Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 1 May 2003

83 articles found

Thailand, Cambodia ties normalized

Thailand, Cambodia ties normalized THAILAND: The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia said on Wednesday that relations between their countries had fully normalized following the bad blood caused by anti-Thai riots in the Cambodian capital in January. "We consider that what happened before was a nightmare and an accident," Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra told reporters after a meeting with visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. "Our relations are now normalized.

1. FLOOD: 48 pt, 4 x 12

1. FLOOD: 48 pt, 4 x 12 Flood hits thousands of homes in Kampung Melayu 2. STREET: 36 PT, 2 X 24 Auto theft in Jakarta reaches alarming level 3. BOMB: 28 pt, 1 x 42 Six airport cameras fail to spot bombers 4. ASSET: 28 PT, 1 X 30 5,400 city assets undocumented 4. JOHNSON: 28 pt, 2 x 20 PT. Johnson accused of antiunion bias 5. SPEAK: 28, 2 x 20 'I am afraid of possible bomb attack'

Holiday changes

Holiday changes will cause problems From Kompas As a teacher, I find it difficult to understand the rationale behind the government's decision to shift religious holidays to other days closer to weekends on the grounds that this will prevent absenteeism when a religious holy day happens to be in the middle of the week. This decision is tantamount to allowing the observation of a religious holy day to give way to laziness.

Hard Rock Cafe apologizes

Hard Rock Cafe apologizes In response to Dr. Sandra's letter entitled Falling glasses at the Hard Rock in The Jakarta Post, April 22, we would like to inform you that the case was settled between Hard Rock Cafe and Dr. Sandra on April 24. We have cleared and discussed the situation of that night and Dr. Sandra has accepted our apology. Hard Rock Cafe Jakarta's management is taking this matter seriously by accommodating Dr.

ARF officials meet in Siem Reap

ARF officials meet in Siem Reap CAMBODIA: Senior officials from the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) opened talks in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on Wednesday that focused on the nuclear crisis in North Korea, officials said. About 200 senior officials from the 23-member ARF, the region's main security umbrella grouping, are meeting to lay the groundwork for a foreign ministers' summit in the Cambodian capital in June.

Six airport cameras fail to spot bombers

Six airport cameras fail to spot bombers Multa Fidrus and Damar Harsanto, Tangerang/Jakarta A total of six cameras above Gate 3 and Gate 4 at the lobby of the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport terminal F all failed to monitor the events leading up to the bomb that exploded and injured 11 people on Sunday morning.

Thailand announces plans for economic quadrangle with neighbours

Thailand announces plans for economic quadrangle with neighbours Agence France-Presse Bangkok Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced on Wednesday plans to create an economic quadrangle involving Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, after holding talks with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen. The Thai premier said he had proposed the idea to the other countries' leaders on the sidelines of Tuesday's emergency SARS summit attended by ASEAN countries and China.

RI needs comprehensive labor policy

RI needs comprehensive labor policy Wahyu Susilo, Executive Secretary, Consortium for Indonesian Migrant Workers Advocacy, wahyusus@hotmail.com, Jakarta International Labor Day or May Day (May 1) celebrates the contribution of workers around the world. We are usually reminded by their living conditions.

ITB offers new entry test for 45 million

ITB offers new entry test for 45 million Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung, West Java In a bid to free itself from state subsidies, the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) will allow applicants to pay Rp 45 million (about US$5,000) and take a special test to enter the institute, where competition for places is among the country's toughest.

Part 2 of 2 Discarding mediocrity for the economic fast track

Part 2 of 2 Discarding mediocrity for the economic fast track Djisman S. Simandjuntak, Executive Director, Prasetiya Mulya Business School, Jakarta After stage one, stage two would follow in form of export- driven, factor-based growth. Lasting success in the first two stages of recovery would allow a shift to "imitation-driven" knowledge economy in stage three, and a full-fledged knowledge economy in stage four. What keeps Indonesia away from a sustaining high growth?

_____________________________________________________________________________________ Rupiah Rates April 30 ______________________________________________________________________________________ Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 5,725.20 5,097.11 5,440.03 5,382.05 Brunei dollar 1 5,178.35 4,611.35 4,920.42 4,869.13 Canadian dollar 1 6,379.95 5,682.61 6,062.17 6,000.28 Swiss franc 1 6,767.22 6,072.43 6,430.15 6,364.37 Danish krone 1 1,370.14 1,219.89 1,301.

Kadir eager to watch successes as a coach

Kadir eager to watch successes as a coach The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former national karate star Abdul Kadir seems to be relishing his new role as a trainer of the Indonesia's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games hopefuls, expressing keenness to pass over his knowledge and skills to his juniors. "I'm proud to have been part of the team that bore Indonesia's flag in international tournaments.

Indonesia revises SARS death report

Indonesia revises SARS death report Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A Taiwanese thought to be the first person to die from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Indonesia died from a heart attack, the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization (WHO) said Wednesday. "The autopsy and pathological tests proved that the person died of heart failure," ministry verification team spokesman Sjafii Ahmad said.

Shangri-La labor dispute officially over

Shangri-La labor dispute officially over JAKARTA: After over two years of protracted litigation, the management of Shangri-la Hotel and dozens of its former workers agreed to end their dispute by signing a landmark joint agreement.

Doctor named graft suspect

Doctor named graft suspect MEDAN, North Sumatra: Prosecutors have named a doctor from a local hospital a suspect in the embezzlement of money earmarked for health projects last year. Head of the Medan Prosecutor's Office Nawir Anas said on Wednesday that the suspect, identified only as 45-year-old Dr. DN, had illegally taken a 30 percent commission from hospital projects funded by the fuel subsidy. Nawir did not mention the value of the projects.

PT Johnson accused of antiunion bias

PT Johnson accused of antiunion bias The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Workers of multinational fragrance company PT S.C. Johnson & Son (SCJ) protested on Wednesday against the company's alleged moves to dismiss or transfer employee activists who are involved in organizing an independent union in the company.

Abuses against migrant workers still rampant

Abuses against migrant workers still rampant Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Driven by her family's poverty and lured by her neighbors' success stories as migrant workers (TKIs), then-15-year-old Nur Fita, defied her dissenting parents, left her bamboo and thatch house in Blitar, East Java, in 1993, to work as a domestic helper in Singapore. For two years she worked almost around-the-clock, seven days a week for a Singaporean family, but she and her family remained poor.

Vietamese migrants found near Flores

Vietamese migrants found near Flores Joanne Collins, Reuters, Bali A boat carrying more than 40 Vietnamese migrants heading for Australia has been found near the eastern Indonesian island of Flores, Australian and Indonesian officials said on Wednesday. People smuggling and illegal migrants have been thorny issues for Canberra and Jakarta in the past two years, but Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Australia was "very happy" with the way Indonesia had handled the boat matter.

Govt does not help migrant workers to compete abroad

Govt does not help migrant workers to compete abroad The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The low quality of human resources, the constant changes in the official procedures and mostly, the absence of a strong political commitment from the government have greatly contributed to the country's failure to compete with other countries in the export of laborers.

Nike clarifies

Nike clarifies I am writing in response to an article published in The Jakarta Post on April 25. The article, Workers still in search of adequate attention, includes factual inaccuracies and fails to include a number of key points related to Nike's presence in Indonesia. Nike has a long and valued relationship with the people and country of Indonesia.

KPU to screen Panwaslu candidates

KPU to screen Panwaslu candidates JAKARTA: The General Elections Commission (KPU) will screen nine candidates for the final three seats on the Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) on Thursday. The candidates are legal expert Harkristuti Harkrisnowo from the University of Indonesia, Muslim scholar Komaruddin Hidayat from the Jakarta Islamic University, Rev.

Kournikova to compete in Indonesia

Kournikova to compete in Indonesia JAKARTA: Russian tennis star Anna Kournikova has confirmed she will play in the US$225,000 Wismilak International in Bali, Indonesia, from Sept. 10 to Sept. 16. "We talked with Kournikova and her agent during the Nasdaq tournament in Florida about three weeks ago and she confirmed she would play in Bali," tournament director Kevin Livesey told a media conference here on Wednesday.

Violence continues threatening the press and journalists in the

Violence continues threatening the press and journalists in the reform era due to the lack of protection of the profession from relevant authorities. According to data presented by press observer Leo Batubara, violence against press workers has been committed by almost all elements of the society, including security personnel, government officials, legislators or mobs.

'I am afraid of possible bomb threat'

'I am afraid of possible bomb threat' The latest bomb blast at Soekarno-Hatta Airport has increased people's awareness about security in the city, especially in public places. Some residents have expressed their doubts about the police's vigilance in uncovering bomb threats. Here is what they told The Jakarta Post. Rachmadi, 40, is a security officer at Gambir railway station in Central Jakarta.

Indosat's net profit down 72%

Indosat's net profit down 72% Telecommunications firm PT Indosat said on Wednesday its first-quarter net profit fell 72 percent on year mostly due to the higher amortization of goodwill after it acquired cellular company PT Satelindo last year. Indosat's net profit dropped to Rp 53.76 billion (US$6.04 million) from Rp 195.35 billion during the same period last year.

'Separatism in NTT no threat'

'Separatism in NTT no threat' KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The military commander overseeing East Nusa Tenggara, Col. Inf. Moeswarno Moesanip, has dismissed plans to unite the Indonesian side of West Timor with the independent East Timor, saying the threat was not serious. "Plans to establish a Great Timor nation will never work," he said on Wednesday.

Kadir content to participate from the stands

Kadir content to participate from the stands The Jakarta Post Jakarta Former national karate star Abdul Kadir seems to be relishing his new role as a trainer of Indonesia's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games hopefuls, expressing keenness to pass on his knowledge and skill. "I'm proud to have been part of the team that carried the Indonesian flag in international tournaments.

Victitious character Bogler voice of regular Balinese

Victitious character Bogler voice of regular Balinese I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali Mead, Bateson, Geertz and Covarrubias, or their contemporaries like Vickers and Picard, might have been able to describe Bali and the Balinese to the world in various scholarly ways. None of them, however, could beat Made Bogler's clarity and simplicity in portraying the contemporary Balinese.

Hear about pedicab crossing the road?

Hear about pedicab crossing the road? BOGOR: Thousands of pedicab drivers staged a rally on Wednesday at the Bogor legislative council to ask the administration to revoke its new policy banning them from crossing the Paledang to Pasar Anyar road. After convening a special meeting to discuss the issue, the legislative council decided to reject the drivers' demand, saying that it would worsen traffic congestion in the area.

UNHCR, IOM pledge to help RI deal with illegal migrants

UNHCR, IOM pledge to help RI deal with illegal migrants Rita A.Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali With the number of illegal immigrants living in Indonesia falling drastically, international refugee and migration organizations would continue to help the country dealing with migrants and refugees.

Indonesia outplays HK in Junior Davis Cup

Indonesia outplays HK in Junior Davis Cup Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Top seed Indonesia chalked up its first win with a 3-0 rout of Hong Kong in the Asia-Oceania Qualifying matches of the Junior Davis Cup competition here on Wednesday. Anthony Mukti Tan opened Indonesia's campaign with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Xiao Peng Lai at the Senayan Tennis Court before Sunu Wahyu Trijati clinched the team's victory with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Ronald Chow.

1. Djis30 -- Discarding mediocrity for the economic fast track

1. Djis30 -- Discarding mediocrity for the economic fast track 2 X 23 Part 2 of 2 Discarding mediocrity for the economic fast track Djisman S. Simandjuntak Jakarta 2. Wahyu -- Labor problems in Indonesia 1 X 30 RI workers need labor policy 3. New -- Ruling on maids will tarnish country's image 1 X 30 Ruling on maids may taint KL image

1. ECONOMY: 1 x 27

1. ECONOMY: 1 x 27 Govt targets higher growth 2. TERROR: 1 x 45 First Bali bombing suspect formally charged 3. ACEH: 1 x 18 Violence increases in Aceh as peace process in danger

Ba'asyri's lawyer eyes presidency

Ba'asyri's lawyer eyes presidency JAKARTA: A lawyer representing a high-profile terror suspect announced on Wednesday that he was considering a run for the presidency in 2004. "God willing, I will accept this mandate," Mahendradatta, who is coordinator the defense of terror suspect Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, told a cheering crowd outside a Jakarta court. The lawyer was responding to scores of Ba'ayir supporters who asked him to run for president in order to protect the interests of Muslims.

In Singapore, tough laws help contain SARS alarm

In Singapore, tough laws help contain SARS alarm Jason Szep Reuters Singapore If Richard Yeo leaves home, he faces a fine of US$5,600, possible jail and the humiliation of seeing his name on a public "shame" list. A thicket of draconian laws binding the vegetable seller and 3,000 other seemingly healthy people to their homes in Singapore is showing signs of containing the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus.

'U.S. Bioterrorism Act to hurt local SMEs'

'U.S. Bioterrorism Act to hurt local SMEs' Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The implementation of the U.S. Bioterrorism Act will particularly hurt Indonesia's small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that export food and agricultural products to the U.S. because of their inability to meet IT requirements, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) said. Kadin official Noes Soediono said on Wednesday that SMEs would also have difficulty seeking trade agents in the U.S.

Team set up to audit Miranda's wealth

Team set up to audit Miranda's wealth JAKARTA: The Public Servants Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN) is considering establishing a team to audit the wealth of Miranda Goeltom, a deputy governor of Bank Indonesia who was questioned by the commission on Tuesday, an official said. "We will hold a meeting to discuss the issue," said Muchayat, the head of KPKPN's division for executive officials, on Wednesday.

Illegal RI migrants face U.S. deportation

Illegal RI migrants face U.S. deportation NEW YORK, U.S. (JP): A total of 1,901 illegal Indonesian migrants in the United States are facing deportation for failing to present complete immigration documents. Out of 12,310 Indonesians who have registered at the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), 1,901 are currently awaiting their court processes, information chief of the Indonesian Embassy in Washington D.C. Soehardjono Sastromihardjo told Antara on Tuesday, local time.

Astra Q1 earning slides 24%

Astra Q1 earning slides 24% JAKARTA: Indonesia's car maker PT Astra International said on Wednesday its net profit for the first quarter of this year slid 24 percent to Rp 842.31 billion (US$96.8 million) from Rp 1.114 trillion during the same period last year. The company attributed the fall to lower foreign exchange gains which slumped to Rp 27.68 billion from Rp 540.60 billion last year.

Violence increases in Aceh as peace process in danger

Violence increases in Aceh as peace process in danger The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Armed encounters between government troops and rebels are increasing in troubled Aceh as calls mount in Jakarta for the replacement of the Henry Dunant Centre (HDC), a Swiss-based non- governmental organization brokering a peace pact signed last December.

Life insurance firms shift investment to mutual funds

Life insurance firms shift investment to mutual funds Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Long-term investment funds held by life insurance companies in Indonesia have increased significantly, but their investment income has dropped due to falling interest rates, prompting many of them to shift their investments to mutual funds, an executive says.

Asia-Pacific region to spur antipeople smuggling

Asia-Pacific region to spur antipeople smuggling Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali Ministers from the Asia Pacific region wound up their two-day conference on combating people smuggling on Wednesday with a pledge to forge closer cooperation among member countries and international organizations, and to draft legal frameworks dealing with these issues.

Schroeder may cancel Asian visit

Schroeder may cancel Asian visit GERMANY: German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will likely cancel a planned trip to Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam, a report said on Wednesday. Bild newspaper said in a press release that Schroeder would postpone the trip due to fears of SARS and his uphill battle to win support for economic reforms within his own Social Democratic Party (SPD).

Protection, import restrictions aren't sweet for sugar

Protection, import restrictions aren't sweet for sugar Ari A. Perdana, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta, Ari_Perdana@csis.or.id In the past few months, even years, sugar has not been as sweet as it tastes. The word "sugar" is almost synonymous with "rent-seeking activities" on the one hand, and "controversy" on the other hand. Last year, the influx of cheap imported sugar triggered protests from local sugarcane farmers and sugar producers.

'Separatism in NTT no threat'

'Separatism in NTT no threat' KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The military commander overseeing East Nusa Tenggara, Col. Inf. Moeswarno Moesanip, has dismissed plans to unite the Indonesian side of West Timor with the independent East Timor, saying the threat was not serious. "Plans to establish a Great Timor nation will never work," he said on Wednesday.

Surabaya entertainers back Inul

Surabaya entertainers back Inul SURABAYA, East Java: Dozens of entertainers in Surabaya demonstrated on Wednesday in support of controversial dangdut singer Inul Daratista. The show of support comes days after "king of dangdut" Rhoma Irama berated Inul for her erotic dancing. "What Inul does is a creation by an entertainer who started her career at the bottom.

Sumitomo rethinks Indonesian investment after legal spat

Sumitomo rethinks Indonesian investment after legal spat Dow Jones, Jakarta Japan's Sumitomo Corp. said it may "rethink" its commitment to Indonesia if it loses a court battle that threatens to bankrupt its local joint venture chemicals business.

Indofood offers fixed-rate bonds worth Rp 1t

Indofood offers fixed-rate bonds worth Rp 1t Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Giant food conglomerate PT Indofood Sukses Makmur said on Wednesday that the indicative fixed interest rate of its planned Rp 1 trillion (about US$115 million) bond issue would be in the range of 13.25-13.75 percent. The publicly-listed company will offer the bond from June 3 to June 5, and will list it on the Surabaya Stock Exchange on June 12.

KPU to screen Panwaslu candidates

KPU to screen Panwaslu candidates JAKARTA: The General Elections Commission (KPU) will screen nine candidates for the final three seats on the Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) on Thursday. The candidates are legal expert Harkristuti Harkrisnowo from the University of Indonesia, Muslim scholar Komaruddin Hidayat from the Jakarta Islamic University, Rev.

Govt expects higher growth

Govt expects higher growth Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Finance Boediono projected higher economic growth for next year on the back of improvements in investment and exports, provided the upcoming 2004 legislative elections runs smoothly. Boediono, speaking during preliminary discussions of the draft 2004 state budget in front of the House of Representative's budget commission, said the economy would grow between 4 percent to 5 percent next year.

Astra Q1 earning slides 24%

Astra Q1 earning slides 24% JAKARTA: Indonesia's car maker PT Astra International said on Wednesday its net profit for the first quarter of this year slid 24 percent to Rp 842.31 billion (US$96.8 million) from Rp 1.114 trillion during the same period last year. The company attributed the fall to lower foreign exchange gains which slumped to Rp 27.68 billion from Rp 540.60 billion last year.

Indonesia outplays HK in Junior Davis Cup

Indonesia outplays HK in Junior Davis Cup Musthofid The Jakarta Post Jakarta Top seed Indonesia chalked its first win with a 3-0 rout of Hong Kong in the Asia-Oceania Qualifying matches of the Junior Davis Cup competition here on Wednesday. Anthony Mukti Tan opened Indonesia's campaign with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Xiao Peng Lai at the Senayan Tennis Court before Sunu Wahyu Trijati decided the team's victory with a 6-2, 6-2 defeat of Ronald Chow.

* Headlines: Indonesia sits in world rights body 3

* Headlines: Indonesia sits in world rights body 3 * National: Survey: Regional autonomy still shuns public 4 * Archipelago: Malaysian firm pays $1.1m fine for burning land 5 * Opinion: World history unfolds through deadly germs 7 * City: Floods hit thousands of houses 8 * Sports: Indonesia beats HK in Junior Davis Cup 10 * World: Saddam urges Iraqis to rise up against U.S. 12 * Business: Bulog to deliver 40,000 tons of CPO to Russia 14 * Features: Painter tells tales of heaven and earth 19

Page 2 head, May 1, 2003

Page 2 head, May 1, 2003 1. SMUGGLING: 1 x 53 Bali meeting boosts anti-people smuggling cooperation 2. UNHCR: 1 x 60 UNHCR, IOM pledge to help RI deal with illegal migrants 3. MIGRANT: 1 x 55 Govt does not help migrant workers to compete abroad 4. WORKERS: 1 x 45 Abuses against migrant workers still rampant

First Bali bombing suspect formally charged

First Bali bombing suspect formally charged Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Bali/Jakarta State prosecutors on the resort island of Bali on Wednesday formally charged Amrozi, a prime suspect in last year's Bali bombing that killed more than 200 people, and said he could face the death penalty if convicted.

Plantation pays $1.1 million fine for burning land

Plantation pays $1.1 million fine for burning land The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government and a Malaysian plantation company agreed on a US$1.1 million penalty, which the latter must pay for causing haze by illegally burning plantation land in Riau. It is the first time such a deal has been negotiated between the government and a company.

Australia moots UNSC shakeup adding RI

Australia moots UNSC shakeup adding RI Agence France-Presse, Sydney, Australia/Jakarta Australian Prime Minister John Howard will put to the United Nations next week a plan to shake up the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) with a permanent seat for the world's largest Islamic nation, Indonesia.

Press, journalists still left unprotected

Press, journalists still left unprotected Muninggar Sri Saraswati The Jakarta Post Jakarta Though violence against journalists is dropping, it continues to hamper journalists in the reform era, observers say. Data from the Independent Journalists' Alliance (AJI), presented by press observer Leo Batubara, shows that violence against the press is committed by elements of society, including security personnel, government officials, legislators, businesspeople and hired mobs.

More artists stand behind 'raunchy' singer Inul

More artists stand behind 'raunchy' singer Inul The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country's dangdut world is seeing one of the most important developments now as singer Inul Daratista, whose "sensual" movements on stage have enraged some ulemas and fellow artists, has received strong support from various groups. Dozens of artists gathered in Central Jakarta on Wednesday to express support for the controversial dangdut singer Inul, saying any move to curb freedom of expression should be rejected.

Part 2 of 2 IMF inhibiting RI's improvement, inflating inequity

Part 2 of 2 IMF inhibiting RI's improvement, inflating inequity Rizal Ramli, Former Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Jakarta Reform of the tax system is necessary to increase fiscal autonomy and reduce dependence on foreign borrowing. It is time for groups that have benefited from 35 years of New Order government to share in the burden of the economic recovery.

5,400 city assets undocumented

5,400 city assets undocumented Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city administration is only able to show title documents for some 2,600 of its total number of 8,000 properties worth Rp 74 trillion (US$8.7 billion), causing fears that it might lose more assets if it fails to obtain the necessary documents, an official said.

Education bill

Education bill unrealistic From Kompas The national education bill has caused quite a stir in society, with the introduction of Article 13 paragraph (1)a requiring the teaching of different religious subjects. It means that Islam and Buddhism, for instance, are taught in Christian schools, while Catholicism and Hinduism are included in Islamic schools. So far, however, Islamic schools have hardly ever received non-Muslim students. The concern voiced by many should not be seen as prejudice.

Telkom profit jumps 11%

Telkom profit jumps 11% Dow Jones, Jakarta PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) said on Wednesday its first quarter net profit jumped 11 percent on year, thanks to higher revenue from its cellular unit and from fixed-phone operations. Telkom's net profit rose to Rp 1.660 trillion (US$191 million) from Rp 1.499 trillion, beating analyst forecasts of between Rp 1.4 trillion and Rp 1.5 trillion. "They are good earnings," said Sjed Al-Idid, an analyst with ING in Singapore.

Aceh's agony

Aceh's agony The process of bringing an enduring peace to Indonesias province of Aceh has suffered a setback with the cancellation of talks between Jakarta and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). If the two sides do not resume negotiations and soon there could be renewed fighting between GAM rebels and the Indonesian military.

Flood hits thousands of homes in E. Jakarta

Flood hits thousands of homes in E. Jakarta Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The overflow from the Ciliwung River following heavy rains in and around Jakarta from early Wednesday inundated thousands of houses in Kampung Melayu in East Jakarta. The areas affected include parts of Jl. Casablanca and Jl Jatinegara Barat close to Kampung Melayu bus terminal, which caused serious traffic congestions up to Jl. Matraman Raya, leading to Senen area in Central Jakarta.

State of emergency retained

State of emergency retained AMBON, Maluku: Maj. Gen. Agustadi, the chief of the Pattimura Military Command, which oversees Maluku, said on Wednesday that recent security improvements in the province were not enough reason to lift the state of civil emergency. Agustadi said he was not considering lifting the state of emergency just yet, reasoning that much work needed to be done to ensure that violence would not return. "So for this year, the state of civil emergency might not be lifted.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, May 1, 2003

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, May 1, 2003 Exhibition * Painting, Dream Land, by Made Wianta, at Gaya Fusion Of Senses, Jl. Raya Sayan, Ubud (Tel. 0361 979252), 7 p.m., until May 15. Performance * Piano Recital by Steffen Schleiermacher, at Agung Rai Museum of Art, in Ubud, 7:30 p.m., May 1. Film * JIFFest Films at Gaya Fusion Of Senses, Jl. Raya Sayan, Ubud (Tel. 0361 979252). May 1: Blue Vinyl (USA, 2002, color, video) directed by Judith Helfand / Daniel Gold, 5:15 p.m. to 6:55 p.m. .

Bulog to deliver 40,000 tons of CPO to Russia

Bulog to deliver 40,000 tons of CPO to Russia The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The State Logistics Agency (Bulog) will deliver about 40,000 metric tons of palm oil products valued at US$15 million to Russia within the next three months, part of a $192 million countertrade deal between the two countries, according to the Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association (Gapki).

Cartoonists explore paradox of Bali

Cartoonists explore paradox of Bali The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali The front cover of Bogbog magazine's April edition features a cartoon depicting a cow, several ducks and three Balinese farmers in a rice field, which, intriguingly, was located on the rooftops of three adjoining skyscrapers. "Agriculture Department" was emblazoned across one of the buildings.

12 Indonesians on death row in KL

12 Indonesians on death row in KL DENPASAR: The government is working to save 12 Indonesians on death row in Malaysia for various crimes, a government official said. Marty Natalegawa, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said here on Wednesday 12 Indonesian migrant workers were awaiting execution in Malaysia for various offenses, including drug trafficking and murder.

Shangri-La labor dispute officially over

Shangri-La labor dispute officially over JAKARTA: After over two years of protracted litigation, the management of Shangri-la Hotel and dozens of its former workers agreed to end their dispute by signing a landmark joint agreement.

Press and journalists still left unprotected

Press and journalists still left unprotected Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Though violence against journalists is dropping, it continues to hamper journalists in the reform era, observers say. Data from the Independent Journalists' Alliance (AJI), presented by press observer Leo Batubara, shows that violence against the press is committed by elements of society, including security personnel, government officials, legislators, businesspeople and hired mobs.

Auto theft in Jakarta reaches alarming level

Auto theft in Jakarta reaches alarming level The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Beware when parking your car. Authorities report that 72 cars are stolen every day in Jakarta, or one car every 20 minutes. Adrianus Meliala, a criminologist at the University of Indonesia, said on Wednesday that grand theft auto had reached alarming levels and nowhere was safe from car thieves, even "secure parking lots". "No place is immune to car theft, especially if the thieves are professionals.

Fakta urges revision of security bylaw

Fakta urges revision of security bylaw JAKARTA: Activists of the Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta) rallied on Wednesday at the City Council building to urge the revision of Bylaw No. 11/1988 on security and order. The bylaw currently provides the legal basis for public order officers to evict street vendors and slum residents.

TV Program: Thursday, May 1, 2003

TV Program: Thursday, May 1, 2003 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:00 English News Service 9:00 Comedy 10:00 Music 11:00 News: Berita Daerah 12:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang 1:00 Talk Show: Konsultasi Keluarga 2:00 News: Metro Indonesia 3:00 Documentary 5:00 Film: Amru Bin Ash 6:00 News: Berita Petang 7:00 Cartoon: Battle Of Wits 9:00 News: Berita Malam 9:30 Music: Country Road 11:00 Talk Show: Bincang Bincang Malam TPI 6:00 a.m.

Henry, defender of farmers' rights

Henry, defender of farmers' rights Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Henry Saragih can still remember how dismayed he felt when he saw people in neighboring villages in North Sumatra living in complete poverty. Many were working for plantation companies and living on a meager income. To make ends meet, they had to take on extra work in Henry's village, which happened to be better off. "It was unjust.

Part 2 of 2

Part 2 of 2 Discarding mediocrity for the economic fast track Djisman S. Simandjuntak Executive Director Prasetiya Mulya Business School Jakarta After stage one, stage two would follow in form of export- driven, factor-based growth. Lasting success in the first two stages of recovery would allow a shift to "imitation-driven" knowledge economy in stage three, and a full-fledged knowledge economy in stage four. What keeps Indonesia away from a sustaining high growth?

Regional autonomy still shuns public: Survey

Regional autonomy still shuns public: Survey Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After three years of implementation, regional autonomy remains a distant ideal as it has failed to ensure a balance of power between the local governments and the stakeholders, according to a recent study.

1,901 illegal RI migrants face deportation from U.S.

1,901 illegal RI migrants face deportation from U.S. NEW YORK, U.S. (JP): A total of 1,901 illegal Indonesian migrants in the United States are facing deportation for failing to present complete immigration documents. Out of 12,310 Indonesians who have registered at the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), 1,901 are currently awaiting their court processes, information chief of the Indonesian Embassy in Washington D.C. Soehardjono Sastromihardjo told Antara on Tuesday, local time.

History introduced to children through comics

History introduced to children through comics I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali Lebur Ring Klungkung (Annihilated in Klungkung), is a 64-page comic book that depicts the last-ditch battle of the royal house of Klungkung against the invading Dutch colonial forces.

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Protection, import restrictions aren't sweet for sugar JP/2/INUL 1 x 45 More artists stand behind 'raunchy' singer Inul JP/3/UNHCHR 2 x 26 Indonesia wins seat on world human rights commission JP/3/UNSC 1 x 36 Australia moots UNSC shakeup adding RI JP/3/MIGRANTS 1 x 38 Illegal RI migrants face U.S. deportation

German legislators urge halt to Leuser road plan

German legislators urge halt to Leuser road plan Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A delegation of German parliamentarians urged Indonesia to cancel a road construction project which would cut through the Leuser National Park in North Sumatra.

Indonesia wins seat on world human rights commission

Indonesia wins seat on world human rights commission Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia has been elected for the second time to the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights (UNHCHR) amid growing concerns at the increasing number of nations with poor human rights records on the 53-member commission. Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa said on Wednesday that the election proved the country's democratic credentials in the international community.