Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 January 2003

77 articles found

1. BUDGET: 50 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12

1. BUDGET: 50 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12 Councillors' added demands stall budget meeting 2. JABAR: 36 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 26 Jabar admits to buying 10 detonators for Xmas attacks 3. GARBAGE: 28 pt, 2 cols, 3 x 20 City, PUSRI to build two garbage processing plants 4. ISTRI: 28 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 35 Police nab suspects of brutal robbery 5. WATER: 28 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 35 Water charges set to rise in April 6. SPEAK: 28 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 16 'I'm happy to be Chinese here'

Experts call for power balance between DPD, DPR

Experts call for power balance between DPD, DPR Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Constitutional experts criticized the limited power given to the Regional Representatives Council (DPD), saying it will only confuse the main purpose of the bicameral system. They said the absence of a balance of power between the House of Representatives (DPR) and the DPD reflected the country's half-hearted support for the bicameral system.

Police beat student protesters

Police beat student protesters MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Police personnel beat a number of student protesters for disrupting on Tuesday a plenary meeting of the provincial legislature. Lombok Barat Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Dani Wiswa Wardana said security troops used violence just to discipline the students. No arrest was made after police dispersed the rally held to protest the proposed provincial budget.

PDI-P eyes running mate

PDI-P eyes running mate JAKARTA: The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) will likely select its vice presidential candidate from another party so as to increase its chances of victory in the 2004 presidential election.

European Union and ASEAN pledge to step up fight against terrorism

European Union and ASEAN pledge to step up fight against terrorism Robert Wielaard, Associated Press, Brussels The European Union and 10 Southeast Asian nations on Tuesday vowed to increase cooperation to fight terrorism and sought to bolster their underperforming trade relationship.

Experience with

Experience with Allianz Insurance On Dec. 12, 2002, I visited a physician at the Omni Medical Center, one of the hospitals in Jakarta registered as a member of the Allianz Health Insurance network, for help with an annoying pain around my "twelfth thoracic vertebrae". After the usual physical examination, the doctor gave me a prescription for medicine that cost Rp 127,750.

IBRA plans to meet Rp 26 trillion target

IBRA plans to meet Rp 26 trillion target The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), explaining how it would meet its revenue target of Rp 26 trillion (US$2.9 billion) for this year, said Tuesday it expected to rake in some Rp 4 trillion from the divestment program. IBRA Chairman Syafruddin Temmenggung said on Tuesday that the proceeds would mostly come from the sales of majority stake in Bank Danamon and Bank Lippo.

BMW to open national training center

BMW to open national training center Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta PT BMW (Bayerische MotorenWerke) Indonesia plans to open a training center for all company executives, as well as managers of its auto dealers at the German Center in Bumi Serpong Damai, Banten, by the end of this quarter. BMW Indonesia, which is now in charge of the German luxury cars' distribution, has invested about Rp 40 billion (about US$4.5) in the training center.

Jabar admits to buying 10 detonators for Xmas attacks

Jabar admits to buying 10 detonators for Xmas attacks Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Abdul Jabar, one of the suspects in the 2000 Christmas bombings, said he was ordered by Abdul Aziz, alias Imam Samudra -- a key planners of the Bali bombings -- to purchase 10 detonators to attack churches here, his lawyer, Muhammad Ali, said on Tuesday. "Jabar said he was ordered by Imam (Samudra) to buy 10 devices as bomb detonators ...

Rupiah Rates Jan. 28

Rupiah Rates Jan. 28 JP/13/Conver Rupiah Rates Jan. 28 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 5,533.77 4,940.37 5,265.09 5,208.82 Brunei dollar 1 5,426.39 4,845.83 5,162.93 5,109.14 Canadian dollar 1 6,151.43 5,492.87 5,852.76 5,791.33 Swiss franc 1 6,937.51 6,196.56 6,600.68 6,533.26 Danish krone 1 1,369.46 1,222.75 1,302.97 1,289.19 Euro 1 10,184.68 9,096.09 9,690.20 9,590.35 Poundsterling 1 15,352.16 13,713.37 14,606.79 14,458.52 Hong Kong dollar 1...

Forest agency, govt talk on timber supplies

Forest agency, govt talk on timber supplies The Jakarta Post, Jakarta To resolve the shortage in raw material confronting the country's forestry-based enterprises, the newly established Forestry Industry Revitalization Agency (BRIK) is currently engaged in talks with the government to match the industry's timber needs and the country's forest capacity.

Garuda pilots

Garuda pilots have no conscience I feel that the recent demand made by the Association of Garuda Indonesian Airways' pilots that their salaries be increased to Rp 80 million a month amid the monetary crisis is absolutely embarrassing and illogical. I personally think that they are very selfish and have no conscience. The pilots threatened to go on strike if their demands were not met. If they go ahead with their threat, it will affect their customers.

'Let Arafat attend Non-Aligned summit'

'Let Arafat attend Non-Aligned summit' MALAYSIA: Kuala Lumpur urged major world powers on Tuesday to persuade Israel to allow Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to attend a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Kuala Lumpur next month. An arch supporter of the Palestinian cause and persistent critic of Israel, mostly Muslim Malaysia is concerned the summit for leaders of 114 developing nations could be disrupted by a potential Gulf War.

TV Program: Wednesday, January 29, 2003

TV Program: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 .TB.30" 1.00" TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m.Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:30 Sports Feature 8:00 DRTV 8:30 Environment 9:00 Janji Cinta 9:30 Cooking Program: Menu Sedap 10:30 Quiz: Dibisikin 11:00 News: Berita Daerah 11:30 Music: Konteswara 12:00 p.m.News: Berita Siang 1:00 Talk Show: Konsultasi Keluarga 2:00 News: Metro Indonesia 2:30 TV Drama: Kisah Imam Buchari 3:00 Children's Program: Pentas Ceria 4:00 Sekolah Alam 4:30 Inter Sport 5:00...

EU, ASEAN back new global trading regime under WTO

EU, ASEAN back new global trading regime under WTO Jitendra Joshi, Agence France-Presse, Brussels The European Union and Southeast Asia Tuesday held out the prospect of a trade pact between their regions, but said the priority for now should be to secure a new global regime via the World Trade Organization. At a two-day meeting here, foreign ministers of the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) backed the WTO's Doha round of negotiations aimed at freeing up world trade.

Muslims, terror and collective memory

Muslims, terror and collective memory Muhammad Qodari, Political Analyst, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta, Qodari@csis.or.id Although hundreds of events make headlines each year, only a fraction will be remembered by people in subsequent years. What factors contribute to making an enduring collective memory?

Public bus system substandard, needs overhaul

Public bus system substandard, needs overhaul The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A recent accident in which 19 people were killed on a Sinar Jaya bus in Slawi, Central Java, could lead officials to launch an overhaul of the public transit system, which is corroded by illegal fees and weak control over the quality of service. An improvement in the public transit system would start with public buses as they transport the majority of passengers traveling overland.

Susilo warns GAM against militarism

Susilo warns GAM against militarism JAKARTA: Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed his deep concern over the ongoing meeting of Free Aceh Movement (GAM) figures in Aceh, saying it constituted military consolidation aimed at strengthening the separatist movement.

Proton can compete during AFTA

Proton can compete during AFTA KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's first national car manufacturer Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd. will be able to compete when the local car market is opened to competition under the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), Bernama reported Tuesday.

JP/4/SHIP

JP/4/SHIP Navy ready to sink boats of smugglers The Jakarta Post Jakarta The Indonesian Navy has deployed three warships with some 90 personnel on board to tackle smuggling in Karimun waters in Riau near Singapore and Malaysia. Karimun Naval Base commander Maj. Purwanto said on Saturday that his troops were ready to sink any vessel involved in smuggling. "Currently, we are monitoring some vessels carrying logs, which they smuggle to Singapore.

City, PUSRI to build two garbage plants

City, PUSRI to build two garbage plants The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city administration and state-owned fertilizer producer PT Pupuk Sriwijaya (PUSRI) would cooperate to build two garbage processing plants here with a total investment of Rp 100 billion, an official said on Tuesday. Chief of the City Sanitation Agency Selamet Limbong said the investment funds and technology for the garbage processing plants would be provided by PUSRI, while the city administration would provide the land.

The INdonesian enigma: Economic, leadership crises

The INdonesian enigma: Economic, leadership crises Sayidiman Suryohadiprojo, Former Governor National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas), Jakarta Indonesia is again facing a serious crisis of leadership and government in the face of mass demonstrations that have spread beyond Jakarta, involving students and even housewives. The government decision to increase oil, telephone and electricity prices at the same time, though later modified, was indeed a very brave act.

KL to lift restrictions on hiring RI workers

KL to lift restrictions on hiring RI workers Agencies, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia will lift restrictions on the hiring of Indonesian workers to plug labor shortages in the construction and manufacturing sectors, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said on Tuesday. The move came just over a year after the government clamped down on the recruitment of Indonesians, allowing them to work only as maids and plantation workers after recent riots.

Fire victims to get temporary kiosks

Fire victims to get temporary kiosks JAKARTA: Hundreds of traders in Senen market who lost their kiosks to fire on Sunday will receive temporary kiosks within a month. The director of PT Jaya Real Property Tbk, the developer and manager of the market, Diaz Moreno, said on Tuesday the company would need a month to build temporary kiosks in Blok V on the fifth, sixth and seventh floors of the market.

'Open-list' elections approved

'Open-list' elections approved Kurniawan Hari and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Each faction in the House of Representatives (DPR) agreed to adopt an "open-list" election system for the 2004 elections, paving the way for voters to directly choose individual legislative candidates to represent their aspirations at the House.

TV Program: Wednesday, January 29, 2003

TV Program: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 .TB.30" 1.00" TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m.Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:30 Sports Feature 8:00 DRTV 8:30 Environment 9:00 Janji Cinta 9:30 Cooking Program: Menu Sedap 10:30 Quiz: Dibisikin 11:00 News: Berita Daerah 11:30 Music: Konteswara 12:00 p.m.News: Berita Siang 1:00 Talk Show: Konsultasi Keluarga 2:00 News: Metro Indonesia 2:30 TV Drama: Kisah Imam Buchari 3:00 Children's Program: Pentas Ceria 4:00 Sekolah Alam 4:30 Inter Sport 5:00...

* Headlines: Mega reacts emotionally to stomping protesters 2

* Headlines: Mega reacts emotionally to stomping protesters 2 * National: FBI will not dictate to RI police: Gen. Da'i 4 * Archipelago: Acehnese students urge JSC to probe shooting 5 * Opinion: The Indonesian enigma: Economic, leadership crises 7 * City:Jabar admits to buying 10 detonators for Xmas attacks 8 * Sports: Arsenal looks to capitalize on M.

Search for missing passengers called off

Search for missing passengers called off KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The search for four people reportedly missing after their fishing boat sank in Tiworo Strait last Friday was called off Tuesday. Roki Asikin, head of the Kendari Search and Rescue agency, said his team stopped the search, as no missing persons had been reported by family members and because the actual number of passengers remained unclear.

'Yu sheng' for an auspicious year

'Yu sheng' for an auspicious year Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta For the first time ever in the country, Chinese New Year is being commemorated as a national holiday, and Chinese-Indonesians across the country may openly celebrate the age-old tradition of new year, known here as Imlek, with good cheer and an abundance of good food. This year's new year falls on Saturday, Feb. 1, and will mark the first day of the Year of the Ram.

Where to go in Surabaya

Where to go in Surabaya Music and Entertainment * Hyatt Regency Surabaya, Jl. Jend. Basuki Rakhmat 106-128 (Tel. 031 5311234): - Lobby: Piano performance, every Morning, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Monday to Saturday evening, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sunday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Cascades Poolside Restaurant: Medium Band, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. * Sheraton Surabaya Hotel & Towers, Jl. Embong Malang 25-31 (Tel.

1,040 workers unpaid, Bob responsible

1,040 workers unpaid, Bob responsible AMBON, Maluku: A total of 1,040 workers of plywood company PT Kalimanis Group in Passo Village of Ambon, the Maluku capital, had not received their salaries and allowances for eight months, a local councillor said. Ambon legislative council speaker Lucky Wattimury blamed imprisoned timber tycoon Mohamamd "Bob" Hassan, who owns the company, for the unpaid salaries. The company had ceased operations for eight months due to the shortage of raw materials.

House back police tough stance

House back police tough stance JAKARTA: Legislators from the House's defense and security commission have backed the tough stance adopted by police against militant student activists during the recent antigovernment protests. The legislators gave their support to the police during a hearing with National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar on Tuesday.

EU, ASEAN back new trading regime

EU, ASEAN back new trading regime Jitendra Joshi Agence France-Presse Brussels The European Union and Southeast Asia Tuesday held out the prospect of a trade pact between their regions, but said the priority for now should be to secure a new global regime via the World Trade Organization. At a two-day meeting here, foreign ministers of the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) backed the WTO's Doha round of negotiations aimed at freeing up world trade.

BP normalizing Java gas operation

BP normalizing Java gas operation SINGAPORE: The Indonesian unit of BP PLC (BP) is working toward normalizing its Pagerungan natural gas operations in East Java after a mechanical problem prompted the producer to shut five wells for at least three days, a company said Tuesday.

Students urge JSC to probe shooting

Students urge JSC to probe shooting Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Aceh About 200 students picketed the office of the Joint Security Committee (JSC) here on Tuesday to demand that the monitors overseeing the truce in troubled Aceh province investigate the shooting of two of their friends. Unidentified gunmen shot the two students, who were riding a motorcycle, on Saturday night in Lamreng in Kreung Barona Jaya subdistrict, Aceh Besar district.

FBI will not dictate to RI police: Gen. Da'i

FBI will not dictate to RI police: Gen. Da'i Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar gave assurances to worried legislators on Tuesday that the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) would not dictate to the Indonesian police, who are investigating the ambush that killed two Americans in the Papua town of Timika last year.

Terrified public transportation drivers go back to work

Terrified public transportation drivers go back to work Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra Traffic here in the North Sumatra capital has returned to normal as thousands of drivers ended their strike on Tuesday after the bus companies threatened to fire them if they continued their three-day protest against the fuel and utility price hikes.

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.

Correction

Correction The last paragraph of the article on refugees that appeared on page 4 of The Jakarta Post on Jan. 25, 2003, should have read: "The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has appealed for US$72.8 million in international donor support to help Indonesia return 1.3 million internally displaced persons to their homes." We apologize for the error. -- Editor

PAS to field women at next election

PAS to field women at next election MALAYSIA: For the first time in decades Malaysia's Islamic opposition will field female candidates at the next general election, party officials said on Tuesday. Parti se-Malaysia (PAS) is set to pose the biggest challenge to the ruling United Malays National Organization at elections expected later this year or early in 2004. The present UMNO leader, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who leaves office in October, actively courted the women's vote.

Councillors' added demand stalls budget meeting

Councillors' added demand stalls budget meeting Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city budget formulation team, consisting of councillors and administration officials, failed to finalize its work on Tuesday after negotiations became deadlocked due to demands by councillors that the allocations for their respective commissions be increased.

Diagnosing childhood tuberculosis can be tricky

Diagnosing childhood tuberculosis can be tricky Donya Betancourt, Pediatrician, drdonya@hotmail.com For today's article I have very good updated information on TB (tuberculosis) from a doctor who has vast experience of the subject in Indonesia. However, he asked me to withhold his name from publication. Dear Dr. Donya May I make some comments on your response regarding how to deal with children and TB?

1. Accident -- 1x35

1. Accident -- 1x35 Public transit system substandard 2. Demo -- 2x20 Mega reacts emotionally to stomping protesters 3. bill -- 1x24 'Open-list' elections approved 4. ibra -- 1x32 IBRA plans to meet Rp 26 trillion target 5. alex -- 1x25 Maluku separatists get three years

Ba'asyir blessed Bali bombing: Da'i

Ba'asyir blessed Bali bombing: Da'i Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Tuesday that Abu Bakar Ba'asyir knew and endorsed the Oct. 12 Bali bombing that killed over 190 people and injured some 300 others. Da'i's statement was the first direct reference to the cleric's involvement in the Bali blasts, the biggest attacks since Sept.

Farewell, Hilda: pioneer of modern art dies

Farewell, Hilda: pioneer of modern art dies Carla Bianpoen Contributor Jakarta On Friday, January 17, at 9.20 p.m. Jakarta time, Hildawati Soemantri passed away at Darmais Hospital from cancer. Her brother was at her side along with other family members, as well as sculptor Lydia Poetri, who has tended to her throughout her illness.

ICW exposes corruption in judiciary

ICW exposes corruption in judiciary Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) disclosed on Tuesday widespread corruption in the country's judicial system, involving a wide range of players, from justices of the Supreme Court to parking attendants at a district court.

4 x 8

4 x 8 Students urge JSC to probe shooting JP/5/ambon 2 x 25 Graft robs 25,000 Maluku refugees of government aid JP/5/sopir 1 x 50 Terrified public transportation drivers go back to work JP/5/Navy 2 x 16 Warship sinks four foreign vessels

Quiz on Melodies

Quiz on Melodies I am a fan of Metro TV as its programs are excellent, be it news, commentaries or entertainment. One of the programs I enjoy watching is Berpacu Dalam Melody (Quiz on Melodies), which is aired on Sunday evenings. Along with this program, there is a quiz for viewers at home, which I have sometimes taken part in for fun. On Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, I watched the program and phoned in for the quiz. To my surprise I was one of the winners.

Warship sinks four foreign fishing vessels

Warship sinks four foreign fishing vessels The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An Indonesian warship, the KRI Untung Suropati, fired on and sank four foreign vessels fishing illegally in Indonesian waters off North Sulawesi, and took into custody their 49 crew members, all Filipinos, for further legal processing. Rear Admiral I Wayan R.

Graft robs 25,000 Maluku refugees of government aid

Graft robs 25,000 Maluku refugees of government aid Azis Tunny and Octovianus Pinontoan, The Jakarta Post, Ambon, Maluku More than 25,000 refugees fleeing sectarian clashes in the province of Maluku have never received government aid said a local councillor who claimed this was due to corruption at the local administration level.

TV Program: Wednesday, January 29, 2003

TV Program: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 .TB.30" 1.00" TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m.Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:30 Sports Feature 8:00 DRTV 8:30 Environment 9:00 Janji Cinta 9:30 Cooking Program: Menu Sedap 10:30 Quiz: Dibisikin 11:00 News: Berita Daerah 11:30 Music: Konteswara 12:00 p.m.News: Berita Siang 1:00 Talk Show: Konsultasi Keluarga 2:00 News: Metro Indonesia 2:30 TV Drama: Kisah Imam Buchari 3:00 Children's Program: Pentas Ceria 4:00 Sekolah Alam 4:30 Inter Sport 5:00...

Ardiansyah downed in Pusam Cup

Ardiansyah downed in Pusam Cup Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Samarinda, East Kalimantan Former national champion Grand Master (GM) Ardiansyah went down in a humiliating defeat against non-rated Achmadi Said in the second round of the Pusam Cup chess competition here on Tuesday. The tournament's third seed, GM Edhi Handoko, was another top- level player who failed to live up to his billing.

Wiranto and intelligence

Wiranto and intelligence Gen. (ret) Wiranto, Adi Sasono, Fuad Bawazier and Eros Djarot have been accused of being behind the recent student demonstrations. However, it is not easy to judge the validity of the State Intelligence Body (BIN)'s report on this, which it unveiled during a hearing with the House of Representatives last week. Wiranto, former coordinating minister for political and security affairs, has denied the accusation.

Maluku separatists get 3 years

Maluku separatists get 3 years The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Ambon The North Jakarta District Court sentenced two separatist leaders in absentia on Tuesday to three years in prison for plotting a rebellion in the war-torn province of Maluku. Alex Manuputty and Semmy Waileruny, both Christians, were found guilty of "an act of subversion aimed at dividing the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia", presiding judge I Wayan Padang Pujana said.

Tanjung Jati B set to resume construction, says PLN

Tanjung Jati B set to resume construction, says PLN A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Construction of the Tanjung Jati B power plant is set to resume in April this year, after a tough two-year round of negotiations with the independent power producer (IPP), a senior official at the state electricity firm PT PLN said on Tuesday. Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corp.

Mega to host meeting with DPR

Mega to host meeting with DPR JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri is to host a consultation meeting with House of Representatives' leaders at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday to discuss various topical issues. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the top security minister in Megawati's Cabinet, confirmed the holding of the regular consultation meeting but declined to go into details.

Garuda pilots have no conscience

Garuda pilots have no conscience I feel that the recent demand made by the Association of Garuda Indonesian Airways' pilots that their salaries be increased to Rp 80 million a month amid the monetary crisis is absolutely embarrassing and illogical. I personally think that they are very selfish and have no conscience. The pilots threatened to go on strike if their demands were not met. If they go ahead with their threat, it will affect their customers.

Australia not in Megawati's travel plans

Australia not in Megawati's travel plans Agencies, Jakarta Claims by President Megawati Soekarnoputri's husband Taufik Kiemas that the President will make her first visit to Australia have been pooh-poohed by both the Indonesian and Australian governments. The Australian Financial Review quoted Taufik on Tuesday as saying that Megawati would visit Australia after an official visit to Russia scheduled for April.

The Indonesian dilemma

The Indonesian dilemma Sayidiman Suryohadiprojo Former Governor National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas) Jakarta 2. Tom -- Powell makes the case for Bush 1 X 30 Powell Makes the Case for Bush in Iraq By Tom Plate 3. Farm -- Can France hold out on EU farm reform? 1 x 32 Can France hold out on EU farm reform? The Nation Asia News Network Bangkok

Does a crocodile really taste like chicken?

Does a crocodile really taste like chicken? Simon Howland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Ever felt the urge to munch on a crocodile sausage or attack a prime fillet of kangaroo just like one of Indonesia's offbeat southern neighbors? If so, then you're in luck as the annual Australian Food Festival kicked off for the second year last week at Jakarta's Shangri-La Coffee Garden.

Pantura susceptible to fatal smashups

Pantura susceptible to fatal smashups TEGAL, Central Java: Motorists need to drive more carefully when traveling along Java's North Coast Highway (or Pantura as it known locally), which is the scene of frequent fatal accidents, which last year claimed more than 150 lives. Last Thursday, 18 people were killed in a horror crash on the Central Java stretch of the highway when a Sinar Jaya passenger bus slammed into fuel drums and caught fire in the town of Slawi, Tegal regency.

Govt to verify 237 new parties

Govt to verify 237 new parties JAKARTA: The government has set up two teams to examine the 237 new political parties that have registered themselves with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights. Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihsa Mahendra said here on Tuesday that the two teams had been formed in cooperation with the Ministry of Home Affairs and would begin the vetting process next month.

Crowd blamed for chruch attack

Crowd blamed for chruch attack Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A military officer testified before a human rights tribunal on Tuesday that a gunshot from inside the Liquica church compound triggered a riot in Liquica, East Timor, in April 1999. Testifying at the trial of Maj. Gen. Adam Damiri, Capt.

U.S. loses moral grounds so model human rights

U.S. loses moral grounds so model human rights The George W. Bush administration seems impatient in attacking Iraq despite international protests and reports by the United Nations weapons investigation team, which does not verify U.S. claims that Iraq has a weapons program and arsenal. Lawyer and human rights activist Todung Mulya Lubis shares his views with The Jakarta Post's Soeryo Winoto. Question: Do you see any strength or power that could stop the U.S.'s apparent resolve to attack Iraq?

Mega reacts emotionally to stomping protesters

Mega reacts emotionally to stomping protesters The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Speaking again before supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) at her private residence in Kebagusan, South Jakarta on Tuesday, President Megawati Soekarnoputri expressed her disappointment over recent antigovernment demonstrations in which protesters stomped on her pictures.

EU, ASEAN back new trading regime

EU, ASEAN back new trading regime Jitendra Joshi Agence France-Presse Brussels The European Union and Southeast Asia Tuesday held out the prospect of a trade pact between their regions, but said the priority for now should be to secure a new global regime via the World Trade Organization. At a two-day meeting here, foreign ministers of the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) backed the WTO's Doha round of negotiations aimed at freeing up world trade.

Warnings mount over U.S. move to attack Iraq

Warnings mount over U.S. move to attack Iraq Berni K. Moestafa and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the U.S. inches closer toward a unilateral strike on Iraq, aversion toward such a move is growing in Indonesia, renewing warnings that Washington is damaging its already uneasy ties with Jakarta. War talks from the U.S.

Human rights tribunal fails to uphold justice

Human rights tribunal fails to uphold justice M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A human rights watchdog on Tuesday denounced the government for poorly handling the ad hoc tribunal for human rights violations in East Timor, saying that the trials were a complete failure.

Water charges set to rise in April

Water charges set to rise in April The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city administration will increase water charges in April this year despite continuing leakages that reach 250 million cubic meters per year, an official revealed on Tuesday. Jakarta Water Regulatory Board chairman Achmad Lanti claimed that the charges for poor families and charitable institutions would not be increased. "The increases will be applied to middle and upper-income families, and office and industrial users.

Imprisoned drug dealer questioned

Imprisoned drug dealer questioned JAKARTA: Marking a development in an ongoing drug investigation, the National Police picked up on Tuesday a Nigerian man who had allegedly arranged the delivery and trafficking of heroin from Jakarta to Bali. Chief of detectives for drug crimes at the National Police Headquarters Sr. Comr. Yontje Mende led a number of officers from Bali and the city police headquarters to pick up the 19-year-old Nigerian, identified as Innocence Iwuofor, from the penitentiary.

Gen. (ret) Wiranto, Adi Sasono, Fuad Bawazier and Eros Djarot

Gen. (ret) Wiranto, Adi Sasono, Fuad Bawazier and Eros Djarot have been accused of being behind the recent student demonstrations. However, it is not easy to judge the validity of the State Intelligence Body (BIN)'s report on this, which it unveiled during a hearing with the House of Representatives last week. Wiranto, former coordinating minister for political and security affairs, has denied the accusation. The four men do have a different political stance from that of the government.

Police nab suspects of brutal robbery

Police nab suspects of brutal robbery Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police arrested on Tuesday six suspects in the robbery that led to the death of Wisnani Safitri, 51, the wife of the secretary- general at the Ministry of Finance. "We have captured six of seven suspects in this brutal robbery," Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara told reporters. Makbul said the two prime suspects, Monte and Hilman, were apprehended in Jombang, East Java, and Bekasi respectively.

FOR FOCUS ISSUE

FOR FOCUS ISSUE rich Eksekutif Menteng SPORTS FACILITIES: Apartments in Jakarta offer a wide range of sports facilities including outdoor and indoor swimming pools, indoor and outdoor tennis courts and mini golf courses. The Plaza Residences STIMULATING: Warm colors such as yellow are welcoming and stimulating. They work best in dining rooms or rooms where your family and friends spend a lot of time.

Indorayon issue

Indorayon issue In his address to those who agree with the resumption of the operations of PT. Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL, new name for Inti Indorayon Utama/IIU) in Balige on Nov. 30, 2002, Jacob Nuwa Wea said that only a small number of people (around 10,000 people at most out of the 300,000 population of Toba Samosir regency), disagreed with the reopening of the plant.

'Current conditions are much better'

'Current conditions are much better' On Saturday, the Chinese community will celebrate the Chinese New Year or Imlek and it has even been nominally recognized as a public holiday by the government. During the Soeharto regime, nobody was even allowed to celebrate the holiday openly as the government banned all things pertaining to the Chinese and their culture.

Govt to raise telecom tariffs by 15% in March

Govt to raise telecom tariffs by 15% in March Dow Jones, Jakarta The government plans to raise telecom tariffs by an average 15 percent in March after a two-month delay due to nationwide protests against price hikes this month, a government official said Tuesday. Indonesia's had planned to raise the tariff in January to help boost profits at state-owned PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (TLK), or Telkom, and make the company a more attractive target for a foreign investor.

Monopoly Watch files a petition against Indofood

Monopoly Watch files a petition against Indofood Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Monopoly Watch, a non-governmental organization on the look out for monopoly practices, filed a petition on Tuesday to the Indonesian Commission for the Supervision of Business Competition (KPPU) against PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk over suspicions of monopoly.