Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 19 April 2003

81 articles found

By Todd Callahan

By Todd CallahanCongratulations to The Jakarta Post on twenty years of excellent reporting. It is an honor to contribute this commentary on developments in the Indonesian cement industry. In this special edition, I have been asked to comment on the considerable foreign investments that have been...

New visa policy

New visa policy Since many officials at the Ministry of Justice have explained that the decision to review the visa policy was based on the principle of reciprocity, I would like to express the hope that this principle will be applied fairly.

China objects

China objects This is in response to the letter Taiwan and global health published in The Jakarta Post on March 29, 2003. The article made use of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) as a pretext to criticize the Chinese government, and to advocate Taiwan's entry into the World Health...

SARS hits artist's restaurants

SARS hits artist's restaurants JAKARTA: The SARS scare that has swept across the globe has dealt a heavy blow to entertainer Roni Sianturi's seafood restaurants in Jakarta."Since the SARS scare began, people have been reluctant to visit public places.

Government to reshuffle Perhutani management

Government to reshuffle Perhutani managementRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Ministry of Forestry plans to reshuffle top-level management of state-owned forestry company Perhutani next month, as some directors had been implicated in an alleged corruption case, an official said.

Debate on reclamation?

Debate on reclamation? The Jakarta administration's persistence to proceed with the "revitalization" of 2,700 hectares on the northern coast through reclamation deserves our very serious attention.Serious attention must be paid to the plan that has been opposed by independent and government-owned...

`No trial-and-error traffic policy, please'

`No trial-and-error traffic policy, please'Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Acute transportation problems in the city can only be resolved by means of a well-planned, comprehensive transportation system, implemented consistently, say transportation observers.

GAM is untrustworthy

GAM is untrustworthyFrom 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.

What a difference five years makes. The mining industry, which

What a difference five years makes. The mining industry, which prospered during the Soeharto administration from the late 1960s until the authoritarian leader's resignation in 1998, is now languishing in a mire of new government policies, opposition from environmentalists and hostility of local...

Security tightened in Maluku

Security tightened in MalukuFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Authorities have tightened security in Maluku province ahead of the anniversary of the Republic of South Maluku (RMS) independence movement on April 24.National Police chief Gen.

All Puskesmas set to have same tariff

All Puskesmas set to have same tariff JAKARTA: Following complaints that Public Health Centers (Puskesmas) in Jakarta have different tariffs for their health services, the city administration is planning ensure charges are consistent.

`Many used loans to buy consumers goods'

`Many used loans to buy consumers goods' The city administration plans to increase the fund channeled through its subdistricts for empowering poor people from a previous Rp 250 million last year to Rp 500 million this year.

Analysts cautious over military's role in security

Analysts cautious over military's role in securityTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite support for the proposed review of the tasks and authority given to the military and police in the amended 1945 Constitution, political analysts remained cautious about the military's domestic...

On war against GAM

On war against GAM The Jakarta Post on April 13 published an article that said religious leaders and Muslim scholars were urging the government to leave the Aceh question to civilians in order to avoid war between the Indonesian military and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

1. Sofjan1 --

1. Sofjan1 -- Part 1 of 2 Rationale of additional tax reform 2. War -- Prosecution over Iraqi killings not likely 3. Ria21 -- Lessons taught by war in Iraq

Iraqis accuse U.S. of `crime of the century'

Iraqis accuse U.S. of `crime of the century'Agencies, Baghdad/Washington/Paris U.S. troops committed the "crime of the century" when they failed to protect priceless Iraqi artifacts from looters and likely trampled archeological sites, top antiquities officials here charged on Friday.

TV Program: Monday, April 21, 2003

TV Program: Monday, April 21, 2003TVRI .TB.30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi7:00 English News Service 7:30 Children's Program: Pentas Ceria10:00 Quiz: Dibisikin11:00 News: Berita Daerah 11:30 Music: Konteswara12:00 p.m.

Indonesia, with its abundant natural and human resources, once

Indonesia, with its abundant natural and human resources, once ranked as an exotic choice for investment, but the unrelenting bureaucratic, social, economic and political problems of the last five years have pretty much put paid to that designation.

Another Ramada Hotel in Bali

Another Ramada Hotel in Bali I refer to your article on April 15, Marriott International plans expansion in RI.You mentioned that in Indonesia, Marriott International currently operates three hotels, namely the J.W. Marriott in Jakarta and Surabaya and the Ramada Bintang in Bali.

`Pak' Ombo, his unique gallery and painting collection

`Pak' Ombo, his unique gallery and painting collectionBambang M., Contributor, Yogyakarta Art galleries are usually designed with strong aesthetic nuances in its architecture and interior. Galeri Ombo in Yogyakarta, however, simply looks like an ordinary house.

30,000 poor vendors to get Rp 4b

30,000 poor vendors to get Rp 4bThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Almost 30,000 needy vendors in Bekasi municipality will receive financial aid to develop their businesses as part of a government program to alleviate poverty.

Philippine troops recover body of slain Indonesian captive

Philippine troops recover body of slain Indonesian captive Deutsche Presse-Agentur Zamboanga City, Philippines Philippine troops have recovered the body of a kidnapped Indonesian sailor executed by Abu Sayyaf rebels on a southern island, a military official said on Thursday. Brig. Gen.

SE Asian leaders to hold SARS summit in Bangkok

SE Asian leaders to hold SARS summit in BangkokAgencies, Bangkok/Beijing Southeast Asian leaders will meet in Bangkok this month to hammer out ways to tackle the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus that has struck a blow to their economies, a Thai minister said on Thursday.

When Mega meets Putin

When Mega meets Putin When leaders of the fourth and fifth most populated country in the world meet, what can their peoples expect to gain?A lot presumably. The potential for cooperation between Indonesia and Russia is immense, that presidents Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vladimir Putin can certainly...

Megawati in Romania for three-day visit

Megawati in Romania for three-day visit Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri (left) and Romanian President Ion Iliescu watch Romanian soldiers marching during a welcoming ceremony at the Bucharest, Romania, international airport.

Tour carries a blast from the past

Tour carries a blast from the pastSari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It was a Sunday morning, not even past 8 a.m. Rain poured down the night before making the morning chilly. Clouds hovered, leaving a mist. Most people would prefer to stay longer in bed.

SARS and people's irrationality

SARS and people's irrationalityFrom Koran Tempo The mass media has been reporting on the fast spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in some countries in the world, including Indonesia. The media also reported that there are some people here infected with the virus, while another report...

SARS, Iraq war threaten region's economy: UN

SARS, Iraq war threaten region's economy: UNZakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The outbreak of SARS and the negative effect of the recent war in Iraq could become a serious threat to economies in the region, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) said, while...

Where to go in Jakarta:Saturday, April 19, 2003

Where to go in Jakarta:Saturday, April 19, 2003 Exhibitions * Painting by Shi Hu, National Museum, Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No. 12, Central Jakarta (Tel. 3812346, 3868172), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., until April 27. * Painting, Milestones Of Modesty, by I Made Djirna, at Graha Paramita Building, Jl.

* Headlines:Parties told to present platforms 2

* Headlines:Parties told to present platforms 2 * National:Supreme Court launches major reshuffle4 * Archipelago:Security tightened in Maluku 5 * Opinion: Military action in Aceh not the solution6 * City:30,000 poor vendors to get Rp 4b 8 * Sports: Ferrero books Monte Carl semis with Spadea10 *...

Gunung Sempu offers eclectic religious experience

Gunung Sempu offers eclectic religious experienceAde Tanesia, Contributor, Yogyakarta The Bali bombings not only paralyzed tourism in Bali but also hit Yogyakarta's tourist sector as well. According to the head of Yogyakarta's tourism and culture agency, F.

Teten Masduki

Teten Masduki Coordinator Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) Jakarta Since the formal collapse of Soeharto's authoritarian government, the pattern of corruption shifted from one conducted in an oligarchic manner to a "multiparty" pattern occurring within and across all major parties and sectors.

RI calls for OPEC output cut to prevent price drop

RI calls for OPEC output cut to prevent price dropA'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian government will propose an oil production cut to the upcoming meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to help prevent a drop in oil prices, Minister of Energy and...

RMS supporters warned of subversion

RMS supporters warned of subversionAzis Tunny The Jakarta Post Ambon, MalukuMaluku authorities renewed their warning against the South Maluku Republic (RMS) separatist movement, saying strong measures would be taken against those supporting for RMS and its affiliate, the Maluku Sovereignty Forum...

Visa-free facility to be limited

Visa-free facility to be limited JAKARTA: The Immigration Directorate General of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights revealed on Wednesday that the visa- free facility on arrival would be issued at limited gateways in the country.

KPU to form poll supervisory team

KPU to form poll supervisory team JAKARTA: The General Elections Commission (KPU) will conclude on Saturday the screening to elect six people to form the election supervisory committee and its result is to be announced to the public on Monday.

1. Fund - 4x5

1. Fund - 4x5 30,000 poor to get Rp 4b2. Radio - 2x25 Dial `Elshinta' radio for news, public info 3. Wisata - 1x 34 Tour carries a blast from the past4. Speak 'Many used loans to buy consumers goods'

Jakarta Post Anniversary Article

Jakarta Post Anniversary ArticleIs it time to bid goodbye to the IMF?I was honored and pleased when I was requested to contribute to this special anniversary supplement. I thought I could most usefully take advantage of the space offered to me by commenting on one of the most controversial aspects...

Philippine troops recover body of slain Indonesian captive

Philippine troops recover body of slain Indonesian captiveDeutsche Presse-Agentur, Zamboanga City, Philippines Philippine troops have recovered the body of a kidnapped Indonesian sailor executed by Abu Sayyaf rebels on a southern island, a military official said on Thursday.Brig. Gen.

BPK to audit 'TVRI' over past mismanagement

BPK to audit 'TVRI' over past mismanagementA'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Office of the State Minister of State Enterprises is to launch an investigative audit on state-owned television broadcasting company TVRI over possible mismanagement in the past, a senior official said.

Megawati should learn from Putin's strong leadership, says analyst

Megawati should learn from Putin's strong leadership, says analystFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In the past few years, Indonesia and Russia have shared many similarities. Both have been trying to deal with separatist movements and severe economic problems.

Sultan sued over land dispute

Sultan sued over land disputeSri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta A complaint against Yogyakarta Sultan Hamengkubuwono X was filed with the police on Wednesday by three descendants of Sultan Hamengkubuwono VII for allegedly illegally appropriating 40,410 square meters of land and a building...

Phone thieves pretend to be police

Phone thieves pretend to be police JAKARTA: Three people who pretended to act as police officers hunting for a murderer stole a cellular phone from a passenger on an air-conditioned city bus on the route from Kampung Rambutan bus terminal, East Jakarta, to Senen, Central Jakarta.

Govt, GAM agree to meet

Govt, GAM agree to meetThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Banda Aceh Despite the escalating tension in Aceh, both the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) expressed their commitment to salvaging the peace process.

Military action in Aceh, Papua not the solution

Military action in Aceh, Papua not the solutionMohammad Zulfan Tadjoeddin, Research Associate, United Nations Support Facility for Indonesian Recovery (UNSFIR), Jakarta, zulfan.unsfir@un.or.id The current critical development of the peace process in Aceh and the latest status of the security...

British SARS patient disappears after leaving hospital

British SARS patient disappears after leaving hospitalThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Authorities are looking for a British man who has been identified as a probable Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) case, and was told to stay home for 14 days, but disappeared on Friday.

Eight school debaters bound for Peru

Eight school debaters bound for PeruThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Eight high school students from across the archipelago have been selected to represent Indonesia in the World Schools Debating Championship in Lima, Peru, in August.

Govt readies fund to increase sugar output

Govt readies fund to increase sugar outputThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is to set aside Rp 1 trillion (US$112 million) in cash for local sugarcane farmers to help boost domestic sugar production, Minister of Agriculture Bungaran Saragih said.

Court retains `the best of the worst' in big reshuffle

Court retains `the best of the worst' in big reshuffleMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Supreme Court shifted 64 mid- and low-level division heads from their posts on Thursday, the biggest reshuffling to occur in the country's judicial history, in an effort to boost its poor...

Jakarta fields one club in Proliga finals

Jakarta fields one club in Proliga finalsImanuddin, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Entering the semifinals of the 2003 Proliga confidently on Friday, Jakarta only managed to get one of its three teams into the finals on Sunday.

Analysts back move to cut dependence on U.S. weaponry

Analysts back move to cut dependence on U.S. weaponryFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Defense analysts have thrown their support behind government moves to look for other arms suppliers in a bid to cut its dependence on the United States, which has imposed a military embargo on the...

JP/4/sars

JP/4/sarsBritish SARS patient disappears after hospital releaseThe Jakarta Post Jakarta Authorities are looking for a British man who has been identified as a probable Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) case, who was told to stay home for 14 days, but disappeared on Friday.

10 injured in market demolition accident

10 injured in market demolition accidentAirnur R. Sophiaan, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya Ten people were injured, three critically, during the controversial demolition of the Wonokromo traditional market in Surabaya, East Java, after an excavator accidentally tore down several kiosks.Sholeh, 45, Mrs.

Reason must prevail

Reason must prevailFrom Kompas Protests against the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq have flared up across the country, involving nearly all social groups.Regrettably, some protesters who have held their rallies in front of several U.S. companies, have also damaged U.S.

Indonesia now needs insightful journalism, says Jakob Oetama

Indonesia now needs insightful journalism, says Jakob OetamaMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The fast pace of the globalized world has challenged the Indonesian media to adopt a style of journalism that provides more insights for its audience than simply the presentation of...

Workers want mandatory homecoming ruling scrapped

Workers want mandatory homecoming ruling scrappedEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former migrant workers and non-governmental organization (NGO) activists protested on Thursday, demanding that the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration revoke a ministerial decree that obligates workers to...

Antara/Heru Dwi

Antara/Heru DwiTRIAL OF CONSCIENCE: Muhammad Nazar, leader of the Aceh Referendum Information Center (SIRA), listens to a government prosecutor read charges. Muhammad's trial for sowing hatred against the government began on Thursday at the Banda Aceh District Court.

Akbar testifies against chief editor

Akbar testifies against chief editor JAKARTA: Akbar Tandjung, the chairman of the Golkar party, testified on Thursday against Rakyat Merdeka daily over the publication of a picture in the paper that allegedly defamed him."The picture, which was published by the daily on Jan.

Hazy days of university

Hazy days of university From Pikiran Rakyat The practice of hazing new students entering university is counterproductive despite all of the arguments given to defend the practice.The physical torture to which the incoming freshmen are subjected, purportedly done to test their mental resilience, may...

Nuclear dispute just between U.S. and N. Korea: China

Nuclear dispute just between U.S. and N. Korea: ChinaJae-suk Yoo, Associated Press, Seoul The Chinese ambassador in Seoul said that the nuclear dispute on the Korean Peninsula should be solved primarily by the United States and North Korea, and that Beijing doesn't want to play an active mediating...

TV Today: Saturday, April 19, 2003

TV Today: Saturday, April 19, 2003TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi7:00 English News Service8:30 Talk Show: Ibu, Bayi dan Balita9:00 Music: Pesona Music Indonesia 11:00 News: Berita Daerah11:30 Music: Konteswara12:00 p.m.

Foreign players in drug business

Foreign players in drug business MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The police here said on Friday that they suspected the involvement of an international network behind drug trafficking in the province, while calling for greater cooperation from the public to fight the crime.

Court rejects Anwar sodomy appeal

Court rejects Anwar sodomy appeal MALAYSIA: Malaysia's appeals court upheld Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy conviction on Friday, condemning the former deputy prime minister to more years behind bars while his old foe, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, prepares to retire.

SIRA chairman stands trial over sedition charges

SIRA chairman stands trial over sedition chargesNani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh The trial of Muhammad Nazar, leader of the Aceh Referendum Information Center (SIRA) who stands charged with sowing hatred against the government, began on Thursday at Banda Aceh District Court.

1. ARMS: 3 x 20

1. ARMS: 3 x 20 Analysts back move to cut dependence on U.S. weaponry 2. MEGA: 1 x 40 RI President in Romania for three-day visit 3. PUTIN: 2 x 35 Megawati should learn from Putin's strong leadership, says Analyst 4. SUMMIT: 2 x 25 SE Asian leaders to hold SARS summit in Bangkok 5.

Muslim figures call for peaceful solution to Aceh problems

Muslim figures call for peaceful solution to Aceh problemsTiarma Siboro and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two noted Muslim leaders reiterated their concern about the government's plan to launch a military operation in the resource- rich province of Aceh, asking that a peace accord with...

Aceh administration

Aceh administration must be audited From Rakyat Merdeka The central government has channeled trillions of rupiah to Aceh, but the province has hardly enjoyed the fruits of development. What is wrong with this situation?Apparently, it is common practice in Aceh for a company that has won a tender...

TNI to install military battalion in Poso

TNI to install military battalion in PosoThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The head of the Makassar-based Wirabuana Military Command, Maj. Gen. Suprapto, said on Thursday a military battalion would soon be based in Poso, Central Sulawesi, where religious conflicts between Muslims and Christians have...

Political parties told to present platforms

Political parties told to present platformsKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a bid to help promote democracy, political parties should clearly present their political platform to the public, say Muslim scholar Nurcholish "Cak Nur" Madjid and veteran journalist Goenawan Mohamad.

Where to go in Jakarta:Monday, April 21, 2003

Where to go in Jakarta:Monday, April 21, 2003 Exhibitions* Painting by Shi Hu, National Museum, Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No. 12, Central Jakarta (Tel. 3812346, 3868172), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., until April 27. * Painting, Milestones Of Modesty, by I Made Djirna, at Graha Paramita Building, Jl.

5,000 fail to enroll at high schools

5,000 fail to enroll at high schools PURWAKARTA, West Java: About 5,000 elementary school graduates in Purwakarta, West Java, failed to pursue higher education in 2002 due to the limited capacity of junior high schools to accommodate students, Purwakarta legislature Commission E chairman Juhara...

1. COMMENT: 3 x 22

1. COMMENT: 3 x 22 Muslim leaders call for peaceful solution to Aceh problem 2. CAKNUR: 1 x 42 Political parties told to present platforms 3. TRAFFIC: 1 x 44 'No trial-and-error traffic policy, please' 4. SAILOR: 2 x 31 Philippine troops recover body of slain Indonesian captive 5.

Arnada excels in digital flicks

Arnada excels in digital flicksTony Ryanto, Contributor, Jakarta If life begins at 40, Erwin Arnada, 39, feels secure in welcoming it because he has built a spectacular career for himself, being the executive producer of Jelangkung (Indonesian equivalent to the Ouija board), one of three Indonesian...

Foreign players in drug business

Foreign players in drug business MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The police here said on Friday that they suspected the involvement of an international network behind drug trafficking in the province, while calling for greater cooperation from the public to fight the crime.

SARS keeps businessmen away from China export fair

SARS keeps businessmen away from China export fairAgence France-Presse, Beijing China's largest export fair in the southern city of Guangzhou has attracted only a small number of business representatives compared to last year with most staying away because of SARS.

Justices appointed on Akbar's case

Justices appointed on Akbar's case JAKARTA: The Supreme Court has selected a panel of justices to hear the appeal of House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung, who has been sentenced to three years prison for corruption.

City radio stations offer phone-in programs

City radio stations offer phone-in programsM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A caller said a man was walking aimlessly along the side of the Jakarta-Merak toll road and that he could endanger himself and the commuters.

In view of the changes that are happening in Indonesia at the

In view of the changes that are happening in Indonesia at the moment -- the country's movement from an autocratic government to one that is more democratic, the change from a very centralized system to a decentralized one - and the fact that the country is still trying to recover from the conomic...

JP/4/sars

JP/4/sarsBritish SARS patient disappears after hospital releaseThe Jakarta Post Jakarta Authorities are looking for a British man who has been identified as a probable Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) case, and was told to stay home for 14 days, but disappeared on Friday.

5,000 fail to enroll at high schools

5,000 fail to enroll at high schools PURWAKARTA, West Java: About 5,000 elementary school graduates in Purwakarta, West Java, failed to pursue higher education in 2002 due to the limited capacity of junior high schools to accommodate students, Purwakarta legislature Commission E chairman Juhara...

Megawati in Romania for three-day visit

Megawati in Romania for three-day visit President Megawati Soekarnoputri arrived in Romania on Friday for a three-day visit to meet with top officials and spend some time at a mountain resort. Megawati was greeted at the airport in Bucharest by Romanian President Ion Iliescu, and the two later held...