Archive: 21 February 2003
78 articles found
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
House examines ambassadorial candidates
House examines ambassadorial candidates Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Following the controversial installment of three new ambassadors recently, the House of Representatives began to screen 17 more ambassadorial candidates with the expectation that President Megawati Soekarnoputri will heed the House's recommendations. House Commission I on security, defense and foreign affairs screened six of the 17 candidates on Thursday to determine their vision and mission in the posts.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Man shot dead by Brimob officer
Man shot dead by Brimob officer JAKARTA: An officer of the police's elite Mobile Brigade (Brimob) unit was involved in a fatal shooting on Thursday, killing one resident and injuring two others in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta. The incident occurred when the first brigadier spotted the three men gambling on Jl. Soekamto Hospital at about 2 p.m. The police officer started to quarrel with them, which led to the fatal shooting of Nurhikmah.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Army wants power again
Army wants power again Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With mounting pressure from the public for soldiers to return to their barracks across the country, the Army is demanding that it be given a bigger role in handling security affairs in the country. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu said here on Thursday that the military's security role should be reinstated due to the threats of separatism and other security disturbances.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
ADVERTORIAL
ADVERTORIAL Toyota Camry ranked as top vehicle in Indonesia With a good international reputation, Toyota Camry seems to be car of perfection in Indonesia. Only two years since it was introduced in the local market in October, 2000, the car has become the darling of Indonesian car enthusiasts. The appreciation is not stopped there. Toyota Camry was also named by Mobilmotor automotive magazine as the Indonesian Car of the Year 2002.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Wife of maid killer jailed
Wife of maid killer jailed SINGAPORE: A Singapore woman whose husband beat their Indonesian maid to death has been sentenced to nine months in prison for torturing the teenager before she died, a newspaper reported on Thursday. Tan Chai Hong, 30, vowed to appeal the sentence and was released on bail, the Straits Times said.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Calls mount for IBRA to sack Lippo's commissioners
Calls mount for IBRA to sack Lippo's commissioners Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Outspoken State Minister of National Development Planning Kwik Kian Gie has now joined the wave of criticism urging the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) to replace Bank Lippo's current independent commissioners.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Vocational schools give hope to Maluku's young
Vocational schools give hope to Maluku's young Ati Nurbaiti, The Jakarta Post, Langgur, Kei Kecil, Maluku Pearls adorn the souvenir shops in Tual town, no surprise given that the Little Kei Islands and the other isles in Southeast Maluku are surrounded by the crystal clear waters essential for pearl cultivation. What does come as a surprise, however, is that the cultivators and exporters are mainly Japanese.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Dismissal
Dismissal issue left on labor bill debate Moch. N. Kurniawan and M. Taufiqurrahman The Jakarta Post Jakarta A few days before the planned endorsement of the labor protection and development bill, the House Special Commission needs only to debate one contentious issue on workers dismissal after approving articles on strikes and factory lock-outs.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, Feb. 21, 2003
Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, Feb. 21, 2003 Exhibitions * Masks, Berbagai Ekspresi dari Berbagai Budaya,by Erasmus Huis and Rembulan Cantik Studio in Yogyakarta, at Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. S-3, Kuningan South Jakarta, (Tel. 021- 5241069), until March. 15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Email: info@erasmushuis.or.id * Photo, A Tribute to Bali: 100 Days After, by Kemal Jufri, at Toko Buku Aksara, Jl. Kemang Raya 8B, South Jakarta, (Tel. 021- 7199288), until Feb. 28, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m..
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Sunset of our shoe industry
Sunset of our shoe industry The Indonesian shoe industry has suffered from a series of "tragedies" that have affected its production. First, the sudden increase in utility prices early this year. None of the shoe producers was ready for the shocking fact that they had already signed contracts with foreign buyers. A loss was unavoidable! They had to accept a 10 percent loss (on the total value of contracts) due to increased production costs.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Two tactical errors cost Team New Zealand badly in races two
Two tactical errors cost Team New Zealand badly in races two and three while the Cup holder were forced to withdraw from the opening race with a series of gear breakages. Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker said after Tuesday's third race that he did not think crew changes were needed but said he would step aside if the team decided it was the best way to beat Alinghi.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Why lash out only at Inul?
Why lash out only at Inul? From Warta Kota Gyrating your hips the way a drill does, the movement introduced by the increasingly popular singer Inul Daratista has invited a lot of criticism from community organizations, including the Media Watch and Consumer Center, the Community Against Pornography, and the Alliance Against Pornography and Porn-Action Communities.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Sony to make online push
Sony to make online push TOKYO: Japanese electronics giant Sony said on Thursday it would begin selling PlayStation 2 broadband connectivity devices at stores nationwide in May to further move its hugely popular game console online. By December, seven months after starting its online gaming service in Japan, Sony had sold only 190,000 of its PlayStation BB units, which consist of a hard drive and an adapter, through sales offered solely through Internet service providers.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Religious fundamentalism and the threat to women
Religious fundamentalism and the threat to women Eva K. Sundari, School of Economics Center for Women Studies, Airlangga University, Surabaya Recently, we have witnessed a large number of women holding street rallies, protesting the presidential decree on price hikes for fuel and utilities. In a patriarchal society, these hikes land a stronger blow on women than on men. Increasing living costs means added pressure on the domestic role of women, which is directly related to their practical needs.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Visa-on-arrival policy
Visa-on-arrival policy We, in the tourism industry, read with some trepidation the recent reporting of the minister of justice's plan to change the visa-on-arrival policy, possibly eliminating the free visa for certain countries, including the USA and Australia. Minister Yusril Mahendra hopes that the tourism industry should support his view of the unfairness of certain countries' visa regulations towards Indonesia.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Lack of breeding
Lack of breeding In private most Indonesians think that they are the most civilized people on this planet. The broadcasting of the press conference of Amrozi televised also on CNN and BBC showed the contrary. Like a general winning a war Amrozi stood there on the podium, complete with handshakes and smiles from the audience, as if he is not a criminal, but a hero worth our greatest admiration.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Govt to issue rule on spatial planning
Govt to issue rule on spatial planning JAKARTA: The government said on Thursday it would issue a regulation on spatial planning for each big island in the country to help save farming land, forests and green areas from construction projects. Minister of Resettlement and Regional Infrastructure Soenarno said the regulation for each island was necessary to keep green areas in every island at at least 20 to 30 percent of the total area of the island.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Malaysian Open
Malaysian Open 62 - Fredrik Andersson (Swe), Arjun Atwal (Ind) 63 - Thammanoon Srirot (Thai) 64 - Ted Oh (Kor) 65 - Daniel Chopra (Swe), Simon Dyson (Gbr), Alessandro Tadini (Ita), Wei-Tze Yeh (Tpe) 66 - Retief Goosen (Rsa), Periasamy Gunasagaran (Mas), Padraig Harrington (Ire), Harmeet Kahlon (Ind), Kang Wook-soon (Kor, Dean Robertson (Gbr), Gary Rusnak (USA), Lee Westwood (Gbr), Simon Yates (Gbr) GetRTR 3.00 -- FEB 20, 2003 18:55:09
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Prices of electronics goods drop by up to 13 percent
Prices of electronics goods drop by up to 13 percent Sari P. Setiogi The Jakarta Post Jakarta The prices of electronics products have dropped by between 4 percent and 13 percent following tax cuts introduced by the government recently, according to an industry executive. "There's been a big (price) adjustment," said PT LG Electronics Indonesia's marketing and sales manager Sung Khiun during a product launching ceremony on Thursday.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Film censorship: The past and present outlook
Film censorship: The past and present outlook Tony Rianto, Contributor, Jakarta Film censorship is always an interesting subject. Back in 1972, Malaysia allowed "adult" films -- neither hard- core nor soft-core but only erotic because censorship restrictions were still in place -- to be released. Understandably, demand was high at the initial stages, but diminished with the passing of time. However, in August 1973, Malaysia put an end to the showing of adult films.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
FDI in ASEAN rising, still dropping in RI
FDI in ASEAN rising, still dropping in RI The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While investment flows into Indonesia remains negative, flows to other ASEAN countries are showing signs of rising, with realized foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region at US$1.95 billion during the first half of 2002. According to a report issued by the secretariat office of the Association of South East Asian Nations, the above figure was slightly higher than $1.94 billion posted in the same period in 2001.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Korean businessmen to invest in RI's component industry
Korean businessmen to invest in RI's component industry Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta South Korean component manufacturers are considering investing in Indonesia to supply components for Korean electronics, automotive and petrochemical industries in Indonesia as well as in Korea.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
'People should dare to question officers'
'People should dare to question officers' Undisciplined police officers and the public's poor legal awareness have, to a certain extent, encouraged the emergence of thieves disguised as police officers. Should the city police neglect to take serious measures, such fraudulent officers will further threaten public security. The Jakarta Post asked the public for their views on this issue. Haji Ashari, 45, is a chicken soup vendor in Palmerah, West Jakarta.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bali need 3,000 police for terror trials
Bali need 3,000 police for terror trials Wahyoe Boediwardhana and Ainur R. Sophiaan, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya/Denpasar Police authorities are now preparing a special team involving some 3,000 police officers to secure the buildings where the series of trials for the suspects in the Bali terror attacks will be held. Bali police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Y. Suyatmo said Thursday that the team would be backed up by military personnel and traditional Balinese security guards.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb. 20, 2003:
Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb. 20, 2003: ------------------------------------------------------------- Name Close Change Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 575 0 29,000 Adindo Foresta 50 0 0 AGIS Tbk 45 0 500,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 180 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 105 0 0 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 750 0 0 Alter Abadi Tbk 10 0 0 Alumindo Light 190 40 77,500 Andhi Chandra 460 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 450 0...
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bill on legislative composition shows more reform flaws
Bill on legislative composition shows more reform flaws Berni K. Moestafa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The bill on the composition of the legislative bodies, a follow- on from last year's amendments to the 1945 Constitution, demonstrates the weaknesses that critics warned would result from what they said were half-hearted constitutional changes.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian, 4 Chinese missing
Indonesian, 4 Chinese missing JAPAN: Four Chinese men and an Indonesian were missing on Thursday after their ship capsized off a southern Japanese island, while all 23 other crew members were rescued, the coast guard said. The 23 survivors -- South Korean skipper Ha Ho-don, 57, 16 Chinese and six Indonesians -- said there had been 28 crew on board the wrecked ship.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Utut wins in final round game at Aeroflot Open
Utut wins in final round game at Aeroflot Open The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After drawing in his last two matches, Grand Master (GM) Utut Adianto bounced back with victory, beating Zhao Xue in the final round of the Aeroflot Open chess tournament in Moscow on Wednesday. Utut, who played black, stopped the Chinese women's grand master in 34 moves of a Queen's Gambit defense, according to Utut's companion, Kristianus Liem, in a release here on Thursday.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb. 19, 2003
Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Feb. 19, 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 575 0 29,000 Adindo Foresta 50 0 0 AGIS Tbk 45 0 500,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 180 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 105 0 0 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 750 0 0 Alter Abadi Tbk 10 0 0 Alumindo Light 190 40 77,500 Andhi...
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Kwik admits mistake in corruption remark
Kwik admits mistake in corruption remark JAKARTA: Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) executive board chairman Kwik Kian Gie said Thursday that he was wrong to label the party as the most corrupt of the country's political parties. "I was told that I was wrong (in naming the party as the most corrupt)," Kwik said after a meeting with President Megawati Soekarnoputri, in her capacity as PDI Perjuangan chairwoman, at the State Palace on Thursday.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bush hails Indonesia's success in fighting terrorism
Bush hails Indonesia's success in fighting terrorism Agence France-Presse, Washington U.S. President George W. Bush telephoned his Indonesian counterpart Megawati Soekarnoputri on Wednesday to congratulate her on her country's success in fighting terrorism, the White House said. "The president emphasized his appreciation for Indonesia's excellent work in counterterrorism cooperation, including the investigation of the Bali bombings," said spokesman Ari Fleischer.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Fourteen join ITF Jr event in Jakarta
Fourteen join ITF Jr event in Jakarta The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Fourteen countries will take part in the ITF Group 2 Junior Tennis Championship in Jakarta from Feb. 24 to March 2, the organizing committee says. The Jakarta ITF tennis meet was upgraded to a "Group Two" meeting only this year after having been played as a "Group Three" competition for 15 years.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Prices of electronics goods drop by up to 13%
Prices of electronics goods drop by up to 13% Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The prices of electronics products have dropped by between 4 percent and 13 percent following tax cuts introduced by the government recently, according to an industry executive. "There's been a big (price) adjustment," said PT LG Electronics Indonesia's marketing and sales manager Sung Khiun during a product launching ceremony on Thursday.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
* Headlines: Papua ready to form two new provinces2
* Headlines: Papua ready to form two new provinces2 * National:Parties must commit to female representation4 * Archipelago: Timber firm faces lawsuit5 * Opinion: Religious fundamentalism and the threat to women6 * City: Police HQ bomber is of sound mind: Spokesman8 * Sports: Andersson, Atwal shoot 62s in Malaysian Open 9 * World: Iranian plane crash kills 302 elite soldiers12 * Business: HKTI renews call for higher import tariffs 13 * Features: A new breed of French diplomat 20
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Iran gas pipeline to bypass Pakistan
Iran gas pipeline to bypass Pakistan NEW DELHI: India will bypass Pakistan as it pursues a multi- billion-dollar gas pipeline project with Iran, Petroleum Minister Ram Naik said. Naik said the pipeline from Iran to India would bypass their mutual neighbour Pakistan by going through the sea. He said he would travel to Iran within three months to discuss the deal. "We have not spoken to Pakistan on this and we are not going to talk to them," Naik told parliament.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Police HQ bomber is of sound mind: Spokesman
Police HQ bomber is of sound mind: Spokesman Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta National Police deputy spokesman Brig. Gen. Edward Aritonang said on Thursday that Adj. Comr. Anang Sumpena, a member of the police bomb squad who is also the prime suspect in the Feb. 3 bombing of the National Police's Wisma Bhayangkari building, is psychologically healthy. "Our psychological tests have shown that he is normal. He has also cooperated during the police investigation," said Aritonang.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Rights body demands law enforcement in Porsea
Rights body demands law enforcement in Porsea Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has told the relevant authorities in North Sumatra to enforce the law seriously against human rights abuses over persistent controversies shrouding PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL) in Porsea subdistrict. "We ask the authorities here to take legal action immediately when problems surface.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Kwik backs away from corruption remark
Kwik backs away from corruption remark The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) executive Kwik Kian Gie said Thursday that he was wrong to label the party as the most corrupt of the country's political parties. Kwik said his statement was a connotation in nature which was not based on any calculation, and therefore it was wrong.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Batam defends legalized gambling
Batam defends legalized gambling BATAM, Riau: Despite strong protests from some members of the public, the Batam municipal administration has issued a permit to PT Dewa Menara Wisata to manage gambling in the Tering Bay resort, Nongsa. The Batam mayor's public administration assistant, Asyari Abbas, confirmed the issuance of the permit but said he was not involved in the decision-making process.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Legislators told to forget holidays
Legislators told to forget holidays JAKARTA: Speaker of the House of Representatives Akbar Tandjung told House committees deliberating bills on the presidential election and the composition of the People's Consultative Assembly, House and the regional representative councils to forego their upcoming recess period in order to debate the drafts.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
KPU to select, train 1,750 local members
KPU to select, train 1,750 local members Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The General Elections Commission (KPU) is now bracing itself for a dramatically increased workload after the House of Representatives endorsed the elections bill. The commission will now have to prioritize the appointment of members to its provincial, regency and municipality branch commissions.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
The Kwik and hard truth hurts PDI Perjuangan
The Kwik and hard truth hurts PDI Perjuangan State Minister of National Development Kwik Kian Gie has once again revealed the massive corruption in this country, this time from within his own party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), saying it was the most corrupt in the nation. Kwik did not just 'speak out' when making that surprising and controversial statement.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Astra to sell stake in Toyota JV
Astra to sell stake in Toyota JV Agence France Presse Jakarta PT Astra International, the country's largest automotive firm, will on Thursday sign a memorandum of understanding on the proposed sale of most of its stake in a joint venture with Japan's Toyota Motor Corp., finance director John Slack said. Slack said Wednesday Astra was proposing to sell a 46 percent stake in PT Toyota Astra Motor, retaining just five percent.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah Rates Feb. 20
Rupiah Rates Feb. 20 JP/13/Conver Rupiah Rates Feb. 20 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 5,584.42 4,985.13 5,313.05 5,256.26 Brunei dollar 1 5,370.57 4,795.52 5,109.60 5,056.34 Canadian dollar 1 6,210.87 5,545.34 5,909.06 5,846.95 Swiss franc 1 6,870.20 6,135.83 6,536.35 6,469.56 Danish krone 1 1,358.76 1,213.68 1,292.73 1,279.69 Euro 1 10,099.06 9,018.67 9,608.31 9,509.19 Poundsterling 1 15,006.89 13,403.50 14,277.66 14,132.51 Hong Kong dollar 1...
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Makassar to host APSA meeting
Makassar to host APSA meeting MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Hasanuddin University in South Sulawesi province will host the 6th meeting of the Asia-Pacific Sociology Association (APSA) from July 25 through July 28. "The decision was made during the previous APSA meeting in Brisbane, Australia, in 2002," one of the organization's founding members, Andi Lolo, said in the provincial capital, Makassar, on Thursday.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Japan cancels travel warning revision
Japan cancels travel warning revision DENPASAR, Bali: The impending U.S. attack on Iraq has prompted the Japanese government to cancel its plan to downgrade its travel advisory on Indonesia. Japanese Consul General in Denpasar, Bali Kaoru Hatta said on Thursday that the Japanese government had planned to revise the travel warning by the end of February but the current political climate did not allow it.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah Rates Feb. 18
Rupiah Rates Feb. 18 JP/13/Conver Rupiah Rates Feb. 18 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 5,547.96 4,952.87 5,278.51 5,222.09 Brunei dollar 1 5,356.57 4,784.96 5,096.42 5,045.06 Canadian dollar 1 6,174.94 5,513.64 5,875.04 5,813.34 Swiss franc 1 6,868.32 6,134.55 6,534.75 6,468.01 Danish krone 1 1,357.52 1,212.06 1,291.59 1,277.94 Euro 1 10,090.36 9,011.46 9,600.30 9,501.30 Poundsterling 1 15,034.61 13,428.27 14,304.411 4,158.19 Hong Kong dollar 1...
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bush happy with Indonesia's war on terrorism
Bush happy with Indonesia's war on terrorism Agencies, Washington/Jakarta U.S. President George W. Bush telephoned his Indonesian counterpart Megawati Soekarnoputri on Wednesday to congratulate her on her country's success in fighting terrorism, the White House said. "The president emphasized his appreciation for Indonesia's excellent work in counterterrorism cooperation, including the investigation of the Bali bombings," said spokesman Ari Fleischer.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Mahathir says he'll quit all posts
Mahathir says he'll quit all posts MALAYSIA: Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad vowed on Thursday that he will give up all government and party posts when he retires later this year and not seek re-election to Parliament. The declaration, made during an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, marked the first that Mahathir ruled out retaining any formal political role since he announced plans to retire during a conference last year of his United Malays National Organization.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Police detain child traffickers
Police detain child traffickers SURABAYA: Police here have detained four suspects and are searching for two others for their alleged involvement in child trafficking in the East Java capital of Surabaya. The suspects will be charged under Article 333 of the Criminal Code on depriving others of their freedom, which carries eight years in jail. They are also accused of violating Article 83 of Law No. 23/2002 on the protection of children, which carries a maximum penalty of 15-years imprisonment.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Disappointing the Acehnese
Disappointing the Acehnese After having experienced a very brief spell of peace in their troubled province since the signing of a peace agreement between the Indonesian government and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Dec. 9 last year, the 2.4 million Acehnese people must now prepare themselves to face the resumption of the ferocities that they had experienced in the last 26 years.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Farmers grouping renews call for higher import tariffs
Farmers grouping renews call for higher import tariffs Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Farmers' income had been slashed during the past year due to falling prices for agricultural commodities and soaring production costs, Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI) chairman Siswono Yudohusodo said Thursday. Speaking at a press conference, Siswono urged the government to take immediate steps, particularly by raising import tariffs on competing commodities.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Town struggles to fight leprosy
Town struggles to fight leprosy Yuliansyah, The Jakarta Post, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan The number of people who have contracted leprosy has continued to increase in the regency of South Hulu Sungai, South Kalimantan, where more than 700 cases have been recorded, local officials said on Thursday. They said the disease has infected at least 708 people between 1999 and last year in the city with the prevalence of 33 sufferers per 10,000 local residents.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
'No more free pilgrimages in 2004'
'No more free pilgrimages in 2004' PEKALONGAN, Central Java: Local legislators said on Thursday that the Pekalongan regency administration must stop providing state funds for sending pilgrims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, next year. "Don't expect that we will allow people to go on pilgrimage using state facilities next year," Pekalongan legislative council speaker Dulmanan said. He argued that the haj pilgrimage was a personal matter for Muslims, who should pay for it themselves.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian bank seeks to settle bitter dispute with Indian firm
Indonesian bank seeks to settle bitter dispute with Indian firm Agence France-Presse Singapore An Indonesian bank has started arbitration proceedings here against an Indian software firm after a bitter business dispute that marred relations between the two countries. Bank Artha Graha (BAG) said in a press statement that it sought arbitration in January after Polaris Software Lab Ltd. of India failed to deliver its contractual obligations.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Dismissal issue left on labor bill debate
Dismissal issue left on labor bill debate Moch. N. Kurniawan and M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A few days before the planned endorsement of the labor protection and development bill, the House Special Commission needs only to debate one contentious issue on workers dismissal after approving articles on strikes and factory lock-outs.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Papua ready to form two new provinces: Governor
Papua ready to form two new provinces: Governor Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua Unlike religious leaders, Papua governor Jaap Salossa put his weight behind the recent presidential instruction to split Papua into three provinces. "We are ready to split Papua province into three or even four as long as it is aimed at improving local people's social welfare, because it is not in contradictory with Law No.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Officials blame each other for latest fire
Officials blame each other for latest fire Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta City-owned market operator PD Pasar Jaya has refused to accept responsibility for Wednesday's fire at central Jakarta's Tanah Abang market, the country's largest textile market. "It's a disaster. We followed standard procedure (to extinguish the fire)," PD Pasar Jaya president Syahrir Tanjung announced on Thursday after meeting Governor Sutiyoso at City Hall.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Tanah Abang still smoldering, firemen accused of arson
Tanah Abang still smoldering, firemen accused of arson Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It has been 36 hours and fire fighters were still working hard late on Thursday night to put out a fire which continued to smolder at Southeast Asia's largest textile mart in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Luhut throws down gauntlet in race for KONI post
Luhut throws down gauntlet in race for KONI post Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, a former minister of trade and industry, has thrown down the gauntlet to his rivals in the race for the chairmanship of the National Sports Council by suggesting a public debate. "I hereby challenge them to stand before the public and debate the issues.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Different approaches needed to cope with malnutrition
Different approaches needed to cope with malnutrition Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A researcher has called on the government to get malnutrition under control using an urban-rural approach with toddlers from poor families areas across the country, as the most recent data showed that more than one-fourth of the nation's youngsters are not getting enough to eat.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Parties urged to commit to female representation
Parties urged to commit to female representation Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Women legislators and activists pledged on Thursday to continue their campaign for a 30 percent female representation in the male-dominated House of Representatives. They said that although the recently approved elections bill opened the way for women legislators to obtain a fair share of seats, the implementation of the ruling would depend much on the commitment of the parties.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Timber firm faces lawsuit after monopoly allegations
Timber firm faces lawsuit after monopoly allegations Haidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, Riau A timber company is facing a Rp 100 billion lawsuit over charges of monopolizing timber supplies to PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP), one of the largest pulp and paper companies in Southeast Asia.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Merpati to open 49 new routes this year
Merpati to open 49 new routes this year Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned airline Merpati Nusantara plans to open 49 new routes serving Indonesia's remote regions, mainly in Papua province, company president Hotasi Nababan said Wednesday. Hotasi said the "pioneering flights" would also cover areas in East Nusa Tenggara, North Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, Maluku and North Maluku.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
East Timor claiming island in West Timor
East Timor claiming island in West Timor Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara Amid ongoing negotiations over putative Indonesian assets in East Timor, the East Timorese government has claimed Batek island in Kupang regency, saying it was part of Oecusi, the new country's enclave in West Timor. The East Timor government submitted its claim to the island through Indonesia's representative office in Dili, capital of East Timor.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bush happy with Indonesia's war on terrorism
Bush happy with Indonesia's war on terrorism Agencies Washington/Jakarta U.S. President George W. Bush telephoned his Indonesian counterpart Megawati Soekarnoputri on Wednesday to congratulate her on her country's success in fighting terrorism, the White House said. "The president emphasized his appreciation for Indonesia's excellent work in counterterrorism cooperation, including the investigation of the Bali bombings," said spokesman Ari Fleischer.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian bank seeks to settle bitter dispute with Indian firm
Indonesian bank seeks to settle bitter dispute with Indian firm Agence France-Presse, Singapore An Indonesian bank has started arbitration proceedings here against an Indian software firm after a bitter business dispute that marred relations between the two countries. Bank Artha Graha (BAG) said in a press statement that it sought arbitration in January after Polaris Software Lab Ltd. of India failed to deliver its contractual obligations.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Prosecutors unable to detain Elza
Prosecutors unable to detain Elza JAKARTA: The Jakarta Prosecutors Office failed to detain Elza Syarief, whose dossiers and evidence for the bribery case in which she is implicated were submitted by police to the office on Thursday. "Due to the suspect's strong arguments, including that she wouldn't repeat her offense, wouldn't destroy evidence and wouldn't flee from justice, we consider there is no need for us to detain her," head of the office Muljohardjo told reporters.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
UK tobacco firm contests court ruling
UK tobacco firm contests court ruling Dow Jones Jakarta UK-based Imperial Tobacco Group PLC's Reemtsma unit is appealing an Indonesian court decision stopping the company from selling its Davidoff brand cigarettes in the country, a lawyer involved in the case said Tuesday.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Hajs suffer food poisoning
Hajs suffer food poisoning BANDUNG, West Java: As many as 194 hajs (people who had performed haj pilgrimage) from the West Java regency of Garut were reportedly poisoned after they consumed vegetable juice one hour after the airplane, which was transporting them from King Abdul Aziz airport in Jedda, Saudi Arabia, to Jakarta, had taken off.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Canada holds education exhibition
Canada holds education exhibition JAKARTA: The Canadian Education Center will present the Canadian Education Exhibition 2003 for two days at the Shangri La Hotel in Jl. Jendral Sudirman, Central Jakarta from Feb. 21 The exhibition will be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m on Saturday. The event will present at least 16 Canadian education institutions, which consist of universities, academies and high schools.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
From Suara Karya
From Suara Karya I fully agree with Amir Hamzah of the MCWC, when he stated in the mass media that any request for funds made by a member of the election commission (KPU) must be carefully examined. I've read in one media publication that a KPU member, Ramlan Surbakti, has requested Rp 125 billion from the regional administration to cover the deficit in its budget for the 2004 general election. I've also read that some Rp 2.3 trillion has yet to be utilized. The request is really strange.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Fire engulfs East Jakarta health agency: A fire engulfed the
Fire engulfs East Jakarta health agency: A fire engulfed the health agency office in Jatinegara, East Jakarta on Thursday night. As of 11:45 p.m. on Thursday the fire was still burning and feared to be spreading to other buildings, including its immediate neighbor GPIB Koinina Church. The fire department there said that they had deployed eight fire trucks to put out the fire. --JP
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Lawyers charged with forging documents
Lawyers charged with forging documents Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Tangerang Prosecutor's Office chief Himawan Kaskawa said on Thursday that a team of five lawyers representing three Africans being tried by the Tangerang District Court for possessing 5.6 kilograms of heroin had forged documents to free the defendants from the charges they were facing.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
People told to remain calm over epidemic
People told to remain calm over epidemic YOGYAKARTA: Head of Yogyakarta provincial health office Azimah Adib called on local people in the province on Thursday not to panic over the outbreak of the epidemic chikungunya, saying that it was not a lethal disease and that a healthy lifestyle would help them avoid infection. "Good nutrition and strong stamina are adequate for avoiding the disease," Azimah told The Jakarta Post on the phone.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
RP says 15 dead in rebel bombing, raid
RP says 15 dead in rebel bombing, raid Reuters, Cotabato, Philippines The Philippine army said on Thursday a Moro rebel was killed while planting a bomb in a crowded market after guerrillas killed 14 villagers in another area of the southern island of Mindanao. Hours after the blast in the market of Kabakan town, another bomb went off outside Awang airport in a nearby area of Mindanao, killing a soldier and wounding six other people, the army said.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Toyota to inject $180m into Astra
Toyota to inject $180m into Astra Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The world's third largest automaker, Toyota Motor Corp. plans to inject some US$180 million into its Indonesian manufacturing joint venture company with PT Astra International in an effort to increase car exports from Indonesia. Akio Toyoda, managing director of Toyota Motor said on Thursday that the company planned to increase global production volume and expected the Indonesian operation to contribute.
Fri, 21 Feb 2003, 00:00 WIB
Sony urged to pay fair severance pay
Sony urged to pay fair severance pay JAKARTA: Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea asked PT Sony Indonesia on Thursday to give satisfactory compensation funds to workers who have to be dismissed due to its decision to shut down its operation in the country. "For Sony, it is embarrassing if the company only pays compensation funds as mentioned in Manpower Minister Decree No.150/2000," he said.