Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 11 July 2003

81 articles found

RI budget deficit at Rp 4.3t in H1

RI budget deficit at Rp 4.3t in H1 JAKARTA: Indonesia's government recorded a budget deficit of roughly Rp 4.3 trillion (about US$523 million) during the first half of the year, a government official said Thursday.

The automotive sector in Indonesia has seen a good

The automotive sector in Indonesia has seen a good sign with favorable total sales in the first five months this year, while various carmakers keep introducing new sedans to the audience.Based on the data from the Indonesian Automotive Association (Gaikindo), over 140,000 cars were sold in the...

WB provides Rp 3.3b for East Lombok

WB provides Rp 3.3b for East Lombok MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The World Bank has provided about Rp 3.3 billion in aid in 2003 to construct three junior high schools in East Lombok regency, West Nusa Tenggara.

Brimob officer named in kidnap plot

Brimob officer named in kidnap plot JAKARTA: An officer from the elite police Mobil Brigade (Brimob) unit in Jakarta is being questioned by internal affairs over the alleged kidnapping of a businessman.Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Prasetyo said on Tuesday that Adj. Brig.

`Political pressure high in districting'

`Political pressure high in districting'The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A member of the General Elections Commission (KPU) said there was a great deal of political pressure being applied to the process of drawing up electoral districts for the 2004 legislative elections.Mulyana W.

East Flood Canal kicks off with revised design

East Flood Canal kicks off with revised designBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri initiated the East Flood Canal construction on Thursday, a project that has been three decades in the waiting, along with four infrastructure projects and 26 private power...

DENYING THE EVIDENCE: Masnur (right), a suspect in the bombing of

DENYING THE EVIDENCE: Masnur (right), a suspect in the bombing of a McDonald's outlet in Makassar, South Sulawesi, examines material evidence entered into the court by prosecutors during his trial. During the session on Thursday at the Makassar District Court, Masnur denied using the explosives and...

`River transportation? What a laugh'

`River transportation? What a laugh' Officials, experts and residents are pessimistic about a Jakarta City Council idea to create a river transportation system. The Jakarta Post canvassed other opinions.

Asian monies mostly up, S'pore $ recovers from MAS

Asian monies mostly up, S'pore $ recovers from MAS The Singapore dollar bounced back strongly on Thursday after a sharp early fall in the wake of a de facto easing of monetary policy and weaker-than-expected second-quarter economic data.

1. GOLKAR: 2 x 23

1. GOLKAR: 2 x 23 Who wants to be next president, Golkar asks 2. HORNET: 3 x 18 Minister summons U.S. envoy over Hornet intrusion 3. INUL: 1 x 31 Inul draws crowds on Jl. Jaksa 4. COPY: 4 x 13 Government, businesses join hands to fight piracy

Council wants Medan airport relocated immediately

Council wants Medan airport relocated immediatelyApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra The planned relocation of the Polonia international airport located in the North Sumatra provincial capital of Medan seems urgent but the government is acting slowly in carrying out the plan.

Protest over beating of driver

Protest over beating of driver TANGERANG: About 100 public minivan drivers protested outside the Tangerang City Council on Thursday after a driver was attacked by council employees for refusing to pay a local tax.

On this auspicious day of the French National Day, I would

On this auspicious day of the French National Day, I would like to recall that the French Revolution's universal message of freedom inspired many peoples' struggles for their own independence, among them Indonesia.

JSX okays syariah investments

JSX okays syariah investmentsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Syariah Council signed on Thursday a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) to pave the way for the development of syariah-based investment portfolios in the country.

S'pore economy sharply contracted

S'pore economy sharply contractedKarl Malakunas, Agence France-Presse, Singapore Singapore's SARS-hit economy contracted sharper than expected in the second quarter, the government said Thursday as the city- state's de facto central bank signaled it would accept a weaker local currency in a bid to...

4 x 11

4 x 11 Govt accused of lacking sincerity in Papua issue JP/5/tallo2 x 25 Graft charges threaten rule of reelected NTT governor JP/5/Namu1x 49 Council wants Medan airport relocated immediately

Soldiers in Aceh battle boredom, homesickness

Soldiers in Aceh battle boredom, homesicknessA'an Suryana The Jakarta Post Lhokseumawe, AcehFor many soldiers tasked to crush separatists in Aceh, watching TV or VCD films, or hunting birds during their spare time is a favorite way to kill time and to stave off homesickness for the first months.

Govt accused of lacking sincerity in Papua issue

Govt accused of lacking sincerity in Papua issueNethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua The central government is accused of a lack of resolve in enforcing the special autonomy law for the troubled province of Papua, which was implemented two years ago to appease separatist groups.

More people turn to old cars for hobby and fun

More people turn to old cars for hobby and fun Sudibyo M. Wiradji The Jakarta Post Jakarta To many people, an old, rusted and wrecked car left in the corner of a garden or a scrap heap is no more than just discarded and useless junk -- but not to old car enthusiasts.

Portugal, RI bid to improve ties after Timor enmity

Portugal, RI bid to improve ties after Timor enmity Their differences over the former Portuguese territory of East Timor behind them, Portugal and Indonesia have decided to seek closer cooperation across a range of issues.

Territorial sovereignty

Territorial sovereignty Civilian, as well as military, authorities have made a cacophony of sounds over Indonesia's obligation to issue a diplomatic statement on the illegal entry of five F-18 Hornet jet fighters of the United States Navy into the country's airspace.

GM wants a greater piece of the action

GM wants a greater piece of the actionGeneral Motors (GM) plan to "aggressively" secure a 10 percent share of the new car market in Indonesia from its current 1 percent share within 10 years, GM president director Harold K.J. Koh says.

Koma returns with `Opera Kecoa'

Koma returns with `Opera Kecoa'Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The atmosphere that night was one of anticipation, as a full house awaited the second performance of the 1985 production, Opera Kecoa (Cockroach Opera), Teater Koma's play that was banned in 1990.They were not disappointed.

Govt warns of population explosion

Govt warns of population explosionSari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A Cabinet minister warned that the family planning program had to be maintained in order to avoid a population explosion that would overwhelm the country's resources.

LBH Jakarta seeks new director

LBH Jakarta seeks new director JAKARTA: As the three-year tenure of the incumbent director of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) will come to an end on Aug. 4, the institute has scheduled an election on July 25 for its new director.

Beware: Foreign NGOs

Beware: Foreign NGOs in PapuaFrom Koran Tempo The Papuan issue is Indonesia's domestic affair and the nation will solve it on its own. Foreign non-governmental organizations only create confusion instead of helping local people, and the government should watch out for their activities in the...

Caring for animals

Caring for animals With reference to the article Animal shelter provides love, affection and care for strays in The Jakarta Post on Sunday, July 6, I would like to highlight some home truths to those who are overly critical of the idea of caring for animals over humans.

Detained Acehnese kept from lawyers

Detained Acehnese kept from lawyersNani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Legal proceedings undertaken by the martial law administration against hundreds of Acehnese suspected of involvement with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) have been questioned, as they were interrogated without legal...

Bonuses offered to record breakers

Bonuses offered to record breakersArya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Cash bonuses will be offered to record breakers at the four-day National Track and Field Championships beginning at the Madya Stadium on Saturday.

Who wants to be next president, Golkar asks

Who wants to be next president, Golkar asksKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Golkar, the political vehicle of former dictator Soeharto, has embarked on a national campaign aimed at netting a presidential candidate to be fielded by the party in the 2004 election.

Asian monies mostly up, S'pore dollar bounces back

Asian monies mostly up, S'pore dollar bounces backDow Jones, Singapore The Singapore dollar bounced back strongly on Thursday after a sharp early fall in the wake of a de facto easing of monetary policy and weaker-than-expected second-quarter economic data.

Dow Jones

Dow Jones Jakarta Indonesian shares ended lower Thursday, with a fall across the region providing reason for investors to take profit after the main index Wednesday hit its highest closing level for the year, dealers said.The Jakarta Stock Exchange Composite Index ended down 0.3 percent, or 1.

Family planning survives Indonesian crisis

Family planning survives Indonesian crisisPeter Janssen, Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Jakarta Karinee, 30, the wife of a fisherman in Kalibaru, a coastal village in North Jakarta, already has three children and doesn't want more.

Law vs tech debate on trial

Law vs tech debate on trialJ.E. Sahetapy, Professor Emeritus in Law, Brawijaya University, Malang, East Java The debate about the validity of a live video conference in the trial of Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, who is being tried for his alleged involvement in a number of bombing incidents, was triggered by...

12,000 Acehnese swear loyalty to legitimate govt

12,000 Acehnese swear loyalty to legitimate govtNani Farida and A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Lhokseumawe More than 12,000 residents of 54 villages in Kuta Baro district, Aceh Besar regency, attended a ceremony stage-managed by the martial law administration to declare their loyalty to...

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 10, 2003

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 10, 2003 ____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume _____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo...

Extortion of truck drivers still rife

Extortion of truck drivers still rife MEDAN, North Sumatra: The North Sumatra legislative council said on Thursday the practice of collecting illegal fees from truck drivers has continued unchecked across the province.

Regency sets aside money for students

Regency sets aside money for students JAYAPURA, Papua: The Puncak Jaya regency in Papua has allocated Rp 6 billion of this year's budget to help finance the education of Papuan students across Indonesia.

Graft charges threaten rule of reelected NTT governor

Graft charges threaten rule of reelected NTT governorYemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Governor Piet A. Tallo, who was just reelected for a second five-year term, is facing a challenge to his rule as his political rivals try to stop his...

RI budget deficit at Rp 4.3t in H1

RI budget deficit at Rp 4.3t in H1 JAKARTA: Indonesia's government recorded a budget deficit of roughly Rp 4.3 trillion (about US$523 million) during the first half of the year, a government official said Thursday.

ILO looks at kids and drugs

ILO looks at kids and drugs JAKARTA: The International Labor Organization (ILO) said on Monday a study it conducted found that 4 percent of all drug users in the country were below the age of 17.ILO spokeswoman Gita Lingga also said that two out of 10 of these young drug users also were involved in...

Small budgets hamper basic services

Small budgets hamper basic servicesM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia is unlikely to make quick progress in improving the lives of its people as the budgets for education and health, two sectors deemed to be the most important for human development, are still far from adequate.

Singapore economy shrinks, prompting weaker currency talk

Singapore economy shrinks, prompting weaker currency talk Karl Malakunas Agence France-Presse Singapore Singapore's SARS-hit economy contracted sharper than expected in the second quarter, the government said Thursday as the city- state's de facto central bank signaled it would accept a weaker...

2. (3 x 16)

2. (3 x 16) All stakeholders must eradicate court corruption 3. DPD (2 x 24) DPR, DPD power imbalances may provoke separatism 4. Bombing ( 1 x 50) Bali bombing in line with bin Laden edict: Witness 5. KPU ( 2 x 20) 'Political pressure high in districting'

Toyota and Honda continue to dominate passenger car market

Toyota and Honda continue to dominate passenger car marketHendarsyah Tarmizi The Jakarta Post JakartaJapanese car makers Toyota, Honda and Suzuki continue to dominate the local passenger car market despite growing competition from several new rivals particularly those from neighboring South Korea.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 10, 2003

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 10, 2003 ____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume _____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo...

JP/7/let

JP/7/let UKM to boost employmentSmall businesses can help economyplease see editing notes below in yellow From Suara KaryaSmall and medium-scale businesses (UKM), which constitute 94 percent of Indonesia's business activities, should be reactivated to boost the economy and income of the majority,...

Foundation succeeds, city govt failed

Foundation succeeds, city govt failedZakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta "It is the nicest low-cost apartment I have ever seen in my life," said Edi Suratno, a new resident in an apartment complex built by Taiwan-based Buddha Tzu Chi foundation in East Cengkareng, West Jakarta.

Apkomindo calls for import tariff cuts

Apkomindo calls for import tariff cutsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta In an attempt to encourage Indonesians to assemble more computers in Indonesia, the government must cut import tariffs on computer components, the Indonesian Computer Entrepreneurs Association (Apkomindo) said Wednesday.

Bali bombing in line with bin Laden edict: Witness

Bali bombing in line with bin Laden edict: WitnessWahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali The deadly Bali bombing was carried out by regional terrorist network Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) and was in accordance with an edict issued by Osama bin Laden, a witness said on Thursday.

DPR, DPD power imbalances may provoke separatism

DPR, DPD power imbalances may provoke separatismKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A disparity in the power wielded by the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) could fuel separatism in the regions, analysts have said.

Salatiga KPUD asks for cars

Salatiga KPUD asks for cars SALATIGA, Central Java: The five-member elections commission (KPUD) here has asked Salatiga Mayor Totok Mintarto to provide them with official cars as part of their benefits, only days after they were sworn in.M.

Page 3, July 11, 2003

Page 3, July 11, 2003 1. SINGAPORE: 2 x 31 Singapore's medical reputation rises despite twins' deaths 2. PORTO: 1 x 50 Portugal, RI bid to improve ties after Timor enmity 3. EU: 2 x 37 EU to inject new life into relations with ASEAN, free trade possible 4.

Riau's small Malay book gallery aims big

Riau's small Malay book gallery aims bigHaidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, Riau Although Pekanbaru boasts many bookshops, in one corner of this city of some 750,000 people there is a unique one.

Inferno razes shops in Kebayoran Lama, Klender

Inferno razes shops in Kebayoran Lama, KlenderDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Massive fires on Thursday devastated over 200 semi-permanent kiosks in Kebayoran Lama market, South Jakarta, and three furniture shops on Jl. Pahlawan Revolusi in Klender, East Jakarta.

Minister summons U.S. envoy over Hornet intrusion

Minister summons U.S. envoy over Hornet intrusionTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government summoned U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Ralph L. Boyce on Thursday to clarify the allegedly unauthorized intrusion of five American jet fighters into the country's airspace.

Shark fin restos are no-nos

Shark fin restos are no-nos It was nice to see The Jakarta Post highlighting Jakarta's lively dim sum culture through the "Chef serves up 60 varieties of dim sum" article that appeared on page 19 of your July 9 edition, under the page tag "In Good Taste.

Film festival showcases Canadian diversity

Film festival showcases Canadian diversityJock Paul, Contributor, Jakarta After a successful run in Surabaya, the Jakarta screenings of the first Canadian Film Festival kicked off on Tuesday. Featuring six films, the festival seeks to entertain Indonesians while at the same time, promote the...

Asia "on the way up", says Ferrero-Waldner

Asia "on the way up", says Ferrero-WaldnerDeutsche Press Agentur, Vienna Asia is "on the way up" after its difficulties of recent years, said Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner said in an interview published on Thursday.After the economic crisis of 1997, the world crisis of the Sept.

Theft rampant in Cianjur Grand Mosque

Theft rampant in Cianjur Grand Mosque CIANJUR, West Java: Muslims are staying away from the Grand Mosque in Cianjur regency, West Java, during prayer time because of a mini crime wave at the mosque.It seems that whenever Muslims at the mosque turn their back, someone walks off with their personal...

EU to inject new life into relations with ASEAN, possible free trade

EU to inject new life into relations with ASEAN, possible free tradeAgence France-Presse, Brussels The European Commission on Wednesday presented a strategy that aims to breathe new life into muted relations between the European Union and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), possibly...

Condemnation greets `Tempo' verdict

Condemnation greets `Tempo' verdictTertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Condemnation was swift following the acquittal of the leader of a violent attack on the offices of Tempo news magazine.

Cetro calls on transparency on districts

Cetro calls on transparency on districtsMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Centre for Electoral Reform (Cetro) has called on the General Elections Commission (KPU) to uphold transparency and allow the public and political parties to examine the drawing up of district boundaries for...

Some businesses have no appetite for new loans

Some businesses have no appetite for new loansEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The aggressive campaign by Bank Indonesia to persuade banks to cut their rates and make bank loans cheaper, may not necessarily prompt businesses to prepare proposals for new loans.

1. OATH: 3 x 23

1. OATH: 3 x 23 12,000 Acehnese swear loyalty to government 2. LEGAL: 1 x 34 Detained Acehnese kept from lawyers 3. HDI: 1 x 38 Small budgets hamper basic services 4. LOAN: 2 x 25 Some businesses have no appetite for new loans 5. MOSQUE: 2 x 19 Granada gets mosque after 600 years

Medco bidding for 5 oil blocks to boost output

Medco bidding for 5 oil blocks to boost outputDow Jones, Jakarta Indonesia's PT Medco Energi International (Medco) has put in bids for stakes in four oil and gas blocks operated by ConocoPhillips and for a stake in one block operated by Equatorial Energy Inc., a Medco official said late Wednesday.

Whether we like it or not, agricultural products are highly

Whether we like it or not, agricultural products are highly dependent on the season. When harvest time comes and produce is abundant, a plunge in prices cannot be prevented. The question is, what can we do about this? Farmers actually need stable prices for their produce.

PT PAL Indonesia's future

PT PAL Indonesia's future In this letter we wish to mention one more point in relation to the article published in The Jakarta Post on July 8, 2003, titled Shipyard PAL plans to go public.The future status of PT PAL Indonesia will be determined by our shareholders, while the management's focus is...

Pirate CD sales top one billion worldwide

Pirate CD sales top one billion worldwide LONDON: Worldwide sales of pirate compact discs have more than doubled over the past three years to top one billion units in 2002 for the first time, according to a report by the record industry published on Thursday.

Public money wasted

Public money wastedFrom TempoIndonesian officials maintain the practice of comparative studies abroad. Junior officials usually go to ASEAN countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand while senior ones choose to visit Europe, the U.S. or at least Australia.

Government, businesses join hands to fight piracy

Government, businesses join hands to fight piracyM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a bid to curb the rampant piracy that has cost the government and the private sector trillions of rupiah, the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and a number of private firms joined hands on Thursday...

NU to stay away from PKB dispute

NU to stay away from PKB dispute YOGYAKARTA: The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country's largest Muslim organization, says the organization will stay away from the legal wrangles involving the two National Awakening Party (PKB) factions.

All stakeholders must eradicate court corruption

All stakeholders must eradicate court corruptionMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Anticorruption activist and former noted justice said on Thursday that all stakeholders in the country must take drastic measures to stop rampant corruption in courts.

Some 141.89 million people registered as voters

Some 141.89 million people registered as votersMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A total of 141.89 million people of the 212.9 million population have already registered as eligible voters in the 2004 general election, up by 20 percent from about the 118.

PDI-P rejects Theo's resignation

PDI-P rejects Theo's resignation JAKARTA: The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) denied on Thursday that one of its leaders, Theo Syafei, was resigning from the party, saying that the resignation letter was just an emotional reaction from Theo.

Good is not good enough

Good is not good enough Indonesia has been making some progress in the human development front, according to the new Human Development Report 2003. Admittedly, it is not a lot of progress, but it would be wrong to completely dismiss its significance, especially given the economic predicaments that...

More officers indicted in E. Timor

More officers indicted in E. Timor JAKARTA: Prosecutors in East Timor indicted on Thursday 57 people, including 17 Indonesian military officers and four former pro-Jakarta militia leaders, for their part in the deadly violence that consumed the former Indonesian province during its 1999 bid for...

Megawati urges all people not to waste electricity

Megawati urges all people not to waste electricityFitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jepara, Central Java President Megawati Soekarnoputri called on people from all walks of life on Thursday to limit their electricity usage.

Where to go in Jakarta:Friday, July 11, 2003

Where to go in Jakarta:Friday, July 11, 2003Exhibitions* The 5th and 6th Asian Cartoon Exhibition, Galeri Cipta II, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta (Tel. 3140554), 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., until July 18. * Fine Arts Tubuh 4, Lontar Gallery, Jl. Utan Kayu 68H, East Jakarta (Tel.

Inul draws crowds on Jl. Jaksa

Inul draws crowds on Jl. JaksaZakki Hakim and Rizky KD Ntoma, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The popularity of dangdut singer Inul Daratista, famous for her hip gyrations, left traditional Betawi (native Jakarta) culture firmly in the shade during the annual one-day Jl. Jaksa Fair on Thursday.

New spirit in Aceh

New spirit in Aceh From Koran TempoRecently, civil servants in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province firmly condemned Aceh separatists and pledged allegiance to the Unitary Republic of Indonesia.The Acehnese have begun to rise to assist TNI (the Indonesian Military) in hunting down members of the...