Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 4 December 2003

81 articles found

Lack of knowledge on AIDS causes stigma

Lack of knowledge on AIDS causes stigma Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia has a mountain to climb in its attempt to combat HIV/AIDS due to the long-standing stigma and discrimination against people living with the virus (PLWHA), observers say. They agree that people's understanding that HIV/AIDS is a private matter has led to their resistance to collective measures against the virus.

Commercials for kids

Commercials for kids From Gatra As the father of a child under the age of five, I am anxious about the recent behavior of my child, who becomes frightened when watching TV programs, even when going to bed. Some TV stations, like RCTI and ANTV, broadcast cartoons for children. But at intervals, ads appear for horror shows with frightening images, which scare my child.

TV series to show world through child's eye

TV series to show world through child's eye Rita A.Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali A child's view is probably the most honest perception we can believe in. Through the eyes of the innocents, one might learn a lot about diverse cultures, religions and lifestyles of people around the world, including the Balinese.

Wild elephants kill farmer in Lampung

Wild elephants kill farmer in Lampung BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: A herd of wild elephants killed a villager who had allegedly encroached on protected park land in Lampung province to grow his crops, according to a park official. Dassa, the villager, was killed not far from his home in the park after seven angry elephants attacked a group of villagers in Tenggamus regency last Saturday, Tamen Sitorus, the chief official of the South Bukit Barisan National Park, said on Tuesday.

I was temporary JI leader: Defendant Abu Rusydan

I was temporary JI leader: Defendant Abu Rusydan P.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The defendant in a trial related to the Bali bombings told the court on Wednesday that he was asked by those attending a meeting in April 2002 to replace Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir as the Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) operations leader. Ba'asyir, 64, had his four-year sentence reduced to a three- year jail term by the Jakarta High Court on Monday for immigration offenses and document forgery.

International investors conference held in Bali

International investors conference held in Bali President Megawati Soekarnoputri will address an international three-day conference starting Thursday in Nusa Dua, Bali aimed to attract investors into the country. The conference titled Accessing New Opportunities is scheduled to be attended by over 300 high-level local and international investors, Indonesia's regulators and CEOs of Indonesia's leading corporations, the organizer Euromoney Conference said in a statement.

Balinese ill-prepared for crises

Balinese ill-prepared for crises I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali The ongoing dysentery fiasco has, once again, underscored the inability of the island's government agencies and the tourist industry to handle a crisis in a responsible and effective manner. When on Nov. 23 international and Taiwan media outlets began running news of 25 Taiwanese tourists who contracted dysentery in Bali, a local high-ranking tourism official quickly dismissed the news.

Waiting for parties which are not burdensome

Waiting for parties which are not burdensome The 2004 general elections bring the people hope and anxieties -- hope because for the first time, the people themselves will elect the president, vice president, and members of the House of Representatives (DPR), provincial legislative assemblies (DPRD) and Regional Representative Council (DPD). The general elections will be participated in by some 140 million people and will cost at least Rp 6.4 trillion.

Sri Oemijati, a lifetime in research

Sri Oemijati, a lifetime in research Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Sri Oemijati may not be the kind of hero people would imagine -- strong, tough and vocal. The fragile, petite 78-year-old is a savior of people suffering from elephantiasis -- the person whom they will seek to cure the disease. Parasitology is her calling.

Train derails in Senen

Train derails in Senen JAKARTA: The Progo train, plying the route between Yogyakarta and Jakarta, derailed on Wednesday just 300 meters away from Senen station in Senen, Central Jakarta. No fatalities nor injuries were reported in the incident which took place at 6:24 a.m. Passengers on the economy-class train had got out of the train at Senen station 20 minutes earlier.

Old crime, new crisis

Old crime, new crisis JP/6/E05 authoritarian former Indonesian president Soeharto, why has one military massacre of Muslim civilians been singled out for accountability, almost two decades after the fact? The answer is as much entwined in the present day threat posed by extremist Islam - and its terrorist offshoots - as in popular demands to right past wrongs.

Achieving

Achieving national discipline It is amazing that the problem of transition toward democracy, which has characterized Indonesian political development during the past five years, has recently triggered a hectic debate between scholars and commentators. Also, the debate has involved an exchange of opposing arguments from differing perspectives, as manifest in a dozen lengthy articles published in Kompas, from Sept. 29 to date.

NATIONAL DAY OF ROMANIA: Hotel Borobudur Jakarta was honored to

NATIONAL DAY OF ROMANIA: Hotel Borobudur Jakarta was honored to host the reception of the 85th anniversary of the National Day of Romania held on December 1, 2003. Pictured above are: Romanian Ambassador H.E. George Savuica (right) together with Indonesian foreign minister Hasan Wirayudha (left) cutting the cake in the hotel's Flores ballroom.

Customers warned of water disruption

Customers warned of water disruption JAKARTA: City water operator PT PAM Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja) said on Wednesday that customers in several parts of Central Jakarta would experience a disruption in water supplies on Thursday due to repair work. In a statement, Palyja spokesperson Maria Sidabutar said repair work on the 600-millimeter pipe running under Jl Cikini Raya will take 10 hours to complete, from 9 a.m. Water supplies will be disrupted at the State Palace, on Jl. Cikini, Jl.

Jaya's charity concert to benefit needy children

Jaya's charity concert to benefit needy children The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali The upcoming piano recital of noted businessman, TV host and musician Jaya Suprana will certainly delight local music lovers, who rarely view live concerts or music recitals. Organized by the Bali International Women's Association (BIWA), the charity concert will be held at Paradise Plaza Hotel in Sanur on Saturday night, Dec.

Railway crossing guards stay alert for trains during holiday

Railway crossing guards stay alert for trains during holiday Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Suherman woke up at dawn to pray. He then had breakfast, took a bath and went down to the mosque near his house in Tangerang. People from the neighborhood had already started gathering to perform the morning Idul Fitri communal prayer. Along with his wife and his four-month-old baby, Suherman went afterwards to his parents' house.

Security key factor in Japan-ASEAN relations

Security key factor in Japan-ASEAN relations Bantarto Bandoro, Editor, 'The Indonesian Quarterly', Centre For Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta, bandoro@csis.or.id The diplomatic fallout from the Bali ASEAN summit is still being felt in the region, as Japan prepares to host a summit with the 10 members of ASEAN early next month. It is reported that during such a meeting Japan will express its intention to be officially part of ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC).

* Headlines: Voters disregard ideology in elections: Survey 2

* Headlines: Voters disregard ideology in elections: Survey 2 * National: Terrorism high on agenda of Mega's Pakistan trip 4 * Archipelago: Papuans refuse to form pro-integration group 5 * Opinion: Security, key factor in ASEAN-Japan relations 6 * City: Young people reluctant to exercise right to vote 8 * Sports: US Tour success is said ruining the world game9 * World: Saudi Arabia steps up security after terror alert 11 * Business: World Bank to boost lending to Indonesia 13 * Features: Bali...

Measuring political maturity

Measuring political maturity On Tuesday, the National Election Commissions (KPU) is expected to announce the names of the political parties that have been cleared to contest the 2004 elections. From the announcement, we are going to see to what extent the political maturity of our politicians is. When the Department of Justice and Human Rights recently announced the verification result of the political parties, protests came from various corners.

Contractors or brokers?

Contractors or brokers? From Koran Tempo Three months ago, a transaction concerning the right to a toll road construction project was reported. According to Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla, it was a normal transaction and the origin of the money was unknown. The statement was made in connection with rumors that the funds derived from the scam at Bank Negara Indonesia went to two presidential aspirants of the Golkar Party.

Consensus builds in OPEC on steady output; no deal yet on next leader

Consensus builds in OPEC on steady output; no deal yet on next leader Maher Chmaytelli Agence France-Presse Vienna A consensus is building within OPEC to maintain its oil production ceiling until at least early next year at Thursday's meeting, but the 11-nation cartel remains divided over who will be its next secretary general.

Terrorism high on agenda of Mega's visit to Pakistan

Terrorism high on agenda of Mega's visit to Pakistan Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri is scheduled to make a four-day state visit to Pakistan on Dec. 13, the last leg of her three- nation, nine-day overseas trip that will also take her to Japan and China. Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda announced on Wednesday that the visit was aimed at enhancing bilateral relations between the two Muslim countries.

4,000 RI workers confined to quarters

4,000 RI workers confined to quarters MALAYSIA: Malaysian police have ordered the confinement of more than 4,000 Indonesian immigrants within their places of work following a recent spate of violent fights that have resulted in four deaths, reports said on Wednesday. The workers, who are employed at several furniture factories in eastern Sarawak state, have been ordered not to leave their work quarters for an indefinite period of time, said district police chief Ambrose Chung.

Indonesian archer wins first gold of SEA Games

Indonesian archer wins first gold of SEA Games Agencies, Hanoi Rina Dewi Puspita Sari won the women's individual elimination archery final on Wednesday to give Indonesia the first gold medal of the 22nd Southeast Asian Games. Rina beat Malaysia's Mon Redee, who set a games record in qualifying, 110-107 in the final. Rusena Gelanteh picked up bronze for Indonesia. Competition in 14 of the 32 sports, including boxing and soccer, was starting before the formal opening ceremonies on Friday in Hanoi.

Car crash kills four

Car crash kills four A Kijang van crashed into a bus on a street in Ujung Pendok subdistrict in Indramayu, West Java, on Wednesday, killing four people and injuring four others. Prabowo, 46 and Satiman, 50 -- the driver and a passenger of the van respectively -- were killed on the scene of the accident, while two other unidentified female passengers died on their way to the hospital. Four other Kijang passengers -- who were badly injured in the accident -- were admitted to Indramayu Hospital.

Storm hits two Mataram subdistricts

Storm hits two Mataram subdistricts MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: A freak storm hit two subdistricts in West Nusa Tenggara province on Tuesday afternoon, destroying dozens of buildings and severely injuring a local resident. Antara news agency reported on Wednesday that the storm hit Dasan Cemen subdistrict, Mataram mayoralty, and neighboring Bengkel subdistrict, West Lombok regency.

Are you in 'mudical' mood?

Are you in 'mudical' mood? During the recent Lebaran festivities marking the end of the fasting month, I spent, unintentionally, more time than usual wondering why many English words have infiltrated Bahasa Indonesia. I discovered that the answer was simply because there are no substitutes for them. Street vendors and linguists have not tried to call "tissue" by any other names but tisu as an economic necessity due to competition and not kertas penyeka (cleaning paper), for instance.

Election vigilance needed

Election vigilance needed From Warta Kota Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto has told the House of Representatives that there may be attempts to thwart the 2004 general election. Based on TNI intelligence reports, the attempts include sabotage, bribery and provocation to create clashes between masses supporting different political parties. National Police chief Da'i Bachtiar has also mentioned several vulnerable spots with regard to the election.

Sutiyoso confident Bekasi dump will remain open

Sutiyoso confident Bekasi dump will remain open Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Fears that Bekasi will soon close its doors to the garbage of millions of Jakartans were played down on Wednesday when Governor Sutiyoso said he had the word of the Bekasi mayor that the city's dump would remain open for another year. Meanwhile, the Jakarta Sanitation Agency was tightlipped about the prospect of a waste crisis early next year.

RP kidnapping spree angers Chinese

RP kidnapping spree angers Chinese PHILIPPINES: Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo vowed on Wednesday to stop a rash of kidnappings that has angered the ethnic Chinese community and raised political pressure on her government ahead of elections. She spoke a day after armed kidnappers snatched a two-year-old boy on his way to a Manila nursery school. It was the third high- profile abduction in two weeks and drew calls from the Chinese community for help from overseas.

TV Program: Thursday, December 4, 2003

TV Program: Thursday, December 4, 2003 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 9:00 Entertainment News: Business Magazine 10:05 TV Drama 11:30 Music 12:00 p.m. Talk Show 1:00 News: Berita Siang 2:00 TV Series 3:00 City News 3:30 Documentary 6:00 English News Service 7:00 News: Berita Nasional 8:00 Talk Show 9:00 News: Dunia Dalam Berita 10:00 Music: Country Road 12:00 a.m. News TPI 6:00 a.m.

Tutut may join presidential race

Tutut may join presidential race Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former president Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti "Tutut" Hardiyanti Rukmana has been asked to run for the presidency in next year election, a move that could pave the way for the return of the old forces onto the country's political stage. Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB) chairman Gen.

S'pore signals FTA with EU a priority

S'pore signals FTA with EU a priority LISBON: Singapore said on Tuesday it would like to complete a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union before a similar pact is reached between the bloc and the ten-member ASEAN grouping of southeast Asian nations. "An EU-ASEAN arrangement may take some time to come about," Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong told reporters in Lisbon following talks with his Portuguese counterpart Jose Manuel Durao Barroso.

Rice production drops in West Java

Rice production drops in West Java Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung This year's prolonged dry season has caused rice production in West Java to reach 8.9 million tons, falling short of the target of 9.2 million tons.

1. 5 columns, 1 line, 40

1. 5 columns, 1 line, 40 Int'l investors conference held in Bali 2. 3 columns, 2 lines, 27 China to extend tax breaks for travel businesses 3. 2 columns, 4 lines, 12 U.S. productivity grows 9.4 percent in third quarter, best in 20 years

Kemayoran vendors out of business

Kemayoran vendors out of business JAKARTA: Hundreds of makeshift stalls belonging to sidewalk vendors along main roads in the Kemayoran area were demolished, while their carts were taken to a government store in Cakung, East Jakarta, following a large-scale raid on Wednesday.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003 .TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions * Perempuan paintings and photographs exhibition, works by 7 artists including Wianta, Oei Hong Djien and Iswanto Soerjanto, Hotel Padma Bali, Jl. Padma-Legian, until Dec. 6. * Video-Painting-Kadek installation by Filippo Sciascia, the Gaya gallery, Jl. Raya Sayan-Ubud, Nov. 28 to Dec. 28.

Construction of monumental new seaport commences

Construction of monumental new seaport commences Sandy Darmosumarto, The Jakarta Post, Banten The construction of the Bojonegara International Port (BIP) in Banten started on Wednesday, with President Megawati Soekarnoputri, accompanied by other ministers, inaugurating the start of the work. When completed, it will be the country's largest seaport.

NOTICE

NOTICE For the last two days, our website, www.thejakartapost.com, and email address (@thejakartapost.com) have been inaccessible due to technical problems. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and are working to correct the problem as soon as possible. In the meantime, please use our alternative email address, jktpost2@cbn.net.id, for correspondence until further notice. Thank you. -- Editor

KL to sign UN anticorruption treaty

KL to sign UN anticorruption treaty MALAYSIA: Malaysia said on Wednesday it will soon sign a UN convention on corruption aimed at increasing international cooperation in recovering funds and bringing suspects to justice. Malaysia will sign the UN Convention Against Corruption at a conference in Merida, Mexico, next week, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said. "We hope it can help us in solving whatever corruption cases in Malaysia," Badawi said at a regional conference on fighting graft.

KPUD delays announcing DPD candidates again

KPUD delays announcing DPD candidates again The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The local General Elections Commission (KPUD) in Jakarta once again delayed on Wednesday its announcement of the names of the candidates eligible to stand next year for the Regional Representatives Council. Jakarta KPUD chairman M. Taufik said the commission's members needed to reassess the documents submitted by a number of candidates before the list of DPD candidates is announced to the public on Thursday.

Police warn of unrest over Riau layoff

Police warn of unrest over Riau layoff Haidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, Riau Massive layoffs may occur in the immediate future in Lobam Industrial Park, Riau Islands, Riau province, as some 40 investors plan to relocate their businesses to other countries, an official has warned. Riau Police chief Brig. Gen. Deddy S. Komaruddin said that the plan, which would affect 1,200 employees working in the area, was poised to create social instability in Riau.

Flooding spreads in Kampar regency

Flooding spreads in Kampar regency The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, Riau Flooding, triggered by days of heavy rain, is spreading in Kampar regency, Riau province, with thousands of houses and a number of schools already inundated, local officials said on Wednesday. No casualties or injuries were reported, however. The floods hit five villages -- Tanjung Balam, Buluh Cina, Kampung Pinang, Lubuk Siam and Teratak Buluh, all in Siak Hulu subdistrict -- after the Kampar river burst its banks.

Beware politicians

Beware politicians bearing gifts From Media Indonesia As the 2004 general election nears, we should be alert for various political occurrences that could prevent the people from going to the polls, such as political violence and security disturbances. Behind the tension and violence that may arise, some politicians may be trying to benefit their own interests.

Some Acehnese unaware of GAM anniversary

Some Acehnese unaware of GAM anniversary Nani Farida and Tengku Agam Muzzakir, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Lhokseumawe It was business as usual here on Wednesday, with social and economic activities undisturbed by the build-up of military presence on the eve of Free Aceh Movement (GAM) anniversary celebrations.

PGN IPO price set at Rp 1,500 per share

PGN IPO price set at Rp 1,500 per share The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has decided to sell the shares of state-owned gas utility PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) via an initial public offering (IPO) next week at Rp 1,500 per share, a senior government official said. Mahmuddin Yasin, deputy for privatization at the Office of State Minister of State Enterprises, said on Wednesday that at that price level, the IPO would result in some Rp 2.5 trillion in proceeds.

Papuans reject Guterres plan to form pro-integration group

Papuans reject Guterres plan to form pro-integration group Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua Former East Timorese militia leader Eurico Guterres plans to establish a branch of his pro-integration Red and White Defender Front (FPMP) in troubled Papua province, but local people have opposed it. "What does he want in Timika (Papua)? What's his goal to set up an organization here? He may have another purpose. Such an organization should not exist in Papua.

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Security a key factor in Japan-ASEAN relations Bantarto Bandoro Editor, 'The Indonesian Quarterly' Centre For Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta bandoro@csis.or.id 2. IraQ -- Phase three -- civil war 2 x 30 Phase three -- civil war: Where will Iraqis take control of their country? Simon Tisdall Guardian News Service London

BUN director acquitted

BUN director acquitted Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In another blow to the country's sluggish drive against corruption, the Jakarta High Court overturned the prison term imposed on former director of the now-defunct Bank Umum National (BUN) by a lower court, in the Rp 6.7 trillion (US$788.2 million) Bank Indonesia Liquidity Support fund (BLBI) misuse. The appeals court also acquitted Leonard Tanubrata of all corruption charges.

Papua Council to hold dialog

Papua Council to hold dialog JAKARTA: The Papua Council will hold a gathering on Dec. 15 to discuss the fate of the province. Council head Jhon Ibo said on Wednesday the dialog would respond to the government's decision to split the province, which has resulted in several clashes. "We still don't know about our status. Frankly speaking, most Papuans expect to separate from Indonesia," Ibo said, adding that Papuans had to resolve the issue to curb separatism.

Australian FM to visit Indonesia

Australian FM to visit Indonesia JAKARTA: Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer is scheduled to visit this weekend to address a seminar hosted by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said on Wednesday he had arranged for a meeting with his Australian counterpart during the visit to Jakarta. "Of course we are scheduled to hold talks.

Vendors disrupt traffic

Vendors disrupt traffic BEKASI: Hundreds of illegal stalls in front of Pasar Baru market have been operating on part of Jl. Juanda, worsening traffic congestion, it was observed on Wednesday. Nurul Yakin Setiabudi, deputy chief of Bekasi City Council's commission B, overseeing the city's economy, said councillors had received many complaints over the presence of the vendors, who mostly sell fruits and vegetables.

AirAsia flies to new destinations

AirAsia flies to new destinations KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's budget airline AirAsia on Wednesday launched flights to five new domestic destinations from Senai airport in southern Johor state near Singapore. The daily flights to Penang, Kuching, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu and Miri "fit nicely with our plans to turn Senai airport into AirAsia's southern hub," said the airline's chief executive Tony Fernandes.

An idea of a general

An idea of a general Warning for tardy civil servants Civil servants who fail to return to work in the days after the Idul Fitri holiday will be punished. State Minister of Administrative Reforms Feisal Tamin revealed the government's policy on Monday, saying that anyone not on official leave must be at their desk on Dec. 1, 2003. Idul Fitri will fall on Nov. 25 and Nov. 26, but the government has declared an extended holiday, from Nov. 22 through Nov.

WB to boost lending to Indonesia

WB to boost lending to Indonesia Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The World Bank announced on Wednesday its commitment to increase loans to the country in the next four years to help lift millions of Indonesians out of poverty, provided the government makes greater efforts in its anticorruption and good governance drives.

Bomb suspects stand trial

Bomb suspects stand trial JAKARTA: A couple stood trial on Wednesday at the South Jakarta District Court charged with attempting to bomb City Police Headquarters on May 10. Sumono and Suharto, the two policemen who made the arrests, took the stand as witnesses at Wednesday's hearing against defendants Sahlan, alias Alan, a former policeman, and his wife Eni. The witnesses testified that Alan had confessed that the two bombs, confiscated by the police from Eni, belonged to him.

Voters disregard ideology in elections: Survey

Voters disregard ideology in elections: Survey Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A recent survey found that the public will not take ideology into consideration when they choose their preferred political parties or presidential candidate in the elections next year. The survey, conducted by Soegeng Sarjadi Syndicated (SSS), found that candidates with a "nationalist" orientation and "Islamic" candidates stood an equal chance of winning the elections.

Japan, ASEAN hold antiterror conference

Japan, ASEAN hold antiterror conference Agencies, Tokyo Japan and ASEAN nations began a two-day meeting here on Wednesday to discuss joint measures against terrorism in the region, a government official said. Participants in the annual consultation are expected to discuss threats from international terrorism networks, cooperation to fight terrorism in the region and other issues, according to the foreign ministry.

.pl

.pl .rm Rupiah Retes Dec.3 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,580.38 5,839.70 6,244.80 6,174.82 Brunei dollar 1 5,229.72 4,644.71 4,963.02 4,911.25 Canadian dollar 1 6,920.17 6,144.90 6,567.27 6,497.54 Swiss franc 1 6,972.83 6,194.02 6,617.24 6,549.48 Danish krone 1 1,458.43 1,295.72 1,384.05 1,370.08 Euro 1 10,854.44 9,641.85 10,300.90 10,195.16 Poundsterling 1 15,547.91 13,812.72 14,755.02 14,605.38 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,329.42 1,027.99 1,097.94...

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.

Social economic rights need more understanding

Social economic rights need more understanding Yanuar Nugroho, The Business Watch Indonesia, Surakarta, Central Java, yanuar-n@unisosdem.org Look at this time-series data on evictions in Jakarta, compiled and processed by the Jakarta Social Institute (ISJ) and the Jakarta Residents' Forum (Fakta). First, during 2001, the Jakarta municipality, in the name of law and order, evicted the urban poor 99 times.

Old crime, new crisis

Old crime, new crisis Of all the human rights abuses committed under the authoritarian former Indonesian president Soeharto, why has one military massacre of Muslim civilians been singled out for accountability, almost two decades after the fact? The answer is as much entwined in the present day threat posed by extremist Islam - and its terrorist offshoots - as in popular demands to right past wrongs.

Mastel suggests restructuring of BRTI

Mastel suggests restructuring of BRTI Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Telecommunications Society (Mastel) has called for the restructuring of the newly established Indonesian Telecommunications Regulatory Body (BRTI), saying the agency's independence from the government was questionable.

Loan fraud hits state-owned Bank Rakyat Indonesia

Loan fraud hits state-owned Bank Rakyat Indonesia Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After wrapping up a successful initial public offering (IPO) a month ago, state-owned Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) has now put at risk its credibility after the disclosure of a loan fraud worth Rp 294 billion (US$34.5 million) at three of its branches.

KPU will welcome parties filing complaints

KPU will welcome parties filing complaints Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The General Elections Commission (KPU) said on Wednesday that it welcomed complaints from parties that had not been declared eligible for next year's elections, but stressed that only valid protests would be entertained. "Please, feel free to submit complaints but we will only entertain written objections with accompanying evidence.

Koizumi stars in promo ad

Koizumi stars in promo ad TOKYO: "Try authentic sushi and tempura." It's not a sign outside some Japanese restaurant, but a line Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi hopes will lure tourists to Japan. As part of a government campaign to double the number of tourists to 10 million a year by 2010, Koizumi has recorded a promotional video. Speaking in English he urges people to experience Japan's traditional culture, including the two famous dishes.

Italian caught smuggling cocaine

Italian caught smuggling cocaine Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali Airport authorities on the resort island of Bali arrested a 24- year-old Italian national on Wednesday afternoon for attempting to smuggle some 5.26 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of about Rp 4.5 billion (US$529,000) into Indonesia. The suspect was identified as Juri Angione from Orbetello, Italy.

The ASEAN-Japan summit

The ASEAN-Japan summit Although we fully understand and accept the reasons, we regret that Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi had to cancel her planned visit to Jakarta this week following the killing of two Japanese diplomats in Iraq on Saturday. Her visit to Jakarta was originally to discuss the final preparations for next week's ASEAN-Japan summit, which will be cochaired by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Govt to pass out free condoms

Govt to pass out free condoms SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: In conjunction with World AIDS Day that fell on Dec. 1, the East Kalimantan Provincial Health Office has decided to distribute 12,560 free condoms to brothels in the province. "The condoms will be distributed immediately to commercial sex workers, because they are an affected community with a high exposure to HIV/AIDS," Ridwan Masrun, head of the health office, said on Wednesday.

Limp Bizkit face Indonesian lawsuit

Limp Bizkit face Indonesian lawsuit JAKARTA: Not unfamiliar with lawsuits, American rock band Limp Bizkit might face another one, this time from Indonesian promoter Original Production for canceling its performance in Bali on Friday. In a release on Tuesday, Original stated that vocalist Fred Durst's fear of the security situation had caused the band to cancel a series of concerts in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, scheduled for this week and next.

Banks financial condition improving, but lending remains slow: BI

Banks financial condition improving, but lending remains slow: BI The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Behind the apparent progress made by the banking sector in improving its financial health, the slow growth in lending to the private sector remains a major concern, according to the central bank's assessment.

Women activists campaign for quota

Women activists campaign for quota JAKARTA: Activists from the Women Care for Indonesia Movement visited the House of Representatives on Wednesday as part of their campaign to increase women's representation in politics. Law No. 12/2003 on elections encourages political parties to increase the number of women legislators in the House to at least 30 percent, although it does not spell out any sanctions for failure to do so.

Rice production drops due to prolonged drought

Rice production drops due to prolonged drought Yuli Tri Suwarni The Jakarta Post Bandung This year's prolonged dry season has caused rice production in West Java to reach 8.9 million tons, falling short of the target of 9.2 million tons.

1. SICK 1x30

1. SICK 1x30 Bali ill-prepared for crises 2. FILM 1x36 TV series to show world through child's eyes 3. CHILD 2x30 Jaya Suprana charity concert to benefit needy children

PITA to hold AIDS film festival

PITA to hold AIDS film festival JAKARTA: Pita, a support group for people living with HIV/AIDS, will hold an AIDS Film Festival between Dec. 9 and Dec. 13, in conjunction with the World AIDS Day. During the festival 11 films will be shown at the French Cultural Center (CCF) on Jl. Salemba Raya and the Cemara 6 Gallery in Menteng, both in Central Jakarta, and the Haj Usmar Ismail Theater (PPHUI) in Kuningan, South Jakarta. The festival will kick off at the Cemara 6 Gallery on Dec. 8.

'I am fully recharged by the long holidays'

'I am fully recharged by the long holidays' Work has started again, but many are still in holiday mode, especially because more holidays are looming over Christmas and the New Year. To top it all off, private companies have reduced activities nearing year's end for the annual balancing of the books. The Jakarta Post talked to several workers about how the condition had affected their productivity. Toha, 57, an officer with the Central Jakarta District Court.

Police announce arrest of terrorist suspect

Police announce arrest of terrorist suspect Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Police dismissed reports of abduction of an Islamic activist by announcing his arrest on suspicion of illegal possession of guns and explosives. Deputy spokesman for the National Police Brig. Gen.

Doubts expressed over reconciliation commission

Doubts expressed over reconciliation commission Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Muslim leaders expressed doubts on Wednesday that the planned Truth and Reconciliation Commission would become an effective instrument for peaceful national reconciliation. Speaking before legislators in charge of deliberating the bill on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Muslim leaders warned that the establishment of the commission would only open old wounds and renew conflicts.

Minimum wage upped in Semarang

Minimum wage upped in Semarang SEMARANG: The minimum wage in Semarang will be increased to Rp 440,000 (US$51.80) from the previous Rp 400,000, an official said on Wednesday. "The decision on the new minimum wage, endorsed by a gubernatorial decree, will be effective Jan. 1," said Heri Supriyono, head of the Transmigration and Industrial Relations office at the Semarang administration.

Contractors or brokers?

Contractors or brokers? From Koran Tempo Three months ago, a transaction concerning the right to a toll road construction project was reported. According to Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla, it was a normal transaction and the origin of the money was unknown. The statement was made in connection with rumors that the funds derived from the scam at Bank Negara Indonesia went to two presidential aspirants of the Golkar Party.

1. TUTUT: 1 LINE, 25 COUNTS

1. TUTUT: 1 LINE, 25 COUNTS Tutut enters presidential race 2. JERUSALEM: 1 LINE, 28 COUNTS Powell initiative angers Israel 3. BRI: 1 LINE, 36 COUNTS Loan fraud hits state-owned BRI bank