Archive: 16 December 2003
76 articles found
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Police say street crime becoming more widespread
Police say street crime becoming more widespread Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta City police said on Monday that street crime, or crimes targeting people on the street, have been on the rise amid heightened security measures carried out by residents of housing complexes. "Intensive patrolling in housing complexes, backed up by patrol policemen, has deterred criminals and changed their targeted victims to people on the street," said city police spokesman Sr. Comr. Prasetyo.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Regional BNN offices established
Regional BNN offices established JAKARTA: The government issued on Monday a joint decree on the establishment of regional offices of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) as part of nationwide efforts to curb drug trafficking. Signed by Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno, State Minister of Administrative Reforms Feisal Tamim and National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, the decree requires each province and regency/municipality to set up branch offices of the agency.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
President ashamed of Indonesia's performance at SEA games
President ashamed of Indonesia's performance at SEA games Agencies Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri has said she felt ashamed after Indonesia finished behind Vietnam and Thailand in the medal count last week for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. "They say my country is very, very big, so how come in sports we are defeated and only came in third place (at the SEA Games)?" she was quoted as saying by Antara news agency during a meeting with the Indonesian community in Islamabad on Sunday.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Fishermen to sue North Jakarta
Fishermen to sue North Jakarta JAKARTA: Evicted fishermen from Muara Angke in North Jakarta filed a lawsuit on Monday at the Jakarta State Administrative Court against the Penjaringan district and North Jakarta municipality offices. The fishermen accused the two offices of violating Article 3 of Law No. 51/1960 on land use. The article gives the right to clear land from buildings erected without the city administration's consent to the governor.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
House urges govt to ban sugar import
House urges govt to ban sugar import Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives urged the government to put a temporary ban on all sugar imports until February 2004 to stabilize the price of the commodity domestically. The call was made by the House's Commission V for industry, trade and cooperatives in their concluding remarks after a hearing with state-owned plantation companies PT Perkebunan Nusantara IX, X and XI and PT Rajawali Nusantara Indonesia (RNI).
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Torture, comprehensive reform & democratization
Torture, comprehensive reform & democratization Christine Susanna Tjhin Researcher Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta On Nov. 15, 2003, the National Commission on Human Rights (KOMNAS HAM) announced its preliminary findings about human rights abuses by the TNI and National Police in Papua. On the same day, cases of torture and judicial killings by the police in Maluku were also reported. Torture cases have been "public secrets" for many years.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Politicians aim to restrict press: PWI
Politicians aim to restrict press: PWI JAKARTA: Press Council (PWI) chairman Ichlasul Amal expressed regret that some of the country's politicians were considering restricting press freedom by endorsing legislation that would curb public access to information. Speaking during a hearing with House of Representatives Commission I for security and information on Monday, Ichlasul said the state was trying to expand its control over people's lives through legislation.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Police close to naming four deportees terror suspects
Police close to naming four deportees terror suspects Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The police claim to have enough evidence to charge four of the six students repatriated from Pakistan with their involvement in a series of terror attacks that rocked Indonesia over the last two years. "After questioning them for four days, we decide to name two students as witnesses and are close to declaring the rest suspects," said National Police Antiterror Division director Brig. Gen.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
16 policemen stand trial over killing of students
16 policemen stand trial over killing of students Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra A military court here began the trial on Monday of 18 police officers charged with attacking protesters in Medan, North Sumatra, three years ago killing two students. The two victims were shot dead during the May 1, 2000, incident, when police attacked the HKBP Nomensen University. Military prosecutor Lt. Col.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Constitutional Court split
Constitutional Court split BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Four months after its establishment in August, the Constitutional Court is still debating its authority to settle disputes among state institutions. Judge Mukthie Fadjar said on Monday that the court's nine judges were quarreling about whether the new institution could also try cases involving the Supreme Court. The Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court are the nation's highest judicial bodies. Each does different work.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
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.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
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Torture, police and legal reform, democratization Christine Susanna Tjhin Researcher Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta 2. Fuji2 -- Japan striving to maintain partnership with Asia 2 x 30 FYI, . Japan strives to maintain, develop partnership with Asia Part 2 of 2 Ichiro Fujisaki Japanese Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Jakarta ASEAN has been a source of stability and prosperity for more than three decades.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Minivan drivers stage rally at council offices
Minivan drivers stage rally at council offices Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Some 1,000 public minivan drivers in Tangerang municipality drove around the city in convoy before staging a protest on Monday in front of the municipal administration and Tangerang Council building over the relocation of a bus terminal from Cimone to Poris Plawad. The protest left thousands of passengers stranded on the streets. They had to walk to reach their destinations or take ojek (motorcycle taxis).
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Hand tractors for Poso farmers
Hand tractors for Poso farmers PALU, Central Sulawesi: Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla gave on Monday 100 hand tractors worth Rp 1.5 billion (US$176,470) in assistance for young farmers in the conflict-ridden regency of Poso, Central Sulawesi. The aid was aimed at helping employ people and thus ending violence that has continued sporadically in Poso despite a December 2001 peace deal.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Companies to face trial over toxic waste
Companies to face trial over toxic waste eony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A group of lawyers will sue at the Cibinong District Court, Bogor regency, on Tuesday large companies for allegedly producing untreated toxic waste that had polluted the air and groundwater in Munjul, east of Jakarta.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Missing traffic lights
Missing traffic lights From Warta Kota The pole, along with its traffic lights atop, located on the corner of the intersection at Cideng Barat-Kyai Caringin, Central Jakarta, has disappeared after being at a slant for several days. Consequently, the traffic from Cideng Barat now has to watch the parallel flow of traffic from Cideng Timur on the opposite side before crossing the junction due to the absence of traffic signals. SUKARNA Jakarta
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Clear definition of pornography sought
Clear definition of pornography sought JAKARTA: The House of Representatives has been urged to clearly define pornography, otherwise the bill on pornography currently being deliberated will restrict freedom of expression in the arts. "The bill on pornography must not kill the creativity of professional artists," noted photographer Darwis Triadi told a meeting with the House's special committee deliberating the pornography bill here on Monday.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Scholars predict doom, gloom after Saddam
Scholars predict doom, gloom after Saddam Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Local Middle East researchers downplayed the importance of Saddam Hussein's capture for the United States-led coalition on Monday and predicted that it would not end security problems in Iraq. They also warned that radicalism may rise among the people in many Middle East countries if the U.S.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Tomy was lying, 'Tempo' witness says
Tomy was lying, 'Tempo' witness says Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A reporter with Tempo media group testified on Monday that she had interviewed businessman Tomy Winata, refuting the latter's statement in an earlier hearing that Tempo magazine reporters had not sought his confirmation for their 'Ada Tomy di Tenabang?' (Is Tomy in Tanah Abang?) article published in March. "Tomy was lying," Bernarda Rurit told the Central Jakarta District Court.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Cooperation needed over migrant workers saving
Cooperation needed over migrant workers saving The Jakarta Post, Jakarta International cooperation among non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is needed to campaign for the importance of savings and investment for migrant workers, an activist says. Speaking at the international conference on Migrant Savings, Alternative Investment (MSAI) for Community Development and Reintegration, labor activist Wahyu Susilo stressed the need for cooperation.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Sigit Pramono named BNI president in major reshuffle
Sigit Pramono named BNI president in major reshuffle Rendi A. Witular and Abdul Kholik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Shareholders of troubled state-owned Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) decided on Monday to fire seven of the bank's nine-member board of directors, and appointed Sigit Pramono as new president of the country's second-largest bank in terms of assets.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Taufik Kiemas title causes raised eyebrows
Taufik Kiemas title causes raised eyebrows Kasparman Piliang, The Jakarta Post, Padang, West Sumatra Despite controversy, President Megawati Soekarnoputri's husband Taufik Kiemas will soon be bestowed with a customary title by leaders of a clan in West Sumatra province. Leaders of the Sikumbang clan at Kenagarian (village) Sabu in Batipuh subdistrict, Tanah Datar regency, is scheduled to confer the title of Datuk Basa Batuah on Taufik during an official ceremony on Dec. 21.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Is BRTI independent?
Is BRTI independent? Indonesian Telecommunications Society (Mastel) chairman Giri Suseno, during a hearing with House of Representatives Commission IV overseeing telecommunications, questioned the independence of the Telecommunications Regulatory Body (BRTI), as reported in The Jakarta Post, Dec. 4.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
1,000 Papuans convene to discuss partition policy
1,000 Papuans convene to discuss partition policy Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua Nearly 1,000 Papuans from all walks of life began a two-day meeting sponsored by the local legislative council on Monday to seek a solution to the central government's controversial decision to split Papua into three provinces.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Caltex to invest up to $400m to expand oil fields
Caltex to invest up to $400m to expand oil fields Sandy Darmosumarto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Oil and gas company PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia (CPI) is planning to maintain between 510,000 and 515,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil and gas production next year despite the current decline in output due to maturing oil fields.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Four die, two missing in landslides
Four die, two missing in landslides Landslides hit four villages in Sendana subdistrict, Majene regency, South Sulawesi, on Monday, leaving at least four people dead, one seriously injured and two others missing. The landslides also buried 10 houses, destroyed two bridges and swept through two sections of the street in Sepong village. Majene Regent Muhammad Darwis said the landslides followed two days of heavy rain since Saturday.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Pakistan, RI to sign trade, counterterror pacts
Pakistan, RI to sign trade, counterterror pacts Associated Press, Islamabad The leaders of the world's two largest Muslim countries, Pakistan and Indonesia, held talks Monday and were set to witness the signing of trade and counterterrorism agreements, the state news agency reported.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
'Other countries show concern for disabled'
'Other countries show concern for disabled' The government has stipulated that by the end of 2003, all government buildings must provide access for people with disabilities. However, people living with disabilities still struggle with discrimination, are unable to enjoy many public facilities or find meaningful work. The Jakarta Post talked to some people about the issue.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Officials warned against campaigning
Officials warned against campaigning YOGYAKARTA: Mayor Herry Zudianto has warned some 8,000 civil servants in Yogyakarta that he would fire them if they participated in campaigns for political parties ahead of the 2004 elections. "We will apply the policy in order to enforce the neutrality and independence of government officials in Yogyakarta. We will slap sanctions and even dismiss them if found guilty," he said on Sunday.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Ex-regent charged with corruption
Ex-regent charged with corruption KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Southeast Sulawesi High Prosecutor's Office head Antasari Azhar said on Monday that he has declared a former Kolaka regent a suspect in a graft case. The suspect, who prosecutor's would only identify by his initials AB, is charged with misusing the 2002 budget. But it was not clear how much state money was involved. "Based on testimonies by witnesses, there is sufficient evidence to lay charges against the former regent," Azhar said.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah Retes Dec.15
Rupiah Retes Dec.15 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,637.54 5,894.65 6,299.12 6,232.83 Brunei dollar 1 5,259.37 4,671.15 4,991.22 4,939.15 Canadian dollar 1 6,804.79 6,044.98 6,457.84 6,391.79 Swiss franc 1 7,044.94 6,258.23 6,685.75 6,617.28 Danish krone 1 1,480.95 1,315.66 1,405.44 1,391.14 Euro 1 10,957.46 9,734.47 10,398.80 10,292.96 Poundsterling 1 15,635.81 13,891.22 14,838.62 14,688.18 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,157.23 1,028.27 1,098.23 1,087.27...
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
U.S. urged to be more flexible on N. Korea
U.S. urged to be more flexible on N. Korea Benjamin Kang Lim, Reuters, Beijing China, indicating growing frustration with Washington at the lack of progress in resolving North Korea's nuclear crisis, has urged the United States to be more flexible in the next round of talks. North Korea threatened on Monday to add to its nuclear arsenal if six-nation talks on the crisis were delayed, saying Washington was "wasting time" by rejecting Pyongyang's offer to freeze its nuclear arms program.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
* Headlines:House starts screening corruption-busting aspirants
* Headlines:House starts screening corruption-busting aspirants 2 * National:Government to beef up environment law 4 * Archipelago:Taufik Kiemas title causes raised eyebrows 5 * Opinion:Saddam's trial: U.S. revenge vs.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Prosecutors seek a Dutch interpreter
Prosecutors seek a Dutch interpreter TANGERANG: The hearing of a drug case at Tangerang District Court was adjourned again on Monday, as prosecutors are yet to find an interpreter for Dutch defendant Sibel Yuacuac, 20. Sibel was arrested at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport with 4,862 ecstasy pills in her bag, upon her arrival from Malaysia late in August. She is charged with violating Law No. 5/1999 on psychotropic substances. If proven guilty, she will face a maximum sentence of death.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina to push ahead with Iraq venture
Pertamina to push ahead with Iraq venture The Jakarta Post , Jakarta State-owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina hopes it will be able to proceed smoothly with its oil project in Iraq following the capture of former Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein. "The project, hopefully, will be able to proceed smoothly in a better security environment," Pertamina's spokesman Ridwan Nyak Baik told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
;JP
;JP Caption Photo For Spotlight P. 16 DHL FASHION BUSINESS FORUM: PT Birotika Semesta/DHL Express' senior technical advisor Alan Cassels (right) along with (from left to right) DHL's technical advisor for Business Development Ton Verleg, DHL's technical advisor for Global Customer Logistics Nick Singh, the Indonesian Textile Association's general chairman, Ade Sudrajat, moderator Arief Gunawan, and the Department of Trade and Industry's director for TPT, Luky Hartini, pose for a picture...
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
RP overseas workers send home $6.3b
RP overseas workers send home $6.3b MANILA: Filipinos working overseas remitted home about US$6.3 billion between January and October this year, up 5.7 percent from the same period last year, the central bank said Monday. This rise came even though the number of Filipinos who legally went abroad to work shrank by 9.9 percent to 698,691 during the same period, it said in a statement.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Student brawls hit Makassar university, 15 injured
Student brawls hit Makassar university, 15 injured Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi At least 15 people were injured in a series of brawls between students from two schools at the state-run Hasanuddin University (Unhas) in Makassar, South Sulawesi. The clashes, involving students from the school of engineering and the school of social and political sciences (Fisipol), continued through Friday and Saturday, died down on Sunday, and resumed again on Monday.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Special unit proposed for East Flood Canal project
Special unit proposed for East Flood Canal project The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Public Works Agency has proposed the establishment of an independent project management unit to handle the Rp 5 trillion (US$588.24 million) East Flood Canal project to stop the flooding that regularly affects 25 percent of Jakarta's 650- square-kilometer area.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
City delays mall construction
City delays mall construction JAKARTA: The city administration delayed the renovation of Block A building in Tanah Abang textile market, Central Jakarta, because Governor Sutiyoso could not officiate the start of construction for the Rp 700 billion (US$82 million) worth project, which was scheduled for Monday evening. City spokesman Muhayat said the Governor, along with other city officials, was attending a meeting with leaders of new political parties at Hotel Indonesia at the same time.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bomb blasts disrupt festivities in Iraq
Bomb blasts disrupt festivities in Iraq Agencies Baghdad Joy and festivities disrupted when two car bombs hit Iraq on Monday with attacks at two police stations killing at least eight people and swiftly dashing hopes that Saddam Hussein's capture would bring early peace and security to the country. A suicide car bomber killed eight people and wounded 13 when it exploded at the Al-Zuhour police station in the town of Al- Hussainiya just north of Baghdad, the station commander, Lt. Col.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Ex-regent charged with corruption
Ex-regent charged with corruption KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Southeast Sulawesi High Prosecutor's Office head Antasari Azhar said on Monday that he has declared a former Kolaka regent a suspect in a graft case. The suspect, who prosecutor's would only identify by his initials AB, is charged with misusing the 2002 budget. But it was not clear how much state money was involved. "Based on testimonies by witnesses, there is sufficient evidence to lay charges against the former regent," Azhar said.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Education of women key to curb population growth
Education of women key to curb population growth Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The education of women plays a more pivotal role than the use of contraceptives in curbing population growth, an expert said on Monday. Sociologist Imam B. Prasodjo of the University of Indonesia said he had noticed in recent surveys that the availability of contraceptives did not automatically lower the fertility rate.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
'Conflicting laws halt judicial reform'
'Conflicting laws halt judicial reform' Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Chief Justice Bagir Manan said on Monday the country's failure to speed up reform within the judiciary was the result of conflicting laws and regulations. Bagir said that the law making process was often dominated by a conflict of interests among influential groups.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, December 16, 2003
Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, December 16, 2003 Film * French Films at CCF - French Cultural Center, Jl. Purnawarman 32 (Tel. 022 4212417): South Park, Bigger, Longer and Uncut (Dec. 18 and Dec. 19). Exhibition * Fine Arts by Prilla Tania, at CCF - French Cultural Center, Jl. Purnawarman 32 (Tel. 022 4212417), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Dec. 17. Workshop at 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 15 - 16. Discussion, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 17. Music and Entertainment * Sheraton Bandung Hotel and Towers, Jl.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
1. KPK: 2 LINES, 21 COUNTS
1. KPK: 2 LINES, 21 COUNTS House starts screening corruption-busting aspirants 2. ACEH: 2 LINES, 24 COUNTS Military may ban foreign teams to monitor elections in Aceh Military may ban foreign election watchdogs in Aceh 3. TEMPO: 1 LINE, 28 COUNTS Tomy was lying, 'Tempo' witness says 4. TERROR: 2 LINES, 25 COUNTS Police close to naming four deportee terror suspects
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Yovita preserving Timorese heritage
Yovita preserving Timorese heritage Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, Nusa Tenggara Timur Yovita Meta is a hard worker and does not easily back down from challenges, especially in her efforts to empower the people in North Central Timor regency in East Nusa Tenggara. The low profile, 48-year-old woman is pioneering an effort to raise the living standard of Timorese weavers by establishing an organization that promotes and markets the famous Timor fabric.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Cigar lounges: Lucratively enjoyable business
Cigar lounges: Lucratively enjoyable business Mahendra Gautama Contributor Jakarta For aficionados, smoking a premium-brand cigar, accompanied by a quality alcoholic drink, is an experience of unrivaled enjoyment that is hard to describe. Cigar smoking dates back centuries ago when Christopher Columbus' crew introduced the Cubans' affection for cigars to the Spanish people in the early part of the 16th century.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bekasi sniffs profits in Bantar Gebang dump
Bekasi sniffs profits in Bantar Gebang dump Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Learning from the Jakarta administration's poor waste management, Bekasi municipal administration will set up a city-owned company to convert Jakarta's waste at the Bantar Gebang dump into fertilizer and electricity. Bekasi deputy mayor Mochtar Mohamad said on Monday that the company would aim to manage the waste to minimize environmental damage surrounding the dump and to get extra income.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
1. WASHINGTON: 48 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 24
1. WASHINGTON: 48 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 24 Saddam capture gives Bush victory, political boost 2. CEMEX: 36 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 22 Govt may seek new investor to buy out Semen Gresik 3. MEGA: 28 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 38 Mega ashamed of RI's SEA Games performance 4. SUSUL: 30 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 38 'BBC' to announce tough rules on reporting 5. BANGKOK: 32 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 32 Myanmar to draft new constitution
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
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Saddam's trial: U.S. revenge vs. international mechanism Lina A. Alexandra Researcher Centre for International Relations Studies University of Indonesia Jakarta 2. Yale -- "Hasten Slowly" in Reviving the Doha Round 2 x 30 'Hasten slowly' in reviving the Doha Round: Honesty may be better Ernesto Zedillo Director Yale Center for the Study of Globalization New Haven
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Alleged JI leader denies terror links
Alleged JI leader denies terror links MALAYSIA: In his first public comments since being arrested more than two years ago, an Indonesian jailed in Malaysia as a leader of the Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) militant group has denied the accusation and demanded he be tried or released.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
PGN to issue $500 million in bonds next year: Official
PGN to issue $500 million in bonds next year: Official The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned gas utility company PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) has said it plans to issue bonds worth US$500 million next year to help finance its gas pipeline projects. PGN president WMP Simandjuntak told a media conference on Monday that $100 million would be issued in the first quarter of the year. "The (other) $400 million could be issued in two phases -- in 2004 and 2005 -- or all in one year.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Security protection
Security protection for TKI? From Warta Kota Reports on Indonesian migrant workers (TKI), particularly women, who have become a target of extortion and robbery upon their arrival home, should arouse our concern. After leaving their families for several years of hard work, they still have to face such mishaps. Stories of rape and torture of female workers by their employers abroad add to the tragedy.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Govt funds allocated for micro, small businesses
Govt funds allocated for micro, small businesses The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In another attempt to speed up the poverty eradication drive, the House of Representatives approved on Monday plans to set aside Rp 3.1 trillion (about US$365 million) of working capital for small- and micro-scale businesses.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
House starts screening corruption-busting aspirants
House starts screening corruption-busting aspirants Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Six candidates for appointment to the long-awaited Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) boasted of their skills, courage and honesty on Monday during a selection hearing with the House of Representatives, and proclaimed their eminent suitability to be drafted into the war against corruption. The six were among 10 candidates to be examined by the House's legal and home affairs commission.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Lucrative business with unrivaled pleasure
Lucrative business with unrivaled pleasure Mahendra Gautama, Contributor, Jakarta For aficionados, smoking a premium-brand cigar, accompanied by a quality alcoholic drink, is an experience of unrivaled enjoyment that is hard to describe. Cigar smoking dates back centuries ago when Christopher Columbus' crew introduced the Cubans' affection for cigars to the Spanish people in the early part of the 16th century.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Cigar lounges: Lucratively enjoyable business
Cigar lounges: Lucratively enjoyable business Mahendra Gautama Contributor Jakarta For aficionados, smoking a premium-brand cigar, accompanied by a quality alcoholic drink, is an experience of unrivaled enjoyment that is hard to describe. Cigar smoking dates back centuries ago when Christopher Columbus' crew introduced the Cubans' affection for cigars to the Spanish people in the early part of the 16th century.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Conference agrees to combat climate change
Conference agrees to combat climate change Stevie Emilia, The Jakarta Post, Milan, Italy Some 95 ministers agreed to coordinate action against climate change, moving forward on making the final building blocks of the climate change treaty despite Russia's wait-and-see attitude toward ratifying the Kyoto Protocol.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Fraud occurs at other BNI branches
Fraud occurs at other BNI branches Lending fraud cases have also occurred in Bank BNI branch offices in several small cities in the country, according to a document circulating among legislators. This highlights the fragility of the bank's internal supervision and the fact that the old, bad habit of corruption at state-owned companies dies hard.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
One missing after boat sinks
One missing after boat sinks At least one person is missing and presumed dead after an overloaded wooden raft capsized on Monday on the Kampar river, Riau. Kampar Police operations chief Adj. Comr. Hasyim said the raft, with a capacity of 60 people, had carried 75 passengers, mostly students. The accident took place at around 7 a.m. in Rumbio village, Kampar regency. Rescuers are searching for the victim. Six motorcycles were also lost to the river in the accident.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Survivors say don't sensationalize Bali tragedy
Survivors say don't sensationalize Bali tragedy Associated Press, Canberra Survivors and relatives of victims of last year's Bali terrorist bombings said they fear a movie based on one survivor's best- selling book could sensationalize the tragedy. Eighty-eight Australians were among 202 mostly foreign tourists who died when two terrorist bombs exploded on Oct. 12, 2002, in a nightclub district on the Indonesian holiday island.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Govt may seek new investor to buy out Semen Gresik
Govt may seek new investor to buy out Semen Gresik The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is considering seeking a new investor to buy out the shares of Cemex SA in state-owned cement maker PT Semen Gresik in a bid to resolve a protracted dispute with the Mexican cement giant, State Minister for State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi said on Monday. He said that the government did not have enough money to repurchase the shares. "I don't think we have the funds.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
India, Malaysia on warpath
India, Malaysia on warpath NEW DELHI: Frosty hockey relations between India and Malaysia nose-dived further on Monday over India's decision to field a near second-string team for next month's Azlan Shah tournament. The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) rested nine senior players, including Gagan Ajit Singh and Dilip Tirkey, for the seven-nation invitation tournament in Kuala Lumpur from Jan. 8 - 18.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
President ashamed of RI's SEA Games performance
President ashamed of RI's SEA Games performance Agencies, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri has said she felt ashamed after Indonesia finished behind Vietnam and Thailand in the medal count last week for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. "They say my country is very, very big, so how come in sports we are defeated and only came in third place (at the SEA Games)?" she was quoted as saying by Antara news agency during a meeting with the Indonesian community in Islamabad on Sunday.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Aircraft-for-ASEAN iniative by four nations: Report
Aircraft-for-ASEAN iniative by four nations: Report Agence-France Presse, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei may join hands to build small commercial aircraft for the fast-growing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market, a report said on Monday. The four countries are exploring the possibility of forming a consortium to set up a plant in the region to tap into an industry long dominated by U.S. aviation giant Boeing Co.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Government to beef up environment law
Government to beef up environment law Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is preparing an integrated team to better investigate and prosecute environment-related offenses, to avoid previous cases where defendants were charged with lenient indictments.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Theft at Senggigi Hotel
Theft at Senggigi Hotel During the evening of Friday, Nov. 21, my friend and I checked in at Bintang Senggigi Hotel, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. The hotel was nice and the receptionist was friendly. Since this was my first time to Lombok, I was very excited. The next day, Saturday, Nov. 22, we spent most of our time on the beach and in the swimming pool, and when it started getting dark, we went back to our room to get ready for dinner at Senggigi Square.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Suspect says unaware of bomb plan
Suspect says unaware of bomb plan DENPASAR: A man accused of involvement in last year's Bali bombing admitted on Monday he helped prepare ingredients for a deadly bomb, but said he was initially told the chemicals were to make fertilizer. Abdul Ghoni, who could face a firing squad if found guilty, said he ground chemicals at the home of convicted bomber Amrozi in Java in September 2002 and later took four boxes of the powdered chemical to the resort island by bus.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Military may ban foreign teams from monitoring polls in Aceh
Military may ban foreign teams from monitoring polls in Aceh Tiarma Siboro and Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Banda Aceh Amid mounting criticism over restrictions on the press and independent groups in the war-torn province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, the Indonesian Military (TNI) said on Monday that the presence of foreign teams monitoring next year's elections in the province was not necessarily needed. Aceh Martial Law Administrator Maj. Gen.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Voting for political parties
Voting for political parties From TEMPO Indonesia is facing a lot of problems now, among other concerns, ongoing financial woes, the threat of national disintegration (in Aceh and Papua), and terrorist acts. Next year Indonesians will elect their representatives in the People's Consultative Assembly and the House of Representatives and also their new president. They are certainly hopeful that the winning political party will be able to solve the problems that the nation has been facing.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Saddam's trial: U.S. revenge vs. international mechanism
Saddam's trial: U.S. revenge vs. international mechanism Lina A. Alexandra, Researcher, Centre for International Relations Studies, University of Indonesia, Jakarta The capture of Saddam Hussein, the U.S. government's most wanted person, at Tikrit yesterday made headlines across the world. After a nine-month hunt by the coalition forces, Saddam was arrested alive.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Torture, police and legal reform, democratization
Torture, police and legal reform, democratization Christine Susanna Tjhin, Researcher, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta On Nov. 15, 2003, the National Commission on Human Rights (KOMNAS HAM) announced its preliminary findings about human rights abuses by the TNI and National Police in Papua. On the same day, cases of torture and judicial killings by the police in Maluku were also reported. Torture cases have been "public secrets" for many years.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bunaken voted global winner of 2003 British Airways award
Bunaken voted global winner of 2003 British Airways award The Bunaken National Marine Park in South Sulawesi has been voted the global winner of this year's British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow awards.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
A culture of intimate conversation
A culture of intimate conversation Chisato Hara, Contributor, Jakarta 'A cigar is conversation.' So says Yadie Dayana, manager of the Club Macanudo Cigar Divan and Bar at the Shangri-La Hotel. Operated by Swedish Match, a leading manufacturer and distributor of premium and mass-market cigars, the Macanudo is one of fine cigar lounges selling premium cigars in the United States. The Jakarta outlet is only the second to open in the world, with the first outlet located in New York.
Tue, 16 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Part 2 of 2: Japan strives to maintain, develop partnership with Asia
Part 2 of 2: Japan strives to maintain, develop partnership with Asia Ichiro Fujisaki, Japanese Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jakarta ASEAN has been a source of stability and prosperity for more than three decades. It has successfully been adjusting to challenges such as its own expansion and the Asian financial crisis. Japan is planning to fortify its ties and develop a new partnership with ASEAN as signed in Bali this year.