Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 19 October 2003

38 articles found

OnTheShelves

OnTheShelves Si Parasit Lajang -- Seks, Sketsa & Cerita (The Single Parasite -- Sex, Sketches and Stories), GagasMedia, Jakarta, August 2003 180 pp This is 35-year-old acclaimed author Ayu Utami's third book, after Saman (1998), a well-written work which rocked the literary world with mostly chauvinistic questions about its authorship, and Larung, a continuation of the saga, three years later.

Short films come up short in gaining respect as a medium

Short films come up short in gaining respect as a medium Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It all started with the bandied about slogan "Making a film is easy" after the end of the authoritarian Soeharto era, which was followed by a landmark film festival in 1999.

Tackling stress can be a laughing matter

Tackling stress can be a laughing matter Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It's been another blah day at the office, the roof is leaking and you start to wonder about the early onset of the seven-year itch. Then, something makes you laugh -- and all those alternately suicidal and homicidal aspirations are gone in an instant. But that rollicking chuckle may be doing you even more good than you think.

Closure

Closure Dewi Anggraeni Martine and I were in Bali four months after the Bali bombing. We were struck by the small number of tourists, especially international visitors. Shops and restaurants in Kuta were practically empty. Whenever we were not interviewing people, I gave the same answer -- I'm from Jakarta -- to those who asked. It was not entirely a lie. It was just not the whole truth.

Film expert sees room for all in RI cinema

Film expert sees room for all in RI cinema Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It goes without saying that quantity does not always represent quality. Despite a growing number of local films entering movie houses, most come up short in terms of story and technical skills.

Closure

Closure Dewi Anggraeni Martine and I were in Bali four months after the Bali bombing. We were struck by the small number of tourists, especially international visitors. Shops and restaurants in Kuta were practically empty. Whenever we were not interviewing people, I gave the same answer -- I'm from Jakarta -- to those who asked. It was not entirely a lie. It was just not the whole truth.

David, slicker than the average pop star

David, slicker than the average pop star Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta British pop phenom Craig David really cares about his teenage fan base, for that must be the explanation why only teen-focused media were invited to cover his concert here on Tuesday night. (The prerequisite from the sponsor, a cigarette brand, I presume?) Local promoter Nepathya and Warner Music Indonesia decided to wait until the last minute to announce that a very limited number of media would receive press IDs.

Sekar Ayu takes directing honor

Sekar Ayu takes directing honor EGYPT: Indonesian Sekar Ayu Asmara, director of Biola Tak Berdawai (A Stringless Violin), won the Naguib Mahfuz prize for Best Debut Film Director at the 27th Cairo International Film Festival with 45 participating countries. Sekar, who also wrote the script, received a trophy and a charter with Mahfuz's name as a tribute to the Egyptian literary man who won a Nobel prize for literature. The novel was later put to film.

Hair coloring: High hopes Indonesia will be to dye for

Hair coloring: High hopes Indonesia will be to dye for Bruce Emond, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta There was no clash of sharpened scissors and no fur flew as some of the country's top hairstylists were brought together to show their stuff. Alas, those rubbing their hands in anticipation of a bout of camp histrionics along the lines of 1999's hilarious The Big Tease -- the story of a flamboyant Glaswegian hairdresser battling for the title of the best in his field -- were to be sorely disappointed.

Minimalist lighting popular among young people

Minimalist lighting popular among young people Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Deciding which lighting fixture one will choose in terms of design and function is a matter of taste but there has been a growing trend among young people to use modern and simple "minimalist" lighting for their homes. The classic lighting style remains popular among particular groups of people, especially married couples above 45 years of age.

Digital video a cheap shot for filmmakers

Digital video a cheap shot for filmmakers Joko Anwar, Contributor, Jakarta Celluloid film has long been regarded as the best medium for feature films. Made of colorless flammable material produced from nitrocellulose and camphor, it gives most movies the look and feel that we know today, which is close to the live images that we see with our own eyes. Some moviemakers daringly used video, with a resolution nowhere near as good as celluloid but much cheaper, as an alternative medium.

Kashmir rebels slain after standoff

Kashmir rebels slain after standoff INDIA: Indian security forces killed two militants after a lengthy battle near the home of Indian Kashmir's chief minister, police said on Saturday. On Friday, the militants lobbed grenades and fired shots outside Mufti Mohammad Syed's home, killing two soldiers. The rebels, holed up in nearby shops for 24 hours, wounded 12 Indian soldiers and policemen in the overnight exchange of fire in the heart of Srinagar, Kashmir's main city, officials said. -- Reuters

Two workers die in landslide

Two workers die in landslide INDONESIA: Two workers were killed and 17 others injured in a landslide in Wonosobo regency, Central Java on Saturday morning. Local officials said the accident occurred when the residents of Banyumadal village were excavating a hillside to widen the road below it. Local administration spokesman identified the dead as Sutarman, 16, and Paidi, 17. Fuad said the injured had been admitted to the Islamic Hospital.

Animation: Highly skilled but in need of support

Animation: Highly skilled but in need of support Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Animator Deswara Aulia and his colleagues from dementiA Animation got a good talking to from American animator Larry Feign when they met at Animation Super Pitch, Asia's first animation pitching competition held last year in Singapore. "I'm not going to be nice with you. You know what, Asian animation really sucks.

Motoa to host 5th PP Cup

Motoa to host 5th PP Cup JAKARTA: A total cash prize of Rp 150 million (US$19,000) is on offer for 30 pro golfers when they compete in the 5th Pemuda Panca Sila Cup from Oct. 21 to Oct. 24. Qualifiers will comprise those who made the cut of the four- day annual championships to be held at the par-72 Matoa Nasional Golf Club in Jakarta.

RI film not off the critical list

RI film not off the critical list Joko Anwar, Contributor, Jakarta While fans of Indonesian music can take their pick from the wide selection of albums in record stores, those in search of local flavor in the movie section are not so lucky. Their choice is limited to a tiny shelf displaying a few local films.

Designer Iwan takes off with new line of tableware

Designer Iwan takes off with new line of tableware Bruce Emond, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Batik designer Iwan Tirta holds up a copy of last Saturday's edition of this newspaper, his attention focused on a profile of Clint Eastwood. It's not the American's acting prowess that has won his admiration, but his ability to develop his craft and also seek new artistic forums. "This is what I mean about always moving forward," said the 68 year old at his studio in his home in Central Jakarta.

Three Poso gunmen killed, two more captured

Three Poso gunmen killed, two more captured La Remmy, The Jakarta Post, Palu, Central Sulawesi A joint police and military force killed three gunmen and captured two other suspects in the killing of at least 13 people in recent attacks in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, police said on Saturday. The two arrests on Saturday brought the number of suspects being detained to seven. Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen.

Short circuit: Eating, drinking and inhaling short films

Short circuit: Eating, drinking and inhaling short films Tintin Wulia, Contributor, Denpasar, Bali I sat on one of the balcony seats among the audience, looking down to the stage.

Not quite a wrap for local films

Not quite a wrap for local films As more local films find their way into movie theaters, the film industry seems to be pulling itself out of the doldrums of the last decade -- and buoying the hopes of filmgoers. Since 1999, the film industry recovery has been slow but sure, with an average of about five new films being produced a year. The Jakarta International Film Festival (JiFFEST) and other film forums have broadened the cinematic offerings available.

Motoa to host 5th PP Cup

Motoa to host 5th PP Cup JAKARTA: A total cash prize of Rp 150 million (US$19,000) is on offer for 30 pro golfers when they compete in the 5th Pemuda Panca Sila Cup from Oct. 21 to Oct. 24. Qualifiers will comprise those who made the cut of the four- day annual championships to be held at the par-72 Matoa Nasional Golf Club in Jakarta.

Hamsad wins literary award

Hamsad wins literary award INDONESIA: Veteran literary figure Hamsad Rangkuti emerged as the winner of the 2003 Khatulistiwa Literary Award on Friday night in Jakarta. He bested four other finalists with his short story anthology Bibir Dalam Pispot (Lips In the Chamber Pot). The 60 year old received a cash prize of Rp 70 million (US$8,285) and a scholarship to train in England as well as to have his anthology translated into English.

Film festivals giving space for different tastes

Film festivals giving space for different tastes Shanty Harmayn, Contributor, Jakarta After reading Kenneth Turan's Sundance to Sarajevo, film festivals and the world they made, it is still startling for a film festival organizer like myself to be reminded that there are more than 400 -- maybe 500 -- film festivals around the world.

Delay may boost Akbar election bid

Delay may boost Akbar election bid Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Golkar executives upped the pressure on Saturday on participants of the party's leadership meeting in Jakarta to delay the selection of its presidential candidate from February to April next year. A number of Golkar executives said the delay was proposed for the sake of the party's internal consolidation to win the general elections.

ABC wants IBF HQ moved to Singapore

ABC wants IBF HQ moved to Singapore Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Asian Badminton Confederation (ABC) will propose the headquarters of the International Badminton Federation (IBF) be moved from England to Singapore to save operational cost. ABC's Secretary General Datuk Punch Gunalan said in a media conference here on Saturday that the proposal was necessary with regard that the relocation could save operational cost up to US$800,000 each year.

Welfare of film crews gets second billing

Welfare of film crews gets second billing Nelfi Wibowo, Contributor, Jakarta With 26 feature films coming into theaters since 2000 -- a bumper crop compared to the lean years of the 1990s -- glamorous gala premieres are becoming a regular event. When the parties are over, however, film workers face up to harsh reality of being underpaid, putting in heavy overtime and lacking insurance due to the absence of professional guilds to protect their rights.

Man-eating crocodiles a grisly draw

Man-eating crocodiles a grisly draw A couple of giant crocodiles, killed and stuffed six years ago after devouring several people, provide a bit of color at the small, unpretentious museum that lies in the foothills outside Tenggarong. Without them, Museum Kayu (Wood Museum), with virtually nothing of interest for the average person, would probably languish in the same fate of many of its kind in the country. The crocs are the reason people come to the place.

Women security guards take stand in male domain

Women security guards take stand in male domain T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta, tabita@cbn.net.id News of the Aug. 5 JW Marriott bombing that killed 12 people, including two security guards of the hotel, hit home for Ida Heryani. "As a security guard myself, I could imagine such a terrible thing also happening to me," said the mother of two, recounting that she broke into tears.

Kutai Kartanegara: 'Hot' property seeks spot on tourist map

Kutai Kartanegara: 'Hot' property seeks spot on tourist map Pandaya, The Jakarta Post, Tenggarong, East Kalimantan After a 10-minute walk from our hotel, we arrived at a small quay right across from the old palace complex, packed with local holidaymakers. An army of port officials greeted us three Jakarta residents like old long-lost friends. In no time they ushered us to a waiting small speedboat that would take us to a dreamland nearby.

Silvi outplays Ling to move closer to Asia championship

Silvi outplays Ling to move closer to Asia championship Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Silvi Antarini, who has been hailed as Indonesia's future badminton hope, moved a step closer to becoming Asian champion after beating Ling Wan Ting of Hong Kong in the semifinals of the JVC Asian Badminton Championships in Jakarta on Saturday. Silvi's march to the finals was followed by her compatriots who set up an all-Indonesia finals in the men's singles and mixed doubles.

APEC ministers seek restart of trade talks

APEC ministers seek restart of trade talks Dirk Beveridge, Associated Press, Bangkok Linking the threat of terror to the future of their economies, Pacific Rim leaders heeded U.S. warnings on Saturday to strictly control the production and sale of portable anti-aircraft missiles capable of shooting down civilian aircraft. They also made an urgent call for the restart of global trade negotiations now in disarray and discussed how to beat the danger of bioterrorism and the feared return of SARS.

Remembering a brush with death and the kindness of strangers

Remembering a brush with death and the kindness of strangers Dewi Anggraeni Contributor Melbourne, Australia He represents the image with which many Australian men, some consciously, others unconsciously, want to identify -- energetic, casual and bent on enjoying life. When he spoke of his near-miss experience in Kuta on Oct. 12 last year, there was a hint of intensity, but none of bitterness. Rick Elliott, a Melbourne business developer in his thirties, loves sports, especially surfing.

Two workers die in landslide

Two workers die in landslide INDONESIA: Two workers were killed and 17 others injured in a landslide in Wonosobo regency, Central Java on Saturday morning. Local officials said the accident occurred when the residents of Banyumadal village were excavating a hillside to widen the road below it. Local administration spokesman identified the dead as Sutarman, 16, and Paidi, 17. Fuad said the injured had been admitted to the Islamic Hospital.

Where to go in Jakarta: Sunday, October 19, 2003

Where to go in Jakarta: Sunday, October 19, 2003 Exhibitions * Graphic Art Trienal Seni Grafis Indonesia 2003, Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Jl. Palmerah Selatan no. 17, Central Jakarta (Tel. 5483008 ext. 7910/7911), until Oct. 19. * The Fascinating World of Traditional Indonesian Textiles, Borneo Gallery, Jl. Kemang Utara Raya 58 B, Kemang, South Jakarta, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Oct 19. * Painting Buah, by Munadi, Galeri Milenium, D'Best Shopping Center, Blok B-23, Jl. R.S. Fatmawati No.

Truly Indonesian interior design has yet to emerge

Truly Indonesian interior design has yet to emerge Rudijanto, Contributor, Jakarta The interior design business looks bright as the property sector has started to recover in the past couple of years but like other developing countries truly Indonesian interior designs have still taken time to emerge from a populace who are largely not very aware of interior design. Unlike in the U.S.

Kutai Kartanegara: 'Hot' property seeks spot on tourist map

Kutai Kartanegara: 'Hot' property seeks spot on tourist map Pandaya, The Jakarta Post, Tenggarong, East Kalimantan After a 10-minute walk from our hotel, we arrived at a small quay right across from the old palace complex, packed with local holidaymakers. An army of port officials greeted us three Jakarta residents like old long-lost friends. In no time they ushered us to a waiting small speedboat that would take us to a dreamland nearby.

On guard in learning a local martial art

On guard in learning a local martial art Johnny Landung, Contributor, Denpasar, Bali Your vision is blurry with sweat and physical exhaustion as you throw yourself for the hundredth time into sikap pendeta, the priest stance.

Prosecutors want 14 years for GAM speechwriter

Prosecutors want 14 years for GAM speechwriter Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Prosecutors demanded on Saturday a 14-year jail term for a man who wrote speeches and campaigned on behalf of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in its fight for independence. Irwandi Yusuf alias Isnandar Al Passee, dubbed GAM's campaign manager, was charged with voluntarily supporting the separatist group through his campaign and publications.