29 Canadian dollar 1.5353-63 +0.04 Australian dollar* 0.5893-98 -0.36 New Zealand dollar* 0.5501-06 -0.34 Deutsche mark 2.2150-75 0.00 Czech koruna 29.389-45 -0.16 Hungary forint 228.60-35 -0.13 Danish krone 6.9777-97 +0.02 Norwegian krone 6.8680-31 +0.50 Polish zloty 3.8130-70 -0.31 Russian ruble 31.820-30 +0.01 Swedish krona 8.6305-05 +0.12 Dutch guilder 2.4957-85...

Leprosy on the rise in 111 regencies countrywide

Leprosy on the rise in 111 regencies countrywide Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The public's belief that leprosy is incurable, their ignorance of the medical treatment's available and their prejudices against the sufferers are three major contributors to a rise in the number of leprosy cases in some of the country's regencies, an official said. "Most of the people who suffer from leprosy do not have adequate information about the disease and its treatment.

Threat not to pay taxes

Threat not to pay taxes In the rallies held in response to the simultaneous increases of fuel prices, electricity rates and telephone tariffs, the protesters demanded that President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz resign. I can certainly understand this demand.

Donors ready to extend loans despite rising criticism

Donors ready to extend loans despite rising criticism Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali Indonesia's traditional foreign lenders, from the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI), will start a two-day meeting on Tuesday on the resort island of Bali to determine a new loan facility for the country, as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) voice strong criticism against the creditor grouping. "What needs to be done now is to ensure the effectiveness of the loans.

Govt told to curb paper dumping practices

Govt told to curb paper dumping practices A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The local paper industry has demanded the government take immediate action against alleged dumping practices by paper manufacturers from Finland, South Korea, India and Malaysia. The Indonesian Pulp and Paper Association said the countries had flooded the market with their paper products, which would seriously damage the local industry if the government did not act quickly.

Govt has no sense of crisis: Cak Roes

Govt has no sense of crisis: Cak Roes SURABAYA: Respected national figure Roeslan Abdulgani, popularly known as Cak Roes, criticized President Megawati Soekarnoputri's administration, which, he said, had no sense of crisis, as indicated by the fuel and electricity price hikes. "The government should adopt other alternatives that do not overburden the people," he said at the launch of his book Masa Kecilku di Surabaya (My childhood in Surabaya) here on Monday.

While almost all providers of serviced offices claim that they

While almost all providers of serviced offices claim that they work on this principle in serving their clients, one visit to CEO Suite's fully serviced offices, located at the GKBI and JSX buildings, will instantly reveal the real difference as to how it is applied down to the most minute details to completely satisfy even the most discerning clients. Everything at CEO Suite works around the clients' requirements.

Green NGOs oppose bill legalizing water privatization

Green NGOs oppose bill legalizing water privatization Bambang Nurbianto and Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Fearing grim consequences for the environment, environmental organizations have expressed strong opposition to the water resources bill that will become a legal basis for water privatization. Those opposing the bill include the Kehati Biodiversity Foundation and the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi).

Funds for RT/RWs not salaries

Funds for RT/RWs not salaries JAKARTA: Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso asserted that the monthly support funds of Rp 150,000 (about US$17) and Rp 250,000 that would be paid by the city administration to the heads of neighborhood and community units respectively, were not salaries. He said that so far the activities of these units had been financed by their residents.

Threat not to pay taxes

Threat not to pay taxes In the rallies held in response to the simultaneous increases of fuel prices, electricity rates and telephone tariffs, the protesters demanded that President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz resign. I can certainly understand this demand.

Minister warns Aceh truce might be broken

Minister warns Aceh truce might be broken Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The top security minister warned on Monday that Indonesia could withdraw from the peace agreement with the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) if the international monitoring team failed to take "serious action" to stop violence in the restive province.

headings

headings 1. Sulsel: 10 x 4 lines Amin Syam sworn in as new governor of S. Sulawesi 2. Pasaman: 22 x 2 lines West Sumatra regency on edge following deadly clashes 3. Kal: 16 x 2 lines Prosecutors reject dossier on Sjachriel 4. Sultra: 24 x 2 lines Investigation into Sulawesi bribery allegations to go forward

Debate on new regencies delayed

Debate on new regencies delayed JAKARTA: The House of Representatives (DPR) on Monday delayed the deliberation of the proposal to establish three new regencies in the provinces of West Kalimantan and Maluku. A plenary meeting of the House on Monday heard the views of nine factions on the proposals from legislators to establish the new regencies. The Reform faction, however, rejected the proposals and recommended the backers give more information about their projects.

Demand for ceramic floor tile up

Demand for ceramic floor tile up JAKARTA: Local ceramic floor tile maker PT Arwana Citramulia Tbk says its sales would increase by 20 percent this year backed by the increasing demand from the housing sector. The company's assistant managing director, Emily, said on Monday that demand for middle and low-end ceramic floor tiles such as those produced by the company would continue to be strong.

Elite culture and

Elite culture and people's culture From Koran Tempo President Megawati Soekarnoputri said that the burning of the President's and Vice President's effigies in rallies staged to protest against the hike in utility prices was indicative that the people were lacking in respect and that their cultural values had eroded. The President said on Jan. 12 in Bali, that for the sake of a better future of the people and nation, she must be ready to take unpopular measures.

House to discuss antiterrorism bills

House to discuss antiterrorism bills JAKARTA: The House of Representatives (DPR) on Monday formed a special committee to deliberate the much-awaited antiterrorism bills. The establishment of the special committee took place two months after the bills were submitted by the government in November last year. Previously, legislators pledged that they would have finished deliberating the new legislation by November last year. The bills were prompted by the Oct.