Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 22 April 2003

83 articles found

`Govt must not take unilateral action in cement dispute'

`Govt must not take unilateral action in cement dispute'Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Any unilateral action by the government to spin off cement companies PT Semen Padang and PT Semen Tonasa from their publicly-listed parent company PT Semen Gresik (SG) would cause a convoluted legal...

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MA under fire for draft on contempt of court 3. 1 x 5 33 counts KPU, police sign security agreement for elections Ministry seeks travel ban for suspected SARS sufferers

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.

Please see query below, in yellow

Please see query below, in yellowGovt urged to promote reading habitEvi Mariani The Jakarta Post JakartaIn a bid to cultivate a reading habit on behalf of the public, the government and local administrations need to pour more funds into the improvement and establishment of public libraries...

Chance still exists to bring military officers to justice

Chance still exists to bring military officers to justiceTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite the decision of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) to drop from its agenda human rights abuses in East Timor, the opportunity to reopen the rights cases, which have implicated a...

West Java names two gubernatorial candidates

West Java names two gubernatorial candidatesYuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung, West Java The West Java provincial legislative council will likely nominate two gubernatorial candidates proposed by major factions after the minority factions' candidate was rejected on Monday.

Animal center raises new hope for conservation

Animal center raises new hope for conservationBambang M and Mahmud NA, Contributor, Yogyakarta Large iron cages stand strongly on a plot of land measuring almost 14 square hectares in Paingan hamlet, Sendangsari, Kulonprogo regency, some 15 kilometers to the west of Yogyakarta.

'Fake fishing licenses rampant'

'Fake fishing licenses rampant' JAKARTA: The Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs said on Monday that fake fishing licenses were common in the country.Director for Fisheries Business Services Purwanto said 51 of 66 licenses that had been checked by the government were fake.

Villagers punish fish bombers

Villagers punish fish bombers JP/ /AcrossVillagers punish fishermenSENGGIGI, West Lombok: Subandi (25) and Sangeni (40) face being ostracized by the people of their own village in a traditional form of punishment after they used explosives to catch fish in the waters of Gili Indah, West Lombok, a...

Indonesia moving in the right direction, at `glacial' speed

Indonesia moving in the right direction, at `glacial' speedManaging relations between Indonesia and the United States has never been easy, and these last few years it has been even more challenging. The terrorist attack against the United States on Sept.

RI, Russia to enhance military cooperation

RI, Russia to enhance military cooperationAgencies, Jakarta Indonesia and Russia have agreed to strengthen bilateral ties, including cooperation in military, technology and trade.President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Russian President Vladimir Putin witnessed on Monday the signing of several...

Police nab drug trafficker in Bogor

Police nab drug trafficker in Bogor BOGOR: Police arrested a drug dealer on Sunday in front of Bogor Botanical Gardens on Jl. Oto Iskandar Dinata and confiscated from him 20 grams of methamphetamine, 20 ecstasy pills, two sheets of aluminum foil and an electronic set of scales.

11 killed, 23 injured in tollway accident

11 killed, 23 injured in tollway accidentThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The investigation into a chain collision that claimed at least eleven lives on the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road early on Monday had been closed as all the potential suspects were among the dead, a police officer said.

Tension and demonstration mark Aceh activist's trial

Tension and demonstration mark Aceh activist's trialNani Farida, The Jakarta Post , Banda Aceh The trial of an Aceh activist in Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh, on Monday turned tense when more than 150 supporters of the Aceh Referendum Information Center (SIRA) staged a demonstration to protest...

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...

Yogyakarta sultan ready to face lawsuit

Yogyakarta sultan ready to face lawsuitSri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogykarta Sultan of Yogyakarta Hamengkubuwono X said on Monday he was ready to face a lawsuit charging him with illegally obtaining a plot of land and a building on it, arguing he had acted in the interests of the palace.

JP/6/DJATI1

JP/6/DJATI12004 ELECTION & THE REFORM PROCESS: In Search of a LeaderPart 1 of 2J. Soedjati Djiwandono Political Analyst Jakarta Under Soeharto's "New Order" regime a general election was held every five years from 1971, the last being the general election of 1997.

Maluku separatist commander arrested

Maluku separatist commander arrestedMuhammad Aziz Tunny The Jakarta Post Ambon, Maluku Police say they have arrested the alleged commander of the South Maluku Republic (RMS) separatist movement, and eight other RMS members in a raid on his house while they were planning the celebration of the...

Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, April 22, 2003

Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, April 22, 2003 Performances* Sundanese Dance, Kaulinan Urang Lembur, by Mayangsari Art group at Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl. Baranang Siang 1, Kosambi (Tel. 022-4233562), 1 p.m., April 22.

Bank Mega, CSFB to bid for Danamon

Bank Mega, CSFB to bid for Danamon JAKARTA: PT Bank Mega confirmed on Monday that Credit Suisse First Boston Corp. (CSFB), has joined its consortium bidding for the government's 51 percent stake in PT Bank Danamon Indonesia.

MA under fire over controversial bill

MA under fire over controversial billFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Supreme Court has come under fire for considering drafting a bill that would allow immediate imprisonment without trial for those found in contempt of court, with critics saying this would breach criminal...

Govt urged to promote reading habit

Govt urged to promote reading habitEvi Mariani The Jakarta Post JakartaIn a bid to cultivate a reading habit on behalf of the public, the government and local administrations need to pour more funds into the improvement and establishment of public libraries throughout the archipelago, head of the...

Aussie investors still keen on RI: IABC

Aussie investors still keen on RI: IABCAdianto P. Simamora The Jakarta Post JakartaAustralian investors are still eager to invest in Indonesia, but the government must swiftly take action to resolve pressing problems in doing business here, the Indonesia-Australia Business Council (IABC) said.

Give peace in Aceh a chance

Give peace in Aceh a chance With just three days before representatives of the Indonesian government and the Gerakan Aceh Merdeka or the Aceh Free Movement (GAM) meet, it would be best for both parties to build a condition that is most conducive for negotiations.

Security authorities in Aceh have closely monitored SIRA's

Security authorities in Aceh have closely monitored SIRA's activities following its support for a self-determination referendum in Aceh, instead of the independence that has long been fought for by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

Activist stands trial for insulting Megawati

Activist stands trial for insulting MegawatiM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An activist from the radical group Islamic Youth Movement (GPI) was on trial on Monday for allegedly insulting President Megawati Soekarnoputri during an antigovernment protest in mid- February.The defendant, M.

Theys' killers get light sentences

Theys' killers get light sentencesAgencies, Surabaya Seven Indonesian special forces (Kopassus) soldiers who killed a Papuan provincial leader while trying to silence his calls for independence were jailed Monday for between 24 and 42 months.

City told to improve management of assets

City told to improve management of assetsNovan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city administration was urged to improve its management of all city assets quickly to prevent loss and to increase city revenues, especially from those assets invested in the private sector.

Concrete Steps to Put Investors at Ease

Concrete Steps to Put Investors at EaseBy Tom A. Clough, President Director, PT Semen CibinongMany people are overly critical of what is now happening in Indonesia, expecting overnight changes in areas that took hundreds of years to be accomplished in European countries.

Parking at McDonald Sarinah

Parking at McDonald Sarinah About 1:30 a.m. on April 2, 2003, my friends and I would like to have something to eat at McDonald Sarinah outlet. Our car was parked exactly in front of this outlet. Half an hour later we decided to leave this place.

'Candidates must come from party'

'Candidates must come from party' JAKARTA: Vice President Hamzah Haz indicated here Monday that the nomination of presidential and vice presidential candidates in the upcoming general election should come from the political party, and not from any other agency.

Another way to gain a foothold in the market

Another way to gain a foothold in the marketEddy P. Kasdiono, Contributor, Jakarta Almost every second of our waking hours we are bombarded with a myriad of advertisements from every kind of media. They come in all sorts of themes, from the simple and basic ads promoting the advantages of different...

1. Asset - 4x 12

1. Asset - 4x 12 City told to improve management of assets 2. Trial - 2x 25 Activist stands trial for insulting Megawati 3. Busway - 2x 20 Decision on traffic rules to await overseas trip Traffic rule decicion to await foreign trip4. Kartini - 1x 30 No more 'kebaya' on Kartini Day 5.

`Govt could face impeachment if it extends deal with IMF'

`Govt could face impeachment if it extends deal with IMF'The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A senior legislator warned the government against extending its agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) when it expires later this year, saying this would violate a People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)...

Danamon Q1 pretax profit soar

Danamon Q1 pretax profit soarJAKARTA: PT Bank Danamon Indonesia said Monday its pretax profit for the first three months of this year rose to Rp 296 billion rupiah (US$33.93 million) from Rp 192 billion during the same period last year.

Singling out a product from commodity crowd

Singling out a product from commodity crowdBurhanuddin Abe, Contributor, Jakarta Only a couple of years ago wheat flour was a generic or unbranded commodity, but today go to any supermarket and you will find various brands to choose from, including Cakra Kembar (Twin Wheels), Segitiga Biru (Blue...

A bogus policewoman has been arrested for illegally collecting

A bogus policewoman has been arrested for illegally collecting millions of rupiah from police officers who wanted to be promoted.Erni Sulistiyowati, the bogus first inspector, had also cheated several high school and university graduates who wanted to join the police force.

1. ACEH: 1 x 25

1. ACEH: 1 x 25 GAM rejects Tokyo meeting 2. RUSSIA:RI, Russia to enhance military cooperation 3. IRAQ: 3 x 18U.S. begins long, hard task of rebuilding Iraq

Revisiting Indonesia-United States relations

Revisiting Indonesia-United States relationsBy Tony Agus Ardie, President of KIKAS*The past few months have seen a profusion of developments which could substantially influence the state of relationships between Indonesia and the United States.

Ministry seeks travel ban for SARS sufferers

Ministry seeks travel ban for SARS sufferersMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Ministry of Health has asked the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights to bar suspected sufferers of SARS who have been discharged from the hospital from leaving the country.

Traffic rule decision will await Sutiyoso foreign trip

Traffic rule decision will await Sutiyoso foreign trip Governor Sutiyoso said on Monday that the plan to extend the 3-in-1 traffic policy to the afternoon rush hour would be decided upon after he completes his 12-day trip to Latin America.

Garuda closes its Manado-Taipei route

Garuda closes its Manado-Taipei routeJongker Rumthe, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta National flag-carrier Garuda Indonesia announced it was halting flights between the North Sulawesi capital Manado and Taiwan because of the sharp drop in passenger loads over the past six months.

Will SARS crisis boost ASEAN's co-responsibility?

Will SARS crisis boost ASEAN's co-responsibility?Kavi Chongkittaborn, The Nation, Asia News Network, Bangkok Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) traditionally believe that they can always turn a crisis into an opportunity.

Three qualify for supervisory committee

Three qualify for supervisory committeeArya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The General Elections Commission (KPU) has been forced to add nine new names to compete for the remaining three posts at the general election supervisory committee after only three out of 22 candidates qualified.

JP/6/DJATI1

JP/6/DJATI12004 ELECTION & THE REFORM PROCESS: In Search of a LeaderPart 1 of 2J. Soedjati Djiwandono Political Analyst Jakarta Under Soeharto's "New Order" regime a general election was held every five years from 1971, the last being the general election of 1997.

Govt reopens RI workers placement

Govt reopens RI workers placement JAKARTA: The government said on Monday that it had lifted the ban on the placement of Indonesian workers in the Middle East as of April 1.Director for the Protection and Empowerment of Indonesian Migrant Workers Mardjono said Minister of Manpower and Transmigration...

1 x 55

1 x 55After 'great escape', FPI chief now wallows in Salemba jail JP/2/IMF2 x 26'Govt could face impeachment if it extends deal with IMF'JP/2/PANWAS 1 x 40'Only three qualify for supervisory committee' JP/2/THEYS1 x 32Theys' killers get light sentences JP/4/ETIMOR 3 x 15Chance still exists to bring...

Exhibition marks Made Djirna's turning point

Exhibition marks Made Djirna's turning pointAmir Sidharta, Contributor, Jakarta Balinese artist Made Djirna is not a new name in the world of Indonesian art. He is perhaps best known for his paintings of female figures formed using curvilinear shapes in a simple palette of red, white and black and...

W. Java names two gubernatorial candidates

W. Java names two gubernatorial candidatesYuli Tri Suwarni The Jakarta Post Bandung, West JavaThe West Java provincial legislative council will likely nominate two gubernatorial candidates proposed by major factions after the minority factions' candidate was rejected on Monday.

GAM rejects Tokyo meeting

GAM rejects Tokyo meetingNani Farida and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Jakarta The effort to bring peace back to Aceh faces another stiff test after the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebel group threatened to boycott a Joint Council meeting if it went ahead in Tokyo as planned.

Indonesia to sell Telkomsel shares via IPO

Indonesia to sell Telkomsel shares via IPODow Jones, Jakarta The government said on Monday it plans to divest its stake in cellular phone company PT Telekomunikasi Selular Indonesia, or Telkomsel, through an initial public offering in September or October.

Investment in sharia bonds expected to surge

Investment in sharia bonds expected to surgeThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Investment in the form of Islamic syariah bonds in the country is forecasted to grow robustly to around Rp 1.27 trillion (about US$144 million) this year from Rp 130 billion last year, a consultant specializing in the sector said.

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Should Indonesia rely on the U.S. dollar? Imam Nur Azis and Jason Meade Center for Indonesian Reform Jakarta The U.S. dollar should remain weak over the next decade at least, 2. Yale-- Globalization's challenge to Islam 2 x 26 Islam is facing serious globalization challenges Riaz Hassan Australian...

1. Asset - 4x 12

1. Asset - 4x 12 City urged to improve management over assets City administration was urged to quickly improve its management over all city assets to prevent asset loss and to increase city revenue especially from those being used in business cooperation with the private sector.

Govt plans decree on oil, gas sector

Govt plans decree on oil, gas sector JAKARTA: The government will only decide on the proposed extension of oil and gas contracts here after a special decree on the upstream oil and gas industry has been issued, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro said on Monday.

TV Program: Tuesday, April 22, 2003

TV Program: Tuesday, April 22, 2003TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m.Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 English News Service9:00 Documentary11:00 News: Berita Daerah11:30 Music: Konteswara 12:00 p.m.

April 25, 2003

April 25, 2003Foreign investors awaiting more stable environmentBy Eun-ho Seung, Chairman of Korean Chamber of Commerce in IndonesiaFundamentally, the country remains an attractive place for investments thanks to its abundant natural resources, huge potential market and large pool of labor.

Retail keeps 'em coming despite uncertainty

Retail keeps 'em coming despite uncertainty OR Uncertainty no stop to retail expansionRandy Witular Hendarsyah Tarmizi Jakarta Post JakartaWith a population of more than 215 million, Indonesia continues to beckon to retailers even as the country's economic fundamentals remain woefully uncertain.

Capital inflows boost rupiah: BI

Capital inflows boost rupiah: BIDow Jones, Jakarta Bank Indonesia isn't worried over the rupiah's recent sharp rise against the dollar and will leave it up to the market to determine an appropriate level for the local currency, the central bank's Governor Sjahril Sabirin said on Monday.

* Headlines: No request from Iraq to attend meeting: OPEC 2

* Headlines: No request from Iraq to attend meeting: OPEC 2 * National: KPU, police sign security agreement for elections 4 * Archipelago: Maluku separatist commander arrested 5 * Opinion: Should Indonesia rely on the U.S.

Hasyim told to quit NU post

Hasyim told to quit NU post JAKARTA: Former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid urged on Monday Hasyim Muzadi, chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), to quit his post before nominating himself as a presidential candidate in the 2004 general elections.

Rationale of additional tax reform

Rationale of additional tax reformSofjan Wanandi, Chairman, Committee for National Economic Recovery (KPEN), Jakarta The issues concerning refunds is closely related to tax audits because refunds, except in certain cases, are always subjected to tax audits.

Oil prices steady ahead of OPEC meeting

Oil prices steady ahead of OPEC meetingAgence France-Presse, Singapore Oil prices were steady in Asian trading on Monday, underpinned by expectations that OPEC will cut output when it meets this week, dealers said.

Oil prices steady ahead of OPEC meeting

Oil prices steady ahead of OPEC meeting Agence France-Presse SingaporeOil prices were steady in Asian trading on Monday, underpinned by expectations that OPEC will cut output when it meets this week, dealers said.

Govt urged to promote reading habit

Govt urged to promote reading habitEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a bid to cultivate a reading habit on behalf of the public, the government and local administrations need to pour more funds into the improvement and establishment of public libraries throughout the archipelago, head of...

`I find it hard to learn English language'

`I find it hard to learn English language' There is no doubt that English is one of the most important subjects at school. The government even held the National Debating Championship last week, which was participated in by many students who speak English fluently.

FEMCA championship staged in Jakarta

FEMCA championship staged in JakartaThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The 2003 Far East Model Car Association (FEMCA) Championships flags off on Tuesday at the Jakarta International Twin Circuit in the Bung Karno Sports Center, Senayan, Central Jakarta, a report said.

IPB holds pap smear test

IPB holds pap smear test BOGOR: The deaths of two uterine cancer patients, whose surviving husbands work at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB), has moved the institute to organize Papanicolaou, or Pap, smears for women at the university.

Farmers have yet to enjoy sugar price increase

Farmers have yet to enjoy sugar price increaseAdianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Following the skyrocketing price of sugar in the market, a number of economists have called on the government to revoke the current sugar trade regime and free the sugar market, while sugar farmers warn...

Should Indonesia rely on the U.S. dollar?

Should Indonesia rely on the U.S. dollar?Imam Nur Azis and Jason Meade, Center for Indonesian Reform, Jakarta The U.S. dollar should remain weak over the next decade at least, for a number of reasons. Firstly, the U.S.

SE Asia to upgrade regional coordination to combat SARS

SE Asia to upgrade regional coordination to combat SARSAgence France-Presse, Manila An upcoming emergency Southeast Asian summit on the SARS outbreak would result in closer regional coordination to curb the killer disease, Philippines President Gloria Arroyo said on Monday.

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.

Singapore Airlines' regional wing cuts flight capacity

Singapore Airlines' regional wing cuts flight capacity SINGAPORE, April 21 (AFP) - Singapore Airlines (SIA) regional arm SilkAir said Monday it will cut its flights further next month due to the impact of the SARS outbreak on the travel industry.

Former minister launches book

Former minister launches book JAKARTA: Former minister of defense Mahfud M.D. launched on Monday a 321-page book describing his experiences as a member of the cabinet in the government of former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid.

After `great escape', FPI chief now wallows in Salemba jail

After `great escape', FPI chief now wallows in Salemba jailBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Supporters of Islam Defender's Front (FPI) chairman Habib Rizieq Shihab mortified the city police and the prosecutors's office on Monday when they managed to whisk away Rizieq from the latter's...

KPU, police sign security agreement

KPU, police sign security agreementTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The General Elections Commission (KPU) and the National Police signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday that requires the later to maintain security prior to and during the 2004 legislative and presidential elections.

BKPM aims to turn up the power to draw investors

BKPM aims to turn up the power to draw investors Or BKPM tries to pull rank to bolster investmentRikza Abdullah ContributorIndonesia, with its abundant natural and human resources, once ranked as an exotic choice for investment, but the unrelenting bureaucratic, social, economic and political...

Man arrested for arms theft

Man arrested for arms theft JAYAPURA, Papua: Police here said they arrested another suspect in the recent raid on a military arsenal in the Wamena district that killed three people, bringing to six the total number of arrests made.

Eviction victims block off road

Eviction victims block off road TANGERANG: Ten families from Karang Anyar village in Benda district, Tangerang municipality, blocked off Jl. Pembangunan III -- one of the roads that leads to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport from Jl. Daan Mogot -- for eight hours on Monday.

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...

JP/7/IGNAS

JP/7/IGNASPolitics can't be justified without concern for public goodIgnas Kleden The Center for East Indonesian Affairs (CEIA) Jakarta It is an age-old truism that politics has something to do with power; but this is only half the truth.

Branding: A vital part of marketing strategy

Branding: A vital part of marketing strategyCepi Husada, Contributor, Jakarta When shopping in the well-known malls of neighboring countries, many Indonesians come in for an unpleasant surprise. Dresses bearing brands like Kenzo, St.

No more `kebaya' on Kartini Day

No more `kebaya' on Kartini DaySari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Monday was Kartini Day, named after the Indonesian heroine of emancipation, Raden Ajeng Kartini. Until a few years ago, schools busily organized activities to observe the day, usually involving contests such as cooking and...