Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 21 November 2003

83 articles found

Fitch upgrades RI's sovereign rating

Fitch upgrades RI's sovereign ratingThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta International rating agency Fitch Ratings said on Thursday it had upgraded Indonesia's currency rating by one notch, a move that could help improve investor confidence ahead of the government's international bond offering next year.

No plan to replace Matori: Ministry

No plan to replace Matori: Ministry JAKARTA: The government reiterated on Thursday that there were no immediate plans to replace defense minister Matori Abdul Djalil, who has been unable to discharge his duties since suffering a stroke in August.

Bus drivers tested for drugs, alcohol

Bus drivers tested for drugs, alcoholTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Thousands of holidaymakers were seen swarming the city's bus terminals, train stations, and seaport on Thursday, heading for their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fitri which is only four days away.

Beware politicians

Beware politicians bearing giftsFrom Media IndonesiaAs the 2004 general election nears, we should be alert for various political occurrences that could prevent the people from going to the polls, such as political violence and security disturbances.

Uniting against corruption

Uniting against corruption Weeks have now elapsed since two of this nation's biggest Muslim organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, formally proclaimed their resolve to join forces to battle the scourge of corruption that has been plaguing this country for so many decades.

Jakarta's planned monorail trains: New but not the aspirin

Jakarta's planned monorail trains: New but not the aspirin In the original plan Jakarta monorail trains were intended to connect Jakarta and its outlying areas of Bekasi in the east and Tangerang in the west, but the dedicated scheme was altered because the Jakarta administration had to bow down to...

JP/3/priok

JP/3/priokKopassus chief must stand for Priok trial: Judge Urip Hudiono and Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post Jakarta The Jakarta Human Rights Court on Thursday stressed that the defendant Maj. Gen. Sriyanto Muntrasan, now the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) commander, must stand trial for crimes...

Mega, Hamzah to receive well-wishers

Mega, Hamzah to receive well-wishers JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz will hold an open house on Nov. 25, the first day of Idul Fitri, to receive well-wishers.Megawati and husband Taufik Kiemas will receive greetings from the public for two hours starting at...

Quality of Indonesian CPO

Quality of Indonesian CPOFrom Bisnis Indonesia Some five million tons of Indonesia's crude palm oil (CPO) cannot be traded due to damage. According to palm oil plant expert Takal Barus (Bisnis Indonesia, Oct. 23), improper processing in state-owned estate companies' plants has caused the damage.

Plan to have GAM listed as terrorist group still on

Plan to have GAM listed as terrorist group still onFabiola Desy Unidjaja and Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Banda Aceh Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said the government has not dropped the option of having the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) included on the United Nations' list of...

Money dealers enjoy brisk holiday trade

Money dealers enjoy brisk holiday tradeThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Travelers going home for Idul Fitri do not have to look far to find crisp money in small denominations to give away to children in their home villages as a way to spread happiness during the holiday.

JP/3/priok

JP/3/priokKopassus chief must stand for Priok trial: Judge Urip Hudiono and Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post Jakarta The Jakarta Human Rights Court on Thursday stressed that the defendant Maj. Gen. Sriyanto Muntrasan, now the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) commander, must stand trial for crimes...

City sets Rp 12.16t budget for next year

City sets Rp 12.16t budget for next yearBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta City Administration is proposing some Rp 12.158 trillion (US$1.43 billion) for the 2004 city budget, or a 10.68 percent increase from the previous year's budget of Rp 11.563 trillion.

* Headlines:Kopassus general must stand trial in Priok cases 2

* Headlines:Kopassus general must stand trial in Priok cases 2 * National: House endorses formation of 24 new regencies 4 * Archipelago: Regent urged to step down after Flores riot 5 * Opinion: Acehnese brace for Idul Fitri 6 * City: Armed robberies soar in Jakarta as Idul Fitri nears 8 * Sports:...

Telkom to allocate 40% of profit as dividend

Telkom to allocate 40% of profit as dividendRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-controlled telecommunications company PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) said on Thursday it planned to allocate 40 percent of its 2003 net profit for dividends next year.

How RI can be a First World nation

How RI can be a First World nationPatrick Guntensperger, Business Consultant, Jakarta, ttpguntensperger@hotmail.com The Republic of Indonesia has everything it needs to take its place among the nations of the First World.

KL monorail trains attract enthusiasts

KL monorail trains attract enthusiastsBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia reached another milestone after the big hit of its own national automotive products, Proton and Saga, with the recent launch of Kuala Lumpur Monorail trains.

UEFA reviews Turkey matches

UEFA reviews Turkey matches European football's governing body UEFA said on Thursday they were urgently reviewing security in Turkey following Thursday's blasts in Istanbul to decide if two matches will be played next week.

Hammering the point

Hammering the pointFrom Warta Kota The director general of transportation has issued a decision dated Oct. 15, 2003 stipulating that all public buses must have with hammers and fire extinguishers.This decision is a response to several accidents involving public buses in which many passengers died...

Monorails of Asia

Monorails of AsiaLocation Note OpeningSentosa Island, Singapore -- Long loop system through a lot of greenery. To be replaced with Hitachi Small Monorail. Opening 1981Lotte World, Korea, -- Indoor-outdoor minirail. 1986Jurong Birdpark, Singapore -- Visitors enjoy aerial view with birds.

Indonesia mourns Badminton legend

Indonesia mourns Badminton legendZakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian badminton icon, Ferdinand Alexander Sonneville, better known as Ferry Sonneville, the founder of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) and former president of the International Badminton Federation (IBF),...

Kopassus general 'must stand trial in Priok case'

Kopassus general 'must stand trial in Priok case'Urip Hudiono and Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Human Rights Court on Thursday stressed that the defendant Maj. Gen. Sriyanto Muntrasan, now the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) commander, must stand trial for crimes against...

Martial law in Aceh

Martial law in AcehFrom Media Indonesia The security situation in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province is now relatively under control thanks to the hard work of the security agencies in eradicating the armed separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) since the start of martial law there.

Former GAM members to celebrate Idul Fitri at home

Former GAM members to celebrate Idul Fitri at homeNani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Maulidarrahmi, 18, a former member of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) smiled when she was told that had been granted permission to spend ten days at home to celebrate Idul Fitri.

Aussie travel agents to visit NTB

Aussie travel agents to visit NTB MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: At least 40 travel agents from Perth, Australia, are slated to visit tourist resorts in West Nusa Tenggara province (NTB), said vice chairman of the Lombok- Sumbawa Tourism Promotions Board Rosa Stuart.

'Arisan' money goes missing

'Arisan' money goes missing JAKARTA: The high hopes of over 200 lottery participants to win big money ahead of Idul Fitri celebration were bitterly dashed on Thursday when they discovered that the lottery coordinator had disappeared, and with her Rp 1.3 billion (US$153,000) in cash.

Namesake award, choir marks Miriam's 80th bash

Namesake award, choir marks Miriam's 80th bash There was no birthday cake for senior scholar Miriam Budiardjo prepared by her colleagues when she celebrated her anniversary on Thursday.They decided to present her with a more 'insightful gift'.

Acehnese at Idul Fitri

Acehnese at Idul Fitri Kornelius Purba The Jakarta Post Jakarta Purba@thejakartapost.com 2. Pro21 -- Playing at democracy 1 x 30'Eli beli': Playing at democracy Kaushik Basu Professor of Economics Project Syndicate3.

'Traffic and obligations diminish Idul Fitri'

'Traffic and obligations diminish Idul Fitri' Holidaymakers have started to leave the city to celebrate Idul Fitri, which will fall on Nov. 25, in their hometowns. The much- awaited holiday is for many the only time in the year when they get to meet their families, which makes all the expense and...

Motorcycle sales up by 2.3%

Motorcycle sales up by 2.3%The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Sales of new motorcycles in October increased by 2.3 percent to 291,115 units from the level in the previous month, the Indonesian Automotive Industry Association (Gaikindo) said on Thursday.

Germany provides technical assistance to help SMEs

Germany provides technical assistance to help SMEsSandy Darmosumarto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian and German governments signed on Thursday a declaration of intention to establish Business Technology Centers (BTC) in Batam, Yogyakarta and Jakarta.

Achieving

Achieving national discipline It is amazing that the problem of transition toward democracy, which has characterized Indonesian political development during the past five years, has recently triggered a hectic debate between scholars and commentators.

2. 2 x 27

2. 2 x 27 Former GAM members to celebrate Idul Fitri at home 3. 2 x 20 Media backs restriction on political party ads 4. 2 x 30 City residents dissatisfied with the House performance Several KPK candidates questionable: NGO

RI-U.S. relations

RI-U.S. relations CORRECTION: The headline title Why RI and U.S. cannot become better friends on page 7 of the Nov. 20, 2003, issue misrepresents the central theme of the article and should be replaced with "How RI and U.S. could become better friends." We apologize for the inconvenience. - Editor

Eight arrested for embezzlement

Eight arrested for embezzlement MANADO, North Sulawesi: North Sulawesi Police arrested on Thursday eight people on suspicion of embezzling Rp 5.4 billion (US$635,294) from a compensation fund under a transmigration program.

Regent told to step down after Flores riot

Regent told to step down after Flores riotYemris Fointuna The Jakarta Post Kupang, East Nusa TenggaraThe Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), the largest faction in the East Flores Regency Council, proclaimed on Thursday that it had withdrawn support for Regent Felix Fernandez...

Suspect bank officers in BNI scam start mudslinging

Suspect bank officers in BNI scam start mudslingingAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank officers in the Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) scam have responded to the high profile graft case by slinging a startling array of mud at one other.Rivai M.

Sympathetic campaigns

Sympathetic campaigns From TempoGeneral election campaigns by mobilizing masses of people as a show of force, which frequently causes traffic congestion and even triggers conflict, should now be abandoned.

Land allocated for transmigrants

Land allocated for transmigrants UNA AHA, Southeast Sulawesi: The Kendari administration has allocated 1,000 hectares of land in Asera, Latoma and Abuki districts toward a transmigration program."The land has been prepared to welcome some 500 families," Kendari vice regent Tony Herbiansysh said...

Rupiah Rates Nov.20

Rupiah Rates Nov.20 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling BuyingAustralian dollar------1 6,498.87 5,771.98 6,167.78 6,102.84 Brunei dollar----------1 5,247.18 4,660.79 4,979.86 4,927.86 Canadian dollar--------1 6,896.82 6,127.30 6,545.45 6,478.53 Swiss franc------------1 6,899.99 6,130.

Mitsubishi, Honda to recall cars

Mitsubishi, Honda to recall cars TOKYO: Two Japanese automakers, Mitsubishi and Honda, said on Thursday they will recall for repairs a total of at least 570,000 cars they had sold at home and abroad.Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

No paper

No paperIn observance of the Idul Fitri holiday and in line with government instructions, The Jakarta Post will not be published from Monday (Nov. 24) to Wednesday (Nov. 26). The Post will reappear on Thursday (Nov. 27).-- Publisher

Rupiah Rates Nov.20

Rupiah Rates Nov.20 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling BuyingAustralian dollar------1 6,498.87 5,771.98 6,167.78 6,102.84 Brunei dollar----------1 5,247.18 4,660.79 4,979.86 4,927.86 Canadian dollar--------1 6,896.82 6,127.30 6,545.45 6,478.53 Swiss franc------------1 6,899.99 6,130.

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

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov.20, 2003 ___________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk...

Parcel business very lucrative during holidays

Parcel business very lucrative during holidaysLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Cikini railway station, Central Jakarta, normally characterized by inner-city train commuters walking hither and thither, is currently attracting another type of person.Upcoming Idul Fitri on Nov. 25 and Nov.

Diplomatic mission to be trimmed

Diplomatic mission to be trimmedFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is planning to reduce the number of the country's representative offices around the globe in an effort to enhance the performance of its diplomatic missions.

House to withdraw presidency bill

House to withdraw presidency bill JAKARTA: The House of Representatives will withdraw a bill on the presidency that it had sent to President Megawati Soekarnoputri, saying the bill requires further revision.

Riau to send students to U.S., Japan

Riau to send students to U.S., JapanPEKANBARU, Riau: In order to improve the quality of its human resources, the Riau administration is to send 24 high school graduates on a scholarship program to the U.S. and Japan for undergraduate degrees.

TV Today: Friday, November 21, 2003

TV Today: Friday, November 21, 2003 .TB.30" .90"TVRI .tb .30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi7:30 TV Drama: Lorong Waktu8:00 TV Drama: Mat Angin9:00 Religious Teachings10:00 Quiz: Dibisikin11:30 Friday Prayers12:30 p.m.

Regent told to step down after Flores arson attack

Regent told to step down after Flores arson attackYemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), the largest faction in the East Flores Regency Council, proclaimed on Thursday that it had withdrawn support for Regent Felix...

House endorses 24 new regencies

House endorses 24 new regenciesKurniawan Hari and Moch N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives (DPR) on Thursday endorsed 13 bills on the establishment of 24 new regencies in 13 provinces throughout the country.

Porn defendant walks free

Porn defendant walks free JAKARTA: Central Jakarta District Court acquitted on Thursday the manager of a movie production house of charges of violating the law on obscenity.George Ivan alias Jos, manager of PT Indocho Rama, stood trial for producing pornographic videos disguised as a cast screening...

Media practitioners back restriction on political party advertisements

Media practitioners back restriction on political party advertisementsMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Media practitioners have agreed with the General Elections Commission (KPU) to limit advertisements placed by political parties in the mass media for the sake of equal opportunity for...

U.S. intelligence seeks foreign input in future study

U.S. intelligence seeks foreign input in future study Tabassum Zakaria Reuters Langley, VirginiaThe secretive U.S. intelligence community is reaching out to foreign experts around the world to help identify economic and security trends up to the year 2020, a senior U.S. intelligence official said.

Lack of model leaders

Lack of model leaders One of the nation's problems is its lack of model leaders. It is difficult for us to find a real leader who can set a good example to the nation. There may be some people with high leadership ability, but they -- unfortunately -- are not public officials with authority to lead...

City of shopping centers

City of shopping centers From Warta Kota Shopping centers have recently sprung up in almost every corner of Jakarta. While the construction of all these new shopping centers has made it easier for residents to go shopping, it is regrettable that they have been built with little heed for the...

No paper

No paperIn observance of the Idul Fitri holiday and in line with government instructions, The Jakarta Post will not be published from Monday (Nov. 24) to Wednesday (Nov. 26). The Post will reappear on Thursday (Nov. 27). -- Publisher

IMF may disburse last loan for RI next month

IMF may disburse last loan for RI next monthThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The International Monetary Fund (IMF) may disburse its final loan tranche to Indonesia next month under the four-year US$5 billion lending program, the Fund's representative David Nellor said on Thursday.

Acehnese at Idul Fitri

Acehnese at Idul FitriKornelius Purba, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, purba@thejakartapost.com In a conversation with The Jakarta Post on Thursday, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto described the security condition in Aceh as "safe as Jakarta", especially in...

Several KPK candidates questionable, NGO says

Several KPK candidates questionable, NGO saysMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Coalition of the Judiciary Observers has lashed out at the committee selecting candidates for seats on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), for choosing figures with questionable track...

Mandiri projects lending to grow 15% in 2004

Mandiri projects lending to grow 15% in 2004Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-controlled Bank Mandiri, the country's largest bank in terms of assets, said on Thursday that its lending volume was projected to grow by 15 percent next year.Mandiri president E.C.

Residents dissatisfied with House performance

Residents dissatisfied with House performanceKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The majority of people living in urban areas across the country are dissatisfied with the House of Representatives (DPR), believing the lawmakers are fighting for either the interests of their political parties...

From Koran Tempo

From Koran Tempo Now that the 2004 general election is approaching, we must all carefully watch the maneuvering of presidential candidates. While our government is still busy dealing with political violence and security affairs, some among the country's political leaders have been fishing in...

Texmaco wanted to produce weapons

Texmaco wanted to produce weapons JAKARTA: Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto proposed on Thursday that the ailing Texmaco company be turned into a defense firm producing military equipment, including weapons.

Bogus journalists demand bonus

Bogus journalists demand bonusApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra Hundreds of people claiming to be journalists have flooded offices in the North Sumatra capital city of Medan to demand Idul Fitri bonuses, many of them using coercion in their requests.

Chronic garbage mess in Mampang

Chronic garbage mess in MampangFrom Koran TempoCitizens of Mampang Prapatan, particularly Tegal Parang subdistrict, South Jakarta, have been complaining about poor garbage handling in the area, which has remained unsolved despite all the reports to relevant authorities.

Foreign firm to build oil refineries

Foreign firm to build oil refineries Japanese and Middle Eastern companies are interested in building oil refineries in Indonesia amid growing demand for oil products in the country, a senior official said on Thursday.

Indonesia mourns badminton legend

Indonesia mourns badminton legendZakki Hakim The Jakarta Post Jakarta Indonesian badminton legend, Ferdinand Alexander Sonneville, better known as Ferry Sonneville, the founder of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) and former president of the International Badminton Federation (IBF),...

Tangerang to clear riverbanks

Tangerang to clear riverbanks TANGERANG: Tangerang municipality authorities will next week demolish hundreds of houses and buildings illegally built along the banks of the river Cisadane, as part of efforts to prevent flooding."The administration is now beginning to implement Bylaw No.

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, November 21, 2003

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, November 21, 2003Exhibitions* Exhibition of antiqurian maps and prints of Indonesia form the 16th century to the present time, at Gedung Arsip Nasional (the National Archive Building), Jl. Gajah Mada 111, Central Jakarta, (Tel. 6347744), 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Dec.

Armed robberies soar as end of Ramadhan festivities begins

Armed robberies soar as end of Ramadhan festivities beginsDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Armed robberies and burglaries are on the rise as Idul Fitri, which will fall on Nov. 25 and 26, draws near. Over the past three days, at least three cases a day have been reported.

House endorses 24 new regencies

House endorses 24 new regencies Kurniawan Hari and Moch N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post JakartaThe House of Representatives (DPR) on Thursday endorsed 13 bills on the establishment of 24 new regencies in 13 provinces throughout the country.

Maluku refugees to be returned home

Maluku refugees to be returned homeM. Azis Tunny and Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Ambon/Makassar The Maluku administration will next month repatriate around 1,000 families, comprising 5,102 people, currently taking refuge in several camps across the province to their homes in neighboring...

Red Cross anticipates blood supply shortage on holidays

Red Cross anticipates blood supply shortage on holidaysP.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta branch of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) is struggling to maintain blood supplies to meet the expected high demand during the long official holiday, in cooperation with religious institutions,...

Malaysia to assess RP rebellion

Malaysia to assess RP rebellionMALAYSIA: Malaysia will soon send a team to assess the Muslim separatist rebellion in Mindanao in the southern Philippines before deciding whether to deploy cease-fire monitors there, a minister said on Thursday.

Police complete Rais' dossier

Police complete Rais' dossier JAKARTA: Police submitted the dossier of JW Marriott Hotel bombing suspect M. Rais to the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office on Thursday, paving the way for his trial at the Central Jakarta District Court."We have completed the investigation and interrogation of Rais.

1. GAM: 48 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 24

1. GAM: 48 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 24 Plan to have GAM listed as terrorist group still on 2. ENVOY: 30 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 30 Diplomatic missions to be streamlined 3. BUDGET: 28 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 40 City sets Rp 12.16t budget for next year 4. OBIT: 28 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 30 Indonesia mourns Badminton legend 5.

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

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov.20, 2003 ___________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk...

What if there had been no Mahathir?

What if there had been no Mahathir?Thang D. Nguyen, Program Coordinator, United in Diversity Forum, Jakarta As Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad of Malaysia retired after 22 years of leadership, it is interesting to ask, how and what would Malaysia be today, had he not been there? The answer to...

Evictees demand promised relief

Evictees demand promised relief JAKARTA: Hundreds of evictees from Cengkareng Timur, Jembatan Besi and Tanjung Duren Selatan, all in West Jakarta, held a protest on Thursday in front of the offices of the Coordinating Minister of People's Welfare and the Ministry of Social Affairs, demanding the...

JP/4/TKI

JP/4/TKI Law, bilateral agreements urgent for migrant workers A. Junaidi The Jakarta Post Jakarta The enactment of a law protecting migrant workers in receiving countries is much more urgently needed than the recently signed joint ministerial decree to set up advocacy teams overseas, observers said.

[b]What if there

What if there had been no Mahathir?Thang D. Nguyen Program Coordinator United in Diversity Forum Jakarta2. Power22 -- London's anti-war protesters should realize that the "Big Six" 2 X 21 The 'Big Six' are now rediscovering peace Jonathan Power Columnist London3.

Water rates issue

Water rates issue We would like to clarify some points relating to the water rates increase currently being discussed.We at Thames PAM Jaya (TPJ) are very aware of our responsibility to the community of East Jakarta that we serve and are committed to consistently delivering service improvements.