Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 26 June 2003

86 articles found

Sukhoigate: Politicization of weapons procurement

Sukhoigate: Politicization of weapons procurementBantarto Bandoro, Editor, The Indonesian Quarterly, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta, bandoro@csis.or.id Is it wrong for a country with a vast geographical area, a high degree of vulnerability to internal threats and a...

The debate on which political parties can field candidates in the

The debate on which political parties can field candidates in the 2004 presidential election may soon come to an end as most factions in the House have suggested that parties winning three percent of the seats in the House should be able to join the race.

Tyranny by the majority: Current decision making

Tyranny by the majority: Current decision makingJ. Soedjati Djiwandono, Political Analyst, Jakarta Under Soeharto's New Order, the pattern of decision-making, particularly in the legislative bodies, invariably took the form of "deliberations towards unanimity" (musyawarah mufakat).

Yusril to settle dispute between PKB factions

Yusril to settle dispute between PKB factionsMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With the judicial process in the long-standing dispute between the two camps in the National Awakening Party (PKB) still dragging on, the final say now lies with the Minister of Justice and Human Rights...

House asks state universities to review special admission fee

House asks state universities to review special admission feeKurniawan Hari and Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bandung The House of Representatives on Wednesday asked four prominent state universities to review their policy of charging new students admission fees far above the normal...

Aceh governor pleads for more aid

Aceh governor pleads for more aidBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh appealed on Wednesday to Acehnese and others living in Jakarta to provide humanitarian aid for their brothers currently suffering the brunt of military operations in the war-torn province.

Toll roads: The killing fields

Toll roads: The killing fields At least 15 people have been killed in toll road accidents this month. The most recent fatal accidents took place in Cibubur on Tuesday and Cikupa, Tangerang, and claimed three lives.

WTO to review RI's economic, trade policies

WTO to review RI's economic, trade policiesAdianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are to assess Indonesia's economic and trade policies over the past four years on Friday in Geneva, to see whether or not the policies have violated the...

Bakrie exports container cranes

Bakrie exports container cranes JAKARTA: PT Trans-Bakrie, a subsidiary of PT Bakrie & Brothers, has shipped six container cranes ordered by Sri Lankan container terminal operator South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT).

Timah hopes profit to double

Timah hopes profit to double JAKARTA : Encouraged by improving world tin prices, Indonesian tin producer PT Tambang Timah expects its net profit this year to double from last year's Rp 11.28 billion (US$1.3 million).

Govt to curb foreign NGOs in Aceh

Govt to curb foreign NGOs in AcehTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights is drafting tough regulations to limit the presence of foreign non-governmental organization (NGO) activists in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, further closing the province to independent...

Experts urge enactment of constitutional court bill

Experts urge enactment of constitutional court billKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Legal experts urged legislators and the government on Wednesday to finish the deliberation of the constitutional court bill soon and to establish the court before the Aug.

Bukit Sentul case goes to court

Bukit Sentul case goes to court BOGOR: A prosecutor is seeking a six-month prison term for the chairman of the Association of Owners and Tenants of Bukit Sentul Housing Estate, who had protested the increase in garbage collection fees imposed by the housing management.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, June 26, 2003

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, June 26, 2003.TB.30" 1.0"25th Bali Arts Festival ProgramAll programs take place at the Werddhi Budaya Art Centre compound in Nusa Indah Street, Denpasar.June 2610 a.m. Classical orchestra Semara Pagulingan from Kamasan village, Angsoka Stage 12:30 p.

Improvement in economy brings new impetus for investment

Improvement in economy brings new impetus for investmentInvestment activities in Indonesia have started to move again amid an improvement of the country's economy after significant drops during the past three years.

Tyranny by the majority: Current decision making

Tyranny by the majority: Current decision making J. Soedjati Djiwandono Political Analyst Jakarta Under Soeharto's New Order, the pattern of decision-making, particularly in the legislative bodies, invariably took the form of "deliberations towards unanimity" (musyawarah mufakat).

Drugs burned, spectators get high

Drugs burned, spectators get highMulta Firdaus The Jakarta Post Tangerang, Banten Confiscated drugs worth billions of rupiah was burned in an incinerator (photo right) at the Technology and Science Development Center compound in Serpong, Tangerang regency, on Wednesday morning.The drugs comprised 1.

~FOR INVESTMENT EXPO

~FOR INVESTMENT EXPOJPPOWER PLANT: The electricity sector remains one of the most lucrative business fields to invest in amid a continuing increase in power demand in the country. Even though a number of giant power plants, including the coal-fired Suralaya power plant in Merak, Banten (above), are...

Govt plans to tender new power projects

Govt plans to tender new power projectsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government plans to open new tenders for the construction of new power generators in a bid to help meet soaring demand for power and to avoid a power crisis in the future, a senior official says."We are still assessing the demand.

More hazardous waste enters RI

More hazardous waste enters RI JAKARTA: Indonesia has been accepting more and more hazardous waste illegally imported from other countries after the economic crisis hit the country in 1997, a senior government official says.

Beratha to seek reelection

Beratha to seek reelection DENPASAR, Bali: Bali Governor Dewa Made Beratha has registered for the gubernatorial election, a committee member said on Wednesday.Gde Indria, a member of the gubernatorial election, said Beratha had submitted his registration form before the deadline on Wednesday.

Fire forces Ciputra Mall to close

Fire forces Ciputra Mall to close JAKARTA: Ciputra Mall in West Jakarta was forced to close on Wednesday afternoon after the power went out due to a short circuit in a generator set that caused a fire and panicked shoppers.

Canadian artist discovers Indonesia

Canadian artist discovers IndonesiaDavid Kennedy, Contributor, Jakarta, d_kenn@yahoo.com Mention the name Ken Pattern to most Jakarta art lovers and you will get a nod of recognition. His intricate pen and ink drawings, documenting the dramatic changes in Jakarta's cityscape in the 1990's have made...

Workers paid Rp 30 for overtime

Workers paid Rp 30 for overtime PADANG, West Sumatra: Employees of province-owned Bank Nagari receive a mere Rp 30 (U.S. 0.4 cents) an hour for overtime, a local councillor said.A member of the provincial legislature's finance commission, Salahuddin Datuk Tumangguang, said the poor treatment had...

1. AUDIT (1 x 30)

1. AUDIT (1 x 30) Asian firms facing audit crunch 2. NIELS (2 x 16) Bleak outlook for grocery spending 3. DJATUN (2 x 27) Current rupiah level neutral for RI economy: Dorodjatun

120 seats allocated for independent legislators

120 seats allocated for independent legislatorsFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The General Elections Commission (KPU) has reserved 120 out of 550 seats in the House of Representatives (DPR) for independent candidates in the 2004 election.

Activists deplore light sentences in drug cases

Activists deplore light sentences in drug casesApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan Law enforcers in North Sumatra have failed to uphold the law in the fight against the use and sale of illicit drugs, with a number of controversial verdicts handed down by judges trying drugs cases here lately,...

Party screening to resume

Party screening to resume JAKARTA: The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights will soon conduct the second screening for political parties to determine whether or not they meet the stipulated requirements.

JakArt@2003

JakArt@2003 .TB.30" 0.90"until June 28 Exhibition, Creativity and Contents: the Indian from St Gall and Golden Letters Ak Sa Ra Bookstore, Jl. Kemang Raya 8b, South Jakartauntil June 30 Painting Exhibition The Exuberance of the Soul by Aida Prayogo (Indonesian) and Lamat (Austrian) JakArt Center,...

BCA trims profit forecast

BCA trims profit forecast Bank Central Asia said on Wednesday it has revised downward its net profit forecast this year to Rp 2.8 trillion (US$337.34 million) from Rp 3.4 trillion previously due to the recent fall of interest rates.

Gresik's cement sales fall 16%

Gresik's cement sales fall 16% JAKARTA: Indonesia's cement maker PT Semen Gresik Wednesday said cement sales tumbled 16% to 1.177 million metric tons in May from 1.393 million tons in May last year.Gresik, Indonesia's largest cement maker, blamed the fall on a decline in domestic sales and export...

Media besieged by nationalist zealots

Media besieged by nationalist zealotsOtto Syamsuddin Ishak, Sociologist, Jakarta The performance of and controversy over journalists in the context of the Aceh war and what they experience brings to mind the words of the historian H. Julien Benda who in 1927 wrote The betrayal of the intellectuals.

Bleak outlook for grocery spending

Bleak outlook for grocery spendingEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia has experienced a bleak outlook in grocery spending since the economic crisis, with no sign of a strengthening in the short term, says an AC Nielsen report made available on Tuesday.

Press protests TNI bias for 'SCTV'

Press protests TNI bias for 'SCTV' Journalists who are based in Lhokseumawe boycotted on Wednesday a press briefing at the military operation center in protest over unfair treatment they received from military operation commander Brig. Gen. Bambang Darmono.

[b]Sukhoigate: Politicization

Sukhoigate: Politicization of weapons procurement Bantarto Bandoro Editor, The Indonesian Quarterly, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta bandoro@csis.or.id Is it wrong for a country with vast geographical area, high degree of vulnerability of internal threat and strategic...

Bakrie exports container cranes

Bakrie exports container cranes JAKARTA: PT Trans-Bakrie, a subsidiary of PT Bakrie & Brothers, has shipped six container cranes ordered by Sri Lankan container terminal operator South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT).

PGN to sell $200m bonds

PGN to sell $200m bonds JAKARTA : Indonesia's state-owned gas distribution company PT Perusahaan Gas Negara, or PGN, confirmed Wednesday that it will sell US$200 million in bonds to fund a gas pipeline, a company official said.

1. EDUCATION: 3 x 23

1. EDUCATION: 3 x 23 House asks state universities to review special admission fee 2. MYANMAR: 1 x 40 Japan to stop aid if Suu Kyi not freed 3. VIETNAM: 1 x 42 Megawati in Hanoi to seal sea border deal 4. WTO: 1 x 44 WTO to review RI's economic, trade policies 5.

Drugs burned, spectators get high

Drugs burned, spectators get highThe Jakarta Post Tangerang, Banten Drug evidence worth billions of rupiah was burned in an incinerator at the Technology and Science Development Center compound in Serpong, Tangerang regency, on Wednesday morning.The drugs comprised 1.6 tons of marijuana, 5.

Sukhoigate may mar Megawati's 2004 bid

Sukhoigate may mar Megawati's 2004 bidFabiola Desy Unidjaja and Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Yogyakarta The planned investigation by the House of Representatives into the purchase of Russian-made Sukhoi jet fighters may not lead to the impeachment of President Megawati Soekarnoputri, but...

Angie stopped in second round: Angelique 'Angie' Widjaja of

Angie stopped in second round: Angelique 'Angie' Widjaja of Indonesia, who is ranked 70, was defeated by Nadia Petrova, ranked 29, 6-7 (3/7), 3-6 in the second round at the Wimbledon Open in London. Angie's singles bid came to an end on Wednesday.

Fire forces Ciputra Mall to close

Fire forces Ciputra Mall to close JAKARTA: Ciputra Mall in West Jakarta was forced to close on Wednesday afternoon after the power went out due to a short circuit in a generator set that caused a fire and panicked shoppers.

Bank BCA appoints new independent commissioners

Bank BCA appoints new independent commissionersM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Shareholders of Bank Central Asia (BCA) have appointed three new independent commissioners in a move some said reflected the pinnacle of an internal dispute between the outgoing independent commissioners and...

Walhi sues governor for neglecting forest fires

Walhi sues governor for neglecting forest firesHaidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, Riau The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) is suing Riau governor Saleh Djasit for negligence over his inability to handle forest fires in the province.

Megawati in Hanoi to seal sea border deal

Megawati in Hanoi to seal sea border dealAgencies, Hanoi President Megawati Soekarnoputri arrived on Wednesday in Hanoi to begin her three-day visit during which an agreement on the maritime boundary between the two countries will be signed.

1. INSIGHT: 1 x 50

1. INSIGHT: 1 x 50 Tyranny by the majority: Current decision-making 2. NESSEN: 1 x 40 American journalist declared a suspect 3. PUTEH: 1 x 36 Aceh governor pleads for more aid 4. BOYCOTT: 1 x 33 Press protest TNI bias for 'SCTV' 5.

Six countries join Bali billiard meet

Six countries join Bali billiard meet JAKARTA: Billiard participants from six Asian countries are taking part in the A Mild Billiard Bali Open Tournament 2003, which began in Denpasar, Bali, on Wednesday, according to a report.Malaysia, India, Singapore and Vietnam have three players each while L.

Corrupt district court is rotten to the core

Corrupt district court is rotten to the coreZakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta "We chose to go to court because we didn't want to bribe the traffic police officer. But it turned out that people here ask for more money than the police do," a 66-year-old man, who was accompanying his son, said...

Asian firms facing audit crunch

Asian firms facing audit crunchTom Wright, Dow Jones, Jakarta Tighter regulations over accounting practices post-Enron are making it increasingly difficult for Asian companies listed in the U.S. to find American-registered accountants to review their books.

Tangerang to plant 189,000 trees

Tangerang to plant 189,000 trees TANGERANG: The Tangerang regency environmental agency plans to plant 189,000 trees on 300 hectares of land along the Cisadane river catchment area in November and December.

Komnas HAM and nationalists

Komnas HAM and nationalistsFrom Koran Tempo The Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has published a report about a mass grave in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, one that reportedly could have been dug during the present military emergency period in the territory.

Illnesses swamp refugees in Aceh

Illnesses swamp refugees in AcehNani Farida and A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Lhokseumawe/Banda Aceh Thousands of Acehnese across the province have been treated for various illnesses since they fled to refugee camps following the imposition of martial law in the province on May 19.

'Schools sucking us dry with demands'

'Schools sucking us dry with demands' Everyone knows that a good education is the best guarantee for a successful and happy life, but many parents here in Jakarta are finding it difficult, if not impossible, to finance their children's education and send them into the future armed with a degree.

1. Sukhoi -- 2 cols, 4 lines, 60pts MB, 32 counts

1. Sukhoi -- 2 cols, 4 lines, 60pts MB, 32 counts Sukhoigate may mar Mega's 2004 bid 2. Refugee -- 5 cols, 1 line, 45pts MB, 35 counts Illnesses swamp refugees in Aceh 3. Tax -- 4 cols, 1 line, 36pts MB, 35 counts Govt gets tough against tax evaders

VICO Indonesia clarifies

VICO Indonesia clarifies We are writing in response to your article published in The Jakarta Post on June 16, 2003, titled Extension of Japanese LNG contract vital: Total.In this article you referred to our company, VICO Indonesia, as "VICO -- a subsidiary of Anglo-American firm BP PLC".

IRI Forum: Taking advantage

IRI Forum: Taking advantage of new investment opportunity The Indonesia Regional Investment Forum (IIRIF) 2003 will be held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) from July 2 to July 4 to discuss opportunities and challenges in investing in the country's economically more independent provinces.

Govt to restrict foreign activists in war-torn Aceh

Govt to restrict foreign activists in war-torn AcehTiarma Siboro The Jakarta Post JakartaThe Ministry of Justice and Human Rights is drafting tough regulations to limit the presence of foreign non-governmental organization (NGO) activists in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, further closing the province to...

Amateur JGC golfer wins pro Tour

Amateur JGC golfer wins pro Tour JAKARTA: Rizal Arya from the Jakarta Golf Club became the first amateur player to ever win a professional 2003 tournament when he finished the two-day PGPI Mini Tour II with a total score of 2-over 146 (72 74) on Wednesday.

'3m Indonesians are drug users'

'3m Indonesians are drug users' JAKARTA: Police estimate that Indonesia has around three million drug users among a population of 212 million, an officer said on Wednesday.Adj. Sr. Comr. Sigit Sudarmanto, police chief for Sleman district in Central Java, said the figure comes from the latest police...

House urged to immediately amend money-laundering law

House urged to immediately amend money-laundering lawDadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives is being urged to pick up the pace in deliberating an amended money laundering law, so that it can be endorsed by September as required by the Financial Action Task Force...

SBI rate down to 9.53%

SBI rate down to 9.53% JAKARTA: The interest rate of one-month Bank Indonesia SBI promissory notes fell to a six-year low of 9.53 percent during the weekly Wednesday auction, from 9.71 percent the previous week.

1. Water - 1x 28

1. Water - 1x 28 Ground water quality worsens 2. Mabok - 1x 20 Seized drugs burned 3. corrupt- 2x 25 Corrupt district court is rotten to the core 4. Camera - 2x 20 Jakarta to install more security cameras 5. Speak - 2x 20 'Schools sucking us dry with demands'

Party screening to resume

Party screening to resume JAKARTA: The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights will soon conduct the second screening for political parties to determine whether or not they meet the stipulated requirements.

Small parties may field presidential candidates

Small parties may field presidential candidatesKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The debate on which political parties can field candidates in the 2004 presidential election may soon come to an end as most factions in the House have suggested that parties winning three percent of the seats...

I Made Sujata

I Made Sujata Contributor Tihingan, BaliFor centuries, the people of Tihingan, Klungkung regency, managed to sustain the ancestral legacy of gong-making at their small village, some 40 kilometers northeast of Denpasar.

Aceh military operation

Aceh military operation What have we achieved from the one-month-old integrated operation in Aceh? Evaluating the operation, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said last Thursday that as regards the quantitative achievements, the body count and the occupation of (former)...

Govt gets tough against tax evaders

Govt gets tough against tax evadersMuninggar Sri Saraswati and Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights have signed a joint decree allowing tax evaders to be temporarily detained without trial, a move expected to boost...

Biodiversity book out for sale

Biodiversity book out for sale JAKARTA: The Biodiversity Foundation (Yayasan Kehati) and Coca Cola Foundation Indonesia (CCFI) launched on Wednesday three books on Indonesian biodiversity aimed at educating children on the country's rich biodiversity.

Mukhlas refuses to testify against Samudra

Mukhlas refuses to testify against SamudraWahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali Prosecutors in the trial of the alleged mastermind of the Bali bombing, Imam Samudra, lost a chance of securing more incriminating evidence on Wednesday after witness Ali Gufron alias Mukhlas refused to...

Corrupt, lazy, but loyal

Corrupt, lazy, but loyal How would you characterize a typical government worker in Indonesia? If Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno has his way, a typical civil servant would be loyal to the cause of the unitary state (however the minister defines "loyal"), but would still be corrupt.

Bali's Air Paradise to start flying to Seoul in July

Bali's Air Paradise to start flying to Seoul in JulyMarian Carroll, Contributor, Denpasar, Bali At a time when most international carriers are cutting flights, Asia's newest airline is expanding into new markets, but its owner has warned that growth will be limited without government financial...

Death for drug

Death for drug counterfeitersFrom Media IndonesiaThe stern action taken by the West Jakarta police and the Food and Drug Control Agency against individuals or firms producing and distributing fake medicine deserves praise.

Locals clash with security forces over housing dispute

Locals clash with security forces over housing disputeKasparman, The Jakarta Post, Padang, West Sumatra Hundreds of people in Padang, West Sumatra clashed on Wednesday with security officers over a housing dispute, causing 20 people to be arrested by the police.

TV Program: Thursday, June 26, 2003

TV Program: Thursday, June 26, 2003 .TB.30" .90"TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi7:00 English News Service9:00 Music11:00 News: Berita Daerah12:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang1:00 Talk Show: Konsultasi Keluarga2:00 News: Metro Indonesia 4:00 Religious Teaching4:30 Documentary5:00 Religious Songs6:00...

Workers paid Rp 30 for overtime

Workers paid Rp 30 for overtime PADANG, West Sumatra: Employees of province-owned Bank Nagari receive a mere Rp 30 (U.S. 0.4 cents) an hour for overtime, a local councillor said.A member of the provincial legislature's finance commission, Salahuddin Datuk Tumangguang, said the poor treatment had...

Amateur JGC golfer wins pro Tour

Amateur JGC golfer wins pro Tour JAKARTA: Rizal Arya from the Jakarta Golf Club became the first amateur player to ever win a professional 2003 tournament when he finished the two-day PGPI Mini Tour II with a total score of 2-over 146 (72 74) on Wednesday.

Current rupiah level neutral for RI economy: Dorodjatun

Current rupiah level neutral for RI economy: DorodjatunJames Simms, Dow Jones, Tokyo The current level of the Indonesian rupiah is "neutral" for the economy, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti said, adding that the currency's stability had contributed to the drop in...

Car-train collisions

Car-train collisions When I picked up The Jakarta Post of June 17, I saw a news article on the front page titled 15 people killed in Central Java bus-train collision.Again another publication (a weekly or monthly) reported more road accidents.

Banners spoil Jakarta's beauty

Banners spoil Jakarta's beautyFrom Warta KotaBanners and posters in Jakarta are now haphazardly put up in various places, even on electricity/telephone poles, trees and road fences.Such displays, by private business organizations, educational institutions, government agencies and political parties,...

Toll roads: The killing fields

Toll roads: The killing fields At least 15 people have been killed in toll road accidents this month. The most recent fatal accidents took place in Cibubur on Tuesday and Cikupa, Tangerang, and claimed three lives.

American journalist declared a suspect

American journalist declared a suspectNani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Aceh Aceh Police declared on Wednesday that American journalist William Nessen had violated visa regulations, an offense which may lead to his deportation.

Administration to install security cameras

Administration to install security camerasBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta administration plans to install additional security cameras in high-risk crime areas in an effort to tighten security in the capital, an official said on Wednesday.

Legislature rejects car buying plan

Legislature rejects car buying plan MALANG, East Java: Councillors in Malang regency have rejected a plan to buy new cars for 33 district chiefs.A councillor from the Golkar faction, Rendra Kresna, said on Wednesday that Regent Sujud Pribadi had proposed allocating Rp 4.

Two die in car crash in Banyumas

Two die in car crash in BanyumasAgus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Purwokerto, Central Java Sokarayee Salae, 32, a Thai citizen who was pursuing a university degree in Yogyakarta, and his Indonesian friend Rizal, a resident of Jl.

Inaugural flight brings Aussies back to Bali

Inaugural flight brings Aussies back to BaliDewi Anggraeni, Contributor, Melbourne, Australia What comes first, the availability of frequent flights to a holiday destination, or the large numbers of passengers who want to go there?Since we live in an era where market research is conducted for any...

Ground water quality worsens

Ground water quality worsensDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Each individual eliminates approximately 0.15 kilograms in bodily waste or excrement every day. With its 8.3 million population, Jakarta produces 1.245 tons of human waste daily, or 454.4 tons annually.