Archive: 23 May 2003
86 articles found
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
RI-Australian ties better, but misperceptions remain
RI-Australian ties better, but misperceptions remain Johannes Simbolon, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post, Melbourne Relations between the Indonesian and the Australian governments, which were increasingly strained over the past three years, are apparently on the mend. Will the relations improve further in the future and, if so, how long will it last?
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Police probe links Ambon killing to JI
Police probe links Ambon killing to JI Muhammad Aziz Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon, Maluku Police here are investigating a possible link between the recent killing of three men in Ambon and Jamaah Islamiyah (JI), on suspicions the victims and the alleged killers were members of the terrorist group. Police also dismissed reports that the victims were Acehnese, saying they had possibly come from the North Sumatra capital Medan.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Travel industry seeks financial aid to weather multiple crisis
Travel industry seeks financial aid to weather multiple crisis Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country's travel industry has asked the government for a subsidized credit facility to help travel agencies battle the collapsing tourism business due to the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and other uncertainties.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Foreigners busted for visa violations
Foreigners busted for visa violations JAKARTA: Nine foreigners were apprehended on Wednesday by officers from the Directorate General of Immigration for violating the Immigration Law. The foreigners, eight of whom are Taiwanese and one Japanese, were detained while working at a firm on Jl. Jababeka IV, Cikarang, said Mohammad Indra, Director of Immigration Control.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Drug smuggling foiled at airport
Drug smuggling foiled at airport TANGERANG: Authorities seized 39,034 ecstasy pills packaged in two food containers that were sent on flight GA-975 from Amsterdam to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport last Friday. Agus, an employee of PT Gapura, a ground handling company, and Tohari, a technician at PT Garuda Maintenance Facility, were arrested for their alleged role in the smuggling attempt, but the main suspect was still at large.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Sao Paulo to bid 2012 Olympics
Sao Paulo to bid 2012 Olympics SAO PAULO: The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) has started a series of inspections in Sao Paulo with a view to the city bidding for the 2012 Summer Olympics. City mayor Marta Suplicy said: "Hosting the Olympics would be important for the whole continent as a South American city has never organized the Games." The bid has the support of about three quarters of the 18 million inhabitants of South America's largest city.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Aceh Besar: Three GAM separatists were shot dead in a skirmish
Aceh Besar: Three GAM separatists were shot dead in a skirmish with Army troops in Ujung Pancu district. East Aceh: A TNI company in Cakra clashed with GAM fighters in Seribu Hill, some 400 kilometers east of the provincial capital of Banda Aceh. Two rebels were killed and two M-16 and AK-47 rifles were seized. West Aceh: TNI troops were involved in a firefight with separatists in Kuala Manyak. The number of casualties was unknown as of Thursday afternoon.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Five years sought for bomb suspects
Five years sought for bomb suspects The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Prosecutors on Thursday asked for a five-year jail sentence for Ramli, alias Dadang Hermana, 42, who is on trial in connection with the bomb explosion at Graha Cijantung mall in East Jakarta on July 1, 2002. Prosecutor Supomo told the East Jakarta District Court that Ramli was guilty of being involved in the low-explosion incident and of possessing illegal weapons. Ramli is being charged with violating Article 1 of Emergency Law No.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Cashless parking system on trial in Jakarta's streets
Cashless parking system on trial in Jakarta's streets Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The new on-street parking system, which will provide parking attendants with hand-held computers, is to be launched on May 28 on Jl. Agus Salim, Central Jakarta, an official said on Thursday, but most of the parking attendants trained specifically for the new system doubt that it will run smoothly.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Singapore endorses wage cuts for SARS-hit industries
Singapore endorses wage cuts for SARS-hit industries Agence France-Presse Singapore The Singaporean government endorsed on Thursday recommendations by the National Wages Council (NWC) for companies hit hard by the SARS fallout to cut salaries in order to save jobs and survive the crisis. "The difficult situation of today and the uncertainty of what lies ahead calls for the implementation of painful measures," such as wage freezes and cuts, the ministry of manpower said in a statement.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Cash-less parking system on trial
Cash-less parking system on trial Zakki Hakim The Jakarta Post Jakarta The new on-street parking system, which will provide parking attendants with handheld computers, is to be launched on May 28 on Jl. Agus Salim, Central Jakarta, an official said on Thursday, but most of the parking attendants trained specifically for the new system doubt that it will run smoothly.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Raids give Acehnese the jitters
Raids give Acehnese the jitters Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The raids conducted by the city police and city officials against alleged members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in the capital have caused anxiety among the Acehnese here. A number of Acehnese people who live in the capital expressed fear and concern about the raids and most of them refused to be interviewed as they were afraid that their comments could get them in trouble.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
* Headlines:Govt to restrict modern retailers' operations2
* Headlines:Govt to restrict modern retailers' operations2 * National:Govt orders withdrawal of 78 traditional drugs 4 * Archipelago: Danny Setiawan elected W. Java governor5 * Opinion:RI-Australian relations better 6 * City:Foreigners deported for rallying8 * Sports:Porto snatches UEFA Cup 10 * World:Arroyo denies rumors on 2004 vote 11 * Business:Travel industry seeks financial aid 13 * Features:Anies stays true to his music 20
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
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_____________________________________________________________________________________ Rupiah Rates May 22 ______________________________________________________________________________________ Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 5,773.05 5,115.34 5,473.61 5,414.55 Brunei dollar 1 5,115.28 4,534.66 4,849.96 4,799.91 Canadian dollar 1 6,497.42 5,759.47 6,160.41 6,096.36 Swiss franc 1 6,801.73 6,026.32 6,448.93 6,378.82 Danish krone 1 1,384.21 1,226.97...
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
TV Today: Friday, May 23, 2003
TV Today: Friday, May 23, 2003 .TB.30" .90" TVRI .tb .30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:00 English News Service 10:00 Quiz: Dibisikin 11:00 News: Berita Dearah 12:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang 1:00 Talk Show: Konsultasi Keluarga 2:00 News: Metro Indonesia 2:30 Music 3:30 Documentary 4:00 Music 5:00 Variety Show 6:00 News: Berita Petang 7:00 Talk Show: Halo Pers Indonesia 9:00 News: Berita Malam 9:30 Comedy Drama TPI 6:00 a.m.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
RI bans Canadian meat over BSE fears
RI bans Canadian meat over BSE fears Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesia has banned all imports of meat and meat products from Canada with immediate effect, a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture said on Thursday. The decision follows news of the discovery of a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad-cow disease, in Canada. "To prevent and avoid BSE entering Indonesia, the government has banned the import of meat and meat products starting on Thursday.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta:Friday, May 23, 2003
Where to go in Jakarta:Friday, May 23, 2003 Exhibitions * Graphic Design Fragment of Imagination, The British Council, S. Widjojo Center 1st floor, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 71, South Jakarta (Tel. 2524115), until June 30. * Visual Arts: 50 ans d'estampes (50 tahun seni cetak di atas kertas), Galeri Nasional Indonesia (the National Gallery of Indonesia), Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur 14, Gambir, Central Jakarta (Tel. 34833954), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., until May 29.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Too many political parties
Too many political parties From Kompas On a recent television program, Burhanuddin N, chairman of the alumni group of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas), said the presence of some 240 political parties in Indonesia was politically and economically disadvantageous. The leaders of the political parties are usually concerned with their parties' interests, at the expense of the nation's interests. The presence of so many political parties also requires huge amounts of money.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
RI lacks surgeons: ISA
RI lacks surgeons: ISA Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With a population of over 200 million, Indonesia has only about 2,000 surgeons, a ratio of 1 to 100,000, which is ten times less than the ideal situation for a country. "Ideally, there should be one surgeon for every 10,000 people," said chairman of the Indonesian Surgeons Association (ISA) Puruhito on the sidelines of the opening of Indo Surgitex 2003 here on Thursday.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bank Mandiri to meet investors on $300m sale
Bank Mandiri to meet investors on $300m sale Bloomberg Jakarta PT Bank Mandiri will contact investors from today as it prepares to raise as much as $300 million in Indonesia's biggest initial share sale since November 1996, said a banker involved in the sale. Investors will be contacted for two weeks and the state-owned bank will follow with presentations in Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe and the U.S. from June 9 to June 23, the banker said.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Creation of new regencies to disrupt poll preparations
Creation of new regencies to disrupt poll preparations Kurniawan Hari and A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The General Elections Commission (KPU) demanded on Thursday that the House of Representatives (DPR) stop discussing bills on the establishment of new municipalities and regencies by June as their creation would disrupt the mapping of the constituencies. KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti said his office would begin drafting the constituencies in June.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
People unaware of new Constitution
People unaware of new Constitution JAKARTA: A series of visits by members of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to provinces revealed that local residents did not clearly understand amendments to the 1945 Constitution. At least five teams were sent to ten cities throughout the country between May 5 and May 9 to disseminate the results of the amendment to the Constitution and to get input on plans to form a constitutional commission.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Anies Syaichu stays true to reggae
Anies Syaichu stays true to reggae Ade Tanesia Contributor Yogyakarta Mention reggae music, and the legendary Bob Marley will immediately come to mind. Despite the musical genre's popularity here for a long time -- many pubs in major cities play reggae to coax their guests out onto the dance floor -- only a few Indonesian musicians, like Tony Q and the Imanez Group, have dedicated their talents to it.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Harmoni Optical Outlets
Harmoni Optical Outlets Kemang Hotel Jl Kemang Raya 2, Jakarta 12730 Telp (021) 719-4523, Telp/Fax (021) 719-6469 e-mail address: harmoni@rad.net.id Cosmo - Japanese Supermarket Wijaya Grand Center F 20, Jl Wijaya II, Jakarta 12160 Telp: (021) 270-2943, Telp/Fax (021) 270-2944
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Secure Parking respons
Secure Parking respons As the attorneys of PT Securindo Packatama Indonesia, we would like to respond to a letter from Singgih Ananto published in The Jakarta Post on May 2, 2003, about a Honda Astrea motorcycle missing from the Graha Iskandarsyah building, as follows: * It is true that Secure Parking takes care of parking services at the Iskandarsyah building.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Economic partnerships between Japan, ASEAN essential
Economic partnerships between Japan, ASEAN essential Takashi Shiraishi, Historian, Kyoto University's Center for Southeast Asian Studies, The Yomiuri Shimbun, Asia News Network, Tokyo Economic partnerships between Japan and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations most likely will be the major topic of discussion when Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and Malaysian Prime Minister Mohamed Mahathir visit Japan next month.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
East Timorese want compensation
East Timorese want compensation KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Some 80 East Timorese held a rally outside the provincial council on Thursday to seek compensation for the assets they lost when they fled the violence that followed East Timor's separation from Indonesia in 1999. Protesting under the East Timor Post Referendum Refugee Solidarity Forum, they said they needed money to start a business as otherwise they could not earn a living.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Solving traffic congestion
Solving traffic congestion One simple solution to the chronic traffic congestion in Jakarta is to ban optional right-hand turns at busy intersections during both the morning and evening rush hours. Otherwise, the "I must go first" attitude always leads to gridlock at busy intersections where right-hand turns are not regulated by the traffic light. I live in Pondok Indah and work at the ASEAN Secretariat; I use Jl. Radio Dalam almost every day.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
S'pore to get fuel cell top-up point
S'pore to get fuel cell top-up point SINGAPORE: This tiny Southeast Asian nation will be first in the region where cars that run on environmentally friendly fuel cells can top up with hydrogen, according to a news report on Thursday. Petroleum company BP and Air Products, an American supplier of industrial gases, plans to open the hydrogen refueling station by the first quarter of next year, the Straits Times newspaper reported.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Coach looking to mend defense ahead of Lebanon tie
Coach looking to mend defense ahead of Lebanon tie Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian under-23 players will gather here on Friday for a short training workout ahead of an away soccer match in Lebanon, with the coach seeking to shore up the defense. "Given the previous matches, we were a bit disappointed with how the players marshaled their defensive zone. I want to concentrate on how to improve this area," coach Mundari Karya told The Jakarta Post here on Thursday.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Economic policies
Economic policies From Suara Karya It is really regrettable that Indonesia, a country endowed with rich natural resources, is in crisis in practically all aspects of national life, as shown by the country's weak human resources and poor economic condition. Unfortunately, the government, in its attempt to lift the country out of this multidimensional crisis, relies on policies that do not side with the little people.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Govt orders withdrawal of 78 dugs from market
Govt orders withdrawal of 78 dugs from market Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has ordered the withdrawal of 78 brands of traditional drugs that contain hazardous chemical substances. Head of the Food and Drug Control Agency (BPOM) Sampurno said on Thursday that his agency had ordered the producers of 39 registered and 39 unregistered drugs to pull their products from the shelves. The drugs vary from medicine to relieve muscle aches to sexual performance enhancers.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Ba'asyir suit against police rejected
Ba'asyir suit against police rejected JAKARTA: The South Jakarta District Court rejected on Thursday a lawsuit filed by cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir against National Police over his alleged illegal arrest. Ba'asyir filed the lawsuit against police after authorities removed him from a hospital in Surakarta, East Java, in October 2002. Presiding Judge Asnahwati told the court on Thursday that the court had no jurisdiction to rule on a civil case. "It is supposedly a criminal lawsuit," she said.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Semen Gresik April sales fall
Semen Gresik April sales fall JAKARTA:Indonesia's cement maker PT Semen Gresik Thursday said its total cement sales fell 20 percent to 992,388 metric tons in April from 1.233 million tons in April last year. Gresik, Indonesia's largest cement maker, said the fall was due to a decline in domestic sales and export volumes. Semen Gresik's domestic cement sales in April fell 7 percent to 849,788 tons from 914,054 tons last year. Exports declined 55 percent to 142,600 tons from 318,842 tons.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Rhoma reports a tabloid to police
Rhoma reports a tabloid to police JAKARTA: Dangdut musician Rhoma Irama who made the headlines following his condemnation of dangdut singer Inul Daratista, reported on Thursday tabloid Bintang Milenia for libel. The tabloid was reported to the police after it ran a story in its latest edition, titled: Rhoma Irama caught red-handed in a room with a young woman. "The title is so tendentious," Rhoma told reporters.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Rights body demands access to monitor war
Rights body demands access to monitor war Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) gave a warning on Thursday of possible unchecked human rights violations in Aceh during military operations as the administrator of martial law had started to curb the flow of information. Commission member M.M.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
* Headlines:Govt to restrict modern retailers' operations2
* Headlines:Govt to restrict modern retailers' operations2 * National:Govt orders withdrawal of 78 traditional drugs 4 * Archipelago: Danny Setiawan elected W. Java governor5 * Opinion:RI-Australian relations better 6 * City:Foreigners deported for rallying8 * Sports:Porto snatches UEFA Cup 10 * World:Arroyo denies rumors on 2004 vote 11 * Business:Travel industry seeks financial aid 13 * Features:Anies stays true to his music 20
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
APP to meet export credit agencies
APP to meet export credit agencies JAKARTA: Asia Pulp & Paper Co. will meet key creditors tomorrow to discuss their proposal for protection from a second debt default, the head of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) said. The meeting was delayed on Wednesday as the export credit agencies owed the bulk of the outstanding debt of more than US$13 billion hammered out details of their proposal, IBRA chief Syafruddin Temenggung told reporters on the sidelines of an investor forum.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Army general skips court session for fourth time
Army general skips court session for fourth time The Jakarta Post, Jakarta For the fourth consecutive time, Maj. Gen. Adam Damiri, the former chief of the Udayana Military Command overseeing Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara and East Timor, has skipped his trial at the ad hoc human rights tribunal in Jakarta.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Candidates for KPI unknowns
Candidates for KPI unknowns JAKARTA: Legislators are having difficulty finding out background information on most of the 32 candidates selected for the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) because they are unknowns. House of Representatives media subcommission chairman Djoko Susilo said on Thursday that a lack of competency among candidates would affect the KPI's future.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Astra aims to resume bank borrowing by year-end
Astra aims to resume bank borrowing by year-end Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia's largest car manufacturer PT Astra International said it was optimistic that it could greatly reduce its debt level by the end of this year, which would allow the company to borrow from the bank again sooner than it expected.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Int'l request for govt talks with GAM unfair: Minister
Int'l request for govt talks with GAM unfair: Minister Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda criticized the repeated calls by the international community for Jakarta to pursue dialog with separatist group Free Aceh Movement (GAM) as being unfair, saying that the pressure should be directed at the rebels instead.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Victims of war
Victims of war Surely it is too early to predict the outcome of the ongoing "integrated operations" in Aceh, only a few days into the state of military emergency? The facts, however, already indicate large flaws in the supposedly well-prepared, military-dominated operations. The other day, more than 240 schools in different cities were torched, allegedly by Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels, seemingly with great ease.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Ba'asyir suit against police rejected
Ba'asyir suit against police rejected JAKARTA: The South Jakarta District Court rejected on Thursday a lawsuit filed by cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir against National Police over his alleged illegal arrest. Ba'asyir filed the lawsuit against police after authorities removed him from a hospital in Surakarta, East Java, in October 2002. Presiding Judge Asnahwati told the court on Thursday that the court had no jurisdiction to rule on a civil case. "It is supposedly a criminal lawsuit," she said.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Quake risk for Jakarta 'very high'
Quake risk for Jakarta 'very high' Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In the event of a strong earthquake with its epicenter near Jakarta, the damage to buildings and resulting casualties would be far worse than in cities such as Tokyo or Vancouver, a report from the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) shows.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Fears of food shortage in Aceh
Fears of food shortage in Aceh The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As schools throughout Aceh continue to burn, trucks distributing food are now being torched in what may be a campaign to create food shortages in the war-torn province. As the death toll increases as the battle rages between government troops and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatists, food supplies from the neighboring province of North Sumatra have all but ceased.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Inquiry into Lampung council corruption case proceeds
Inquiry into Lampung council corruption case proceeds Oyos Saroso, The Jakarta Post, Bandar Lampung, Lampung Prosecutors will investigate irregularities amounting to Rp 23.5 billion (about US$ 2.7 million) at the Lampung provincial council, overcoming initial hesitation to probe the matter after the Supreme Court repealed a regulation governing fund use by councils. Councillors allegedly violated government regulation No. 110/2000 on the use of funds for regional councils.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Kalacakra brings local production to Australia
Kalacakra brings local production to Australia Dewi Anggraeni, Contributor, Melbourne, Australia We only have to look around to realize that we have a wealth of creativity in Indonesia. Thus, in any city in the world where there are over 10,000 Indonesian students, there is bound to be an undercurrent of creative swell seeking manifestation.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
The race among parties
The race among parties The reform movement has been fighting for its life amid increasing uncertainties. To certain groups of students, the reform movement has been dead, thus they urge President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz to resign for failing to maintain the spirit of reform. However, amid the lack of reform spirit, a couple of parties have been able to buck the skepticism -- the United Development Party (PPP) and Golkar Party.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
KL, Bangkok vow to crush terror, criminal activities at border
KL, Bangkok vow to crush terror, criminal activities at border M. Jegathesan Agence France-Presse Kuala Lumpur Malaysia and Thailand on Thursday signed a military co-operation pact aimed at tightening security along the two countries' porous border to prevent Islamic militants from operating in the region, officials said.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
PLN agrees price cuts
PLN agrees price cuts JAKARTA: PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), Indonesia's state utility company, reached agreement on price cuts or buyouts with 26 independent power producers, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said. "By reaching agreements with 26 producers, we are able to show the market that we can settle our dispute and that private producers can operate in this country," Purnomo told reporters after a cabinet meeting.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Covering both sides a tough challenge in Aceh war
Covering both sides a tough challenge in Aceh war The Jakarta Post, Lhokseumawe, Aceh Covering a war anywhere in the world always exposes a journalist to the risks of compromising the basic principle of impartiality for his or her own safety. After a few days on assignment in war-torn Aceh, a number of reporters, both from the print and the electronic media, claimed they had to cope with intimidation from both the military and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatists.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia latest country to ban Canadian meat over mad cow
Indonesia latest country to ban Canadian meat over mad cow Associated Press Jakarta/Washington Indonesia has banned all imports of Canadian meat after a case of mad cow disease was reported in Canada, the Ministry of Agriculture said on Thursday. The ministry said the move was aimed at preventing the spread of the disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, to Indonesia. It was not immediately known how much Canadian meat is imported to Indonesia typically.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Drug smuggling foiled at airport
Drug smuggling foiled at airport TANGERANG: Authorities seized 39,034 ecstasy pills packaged in two food containers that were sent on flight GA-975 from Amsterdam to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport last Friday. Agus, an employee of PT Gapura, a ground handling company, and Tohari, a technician at PT Garuda Maintenance Facility, were arrested for their alleged role in the smuggling attempt, but the main suspect was still at large.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Official questioned over alleged graft
Official questioned over alleged graft The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Head of the city population and civil registration agency Silviana Murni was questioned by prosecutors Thursday over Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) findings of alleged corruption in her office. Silviana confirmed that she was questioned at the Jakarta prosecutor's office but only as a witness in the case. She refused to comment on the results of the investigation.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Semen Gresik April sales fall
Semen Gresik April sales fall JAKARTA:Indonesia's cement maker PT Semen Gresik Thursday said its total cement sales fell 20 percent to 992,388 metric tons in April from 1.233 million tons in April last year. Gresik, Indonesia's largest cement maker, said the fall was due to a decline in domestic sales and export volumes. Semen Gresik's domestic cement sales in April fell 7 percent to 849,788 tons from 914,054 tons last year. Exports declined 55 percent to 142,600 tons from 318,842 tons.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
'Reform makes the rich richer, the poor poorer'
'Reform makes the rich richer, the poor poorer' On May 21, 1998, then president Soeharto yielded to demands to step down during the bloody rallies that followed the earlier May riots. Five years have passed since then and the country has seen three presidents. Yet, many people have voiced the same criticism: The country's leaders have failed to make things better. Some city residents told The Jakarta Post that the reform movement has been useless.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Blocking access to the airport
Blocking access to the airport PT Angkasa Pura II, the company that manages Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, has the legal right to close the M1 gate on the public road leading to the airport for security reasons. However, the road where the M1 gate is located also functions as a shortcut for motorists who need to go to the area surrounding the airport. For those who work in North and West Jakarta, too, the M1 gate has been very convenient.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Court rejects Amrozi's defense
Court rejects Amrozi's defense Wahyoe Boediwardhana and Jongker Rumthe, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar/Manado The Denpasar District Court judges ruled on Thursday that the trial of Bali bombing suspect Amrozi would continue after they rejected defense objections to his indictment. Presiding judge I Made Karna said the court would proceed with examination of witnesses, beginning on Monday next week.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Councillor charged with polygamy
Councillor charged with polygamy SURABAYA, East Java: Military prosecutors charged an East Java deputy councillor from the National Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) with forging documents and polygamy. Col. Masduki, 54, forged his marriage documents to marry 32- year-old Indah Sulistyowati, said military prosecutor Col. Salamun during the opening session of the trial on Thursday. Polygamy is not allowed for military personnel.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
TV Today: Friday, May 23, 2003
TV Today: Friday, May 23, 2003 .TB.30" .90" TVRI .tb .30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:00 English News Service 10:00 Quiz: Dibisikin 11:00 News: Berita Dearah 12:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang 1:00 Talk Show: Konsultasi Keluarga 2:00 News: Metro Indonesia 2:30 Music 3:30 Documentary 4:00 Music 5:00 Variety Show 6:00 News: Berita Petang 7:00 Talk Show: Halo Pers Indonesia 9:00 News: Berita Malam 9:30 Comedy Drama TPI 6:00 a.m.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
World meditation center in Dieng
World meditation center in Dieng PURWOKERTO, Central Java: The government is considering turning Java's oldest Hindu temple complex at the Dieng plateau in Central Java into an international center for meditation. State Minister for Culture and Tourism I Gde Ardika said on Wednesday that due to its historical importance, the Dieng complex deserved to become an important center for meditation.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Councillor charged with polygamy
Councillor charged with polygamy SURABAYA, East Java: Military prosecutors charged an East Java deputy councillor from the National Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) with forging documents and polygamy. Col. Masduki, 54, forged his marriage documents to marry 32- year-old Indah Sulistyowati, said military prosecutor Col. Salamun during the opening session of the trial on Thursday. Polygamy is not allowed for military personnel.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Oil tankers attacked in Myanmar
Oil tankers attacked in Myanmar THAILAND: Unidentified gunmen attacked two oil tankers on Thursday in a border area of Myanmar where a series of bomb explosions killed four people a day earlier, Thai officials and a resident said. Unconfirmed reports said three people were killed in the latest attack and the resulting gunfight between troops and the assailants. Gen.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
EXHIBITION
EXHIBITION In the article titled Exhibition Marks 50 years of French printing published on May 20 on this page, the incorrect venue was given. The exhibition is being held at the National Gallery, Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur 14A, Jakarta 10110 (tel: 021-34833954), not at CCF Jakarta as reported. We apologize for the error. -- Editor
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Megawati to visit Bangladesh
Megawati to visit Bangladesh DHAKA: Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri is expected to visit Bangladesh next month, a foreign ministry spokesman said Thursday. He told reporters Megawati's itinerary was "being worked out" and did not give an exact date. However, Bangladeshi newspapers, quoting diplomatic sources, said Megawati would visit for three days from June 18. Indonesia and Bangladesh are the world's first and third largest Muslim-majority countries respectively.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Australia's secret still leaks
Australia's secret still leaks Johannes Simbolon, The Jakarta Post, Canberra In Australia, the government's budget is a top secret until it is delivered to parliament, as it is in Indonesia. In Australia, some content of the budget is usually leaked to the press prior to its official delivery to parliament. The same also goes for Indonesia.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Has GAM bitten off more than it can chew?
Has GAM bitten off more than it can chew? Shukor Rahman, New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur It looks as if it has badly underestimated the new-found steely resolve of President Megawati Soekarnoputri. Two years ago, Indonesia was wracked by internal turmoil and the dithering leadership of Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur). This writer met with GAM leaders in Banda Aceh in March 2001 and also looked up their exiled leaders in Stockholm the following month.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Hypermarkets to be banned from regencies
Hypermarkets to be banned from regencies Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is currently revising the existing regulations on the retail sector with the aim of preventing modern retailers from entering regencies, to protect local traditional markets, a senior official at the Ministry of Industry and Trade has said. The move would also allow small retailers to develop their businesses in regencies.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
~FOR ADS
~FOR ADS Freeport Publishing date: June 05 Biodiversity studies in Papua: A harbinger for future protection Simon Sinaga Public Relations staff PT Freeport Indonesia TIMIKA: From the world's longest lizard to its most exotic bird species, the southern region of the sparsely populated Papua province is one of the greatest havens for biodiversity studies. It is no less alluring in regards flora, offering an unsurpassed range of botanical diversity from mountaintop to coast.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Danny elected new West Java governor
Danny elected new West Java governor Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung For the first time in 30 years West Java has a governor with a nonmilitary background, following the gubernatorial election here on Thursday that ended with supporters from the losing candidate rioting inside the legislative council. The West Java Legislative Council elected the former province secretary Danny Setiawan and Nu'man Abdul Hakim as West Java's new governor and deputy governor.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
1. DEMO: 50 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 30
1. DEMO: 50 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 30 Foreigners deported for rallying 2. QUAKE: 36 pt, 2 cols, 3 x 16 Quake risk for RI capital 'very high' 3. ACEH: 28 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 30 Raids give Acehnese the jitters 4. SPEAK: 28 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 20 'Reform makes the rich richer, the poor poorer' 5. MURNI: 28 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 20 Official questioned over alleged graft 6. BOMB: 28 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 30 5 years sought for bomb suspect
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Foreigners deported for rallying
Foreigners deported for rallying Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Four foreigners were deported to their home countries on Thursday for committing what immigration officials called "a dangerous activity" by participating in a rally to protest the Indonesian government's decision to launch a military operation in Aceh. They were: Australians Nicholas James Everest, 32, and Kylie Irene Moon, 25, South African Lydia Leone Cairn-Cross, 27, and South Korean Choi Yung Chan, 32.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
IBRA to initiate Bank Lippo sale during June
IBRA to initiate Bank Lippo sale during June Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) expects to start the sale of a majority stake in Bank Lippo next month, provided it gains the backing of the House of Representatives later this month. "We hope to start the Bank Lippo sale in June should everything run in order.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
S. Korea's economy grows 3.7%
S. Korea's economy grows 3.7% SEOUL: South Korea's economy grew 3.7 percent year-on-year during the first quarter to March, slightly weaker than expected, the central Bank of Korea (BoK) said on Thursday. The BoK attributed the slower growth rate to sluggish private consumption and corporate investment amid economic uncertainty due to the crisis over North Korea's suspected nuclear weapons programs and the spreading Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Rival camps set for PPP chairmanship race
Rival camps set for PPP chairmanship race A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Five provincial chapters of the United Development Party (PPP) announced their support for the reelection of Hamzah Haz on Thursday, but demanded that in return he recruit young cadres to fill 70 percent of positions in the party's central board.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
New marine battalion inducted
New marine battalion inducted JAKARTA: The Navy inaugurated the establishment of a new marine infantry battalion during a ceremony at the Cilandak Marine Headquarters in Jakarta on Thursday. Navy chief of staff Adm. Bernard Kent Sondakh said the formation of the new marine infantry battalion, the seventh of its kind, was part of the Navy's plan to strengthen itself. "This is the answer for any party counting on disturbing the unitary Republic of Indonesia.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Suicides on the rise in Gunung Kidul
Suicides on the rise in Gunung Kidul YOGYAKARTA: Police said that cases of suicide in the regency of Gunnungkidul have risen sharply during the first quarter of this year, with 13 cases, compared to 16 cases in all of 2002. Gunnungkidul Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Teguh Imantoro said on Wednesday that all of the victims hanged themselves. "The suicide victims were mainly over 50 years old, with motives related to chronic and incurable illnesses," Teguh said.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Villagers claim TNI murdered 10 civilians in cold blood
Villagers claim TNI murdered 10 civilians in cold blood Agencies, Bireuen, Aceh Indonesian troops murdered 10 civilians in cold blood, including a 12-year old boy, at a shrimp farm in Peusangan district, Bireuen Regency, Aceh early Wednesday morning, villagers claim. The Indonesian Military (TNI) have admitted the killings but said the dead were unarmed members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Ramlah, 65, said her son Khairulrazi Ismail, 28, was among the victims.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Semen Gresik April cement sales fall
Semen Gresik April cement sales fall JAKARTA:Indonesia's cement maker PT Semen Gresik Thursday said its total cement sales fell 20 percent to 992,388 metric tons in April from 1.233 million tons in April last year. Gresik, Indonesia's largest cement maker, said the fall was due to a decline in domestic sales and export volumes. Semen Gresik's domestic cement sales in April fell 7 percent to 849,788 tons from 914,054 tons last year. Exports declined 55 percent to 142,600 tons from 318,842 tons.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
The race among parties
The race among parties The reform movement has been fighting for its life amid increasing uncertainties. To certain groups of students, the reform movement has been dead, thus they urge President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz to resign for failing to maintain the spirit of reform. However, amid the lack of reform spirit, a couple of parties have been able to buck the skepticism -- the United Development Party (PPP) and Golkar Party.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bank Mandiri to meet investors on $300m sale
Bank Mandiri to meet investors on $300m sale Bloomberg, Jakarta PT Bank Mandiri will contact investors from today as it prepares to raise as much as $300 million in Indonesia's biggest initial share sale since November 1996, said a banker involved in the sale. Investors will be contacted for two weeks and the state-owned bank will follow with presentations in Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe and the U.S. from June 9 to June 23, the banker said.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Rights court acquit former East Timor military commander
Rights court acquit former East Timor military commander Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The ad hoc human rights tribunal acquitted on Thursday former East Timor Military commander Brig. Gen. Tono Suratman from charges of failing to prevent a spate of human rights abuses before and after the 1999 self-determination ballot in East Timor. "The defendant, Tono Suratman, is not proven guilty of crimes against humanity as charged by the prosecutors," judge Andi Samsan Nganro said.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Cash-less parking system on trial
Cash-less parking system on trial Zakki Hakim The Jakarta Post Jakarta The new on-street parking system, which will provide parking attendants with handheld computers, is to be launched on May 28 on Jl. Agus Salim, Central Jakarta, an official said on Thursday, but most of the parking attendants trained specifically for the new system doubt that it will run smoothly.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Destroying school buildings unacceptable
Destroying school buildings unacceptable Since the military offensive was launched on Monday, at least 183 schools have reportedly been torched and destroyed in the restive province of Aceh. We were informed that it was the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) that was behind the destruction, but GAM apparently believes that the schools had been incinerated by the government to spread its propaganda to the students.
Fri, 23 May 2003, 00:00 WIB
Police arrest alleged terrorist bomber
Police arrest alleged terrorist bomber The Jakarta Post, Jakarta JAKARTA: An alleged member of regional terrorist group Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) had been arrested for his alleged role in a church bombing in December 2000 and for hiding a Bali bomb suspect, National Police said Thursday. The suspect, identified as 52-year-old Zoefri Yoes, alias Datuak, was arrested in Kalimalang, East Jakarta, on May 9 and has been transferred to Pekanbaru Police Headquarters for questioning. Sr. Comr.