Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 31 March 2003

55 articles found

Govt will set up trade consortium for white pepper

Govt will set up trade consortium for white pepper Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite rising criticism from the Association of Indonesian Pepper Exporters (AIPE), the Ministry of Trade and Industry said that it would go ahead with a plan to set up a consortium that would regulate the trade of white pepper.

Freddy, Caroline elected as `Koko' and `Cici' 2003

Freddy, Caroline elected as `Koko' and `Cici' 2003 Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Freddy Sue and Caroline Widjanarko were elected Koko and Cici Jakarta 2003 during a pageant here on Saturday night. Along with Freddy and Caroline, 15 other pairs of Chinese- Indonesian youths between the ages of 18 and 25 took part in the Koko and Cici Jakarta pageant at the Hotel Batavia. Spokesman Anda Hakim said this was the second time the pageant had been held, the first being last year.

Sun embraces institutions to boost competitiveness

Sun embraces institutions to boost competitiveness Zatni Arbi, Columnist, Jakarta, zatni@cbn.net.id In the IT world, competition can get as fierce as the Iraq war. Contenders may have to fight each other on different fronts at the same time. One of these fronts is, of course, educational institutions.

Importing drugs illegally

Importing drugs illegally From Suara Karya The Drug and Food Control Agency (POM) of the Indonesian Ministry of Health is the only institution that has the authority to issue permits for the importation of drugs or psychotropic substances, pursuant to Law No. 22/1997 and Law No 5/1997. However, if the authority for issuing such permits is abused, drug trafficking will become widespread in this country.

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

1. SERVICE: 50 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12 Passengers demand better service before fare hike 2. WATER: 36 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 26 Water agreement weakens PAM, burdens Jakartans 3. CIKO: 28 pt, 1 x 48 Freddy, Caroline elected as Koko and Cici 2003 4. SPEAK: 28 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 20 'I strongly disagree with water price hike'

Overload may have caused plane crash: Victim

Overload may have caused plane crash: Victim Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua Tina Telenggen, one of 15 people injured when a Twin Otter plane crashed into a hill moments after takeoff in Mulia on March 27, died on Friday, bringing the death toll to five. Tina, who suffered from severe head and spinal injuries, died in the intensive care unit at Dok II General Hospital in Mulia. Dr. Markus L.

Passengers demand better service before fare hike

Passengers demand better service before fare hike M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Wawan must spend more money on transportation because the bus between his home and workplace takes a detour from its stated route, so he must alight and get a minivan to reach his destination.

Keeping old city breathing amid modernization

Keeping old city breathing amid modernization Fransiska Prihadi, Architect, Jakarta How do we remember a city? Is it by the roads and buildings that we pass through? By the food we eat? By unfamiliar faces of people we meet on the street? We could find thousands more answers, but it would still come back to the sense of place in our mind. The sense of place is defined by time-historical and political time, they do not work with timetables, lists of departure and arrival times.

More organizations pledge to send aids to Iraqis

More organizations pledge to send aids to Iraqis The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Religious organizations, political parties and others have begun gathering humanitarian aid for Iraqis who are suffering the consequences of war. The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI), the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) have all expressed a pledge to assist the Iraqis with help from the Indonesian government.

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;JP; ANPAc..r.. Meeting-rooms-business Turning meeting rooms into lucrative business Rhenald Kasali Contributor Jakarta Recent events in Jakarta, such as massive demonstrations and criminal trials of public figures, have created problems for business executives. Meetings that have been planned for a long time have had to be moved suddenly or even canceled.

Sharp practice at RI airlines?

Sharp practice at RI airlines? Although the ticket price war involving national airlines generally benefits passengers, this may not be so if an airliner adopts a very smart (or sly?) business tactic. On March 7 I suddenly had to fly to Yogyakarta. I contacted the Indonesian Airlines (IA) office and was told the Jakarta- Yogyakarta ticket was Rp 270,000. I was advised to buy the ticket at their counter at the airport.

Water agreement weakens PAM, burdens Jakartans

Water agreement weakens PAM, burdens Jakartans Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An agreement by the city administration, through city water company PT Pam Jaya, and its two foreign partners places PAM Jaya in a very weak position and burdens Jakartans, according to officials. The assistant to the city secretary for development, Irzal Djamal, said many articles in the amended agreement remained unfair to Pam Jaya.

Boycotting U.S. goods not useful way to protest war

Boycotting U.S. goods not useful way to protest war As the U.S. and its allies continue its invasion of Iraq, more and more people in many parts of the country are taking to the streets, among others to demand that U.S. products be boycotted. Senior lawyer and human rights activist Todung Mulya Lubis talked to The Jakarta Post's Soeryo Winoto about the issue. Question: Rallies to boycott American products have been taking place in several parts of the country. How do you view this phenomenon?

Migrant workers set up federation

Migrant workers set up federation JAKARTA: A group of migrant workers officially established an organization on Saturday to help them in their struggle for justice and fair treatment. Called the Federation of Indonesian Migrant Workers (FOBMI), the organization groups migrant workers and organizations from across the country. Dina Nuriyati, a former migrant worker in Hong Kong, was named the group's first chairwoman.

Hundreds of thousands call for end of war

Hundreds of thousands call for end of war Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta's main thoroughfares turned into seas of humanity as hundreds of thousands of people from various religions and ethnic groups took to the streets in the country's largest ever rally to protest the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

Mekong states should adopt regional strategy

Mekong states should adopt regional strategy Agence France-Presse, Hanoi The countries of the Mekong subregion should adopt a regional approach to boost the local tourism industry, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) officials said here on Sunday following a regional forum. "It is an unnatural thing for national administrations to work together. But these countries come to realize that it is clever to have a regional approach," said Les Clark, consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

House leaves controversial article intact

House leaves controversial article intact Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives' working committee and the government have finished its deliberation on the education bill, and left the controversial "religious" article intact. Both the House and the government agreed over the weekend to retain Article 13 (1) that obliges schools to provide religious instruction according to the faith of each student.

Rebels, Manila agree to new talks

Rebels, Manila agree to new talks PHILIPPINES: Moro separatist rebel leaders involved in negotiations with the Philippine government were on Sunday granted "safety and security guarantees", as both parties agreed to resume formal peace talks and prevent any escalation of hostilities in the south.

Officials ready to begin registering eligible voters

Officials ready to begin registering eligible voters Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The countdown to the 2004 general election will start on Tuesday as about 230,000 field officers are be deployed by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) to conduct a nationwide census and the voter registration process.

Power price hike policy must be canceled: NGOs

Power price hike policy must be canceled: NGOs A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have demanded that the government cancel its quarterly power price hike policy as it would only further burden poor people. They said that an independent review of the policy must be carried out first before the government proceeds with it.

Car explodes at Menteng Apartment

Car explodes at Menteng Apartment A Jeep Cherokee exploded on Sunday in the basement parking lot of the Menteng Executive Apartments in Central Jakarta. The owner of the vehicle has not yet been identified. The chief of the Menteng Police, Comr. Syah Biantoro, said the vehicle exploded when it was started at about 11:45 a.m. The person who started the vehicle survived the explosion but has not yet been identified.

Councillors grilled over bribery

Councillors grilled over bribery KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The government prosecutor's office in Kendari, capital of Southeast Sulawesi, grilled four members of the provincial legislative council in connection with the alleged bribery case during the recent gubernatorial election. L.M. Bariun, Misbahuddin, Chaidid and Abidin Ramly denied taking any bribes from the gubernatorial candidates.

From business meetings to social gatherings

From business meetings to social gatherings Ari Darmawan Contributor Jakarta One of the meetings rooms at The Park Lane hotel in Jakarta was filled with some 30 marketing executives from a well-known manufacturer of milk-based products in the country. They were intently listening to an expatriate marketing expert explain distribution strategies for such products in today's highly competitive market.

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;JP; ANPAv..r.. Photo-Malaysian-tower KLCC (Holding) Bhd TWIN TOWERS: The world's tallest building, Petronas Twin Towers, has become Malaysia's main attraction to lure visitors. The 452- meter, 88-storey towers were officially opened in 1999 in the midst of the collapse of the property sector in most Asian countries. FOR ADS COURSES Are you seeking a better job?. Wait ... See our Focus Issue on April 6, which will highlight career-based courses in Jakarta.

Borobudur festival lures foreigners

Borobudur festival lures foreigners SEMARANG: Despite the Iraq war, six foreign countries have confirmed that they will take part in the International Borobudur Festival in June. Central Java Governor Mardiyanto said over the weekend that Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea and Italy would send delegates to the festival, which will be held at the Borobudur Temple between June 11 and June 17.

More Indonesians buying Malaysian apartments

More Indonesians buying Malaysian apartments For many affluent Indonesians, buying a house in neighboring countries such as Australia, Singapore or Malaysia is not unusual. Although such purchases have significantly declined since the financial crisis hit Indonesia in 1997, the demand for foreign homes among Indonesian buyers remains high. In the past, many Indonesians chose Australia or Singapore for a second home.

* National: House leaves controversial article intact4

* National: House leaves controversial article intact4 * Archipelago: Banyumas councillors face probe over bribery 5 * Opinion: Line between dissent, subversion6 * City:Water accord weakens PAM, burdens Jakartans 8 * Sports:Harrington, Haas share lead at Players C'ship9 * World:Suicide bomber injures 30 at mall in Israel 10 * Business:Retired officials behind phantom import firms13 * Features: Sitor: A politician inside a poet 20

"Stop the war immediately" was the common demand when hundreds

"Stop the war immediately" was the common demand when hundreds of thousands of people of various beliefs and groups took to the streets on Sunday in the biggest protest in the world's most populous Muslim nation since the U.S.-led war on Iraq began on March 20, Despite the massive turnout the rally was peaceful, in keeping with its demand for peace in Iraq.

Virtual workplace: Take it or leave it

Virtual workplace: Take it or leave it Vishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, Jakarta, vmahmud@yahoo.com We always hear the motto, "working smarter, not harder", yet it seems to be seldom performed. Many of us must attend numerous meetings, appointments and discussions to exchange ideas and information. The problem is, these usually short meetings are held across town.

Megawati delays Papua visit

Megawati delays Papua visit JAYAPURA, Papua: Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri has delayed indefinitely plans to visit the Puncak Jaya regency capital of Mulia. The secretary-general of the party's Papua provincial chapter, Albert Yogi, said on Saturday that Megawati was scheduled to preside over a ceremony celebrating the party's anniversary on Sunday.

Hong Kong tourist trade battered by killer virus

Hong Kong tourist trade battered by killer virus Agence France-Presse, Hong Kong The outbreak of a killer pneumonia virus in Hong Kong has devastated the key tourism sector, and many within the industry expect the situation to worsen as more countries issue travel warnings to steer clear of the city.

SARS precautions not seen at airport

SARS precautions not seen at airport JAKARTA: Special precautions against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a highly contagious pneumonia-like disease that has killed 54 people worldwide, were not evident at Soekarno- Hatta International Airport on Sunday. When The Jakarta Post inspected the airport's overseas arrivals terminal on Sunday, the situation looked normal. There were no signs of extra alertness to anticipate the possible spread of the killer disease. Airport police chief Adj.

Retired officials behind phantom import firms

Retired officials behind phantom import firms Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A senior customs official said retired customs officials were connected to the more than 1,500 "phantom" import companies whose licenses were recently suspended by the government. The head of the importer registration project at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, Nirwala Dwi Heryanto, said the retired officials either owned or had helped corrupt businessmen establish the firms.

Profit taking, fears of longer war to take toll on stocks

Profit taking, fears of longer war to take toll on stocks Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta stock market will likely weaken this week on profit taking as investors wait for fresh developments in the Middle East, a stock broker said. The Jakarta Composite Index increased above the psychologically important 400 level last week, the first time since the Iraq war broke out. The index ended on Friday at 404.43, up 2.7 percent over the previous week's close of 394.04 points.

NU guards preparing to join Iraq war

NU guards preparing to join Iraq war The Jakarta Post, Surabaya/Jakarta/Semarang The civilian guard (Banser) of the country's largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), plans to send 4,000 of its members to Iraq. The East Java chief of Banser NU, Masduki Thoha, said on Sunday some 1,500 of his members were currently undergoing military-style training in preparation for the war in Iraq. "More than 1,500 members are training for war.

Meetings in cafes? Why not?

Meetings in cafes? Why not? Many Indonesians believe that discussions are more productive and will be more satisfactory to all parties concerned when they are held after a delicious meal. Probably, that is why almost all meetings -- business or otherwise -- include sumptuous meals. Quite a number of restaurants and cafes in Indonesia's major cities see this as a business opportunity.

1. Crash: 10 x 4 lines

1. Crash: 10 x 4 lines Overload may have caused crash: Victim 2. DPRD: 20 x 2 lines Police to grill Banyumas councillors over bribery 3. Bali: 40 x 1 line Australian victims visit blast site, hospital in Bali

Hamzah backs tentative plan to drop U.S. dollar

Hamzah backs tentative plan to drop U.S. dollar The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Vice President Hamzah Haz has supported an idea to use the euro as an alternative means of payment in international trade and a component of foreign exchange reserves, as long as it would be beneficial for the country's economy. "If we adopt it, it must be for economic reasons and efficiency, not for political reasons," Hamzah said over the weekend.

Trans-Kalimantan Highway submerged

Trans-Kalimantan Highway submerged PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: The flow of traffic along the Palangkaraya-Tumbang Dua road, part of the Trans-Kalimantan Highway, was paralyzed by the overflowing waters of Kahayan river. Hundreds of trucks distributing basic commodities from the provincial capital of Palangkaraya to remote areas in the province were trapped by the flood, which was caused by heavy downpours on Friday and Saturday.

After the war, expect a much pared-down UN role

After the war, expect a much pared-down UN role J. Soedjati Djiwandono, Political Analyst, Jakarta The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has been in a series of emergency meetings to discuss the war in Iraq, or Gulf War II.

KL warns of terror threat to shipping

KL warns of terror threat to shipping Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur A spate of attacks on chemical tankers by pirates armed with automatic weapons in Indonesian waters has heightened concern over their vulnerability to terror groups, a Malaysian security official said on Sunday. Three attacks on chemical tankers took place between Feb. 25 and March 26 this year and seafarers have registered a dramatic increase in pirate attacks in the region since the U.S.-led war against Iraq.

`I strongly disagree with water price hike'

`I strongly disagree with water price hike' The city-owned water utility, PT Pam Jaya, signed a partnership agreement in 1998 with the local subsidiaries of two European water companies, PT Thames Pam Jaya of Britain and PT Pam Lyonnaise Jaya of France. However, the two foreign investors have threatened to pull out if the City Council rejects a rise in water charges. The Jakarta Post asked residents to comment on the issue.

Stop U.S.-Iraq war

Stop U.S.-Iraq war From Media Indonesia The U.S. has invaded Iraq, which has created very unfavorable circumstances for Indonesia to escape its economic crisis. The disrupted flows of people and goods will affect tourism and the real sector, while the country badly needs the development of these areas for job creation. At present, over 40 million Indonesians are in need of proper employment.

Australian victims visit blast site, hospital in Bali

Australian victims visit blast site, hospital in Bali Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali Leanne Woodgate suddenly started shouting hysterically and then ran away when she returned to ground zero of last year's Bali bombings in the resort area of Legian. Her friend said that she was still too traumatized by the deadly blast.

Irwanto dreaming of world c'ship qualification

Irwanto dreaming of world c'ship qualification Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Irwanto Sadikin, who won the Gunadarma Chess League at the weekend, will head to a qualifying tournament in Vietnam with the dream of participating in the 2004 World Championship. The Vietnam chess tourney will feature participants from Asian Zone 3.2a, which comprises the countries grouped in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), plus a number of neighboring states.

House reluctant to discuss bills

House reluctant to discuss bills JAKARTA: Despite the promises, legislators have spent little time during their recess deliberating bills on presidential elections and the composition of legislative bodies. The special committee deliberating the presidential election bill will only convene for eight days during the two-month recess, while the committee debating the bill on the composition of legislative bodies has yet to meet at all.

Police to grill Banyumas councillors over bribery

Police to grill Banyumas councillors over bribery Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Purwokerto, Central Java The police in Banyumas, Central Java, said it would set up an investigative team to question 18 legislators of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), who allegedly took bribes during the recent regental election. Banyumas Police Chief Adj. Sr. Comr.

Amid calls for boycott, RI plans trade pact with U.S.

Amid calls for boycott, RI plans trade pact with U.S. Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is planning to establish a free trade pact with a number of countries outside the region including the U.S., Japan, Chile and South Africa in a bid to help increase exports. Minister of Trade and Industry Rini Soewandi has set up a special team to study the costs and benefits of the plan.

Buying second home in Singapore

Buying second home in Singapore Debbie A. Lubis, Contributor, Jakarta The increase in the number of Indonesian students pursuing their studies in Singapore have partly contributed to a significant increase in apartment purchases by Indonesian families in the neighboring country.

Sitor: A politician inside a poet

Sitor: A politician inside a poet Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta There are many facets to Sitor Situmorang's character. Sitor the poet, known for his musings of home in the landscape of faraway France. Sitor the journalist, cultural observer and politician, whose views would cause him to spend time in jail. And Sitor the man, whose mystical upbringing in the traditional Batak culture would haunt his adult life.

DISCOURSE: 1 x 50

DISCOURSE: 1 x 50 Boycotting U.S. goods not useful way to protest war 2. ANTIWAR: 1 x 42 Fresh antiwar demonstrations sweep globe 3. ODD: 1 x 33 Official probed for lavish tomb 4. RALLY: 1 x 40 Indonesians united in calling for peace

Questioning votes

Questioning votes of civil servants From Rakyat Merdeka With the 2004 general election approaching and candidates for the posts of president and vice president being proposed by political parties and even non-governmental organizations, political observers are still questioning the distribution of votes to be cast by civil servants.

Big parties eying more votes in 2004

Big parties eying more votes in 2004 The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country's four largest political parties organized separate events over the weekend as they begin to gather pace for the general election in April 2004. In the Central Java town of Surakarta, the first gentleman, Taufik Kiemas, attended a gathering with supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

Police seize smuggled sugar

Police seize smuggled sugar KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The Kupang police seized more than 2,800 sacks of sugar that were allegedly smuggled from East Timor through Atambua by a local businessman. Kupang Police precinct chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Victor Simanjuntak said the sugar was being transported by 14 trucks rented by businessman Akon to distribute it to West Timorese markets.

Student killed as roof collapses

Student killed as roof collapses SLAWI, Central Java: One student was killed and 27 others injured when the roof of their classroom in Cangkring, Tegal regency, collapsed over the weekend. Diki Bastian, 7, died on the spot when a large wooden beam fell and hit him. Twenty-seven other students, including their teacher Masitoh, were injured by debris from the collapsing roof. The injured were rushed to a public health center in Slawi.