Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 10 December 2003

80 articles found

Buffalo runs amok, kills one

Buffalo runs amok, kills one KUDUS, Central Java: A buffalo that was about to be slaughtered for a wedding feast broke free from its pen and gored a villager to death in Kudus regency, Central Java, police have said. The beast injured two other people in Pedawang village, Bae subdistrict, before being shot dead by police on Monday. H. Rusdi, 63, died from his wounds while being rushed to the hospital, the local police said. One of the injured victims was described as a buffalo tamer.

Double-winner Sayadin leads RI's gold rush in rowing

Double-winner Sayadin leads RI's gold rush in rowing Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Hanoi Sayadin claimed two of Indonesia's four gold medals in canoeing as the country emerged as the dominant force on the water at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi, Vietnam on Tuesday. Sayadin battled against chilly winds and rain whipping over West Lake to snatch a last-gasp, come-from-behind victory in four minutes and 34.58 seconds in the 1000 meter event.

Cases of violence against women rising in NTB

Cases of violence against women rising in NTB Luh Putu Trisna Wahyuni, Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara. Cases of violence against women have continued to increase every year in West Nusa Tenggara province. Household violence topped cases of abuse against local women, followed by rapes and other crimes. Economic problems have been blamed for the increase of those cases.

Billions paid to redundant workers

Billions paid to redundant workers Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang State-owned insurance company PT Jamsostek has had to pay Rp 29 billion (US$3.41 million) in social security claims to thousands of workers from ten factories in Tangerang regency who were made redundant after ten factories were relocated to Vietnam this year. PT Jamsostek's Balaraja branch paid Rp 17 billion to about 5,000 workers while the company's Tangerang branch paid Rp 12 billion to more than 3,500 workers.

BP to sign LNG supply contract with U.S. firm

BP to sign LNG supply contract with U.S. firm The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Anglo-American energy giant BP Plc. is expected to sign an agreement next week to sell some 3 million tons per year of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to U.S.-based Sempra Energy, according to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro. The minister said that the LNG would come from BP's Tangguh gas field project in Papua province.

Maria takes the route others ignore

Maria takes the route others ignore T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta tabita@cbn.net.id Social injustice has long prevailed in Indonesia. And this is one of the main concerns of Maria Margaretha Hartiningsih, the winner of this year's Yap Thiam Hien human rights award. Maria, a senior journalist with the Kompas daily for almost 20 years, won the award because of her consistency in struggling against injustice through her writings.

Musthofid

Musthofid The Jakarta Post Hanoi Sayadin claimed two of Indonesia's four gold medals in canoeing as the country emerged as the dominant force on the water at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi, Vietnam on Tuesday. Sayadin battled against chilly winds and rain whipping over West Lake to snatch a last-gasp, come-from-behind victory in four minutes and 34.58 seconds in the 1000 meter event. Phone Myint Tayzar of Myanmar came second in 4:36.88, with Karn Khansuwan third in 4:52.47.

2 x 22

2 x 22 Two Malaysians held in Riau on drug charges JP/5/award 4 x 10 Yogyakarta university names award recipients NTB 1 x 47 Cases of violence against women rising in NTB JP/5/STPDN 1 x 30 Court begins STPDN killing trials JP/5/MILITIA 2 x 29 Ex-militiaman Guterres defers Papua plan for nationalist group

Asia steps up security ahead of Christmas

Asia steps up security ahead of Christmas Clarence Fernandez, Reuters, Singapore As Christmas approaches, Asian nations are tightening security and warning citizens against the risk of violence, drafting in helicopters in Pakistan, a judo champion in Japan and more police everywhere.

Santia dedicates cycling to late grandmother

Santia dedicates cycling to late grandmother Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Hanoi "I'm really happy that I could win a gold medal for the country. I'd love to present the victory to my late grandma," said 22-year old cyclist Santia Tri Kusuma of Indonesia. Santia, winner of the 30.6-kilometer criterium race earlier in the games, edged Thailand's Monrudee Chapookam by 0.72 seconds for a gold medal in the 90-kilometer mass start event on Tuesday.

Experts sceptical but back Mega's calls on BNI

Experts sceptical but back Mega's calls on BNI The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It remains to be seen whether calls from President Megawati Soekarnoputri to punish all the culprits behind a bank scandal reflect genuine concern about corruption or is simply a move to secure votes in the 2004 general election, analysts say.

Busway kicks off on Jan. 15

Busway kicks off on Jan. 15 Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta administration announced on Tuesday that the controversial busway will open on Jan. 15, in line with the extension and expansion of the three-in-one traffic policy. Each passenger will be charged Rp 2,500 (29 U.S. cents) per trip along the Blok M-Kota route. The buses will operate from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. The buses will be free for the first two weeks.

checked by Rich

checked by Rich Country Profile: Poland --- Friday, Dec. 12, 2003 Poland - An Ideal Trade Partner for Indonesia The last decade of the previous millennium has seen Poland emerge as the best example of a dynamic and successful economic and political transformation, while at the same time, as the fastest growing economy of Central and Eastern Europe. Few countries in the world have experienced such a steady growth during this period.

Futures conference to be held in Bali

Futures conference to be held in Bali The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Commodity market players, analysts and regulators from across Asia will gather in Bali for two days to discuss important issues related to the market and its role in nations' economic development. More than 100 participants are expected to gather for the International Conference on Futures Trading and Warehouse Receipts Financing in the Global Market slated to be held on Dec. 11 and Dec.

Two Malaysians held in Riau on drugs charges

Two Malaysians held in Riau on drugs charges Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam, Riau Police here said on Monday they had arrested two Malaysian nationals for allegedly possessing ecstasy pills in Tanjung Balai Karimun, Riau province. Kew Mook Fatt and Azman bin Nor were caught separately on Sunday and Monday respectively by local police. First Insp.

Medal tally

Medal tally G S B T Vietnam 73 32 36 141 Thailand 37 47 49 133 Indonesia 26 31 33 90 Malaysia 22 25 26 73 Philippines 21 21 41 83 Singapore 17 19 21 57 Myanmar 4 21 25 50 Cambodia 1 2 4 7 Laos 1 1 3 5 Brunei 0 1 5 6 Timor Leste 0 0 0 0

Nationalist spirit needed

Nationalist spirit needed From Suara Karya The human rights (HAM) institution in settling national issues arising in Indonesia applies methods that lack a sense of nationalism. In other words, it has apparently never struggled for national interests. Based on the 1945 Constitution, the HAM law and the HAM judicial procedure, the HAM institution functions not only as a means to try rights violation cases but also a means to prevent such violations.

Myanmar's role in ASEAN protested

Myanmar's role in ASEAN protested JAPAN: Pro-democracy demonstrators staged a protest on Tuesday in Tokyo against the participation of the head of Myanmar's military regime in a summit this week of Southeast Asian leaders. About 20 activists, mostly Myanmar nationals living in Tokyo, rallied outside the Japanese Foreign Ministry to protest the planned participation of Gen. Khin Nyunt, the prime minister of Myanmar's military regime, in the ASEAN summit this week.

SEA Games's medal tally

SEA Games's medal tally Country G S B T Vietnam 73 32 35 140 Thailand 37 46 49 132 Indonesia 25 30 33 88 Malaysia 22 25 26 73 Philippines 21 21 40 82 Singapore 16 19 21 56 Myanmar 4 21 25 50 Cambodia 1 2 4 7 Laos 1 1 3 5 Brunei 0 1 5 6 Timor Leste 0 0 0 0

Selected Results

Selected Results Beach Volleyball Women's group matches Group A 1. Mas 0 Vie 2 (12-21, 18-21), 2. Ina 2 Vie 0 (21-19, 21-17), 3. Tha 2 Mas 0 (21-11, 21-19), 4. Tha 2 Ina 0 (21-14, 21-10), 5. Ina 2 Mas 0 (21-11, 21-17), 6. Tha 2 Vie 0 (21-9, 21-11) Weightlifting Women's +48kg: 1. Kay Thi Win (Mya) 200kg, 2. Aree Wiratthaworn (Tha) 185, 3. Rosmainar (Ina) 177,5 Men's +56kg: 1. Jadi Setiadi (Ina) 270kg, 2. Hoang Anh Tuan (Vie) 265, 3. Mohd. Faizal Baharom (Mas) 252,5 Canoeing Men's 1000m K1: 1.

* Headlines: Rights Watchdogs give bad marks to govt 2

* Headlines: Rights Watchdogs give bad marks to govt 2 * National: KPK aspirants to undergo wealth checks 4 * Archipelago: Ex-militiaman defers Papua plan5 * Opinion: Illegal logging not just about law enforcement 7 * City: Water operators defend hike plan8 * Sports: Double-winner Sayadin leads RI's gold rush in rowing 9 * World: Suicide bomb attack kills six in Moscow 11 * Business: CGI convenes amid rising criticism 16 * Features: Is drinking wine good for your health? 20

Law revision may raise House seats

Law revision may raise House seats Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Seats in the House of Representatives may increase to 556 from 550 as stipulated in Law No. 12/2003 on elections, as lawmakers will soon amend the legislation. The decision to revise the law received full support from the General Elections Commission (KPU), which expects the amendment to take place before Dec. 22.

Ministers and legislators challenge judicial review

Ministers and legislators challenge judicial review Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two ministers and five legislators appeared for the first time before the Constitutional Court on Tuesday to defend a number of laws challenged by several judicial organizations claiming to represent the interests of the general public. Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro sat next to legislators A.

House to debate population bill

House to debate population bill Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives unanimously agreed on Tuesday to deliberate the draft revision of Law No. 10/1992, which seeks a jail term and fine for citizens who fail to report a child's birth or a family member's death.

Tobacco firms told to restructure

Tobacco firms told to restructure The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government repeated on Tuesday its pledge not to raise excise rates on cigarettes and alcoholic drinks next year to allow the industries to recover from a slump. Director general of customs and excise Eddy Abdurrahman called on the industries, particularly the tobacco industry, to restructure their businesses throughout next year and prepare themselves for an increase the following year.

Kadin to hold China trade expo

Kadin to hold China trade expo Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), together with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), are due to stage the China Export Products Fair 2003 to boost trade between both countries. About 70 companies from several provinces of China will participate in the fair, which will be held from Dec. 18 through Dec.

CGI convenes amid rising criticism

CGI convenes amid rising criticism The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) is set to start its two-day annual meeting on Wednesday to decide on a new loan commitment to help finance Indonesia's 2004 state budget, amid rising criticism of the donor grouping. As the CGI is expected to provide fresh loans at a range of US$2.3 billion to $3 billion, calls intensified on Tuesday for the country to stop foreign borrowing as it only burdens the country further.

Indonesian lifters off to winning start

Indonesian lifters off to winning start The Jakarta Post, Hanoi Jadi Setiadi and Gustar Junianto proved to be the strongest lifters in their divisions, as Indonesia won two out of three gold medals on offer on the opening day of the weightlifting competition here on Tuesday. Jadi won the men's 56kg category with the best total lift of 270 kg, while Gustar put his recent suspension behind him to lift a total of 290 kg in the men's 62kg division.

KPK aspirants to undergo wealth checks, House says

KPK aspirants to undergo wealth checks, House says Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post , Jakarta Despite previously stating otherwise, the House of Representatives (DPR) has decided to conduct a fresh round of screening for candidates for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). A. Teras Narang, chairman of House Commission II for legal and home affairs, said on Tuesday that the House was expected to evaluate the candidates' capability and integrity next week.

Gaining mutual trust through community development

Gaining mutual trust through community development Several oil and gas companies operating in remote areas in Indonesia have given assurances regarding their commitment to assisting the government to improve the welfare of the people through community development programs.

RI infected with corruption

RI infected with corruption Corruption is the most dangerous disease in the world. The cause of this disease is a nasty germ that can inflict terrible harm on anyone who contracts it. Corruptors can behave worse than an animal. An animal is greedy, but a corruptor is greedier than they are. Animals are wild and cruel. Corruptors are more wild and more cruel, because corruptors are heartless. If a lion eats meat, then corruptors, besides meat, also eat sand, oil, wood, etc.

Yogyakarta university names award recipients

Yogyakarta university names award recipients Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Former minister of the environment Emil Salim and former rector of the Jakarta Teachers Training Institute (IKIP) Conny Semiawan will receive Hamengkubuwono IX Awards from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta. The two recipients will be awarded for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields of expertise.

Water operator defends hike plan

Water operator defends hike plan P.C. Naommy and M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A top executive at city tap water operator PT PAM Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja), claimed on Tuesday that the company would not be able to provide better services unless the Jakarta administration increased the water rate by 30 percent early next year.

Indonesian migrant workers

Indonesian migrant workers From Warta Kota Wiwin bin Marka of Subang, West Java, an Indonesian woman who worked in Saudi Arabia, died at the police hospital in Kramat Jati, allegedly after drinking something that her Saudi Arabian employer said would make her work faster. The problems involving Indonesian migrant workers in Saudi Arabia and other countries are quite complicated because of the different perceptions of the positions of these workers in foreign lands.

Bumi shares suspended on rumors

Bumi shares suspended on rumors JAKARTA: The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) and the Surabaya Stock Exchange (SSX) suspended on Tuesday the trading of shares in mining company PT Bumi Resources on suspicion over share price fluctuations. JSX and SSX said in a statement that they had to suspend trading because there was news that the company was planning to carry out a corporate action deemed substantial enough to influence its share price, but had not informed the public of this.

Legal framework, cooperation needed to help migrant workers

Legal framework, cooperation needed to help migrant workers The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The implementation of international legal frameworks and bilateral cooperation are needed to help exploited and abused women migrant workers, a regional workshop on protecting women migrant workers in Asia said on Tuesday.

Who makes the rules?

Who makes the rules? I am an Indonesian housewife who has been shopping for about 10 years in Hero Kemang, South Jakarta. I was extremely annoyed to learn that bajaj are no longer allowed to enter the Hero Kemang parking lot, reportedly at the request of a "foreign customer". In my opinion this is not fair, as such a policy should be decided on by the authorities. It should be noted by all involved that bajaj have existed in Jakarta for decades.

BRI fraud suspects surrender

BRI fraud suspects surrender Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two of the leading suspects in the Rp 294 billion (US$34.5) Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) loan scandal surrendered to the Attorney General's Office on Monday night. However, Bank Indonesia, the central bank, is still dragging its heels in providing assistance to investigators, including providing the names of holders of frozen accounts.

House urged to finalize FTZ law on Batam

House urged to finalize FTZ law on Batam The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Batam Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) chairman Ismeth Abdullah urged lawmakers to quickly complete the deliberation of the bill providing Free Trade Zone (FTZ) status for Batam as any further delay would slow down the flow of new investment into the island. Speaking during a press conference, Ismeth said on Tuesday that the long-awaited law was crucial to providing legal certainty for investors.

Santia dedicates victory to late grandmother

Santia dedicates victory to late grandmother Musthofid The Jakarta Post Hanoi "I'm really happy that I could win a gold medal for the country. I'd love to present the victory to my late grandma," Santia Tri Kusuma, 22, told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the Individual Time Trial (ITT) on Sunday in Bac Ninh province. Santia's success in Sunday's Criterium was only a few days shy of the 1,000th day anniversary of her grandmother's death.

Rights watchdogs give bad marks to government

Rights watchdogs give bad marks to government Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Human rights watchdogs gave the thumbs down to the government on Tuesday, for policies they considered unfavorable and even flagrant violations of human rights principles. The Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (Elsam) said that people's socioeconomic rights worsened throughout 2003 due to government policies, particularly those on military operations in Aceh and the recent evictions in Jakarta.

Illegal logging: It's not just about law enforcement

Illegal logging: It's not just about law enforcement Luca Tacconi, Senior Economist, Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Jakarta In 2001, the most recent year for which relatively accurate statistics are available, Indonesians consumed some 19 million cubic meters of timber in the form of paper, sawn timber, plywood, and other products.

ICRC resumes its activities in Aceh

ICRC resumes its activities in Aceh JAKARTA: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has resumed activities in conflict-torn Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam after four months of suspension. The reopening of the ICRC office in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh on Dec. 5 marked the reinstatement of its humanitarian mission in the country's westernmost province, where a major offensive against rebels is underway.

Indonesians win trip to South Korea

Indonesians win trip to South Korea JAKARTA: Four Indonesian high school and university students will get the chance to visit various places in South Korea after they were declared on Tuesday as winners of a writing contest on South Korea. The writing contest, the eighth edition, was organized by the South Korean Embassy and the National Education Ministry with 1,431 entries from all over Indonesia to improve Indonesia's understanding of South Korea.

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RI benefits from carbon trade mechanism

RI benefits from carbon trade mechanism Stevie Emilia, The Jakarta Post, Milan, Italy As the summit on climate change here is set to enter the high level session on Wednesday, participants are completing mechanisms aiming to regain forest land and clean up the air, and also to gain money from related projects.

Jakartans brace for floods next month

Jakartans brace for floods next month Leony Aurora , The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) says rainfall in Jakarta in January will be almost as high as it was during the disastrous floods in 2002. Agency forecasting head Achmad Zakir told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that the capital would have between 26 and 28 rainy days during the month, with rainfall of between 50 millimeters and 100 mm per day.

Building a civil society

Building a civil society Amid continuing gross violations in Indonesia of the basic human right to shelter -- as the forced eviction of squatters in Jakarta has so dramatically illustrated in the past few weeks -- this year's focus on domestic violence in commemorating World Human Rights Day -- today -- is an appropriate reminder of the complexity of the human rights issue in this country.

Man shot dead for alleged robbery

Man shot dead for alleged robbery TANGERANG: Police shot dead a man in Cikupa district, Tangerang regency, early Tuesday for attacking officers and trying to escape arrest over allegedly robbing and killing a man. Tangerang Police detective deputy chief Insp. Kustanto said that Alan, 35, and his accomplices allegedly robbed and killed Desmond, 30, the driver of a public minivan plying Pasar Anyar- Jatake on Nov. 13.

Megawati off to overseas trip

Megawati off to overseas trip JAKARTA: Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Tuesday left Jakarta for a nine-day trip to Japan, China and Pakistan, her seventh overseas tour this year. The President is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Poernomo Yusgiantoro, Minister of Trade and Industry Rini M.S. Suwandi and State Minister of State-owned Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi.

The integration of banks, capital markets, state budget a good start

The integration of banks, capital markets, state budget a good start Kahlil Rowter, Head of Research, Mandiri Sekuritas, Jakarta The linkage among the banking industry, the capital market and the government budget has moved from merely influencing each other to a tightly integrated one. The government bond market performs the role of the transmission mechanism that passes on changes in one part to the others. A proper comprehension of this context is essential for players as well as regulators.

House to revise law on BPK

House to revise law on BPK The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives has decided to revise Law No. 5/1973 on the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) which is aimed at, among other things, making the agency's audit work more effective. The decision was made at a plenary session on Tuesday, and was approved by nine House factions.

The Jakarta Post

The Jakarta Post Jakarta/Bekasi Although the contract between Jakarta and Bekasi on the use of the Bantar Gebang dump expires at the end of this month, Bekasi remains unsure whether Jakarta will be permitted to continue dumping its daily 6,000 tons of garbage at the site. Governor Sutiyoso has been confident of the contract's extension, but he was apparently not so sure on Tuesday, saying he was tired of the problem. "Let's talk about that later," he told reporters at City Hall.

Australia provides A$26m to RI

Australia provides A$26m to RI The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The governments of Indonesia and Australia signed an agreement on Tuesday on Australia's A$26 million assistance program for five years to support Indonesia's economic reform program. The agreement was signed by Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti and Australian Ambassador David Ritchie during the annual pre-bilateral discussion of the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI).

Eviction doesn't worry Glodok sidewalk vendors

Eviction doesn't worry Glodok sidewalk vendors Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The recent series of evictions executed by the Jakarta administration has given rise to little other than a "well, whatever" type of response among "regular evictees".

'Fuel issue' may pose a big challenge to new government

'Fuel issue' may pose a big challenge to new government Rudijanto, Contributor, Jakarta Whoever wins the presidential election will face a big test in 2005, when the country implements the liberalization of the downstream sector in oil and gas. The liberalization of the oil and gas downstream sector which will include the removal of the government's fuel subsidy could become a hot potato for the government because in any part of the world, the rise in fuel prices remains a sensitive issue.

Rowers help Indonesia reclaim third place

Rowers help Indonesia reclaim third place Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Hanoi Indonesian rowers extended their domination in the 22nd Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday to help the national squad back into third place with 26 gold medals and ousting Malaysia to fourth with 23 golds. Frontrunner Vietnam looks set for its first ever overall championship title with 73 golds followed by Thailand with 37 golds.

Valspar opens base in Indonesia

Valspar opens base in Indonesia JAKARTA: New York-listed paint and coatings company Valspar Corporation is building a US$1.2 million facility at the Soewarna Business Park, Cengkareng, to serve as its operational base in Indonesia. Adam Sarson, Valspar's managing director for South East Asia, said the firm was optimistic about Indonesia's business prospects and with the project the firm expected to expand its customer base in the country.

1. BUSWAY: 28 pt, 1 cols, 3 x 9

1. BUSWAY: 28 pt, 1 cols, 3 x 9 Busway to kick off on Jan. 15 2. KPU: 55 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 30 New Order officials among DPD aspirants 3. FLOOD: 40 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 35 Heavy rains expected in Jakarta next month 4. SEAGAMES: 30 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 40 Rowers help Indonesia reclaim third place

Reenactment traces bomb assembly

Reenactment traces bomb assembly Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The explosives used in the bomb attack on the JW Marriott Hotel in Mega Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Aug. 5, had been assembled at a rented house on Jl. Kemuning Raya in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, say police investigators. This was revealed in the reenactment of the lead up to the Marriott bombing on Tuesday at a house located beside a railway line, with two terror suspects Masrizal alias Thohir and Ismail.

Snow monkeys released in Safari Park

Snow monkeys released in Safari Park BOGOR: Six snow monkeys (Macaca fuscata) from Japan were released on Tuesday in conjunction with the inauguration of the Gunma Safari Park inside the grounds of the Indonesian Safari Park in Cisarua, Bogor. The red face monkeys, one of whom is male, were sent from the Nasu Primate Center in Yokohama, Japan, on Dec. 3.

Japan celebrates 30 years with ASEAN at Tokyo Summit

Japan celebrates 30 years with ASEAN at Tokyo Summit Kornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post, Tokyo Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will open a two-day summit with 10 Southeast Asian leaders on Thursday, marking Japan's three decades of ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) here. The summit at Akasaka Palace is expected to support Koizumi's idea for the establishment of the East Asian Community, an Asian version of the European Union.

Govt delays signing antigraft pact

Govt delays signing antigraft pact JAKARTA: Indonesia will not sign the United Nations Convention against Corruption in Mexico this week, but at the world body's headquarters in New York next week. Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said on Tuesday that he was unable to attend the UN meeting in Mexico City because he had to represent the government in the judicial review hearings at the Constitutional Court.

Cigarette smuggling attempt foiled

Cigarette smuggling attempt foiled SURABAYA: Customs officials at Tanjung Perak port here foiled an attempt on Tuesday to smuggle American brand Marlboro cigarettes into Indonesia. The move meant that a potential loss of Rp 1.7 billion (US$200,000) to the state was prevented, said local customs and excise office head Heryanto Budi Santoso. He said the confiscated, illegally imported cigarettes amounted to a container load comprising 920 cartons.

Boyce raps Hassan over Iraq criticism

Boyce raps Hassan over Iraq criticism Reuters, Jakarta In unusually blunt remarks, U.S. Ambassador Ralph Boyce said on Tuesday that Indonesia's strong criticism of Washington's Iraq policies should be kept to the proper channels and not aired in public. Reacting to criticism on Monday from Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda, Boyce said he regretted and was disappointed by the harsh words from Jakarta. Hassan told an Asia-Pacific security conference on Monday that the U.S.

Medco sees oil production to drop next year

Medco sees oil production to drop next year Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Publicly listed energy company PT Medco Energi Internasional said on Tuesday that its oil production in 2004 would drop by 14 percent on depleted reserves, forcing the company to boost gas production to compensate for a possible decline in sales.

Court begins STPDN killing trials

Court begins STPDN killing trials The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Sumedang District Court opened the trials on Tuesday of 10 students of the Public Administration Institute (STPDN) charged with killing junior Wahyu Hidayat, 20, early in September. The defendants were charged with violating Articles 170 and 351 of the Criminal Code for causing the death of Wahyu. However, one of the defendants, Hendi Setiyadi, failed to appear at his first session, Antara reported.

E. Timorese jailed for killing UN workers

E. Timorese jailed for killing UN workers Agence France-Presse, Dili A court in East Timor on Tuesday jailed a former militiaman for 10-and-a-half years over the murder of two local United Nations workers during the territory's bloody breakaway from Indonesia in 1999. Salvador Soares was sentenced for what prosecutors called a targeted attack by Indonesian troops and their militia allies.

Patient dies in 5th-floor leap

Patient dies in 5th-floor leap JAKARTA: Mamay Riskomar, 54, killed himself by jumping from the fifth floor of Fatmawati Hospital, Cilandak, South Jakarta, on Tuesday morning. The victim, who had been admitted to the hospital on Sunday due to chronic diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis, had frequently asked to be discharged. His son, Imam Aprianto, said that his father had been complaining of being thirsty and finding it hard to breathe.

Microsoft Indonesia launches Office 2003

Microsoft Indonesia launches Office 2003 Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A little over a month after the initial launching in New York in October, PT Microsoft Indonesia launched on Tuesday a set of new computer applications called Microsoft Office System 2003. The system is a compilation of programs, servers, services and solutions that will integrate business processes to increase individual, team and organizational productivity.

Big names shun PDI-P offer

Big names shun PDI-P offer JAKARTA: A number of big names have rejected an offer from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) to represent it in next year's general election. Economists Mari Pangestu and Sri Mulyani have said they would not contest the elections, as has Lt. Gen. (ret) Agus Widjojo, the former Indonesian Military chief of territorial affairs.

Safari Park gets snow monkeys

Safari Park gets snow monkeys BOGOR: Six snow monkeys (Macaca fuscata) from Japan were released on Tuesday in conjunction with the inauguration of the Gunma Safari Park inside the grounds of the Indonesian Safari Park in Cisarua, Bogor. The red face monkeys, one of whom is male, were sent from the Nasu Primate Center in Yokohama, Japan, on Dec. 3.

Ex-militiamman defers papua plan for nationalist group

Ex-militiamman defers papua plan for nationalist group Nethy Darma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Timika, Papua A group of former East Timorese militiamen postponed a plan on Tuesday to open a branch office of their pro-integration Red-and- White Defenders Front (FPMP) in Papua province, following strong objections from the local people.

RI students in Pakistan grilled

RI students in Pakistan grilled Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A joint team from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Police and the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) are conducting a preliminary interrogation of six Indonesian students detained in Pakistan for alleged terrorist activities, a minister said.

Medal tally

Medal tally G S B T 1. Vietnam 73 32 36 141 2. Thailand 37 48 49 134 3. Indonesia 26 31 34 91 4. Malaysia 23 25 26 74 5. Philippines 21 21 41 83 6. Singapore 17 19 21 57 7. Myanmar 4 21 25 50 8. Cambodia 1 2 4 7 9. Laos 1 1 3 5 10. Brunei 0 1 5 6 11. Timor Leste 0 0 0 0

To dump or not to dump, that is Jakarta's question

To dump or not to dump, that is Jakarta's question The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bekasi Although the contract between Jakarta and Bekasi on the use of the Bantar Gebang dump expires at the end of this month, Bekasi remains unsure whether Jakarta will be permitted to continue dumping its daily 6,000 tons of garbage at the site. Governor Sutiyoso has been confident of the contract's extension, but he was apparently not so sure on Tuesday, saying he was tired of the problem.

Separatism must not survive

Separatism must not survive From Media Indonesia Of the various separatist movements and rebellions in Indonesia since 1947, only two relatively strong armed separatist groups have survived, namely the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Free Papua Organization (OPM). GAM is apparently the most solid in military and political terms. This movement has become an international issue and established cooperation with foreign citizens abroad with high diplomatic skills, including Hasan Tiro.

Unilever acqisition of Knorr okayed

Unilever acqisition of Knorr okayed JAKARTA: PT Unilever Indonesia, a subsidiary of global consumer products giant Unilever Plc, said on Monday that the majority of its shareholders had approved the firm's acquisition of food seasoning products company PT Knorr Indonesia. The shareholders approved the acquisition in an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday.

New Order officials eligible for DPD

New Order officials eligible for DPD Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former government officials of the Soeharto administration and graft suspects were among the 757 candidates from 26 provinces declared fit to run on Tuesday by the General Elections Commission (KPU) for the Regional Representatives Council (DPD). Former environment minister Sarwono Kusumaatmadja and former ambassador to Singapore Lt. Gen.

Flood team sent to Netherlands

Flood team sent to Netherlands MEDAN, North Sumatra: Medan municipality administration sent on Tuesday a joint team to the Netherlands to learn about how to handle flooding, which often hits the city. The team will ask the Dutch government to present the drainage system blueprints of Medan, which was once built by Dutch engineers. Medan Mayor Abdillah said the visit was deemed important in order to prevent more flooding in Medan in the future.