Archive: 26 December 2003
77 articles found
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Year-end special edition
Year-end special edition A flash flood, at times, can look like huge tears flowing from heaven. The water that inundated Jambi province in Sumatra and Maros regency, South Sulawesi, was, this week, one of them. Given the unchecked environmental destruction, year in, year out, such a catastrophe increasingly stems from manmade disasters. Men succumbing to greed is almost always the reason, looting logs in pursuit of riches while the legal system is in disarray.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra
Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra Juli Simanjuntak, who hails from Deli Serdang regency but now lives in Medan, says that he has always attended two Christmas church services. One on Christmas Eve and the other on New Year's Eve. As far as he knows, the extra service on New Year's Eve, is unique to his church. "I never knew the history behind it, and I never asked other people about it either.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Wiranto rejected from seminar
Wiranto rejected from seminar KENDARI: Former military chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto has been rejected from speaking at a seminar on the political situation at the Haluoleo University here. University rector Mahmud Hamundu on Thursday said, however, that the rejection had nothing to do with politics, but simply showed that the university respected regulations. According to the rector, Wiranto was invited to speak at the discussion in his capacity as a presidential candidate from Golkar Party.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
* Headlines:Two flood victims killed in fire, thousands evacuated
* Headlines:Two flood victims killed in fire, thousands evacuated 2 * National:Police source throws new light on BRI scandal 3 * City:First trial day of new 3-in-1 rule has no effect 4 * Sports:Three-way battle ensures early mind games 5 * Opinion:Paradigm shift in religious understanding in the world 6 * Features:'Jingle Bells' Christmas carol origin debated 8 * Business:Garuda sees clear skies to Vietnam 10 * World:Guerrillas hammer Baghdad, bomb kills American soldier 12
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Crimes committed by police by region in 2003
Crimes committed by police by region in 2003 1. Jakarta 35 cases 2. North Sumatra 24 cases 3. East Java 13 cases 4. South Sumatra 12 cases 5. Central Java 11 cases 6. West Java 9 cases 7. Lampung 7 cases 8. South Sulawesi 6 cases 9. South Kalimantan 6 cases 10. Central Sulawesi 6 cases 11. Bali 5 cases 12. Central Kalimantan 5 cases 13. West Nusa Tenggara 4 cases 14. West Sumatra 3 cases 15. Aceh 2 cases 16. East Nusa Tenggara 1 case 17. Southeast Sulawesi 1 case 18.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Parties and people's aspiration: Where do we draw the line?
Parties and people's aspiration: Where do we draw the line? The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A total of 24 political parties have been declared eligible to contest the 2004 elections, when the country will hold its first ever direct presidential election since declaring independence in August 1945.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Police arrest two drug suspects
Police arrest two drug suspects JAKARTA: The Cengkareng Police detained early on Thursday two suspected drug users at a foiled drug party. Ricardo, 28, and Trisno, 25, and two others, identified as Caca and Pino, were planning to have a marijuana party on Jl. Dharma Wanita Raya, Jakarta Barat. According to the police, Ricardo quarreled with Caca and Pino, when the two commented that the marijuana Ricardo bought was not of good quality, radio station Elshinta reported.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Rebels have no address to be obliterated
Rebels have no address to be obliterated Kanis Dursin, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Foreign Affairs Minister Hassan Wirayuda unleashed the first-ever scathing criticism by any Indonesian official on the invasion and occupation of Iraq in early December, almost nine months after allied forces, led by the world's lone superpower, the United States, dropped their first bombs at selected targets across Iraq in March.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
RI may suspend U.S. meat imports if disease is confirmed
RI may suspend U.S. meat imports if disease is confirmed Indonesia may suspend imports of meat products from the U.S., the world's second-biggest beef exporter, if a case of mad cow disease in Washington state is confirmed. Indonesia's government is waiting for confirmation of the case before considering a ban on U.S. meat and meat products, Bachtiar Moerad, a director in the veterinary division of the ministry of agriculture, told reporters in Jakarta.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Garuda sees clear skies for new Vietnam route
Garuda sees clear skies for new Vietnam route Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Despite its absence for about six years, the country's flagship carrier Garuda Indonesia does not seem to be finding any difficulty in luring customers back for its new Jakarta-Ho Chi Minh City route. In fact, all of the 134 seats were sold out for its flight from Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat Airport to Jakarta last Friday after reopening the route on Dec. 16.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Council says no to luxury cars
Council says no to luxury cars TANGERANG: Tangerang Municipal Legislative Council has rejected a proposal submitted by the administration to buy two luxury cars for the new Mayor Wahidin Halim and his deputy Deddy Safe'i, a councillor said on Wednesday. Doni Astoto of the Council's budget committee said the office of the secretary proposed on Monday the purchase of a Mitsubishi Pajero jeep and a Toyota Camry sedan to be used as official cars for the mayor and deputy mayor respectively.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
The garbage problem seems to be here to stay
The garbage problem seems to be here to stay Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakartans still remember the garbage crisis at the end of 2001 when the Bekasi municipality administration, backed by its residents, closed the Bantar Gebang dump for weeks, leaving the capital perplexed over how to handle its mounting garbage.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Banish the hope of military reform
Banish the hope of military reform Kusnanto Anggoro, Senior Researcher, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta As the military's official political role prepares to end in 2004, questions remain as to why the armed forces are withdrawing from politics and how this will further develop and affect democratic reform.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Military ups the stakes ahead of elections
Military ups the stakes ahead of elections Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Down but not out, is perhaps the idiom that fits the Indonesian Military (TNI) the most after the reform movement in 1998 put an end to three decades of undemocratic rule, placing much on security for the sake of economic growth. The last five years has seen TNI lying low. It has become the punching bag of politicians and the public alike for its blind loyalty to the past regime.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
KPU lacks election funds
KPU lacks election funds JAKARTA: The General Elections Commission (KPU) has not allocated funds to finance the second stage of presidential elections due to a budget cut by the House of Representatives, according to a senior official in the commission. "As far as I know KPU has not allocated funds for the second stage of the presidential elections because our budget has been cut by the House, from Rp 3.9 trillion to Rp 3 trillion in 2004," he said on Wednesday on condition of anonymity.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Paradigm shift in religious understanding in the world
Paradigm shift in religious understanding in the world Muhamad Ali, Lecturer, State Islamic University (UIN), Jakarta, muhamad@hawaii.edu As we approach the end of 2003 we must ask ourselves, as world citizens, what has become of our religious tolerance. To follow a religion has not necessarily meant that we live peacefully or righteously. We are religious, but we are also corrupt; we observe religious rituals, but we also justify violence.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
'Parsingan Taon' a time for Christians to reflect
'Parsingan Taon' a time for Christians to reflect Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra Juli Simanjuntak, who hails from Deli Serdang regency but now lives in Medan, says that he has always attended two Christmas church services. One on Christmas Eve and the other on New Year's Eve. As far as he knows, the extra service on New Year's Eve, is unique to his church. "I never knew the history behind it, and I never asked other people about it either.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
First trial day of new 3-in-1 rule has no effect
First trial day of new 3-in-1 rule has no effect Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The first trial day of the extended three-in-one traffic policy on Wednesday was marked with unresponsive drivers and lax traffic police. Many cars were seen taking advantage of the otherwise empty busway corridor during the restricted times and policemen did not bother to inform the drivers of the new policy -- and some were uninformed of the new regulation.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Army chief slammed over poll statement
Army chief slammed over poll statement Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) has slammed the Army chief's statement that he would deploy troops if the 2004 elections turn into bloody chaos, saying such a remark was politically unethical and could pose a serious threat to the nation's newly born democracy.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
1. NATAL -- 48pt Bodoni Bold 5/1 (1x40)
1. NATAL -- 48pt Bodoni Bold 5/1 (1x40) Jakartans rejoice in peaceful Christmas 2. BUSWAY -- 36pt Bodoni Bold 2/3 (3x18) First trial day of new 3-in-1 rule has no effect 3. BEKASI -- 28pt Bodoni Bold 2/2 (2x22) Bantar Gebang to cause damage long after closure 4. TRAIN -- 36pt Bodoni Bold 3/2 (2x27) Trains to holiday getaways fully booked for Christmas 5. PDI-P -- 36pt Bodoni Bold 3/2 (2x27) PDI-P nixes ten councillors from 2004 candidacy list 6.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Mutual funds experience second year of booming
Mutual funds experience second year of booming Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country's mutual fund industry has entered another year of rapid growth. After its value soared to Rp 46 trillion (about US$540 million) in 2002, the industry has today almost doubled to Rp 90 trillion. It's quite an achievement considering the money circulating in the industry was still valued at Rp 8.5 trillion early last year.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Court jails maid for cutting penis
Court jails maid for cutting penis SINGAPORE: An Indonesian maid who used a kitchen knife to inflict a two-centimeter cut on the penis of a two-year-old toddler has been jailed for 18 months, the Straits Times reported on Thursday. District judge Kow Keng Siong said Suharti Sumito had abused the trust of the toddler's parents by causing injury on a "defenseless boy" as he handed down his verdict in court on Wednesday. She committed the act when the boy urinated on her slacks, the court was told.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
;JP;DAN;
;JP;DAN; ANPAf..r.. Rupiah-conversion-rates Rupiah Rates Dec. 24 JP/10/Conver Rupiah Rates Dec.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
People take over fight against corruption
People take over fight against corruption Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It is a miracle that Indonesia has remained intact as a Nation given the rampant corruption that benefits only the ruling elite, while many of their fellow Indonesians struggle to survive, or worse. The government appears ignorant of the many international surveys that consistently rank the struggling country one of the most corrupt in the world.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Date country target victims
Date country target victims Sept. 11, 2001 United States Twin towers around 3,700 people World Trade Center killed (WTC) in New York; Pentagon in Washington Oct. 12, 2002 Indonesia Sari Club and at least 202 Paddy's in the people were killed, resort island of mostly foreigners, Bali while hundreds others injured Aug. 5, 2003 Indonesia JW Marriott Hotel, claimed 12 lives Jakarta and injured 147 others Sept.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Cak Nur meets Amien Rais
Cak Nur meets Amien Rais YOGYAKARTA: Muslim scholar Nurcholish 'Cak Nur' Madjid on Wednesday met Amien Rais, presidential candidate from the National Mandate Party (PAN). Cak Nur and Amien were graduates of the Chicago University in the United States. They said that their meeting was a meeting of two old friends and they did not discuss political issues. During the meeting, Cak Nur, who is the rector of the Paramadina Mulya University, also visited a kindergarten run by Amien's wife.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bantar Gebang to cause damage long after closure
Bantar Gebang to cause damage long after closure The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The closure of Jakarta's Bantar Gebang dump in Bekasi at the end of this year will not necessarily mean the end the health and environmental problems suffered by thousands of residents living in three villages around the 108-hectare dump.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Nation marks Xmas in peace
Nation marks Xmas in peace The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Christmas celebrations across the country proceeded peacefully on Wednesday and Thursday amid the heightened presence of police. Security conditions in Poso, Central Sulawesi, and Ambon, Maluku -- two areas plagued by sectarian conflicts between Christians and Muslims over the past five years -- were calm, and Christians in those areas marked the Lord Jesus' birth freely.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Crimes committed by police by region in 2003
Crimes committed by police by region in 2003 1. Jakarta 35 cases 2. North Sumatra 24 cases 3. East Java 13 cases 4. South Sumatra 12 cases 5. Central Java 11 cases 6. West Java 9 cases 7. Lampung 7 cases 8. South Sulawesi 6 cases 9. South Kalimantan 6 cases 10. Central Sulawesi 6 cases 11. Bali 5 cases 12. Central Kalimantan 5 cases 13. West Nusa Tenggara 4 cases 14. West Sumatra 3 cases 15. Aceh 2 cases 16. East Nusa Tenggara 1 case 17. Southeast Sulawesi 1 case 18.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Power crisis getting darker than ever
Power crisis getting darker than ever Fitri Wulandari The Jakarta Post Jakarta The power crisis, which started several years ago, became worse this year and the problem is likely to continue haunting the nation in upcoming years.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Central bank law amended
Central bank law amended The turbulent political process to amend the 1999 Bank Indonesia Act -- amendments that were proposed by the government in late 2000 -- finally ended last week after the House of Representatives, the finance ministry and the central bank reached a compromise on the most contentious provisions.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Police source throws new light on BRI scandal
Police source throws new light on BRI scandal Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The case involving Rp 200 billion (US$23.5 million) from workers insurance fund, PT Jamsostek, that was transferred from Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) to Mandiri Bank, has become confusing for onlookers after it was revealed that the scandal was old.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Social unrest pervades ahead of 2004 elections
Social unrest pervades ahead of 2004 elections A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Five years after the reform movement, social unrest still prevails in Indonesia, where political rivalry has begun to heat up ahead of the 2004 elections. The thriving corruption, stagnant poverty rate, poor law enforcement, a lack of jobs and other social grievances, as well as conflicts of interests among the political elite are to blame.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Go tough with overstayers
Go tough with overstayers Sin Chew Daily, Asia News Network, Selangor, Malaysia Foreign laborers have taken Malaysia in a big way and some unhealthy phenomena and social issues have been seen as inevitable fallout. We should remember that Indonesian workers created some commotions in the country not that long ago, seriously threatening the security of this country.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Oil and gas investment expected to improve in 2004
Oil and gas investment expected to improve in 2004 Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government expects investment in oil and gas, as well as power sectors, to improve next year on the back of attractive oil and gas resources and the liberalization programs in the power sector. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro said the government expects to sign 15 new oil and gas contracts next year.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Capital welcome uneventful Christmas
Capital welcome uneventful Christmas Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakartans breathed with ease during the Christmas holiday, marked by only minor incidents across the city. Police recorded three minor incidents that resulted in fatalities. In one, an unidentified man was walking on Wednesday along the railway in Batu Ceper, Tangerang, when a speeding Jakarta- Tangerang train hit him from behind. A witness said he died instantly. In another case, Andre Welas, 48, a resident of Jl.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Slavery continues to plague Indonesian migrant workers
Slavery continues to plague Indonesian migrant workers Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta How tragic and terrible has been the violence against a great number of Indonesian women employed overseas this year! Not only were they harassed, physically abused or even raped but were also sent home without proper payment or traded from one employer to another.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Ailing timber industry pays high cost of revival
Ailing timber industry pays high cost of revival Rendi A. Witular The Jakarta Post Jakarta The country's timber industry had been in the doldrums since the beginning of 2003, when the government launched efforts to restructure the industry to save the little that remain of country's natural forests and prevent them from being further overexploited.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta, city of terror
Jakarta, city of terror Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta For many Jakartans, bomb attacks and threats are still a real fear because of their frequent occurrence. The repeated bombings have spread an acute sense of anxiety affecting the way people live. "I feel that public places now are possible targets for bomb attacks... To be cautious, I limit my visits to shopping centers. Staying at home is probably the best choice now," said Suparni, 24, a resident of Radio Dalam, South Jakarta.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
2003: A year of living in fear of terror
2003: A year of living in fear of terror Kanis Dursin, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Ever since his wife told him in early November that she had to go home to Hong Kong to attend her younger sister's wedding, James had been restless. Fears of terrorist attacks similar to that of Sept.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
JP/3/dpd
JP/3/dpd DPD candidate sentenced for fake document Suherdjoko The Jakarta Post Semarang The Semarang District Court has sentenced Siti Fatimah to three months in jail and fined her Rp 3 million (US$352.9) for using fake documents for her candidacy as a member of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD). Presiding Judge Edy Sudarmahono said that Fatimah had violated Law No.12/2003 on elections.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
RM 7.50"
RM 7.50" -------------------------------------------------------------------------- TNI vs. GAM in the ongoing war in Aceh -------------------------------------------------------------------------- TNI GAM -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Personnel around 47,000, earlier was reportedly comprising 34,679 soldiers between 5,000 to 8,000 from all of the three forces-- fighters.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Elections replete with flaws
Elections replete with flaws Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta No one in this country who believes in democracy wants the 2004 elections to fail, as it is the only democratic tool to elect a legitimate government that will carry out reforms and dig the country out of its economic doldrums.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Autonomy has revived feudalism in Yogyakarta
Autonomy has revived feudalism in Yogyakarta Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta The implementation of Law No. 22/1999 on regional administrations has brought many changes, particularly in Yogyakarta, including some degree of transparency in both the provincial and district administrations as well as in the local legislative council.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Petroleum sector picking up, but uncertainties remain
Petroleum sector picking up, but uncertainties remain Fitri Wulandari The Jakarta Post Jakarta The oil and gas sector started to pick up slowly this year after experiencing a slump last year, but uncertainties in the country's business environment will remain the main constraint for some time into the future.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
umber Political Parties Acronyms (in Indonesian)
umber Political Parties Acronyms (in Indonesian) 1. Marhaenisme Indonesian National Party (PNI Marhaenisme) 2. Socialists' Democratic Labor Party (PBSD) 3. Crescent Star Party (PBB) 4. Freedom Party
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Political party interests stifle bill debates
Political party interests stifle bill debates Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite their pledge to fight for the aspirations of the public at large, legislators in the House of Representatives continue to display a willingness to betray their constituents in order to further their own interests.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Matori receives treatment at home after slow recovery
Matori receives treatment at home after slow recovery Muninggar Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil has been discharged from Pondok Indah Hospital, South Jakarta, where he was treated for a stroke, but it remains unclear when he will return to work at his office. Defense ministry secretary-general Air Marshal Suprihadi said on Wednesday Matori was currently undergoing medication at his home in South Jakarta. "I visited him three days ago.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
1. Marhaenisme Indonesian National Party (PNI Marhaenisme)
1. Marhaenisme Indonesian National Party (PNI Marhaenisme) 2. Socialists' Democratic Labor Party (PBSD) 3. Crescent Star Party (PBB) 4. Freedom Party
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Media slammed for sidelining Aceh issue
Media slammed for sidelining Aceh issue Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian media have failed to help resolve the Aceh conflict, as their coverage of the impact of martial law in the war-torn province has been inconsistent, a watchdog says. The Information Flow Study Institute (ISAI) said the media here has no clear agenda on the Aceh issue, let alone helping to find a settlement to the war.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina will not start soon
Pertamina will not start soon Dow Jones, Baghdad A senior Iraqi oil official Wednesday denied press reports that Indonesia's PT Pertamina will start oil and gas exploration in the country early next year. "We are not aware of Pertamina's plans to start work in Iraq early next year," the official, who specializes in oil and gas field development, told Dow Jones Newswires.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Megawati puts high stake on security
Megawati puts high stake on security Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Like her father, the founding president Sukarno, President Megawati Soekarnoputri is obsessed with security and tends to disregard the bigger picture of the country. She seems to think that once the security problems are solved, things will take care of themselves. This explains why she has been adament in ensuring security in the country since she was president in 2001.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Accountability key to poverty eradication programs
Accountability key to poverty eradication programs A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia has had a series of poverty eradication programs over the past 20 years. Soeharto's New Order regime was hailed for the decline in the number of poor, particularly from 1970 to 1995, from 70 percent to 10 percent in 1995. However, people living just above the poverty line, analysts said, were highly vulnerable as long as they were without steady jobs.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Caught in a cross fire
Caught in a cross fire While the country continued to grapple with the reality of terrorism this year, life became even more difficult for many people. Civilians in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam have become victim to the government's policy to settle what it sees as the main issue in the province, separatism. Others have lost their families or perished in environmental disasters, and still others have lost their livelihood in evictions and fires.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Trains to holiday getaways fully booked for Christmas
Trains to holiday getaways fully booked for Christmas M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Tickets for executive trains heading to Yogyakarta, Central Java and East Java from Dec. 24 through Dec. 26 have been sold out for the extended Christmas holiday, with state run PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) seeing a 15 percent increase in the number of passengers compared to regular days. Cities Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surakarta and Surabaya remained the favorites among holidaymakers.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
PDI-P nixes 10 councillors from 2004 candidacy list
PDI-P nixes 10 councillors from 2004 candidacy list Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Ten Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) councillors have been dropped by the party from the list of City Council candidates for next year's general elections. Among the 10 councillors are Sentayana Kiemas -- brother-in- law of chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, also the country's president -- and City Council speaker Agung Imam Sumanto.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Tempo case: Thuggery shadows press freedom
Tempo case: Thuggery shadows press freedom M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The ongoing lawsuits against Tempo magazine management and journalists at three district courts in Jakarta are landmark cases in the history of the local press, which only recently gained freedom.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian police reform: Of hermaphrodites and transvestites
Indonesian police reform: Of hermaphrodites and transvestites Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A middle-aged lady carrying a stack of papers rushes into the National Police Headquarters' detective building, mumbling almost hysterically as bystanders try to understand. After a while, the lady, introducing herself as Christina, 54, leaves the building murmuring even louder, saying that she does not know where else to go if the police ignore her complaint.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
1. GARUDA
1. GARUDA Garuda sees clear skies to Vietnam 2. IRAQ Pertamina will not start soon 3. JAPAN Japan's net asset value drops
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Who will be the winners in the 2004 elections?
Who will be the winners in the 2004 elections? Hank Valentino, Senior advisor, the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), Jakarta When Indonesia staged successful elections in 1999, a milestone in democratization was achieved. Voters and citizens celebrated the transparent and public counting of ballot papers at more than 300,000 polling places throughout the country.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
RM 7.50"
RM 7.50" -------------------------------------------------------------------------- TNI vs. GAM in the ongoing war in Aceh -------------------------------------------------------------------------- TNI GAM -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Personnel around 47,000, earlier was reportedly comprising 34,679 soldiers between 5,000 to 8,000 from all of the three forces-- fighters.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Listed firms enjoying earnings recovery
Listed firms enjoying earnings recovery Rendi A. Witular The Jakarta Post Jakarta The country's publicly-listed companies are enjoying better sales and operating profits this year on the back of improving macroeconomic stability and lower operating costs. This improvement should raise hopes that the corporate sector is on the verge of a revival after being decimated by the late 1990s economic crisis.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
RM 7.50"
RM 7.50" -------------------------------------------------------------------------- TNI vs. GAM in the ongoing war in Aceh -------------------------------------------------------------------------- TNI GAM -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Personnel around 47,000, earlier was reportedly comprising 34,679 soldiers between 5,000 to 8,000 from all of the three forces-- fighters.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Flood victims killed in fire, thousands evacuated
Flood victims killed in fire, thousands evacuated Andi Hajramurni and La Remy, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi While the nation enjoyed a peaceful Christmas on Thursday, two flood victims in Maros regency, South Sulawesi, were killed in a fire and more than 4,000 flood victims in Jambi, eastern Sumatra, were evacuated. The fire victims, Rahma, 10, and her sister Saina, died in a fire that occurred at around 2 a.m.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Banking sector makes progress, challenges remain
Banking sector makes progress, challenges remain Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It has been six years since the banking sector started its restructuring efforts. Still, while improvement in its financial health is undeniable, certain flaws remain -- indicating that the recovery process is still a long way off.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
RM 7.50"
RM 7.50" -------------------------------------------------------------------------- TNI vs. GAM in the ongoing war in Aceh -------------------------------------------------------------------------- TNI GAM -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Personnel around 47,000, earlier was reportedly comprising 34,679 soldiers between 5,000 to 8,000 from all of the three forces-- fighters.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
What the city gets from evictions
What the city gets from evictions Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The ambition to turn Jakarta into a slum-free capital city triggered the recent string of evictions ordered by Governor Sutiyoso at all costs, including alleged human rights violations. Arguing that squatters, living in makeshift houses, were responsible for turning state-owned land or private property into slums, Sutiyoso refused to provide shelters for the evictees.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Will 2004 usher in new traffic woes?
Will 2004 usher in new traffic woes? Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Traffic in Jakarta has been a chronic problem for years. The capital's 7,500 kilometers of roads cannot accommodate its approximately 4.7 million vehicles -- of which only 315,000 are public transportation vehicles.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Regional autonomy not as easy as it sounds
Regional autonomy not as easy as it sounds Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite some progress, four years of regional autonomy has triggered a war among local elites fighting for new political positions, a critical situation that must be overcome to develop democracy and accelerate the development of rural areas. The beacon of democracy has begun shining as, unlike the past, the people have indirectly elected their leaders through elections from national to municipal level.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bajaj plans RI plant as rivals gain in India
Bajaj plans RI plant as rivals gain in India Bloomberg, Pune, India Bajaj Auto Ltd., India's No. 2 motorcycle maker, plans to set up an assembly plant in Indonesia next year, aiming to boost its overseas sales as competition from rivals such as Honda Motor Co. increases at home. "It's the first step in a larger direction," Sanjiv Bajaj, vice president in charge of finance at Bajaj, said in an interview in Pune, India.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
IBRA's recovery high, but risk remains
IBRA's recovery high, but risk remains Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) has so far handed over Rp 26.1 trillion (about US$3.1 billion) to the state coffers from its assets sale programs this year, slightly exceeding the target of Rp 26 trillion. Of the amount, Rp 22.4 trillion was in the form of cash, while bonds made up the remainder, IBRA chairman Syafruddin Temenggung said here on Wednesday.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Media slammed for sidelining in Aceh issue
Media slammed for sidelining in Aceh issue The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Lhokseumawe/Medan Indonesian media have failed to help resolve the Aceh conflict, as their coverage of the impact of martial law in the war-torn province has been inconsistent, a watchdog says. The Information Flow Study Institute (ISAI) said the media here has no clear agenda on the Aceh issue, let alone helping to find a settlement to the war.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
'City govt lacks ability to run the capital'
'City govt lacks ability to run the capital' The Jakarta administration was only able to spend some 60 percent of the Rp 2.24 trillion (US$263 million) earmarked in the 2003 city budget for development projects. Officials claimed there had been various constraints to meeting the targets, including delayed starts to projects and changes in the budget structure. The Jakarta Post talked to some people on the matter.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
People rejoice in peaceful Christmas
People rejoice in peaceful Christmas Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta More than 12,000 Catholics attended three Christmas Eve masses at the Jakarta Cathedral in Central Jakarta on Wednesday. The services continued peacefully amid tight security; the first mass started at 5 p.m., while the last one finished before midnight. All visitors had to walk through a metal detector at the gate, leaving their belongings checked-in with security personnel.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
JP//
JP// Kevin Evans, Jakarta Reforms to the Constitution make the voters more responsible for who leads the country as they will now vote for the president as well as regional representatives. The electoral system has also been changed. For the first time in history Indonesians will actually vote for human beings, not merely party symbols. The old days when the people had to select a pig in a poke or use the Indonesian expression "to buy a cat in a sack" are gone.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Elections really are the cheapest alternative
Elections really are the cheapest alternative Kevin Evans, Elections really are the cheapest alternative At a recent Idul Fitri gathering a friend declared that "elections are really expensive. Is it worth it?" I suddenly recalled the days before we could use elections to change a government. In 1998 the President of the day was dutifully re-elected by every single participating member of the National Assembly (MPR). No questions, no dissent, not even an expressions of concern.
Fri, 26 Dec 2003, 00:00 WIB
Personnel
Personnel TNI: Around 47,000, comprising 34,679 soldiers from all of the three forces -- Army, Navy and Air Force, along with around 12,000 police. GAM: Earlier was reportedly between 5,000 to 8,000 fighters. After more than six months of military offensive, offensive, TNI claimed to have killed over 1,000 GAM rebels and arrested 2,000 others.