Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 31 October 2003

83 articles found

Panin posts healthy profit

Panin posts healthy profit JAKARTA: Bank Panin said on Thursday that its operating profit in the first nine months of the year was Rp 1.13 trillion (US$133.73 million), with a net profit of Rp 303 billion. The bank, in a statement, said the strong profit was derived from net interest profit amounting to Rp 835 billion and fee- based income of Rp 565 billion. It did not provide comparative figure for the same period last year, but operating profit for the full-year 2002 was Rp 1.32 trillion.

JAKARTA: Indonesian tin producer PT Timah on Thursday said it

JAKARTA: Indonesian tin producer PT Timah on Thursday said it swung to a net profit ofRp 63.9 billion (US$1= Rp8,480) for the first nine months of this year from a loss of Rp 38.7 billion a year earlier due to higher tin prices. Timah's president Thobrani Alwi said tin prices rose to around $4,752 a metric ton during the period from around $4,206 a year earlier. He said the higher tin prices pushed Timah's sales up by 26 percent to Rp1.345 trillion from Rp1.066 trillion.

Two more suspects in Bali bombings stand trial

Two more suspects in Bali bombings stand trial Wahyoe Boediwardhana The Jakarta Post Denpasar, Bali The Denpasar District Court began on Thursday the trial of two more suspects in the Bali bombings as part of the lengthy efforts to bring those believed responsible for the terrorist attacks to justice. Sarjio, alias Syawad, alias Zaenal Abidin, and Suranto Abdul Ghoni, alias Umar, alias Wayan, are charged with assembling the bombs that killed 202 people, mostly foreigners, on Oct. 12, 2002.

Medan to get tough on waste

Medan to get tough on waste Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra The Medan municipality government and legislative council agreed on Thursday to impose a new bylaw on sanitary, which would carry a severe fine or a jail sentence for those who throw garbage anywhere in the city.

Boosting the state's revenue

Boosting the state's revenue From Bisnis Indonesia According to a report in a mass-media publication, the government, after studying the implementation of a tax amnesty in a number of other countries, has decided against its inclusion in the 2004 tax reform. This mean that the Directorate General of Taxation must boost the state's revenue from taxes by consistently enforcing the tax law.

Indie music, brought to you by a major label?

Indie music, brought to you by a major label? Leony Aurora The Jakarta Post Jakarta Want your songs to be recorded and still sound like your songs? Less than a decade ago this was rarely an option for bands. The reality was that in order to be recorded musicians had to tailor their music to fit the mainstream. In other words, they were recorded if their music sounded like it would sell. But independent labels today are giving musicians and singers new doors to knock on.

Engineer's group urges government to put more emphasis on technology

Engineer's group urges government to put more emphasis on technology Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A coalition of three engineers associations, boasting a total of 17 million members between them, urged the government on Thursday to pay more attention to technological development in the country.

Govt plans bonus for civil servants in 2004

Govt plans bonus for civil servants in 2004 The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is planning to provide bonuses equal to a month's salary for civil servants starting next year in order to help improve their welfare, Minister of Finance Boediono said on Thursday. "We can accommodate this in next year's state budget," he told reporters on the sidelines of the 57th Finance Day.

TV Today: Friday, October 31, 2003

TV Today: Friday, October 31, 2003 .TB.30" .90" TVRI .tb .30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:30 TV Drama: Lorong Waktu 8:00 TV Drama: Mat Angin 9:00 Religious Teachings 10:00 Quiz: Dibisikin 11:30 Friday Prayers 12:30 p.m.

Air Force launches crash probe

Air Force launches crash probe Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor, West Java Air Force chief Marshall Cheppy Hakim ordered an investigation on Thursday into the crash of a Sikorsky S-58T Twin Pack helicopter at the Atang Sanjaya airfield, which claimed seven lives. He revealed his order to the press after the funerals of five of the fatalities at the Dredet Heroes Cemetery in Bogor. Cheppy said that the test flight had followed the proper procedures.

2 x 28

2 x 28 Workers, employers fail to agree on minimum wage 1 x 39 Maid's body arrives home after 2 months JP/5/SAMPAH 2 x 9 Medan to get tough on waste

1. POSO: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18

1. POSO: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 JI suspects say Poso attacker is comrade: Da'i 2. CRASH: 32 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 32 Air Force launches crash probe 3. EVICTION: 32 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 32 City won't give evictees shelters 4. SUSUL: 28 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 20 President Bush needs fear for reelection 5. ODD: 20 pt, 2 cols, 1 x 28 Man uses ears to pull minibus

Kogas to buy up to 1m tons of LNG

Kogas to buy up to 1m tons of LNG The Jakarta Post, Jakarta South Korean gas company Korean Gas (Kogas) is looking to buy up to one million tons per annum of liquefied natural gas from Indonesia as part of a short term contract, an official said on Thursday.

Parties urge Yusril's dismissal

Parties urge Yusril's dismissal JAKARTA: The leaders of 12 political parties that failed to pass the preliminary screening for next's year general election asked legislators on Thursday to support their efforts to secure the dismissal of Minister of Justice and Human Right Yusril Ihza Mahendra. The leaders said Yusril was responsible for their parties' failure to pass the screening because he was in charge of the verification team assigned to audit the parties.

Angie blames hectic schedule for dismal run

Angie blames hectic schedule for dismal run Musthofid The Jakarta Post Jakarta Hectic play schedule was blamed for Angelique 'Angie' Widjaja's dismal run in the 2003 season, which has seen her singles' world ranking drop from a career high 55 to the current 73. Angie will have played 25 tournaments when she defends her title at the Volvo Women's Open in Pattaya, Thailand, early November.

[b]From 'pilkades'to

From 'pilkades'to presidential elections From village chief to presidential elections, they're all the same or From elections for village chief to president, they're all the same or Presidential hopefuls should learn from village chiefs Kornelius Purba Staff Writer The Jakarta Post Jakarta korpur@yahoo.com 2.

Australia extends A$45m to strengthen ASEAN

Australia extends A$45m to strengthen ASEAN Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A A$45 million (US$31.72 million) aid program provided by the Australian government to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was officially launched on Wednesday evening in Jakarta.

Two more suspects in Bali bombings stand trial

Two more suspects in Bali bombings stand trial Wahyoe Boediwardhana The Jakarta Post Denpasar, Bali The Denpasar District Court began on Thursday the trial of two more suspects in the Bali bombings as part of the lengthy efforts to bring those believed responsible for the terrorist attacks to justice. Sarjio, alias Syawad, alias Zaenal Abidin, and Suranto Abdul Ghoni, alias Umar, alias Wayan, are charged with assembling the bombs that killed 202 people, mostly foreigners, on Oct. 12, 2002.

[b]

New world order or new world disorder? Francesco M. Greco and Fabio Scarpello Jakarta 2. NATION -- Thai culture must give more justice to women 2 X 30 Thai culture must give more justice to women or Thai culture must render justice for its women, decriminalize prostitution or Thai culture must end denial, render justice for its women Pavin Chachavalpongpun The Nation Asia News Network Bangkok

From `pilkades'to presidential elections

From `pilkades'to presidential elections Kornelius Purba, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, korpur@yahoo.com Attention please, any Indonesian who thinks no one other than himself or herself could defeat the incumbent President Megawati Soekarnoputri in July's direct presidential election. They should humble themselves and learn the real meaning of democracy from the most authentic direct election of leaders in this country.

RI's first drugs maximum security prison opens

RI's first drugs maximum security prison opens Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Alarmed by the rising number of drug-related crimes, the government opened on Thursday the country's first ever maximum security prison for drug dealers in Cipinang, East Jakarta. The three-story narcotics penitentiary, the first of 17 prisons the government will set up nationwide, is also expected to ease congestion at prisons in Jakarta and surrounding areas.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 30, 2003

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 30, 2003 ___________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,050 0 0 Adindo Foresta 50 0 0 AGIS Tbk 90 0 182,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 70 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 145 -75 1,500 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 1,200 0 0 Alter Abadi Tbk 25 0 1,310,000 Alumindo Light 230 0...

Banten haj dormitory to be built in Curug

Banten haj dormitory to be built in Curug Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang The Tangerang regency administration has finalized its proposal for the construction of the Banten provincial haj dormitory on an 11-hectare plot of land in Curug district, some 15 kilometers southwest of the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Danamon enjoys strong profit from lending, fee-based income

Danamon enjoys strong profit from lending, fee-based income Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Danamon, the country's fifth largest bank in terms of assets, announced on Thursday its net profit surged by 44 percent in the first nine months of this year compared to the same period last year on the back of higher income from interest and fees. The bank said net profit increased to Rp 1.04 trillion (US$122 million) from Rp 725 billion.

I

I WELCOME BOSS! Stephen Hicks (left), Intercontinental Hotels Group's Vice President for Operation for Southeast Asian region greets Surya Paloh (center), owner of PT Citra Jimbaran Indah Hotel. They are accompanied by Amadeo Zarzoza, general manager of Bali Intercontinental resort.

President commutes Oki's death sentence to life

President commutes Oki's death sentence to life Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri has commuted the death sentence of convicted murderer Harnoko Dewantoro alias Oki to life imprisonment. Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said on Thursday that Oki's death sentence had been commuted recently after a process that lasted almost a year. "I submitted the request and I've since heard that the President acceded to it.

100 houses gutted in W. Jakarta's Tanah Sereal

100 houses gutted in W. Jakarta's Tanah Sereal The Jakarta Post, Jakarta At least 300 people were left homeless on the fourth day of Ramadhan after fire razed some 100 houses in Tanah Sereal subdistrict, Tambora district, West Jakarta, on Thursday. Strong winds and difficulty in accessing the area hampered the firemen's efforts to extinguish the blaze, which started at about 1 p.m. So far, no fatalities have been reported. "The fire was totally extinguished by 5 p.m.

Bekasi says no to Jakarta on dumpsite

Bekasi says no to Jakarta on dumpsite Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Bekasi municipal administration declined to respond to the Jakarta administration's hope to extend its contract for the 104- hectare Bantar Gebang dump. The decision will likely cause a waste crisis for Jakartans in the near future.

Scam torpedoes BNI profit

Scam torpedoes BNI profit Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Net profits at the publicly-listed Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), the country's second largest bank in terms of assets, plunged by 45 percent in the first nine months of this year due to a huge loan scandal.

Govt to decide on Aceh martial law

Govt to decide on Aceh martial law JAKARTA: The government will decide on Monday whether to extend the martial law that has been imposed in Aceh since May 19. Secretary to the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Sudi Silalahi, said on Thursday the decision would be taken during a limited Cabinet meeting presided over by President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Arifin sees politics behind charges

Arifin sees politics behind charges JAKARTA: Businessman Arifin Panigoro said on Thursday the reinstatement of corruption charges against him were linked to his position as an outspoken politician. "This is an old story. I invited you here to tell you that this is an old story," Arifin of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) told the media at his residence in South Jakarta.

Integrated financial authority must supervise financial conglomerates

Integrated financial authority must supervise financial conglomerates Fajar Hidayat, Financial Market Analyst, Jakarta Establishing the Financial Services Authority Institution (FSAI) is one of the actions planned in the financial sector reform under the Indonesian Post-IMF economic reform program. The FSAI will be set up as a fully-integrated financial supervisor, authorized to regulate and supervise all types of financial institutions within the financial market, i.e.

1. MAHATHIR 1x30

1. MAHATHIR 1x30 Malaysia's angry 'Old Man' bows out 2. GUESS1 1x30 Stefani opens hot clothing line 3. GUESS2 1x30 Travolta to MC flight centennial

Malaysia's angry `Old Man' bows out

Malaysia's angry `Old Man' bows out Simon Cameron-Moore, Reuters, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia's former angry young man is about to end his political life as an angry old one. "I like to speak my mind. Sometimes people don't like it," Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad told an interviewer this year as he prepared for retirement on Fiday after 22 years in power. Born in 1925, Asia's second longest serving elected leader had his world view shaped by life under British colonial rule.

Solving problem of garbage

Solving problem of garbage From Koran Tempo Garbage seems to be a perennial problem in major cities across the country. One of the difficulties in solving this problem is the lack of space for a final dumping site. Unless this problem is properly solved, it may cause society many other serious problems in the future. In fact, there is an alternative solution: The use of an incinerator.

`A leader must not let people suffer'

`A leader must not let people suffer' Some say that the numerous and complex problems faced by Indonesia stem from the country's leaders. They have been accused of incompetence and a lack of goodwill. What then makes a good leader? Three youths respond to the Youth Pledge Day by sharing their criteria for an ideal leader with The Jakarta Post. Agung, 24, is a student of the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB).

Two more suspects in Bali bombings stand trial

Two more suspects in Bali bombings stand trial Wahyoe Boediwardhana The Jakarta Post Denpasar, Bali The Denpasar District Court began on Thursday the trial of two more suspects in the Bali bombings as part of the lengthy efforts to bring those believed responsible for the terrorist attacks to justice. Sarjio, alias Syawad, alias Zaenal Abidin, and Suranto Abdul Ghoni, alias Umar, alias Wayan, are charged with assembling the bombs that killed 202 people, mostly foreigners, on Oct. 12, 2002.

Freeport: No need for Grasberg force majeure

Freeport: No need for Grasberg force majeure OsterDow Jones, Singapore PT Freeport Indonesia said on Thursday it doesn't foresee the need to declare a force majeure despite the partial closure of its Grasberg mine. "We are in close contact with our customers, but at this moment, we don't have to declare a force majeure," a company spokesman told OsterDowJones. Parts of the open pit mine at PT Freeport's Grasberg operations in West Papua have been closed since Oct.

City won't give evictees shelters

City won't give evictees shelters Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta administration will not provide temporary shelters for evictees, including infants and pregnant women, even though the rainy season has already begun, bringing with it heightened potential for illnesses and infections.

Street vendors protest planned eviction

Street vendors protest planned eviction YOGYAKARTA: More than 300 street vendors, who live along the banks of Mataram River in Sleman regency here, rejected on Thursday a plan by the Sleman government to evict them. Riding a truck, five cars and dozens of motorcycles, the street vendors descended on the official residence of Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X here to solicit support from him to cancel the plan.

Charged Kopassus chief can't understand why witnesses feel bullied

Charged Kopassus chief can't understand why witnesses feel bullied The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) Commander Maj. Gen. Sriyanto Muntrasan denied on Thursday allegations that his troops intimidated witnesses of the 1984 Tanjung Priok tragedy not to testify against him. He urged any witnesses to file a legal complaint with the Military Police if they received such threats during the ongoing trial.

For better conflict management: Break taboo on the F-word

For better conflict management: Break taboo on the F-word After decades of maintaining "harmony" by the sweeping of sensitive issues under the carpet, at the cost of thousands of lives lost in armed conflict, Indonesians are slowly realizing that they must learn to deal with and live with their differences -- through means other than violence. The Jakarta Post's Ati Nurbaiti talked to conflict resolution expert Johan Galtung, founder of the Transcend International organization.

Rote Ndao gets new regent

Rote Ndao gets new regent KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Rote Ndao regency legislative council elected on Thursday running mates Christian Nehemia Dillak and Bernard E. Pelle as regent and deputy regent of the Rote Ndao regency for the 2003-2008 term. The pair, who contested the election on the Golkar Party ticket, defeated a rival pair from the ruling party Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Melkianus Adoe and Frids Fanggidae.

Breaking taboos for better conflict management

Breaking taboos for better conflict management After decades of maintaining "harmony" by the sweeping of sensitive issues under the carpet, at the cost of thousands of lives lost in armed conflict, Indonesians are slowly realizing that they must learn to deal with and live with their differences -- through means other than violence. The Jakarta Post's Ati Nurbaiti talked to conflict resolution expert Johan Galtung, founder of the Transcend International organization.

* Headlines:JI members identify Poso attackers as comrade: Da'i

* Headlines:JI members identify Poso attackers as comrade: Da'i 2 * National:3 more parties accepted in KPU's selection process 4 * Archipelago:Workers, employers fail to agree on minimum wage 5 * Opinion:New world order or new world disorder?

BP's East Java gas contract to be extended

BP's East Java gas contract to be extended The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Oil and Gas Upstream Authority Body (BP Migas) confirmed that BP Indonesia, the local unit of Anglo-American energy giant BP Plc., will get an extension of its contract to manage Terang Sirasun gas block in East Java. BP Migas chief Rachmat Sudibyo said the government would issue a regulation at the end of this year to extend oil and gas contracts. "The regulation will regulate the extension of various contracts.

RENOVATION PROJECTS: The Bali Intercontinental Resort is

RENOVATION PROJECTS: The Bali Intercontinental Resort is renovating its rooms, including its exclusive suites, lobby and spa facilities to ensure more comfort and convenience for its guests.

JP/5/SAMPAH

JP/5/SAMPAH Medan enacts tougher bylaw on sanitary Apriadi Gunawan The Jakarta Post Medan, North Sumatra The Medan municipality government and legislative council agreed on Thursday to impose a new bylaw on sanitary, which would carry a severe fine or a jail sentence for those who throw garbage anywhere in the city.

AP/Achmad Ibrahim

AP/Achmad Ibrahim FUNERAL OF CRASH VICTIMS: Indonesian Air Force soldiers carry the coffins of helicopter crash victims during a funeral in Bogor, West Java. An Air Force helicopter crashed at an air strip on the southern outskirts of the Indonesian capital on Wednesday, killing all seven people aboard, a spokesman said.

Angie blames hectic schedule for dismal run

Angie blames hectic schedule for dismal run The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A hectic play schedule has been blamed for Angelique 'Angie' Widjaja's dismal run in the 2003 season, which has seen her singles' world ranking drop from a career high 55 to the current 73. Angie will have played 25 tournaments when she defends her title at the Volvo Women's Open in Pattaya, Thailand, early November.

Two more suspects in Bali terrorist attacks stand trial in Denpasar

Two more suspects in Bali terrorist attacks stand trial in Denpasar Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali The Denpasar District Court began on Thursday the trial of two more suspects in the Bali bombings as part of the lengthy efforts to bring those believed responsible for the terrorist attacks to justice.

Eviction: Who is to blame?

Eviction: Who is to blame? From Media Indonesia Evictions seem to be on the rise now, with the result that thousands of people have lost their homes and are consequently suffering both economically and psychologically. Economic hardships may prompt some of these evicted people to turn to crime, while the psychological impact of their plight may lead to hatred and revenge.

Kogas to buy up to 1m tons of LNG

Kogas to buy up to 1m tons of LNG The Jakarta Post Jakarta South Korean gas company Korean Gas (Kogas) is looking to buy up to one million tons per annum of liquefied natural gas from Indonesia as part of a short term contract, an official said on Thursday. "They want a short term contract of between 5 and 7 years, and we expect to reach a deal by February 2004," Eddy Purwanto, deputy for marketing with the Oil and Gas Implementing Body (BP Migas), told reporters on Thursday as quoted by Antara.

East Barito to get reforestation fund

East Barito to get reforestation fund PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: The central government has handed over a Rp 3.29 billion (US$411,250) fund to the newly established East Barito regency administration here, to finance a reforestation program in the area, an official said. Suharto, the project leader for the reforestation program, said that the reforestation program, which just started, would cover 449 hectares of land.

NISP reports 96% jump in net profit

NISP reports 96% jump in net profit JAKARTA: Publicly listed NISP Bank recorded a 96 percent increase in net profit in the third quarter of this year. Its net profit jumped from Rp 61 billion (US$7.22 million) in 2002 to Rp 119 billion in 2003. In a media release, the bank said a 70 percent increase in net interest margin pushed profits higher. The bank posted Rp 308 billion in net interest margin in the third quarter compared to Rp 181 billion in the same period last year.

U.S. Senate bars RI aid over Papua murders

U.S. Senate bars RI aid over Papua murders Reuters, Washington The U.S. Senate has moved to block some military aid to Indonesia to show displeasure over Jakarta's response to the killing of two American teachers in its rebellious Papua province last year. The Senate quietly agreed late on Tuesday to cut off US$400,000 in military training assistance that would have gone to Indonesia next year in an $18.4 billion foreign aid bill. The House of Representatives passed a similar ban in July.

Australia extends A$45m to strengthen ASEAN economy

Australia extends A$45m to strengthen ASEAN economy Sari P. Setiogi The Jakarta Post Jakarta A A$45 million (US$31.72 million) aid program provided by the Australian government to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was officially launched on Wednesday evening in Jakarta.

JP/4/PRIOK

JP/4/PRIOK Charged Kopassus chief denies intimidation of witnesses The Jakarta Post Jakarta The Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) Commander Maj. Gen. Sriyanto Muntrasan denied on Thursday allegations that his troops intimidated witnesses of the 1984 Tanjung Priok tragedy not to testify against him. He urged any witnesses to file a legal complaint with the Military Police if they received such threats during the ongoing trial.

Rupiah, Taiwan Dollar Strengthen: Asian Currencies

Rupiah, Taiwan Dollar Strengthen: Asian Currencies Bloomberg Jakarta The Indonesian rupiah rose for a second day after a group that included the Singapore government's investment arm won its bid for a 51 percent stake in PT Bank Internasional Indonesia. Indonesia's auction of the country's sixth-largest bank and the proposed sale of two other lenders boosted expectations of increased demand for the rupiah.

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, October 31, 2003

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, October 31, 2003 Exhibitions * Painting Buah, by Munadi, Galeri Milenium, D'Best Shopping Center, Blok B-23, Jl. R.S. Fatmawati No. 15, South Jakarta (Tel. 7507828), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until Oct. 31. * Photo by Stefan Moses, GoetheHaus, Jl. Sam Ratulangi 9-15 Central Jakarta (Tel. 23550208), 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Nov. 5 - 17. * Children's Painting, at Galeri Mini, Pusat Kebudayaan Jepang - The Japan Foundation, Summitmas I, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav.

1. DISCOURSE: 1 LINE, 38 COUNTS

1. DISCOURSE: 1 LINE, 38 COUNTS Breaking taboos for better conflict management 2. TRIAL: 2 LINES, 24 COUNTS Two more suspects in Bali terrorist attacks stand trial 3. KPU: 1 LINE, 36 COUNTS Rules for selection of legislative candidates 4. AID: 2 LINES, 20 COUNTS U.S. Senate bars RI aid over Papua murders 5. BRIDE: 1 LINE, 40 COUNTS Indian groom to marry two brides at same time

Final three parties pass KPU screening

Final three parties pass KPU screening Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After several days of delay, the General Elections Commission (KPU) announced on Thursday the final three political parties had passed administrative screening and would proceed to field verifications. The three parties were identified as the Glorious Marhaen National Party, the Gotong Royong Party and the Indonesian Nationalist Unity Party.

Two more suspects in Bali bombings stand trial

Two more suspects in Bali bombings stand trial Wahyoe Boediwardhana The Jakarta Post Denpasar, Bali The Denpasar District Court began on Thursday the trial of two more suspects in the Bali bombings as part of the lengthy efforts to bring those believed responsible for the terrorist attacks to justice. Sarjio, alias Syawad, alias Zaenal Abidin, and Suranto Abdul Ghoni, alias Umar, alias Wayan, are charged with assembling the bombs that killed 202 people, mostly foreigners, on Oct. 12, 2002.

APP signs debt restructuring deal

APP signs debt restructuring deal Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Asia Pulp & Paper Co. (APP) signed on Thursday a long-sought deal to restructure US$6.7 billion in debts owed by its four Indonesian units. The company signed the restructuring agreement with the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), and creditors led by nine foreign government export-credit agencies. IBRA is APP's largest single creditor with some $1 billion owed.

Rules for selection of legislative candidates

Rules for selection of legislative candidates Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The General Elections Commission (KPU) has drafted a guideline to be used by political parties contesting the 2004 polls in recruiting their legislative candidates.

Amendments to the

Amendments to the 1945 Constitution From Republika If we study closely the amended 1945 Constitution, we will find that some articles overlap, leading to misinterpretation and endangering the integrity of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia. Let's see, for example, the contradiction between Article 18 and Article 33 of the amended Constitution.

JP/4/PRIOK

JP/4/PRIOK Charged Kopassus chief denies intimidation of witnesses The Jakarta Post Jakarta The Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) Commander Maj. Gen. Sriyanto Muntrasan denied on Thursday allegations that his troops intimidated witnesses of the 1984 Tanjung Priok tragedy not to testify against him. He urged any witnesses to file a legal complaint with the Military Police if they received such threats during the ongoing trial.

Too early to blame pilot in STABO incident: Maj. Gen.

Too early to blame pilot in STABO incident: Maj. Gen. The Jakarta Post, Jakarta National Military Police commander Maj. Gen. Sulaiman A.B. said on Thursday it was too soon to blame the pilot for the recent Stabilized Tactical Airborne Operation (STABO) accident that left eight Army Special Force (Kopassus) soldiers dead in Aceh.

2. BIEN2 -- 1 x 35

2. BIEN2 -- 1 x 35 Biennial Yogyakarta bursts with color

Man arrested for carrying arms

Man arrested for carrying arms TANGERANG: A man was arrested upon his arrival on Wednesday from Lisbon at 5:40 p.m. on KLM 837 at Terminal II, Soekarno- Hatta International Airport, for illegal possession of firearms. An airport custom and excise officer, Abdul Aziz, said the suspect was Kabul Slamet, 48, who lived on Jl. H. Awaludin, Kebon Melati subdistrict, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.

Asian airlines must prepare for major shakeup: Qantas chief

Asian airlines must prepare for major shakeup: Qantas chief Agence France-Presse Singapore The Asian airline industry must prepare for major structural changes to capitalize on a projected surge in travel demand, Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon said here on Thursday. Changes in the travel market, customer needs and the success of no-frills carriers are putting pressure on the industry to consolidate and innovate traditional business models, he said.

A chronology of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad

A chronology of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad Major events in the life of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who retires Friday after more than 22 years in power: * Dec. 20, 1925: Born in Alor Setar, northern Malaysia, where his father is a teacher. A hard-working and bright student, he eventually enrolls in medical school in Singapore. * 1946: Joins the United Malays National Organization the year it is founded.

Biennial Yogyakarta VII takes on a new look

Biennial Yogyakarta VII takes on a new look Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta After a four-year absence, Biennial Yogyakarta VII 2003 is finally being held and presents over 20 individual or group works of over 30 local artists. Among the participating artists include Agus Suwage, Anusapati, Dadang Christanto, Heri Dono, Mella Jaarsma, Hanura Hosea, Bambang 'Toko' Witjaksono, Bunga Jeruk Permata Pekerti, Pius Sigit Kuncoro, S. Teddy D., Sekar Jatiningrum, and Ugo Untoro.

Yogyakarta art festival bursts with color

Yogyakarta art festival bursts with color Kuss Indarto, Contributor, Yogyakarta Artwork is often controversial. In the case of the Biennale Yogyakarta VIII, the fuss was made before the artwork was even hung. It seems that the selection process for the exhibition -- which ends today. -- was less than satisfactory to the artists, who began to let their artistic natures show. First, the artists used an old argument, why should artist A be selected over artist B?

Mahathir leaves new leader to mop up

Mahathir leaves new leader to mop up Simon Cameron-Moore, Reuters, Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad always courted international attention, but in his last days in power he got more than he bargained for. Suddenly, by railing against perceived Jewish world domination, the leader of a small Southeast Asian nation became big, bad news in small-town newspapers across the United States and Western Europe.

Street vendors protest planned eviction

Street vendors protest planned eviction YOGYAKARTA: More than 300 street vendors, who live along the banks of Mataram River in Sleman regency here, rejected on Thursday a plan by the Sleman government to evict them. Riding a truck, five cars and dozens of motorcycles, the street vendors descended on the official residence of Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X here to solicit support from him to cancel the plan.

JI suspects say Poso attacker is comrade: Da'i

JI suspects say Poso attacker is comrade: Da'i The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Detainees arrested for their roles in a string of bomb explosions in the country have identified one of the dead attackers in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, as an accomplice, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said. Da'i told reporters here on Thursday that several suspects now in police custody for their role in the Bali blast and JW Marriott Hotel bombing identified one of the dead perpetrators as Madong.

Workers and employers fail to agree on minimum wage

Workers and employers fail to agree on minimum wage Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi Councillors, labor leaders and businesspeople failed to reach an agreement here on Thursday over whether to raise minimum wages of workers in South Sulawesi province next year. Those present at the meeting with the South Sulawesi legislative council's Commission E for the economy became embroiled in a heated debate as they stood by their respective stances on the issue.

Next elections won't produce new leaders: Analyst

Next elections won't produce new leaders: Analyst Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Next year's general elections will result in the same unqualified, corrupt leaders heading the nation, political analyst Arbi Sanit said on Thursday. And these same leaders had designed the law to ensure that was the case, he said.

Mandiri's asset revaluation approved

Mandiri's asset revaluation approved Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Mandiri said that its shareholders had approved a proposal to revalue the publicly listed bank's assets in a move to eliminate retained losses with paid in capital. The approval for the asset revaluation, based on the bank's consolidated financial statement of April 30, 2003, was given at an extraordinary shareholders meeting on Thursday.

Maid's body arrives home after 2 months

Maid's body arrives home after 2 months ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya The body of Sunarsih Sawit, an Indonesian worker who died in Malaysia two months ago, arrived home here on Thursday aboard a plane from Kuala Lumpur. Her remains were later transported to her hometown of Madiun, East Java, by an ambulance after the Malaysian Airways plane landed in Juanda Airport, Surabaya. Her relatives, who welcomed Sunarsih's body at the airport, were dry-eyed.

Marriott suspects say more attacks planned

Marriott suspects say more attacks planned The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bandung/Cirebon Two JW Marriott Hotel bombing suspects, who were arrested on Wednesday morning, told police that their cohorts were planning more bomb attacks in the country, National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said here on Thursday. The suspects, Tohir alias Masrizal and Ismail alias Ricky Putranto, said the bombing plans had been organized by Dr.

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