Archive: 29 April 2003
Showing 1-50 of 63 articles
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Parting ways with the IMF is strongly justified: Rizal
Parting ways with the IMF is strongly justified: Rizal A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former chief economics minister Rizal Ramli said Monday that ending the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program this year would be the best option for Indonesia's economic recovery. Speaking at a seminar hosted by The Jakarta Post, Rizal said Indonesia's economy required greater flexibility and room to maneuver to achieve high growth.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Corrupt military, police kill off rhinos
Corrupt military, police kill off rhinos Diah Rahayuningsih S. and Bayu Kusuma, Contributors, Jakarta The endangered rhinos are hunted and killed in Indonesia as their horns are highly valued. There is a myth that the horns possess a medicinal property that fights fever. This erroneous belief about rhino horns has made rhinos very popular among hunters. Today, experts and environmentalists have put rhinos on their priority list of animals to be protected.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
'Detainees involved in drug cases'
'Detainees involved in drug cases' JAKARTA: About 45 percent of the 868 detainees being held at Pondok Bambu detention center in East Jakarta are involved in drug-related cases, the chief warden of the center said on Monday. Most of the 183 men and 215 women are young offenders, warden S. Heru Irianto said, adding that there were 441 men and 427 women being held at the detention center. The youngest person at the center who was involved in a drug case was a 13-year-old girl.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia's motorcycle maker eyes expansion in SE Asia
Malaysia's motorcycle maker eyes expansion in SE Asia Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur National motorcycle maker Modenas said on Monday it would assemble Malaysia's first superbike as it prepares to expand exports to Southeast Asia to tap the opening of regional markets. Motosikal Dan Enjin Nasional Sdn. Bhd. (Modenas) signed a pact with the technical arm of national oil firm Petronas to assemble 75 of the 899cc superbikes.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
SAARC debates SARS virus
SAARC debates SARS virus COLOMBO: Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom will open an emergency meeting of South Asian ministers on Tuesday to decide on collective action on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), his office said. Ministers of the seven-member South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) have been invited to the Maldives for a meeting to hammer out a common strategy to deal with the problem.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
KL arrests 120 Filipino immigrants
KL arrests 120 Filipino immigrants MALAYSIA: Malaysian military forces arrested on Monday 120 suspected illegal immigrants as they approached by boat from the southern Philippines, the national news agency reported. Brig. Gen. Mohamed Yasin Yahya of Malaysia's Fifth Infantry Brigade said the suspects were in two boats that were stopped shortly before dawn near Berhala island off Sabah state on Borneo, the Bernama agency said.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Aceh administration blamed partly for peace failure
Aceh administration blamed partly for peace failure Nani Farida and Blontank Poer, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Surakarta A number of Aceh councillors blamed the escalating situation in the restive but resource-rich province partly on the provincial administration, which they said had played no role in implementing the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) to help build peace.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
All eyes on Bangkok for emergency SARS summit
All eyes on Bangkok for emergency SARS summit Agencies Bangkok ASEAN's 10 leaders plus China's Premier Wen Jiabao will seek to present a united front to a worried world at their Tuesday summit here on the SARS virus, which continues to claim lives. Wen was to join leaders of the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Bangkok for the unprecedented half-day emergency gathering to address Asia's worst crisis since the financial meltdown of 1997-1998.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
RI wins gold in physics olympiad
RI wins gold in physics olympiad BANGKOK: Indonesia has won six gold medals and two honorable mentions in the fourth Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO) in Bangkok, Thailand, APhO president and head of the Indonesian delegation Yohanes Surya said on Monday. Held between April 20 to April 29, 2003, at Mahidol University, the Indonesian delegation was one of 10 Asian country delegations to participate in this year's Olympiad.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Promoting peace and harmony among students
Promoting peace and harmony among students Sudibyo M. Wiradji The Jakarta Post Jakarta International schools are becoming increasingly popular among expatriate and local parents not only because of their high quality of education but also due to the positive cultural values resulting from their multicultural environments.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
* Headlines:Nurcholish to run for presidency2
* Headlines:Nurcholish to run for presidency2 * National: House pledges to finish 41 bills4 * City:Business as usual at airport after bomb5 * Opinion: Muddling on: A country in search of strategy7 * Sports: Agassi rallies to beat fellow U.S. Roddick8 * World:Iraqis discuss future with U.S. officials 11 * Business:ADB predicts RI economy to grow 3.4%13 * Features: Des Alwi, destined to be king 20
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
APKOI denies charges
APKOI denies charges As chairman of the council of experts of the Indonesian Wood Product Association (APKOI), I, Viator Butar-butar, would like to deny the reports published in The Jakarta Post on April 4, 2003, page 5, entitled Pulp firms accused of withholding reforestation funds and on April 23, 2003, Forestry taxes fall short in Riau: Timber expert.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Medco to issue US$200m bonds
Medco to issue US$200m bonds JAKARTA: Medco Energi Internasional said on Monday it plans to issue US$200 million worth of five-year bonds in May to fund the acquisition of oil fields in Indonesia. Medco Chief Executive Hilmi Panigoro said the company will issue another $100 million in five-year bonds to refinance a note coming due in March 2007. "We plan to issue a total $300 billion in Yankee bond in May to refinance and acquire more oil assets," he told reporters.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
House pledges to finish 41 bills
House pledges to finish 41 bills Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives (DPR) made a familiar promise when it resumed its sitting period on Monday, boasting to complete the deliberation of all 41 bills before the start of the next recess, which commences on June 28. A quick calculation shows that the lawmakers will have to endorse an average of one bill every day if they are to live up to that pledge.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Studying in mutli-cultural atmosphere
Studying in mutli-cultural atmosphere Debbie A. Lubis Contributor Jakarta It was a bright afternoon when Indonesian children rushed out of their classrooms at an international school located in South Jakarta. They cheerfully made jokes with some of their expatriate buddies, reflecting their good relationships despite their different cultural backgrounds. Studying in an international atmosphere, indeed, does not make them afraid of mingling with foreign kids.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
'Higher growth needs bank restructuring'
'Higher growth needs bank restructuring' The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A speedier and healthier restructuring process in its banking sector is an important prerequisite to expediting the recovery of Indonesia's ailing economy, said a noted economist. Economist Faisal Basri said here on Monday that a higher economic growth was wishful thinking, if the banking sector remained reluctant to provide lending to the real sector.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Wiranto launches book on Soeharto
Wiranto launches book on Soeharto JAKARTA: Former coordinating minister for political and security affairs Gen. (ret) Wiranto launched a book on Monday advising Indonesians to remain true to the 1998 reform spirit that ended Soeharto's three decades of authoritarian rule. The book, titled Bersaksi di Tengah Badai (To testify in the midst of a storm), also relates his experience as a minister under three presidents: Soeharto, B.J. Habibie and Abdurrahman Wahid. It is Wiranto's third book.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Nine candidates set for KPU supervisory board
Nine candidates set for KPU supervisory board The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The General Elections Commission (KPU) on Monday announced nine candidates for the three remaining seats on the General Election Supervisory Committee, and called on the public to provide inputs on those names. KPU member Hamid Awaluddin said his office would hold a fit and proper test to screen the candidates on Thursday this week.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Police set up new desk to handle terrorist attack
Police set up new desk to handle terrorist attack Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Police announced on Monday that they have set up a new directorate to handle the recent series of blasts around the country. Besides, the police have also undertaken a major reshuffle to "refresh" the organization of the force. National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Edward Aritonang said the new directorate was established after police chief Gen.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Part 2 of 2
Part 2 of 2 Muddling on: A country in search of a strategy H.S. Dillon Political Economist Jakarta S.R. Tabor Economist Leiden, The Netherlands 2. Kavi -- The epidemic: human security versus GDP 2 x 30 The Asean SARS epidemic: Human security versus GDP Kavi Chongkittavorn The Nation Asia News Network Bangkok 3. New -- Ruling on maids will tarnish country's image 2 x 21 INI DIBATALKAN-SOER Ruling on maids will tarnish country's image Lee Lam Thye New Straits Times Kuala Lumpur
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Gudang Garam's net profit falls
Gudang Garam's net profit falls JAKARTA: Indonesia's largest cigarette producer PT Gudang Garam said on Monday its net profit for the first quarter of this year fell 5.6 percent to Rp 483.28 billion from Rp 511.71 billion during the same period last year. The company said its sales for the first three months of this year were up 24 percent to Rp 5.848 trillion from Rp 4.699 trillion in 2002.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
(Advertorial for IDP Education Australia)
(Advertorial for IDP Education Australia) Quality education abroad? IDP Education Australia can help you realize your dream If your prerequisites for studying abroad are quality education, quality living, affordability and proximity to your home country, then Australia is just what you are looking for.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
GAM suspect warns of more terrorist strikes in Medan
GAM suspect warns of more terrorist strikes in Medan Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra A detained suspected commander of the armed Free Aceh Movement (GAM) warned the police here that 40 GAM members were planning more terror attacks in Medan following two recent bomb blasts in and around the North Sumatra capital.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Golkar presidential candidates
Golkar presidential candidates A hot issue to be discussed at the Golkar Party leadership meeting, scheduled to be opened on April 29, 2003, is the selection of presidential candidates. Those who are nominated by Golkar will, by all means, become serious rivals for other party candidates, including Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is nominated by her Indonesian Democratic of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Run-down school nearing collapse
Run-down school nearing collapse PURWAKARTA, West Java: Students and teachers are taking a considerable risk by attending classes at Nagrog Elementary School in Sakambang village in the West Java regency of Bojong, as the poorly maintained school could collapse at anytime. "Classroom activities have been interrupted by concerns that the building could suddenly fall apart," several elementary students and a teacher said on Monday.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Aceh administration blamed partly for failure in Aceh
Aceh administration blamed partly for failure in Aceh Nani Farida and Blontank Poer The Jakarta Post Banda Aceh/Surakarta A number of Aceh councillors blamed the escalating situation in the restive but resource-rich province partly on the provincial administration, which they said had played no role in implementing the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) to help build peace.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Education, health care take large part of family budget
Education, health care take large part of family budget Ratna Eliyawati, Contributor, Surabaya Married life presents a new kind of challenge. Each partner must adapt to the other's traits and mind-set for the marriage to work. Careful budgeting is another challenge, especially with the arrival of the first child. Basically, there are three areas of responsibility, or functions, that have to be taken care of by both members of this "life partnership". First, economic well-being.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Police beef up security at airports
Police beef up security at airports The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Denpasar, Bali Hot on the heels of the bomb attack at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta on Sunday morning, police said on Monday they had beefed up security at airports nationwide. "We have deployed more troops and equipped them with metal detectors," National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar told reporters after attending a Cabinet meeting at the State Palace.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
TPJ reported for 'misappropriation'
TPJ reported for 'misappropriation' JAKARTA: British tap water operator Thames PAM Jaya (TPJ) has been reported to the police by one of its customers, Harun Al Rashyid, a professor of administrative law at the University of Indonesia, over the alleged misappropriation of Rp 5,000 (about 56 U.S. cents).
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
The ASEAN SARS epidemic: Human security versus GDP
The ASEAN SARS epidemic: Human security versus GDP Kavi Chongkittavorn, The Nation, Asia News Network, Bangkok When the Association Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders meet here today (April 29, 2003) to discuss the surveillance, monitoring and impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome or Sars, they must make sure that the human security aspect of the outbreak is their topmost priority. Otherwise, it might be submerged by all the efforts to pump up economic growth.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Taiwan responds
Taiwan responds In his letters to The Jakarta Post (April 21 and April 22), Chinese Embassy Counselor for Political Affairs Ma Jisheng brazenly claimed that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in China was under control, it was safe to travel to China, and the Chinese government had not concealed news about SARS. Such barefaced statements only proved that he was still trying to gloss over the grave situation of the SARS outbreak in China.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Grabbing a piece of the growing baby food market
Grabbing a piece of the growing baby food market Burhanuddin Abe, Contributor, Jakarta In terms of his budget, bachelorhood was much simpler for Hidayat. Apart from his daily needs, he only had to set aside some money for things like the movies, going out with friends to cafes and so forth. Now that he is a father of two children, however, he has to count every rupiah so he can provide for his family.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia reports first SARS death
Indonesia reports first SARS death The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The threat of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) pandemic drew closer to home following the government's report of its first SARS-related death on Monday.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
More funds to be disbursed for community programs
More funds to be disbursed for community programs Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city administration could increase its funding of the Subdistrict Community Empowerment Program (PPMK), despite allegations of corruption and ineffectiveness. Community Empowerment Board (BPM) chairwoman Rohana Manggala said that under the program, all subdistricts were entitled to unlimited funds if they put forward feasible proposals.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta needs more pay phones that work
Jakarta needs more pay phones that work M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Pedestrians often come to Anen's stall on Jl. K.S. Tubun, Slipi, Central Jakarta, merely to exchange bills for coins to make phone calls from a public phone next to his kiosk. "Some of them alight from public minivans, and head for my stall to get some change and try to make calls from the public phone," he told The Jakarta Post last week.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Is the education bill in the best interest of students?
Is the education bill in the best interest of students? Anita Lie, Doctor of Education, Curriculum Consultant, Surabaya While the polemics and controversy over the section involving required religious education at private schools in the new education bill still linger, it is urgent that the government and the House of Representatives be wise enough to withdraw the draft and study the issues in order to produce a more appropriate education bill.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bomb terrorizes public
Bomb terrorizes public It was sad to see innocent people suffering in the aftermath of the bomb blast at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta, on Sunday morning. Those who placed the bomb must be cowardly and irresponsible, with no compassion. As in other bombings, the victims were those who knew nothing of the bombers' resentment or anger. This is terror, meant to create chaos and panic, and to scare the public.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Part 2 of 2 Muddling on: A country in search of a strategy
Part 2 of 2 Muddling on: A country in search of a strategy H.S. Dillon, Political Economist, Jakarta S.R. Tabor, Economist, Leiden, The Netherlands Tension has emerged between democracy, human rights and the preservation of the nation-state at all costs. Rather than thinking of Indonesia as a sort of forced entity, perhaps it is time to rethink the rules for this "nation" as a club, where members wishing to leave should have the possibility to do so.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
SARS, Iraq will not derail Vietnam's growth: WB
SARS, Iraq will not derail Vietnam's growth: WB Agence France-Presse, Hanoi The short-term shocks of SARS and the Iraq conflict will not knock Vietnam's economic growth potential significantly off track this year, the World Bank said on Monday. "Although the worst fears related to the war in Iraq did not materialize, there is still uncertainty about the economic implications of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), said Klaus Rohland, its director in Vietnam.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Regional ministers begin people smuggling conferense
Regional ministers begin people smuggling conferense Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali The second Regional Ministerial Conference on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crimes will open in Bali on Tuesday amid growing fears of a possible increase in the crimes following the war in Iraq.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
COUNTRY PROFILE -- THE NETHERLANDS
COUNTRY PROFILE -- THE NETHERLANDS ARTICLE PROVIDED BY THE EMBASSY Message from the Ambassador of the Netherlands, Mr. Ruud Treffers, on the occasion of the celebration of Queen's Day on April 10, 2003 ---- The official celebration of the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, our national day, presents a good opportunity to reflect upon the relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Govt opens up new chance for Aceh talks
Govt opens up new chance for Aceh talks Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has opened up a new chance for a peaceful solution to the Aceh question by giving the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) two weeks to accept the special autonomy status and disarm itself. Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said here on Monday that the government would wait for the rebels to initiate peace talks.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
ADB calls for strong partnership between state, firms
ADB calls for strong partnership between state, firms Deutche Press Agenteur, Manila A strong partnership between governments and private firms is vital in boosting a nation's competitiveness amid a highly globalized and technological market, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Monday.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Economist differ on the future role of IMF in Indonesia
Economist differ on the future role of IMF in Indonesia Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The debates on whether the government should continue the existing International Monetary Fund program in the country were brought back to life again on Monday when prominent economists aired the need for an extension of the program to help instill investor confidence and avoid damage to the economy.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
RI needs to shift gear to high-growth path
RI needs to shift gear to high-growth path Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia needs to aim for higher growth in the coming years to regain its lost momentum in development and to keep the country united, said economist Djisman Simanjuntak. Djisman said on Monday that most of the economic indicators -- inflation, interest rates and the rupiah -- showed that the country was on the right track, but it must grow at 8 percent or higher, as China did for the past two decades.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Business as usual at airport after bomb explosion
Business as usual at airport after bomb explosion Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A day after a bomb exploded at Departure Terminal F of the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Cengkareng, Tangerang, early on Sunday, all activities had returned to normal. When The Jakarta Post observed the location on Monday, all the debris had been removed from the blast site, leaving almost no signs of the blast, except empty glass panes at three different locations.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Nurcholish to run for presidency
Nurcholish to run for presidency Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Noted Muslim scholar Nurcholish Madjid announced on Monday his intention to run for presidency in 2004, offering a platform which is aimed at rebuilding the nation through the principles of democracy. "Insya Allah (God willing), I'm ready to be one of the presidential candidates," Nurcholish said at a press conference. Known as a low-profile figure, Nurcholish is the first nonpartisan to announce his presidential bid.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Peace versus sovereignty
Peace versus sovereignty Which do we love more, peace or sovereignty? This question came up when Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono addressed the problem of Aceh last week. The chief security minister reportedly said: "Indonesians love peace, but Indonesians value their sovereignty and territorial integrity even more." In the context of the current Aceh crisis, this statement is a pretext to the government's military campaign against the separatist movement.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
PLN purchases fuel from Singapore
PLN purchases fuel from Singapore The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned electricity company PLN is to purchase fuel from Singapore to help ensure a future fuel supply for its power generators. The company signed on Monday a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Singapore-based fuel trader Concord Energy. "This agreement is expected to provide certainty in the supply of fuel for PLN at competitive prices," PLN president Eddie Widiono told reporters following the signing ceremony.
Tue, 29 Apr 2003, 00:00 WIB
Des Alwi, destined to be king
Des Alwi, destined to be king Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a speech presented at the awards ceremony for the Royal Yacht Squadron's Camrose Award on the Isle of Wight, UK, recently, Des Alwi told the audience how three foreigners had come to him on Banda Neira Island, Maluku province, one afternoon, asking to be taken to his "king".