Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 3 March 2003

71 articles found

Tondano Lake under threat

Tondano Lake under threat MANADO, North Sulawesi: A total of 24 tons of mud resulting from erosion flow into Lake Tondano every year, resulting in the lake becoming increasingly shallow, thereby endangering its ecosystem. Human resources development chief at the Provincial Agricultural Office Sinis Munandar said the sedimentation problem was the result of the excessive use of land for agriculture, industry and housing purposes.

Police find 600 kg of drugs

Police find 600 kg of drugs TANGERANG: The Tangerang police found on Friday 600 kilograms of marijuana during a search of a house in Perum Sinta Griya Raya, Nusajaya subdistrict of Tangerang municipality, but no arrests were made. The Tangerang Police chief of detectives of the violent crime section, Second. Insp. Gani Alamsyah, said the main suspect, Richard Cassiva, was very shrewd and the object of a police search since January 2001.

Workers, employers to resolve dispute settlement bill

Workers, employers to resolve dispute settlement bill The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Following the endorsement last week of the bill on labor protection, both labor unions and employers expressed their readiness to solve contentious issues in the bill on settlement of labor disputes.

Residents of West Java divided by question of next governor

Residents of West Java divided by question of next governor The Jakarta Post, Cirebon/Bandung The people of West Java are divided over who should lead the province for the 2003-2008 period. Residents in the Pasundan area want the next governor to be Sundanese, while non-Sundanese residents in the northern part of the province want the next governor to come from their region.

FOCUS ISSUE --- Hotels

FOCUS ISSUE --- Hotels Bali hotels focus on locals to stay afloat Rita A.Widiadana The Jakarta Post Denpasar, Bali Bali has been called the Island of the Gods, whose beauty and rich cultures has lured millions of people from around the world. But the Oct. 12 bombings shattered the heavenly picture of the island.

Bekasi roads in disrepair

Bekasi roads in disrepair BEKASI: A number of roads in Bekasi mayoralty are in serious disrepair, forcing vehicles traveling on the roads to drive at severely reduced speeds. Antara reported the damaged roads included sections of Jl. Raya Jatiwaringin, Jl. Perwita, Jl. Noer Ali, Jl. Perjuangan, Jl. Raya Hankam, Jl. Raya Pekayon, Jl. Juanda and the roads near Pasar Baru.

Restructuring of state agencies

Restructuring of state agencies From Media Indonesia In restructuring the state agencies, the government needs to ensure that its administration acts not only in accordance with existing laws, regulations and stipulations, but also in a way that would be better than before. In this respect, the goal of this restructuring would not be fully reached if the government only raises the salaries of civil servants. There is more to this restructuring effort than just money.

Printer to print your own tabloid in color

Printer to print your own tabloid in color Zatni Arbi, Columnist, Jakarta, zatni@cbn.net.id When I was offered to test drive a new printer from Fuji Xerox, its Phaser 7300N, I just said "OK. When can you send it to my place?" I had missed the product launch in Jakarta in January, so I was not prepared to see how huge the printer was when it was delivered to my tiny little house the next day. It required two men to carry it from the van into my living room.

RI military turning its back on reform movement

RI military turning its back on reform movement Lee Kim Chew, The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore Thinking of reforms in the Indonesian military? Banish the thought -- for now at least. To the chagrin of many Indonesians, the country's once- omnipotent generals are seeking new laws to enhance a power that was whittled down after former president Soeharto's fall.

PDI-P, Golkar, PAN upbeat about 2004 election

PDI-P, Golkar, PAN upbeat about 2004 election Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Three of the country's leading political parties voiced confidence about the 2004 election, as they face direct elections for the first time and a surge of newcomers are claiming their share of votes.

Tax break wanted for imported timber

Tax break wanted for imported timber Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The newly established Forestry Industry Revitalization Agency (BRIK) is urging the government to grant a tax break to local timber-related industries in the import of logs to maintain competitiveness of their products in the export market.

Preparations mount as busway begins trial period

Preparations mount as busway begins trial period Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city administration finally started the trial period of its long-awaited busway project, temporarily called TransJakarta, last Friday as two trial buses made the first public appearance of an expected fleet of 60 buses to ply the route linking Blok M in South Jakarta and Kota in West Jakarta.

Bali victim's cousin begins 2,000 km walkathon

Bali victim's cousin begins 2,000 km walkathon Agence France-Presse, Brisbane, Australia A relative of a Bali bomb victim set out on Sunday on a 2,100- kilometer (1,320-mile) trek from the Queensland resort of Gold Coast to Melbourne to raise money for Bali. Stuart Mayne, who five months ago made the heart-breaking journey to Bali to search for the remains of his cousin Belinda Allen, 23, left with his friend Howard Battye on a journey to honor the nearly 200 victims of the Oct.

Palu braces for dengue outbreak

Palu braces for dengue outbreak PALU, Central Sulawesi: The Palu municipal health agency is on alert for the start of what could be the worst dengue fever outbreak since 1998, when 16 people were killed by the disease. Agency chief Abdullah said that with the land on which the city was built having a surface declivity of 15 degrees, the city was mostly free of waterlogged areas, the favorite breeding places of the aedes aegypti mosquito, which carries the disease.

Glodok remains messy

Glodok remains messy From Warta Kota The area in front of the Harco Building in Glodok, West Jakarta, remains messy despite the iron fence and traffic signs. Clearly, local authorities have failed to exercise proper control over this area. Dozens of sidewalk vendors crowd the entry to this shopping compound, while the slow lane in Pinangsia Raya Road, the road leading to the entry of this compound, is crowded with parked motorcycles and taxis despite the "No-Parking" signs.

Muslim parties urged to merge

Muslim parties urged to merge JEMBER, East Java: The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) has called on smaller Islamic parties to join together to run in the 2004 general election for the sake of Muslim interests. MUI deputy chairman Din Syamsuddin said the Muslim political elite should put their pride behind them to avoid making a negative impact on the unity of Muslims in the country.

JP/4/plantation

JP/4/plantation Plantation bill not attractive to investors Moch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post Jakarta Businessmen criticized on Sunday the current plantation bill for not providing favorable incentives to lure investors to the lucrative plantation business.

An Army get-together

An Army get-together Since his appointment as Army chief of staff, Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu has twice organized reunions for retired generals his senior as well as for his active juniors, just to maintain good relations. This is a good step, because with these nostalgic meetings, his seniors can feel that they are not forgotten and the juniors have a chance to exchange ideas and get advice from their experienced seniors.

`Busway not the solution to city traffic problem'

`Busway not the solution to city traffic problem' After the postponement of its launch last October due to strong public criticism, the busway system started its trial run last Friday on the designated route from Blok M in South Jakarta to Kota in West Jakarta. However, the public said that the operation of at least 60 buses under the system, which is planned to begin later this year, would likely worsen the traffic. The Jakarta Post spoke with several city residents about their perceptions.

Debate rises over political campaigns at universities

Debate rises over political campaigns at universities Agencies, Jakarta Students constitute one of the largest groups of voters in next year's general elections, but universities throughout the country are wary about opening their doors to political campaigns. The new election law bans campaigns from campuses unless they have been approved by the campus authority.

U.S. to help RI in protecting trade against terrorism

U.S. to help RI in protecting trade against terrorism Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The United States will send three security experts to Indonesia this month to assist in upgrading security at seaports and airports to protect the trade of goods against terrorism, a senior official at the Ministry of Industry and Trade said. Rifana Erni, the director general of domestic trade at the ministry, said the three experts, who arrive on March.

Military's latest move a bid to fool the clock?

Military's latest move a bid to fool the clock? Imanuddin Razak, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, iman@thejakartapost.com Army chief of staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu fired a lethal shot on Feb. 20 when he addressed a media conference, suggesting that the military's security role be reinstated due to the threats of separatism and other security disturbances in the country.

Mobile Internet rises from ashes of dot.com implosion

Mobile Internet rises from ashes of dot.com implosion Vishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, Jakarta With the end of the Indonesian Internet boom, it may seem that the business of making money online is no more. The fun is gone, and there is nothing to impel users to return to late-breaking news, no more large community, no more contests with free giveaways! Plus, the costs of computer hardware and rising telephone charges are also a hindrance for going back online.

TV Program: Monday, March. 3, 2003

TV Program: Monday, March. 3, 2003 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:03 a.m.Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 English News Service 7:30 Children's Program: Pentas Ceria 8:00 Talk Show: RT/RW 8:30 DRTV Indonesia 9:00 Tampil Lebih Menarik 9:30 Religious Teachings 10:30 Music 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 Music: Pop Daerah 3:03 Kid Channel 3:30 Zooming 4:00 Music: Melayu Berdendang...

No paper

No paper In observance of the Islamic New Year, The Jakarta Post will not be published on Tuesday. The Post will appear again on Wednesday. -- Publisher

Lippo again

Lippo again I'm really deeply concerned over media reports on Bank Lippo. There are several reasons for this concern. First, the government has been tardy with its reaction even though the Bank Lippo issue has become the talk of the town for over two months.

With or without IMF?

With or without IMF? Highly debatable are both the rationale used by the team of more than 30 economists to support their recommendation for abruptly ending Indonesia's reform program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the policy measures they outline for achieving annual economic growth of 6 percent to 7 percent in the post-IMF program period.

JP/ /

JP/ / 1. KPU (4 x 12) KPU needs full support to organize elections 2. Plantation (2 x 21) Plantation bill not attractive to investors 3. TKI (1 x 40) Ministry urged to improve manpower system 4. Micro (1 x 50) ;JP;ZPH; ANPAa..r.. Small-business-loan JP/4/MICRO New organization to help close socioeconomic gap

`Index to hover above 400 points'

`Index to hover above 400 points' Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While the gloomy sentiment resulting from the U.S.-Iraq standoff will likely continue to cloud the local stock market, some corporate actions are expected to drive the Jakarta Composite Index up slightly this week to hover above 400 points, an analyst said.

Illegal crossings: Who is responsible?

Illegal crossings: Who is responsible? Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Neither local residents nor state railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) appear willing to bear the responsibility for accidents that take place at the many unauthorized railway crossings around the city.

Puncak visits peak over long weekend

Puncak visits peak over long weekend The Jakarta Post, Puncak, Bogor Holiday makers packed various hotels and other tourism spots at the Puncak mountain resort area in Bogor regency on Sunday, causing massive traffic jams following the prolonged Islamic New Year weekend. The start of the new Islamic year falls on Tuesday, but the government shifted the holiday to Monday, allowing for a prolonged weekend in an effort to "boost domestic tourism".

Privatization can proceed: Top lawmakers

Privatization can proceed: Top lawmakers Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government can go ahead with its privatization plans without having to wait for the passage of a bill on state owned enterprises (SOEs) currently under deliberation at the House of Representatives, senior legislators said.

Police release underage girls

Police release underage girls PEKANBARU, Riau: The Riau Police have raided a house in the Taleju red-light district in Pekanbaru, where nine underage women were kept locked up and forced to work as prostitutes. The officers arrested three alleged pimps, identified as Anis, 47, Wastiem, 40, and Rasiti, 38, following the raid on Friday night. Three teenage girls were released, while the current whereabouts of the other six girls are still unknown. Spokesman for the provincial police, Adj. Sr.

Ministry urged to improve manpower system

Ministry urged to improve manpower system The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government should not lift the prohibition on sending semi- skilled workers (TKIs) overseas as long as the manpower ministry is unable to improve its poor delivery system, says a labor export service association.

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

1. BUSWAY: 50 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12 Preparations mount as busway begins trial period 2. SPEAK: 36 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 23 'Busway not the solution to city traffic problem' 3. TRAIN: 28 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 16 Illegal crossings: Who is responsible? Neither local residents nor state railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) appear willing to bear the responsibility for accidents that take place at the many unauthorized railway crossings around the city.

Political tension in S. Kalimantan persists

Political tension in S. Kalimantan persists Yuliansyah, The Jakarta Post, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan Political tension in South Kalimantan has escalated, with the provincial legislative council refusing to accept the central government's annulment of the dismissal last August of Governor Sjachriel Darham and his deputy Hussein.

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, March. 3, 2003

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, March. 3, 2003 Exhibition * 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 Performances * Traditional Comedy Drama, Sang Parasu Rama, by Wayang Orang Bharata Purwa, Directed by Aries Mukadi, at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, Jl. Gedung Kesenian No.

1. ELECTION: 2 x 28

1. ELECTION: 2 x 28 Debate rises over political campaigns at universities 2. PARTY: 1 x 45 PDI-P, Golkar, PAN upbeat about 2004 election 3. LABOR: 2 x 28 Workers, employers to resolve dispute settlement bill 4. SYDNEY: 2 x 33 Howard says Asia is Australia's first foreign policy priority 5. ODD: 1 x 30 Dogs destroy parked cars

Jamsostek pays Rp 1.6t to workers

Jamsostek pays Rp 1.6t to workers JAKARTA: State-owned social insurance company PT Jamsostek paid out a total of almost Rp 1.6 trillion in social security benefits to workers in 2002. Joko Sungkono, Jamsostek's operations director, said here on Saturday that the money had been paid in compensation or benefits to more than 670,300 workers who suffered fatal or non-fatal accidents in the workplace, or who had retired.

The challenge posed by TNI's political intervention

The challenge posed by TNI's political intervention Munir, Executive Director, Indonesian Human Rights Watch, Jakarta An article in the Feb. 21 issue of The Jakarta Post, Army wants power again, quoted Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu as saying the direct role of the Indonesian Military (TNI) in domestic security affairs should be reinstated, particularly given the threat of separatist movements and other security disturbances.

BEMs cancel action against Megawati

BEMs cancel action against Megawati JAKARTA: Student Executive Bodies (BEMs) from universities in Greater Jakarta canceled planned demonstrations on Saturday against President Megawati Soekarnoputri's administration, saying they were worried about the possibility of repressive police measures. A spokesman for the student activists, Sudarto, expressed his disappointment that the police continued to prevent students from approaching Megawati's official residence.

JP/8/TAMBAH

JP/8/TAMBAH Holiday makers pack Puncak The Jakarta Post, Puncak, Bogor Holiday makers packed various hotels and other tourism spots at the Puncak mountain resort area in Bogor regency on Sunday, causing massive traffic jams following the prolonged Islamic New Year weekend. The start of the new Islamic year falls on Tuesday, but the government shifted the holiday to Monday, allowing for a prolonged weekend in an effort to "boost domestic tourism".

JP/4/plantation

JP/4/plantation Plantation bill not attractive to investors Moch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post Jakarta Businessmen criticized on Sunday the current plantation bill for not providing favorable incentives to lure investors to the lucrative plantation business.

JP/4/plantation

JP/4/plantation Plantation bill not attractive to investors Moch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post Jakarta Businessmen criticized on Sunday the current plantation bill for not providing favorable incentives to lure investors to the lucrative plantation business.

Plantation bill not attractive to investors: Businesspeople

Plantation bill not attractive to investors: Businesspeople Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Businessmen criticized on Sunday the current plantation bill for not providing favorable incentives to lure investors to the lucrative plantation business.

Sunu captures ITF junior tennis crown

Sunu captures ITF junior tennis crown The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Sunu Wahyu Trijati of Indonesia won the boys' singles crown of the ITF (International Tennis Federation) Junior Tennis Championship here on Sunday, after beating Luke Campbell of Britain in the final match, which was interrupted by rain. Fourth-seeded Sunu overcame Campbell 6-3, 7-5, at the Kemayoran Tennis Court in Central Jakarta to chalk up his second title following his victory in Surabaya, East Jakarta, last November.

Pertamina official's home attacked

Pertamina official's home attacked KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: An unidentified person attacked the home of a Pertamina (the state oil company) official here with two Molotov cocktails at dawn on Saturday, but no injuries were reported. The homemade bombs were thrown through a window on the left side of a house belonging to Sutiyono, the director of the Pertamina domestic distribution office in Kupang, but they failed to explode.

Britain to honor Bali donors

Britain to honor Bali donors DENPASAR, Bali: Bali Deputy Governor I Gusti Bagus Alit Putra is heading to Britain to attend a ceremony honoring British nationals who made financial contributions to help those affected by the Bali bombing tragedy. "The British government will be honoring its citizens who had significantly contributed to helping the victims of the bombing," Alit Putra said here before his departure to Britain on Sunday.

JP/ /

JP/ / Caption/ AP/Murizal Hamzah WEAPONS INSPECTORS: International weapons inspectors Sarab Randhawi (left) and Amardelp Rai of India wait for transportation upon arrival at the airport in Banda Aceh. The two inspectors arrived in the troubled province on Saturday to verify disarmament by the rebels under a peace deal to end the hostilities.

We need another

We need another 'Bung' Karno From Rakyat Merdeka Indonesia's first president Sukarno, better known as Bung (Brother) Karno, was excellent at uniting this nation by means of, among other things, identifying a common enemy. He diverted the attention of the nation to Papua and made The Netherlands the country's common enemy. Temporarily, we forgot inter-ethnic conflicts and our poverty as the people were busy training as volunteers to fight for the return of Papua to Jakarta's control.

Indonesia's changing role in OIC

Indonesia's changing role in OIC Anak Agung Banyu Perwita, Department of International Relations, Parahyangan Catholic University, Bandung, banyu@home.unpar.ac.id As reported by The Jakarta Post (Feb. 27, 2003), President Megawati Soekarnoputri has called on the United States not to unilaterally attack Iraq.

Party leaders back bill that empowers TNI

Party leaders back bill that empowers TNI M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Leaders of two political parties have thrown their weight behind a controversial bill giving the Indonesian Military (TNI) greater power in deploying personnel to conflict-torn areas. Chairman of the Golkar Party Akbar Tandjung and chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Amien Rais said on Saturday that it was reasonable for the military to take extra-constitutional measures in the event of an emergency.

No data on chikungunya patients

No data on chikungunya patients SALATIGA, Central Java: The government had yet to collect data on those people who had contracted chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease, Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi said on Saturday. "However, what is most important is that all districts and villages work hand in hand to destroy the breeding places of the mosquitoes that carry the disease," Sujudi said after inaugurating a tuberculosis hospital here on Saturday.

* Headlines: Challenge posed by TNI's political intervention 3

* Headlines: Challenge posed by TNI's political intervention 3 * National: KPU needs full support to organize elections 4 * Archipelago: 266 flora, fauna species near extinction 5 * Opinion: The Non-Alignment movement and crisis of Iraq6 * City: Preparations mount as busway begins trial period 8 * Sports: Indonesia's Sunu wins ITF junior crown 10 * World: N.

1. ZATNI -- A line, 7 col, 42 pts

1. ZATNI -- A line, 7 col, 42 pts Printer to print your own tabloid in color 2. VISH -- A line, 4 col, 32 pts Birth of the Indonesian mobile Internet 3. A line, 4 col, 36 pts Software turns handhelds into translator

Business goes on for Jakarta hotels

Business goes on for Jakarta hotels Debbie A. Lubis The Jakarta Post Jakarta "Now, I have a life. Even though bad traffic and a heavy workload take up most of my time and drain my energy, I can still get to my destination to make a business deal or spend a weekend with my family," grinned a friend one day. This young executive was referring to the list of hotels in Jakarta on the computer screen in front of him.

`KPU needs full support to organize elections'

`KPU needs full support to organize elections' Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A state official and several political analysts have called on all sides to fully support the General Election Commission (KPU), instead of questioning its members' commitment, as it undertakes the task of organizing the 2004 general election.

Asian Summit to build economic momentum

Asian Summit to build economic momentum Associated Press, Singapore Asian government, business and civil leaders will debate how to increase momentum in the region, which is outperforming the rest the world economically, when they gather in Singapore in October, the World Economic Forum's Asia director said on Saturday.

1. INSIGHT: 1 x 52

1. INSIGHT: 1 x 52 The challenge posed by TNI's political intervention 2. TURKEY: 2 x 27 Turkey to mend ties with U.S. after deployment rebuff 3. BALI: 1 x 49 Bali victim's cousin begins 2,000 km walkathon 4. QAEDA: 2 x 28 Al-Qaeda arrest significant, but no real breakthrough 5. TIMOR: 1 x 40 Timorese hopes fade after independence

Finance ministry to probe Bank Lippo auditor

Finance ministry to probe Bank Lippo auditor Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Ministry of Finance launched on Friday an investigation into three appraisal firms and one auditor that had conducted an appraisal on assets and the audited financial report of Bank Lippo, for possible involvement in the alleged financial manipulation by the bank's management.

'No time limit for executions'

'No time limit for executions' PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: An intelligence affairs assistant to the attorney general, Patuan Siahaan, said in Palembang on Saturday that there was no time limit set for the execution of those who had been sentenced to death. "Someone who is sentenced to death by the court can be executed soon after his request for clemency has been rejected by the president," he said.

New organization to help close socioeconomic gap

New organization to help close socioeconomic gap Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta About 500,000 small-scale entrepreneurs from 11 million poor families across the country established a new organization on Saturday that will seek to improve their bargaining power in dealing with the government and financial institutions.

Puppet master waits for new generation

Puppet master waits for new generation Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With an occasional puff on his cigarette, 69-year-old Thio Tiong Gie maneuvers a glove puppet off the rack behind him and onto the stage to the accompanying din of cymbals and drums. He narrates ancient Chinese stories of heroism and morality into the microphone in front of him, while his hands and fingers with their puppets busily assume various characters.

JP/4/plantation

JP/4/plantation Plantation bill not attractive to investors Moch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post Jakarta Businessmen criticized on Sunday the current plantation bill for not providing favorable incentives to lure investors to the lucrative plantation business.

Sumatra's rare species threatened

Sumatra's rare species threatened Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Parapat, North Sumatra Ninety local and foreign environmentalists warned against the possible extinction of a total of 226 flora and fauna species in Sumatra because of intensive deforestation and development, and rampant poaching.

Peru FM makes brief visit to Indonesia

Peru FM makes brief visit to Indonesia JAKARTA: Peruvian foreign minister Allan Wagner Tizon made a brief visit to Indonesia on Friday to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries. During the meeting with his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirayuda, the two ministers signed three agreements on the establishment of a regular consultation forum, a visa-free policy for diplomats and state officials and an exchange program for diplomats.

News on envoy candidates

News on envoy candidates It is regrettable that The Jakarta Post published a report covering personal opinions of several legislators pertaining to the closed-door hearing between the Commission I of the House of Representatives and some candidates for ambassadorial posts (Page 3, Feb. 27). The report even mentioned some candidate's names and countries of destination. It is very important to bear in mind that the whole candidature process should be carried out in strict confidentiality.

Howard says Asia is Australia's first foreign policy priority

Howard says Asia is Australia's first foreign policy priority Associated Press, Sydney, Australia Relations with Asia remain Australia's number one foreign policy priority, Prime Minister John Howard said Sunday, as 2,000 of his country's troops were in the Middle East preparing for a possible war with Iraq.

A close look at EOR: Enhanced oil recovery

A close look at EOR: Enhanced oil recovery David M. Schiller Contributor Jakarta Many people unfortunately believe that oil occurs as huge underground pools or lakes, trapped in massive subterranean caves. This misconception, however, is far from the truth. Oil is actually found within rock. That's right! Hard rock -- typically sandstone or limestone -- occurring at depths of anywhere from several hundred to tens of thousands of feet below the Earth's surface.

Embroidery industry slumps after fire

Embroidery industry slumps after fire BANDUNG, West Java: Around 600 embroidery makers in the West Java town of Tasikmalaya have gone bankrupt due to a decline in demand following a fire that gutted Southeast Asia's largest garment market in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, earlier this month. One of the embroidery entrepreneurs, Muslim, said that garments worth around Rp 15 billion (US$1.6 million) had been left untouched in the warehouses due to a lack of demand.

Forest agency wants tax exemption for imported timber

Forest agency wants tax exemption for imported timber Rendi A. Witular The Jakarta Post Jakarta The newly established Forestry Industry Revitalization Agency (BRIK) is urging the government to grant a tax break to local timber-related industries in the import of logs to maintain competitiveness of their products in the export market.