Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 4 February 2003

65 articles found

Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, Pebruari 4, 2003

Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, Pebruari 4, 2003 Performances * Dance,Contemporaine - Tari Kontemporer, by Lena Guslina, CCF Auditorium , French Cultural Center, Jl. Purnawarman 32, Bandung, (Tel. 022-4212417), Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m. * Teater, Les Chaises-Kursi-Kursi, Directed by W. Hermana HMT, Chaired by Doni M. Nur, Auditorium CCF, Frecnh Cultural Center, Jl. Purnawarman 32, Bandung, (Tel. 022-4212417), Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m..

Tubagus may lead the new oil & gas body

Tubagus may lead the new oil & gas body JAKARTA: Indonesia's parliament has recommended Tubagus Haryono as the head of the newly established body supervising the country's downstream oil and gas industry, a legislator said Monday. Iwan Prayitno, a member of the parliament's oil and gas commission, told reporters that Tubagus had passed the so-called fit and proper test conducted by the parliament. President Megawati Sukarnoputri will likely name Tubagus as head of the new body soon, he added.

Focus more on your business by renting your vehicles

Focus more on your business by renting your vehicles Most of today's major companies that are always on the move, such as banks, agricultural, mining and manufacturing firms, require reliable vehicles for their businesses. Most of these companies are relying on services provided by car rentals. Edi Gunawan, the Marketing Manager of TRAC-ASTRA RENT-A-CAR, said that renting cars allows companies to reap numerous benefits.

Dengue fever still high in C. Java

Dengue fever still high in C. Java SEMARANG, Central Java: Dengue fever is currently endemic in 33 of Central Java's 35 regencies and municipalities despite declining fatalities over the past five years. Krishnajaya, head of the provincial health office, said in Semarang on Monday most of the areas with endemic dengue fever were located near the province's northern coastal areas.

New reform agenda

New reform agenda The government is finalizing the new reform agenda it will implement under the International Monetary Fund's three-year extended facility, which will end in December. The reform package, which will be attached to the eighth letter of intent the government will send to the IMF executive board later this month, constitutes the continuation of measures carried over from the previous reform agreement, plus new items that are planned for completion within the next few months.

Tourism board, Garuda team up

Tourism board, Garuda team up Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With uncertainty clouding the tourist industry following the Oct. 12 Bali bombings, the Indonesian Cultural and Tourism Board and flag-ship carrier Garuda Indonesia signed an agreement on Monday to promote tourism in the country.

Bank Danamon sell-off faces obstacles

Bank Danamon sell-off faces obstacles Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government's plans to divest a majority stake in Bank Danamon look set fair to encounter more turbulence after the House of Representatives' banking subcommittee requested a delay on Monday. The House budget committee's banking subcommittee pointed to the current weakness in the market and the absence of a law governing the divestment of state assets and the privatization program.

Dictionary piracy

Dictionary piracy From Media Indonesia Hassan Shadily passed away two years ago. Until his death, he could only complain in silence that the (Indonesian-English and English-Indonesian) dictionaries he coauthored with John M. Echols in 1952 were sold in pirated copies. All his attempts to find the culprits of this piracy failed. Pirated copies of the dictionaries, which demanded a lot of hard work to compile, have continued to be marketed at a price Rp 40,000 cheaper than original copies.

Official data shows tourism recovering faster than expected

Official data shows tourism recovering faster than expected The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) disclosed on Monday tourist arrival statistics, which indicate that tourism is recovering faster than many had anticipated following the Oct. 12 Bali bombings. BPS said the terrorist attacks had dealt a severe blow to the tourist sector as the number of foreign tourist arrivals fell by 2.33 percent in 2002 to 5.03 million compared to 5.15 million in 2001.

Open selection of justices demanded

Open selection of justices demanded JAKARTA: The Coalition of Judicial Observers has urged the House of Representatives to be transparent when testing candidates for recruitment at the Supreme Court. "Clear and fair parameters in a fit-and-proper test are needed for the House to have better judgment on the quality and the integrity of the candidates of Supreme Court justices," Firmansyah Arifin, the coordinator of the coalition, told a media conference on Monday.

Acehnese demand justice, govt gives cash

Acehnese demand justice, govt gives cash Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Lhokseumawe, Aceh Compensation money is often given in exchange for a loss of property or a relative, but it cannot bring back a loved one, or in many cases, compensate for the bitter feelings felt. Hundreds of Acehnese received on Saturday a small sum of money from the central government in an apparent attempt to win back those people's hearts after years of conflict that has left them with painful memories.

Japan to help RI curb illegal timber trade

Japan to help RI curb illegal timber trade Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian government is set to sign a cooperation agreement with its Japanese counterpart in April this year to help curb widespread international trading in illegal timber. Ministry of Forestry spokesman Tachrir Fathoni told The Jakarta Post last week that the cooperation was needed as Japan had long been a major market for illegal timber-based products.

Inflation increases slightly in January

Inflation increases slightly in January Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) announced on Monday that inflation in January rose by 0.8 percent from the previous month, lower than many had anticipated. BPS chairwoman Soedarti Surbakti said the lower than expected increase was partly due to a delay in utility price hikes. She added that most prices had peaked in December, during the year-end holiday season.

Booking Garuda open return seat

Booking Garuda open return seat While in Singapore late in January traveling on Garuda with an open return to Jakarta, on Saturday, Jan. 25, I tried in vain to book my return to Jakarta for Sunday afternoon. I called Garuda airport number 654-24554 until late, just to get the recorded reply that "all our staff are attending to flights, for reservation please call 250-2888, for flight information 542- 4422". I called 250-2888 for hours but could not get through.

The root causes of Cambodian riot

The root causes of Cambodian riot Kavi Chongkittavorn, The Nation, Asia News Network, Bangkok The rampage on Preach Norodom Sihanouk Boulevard last Wednesday will become another fixture of the love hate history of Thai-Cambodian relations. Only this time it severely hurts Cambodia's image and international standing. Cambodia is an emerging democracy.

U.S. plane forced to land in Indian city: A United States plane

U.S. plane forced to land in Indian city: A United States plane was forced to land in the west Indian city of Bombay on Monday for a violation of airspace laws, private Zee television channel reported. Sourcing the story to Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain, the channel said the Boeing 757 was en route to Male, capital of the Maldives, from Karachi in Pakistan when it was forced to land in Bombay as it did not have the mandatory "air defense certificate".

'They have killed democracy'

'They have killed democracy' With minimum public debate, the City Council endorsed last Friday the Rp 10.98 trillion (US$1.2 billion) city budget for the current fiscal year. The council has apparently discounted the public in the deliberation process, as the budget favors the city administration and the council itself, rather than the residents of Jakarta. The Jakarta Post asked some residents for their opinions on the controversial budget approval.

Police arrest alleged Singapore JI leader

Police arrest alleged Singapore JI leader Tiarma Siboro and Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police officers in Riau said on Monday they had arrested the suspected leader of the Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) base from Singapore, but added that they had no evidence linking him to the Bali bombing. An Indonesian-born Singaporean citizen, Mas Selamet Kastari was arrested on Sunday night in the city of Tanjungpinang on Bintan island in Riau, said Police Detective Chief Comr. Gen.

Errant airline remains unpunished

Errant airline remains unpunished JAKARTA: Minister of Transportation Agum Gumelar said Monday the government had yet to decide on the sanctions to be imposed on Indonesian Airlines for its failure to transport 1,200 people leaving for a haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia last week. "We are still collecting information from the air transportation directorate general. No sanction has been decided yet," Agum said.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exhange (in rupiah) on Feb.3, 2003:

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exhange (in rupiah) on Feb.3, 2003: ------------------------------------------------------------- Name Close Change Volume ------------------------------------------------------------- Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 575 0 10,000 Adindo Foresta 50 0 0 AGIS Tbk 45 0 160,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 180 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 105 0 0 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 725 -25 12,500 Alter Abadi Tbk 10 0 0 Alumindo Light 155 0 0 Andhi Chandra 450 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 450 0 0...

Japanese diver dies off Bali

Japanese diver dies off Bali DENPASAR, Bali: The remains of a Japanese tourist who died in a diving accident off of nearby Menjangan islet, Bali, on Sunday, will be sent home on Tuesday as requested by relatives. The departure to Japan of the body of 54-year-old Fumto Maruko, one of four foreign tourists who have died in Bali in 2003, was also approved by the insurance company financing the transport, said Gus Sumastra, head of the Antarbangsa travel agency in Denpasar, here on Monday.

Officials raid illegal circus, rescue animals

Officials raid illegal circus, rescue animals Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A ranger carefully shot a tranquilizer dart into a restless leopard. After fifteen minutes, it was sedated, making it possible for other rangers to move the gigantic cat from its small cage to a spacious one. The drama did not take place at the leopard's native home in Africa, but here in Jakarta at a makeshift mini circus on Jl.

Teacher allowances to be doubled

Teacher allowances to be doubled Following approval of the 2003 city budget, the city administration decided on Monday to increase the allowance for 40,000 teachers here by 100 percent from Rp 350,000 to Rp 700,000 a month. "With an increase in the allowance, we hope the teachers will be more dedicated in their duties," Governor Sutiyoso said at City Hall.

Huge diamond sold at discount

Huge diamond sold at discount BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: A 66.22-carat diamond, one of the largest every found in the country over the last two decades, was sold by a local miner at a price far below that of other bidders from outside of Kalimantan. Leading diamond dealers in Banjarmasin said on Monday that the buyer of the rare gem was Yusuf, a citizen of Martapura, Banjar regency's diamond center, but the date of purchase had not been announced for "security reasons".

Digital printing more cost effective

Digital printing more cost effective Rangga Ivananda, Contributor, Jakarta Digital printing technology is a continuation of digital imaging. Once digital imaging is completed on a computer, its result can be then printed on digital printers. Various printed materials, such as company profiles, presentation sheets, calendars, posters and the like for certain businesses are printed only in limited quantities, which would be costly if printed by conventional printing companies.

Jakartans get ready for another round of flooding

Jakartans get ready for another round of flooding Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Chinese believe that rain during the Lunar New Year festivities brings good luck for the coming year, but most Jakartans, especially those living along riverbanks, no doubt have an entirely different opinion of wet weather. Jakarta residents are still haunted by last year's flooding, which overwhelmed large parts of the city, including areas previously untouched by floods.

Experience with

Experience with Allianz Insurance On Dec. 12, 2002, I visited a physician at the Omni Medical Center, one of the hospitals in Jakarta registered as a member of the Allianz Health Insurance network, for help with an annoying pain around my "twelfth thoracic vertebrae". After the usual physical examination, the doctor gave me a prescription for medicine that cost Rp 127,750.

House seeks single association, one code of ethics for lawyers

House seeks single association, one code of ethics for lawyers Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Legislators are seeking to establish a single bar association for Indonesian lawyers in the advocate bill currently under deliberation at the House of Representatives. With only one bar association, the lawmakers said, the advocate code of ethics, as well as punishment for lawyers committing professional crimes, would be enforced effectively.

BNI profit soar to Rp2.5t

BNI profit soar to Rp2.5t JAKARTA: State-owned PT Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) Monday said its unaudited net profit rose to Rp 2.56 trillion (US$284 million) in 2002 from Rp 1.75 trillion a year earlier. The bank said net interest income rose to Rp 4.28 trillion in 2002 from Rp 2.77 trillion a year earlier. It didn't comment on its performance. Elsewhere, BNI Director Binsar Pangaribuan also told Parliament the bank expects its net profit to increase to Rp 2.8 trillion this year.

Lemhanas calls for new body to examine nationality borders

Lemhanas calls for new body to examine nationality borders Despite assurances from the foreign ministry that there is no threat of territorial loss after the Sipadan-Ligitan case, National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) Governor Ermaya Suradinata urged on Monday the establishment of an interdepartment agency to deal with border issues.

Security, tax keys to oil and gas investment: BP Migas

Security, tax keys to oil and gas investment: BP Migas A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The oil and gas upstream authority, BP Migas, warned on Monday that oil and gas investors would remain reluctant to apply for new contracts unless the government was able to resolve their security and tax concerns. The government needed to assure investors that the business environment in Indonesia was attractive and free from uncertainties, said BP Migas' chairman Rachmat Sudibyo.

TV Program: Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003

TV Program: Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m.Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:30 English News Service 8:00 Music: Pop Daerah 8:30 DRTV 9:00 TV Drama: Janji Cinta 9:30 TV Drama: Paviliun 21 10:00 Entertainment 11:00 News: Berita Daerah 11:30 Music: Konteswara 12:00 p.m.News: Berita Siang 1:00 Talk Show: Konsultasi Keluarga 2:00 News: Metro Indonesia 2:30 Talk Show: Kisah Imam Buchari 3:00 Kid Channel 4:00 Battle of Wits 5:03 Agro Bisnis 6:00 News: Berita Petang 7:00...

Busway again postponed, Sutiyoso to go to Colombia

Busway again postponed, Sutiyoso to go to Colombia Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Due to a lack of preparation, the city administration decided on Monday to postpone launching the controversial busway project at least until the end of this year. "We will not force a launch this year, but when and if all the preparatory steps have been completed," governor Sutiyoso told reporters at City Hall.

Ba'asyir detention extended

Ba'asyir detention extended JAKARTA: The Jakarta High Court upheld on Monday the South Jakarta District Court's decision to extend the detention of Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir for another 30 days. One of Ba'asyir's lawyers, Munarman, said the High Court's decision was incorrect because the request for the extension came from police investigators, but the case was already in the hands of the prosecutors.

Govt to install phone lines in rural areas for vote-counting

Govt to install phone lines in rural areas for vote-counting Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is planning to install telephone lines in 43,022 villages outside Java within the next three years in a bid to improve telecommunications in the world's largest archipelagic nation.

Pertamina to offer Tangguh LNG to Japanese buyers

Pertamina to offer Tangguh LNG to Japanese buyers Johannes Simbolon, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State oil and gas company Pertamina will offer liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Tangguh plant in Papua to Japanese buyers during a tour of that country to renew various sale and purchase contracts.

* Headlines:Perhutani scolded over W. Java landslides 2

* Headlines:Perhutani scolded over W. Java landslides 2 * National:'Commission no solution to flaws' 4 * City: Busway project on hold again 5 * Opinion: Religion, peace and conflict6 * Sports: Golfer Weir wins Bob Hope title10 * World: Hun Sen denies inciting anti-Thai riots11 * Business: Tangguh LNG offered to Japanese buyers 13 * Features: Ex-president's memorable legacy 20

Bishops oppose possible war in Iraq

Bishops oppose possible war in Iraq JAKARTA: The Bishops Conference of Indonesia (KWI) has expressed its concern over the United States' threat of military action in Iraq, as they speculated that it could cause the deaths of human beings in Iraq. "We are focusing our attention on those who may fall victim to such a war. They are God's creatures who will be destroyed by war. We reject war and promote peace on the grounds that war is a form of contempt of God," KWI said in a letter dated Jan.

Lee's effects offered for charity

Lee's effects offered for charity SINGAPORE: Personal items belonging to modern Singapore's founding father, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, will go under the hammer in an auction for charity, a report said on Monday. The Lee family has donated several possessions including a jade seal inscribed with his name and a fur hat worn by the former prime minister, who shepherded the tiny, resource-starved island into a wealthy city-state in just about three decades.

Death sentence deters drugs dealers

Death sentence deters drugs dealers JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri supports the death sentence for drug dealers, who are sentenced to death by the courts. "The President supports the implementation of the death sentence," Insp. Gen. Togar Sianipar, the head of the National Narcotics Body (BNN), told reporters on Monday following a meeting at the State Palace.

Police dealt slap in face by bomb blast at HQ

Police dealt slap in face by bomb blast at HQ Damar Harsanto and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta What is often assumed to be the safest place can sometimes turn out to be the most vulnerable to attack. This was graphically demonstrated on Monday morning when a low-explosive bomb blew up at Wisma Bhayangkari, located in the same compound as the National Police Headquarters on Jl. Sanjaya, South Jakarta, opposite the Greek Embassy.

Parliament recommends head for new oil & gas body

Parliament recommends head for new oil & gas body JAKARTA: Indonesia's parliament has recommended Tubagus Haryono as the head of the newly established body supervising the country's downstream oil and gas industry, a legislator said Monday. Iwan Prayitno, a member of the parliament's oil and gas commission, told reporters that Tubagus had passed the so-called fit and proper test conducted by the parliament.

Muslim pilgrimage to peak on Feb. 10

Muslim pilgrimage to peak on Feb. 10 SAUDI ARABIA: Riyadh said the peak of this year's haj pilgrimage, in which about two million Muslims will retrace the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad, will fall on Feb. 10, the Saudi Press Agency reported late on Sunday. The prospect of a U.S.-led war on Iraq for allegedly concealing banned weapons of mass destruction has cast a shadow over the pilgrimage taking place amid rising sentiment among Muslims opposed to an attack.

Bank robbers get away with Rp 159m

Bank robbers get away with Rp 159m TANGERANG: A gang of four thieves in a blue Kijang minivan managed to steal a safe containing Rp 159 million in cash from Windu Kencana Bank, Jl. Merdeka 207, on Sunday morning in Tangerang municipality. The arrival of the four thieves was witnessed by Nana Supratna, preparing his cigarette pushcart for business near the bank, but he was not suspicious of the four men at the time.

Religion, peace and conflict

Religion, peace and conflict Ignas Kleden, Sociologist, The Center for East Indonesian Affairs (CEIA), Jakarta, ceia@centrin.net.id In Indonesia, religion seems to be a safe base for people to fall back on. People faced with pressing difficulties tend to seek security in their religion by relying more on their religious community, taking God more seriously and relearning their prayers. However, religion is not only a means of rescue in the private domain.

1. HORN: 1 LINE, 38 COUNTS

1. HORN: 1 LINE, 38 COUNTS Lore Lindu National Park losing its 'soul' 2. AMAZON: 1 LINE, 45 COUNTS Oil fever casts pall over famed Amazon eco-paradise 3. ITALY: 1 LINE40 COUNTS N. Italy's smoggy Lombardy plans car phaseout

Lore Lindu National Park losing its 'soul'

Lore Lindu National Park losing its 'soul' Bambang M, Contributor, Lore Lindu, Central Sulawesi A major forest usually boasts typical sights such as waterfalls, lakes, mountain scenery or a crystal-clear river flowing through a valley. And the soul of this natural scenery are the wild animals. For Lore Lindu National Park, one of Indonesia's remaining primary forests, the soul is the red-knobbed hornbill (rhyticeros cassidix), locally called allo.

SriLankan Airlines is pleased to be of service to Indonesia and

SriLankan Airlines is pleased to be of service to Indonesia and has been a longstanding member of the Jakarta community. Our operating schedule has changed over the years but in the year 2000 we took a conscious decision to increase our presence and added 50% more capacity with the introduction of our 3rd weekly flight. To further meet the needs of our customers, one flight operates to Colombo via Singapore while the other two fly direct from Jakarta to Colombo.

Christian leader brought to trial over Poso violence

Christian leader brought to trial over Poso violence La Remy, The Jakarta Post, Palu, Central Sulawesi The Palu District Court opened on Monday the trial of the Reverend Reinaldy Damanik, accused of arms possession in the troubled town of Poso, Central Sulawesi. During the one-hour session, which began at 10 a.m., prosecutors charged the defendant with "controlling, carrying and transporting" firearms and ammunition in Poso.

Stage rallies

Stage rallies without anarchy From Koran Tempo The government's decision to simultaneously hike the fuel and utility prices has met with a strong reaction, not only from politicians but also from students, non-governmental organizations, workers, businesspeople and public transportation drivers, all demanding that the government revoke its decision. Students have staged street rallies to express their opinions. Our country's Law No.

[b]U.S. Dollar Rates Feb. 3

U.S. Dollar Rates Feb. 3 Latest %Change Yen 120.48-53 +0.61 Euro* 1.0729-32 -0.56 Sterling* 1.6377-84 -0.60 Swiss franc 1.3686-89 +0.48 Canadian dollar 1.5221-31 +0.13 Australian dollar* 0.5830-33 -0.55 New Zealand dollar* 0.5412-17 -0.15 Deutsche mark 2.2150-75 0.00 Czech koruna 29.426-76 +0.78 Hungary forint 226.84-41 +0.47 Danish krone 6.9314-22 +0.34 Norwegian krone 6.9769-99 +1.07 Polish zloty 3.8322-43 +0.31 Russian ruble 31.834-44 +0.04 Swedish krona 8.6136-96 +0.60 Dutch guilder...

Ex-president's memorable legacy

Ex-president's memorable legacy Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta For former enigmatic president Abdurrahman Wahid, all Indonesians -- be they of Chinese descent or of other ethnic backgrounds -- are equal. He believes Indonesians should not be segregated into indigenous and non-indigenous citizens, because such categorizations would only allow racial discrimination to persist.

'Commission no solution to flaws'

'Commission no solution to flaws' The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Lawmakers will soon start discussions to form a constitutional commission that will improve last year's amendment to the 1945 Constitution, but experts said on Monday the commission would unlikely change fundamental flaws in the new Constitution. The ad hoc committee of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) for the amendment of the 1945 Constitution, or PAH 1, is to meet on Thursday, Feb. 6, to discuss the commission.

Roh demands details on North Korea payoff scandal

Roh demands details on North Korea payoff scandal Lim Chang-Won, Agence France-Presse, Seoul South Korea's president-elect Roh Moo-Hyun on Monday urged the government to come clean about allegations that North Korea received a bribe in return for staging a historic inter-Korean summit in 2000.

The year of the Ram for RI-China

The year of the Ram for RI-China Bob Widyahartono, Member, Indonesian Council on World Affairs, Jakarta The inauguration of Hu Jintao as the fourth generation of China's leadership at the end of November 2002 marked a new era for the country in becoming more mature with opening up and internationalization. In 1982 Deng Xiaoping tipped the scales against Mao Ze Dong's appointed successor Hua Guofeng.

Nation has no leaders, only political elite says historian

Nation has no leaders, only political elite says historian M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia is in dire need of true leaders who are willing to fight for the good of the country and its people in ending the ongoing multifaceted crisis, said a noted historian on Monday. Historian at the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Anhar Gonggong said that the country had only party leaders who lacked statesmanship and dedication, in contrast to the nation's founding fathers.

New body needed to examine national borders

New body needed to examine national borders Kurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post Jakarta Despite assurances from the foreign ministry that there is no threat of territorial loss after the Sipadan-Ligitan case, National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) Governor Ermaya Suradinata urged on Monday the establishment of an interdepartment agency to deal with border issues.

Three more mass graves found in Aceh

Three more mass graves found in Aceh Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh With the signing on Dec. 9, 2002 of the cessation of hostilities agreement between Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), the Acehnese people began to feel emboldened enough to speak about the crimes committed by GAM in the past, starting with the three mass graves found in Kemukiman Manggamat, South Aceh. A group of residents from the village met on Monday with Maj. Gen. Djali M.

;JP;sps;

;JP;sps; ANPAf..r.. Rupiah-conversion-rates Rupiah Rates Feb.3 JP/13/Conver Rupiah Rates Feb.3 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp Australian dollar 1 5,514.03 4,921.74 5,245.85 5,189.68 Brunei dollar 1 5,395.64 4,817.39 5,133.22 5,079.66 Canadian dollar 1 6,139.34 5,480.96 5,840.75 5,779.35 Swiss franc 1 6,913.94 6,174.26 6,577.69 6,510.39 Danish krone 1 1,364.40 1,218.49 1,298.04 1,284.82 Euro 1 10,144.83 9,058.64 9,651.44 9,551.81 Poundsterling 1 15,502.28...

15,700 Acehnese refugees demand resettlement funds

15,700 Acehnese refugees demand resettlement funds Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra A total of 15,716 Acehnese families who have taken refuge in North Sumatra have yet to receive resettlement funds the central government pledged to grant in its program to end the refugee issue nationwide by the end of March 2003.

Exports fare better than expected: BPS

Exports fare better than expected: BPS Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country's export performance turned out last year to be better than many had expected, thanks to stronger exports of agriculture and low-end manufacturing products. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported on Monday that the value of exports rose by 1.21 percent to US$57 billion last year, compared with the level in 2001.

1. BUSWAY: 50 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12

1. BUSWAY: 50 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12 Busway on hold again, Sutiyoso plans to study more in Bogota 2. FLOOD: 36 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 22 Jakartans get ready for another round of flooding 3. SATWA: 28 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 42 Officials raid illegal circus, rescue animals 4. SPEAK: 28 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 28 'They have killed democracy' 5 GURU: 1 X 25 Teacher allowances doubled

Experience with Allianz Insurance

Experience with Allianz Insurance On Dec. 12, 2002, I visited a physician at the Omni Medical Center, one of the hospitals in Jakarta registered as a member of the Allianz Health Insurance network, for help with an annoying pain around my "twelfth thoracic vertebrae". After the usual physical examination, the doctor gave me a prescription for medicine that cost Rp 127,750.

Coach has little hope for women's squad

Coach has little hope for women's squad Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia looks set for yet another grueling challenge in its attempt to win the Sudirman Cup, the world mixed team championship that it won the first time it was held in 1989 but which has since evaded its grasp. The difficulty of the mission stems from the fact that Indonesia, as admitted by coach Ivanna Lie, is suffering from serious deficiencies in the women's division.

Forest firm being blamed for West Java landslides

Forest firm being blamed for West Java landslides Yuli Tri Suwarni and Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Bandung/Cilacap State-owned forestry company PT Perhutani has increasingly come under fire for its failure to stop the rampant deforestation blamed for last week's deadly landslides that killed more than 30 people in West Java. West Java Governor R.