Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 15 April 2003

72 articles found

City stands to gain Rp 12t from reclamation project

City stands to gain Rp 12t from reclamation project Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Considering that the city administration would gain at least Rp 12 trillion from the reclamation of the northern coastal areas, it is understandable that Governor Sutiyoso is insisting on proceeding with the plan despite strong objections from environmentalists.

When swampy areas turn into housing estates

When swampy areas turn into housing estates Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Kelapa Gading in North Jakarta was once mostly marshland where farmers grew rice and vegetables. But that has all changed. Kelapa Gading is one of the fastest developing areas in the capital, and shops, offices, malls and other commercial businesses have come to dominate the landscape.

Kelapa Gading undergoing breakneck development

Kelapa Gading undergoing breakneck development Kelapa Gading in North Jakarta is a relatively new district compared to other parts of the city, but it has experienced the fastest growth in terms of development. Kelapa Gading Mall III, which was inaugurated on Thursday, is only one of several commercial outlets located in the district, which also has dozens of housing complexes and many shops.

Two new warships head to Aceh to curb gunrunning

Two new warships head to Aceh to curb gunrunning Tiarma Siboro and Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Navy has added three new warships to its fleet, two of which will be sent to Aceh waters in an apparent move to increase the military's presence in the troubled province. With the commissioning of the three new warships, the KRI Lemadang, KRI Kobra and the KRI Anakonda, the Navy now has 120 warships in its fleet.

IAAF urges Asia to train more young triple jumpers

IAAF urges Asia to train more young triple jumpers Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) urged other Asian countries to push for the development of the triple jump to be able to challenge the rest of the world. "Except for Thailand, Japan, Korea and China, at the moment there are not so many countries in Asia where this event is popular.

1. Puncak - 1x 30

1. Puncak - 1x 30 Council hosts meeting in Puncak 2. Multa - 2x 18 Former BPN chief jailed for bribery 3. Bus - 2x 20 'Fire the corrupt managers of PPD' 4. Reclaim - 2x 25 City stands to gain Rp 12t from reclamation project 5. Sars - 1x 30 Returning to school, despite SARS 6. Speak - 2x 19 'Spend cash on poor, not subdistrict heads'

Judges reject Ramly's objection

Judges reject Ramly's objection CIBADAK, Sukabumi, West Java: The Cibadak District Court has rejected a motion submitted by PT Qurnia Subur Alam Raya (QSAR) president Ramly Arabi that fraud charges against him were obscure. The court, led by Jasintha Daniel, ruled Monday that the trial would proceed because the charges were in line with the Criminal Code. Ramly, promising hefty returns, collected Rp 413 billion from 6,500 investors between 2000 and 2002 for an agricultural business in Sukabumi.

Jakarta Open kicks off with 1,000 shuttlers

Jakarta Open kicks off with 1,000 shuttlers The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Organizers of the Jakarta Open badminton championships have criticized the Indonesian Badminton Association for fielding so few of its players from the national training center in the week- long tournament, which began here on Monday with about 1,000 shuttlers.

PDI-P registers for verification

PDI-P registers for verification JAKARTA: The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) registered with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights on Monday, leaving Golkar as the only major party that has not registered with the ministry. During the registration process, the party's officials submitted documents and information on, among other things, the total number of their chapters nationwide.

Regional security haunts tourism - lesson from Bali

Regional security haunts tourism - lesson from Bali Fitri Wulandari and Rita A. Widiadana, Nusa Dua, Bali The tourist industry in Asia and the Pacific is vulnerable to global and regional security threats, including terrorist attacks and the spread of endemic diseases as it lacks the ability to properly tackle any possible crisis. Bert van Walbeek, managing director of Thailand-based Winning Edge, said that crisis management in the tourism industry was still very new.

1 x 45

1 x 45 Regional security haunts tourism -- lesson from Bali JP/2/IATA 1 x 36 Asia Pacific airlines remain optimistic JP/2/terrorism 2 x 26 Prosecutors formally charge Ba'asyir with treason JP/2/sars 1 x 40 Team probes flight of probable SARS patient Flight history of SARS man being investigated

Returning to school, despite SARS

Returning to school, despite SARS Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Amid heightened concern about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), parents returned their children to school on the first day of the new semester at several international schools in Jakarta. "I'm worried about the SARS threat; moreover, no clear information has been provided by the government," said an Australian woman whose son goes to the Australian International School in Pejaten, South Jakarta.

Transparency or security?

Transparency or security? Bimo Nugroho, Director, Institute of Free Flow of Information Studies (ISAI), bimo@isai.or.id One major cause of the widespread corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) and human rights abuses in Indonesia is society's lack of control over the state. It is vital that civil society be empowered vis-a-vis the state, so that it can access information about, and participate in, bureaucratic processes and the management of public resources.

TV Program: Tuesday, April 15, 2003

TV Program: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m.Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 English News Service 9:00 Documentary 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 6:00 News: Berita Petang 8:00 Talk Show: Head to Head 9:00 News: Berita Malam 9:30 Jazz Music 11:00 Talk Show TPI 5:00 a.m.Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Selamat Pagi Indonesia 11:30...

Hopes rise for peace in Aceh

Hopes rise for peace in Aceh Tiarna Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Hopes for salvaging the Aceh peace agreement rose again on Monday after both the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) agreed to sit down at the negotiating table to discuss various alleged violations of the accord signed last year. They have yet to agree, however, on a time and a place as both parties are insisting on dates and venues of their own choosing.

Judges reject Ramly's objection

Judges reject Ramly's objection CIBADAK, Sukabumi, West Java: The Cibadak District Court has rejected a motion submitted by PT Qurnia Subur Alam Raya (QSAR) president Ramly Arabi that fraud charges against him were obscure. The court, led by Jasintha Daniel, ruled Monday that the trial would proceed because the charges were in line with the Criminal Code. Ramly, promising hefty returns, collected Rp 413 billion from 6,500 investors between 2000 and 2002 for an agricultural business in Sukabumi.

Southeast Asia says war, SARS cloud outlook

Southeast Asia says war, SARS cloud outlook Agence France-Presse, Washington Southeast Asian economies face substantial risks this year from the Iraq war fallout and the SARS virus, the region's representative told economic leaders Sunday. Economies in the region weathered difficulties and posted modest growth in 2002, Indonesian Minister of Finance Boediono told meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

Rare RI primates find a home in rural England

Rare RI primates find a home in rural England Bruce Emond, Contributor, Kent, England Jakarta and Bandung are English-born and bred, but their names tell of their ancestral homeland a world away from the Kent countryside. They are grizzled leaf monkeys, highly endangered in their native habitat on Java, but have these two have found a new home in the unlikely setting of Bekesbourne, one of the charming villages clustered around the historic city of Canterbury.

Who is out to

Who is out to destroy tourism? Anger, confusion and disbelief -- this is what the tourist industry, as well as the expatriate community, experienced recently, when the Indonesian government revoked the visa-free- entry for tourists from 48 countries.

House, ministers to prepare contingency plan for Aceh

House, ministers to prepare contingency plan for Aceh Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has scheduled a meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) for Wednesday to evaluate the situation in Aceh, including the preparation of a contingency plan for the province. The meeting is expected to come up with some alternatives if a military operation to quell the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) becomes unavoidable.

TNI's halfhearted reform

TNI's halfhearted reform The white paper published by the Ministry of Defense last month is a clear attempt to put the brakes on the ongoing reform within the Indonesian Military (TNI). It is regrettable that those who are in charge of the TNI, or those who are running the Ministry of Defense, are about to squander or even roll back much of the significant progress they themselves made in reforming the military over these last four years.

Hospitals treated me like a criminal: Activist

Hospitals treated me like a criminal: Activist The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government may claim the criticism of its efforts to tackle Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is excessive, but an activist has personally discovered that all is far from well in our hospitals. Nurul Qoiriah, a program officer for a Hong Kong-based Indonesian migrant workers organization, shared her experiences of being a suspected SARS sufferer with the press recently.

Semen Cibinong profits drop 56 percent

Semen Cibinong profits drop 56 percent Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Publicly-listed cement maker PT Semen Cibinong said in its 2002 audited financial report that net income dropped by 56 percent to Rp 502 billion (US$56.40 million) from Rp 1.16 trillion in 2001. The company said losses from operations increased to Rp 211 billion from Rp 157 billion.

`Spend cash on poor, not subdistrict heads'

`Spend cash on poor, not subdistrict heads' Each of the 267 subdistrict heads in the city will be given a Toyota Kijang car in July or August by the city administration. Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo said the cars would help facilitate their work. However, some city residents have questioned the plan, in conversation with The Jakarta Post. Syahril (not his real name), 59, is a sidewalk vendor of soft drinks in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.

Police seize four trucks of 'raskin'

Police seize four trucks of 'raskin' BOGOR: Bogor Police arrested on Friday the drivers of four trucks loaded with rice for the poor (raskin). The police said they suspected the rice was destined for the Cipinang market instead of being distributed among poor residents for a low price as stipulated by a national program that provides inexpensive rice for the public. At the market, the rice would have been sold at the normal police, police said. Bogor Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr.

The agribusiness system approach

The agribusiness system approach Pantjar Simatupang, Director, Center for Agro Socio Economic Research and Development, Bogor The egalitarian Agrarian Law of 1960 is not easy to enforce. To my knowledge, there has been no egalitarian land reform successfully implemented in developing countries. Besides difficulty in gaining political support, its enforcement is socially sensitive and expensive.

Former council speaker to stand trial

Former council speaker to stand trial Ainur R. Sophiaan, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya, East Java Former Surabaya Council speaker M. Basuki could be jailed for up to 20 years for the alleged embezzlement of Rp 2.7 billion (about US$303,000) in state funds, prosecutors said during the opening day of his trial in Surabaya on Monday.

Development brings no benefit for locals

Development brings no benefit for locals Ateng, 45, is one of the local residents of Kelapa Gading who has become a minority in the fastest growing district in North Jakarta, where the majority of people living here are wealthy newcomers who occupy luxury homes. Ateng, his wife and their three children live in a very simple, old house built by his parents in the 1950s. The house's rundown condition is in vast contrast to the new stylish buildings located only a hundred meters away.

2. 2 x 3, 24pts

2. 2 x 3, 24pts 'Jakarta, Dili not serious about human rights cases' A human rights activist has expressed doubts that Indonesia and East Timor are serious about resolving the question of human rights abuses in the former Indonesian province as both are still lack the necessary legal instruments to deal with the cases.

1. ACEH: 1 x 30

1. ACEH: 1 x 30 Hopes rise for peace in Aceh 2. PATA: 1 x 45 PATA conference opens as crisis hits tourism 3. IRAQ: 3 x 20 Iraqi police go back to work to end Baghdad chaos

Asia Pacific airlines remain optimistic

Asia Pacific airlines remain optimistic The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali Despite the war in Iraq and the spread of SARS, air carriers in the Asia have been doing better compared to their peers in North America and Europe on the back of better economic performances in the region, an executive said on Monday. Peter J.

GAM is untrustworthy

GAM is untrustworthy From Koran Tempo The Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian government, inked in Geneva, Switzerland, some time ago, has allowed free rein to GAM's activities. Since the signing of the agreement GAM has openly committed some 300 acts of violence in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD). Why have we let it happen? Four months have elapsed and nothing of significance has been achieved.

Prosecutors seek 10 years for Tono Suratman

Prosecutors seek 10 years for Tono Suratman Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Government prosecutors sought on Monday the minimum 10-year jail sentence for former East Timor Military commander Brig. Gen. Tono Suratman for his failure to prevent a spate of human rights abuses before and after the 1999 self-determination ballot in East Timor.

JP/ /

JP/ / Rupiah rates April 14 ____________________________________________________________________________ Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 5,661.90 5,053.71 5,386.47 5,328.91 Brunei dollar 1 5,261.27 4,697.37 5,005.33 4,953.16 Canadian dollar 1 6,447.93 5,756.91 6,134.27 6,070.40 Swiss franc 1 6,720.68 5,999.86 6,393.75 6,326.57 Danish krone 1 1,354.86 1,210.05 1,288.95 1,275.94 Euro 1 10,062.99 8,986.98 9,573.47 9,476.36 Poundsterling 1 14,722.80...

Prosecutors formally charge Ba'asyir with treason

Prosecutors formally charge Ba'asyir with treason Agencies, Jakarta Prosecutors submitted the dossiers of Abu Bakar Ba'asyir to the Central Jakarta District Court on Monday and charged him with treason and immigration violations. "We hope the court can form a team of judges as soon as possible to start the trial," said prosecutor Hasan Madani, who submitted the dossiers on Monday morning. Usually, it takes between two weeks to four weeks for a court to select the judges.

Papua allocates Rp 2.6 trillion for development projects

Papua allocates Rp 2.6 trillion for development projects Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua The Papuan administration has allocated Rp 2.6 trillion (US$295 million) for the funding of 848 construction projects, all of which must be completed during the remaining eight months of this fiscal year.

Movie star Farouk Afero dies at 65

Movie star Farouk Afero dies at 65 JAKARTA: Film star Farouk Afero passed away on Sunday night at Pondok Indah Hospital in South Jakarta, due to illness. He was 65. A nurse at the hospital declined to say which illness the film star had been suffering from or how long he had been hospitalized before his death. Born in Pakistan on June 4, 1938, the Indonesian celebrity is survived by his wife and four children.

House to discuss foreign envoys

House to discuss foreign envoys JAKARTA: Leaders of the House of Representatives and nine factions will meet on Wednesday to discuss the eligibility of foreign envoys to be assigned to Jakarta. Article 13 of the amended 1945 Constitution states that before accepting a foreign envoy, the President has to seek the input and consideration of the House of Representatives (DPR).

Former BPN chief jailed for bribery

Former BPN chief jailed for bribery Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang The Tangerang District Court cleared the former Tangerang municipal land agency chief of corruption charges on Monday but sentenced him to eight months in prison for receiving a bribe. A panel of judges led by Zainal Arifin and including Ade Komarudin and Sri Hardini ruled that Satmojo SW was guilty of violating Article 419 of the Criminal Code on bribery.

N.Korea eyes economic rescue with diplomacy shift

N.Korea eyes economic rescue with diplomacy shift Alan Wheatley Reuters Seoul The streets of North Korea are dark and its shop shelves half- empty. Factories stand idle and many go hungry. Inflation is soaring and wages are to be paid in part with worthless government scrip.

PKB mulls forming coalition with PDI-P

PKB mulls forming coalition with PDI-P JAKARTA: The National Awakening Party (PKB) hinted at its intention on Monday to form a coalition with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) ahead of the 2004 direct election. The PKB faction chairman at the House of Representatives, Ali Masykur Musa, reasoned that his party shared the same ideology as PDI Perjuangan, which is headed by President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Unhygienic water for sale?

Unhygienic water for sale? From Pos Kota There is a place in Jatikramat, Bekasi, that sells drinking water without first boiling or processing it hygienically. To attract customers, particularly children, they add coloring (red, green, yellow, etc., known to be unhealthy and harmful) and sweeten the bottled drink. Vendors usually sell a glass of the colorful drinking water around schools at Rp 500 or Rp 1000. They pour the water into glasses and then put some ice into it.

IBRA wants more seats on Lippo boards

IBRA wants more seats on Lippo boards The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) wants the majority of seats on both Bank Lippo's board of management and board of commissioners to better reflect the bank's ownership. IBRA chairman Syafruddin Temenggung said that despite holding a majority stake, the agency had never had a majority of the seats on either the board of directors or board of commissioners.

Councillor admits to consuming ecstasy

Councillor admits to consuming ecstasy BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: City Council deputy speaker Setyawan D. Prasodjo admitted during his trial on Monday to consuming ecstasy shortly before police arrested him last year. The chairman of the local chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Setyawan, said he obtained the ecstasy pill from his colleague Zul. Both were arrested in a raid on Nirwana Discotheque on Dec. 28 last year. "It's true judge.

Another effective tool for marketers

Another effective tool for marketers Mahendra Gautama, Contributor, Jakarta In the 1920s, when John Logie Baird first demonstrated television and video cassette, he was fully aware that his invention would have a great impact on both the media and entertainment world. What he probably did not realize was that one day television could be turned into a powerful medium for marketing.

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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kelapa Gading in North Jakarta was once mostly marshland where farmers grew rice and vegetables. But that has all changed. Kelapa Gading is one of the fastest developing areas in the capital, and shops, offices, malls and other commercial businesses have come to dominate the landscape.

Siemens wins Muara Tawar power project

Siemens wins Muara Tawar power project A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A Siemens consortium has won the tender for construction of the expansion of Muara Tawar power plant in Bekasi, West Java, state electricity company PT PLN announced on Monday.

'Jakarta, Dili not serious about human rights cases'

'Jakarta, Dili not serious about human rights cases' Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A human rights activist has expressed doubts that Indonesia and East Timor are serious about resolving the question of human rights abuses in the former Indonesian province as both are still lack the necessary legal instruments to deal with the cases.

Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, April 15, 2003

Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, April 15, 2003 Performances * Sundanese Classical Dance by Studio Tari Indra, at Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl. Baranang Siang 1, Kosambi (Tel. 022-4233562), 7:30 p.m., April 16 - 17. * Piano Recital, by Steffen Schleiermacher, at Auditorium CCF - French Cultural Center, Jl. Purnawarman 32 (Tel. 022-4212417), 7:30 p.m., April 23. Film * Luc Besson Film, Le Cinquieme Element starring Bruce Willis, at CCF - French Cultural Center, Jl. Purnawarman 32 (Tel.

`Fire the corrupt managers of PPD'

`Fire the corrupt managers of PPD' M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The ministry of transportation should embark on a major overhaul of the state-owned bus operator Djakarta Transportation Company (PPD) to salvage it from total collapse, experts suggested. A transportation expert from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Ofyar Y.

1. Council: 26 x 1 line

1. Council: 26 x 1 line Former council speaker to stand trial Former Surabaya Council Speaker M. Basuki may face 20 years in prison for allegedy embezzling Rp 2.7 billion (about US$303,000) in state funds, prosecutors said during the opening hearing of his trial on Monday. Prosecutor Udjijono said that in the period between December 2000 until March 2001, Basuki abused his position as council speaker to embezzle money from the city's budget.

Council hosts meeting in Puncak

Council hosts meeting in Puncak Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While members of the general public have been advised to tighten their belts due to the prolonged economic crisis, city councillors and officials of the city administration are holding a two-day meeting in the resort area of Puncak, Bogor, West Java.

Hope arises to salvage Aceh peace

Hope arises to salvage Aceh peace Tiarna Siboro The Jakarta Post Jakarta Hopes for salvaging the Aceh peace agreement resurged on Monday after both the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) agreed to sit down at the negotiating table to discuss various alleged violations of the accord signed last year. They have yet to agree, however, on a time and a place as both parties are insisting on dates and venues of their own choosing.

`It needs bold steps to become a trendsetter'

`It needs bold steps to become a trendsetter' Sutji Lantyka, Contributor, Jakarta Two years ago, not many cell phone users other than those working in the telecommunications industry were aware of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) or what it was all about.

2. 2 x 3, 24pts

2. 2 x 3, 24pts 'Jakarta, Dili not serious about human rights cases' 3. 1 x 5, 32pts Prosecutors seek 10 years for Tono Suratman 4. 1 x 5, 34pts Hospitals treated me like a criminal: Activist

2. 2 x 3, 24pts

2. 2 x 3, 24pts 'Jakarta, Dili not serious about human rights cases' 3. 1 x 5, 32pts Prosecutors seek 10 years for Tono Suratman 4. 1 x 5, 34pts Hospitals treated me like a criminal: Activist

PATA conference opens as crisis hits tourism

PATA conference opens as crisis hits tourism Rita A. Widiadana and Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali President Megawati Soekarnoputri opened on Monday a key Asia Pacific travel conference on the resort island of Bali as the region's tourism industry was being threatened by international terrorism and a new deadly flu-like disease.

24,000 RI workers to be sent home

24,000 RI workers to be sent home MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: As a war in Iraq and the threat of a mysterious virus spread by travelers cast a pall over the labor market, 24,255 workers from East Nusa Tenggara will be sent home as their contracts expire this year, a local official said on Monday. Most of the 16,478 workers will be returning from Malaysia, said the head of the provincial manpower and transmigration office, Sirojul Munir.

Whistle blower ill, trial adjourned

Whistle blower ill, trial adjourned JAKARTA: Kito Irkhami, a prosecutor being tried by the South Jakarta District Court for fraud, fell ill on Tuesday, just before the sentence recommendation. "I have a headache and feel queasy," he was quoted by detik.com as saying. The court granted his request to adjourn the session until Thursday. Kito made headlines last year by revealing alleged undeclared assets belonging to Attorney General MA Rachman, following a dispute between the two.

Gus Dur, Try dine together

Gus Dur, Try dine together GIANYAR, Bali: Former president Abdurrahman Wahid, former vice president Gen. (ret) Try Sutrisno and former defense minister Gen. (ret) Edi Sudrajat had dinner together on Monday at the Ubud Palace, some 40 kilometers northeast of the Bali capital of Denpasar. Try said the rare meeting had no political significance, and described it as a reunion. "We all came here at the invitation of the Ubud Palace elders," Try said.

Review sought for Sumiasih case

Review sought for Sumiasih case JAKARTA: The Surabaya District Court in East Java filed on Monday a petition for a Supreme Court review of Sumiasih, who is on death row. The court decided to proceed with the request after a hearing with the defendant's lawyers, who presented new evidence that Sumiasih's appeal in 2000 had not yet been processed by the Supreme Court.

RI should ensure security for peace monitors in Aceh

RI should ensure security for peace monitors in Aceh The representatives of the four co-chairs of the Tokyo conference on peace and reconstruction in Aceh -- Japan, the U.S., the Europe Union and the World Bank -- last week met with Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Gen. (ret.) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to express their concerns over the worsening situation in Aceh. Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia, Yutaka Iimura, spoke to The Jakarta Post's Kornelius Purba about Aceh.

Seven seamen killed in strange trawler mishap

Seven seamen killed in strange trawler mishap Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra Six fishermen died during vain attempts to save the life of a seventh in a bizarre tragedy aboard a trawler in North Sumatra on Sunday. The deaths are believed caused by toxic air in a hold filled with rotting fish remains. Chemical poisoning has not been ruled out.

Councillors sought to remove the mayor just three days after

Councillors sought to remove the mayor just three days after he took over the post from Sunarto Sumoprawiro. Sunarto himself was sacked by the council. The graft scandal has also tarnished the image of the 45- member council, where PDI Perjuangan and PKB are the two largest factions, with 22 seats and 18 seats respectively.

;AFP;KOD;

;AFP;KOD; ANPAu..r.. Aglance-Malaysia-Anwar Tight security as Malaysia's Anwar marks fourth anniversary in ja JP/11/ASEAN Anwar marks 4th anniversary in jail MALAYSIA: Jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim marked his fourth anniversary behind bars on Monday as police threw tight cordons around his home and prison to prevent any demonstrations by his supporters.

DESPERATELY SEEKING SADDAM: A group of people march toward the

DESPERATELY SEEKING SADDAM: A group of people march toward the U.S. Embassy on Jl. Merdeka Selatan in Central Jakarta. Dozens of women and men protested on Monday against the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq which ended with the downfall of Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.

KPU names 22 nominees for monitoring committee

KPU names 22 nominees for monitoring committee Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The General Elections Commission (KPU) plans to add more qualified candidates to the 22 already selected to undergo a test of suitability for election supervisory jobs. "We are of the opinion that more people, who know a lot more about the general election mechanism, should be given a chance to compete in the election for the monitoring committee.

ING slashes economic growth forecasts for Asia due to SARS

ING slashes economic growth forecasts for Asia due to SARS Agence France Presse Hong Kong ING Financial Markets on Monday cut its 2003 economic growth forecasts for a number of Asian economies, citing the outbreak of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus. "SARS is a more serious threat to regional GDP (gross domestic product) growth than the U.S.-Iraq war," ING said in a note to its clients. "The outbreak of SARS in February and its spread throughout the region is a major negative..

Akbar may run for presidency

Akbar may run for presidency JAKARTA: The Golkar Party has issued a circular asking all members planning to contest the presidential election to report to the party's central board. The letter was signed by deputy chairman Slamet Effendy Yusuf and secretary-general Budi Harsono, Antara reported. A political observer formerly linked to the party said the letter indicated Golkar's intention of naming Akbar as its presidential candidate.

BNI agrees to keep Texmaco Group's head above water

BNI agrees to keep Texmaco Group's head above water The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) has agreed to maintain a trade financing facility for troubled textile and engineering giant Texmaco Group. But this would apply only if Texmaco founder and owner Marimutu Sinivasan started repaying debts owned based upon previous financing facilities extended by BNI.

Marriot International plans expansion in RI

Marriot International plans expansion in RI Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali Worldwide hospitality company Marriot International said that the slump in the tourism industry in Indonesia would not discourage its plan to expand in the country, saying that there was still more room for growth here. "It is true that hotel occupancy rates in Indonesia have been low since the economic crisis. They have yet to recover. We won't see any new international hotels in the coming years.

Afghan official says Pakistan backing Taliban: An Afghan official

Afghan official says Pakistan backing Taliban: An Afghan official accused Pakistan on Monday of backing the re-emergence of the fundamentalist Taliban militia, and of involvement in the murder of two relatives of a provincial governor. A cousin and another relative of Kandahar Governor Gul Agha Sherzai were killed by suspected Taliban militants in the Pakistani border town of Chaman on Sunday, while his brother, Sharif Sherzai, was also injured. --Reuters Pakistan convicts four over U.S.