Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 22 March 2003

86 articles found

Damage to Asian economies likely limited if U.S.-Iraq war is short

Damage to Asian economies likely limited if U.S.-Iraq war is shortAssociated Press, Hong Kong Airlines are cutting flights, some shoppers and tourists are staying home, and exporters predict shrinking orders.

Protesters target U.S. fast-food outlets

Protesters target U.S. fast-food outletsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Hundreds of Muslims activists forced the closure of an American fast-food franchise in Surabaya, East Java, as nationwide rallies to protest the U.S.-led war in Iraq continued on Friday.

;JP;zph;

;JP;zph; ANPAf..r.. Rupiah-conversion-ratesRupiah Rates March 21 JP/13/13RupiahRupiah Rates March 21 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp Australian dollar 1 5,654.04 5,056.18 5,383.95 5,326.04Brunei dollar 1 5,395.99 4,828.39 5,138.23 5,086.09Canadian dollar 1 6,431.

Asian monies mixed, markets focused on Iraq

Asian monies mixed, markets focused on IraqDow Jones, Singapore Asian currencies drifted in tight ranges with no real direction as market players fixated on the war in Iraq and hesitated to take strong positions ahead of the weekend.

Democracy very bad for corruption

Democracy very bad for corruption Berlin-based Transparency International (TI) said in its 2002 annual report that based on its corruption perceptions index, Indonesia, together with Kenya, is the world's fourth most corrupt country.

TV Program: Monday, March 24, 2003

TV Program: Monday, March 24, 2003TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:03 a.m.Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 English News Service 7:30 Children's Program: Pentas Ceria8:00 Talk Show: RT/RW 8:30 DRTV Indonesia9:00 Entertainment10:00 Quiz: Dibisikin11:00 News: Berita Daerah 11:30 Music: Konteswara12:00...

Astra Otoparts's profit slightly up

Astra Otoparts's profit slightly up JAKARTA: PT Astra Otoparts, the spare autoparts unit of PT Astra International, said Friday its consolidated net profit in 2002 rose 0.7 percent from a year earlier to Rp 257.38 billion (about US$28 million) .

Jakartans longing for clean and cheap water

Jakartans longing for clean and cheap waterDebbie A. Lubis, Contributor, Jakarta "Buying water has made a hole in my pocket," says an ordinary woman in an advertisement broadcast by Indonesian private televisions. Her grievance seems to be exaggerated, but it is true for most Jakarta residents.

Mega seeks cordial ties with the media

Mega seeks cordial ties with the media JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri hosted a luncheon for senior editors from several media on Friday, with an eye toward building more amicable relations with the press.

Expatriates monitoring situation, confident of safety

Expatriates monitoring situation, confident of safetyA'an Suryana and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite a wave of demonstrations protesting the United States attack on Iraq here, expatriates living in Indonesia say they are not worried about being targeted by violence.

New health scheme for poor

New health scheme for poor Various efforts have been made by the government to help destitute families access health services. Public health centers, which provide cheap services and affordable medicines, have been made available in most parts of the archipelago.

Protesters target U.S. fast-food outlets

Protesters target U.S. fast-food outletsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Hundreds of Muslims activists forced the closure of an American fast-food franchise in Surabaya, East Java, as nationwide rallies to protest the U.S.-led war in Iraq continued on Friday.

Intimidation and press freedom

Intimidation and press freedomIgnas Kleden Sociologist The Center for East Indonesian Affairs (CEIA) Jakarta It is generally believed that one of the main reasons why democracy is desirable is to prevent the use of physical violence, both in the state-society relationship as well as in social,...

[b]GATS: Threat to public

GATS: Threat to public as their rights ignored Henry Heyneardhi Business Watch Indonesia Surakarta heyneardhi@watchbusiness.org2. Pro22 -- Saddam's Stalingrad strategy 2 X 30Saddam's Stalingrad strategy uses scorched earth approach Edward N.

List of Securities Quotation:

List of Securities Quotation: Day/Date:Friday, March 21, 2003 Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 21, 2003: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume...

JP/4/caption

JP/4/captionAntaraNO TO THUGGERY: Newsmen belonging to Journalists against Violence Solidarity (SWAK) put their signatures to a banner to protest against thuggery outside the offices of the Cirebon administration in West Java. Both print and electronic journalists joined the protest on Friday.

;AP;KOD;

;AP;KOD; ANPAu..r.. Aglance-Thai-Cambodia-border Thai-Cambodia border crossings reopened nearly two months after JP/10/ASEAN Thai-Cambodia border reopened THAILAND: Border crossings between Thailand and Cambodia were fully reopened on Friday, almost two months after anti-Thai riots in the Cambodian...

Australian farmers threaten to sue over lost Iraq wheat sales

Australian farmers threaten to sue over lost Iraq wheat salesAgence France-Presse Sydney An alliance of Australian farmers warned Friday that they will sue the government if the valuable Iraqi market is lost after the war.

Exel launches RI operation

Exel launches RI operation JAKARTA: Supply chain management company Exel has officially opened in Indonesia.The establishment of PT Exel Indonesia marked Exel's fourth expansion in Asia Pacific in the last six months.

`Asian nations must brace for retaliation from terrorists'

`Asian nations must brace for retaliation from terrorists'Eileen Ng, Agence France-Presse, Karambunai, Malaysia Asia must brace itself for retaliatory terrorist attacks on "soft targets" following the U.S.-led attack on Iraq, experts at a security meeting here warned on Friday.

Business community seeks help during war

Business community seeks help during warA'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Business leaders demanded on Friday the government and the central bank take immediate action to mitigate the impact of the Iraq war on the country's business sector and the overall economy.

List of Securities Quotation:

List of Securities Quotation: Day/Date:Friday, March 21, 2003 Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 21, 2003: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume...

Emirates maintains normal services

Emirates maintains normal services JAKARTA: Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, will continue to operate normally except for services to Kuwait, which have been temporarily suspended, the company said in a statement on Friday.

Former VP Umar Wirahadikusumah dies at 79

Former VP Umar Wirahadikusumah dies at 79The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Umar Wirahadikusumah, Indonesia's former vice president known for his calmness and integrity, died on Friday at the age of 79 from heart complications in Jakarta.He died at 7:53 a.m.

Where to go in Yogyakarta: Saturday, March 22, 2003

Where to go in Yogyakarta: Saturday, March 22, 2003 Performance* Ramayana Dance (episodes) every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, Open Air Stage, Prambanan Temple, Jl. Raya Yogya-Solo Km 16 Prambanan (Tel. 0274-496408), 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Diarrhea to affect 6 million people this year

Diarrhea to affect 6 million people this yearMoch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post JakartaUp to 6.2 million people out of the total Indonesian population of 215 million will suffer diarrhea this year, mainly due to poor access to clean water, a senior government official says.

Miranda quizzed over liquidity funds

Miranda quizzed over liquidity funds JAKARTA: The Attorney General's Office questioned on Friday Bank Indonesia deputy governor Miranda Goeltom in connection with the misuse of central bank liquidity support funds from 1997 through 1999.

Unocal starts drilling in West Seno

Unocal starts drilling in West Seno JAKARTA: American energy firm Unocal Corporation says its subsidiary Unocal Makassar Ltd has started the first phase of its drilling program to develop the deepwater West Seno field offshore East Kalimantan.

RI, Germany build water station

RI, Germany build water station JAKARTA: The Indonesian and German governments have established a water quality monitoring station in the East Java capital of Surabaya to assess the quality of the water in the Berantas river.

Land reclamation

Land reclamation in Jakarta This is to remind Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso, who is going ahead with the Jakarta reclamation project, that even he knows the environmental impact assessment has elaborated the consequences in detail.

Govt goes ahead with bond issue plan

Govt goes ahead with bond issue planThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government said on Friday it was moving ahead with its plans to issue new bonds later this month despite the ongoing war in Iraq which has caused jitters in the financial market.

PAN to pick VP candidate in June

PAN to pick VP candidate in June JAKARTA: The National Mandate Party (PAN), the country's fifth largest political party, is expected to discuss its vice presidential candidate during a national congress in June.

BI says forex reserves enough to defend rupiah

BI says forex reserves enough to defend rupiahThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Indonesia said on Friday it was ready to intervene in the currency market to protect the rupiah amid worries that domestic antiwar protests could turn violent.

Traditional house's originality puts it on map

Traditional house's originality puts it on mapHeru Prasetya, Contributor, Yogyakarta Visitors touring the grounds of the Yogyakarta Palace fortress, also known as the jeron benteng area, will find an old traditional house at Jl. Siliran 1 in the Panembahan area.

TV Today: Saturday, March 22, 2003

TV Today: Saturday, March 22, 2003TVRI 5:03 a.m.Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 English News Service7:30 Children's Program: Pentas Ceria8:30 Talk Show: Ibu, Bayi dan Balita9:00 Music: Pesona Music Indonesia 10:00 TV Drama: Mujizat10:30 Talk Show: Live Clip11:00 News: Berita...

GATS: Threat to public as their rights ignored

GATS: Threat to public as their rights ignoredHenry Heyneardhi, Business Watch Indonesia, Surakarta, heyneardhi@watchbusiness.org The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) is being negotiated by the World Trade Organizations.

Jakarta rejects U.S. call to expel Iraqi diplomats

Jakarta rejects U.S. call to expel Iraqi diplomatsFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia flatly rejected on Friday the United States' call for the expulsion of Iraqi diplomats here, saying that ties between Jakarta and Baghdad was not Washington's concern.

Business as usual at int'l schools, but security upped

Business as usual at int'l schools, but security uppedTertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With government pledges to guarantee the safety of the expatriate community and to protect their interests and assets following the war in Iraq, international schools here continue to operate.

Archery body fails to elect new chairman

Archery body fails to elect new chairman JAKARTA: The Indonesian Archery Association failed to elect a new chairman during its congress which ended here on Friday.The director of the Sports Academy, IGK Manila, Minister of Industry and Trade Rini Soewandi and politician Arifin Panigoro had been...

Water privatization a controversial step around the world

Water privatization a controversial step around the worldMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Phnom Penh, Cambodia The privatization of water distribution has caused controversy not only in Indonesia but also in other parts of the world, particularly in neighboring Asian countries.

Fresh from the mountain springs...

Fresh from the mountain springs...Sudibyo M. Wiradji, Contributor, Jakarta Unlike tap water providers, companies involved in the lucrative bottled water business have no difficulty in finding their source of water.Most of the country's bottled water companies use mountain springs as their source.

President to sue daily for defamation

President to sue daily for defamation JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri plans to sue Rakyat Merdeka daily for comparing her to Soemanto, a man who confessed to eating parts of dead human bodies.

Telkom awards contract to Quantum

Telkom awards contract to Quantum JAKARTA: PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia and its joint-operating partner PT Bukaka Singtel International have awarded a contract to install 69,345 telephone lines in the South Sulawesi capital of Makasar to PT Quantum Bahana, the company said Friday.

KPU to start screening local commission members soon

KPU to start screening local commission members soonArya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The General Elections Commission (KPU) announced on Friday that it was now ready to establish local election commissions, meaning that significant progress has been made as the general election draws closer.

Religious leaders urge govt action to stop Iraq war

Religious leaders urge govt action to stop Iraq warFabiola Desy Unidjaja and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Religious leaders urged the government on Friday to take immediate and concrete action to stop United States-led attack on Iraq through the United Nations.

JP/3/DISCOurse

JP/3/DISCOurse Berlin-based Transparency International (TI) said in its 2002 annual report that based on its corruption perceptions index, Indonesia, together with Kenya, is the world's fourth most corrupt country.

`Bush is arrogant, a coward; Saddam, pig-headed'

`Bush is arrogant, a coward; Saddam, pig-headed' U.S. President George Bush commenced his preliminary attacks on Iraq with around 40 missiles on Thursday, despite the heavy antiwar protests worldwide. Many deem the U.S.

Experts back national health plan

Experts back national health planEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Yayan, who runs a small business in Bekasi, West Java, was a initially skeptical when told about a government program to give every citizen health insurance. However, he could not hide his interest in hearing more.

U.S. claims contact with Iraqi troops, elite guard

U.S. claims contact with Iraqi troops, elite guardWill Dunham, Reuters, Washington The United States on Thursday said it was in touch with Iraqi forces, including members of Saddam Hussein's elite Republican Guard, over what they had to do to surrender without a fight.

Central Aceh isolated after Takengon violence

Central Aceh isolated after Takengon violenceNani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Jakarta Central Aceh regency remains isolated, with the main highway connecting the regency with other regencies blockaded by residents following two recent violent incidents in the regency this month.

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, March 24, 2003

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, March 24, 2003Exhibitions* Photo, Varanus Komodoensis, by Volker Kess, at GoetheHaus, Jl. Sam Ratulangi 9-15, Central Jakarta,(Tel. 021-23550208), until April 2, at 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. * Painting, From China With Art, at Galeri Nasional Indonesia, Jl.

BoK sees lower SKorea's growth

BoK sees lower SKorea's growth SEOUL: South Korea's central bank on Friday said economic growth in the first quarter to March would be much lower than expected because of uncertainty linked to the buildup towards the just begun war on Iraq.

Milk warehouse robbed

Milk warehouse robbed BOGOR: Eleven men, armed with machetes and sickles, made off with Rp 50 million and a truck after robbing the warehouse of the Bendera milk factory in the Semplak district of Bogor regency on Friday.

China's big thirst for oil makes war with Iraq a serious concern

China's big thirst for oil makes war with Iraq a serious concernWilliam Foreman, Associated Press, Beijing A long, messy war against Iraq that causes a spike in oil prices could pose a threat to China - a key economy with a growing thirst for fuel and increasingly tighter ties to global markets,...

Expats in E.Kalimantan to pay fee

Expats in E.Kalimantan to pay fee BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: Expatriates working and living in Balikpapan must obtain an ID card and pay US$300 a year to the city, home to offices of several foreign oil and gas companies.

Photo-water-sales

Photo-water-sales Photo captionJP/Mulkan SalmonaWATER FOR SALE: A man draws water from a public water tap to sell later to residents in Sunter, North Jakarta. This business is common in North Jakarta where the supply of clean water is limited due to the intrusion of salt water into the groundwater...

Saving eagles through insemination

Saving eagles through inseminationRidlo Aryanto, Contributor, Yogyakarta How do Indonesian bird-lovers differ from their German counterparts? This question has often been asked of Edi Boedi Santosa, a veterinary surgeon teaching at Gadjah Mada's school of Veterinary Medicine, Yogyakarta.

* Headlines: Business as usual at int'l schools 2

* Headlines: Business as usual at int'l schools 2 * National: Former VP Umar Wirahadikusumah dies at 79 4 * Archipelago: Central Aceh tense after Takengon violence5 * Opinion: Saga of Kalijodo red-light district 7 * City: Class action sought over water rate hike 8 * Sports: Schumacher puts Ferrari...

List of Securities Quotation:

List of Securities Quotation: Day/Date:Friday, March 21, 2003 Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 21, 2003: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume...

Govt limits offices to boost efficiency

Govt limits offices to boost efficiencyMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has issued a regulation limiting provincial and regency administration offices to 10 and 14 respectively, in the name of efficiency.

Bapedalda must be kept: Official

Bapedalda must be kept: Official JAKARTA: The Office of the State Minister for the Environment has come out in opposition to a new government regulation merging regional Environmental Assessment Agency (Bapedalda) offices with other offices.

Four public toilets to be demolished

Four public toilets to be demolished JAKARTA: The Central Jakarta administration will soon demolish four public toilets constructed on the sidewalk of Jl. Senen Raya in the Senen area.Central Jakarta Mayor Hosea Petra Lumbun said the construction of the toilets had violated Bylaw No.

Telkom's lip service

Telkom's lip serviceFrom Kompas In August 2000, PT Telkom offered new telephone lines through its ads in the printed media, for which consumers could register by calling the company. I contacted them to secure one line for my new house in Pekayon, East Jakarta.

Class action sought over water rate hike

Class action sought over water rate hikeBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Some water consumers are threatening to file a class action against the city administration and the City Council if Governor Sutiyoso's proposal for a 45 percent rise in water charges is approved by councillors.

Saga of Kalijodo red-light district

Saga of Kalijodo red-light districtEva K. Sundari, Lecturer in Economics, Researcher, Airlangga University, Surabaya The recent destruction of settlements and the eviction of people in Kalijodo, North Jakarta by city public order officers is tragic for the urban poor.

Security to be tightened along East Timor border

Security to be tightened along East Timor borderYemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara Indonesia and the United Nations Peace Keeping Force (UNPKF) have agreed to tighten security along the border of East Timor in the wake of alleged pro-Jakarta militia attacks operating in...

Police declare state of high alert nationwide

Police declare state of high alert nationwideDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A day after the U.S. mobilized its military against Iraq, Indonesian police declared on Friday a state of high alert across the nation in case of a possible threat to the country's security.

Indonesia and the North Korean crisis: Is there a role for ARF?

Indonesia and the North Korean crisis: Is there a role for ARF?No role for Indonesia in Korean peninsulaPaulo Gorjao Lecturer Lusiada University Portugal paulogorjao@yahoo.com During the recent Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Forum held in Jakarta, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander...

Bulog says rice reserves enough for seven months

Bulog says rice reserves enough for seven monthsAdianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The State Logistics Agency (Bulog) said on Friday it had enough rice reserves to maintain price stability at home amid rising uncertainty on the international market as a result of the war in Iraq.

Indocement operates again

Indocement operates again CIREBON, West Java: Cement company PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa said on Friday it had resumed operations at one of its factories in Cirebon, after fixing what the local environmental office had described as damage causing a high amount of dust to leak to the atmosphere.

To Indonesia: From China, with love

To Indonesia: From China, with loveSari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Ge Jianhua, general manager of Rizhao The East Industrial and Trading Co., Ltd., has come from Shandong province in China to offer his company's products to the Indonesian market.

Free medical services in W. Jakarta

Free medical services in W. Jakarta JAKARTA: More than 170 physicians are providing free medical services for the public at Puri Indah, West Jakarta, from Friday through Sunday.The event, which is taking place behind the West Jakarta municipality office, is organized by the Jakarta Military Command...

Textile, timber exports projected to fall

Textile, timber exports projected to fallZakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Textile and timber exports would be the most badly affected by the ongoing war in Iraq, a senior official at the Ministry of Industry and Trade said on Friday.

Ruang Rupa exhibition invites unique participation

Ruang Rupa exhibition invites unique participationAde Tanesia, Contributor, Yogyakarta Many exhibitions place visitors in a passive position: they come, observe and appreciate works of arts on display, and that's it.

List of Securities Quotation:

List of Securities Quotation: Day/Date:Friday, March 21, 2003 Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 21, 2003: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume...

S&P welcomes Lippo Bank fine

S&P welcomes Lippo Bank fine JAKARTA: Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said Friday that a fine of Rp 2.5 billion (about US$277,000) imposed on Lippo Bank Tbk by the Indonesian Capital Market Supervisory Agency is an encouraging regulatory development.

Originality of traditional house puts it on the map

Originality of traditional house puts it on the mapHeru Prasetya Contributor YogyakartaTourists visiting the inside of the Yogyakarta Palace fortress, also known as the jeron benteng area, will find an old traditional house at Jl. Siliran 1 in the Panembahan area.

Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday March 22, 2003

Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday March 22, 2003Exhibitions* Photo, Varanus Komodoensis, by Volker Kes, at GoetheHaus, Jl. Sam Ratulangi, Central Jakarta, (Tel. 021-23550208), until April 2, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. * Painting, From China With Art,at Galeri Nasional Indonesia, Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur No.

Four players tied at top in Japfa chess tourney

Four players tied at top in Japfa chess tourneyMusthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Four players are tied for first place after four rounds of the men's master competition at the Japfa Chess Festival here.

Jakarta should learn about water from Cambodia

Jakarta should learn about water from Cambodia Unlike Jakarta and other cities in Indonesia, the tap water situation in Cambodia's capital of Phnom Penh is improving, as the state-owned water company is very hard working and dedicated to providing water to all citizens.

Winning the war

Winning the war for clean water Nirwono Joga Chairman Indonesian Landscape Architecture Study Group Jakarta While the United States is given free rein in its ambition to take control of Iraq and its oil refineries, an even fiercer war is going on: The war for clean water.

Water fees and the water bill

Water fees and the water bill The March 14 and March 15 editions of The Jakarta Post featured news on the water fees for farmers. It said that on March 14 a new draft of a government regulation was proposed, obliging farmers to pay for water used for irrigation.

Three consortia compete for Danamon

Three consortia compete for DanamonDadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) shortlisted on Friday three bidders who are competing for a majority stake in Bank Danamon, with the agency targeting to name the winning bidder in May.

Security across Asia's key spots tightened

Security across Asia's key spots tightenedAgence France-Presse, Islamabad A security clampdown descended on cities across Asia on Friday as authorities sought to prevent anger over the Iraq war boiling over into violence and possible terrorist attacks.

1. EXPEL: 1 x 50

1. EXPEL: 1 x 50 Jakarta rejects U.S. call to expel Iraqi diplomats 2. PROTEST: 1 x 43 People around world protest against Iraq war 4. ANTIWAR: 1 x 65 Antiwar protests erupt across United States, more than 1,000 arrested 5. REFUGEE: 2 x 30 No refugee flows out of Iraq, but borders open: UNHCR

Presidential candidacy rule opposed

Presidential candidacy rule opposedKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Political experts and politicians have expressed disagreement with the presidential elections bill, which stipulates that only political parties winning at least 20 percent of the seats in the House of Representatives are...