Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 27 December 2003

81 articles found

Busway shelter construction still a work in progress

Busway shelter construction still a work in progressLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two workers rhythmically swing their hammers, smashing the concrete steps of the west stairway of the bridge in front of Bank Indonesia on Jl. MH Thamrin, Central Jakarta.

Slum areas have plenty of potential to alleviate poverty

Slum areas have plenty of potential to alleviate povertyEvi Mariani The Jakarta Post JakartaThe absence of legal certainty and acknowledgement from the Jakarta administration has left people living in the capital's slums vulnerable to eviction, even though they may have the economic and social...

Hostage drama ends with injured workers

Hostage drama ends with injured workersTheresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor The hostage drama at textile manufacturer PT Idea Karya Indah (IKI), located at the 41.2 kilometer mark on the old Jakarta- Bogor road in Cibinong, ended on Thursday evening when dozens of police officers used force to...

Slum areas have plenty of potential to alleviate poverty

Slum areas have plenty of potential to alleviate povertyEvi Mariani The Jakarta Post JakartaThe absence of legal certainty and acknowledgement from the Jakarta administration has left people living in the capital's slums vulnerable to eviction, even though they may have the economic and social...

KPU needs Rp 800b for second-round election

KPU needs Rp 800b for second-round electionMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The General Elections Commission (KPU) will need Rp 800 billion to organize the second stage of the presidential elections, should this be necessary, KPU secretary-general Safder Yusacc said Friday.

Waste begins to pile up before Bantar Gebang closure date

Waste begins to pile up before Bantar Gebang closure dateP.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Five days prior to the end of the contract to use Bantar Gebang dump in Bekasi municipality, garbage has started to pile up at temporary sites across the capital.

JP/13/ENVIRO

JP/13/ENVIROBenefits Beyond Boundaries and Crisis Within A Review of Indonesia's Conservation Efforts in 2003Reed Merrill Contributor JakartaIndonesia is known around the world for its rich and beautiful natural heritage.

Evictions to carry over into 2004

Evictions to carry over into 2004Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta More than 2,500 families will be evicted from their houses along Jl. Tanah Merah, Rawa Badak subdistrict, North Jakarta, and Pinang Ranti subdistrict, East Jakarta, in January.

Legislators or gods?

Legislators or gods?From KompasAn editorial in Kompas (Sept. 3), questioning the propriety of legislators' behavior, truly resounds the voices of the helpless Indonesian people vis-a-vis the House of Representatives (DPR).

Impact of mad cow report played down

Impact of mad cow report played downSari P. Setiogi and A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The temporary ban on beef imports from the United States due to a report of mad cow disease will have little impact on Indonesia's hotel and restaurant business, a businesswoman says.

In Asia, pollution spreads as economies boom

In Asia, pollution spreads as economies boom Jason Szep Reuters SingaporeEvery two years, Indonesia loses about four million hectares of forest, an area roughly the size of Switzerland, to rapacious logging.

Reporter accuses soldier of brutality

Reporter accuses soldier of brutalityNani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam A local reporter working for SCTV private television station, Muhammad Nasier, filed a complaint on Friday with the Aceh Military Operation Command in Lhokseumawe, North Aceh, after a soldier...

1. HOTEL -- 1 x 52

1. HOTEL -- 1 x 52 Yogyakarta hotels gear up for year-end festivities

Poso remains calm after bomb blast

Poso remains calm after bomb blast POSO, Central Sulawesi: The situation remained calm on Friday in the Central Sulawesi town of Poso following a bomb blast in a field two days ahead of Christmas.The police are continuing their investigation of the case.

1. ENVIRO 1x35

1. ENVIRO 1x35 One tiny step forward in conservation effort 2. POLUSI 1x56 In Asia, pollution spreads as economies boom

RI-Malaysia relations remain strong in 2003

RI-Malaysia relations remain strong in 2003Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The relations between Indonesia and its neighbor Malaysia displayed a great deal of maturity and activity in 2003.

Power crisis getting worse, darker than ever

Power crisis getting worse, darker than everFitri 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.

Kia to launch new models to take on Malaysian carmakers

Kia to launch new models to take on Malaysian carmakersAgence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur South Korea's Kia Motors and its Malaysian partner Naza Kia will launch four new car models next year mainly to take on national carmakers Proton and Perodua, a report said on Friday.

1. Water ( 1 X 30 )

1. Water ( 1 X 30 ) 'Water bill needs more debate' 2. Terror ( 2 X 21) Police name two more suspects in Marriott blast 3. BRI2 (2 X 21 ) Prosecutors recover Rp 68.5b in BRI scam 4. KPU ( 1 X 32 ) KPU needs Rp 800b for second-round election 5. Asmuni ( 1 X 36 ) Police capture suspect in PKB murder

Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003

Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003Exhibitions* Photo: Fratelli Alinari Italy: The One and Only - a Century of Phtography 1900/2000, National Museum, Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No. 12, Central Jakarta (Tel. 3812346, 3868172), Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., until Jan. 6.

'Use idle budget to build homes for evictees'

'Use idle budget to build homes for evictees' Many urban activists have criticized development in the capital, as it focuses more on decorative projects rather than infrastructure development and the welfare of the people. The budget performance is worse -- only 60 percent of the Rp 2.

Year-end

Year-end Special EditionDynamism, regeneration and a testing of the boundaries showed on the country's movie screens, music stages and in its art galleries. Rejuvenated after years when its fortunes were in flux, the arts -- examined here in our third Review 2003 edition -- savored the...

Donations to help the poor

Donations to help the poor From Pos Kota Born and bred in Jakarta, I am always deeply moved by the plight of Jakarta residents when their residences are flooded or when they are evicted from their homes.

Hang bank corruptors

Hang bank corruptorsFrom Republika The Indonesian people have recently been stunned by reports of huge bank scams at BNI (Rp 1.7 trillion) and BRI (Rp 294 billion). Quite easily these two government banks released such huge amounts of funds without following proper procedures.

Democratic public service: Key to Indonesian recovery

Democratic public service: Key to Indonesian recoveryEdi Suhardi, Program Advisor, Partnership for Governance Reform in Indonesia, Jakarta The public service in Indonesia has been called many things, including lethargic, unproductive and mired in red tape.

* Headlines:Floods subside, residents still enduring effects 2

* Headlines:Floods subside, residents still enduring effects 2 * National:Police name two more suspects in Marriott blast 3 * City:Waste begins to pile up before Bantar Gebang closure date 4 * Sports:WADA urged to get with the times 5 * Opinion:Democratic public service: Key to Indonesian recovery...

Floods mostly subside, residents still enduring effects

Floods mostly subside, residents still enduring effectsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Although floods had largely subsided in most of parts of Indonesia on Friday, residents in several other areas here are still badly affected by the annual deluge.

Banking sector makes progress, challenges remain

Banking sector makes progress, challenges remainDadan 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...

In Asia bitter enemies gear up for peace

In Asia bitter enemies gear up for peaceTim Sullivan, Associated Press, New Delhi Asia heads into 2004 with two of its bitterest enemies dancing delicately around a novel concept: peace. But while India and Pakistan reach out tentatively to one another, issues ranging from terrorism to SARS to...

Mutual funds enters second year of booming

Mutual funds enters second year of boomingDadan 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.

Now or never!

Now or never! Hard as one may try to welcome New Year 2004 with a smile, the month of December has brought to many Indonesians, if I may speak on their behalf, pessimistic sentiments. Even the prospect of the new-style general elections, with new breed of national leaders and legislators in sight,...

Water rate hike in January despite protests

Water rate hike in January despite protestsBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After much debate and public criticism since November over a 30 percent tap water rate hike proposed by the city administration, councillors have decided that Jakartans will kick off the new year with an...

Highlighting the year's dynamism in art development

Highlighting the year's dynamism in art developmentCarla Bianpoen, Contributor, Jakarta The year 2003 may well enter history as one of the most dynamic in terms of visual arts. At the same time, it also deserves to be called the year of the private sector in the arts.

Integrated concept imperative

Integrated concept imperativeFrom Warta KotaJakarta has its own concept of public transportation, but as was reported in the mass media lately, it has no integrated planning, so that the consequent impacts and excesses are not taken into account.

;JP;TARKO SUDIARNO

;JP;TARKO SUDIARNO ANPAc..r.. Kudu-Statue-TheftJP/19/KUDUKudu statues from Dieng draws thief's interestCharming Kudu statues at Javanese oldest templeTarko Sudiarno The Jakarta Post Wonosobo, Central JavaFor locals and adherents of the Javanese mysticism, Bima Temple is the most sacred of all...

Police capture suspect in PKB murder

Police capture suspect in PKB murderID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya East Java Police said on Friday they had captured a suspect charged with hacking to death a Muslim cleric who was a politician from the National Awakening Party (PKB) in Lumajang regency in November.

[b]Pakistan's

Pakistan's unhealthy dependence Iffat Idris The Dawn Asia News Network Karachi2. Swa -- Indonesian Perspective: Renewing and revitalizing the cities 1 X 30Renewing and revitalizing the cities Sri-Edi Swasono

[b]Legal aid at the crossroads

Legal aid at the crossroads as YLBHI remains in limbo Frans H. Winarta Member of the Board of Trustees Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Jakarta2. Pro29 -- Latin America's failed macroeconomic dictatorships 2 X 30 Macroeconomic dictatorship has failed in Latin AmericaEnrique Dussel Peters...

TV Today: Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003

TV Today: Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi7:00 Cartoon8:00 Travel10:30 Talk Show: Dialog Reformasi11:00 Religious Teachings12:30 p.m. Music1:00 News: Berita Siang1:30 Documentary2:00 Drama: Paviliun 212:30 English News Service3:00 Music3:30 News4:00 Indonesian Film6:00...

Renewing and revitalizing the cities

Renewing and revitalizing the citiesSri-Edi Swasono, Economist, Jakarta We are witnessing cities in Indonesia becoming more and more haphazard in nature. Additionally, these cities lack specific characteristics and do not have a clear role nor function toward improving the welfare of residents.

Suspected drug dealer shot dead

Suspected drug dealer shot dead JAKARTA: South Jakarta Police shot dead a drug dealer on Thursday night in Pancoran, bringing the death toll of suspected drug dealers in their jurisdiction to 10 this year.Stefanus, 30, was caught red-handed selling illegal drugs to undercover police officers.

Banking sector picks up, flaws remain

Banking sector picks up, flaws remainDadan 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...

City parking joke

City parking joke If there were a competition for the most puzzling institution, the trophy could well go to the Jakarta City Administration for its puzzling flood control policy, the busway and the "three-in- one" traffic rule, but one that stands out most notably as a microcosm of all that is...

1. Sugar ( 1 x 35)

1. Sugar ( 1 x 35) Farmers take swipe at sugar producers 2. japan ( 2 x 17) Robust exports support Japan output 3. Mad (2 x 20) U.S. mad cow case tests consumer confidence 4. Jams (1 x 50) Jamsostek to increase bonds in 2004 asset composition

Uncertainties linger in petroleum sector

Uncertainties linger in petroleum sectorFitri 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.

After successful start, Lion Air eyes more expansion

After successful start, Lion Air eyes more expansion Budget airline Lion Air is considered to be one of Indonesia's success stories since the economic crisis hit the nation in 1997 and plunged many businesses into bankruptcy.

Short-listing of candidates blamed for legislative registration delay

Short-listing of candidates blamed for legislative registration delayKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Various difficulties concerning the documents required of legislative candidates have prompted political parties to take longer before submitting their lists of candidates to the General...

Police name two more suspects in Marriott bombing

Police name two more suspects in Marriott bombingAbdul Khalik The Jakarta Post JakartaPolice announced the names on Friday of two more suspects in the deadly JW Marriott Hotel bombing as the result of a reenactment by two detained suspects, Ismail and Tohir, on Wednesday.

MUI's ruling on bank interest

MUI's ruling on bank interestFrom Media Indonesia I was surprised by a recent private TV program's running text regarding a ruling by the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI), which said that interest in conventional banks was not permitted by Islamic law.

No smoking, spitting in buses

No smoking, spitting in buses BOGOR: The municipal administration kicked off a public campaign on Friday against smoking and spitting inside public minivans -- which each can carry a maximum of 12 passengers -- much to the relief of non-smoking and salivating passengers.

Water bill needs more debate: Activist

Water bill needs more debate: ActivistMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A foreign activist has encouraged Indonesians to continue debating privatization and other issues concerning the bill on water resources, saying that people must have full control over the use of water...

Megawati approves establishments of KPK, KPI

Megawati approves establishments of KPK, KPIFabiola Desy Unidjaja and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri signed on Friday two decrees, one on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and another on the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI),...

Legal aid at the crossroads

Legal aid at the crossroadsFrans H. Winarta, Member of the Board of Trustees, Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Jakarta The financial plight of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) has been the subject of considerable discussion in the press in recent months.

Democratic public service: Key to Indonesian recovery

Democratic public service: Key to Indonesian recoveryEdi Suhardi Program Advisor Partnership for Governance Reform in Indonesia Jakarta The public service in Indonesia has been called many things, including lethargic, unproductive and mired in red tape.

Prosecutors recover Rp 68.5b in BRI scam

Prosecutors recover Rp 68.5b in BRI scamAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Prosecutor's Office has recovered since September Rp 68.5 billion (US$8.1 million) of the Rp 294 billion lost in the Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) scandal, following a probe into over 30 accounts at several...

Sketches of bomber released

Sketches of bomber releasedDamar Harsanto and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police have moved quickly in their investigation into the bombing of the JW Marriott Hotel by releasing three composite sketches of the man who purchased the 1986 metallic blue Toyota Kijang minivan used in...

Busway not to relieve congestion?

Busway not to relieve congestion?From Warta KotaOfficials from the Jakarta provincial administration, including Governor Sutiyoso, have reiterated that in the first place, the busway project is not aimed at relieving traffic congestion.

Ailing timber industry pays high cost of revival

Ailing timber industry pays high cost of revivalRendi 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...

Daewoo wins $60m order from RI

Daewoo wins $60m order from RI SEOUL: South Korea's Daewoo International Corp. said on Friday it had secured jointly secured with affiliate Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering a US$60 million order to rebuild a submarine for Indonesia.

Candidate sentenced for fake document

Candidate sentenced for fake document 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).

Where to go in Yogyakarta: Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003

Where to go in Yogyakarta: Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003Exhibition* Contemporary art, Exploring Vacuum II presenting the works of mixed artists and other related professionals including Ade Darmawan, Asmudjo Jono Irianto, Arahmaiani, Bambang 'Toko' Witjaksono, FX Harsono, Krisnamurti, Samuel Indratma,...

Autoproducers to concentrate on underdeveloped component industry

Autoproducers to concentrate on underdeveloped component industrySandy Darmosumarto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An underdeveloped component industry and poor investor confidence has hampered Indonesia's efforts to construct a strong automotive sector and production base for the regional market,...

Donations to help the poor

Donations to help the poor From Pos Kota Born and bred in Jakarta, I am always deeply moved by the plight of Jakarta residents when their residences are flooded or when they are evicted from their homes.

Now or never!

Now or never! Hard as one may try to welcome New Year 2004 with a smile, the month of December has brought to many Indonesians, if I may speak on their behalf, pessimistic sentiments. Even the prospect of the new-style general elections, with new breed of national leaders and legislators in sight,...

Listed firms enjoying earnings recovery

Listed firms enjoying earnings recoveryRendi 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.

Jamsostek to increase bonds in 2004 asset composition

Jamsostek to increase bonds in 2004 asset compositionSandy Darmosumarto, The Jakarta Post, West Java State-owned social security firm PT Jamsostek will shift more of its investable funds in 2004 from deposits and stocks to government bonds amid declining interest rates and a possible volatile stock...

East Timor wins first ever medal

East Timor wins first ever medal HANOI: Handicapped East Timorese weightlifter Mateus Lukas was celebrating on Christmas Day after unexpectedly winning his country's first medal during the second ASEAN Para Games in Hanoi.

Introduction to business, world year-end stories

Introduction to business, world year-end stories More than six years after the economic crisis hammered Indonesia and other countries in the region, the nation's economy is still struggling to make a full recovery as the rebuilding process remains slow.

Taxing kampong dwellers to relieve the blight

Taxing kampong dwellers to relieve the blight Growing slum areas and evictions in Jakarta have prompted some urban architects to further promote concepts of urban development that involve the local communities.

Yogyakarta hotels gear up for year-end festivities

Yogyakarta hotels gear up for year-end festivitiesSri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta As the new year, 2004, is looming, star-rated hotels in Yogyakarta are busy preparing programs for year-end festivities, hoping to attract as many guests as possible during the holiday season.

[b]Democratic public service:

Democratic public service: Key to Indonesian recovery Edi Suhardi Program Advisor Partnership for Governance Reform in Indonesia Jakarta2. Amir -- 2 X 30Trotsky's idea clearly similar to forced democracy upon Muslim world-or U.S.

A host of visitors brings Xmas cheer to recreational sites

A host of visitors brings Xmas cheer to recreational sitesM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The extended Christmas holiday provides a good occasion to spend time outdoors, as seen in the increase of the number of visitors as of Friday at popular recreational sites in the capital.

Prosecutors recover Rp 68.5b in BRI scam

Prosecutors recover Rp 68.5b in BRI scamAbdul Khalik The Jakarta Post JakartaThe Jakarta Prosecutor's Office has recovered since September Rp 68.5 billion (US$8.1 million) of the Rp 294 billion lost in the Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) scandal, following a probe into over 30 accounts at several banks...

South Korea's Kia Motors and its Malaysian partner Naza Kia

South Korea's Kia Motors and its Malaysian partner Naza Kia will launch four new car models next year mainly to take on national carmakers Proton and Perodua, a report said on Friday. The four models included a one-liter car, similar to Kia's Picanto, and three higher-capacity models, the...

MMC Hospital safe? Guess what!

MMC Hospital safe? Guess what! It is not!! Hospital MMC (Metropolitan Medical Center) is not a safe place to go for a medical check-up.Here is my sad experience on Dec. 13.My wife and I went to MMC Kuningan where we had an appointment with Dr. Damayanti (THT).

JSX performance in 2003

JSX performance in 2003Jan. 1: The government lifts fuel prices by 22 percent, causing protests from the public. Jan. 7: The government increases minimum wages nationwide by between 5.3 percent and 28.79 percent.March 20: The U.S.

Farmers take swipe at sugar producers

Farmers take swipe at sugar producersEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Growers have blamed the high cost of locally-produced sugar on the old and inefficient manufacturing facilities of producers, and accused them of deliberately organizing damaging and misleading campaigns designed to...

Robust growth brings digital era to RI

Robust growth brings digital era to RIEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country's production of consumer electronics has been booming in the last three years. This is supported by continued investment by foreign companies, who are interested to expand their market share in the...

Police name two more suspects in Marriott blast

Police name two more suspects in Marriott blastAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police announced the names on Friday of two more suspects in the deadly JW Marriott Hotel bombing as the result of a reenactment by two detained suspects, Ismail and Tohir, on Wednesday.

JP/13/Telco

JP/13/Telco Sari P. Setiogi The Jakarta Post Jakarta The year 2003 has been a bright year for the telecommunications industry.The number of cellular phone subscribers has increased steadily, prompting cellular phone manufacturers to intensify sales campaigns.

One dies due to hospital negligence

One dies due to hospital negligence TANGERANG: A 24-year-old woman who attempted suicide late on Wednesday at her house in Jatiuwung district of Tangerang municipality, died one day later after her family was turned away by several hospitals.