Archive: 14 July 2003
66 articles found
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
6 Indonesians to join racing school
6 Indonesians to join racing school JAKARTA: Six Indonesian smokers aged over 18-years can win a four-day trip to Italy under a Marlboro Red Racing School (MRRS) program launched by PT Philip Morris Indonesia. The winners will be selected from events throughout Indonesia. The tour will run from Oct. 24 to Oct.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
2 x 30
2 x 30 Lack of flights and infrastructure hamper Lombok's tourism : Agency 2 x 25 Crop failure certain as drought worsens 3 x 15 Aircraft firm suspends thousands of employees
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
`Recalling right prone to abuse by parties'
`Recalling right prone to abuse by parties' Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Political observers criticized the reinstatement of the recalling mechanism in the newly endorsed bill on the composition of legislative bodies, saying it is prone to misuse by political parties that intend to silence outspoken legislators. J.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Mining in protected forests
Mining in protected forests From Media Indonesia As a citizen of a large and respectable country, I fully support the government's policy to allow 15 mining companies to operate in protected forests. Indonesia must honor its agreements or contracts with other countries. In the case of these mining activities, when the contracts were signed, the proposed mining areas had not yet been identified as protected forest.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
PNG citizens arrested in Papua
PNG citizens arrested in Papua JAYAPURA: Local police authorities are currently holding two Papua New Guinea (PNG) nationals for possession of marijuana and carrying sharp weapons at the city's Hamadi seaport. Identified as Penias T. Youwe, 44, and Felix N. Treron, 30, the two men were caught with 270 grams of marijuana and two knives. They were arrested by the marine personnel on patrol at the seaport. Jayapura police precinct chief Adj. Sr. Comr.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
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.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Tutut Handayani
Tutut Handayani Contributor Jakarta Few would have expected that the apartment market would suddenly accelerate throughout 2002. Marketing of apartments has to a certain degree revived the property business. In fact, the apartment market became dormant following the economic crisis in 1998 and the May riots in 1998 as expatriates who stayed in apartments suddenly returned home. About four years ago, the occupancy rate of apartments was less than 20 percent, in fact, much closer to 15 percent.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Five UI students drown in Anyer, two survive
Five UI students drown in Anyer, two survive Damar Harsanto and Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Five University of Indonesia (UI) students drowned at Cikuya Beach in Anyer, Serang regency, Banten, after being swept away by strong currents on Sunday morning. Two other students survived the tragedy. All the dead were men, who were attempting to rescue a woman.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Independent body needed to control environmental damage
Independent body needed to control environmental damage Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Tangerang Municipality and Regency Environmental Analysis Forum (Forklipt) called on the administrations and public in both areas to set up an independent body to control environmental damage, allegedly caused by many companies.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Contraceptive users down, birth control endangered
Contraceptive users down, birth control endangered Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Contraceptive use has dropped 20 percent in Indonesia, a trend that has sparked fears of a population explosion. Central Statistics Agency (BPS) data reveals that Jakarta headed the plunge with a 22.24 percent drop from the 71.72 percent of women of child bearing age who used contraception in 1997.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Poor majority are the real Indonesia
Poor majority are the real Indonesia The article of Lourdes Didith V. Mendoza in The Jakarta Post on July 8, titled The closer look at the Philippines' poor is a cry from my heart. It is as if she were writing about the Indonesian situation. She did not mention that the poor are skivvying for us, polishing our shoes, washing our clothes, cleaning our houses, looking after our gardens, taking care for our little children, and that if they did not, we would have to do it all ourselves.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
PKB to set up branch in Egypt
PKB to set up branch in Egypt JAKARTA: Former president Abdurrahman Wahid's National Awakening Party (PKB) plans to expand overseas after the Supreme Court ruled against its rival faction in its legal battle to participate in next year's elections, by opening a chapter in Egypt, where thousands of Indonesian Muslims study. PKB Chairman Alwi Shihab and other PKB members will visit Cairo on July 17 to establish their party's Egypt branch, Antara reported on Sunday from Cairo.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Poso attacks spark fears of more violence
Poso attacks spark fears of more violence The Jakarta Post, Palu/Makassar A wave of renewed attacks in Poso, Central Sulawesi, has sparked fears of an upsurge in religious violence after months of relative peace in the once riot-wracked town, where security forces are now on a heightened state of alert. The latest attack occurred as a gang of masked men fired shots at a policeman and school teacher, while on a motorcycle at Lembomowo village, Poso subdistrict, on Friday afternoon.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Surya reelected PGRI chairman
Surya reelected PGRI chairman SEMARANG: Mohamad Surya was reelected chief of the Indonesian Teachers' Union (PGRI) for the 2003-2008 period here on Saturday. The professor at the Education University of Indonesia (UPI) in Bandung, West Java, collected the majority of the 638 votes. Commenting on his reelection, he promised to increase the number of teachers, improve the quality of teachers and their welfare, and encourage the even distribution of teachers across the country.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Gamers duke it out for World Cyber Games
Gamers duke it out for World Cyber Games Vishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, Jakarta, vmahmud@yahoo.com Gamers nationwide are steeling themselves for combat. The World Cyber Games (WCG) competition season has just begun and a long list of elite Indonesian gamers have lined up to do battle. At stake, an all expenses paid berth at the WCG Finals in Korea and the chance to represent Indonesia.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Worker crushed under falling stone
Worker crushed under falling stone JAKARTA: A construction worker died instantly on the scene on the weekend after a piece of granite fell on him at a construction project at the Gandhi Memorial School, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta. The victim, identified as Wahyudi, 21, a resident of Bojong Terong, Pancoran Mas, Depok, was, with colleagues, unloading the granite from a truck. "All of sudden, one of the pieces fell on him. He died instantly at the scene," said a witness, Wahyu Nur, 19.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Petrokimia Putra beats Samart 2-0 in opening of ASEAN Club C'ship
Petrokimia Putra beats Samart 2-0 in opening of ASEAN Club C'ship The Jakarta Post, Jakarta East Java-based Petrokimia Putra (Petro) of Gresik was off to a winning start in the opening matches of the inaugural LG Cup -- the ASEAN Club Championship -- with a 2-0 victory over Samart United from Cambodia.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
KL troops ready to monitor RP truce
KL troops ready to monitor RP truce MALAYSIA: The Malaysian Armed Forces is ready to deploy officers to monitor a cease-fire between the Philippines and local Muslim separatists, local media reported on Sunday. "The armed forces are always ready for whenever the government makes a decision. If the cabinet approves it, then we must be there. We are always prepared," deputy defense minister Shafie Apdal was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Trade data spat can be avoided in the future, Rini says
Trade data spat can be avoided in the future, Rini says Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Industry and Trade Rini Soewandi said that wide discrepancies in trade statistics between Indonesia and Singapore should no longer occur in the future, due to harmonization of customs procedures. She said that all members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had agreed to adopt the eight-digit harmonization system codes (HS Code) in 2004.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
b]Indonesian, Thai migrant workers clash in Malaysia: Police on
b]Indonesian, Thai migrant workers clash in Malaysia: Police on Sunday detained nearly 100 Indonesian and Thai immigrant workers after a brawl in which one Thai man was slashed to death. Armed with machetes and iron rods, the construction workers clashed in a suburb near Kuala Lumpur on Saturday night after some Indonesians accused their Thai colleagues of stealing a mobile phone, said Selangor state police Abu Bakar Mustafa.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Conjoined twins born in Bandung
Conjoined twins born in Bandung BANDUNG: Only days after conjoined Iranian sisters, Ladan and Laleh Bijani, failed to survive high-risk surgery in Singapore to separate them last week, another set of twins were born here with their stomachs, feet and groin joined. The twins were born to Rodiah, 35 and Asep, 57, at 7:46 p.m. on Saturday at Astanaanyar hospital. Rodiah and Asep, a construction worker, already have seven children. The twins weighed 4.7 kilograms and were 46 centimeters in length.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
The IMF factor
The IMF factor There would appear to be no benefit at all to Indonesia if the country were to opt to completely disengage itself from any arrangements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) later this year, as recommended last year by the People's Consultative Assembly, the nation's top law-making body.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
The price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) will soon increase,
The price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) will soon increase, says Ridwan Nyak Baik, spokesman for the state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina. The price increase in LPG will certainly affect millions of consumers, however, Pertamina's decision on the hike is based on the fact that the people's economy is recovering and the rupiah is getting stronger against the dollar, according to Ridwan.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
RI scientists win prestigious award
RI scientists win prestigious award Zora Rahman, Contributor, Jakarta When industry can get advantage of a scientific research, there is usually a sponsor to find. With this intention the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Europes biggest applied research institutes, awarded the First DAAD-Fraunhofer Technopreneur Award in Life Sciences 2003.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Want a sound sleep after purchasing an apartment?
Want a sound sleep after purchasing an apartment? Andi M. Sadat Contributor Jakarta "The customer is king". This decades-old adage, or maybe it's just another advertising promise, is still frequently used in today's "hyperactive" communication world. A myriad of product features that are meant to satisfy customers and secure their loyalty is one well-known marketing strategy.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Hotels pay Rp 3b in tax arrears
Hotels pay Rp 3b in tax arrears JAKARTA: After being threatened by the city administration, several tax evaders, mostly hotels and restaurants, have paid part of their tax arrears amounting to Rp 3 billion (US$375,000). City Revenue Agency head Deden Supriadi confirmed on Friday that the tax evaders had paid Rp 3 billion from total tax arrears of Rp 58 billion.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
1. PRJ -- 3 cols, 3 lines, 48pts MB, 60 counts
1. PRJ -- 3 cols, 3 lines, 48pts MB, 60 counts Jakarta Fair fails to reach target of 2 million visitors 2. Aceh -- 4 cols, 2 lines, 36pts MB, 70 counts Aceh gets 13 new district chiefs as two more civilians found dead 3. Dirgantara -- 4 cols, 1 line, 36pts MB, 35 counts 'PT DI's suspension of workers illegal'
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Beware: Foreign NGOs
Beware: Foreign NGOs in Papua From 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 country.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
* Headlines: PT Dirgantara's suspension of workers illegal 2
* Headlines: PT Dirgantara's suspension of workers illegal 2 * National: Contraceptive users down, birth control endangered 4 * Archipelago: Crop failure certain as drought worsens 5 * Opinion: Asian integration, a pipe dream? 6 * City: Millions of Jakartans to suffer water shortages 8 * Sports: Rossi cruises to British victory 10 * World: Malaysia blasts Singapore over water 11 * Business: Iraq can't commit to oil supply deals 14 * Features: Indonesia scientists win prestigious award 19
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Police call for terror alert
Police call for terror alert Andi Hajramurni and Suherdjoko, Makassar/Semarang The police warned the people against possible terror acts following the recent discovery of a cell of terrorist network Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) and the arrest of suspected terrorists in Jakarta and Semarang, Central Java. National Police chief Gen.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Electronics manufacturers see strong prospects for Indonesia
Electronics manufacturers see strong prospects for Indonesia Adianto P Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country's electronic goods manufacturers have started producing digital electronic items even though demand is still relatively low because they expect that consumer purchasing power will soon recover in line with the improvement of macroeconomic indicators.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
New spirit in Aceh
New spirit in Aceh From Koran Tempo Recently, 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 separatist GAM (Free Aceh Movement).
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Millions of Jakartans to suffer water shortages
Millions of Jakartans to suffer water shortages Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Millions of Jakartans, who use groundwater from artesian wells, will suffer water shortages up until August due to the current dry season, an official said. Head of the forecasting and services division of the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) Achmat Zakir said the water crisis had begun to affect many areas in the city earlier last month.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
IAIN to ban tight clothes on students
IAIN to ban tight clothes on students JAKARTA: An Islamic university in the country's second biggest city of Surabaya will soon ban female students from wearing tight clothes following complaints from other students. Forty percent of female students at the State Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN) are wearing "modish" clothes that show their figures and other students have complained, said Hamid Syarief, one of the institute's deputy rectors. "The ban has nothing to do with intellect...
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Osias and Erni win Lombok run
Osias and Erni win Lombok run I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Senggigi, Lombok Osias Kamlase and Erni Ulatningsih both took their second victories in a week after they won the Lombok Bagus Half-Marathon 2003 in Senggigi, Lombok on Sunday. Last week they triumphed in the National Sports Council (KONI)-sponsored Surakarta 10K run.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Track and field still dearth of new records
Track and field still dearth of new records Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite cash bonuses being promised at the National Track and Field Championships, athletes failed to rise to the challenge as no new national records were bettered on the second day of the competition at the Madya stadium here on Sunday. After a lackluster opening day, seven events were on the roster on Sunday.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Aircraft firm suspends thousands of employees
Aircraft firm suspends thousands of employees Yuli Tri Suwarni The Jakarta Post Bandung State-owned aircraft company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PD DI) has decided to suspend indefinitely 9,670 employees involving 33 divisions in a bid to cut costs and save the firm from bankruptcy.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Indomaret aims to fight competition
Indomaret aims to fight competition Kornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya Fifteen vocal groups, including five groups in the children's category, tried their best to sing the jingle of Indomaret mini market chain and their own favorite songs in Surabaya on Saturday, because the two best performers from the adult's and children's categories respectively would compete with other vocal groups from Yogyakarta, Bandung and Jakarta in a festival grand final next month in Jakarta.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
[b]Peaceful gubernatorial election
Peaceful gubernatorial election may end Maluku emergency status
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Peaceful gubernatorial election may end Maluku emergency status
Peaceful gubernatorial election may end Maluku emergency status The Jakarta Post, Ambon, Maluku National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Sunday the plan to lift the civil emergency in Maluku depended on security during and after the August gubernatorial election in the province. If the gubernatorial election runs peacefully, the planned revocation of the status could materialize, he said in the Maluku capital of Ambon.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Crop failure certain as drought worsens in W. Java
Crop failure certain as drought worsens in W. Java Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Indramayu, West Java West Java's rice supply is likely to diminish after the next harvest period as around 21,000 hectares of rice farms in the Indramayu regency -- one of the province's main rice producers -- have been threatened by crop failure, resulting from the prolonged drought.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Analysts say Golkar convention benefits Akbar
Analysts say Golkar convention benefits Akbar M. Taufiqurrahman The Jakarta Post Jakarta The national convention held by Golkar to select its presidential candidate is a move to divert attention from legal problems involving its chairman Akbar Tandjung and may serve merely as a vehicle for him to secure the coveted ticket to the 2004 presidential election, an analyst says.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Keys to success: Excellent facilities and service
Keys to success: Excellent facilities and service Jasmina Janik Contributor Jakarta The writer is director of sales and marketing for Hotel Borobudur Jakarta If you want to reside close to the business center right in the heart of the city and require the premises to have all the modern facilities and amenities in a serene atmosphere, then living in an apartment is probably the best solution for you. Most apartments in Jakarta would probably pass this "criterion test".
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
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 first five month this year, up by 8 percent compared from the corresponding period last year. Out of the total 140,769 cars sold in the January-May period this year, 13,000 units were sedans.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Lack of flights and infrastructure hamper Lombok tourism: Agency
Lack of flights and infrastructure hamper Lombok tourism: Agency I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Senggigi, Lombok Lack of direct international flights and poor infrastructure have stifled tourism in Lombok, a small island just east of Bali in West Nusa Tenggara, an official says.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Air Paradise to stopover in Lombok
Air Paradise to stopover in Lombok I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Senggigi, Lombok Bali-based Air Paradise agreed on Sunday to make a stopover in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, for its Melbourne-Perth-Denpasar flight. Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the provincial administration, Air Paradise's aircraft would make a transit stop once a week in Lombok after flying from Melbourne and Perth.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Golkar convention benefits convicted Akbar: Analysts
Golkar convention benefits convicted Akbar: Analysts M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The national convention held by Golkar to select its presidential candidate is a move to divert attention from legal problems involving its chairman Akbar Tandjung and may serve merely as a vehicle for him to secure the coveted ticket to the 2004 presidential election, an analyst says.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Ambon remains restricted to foreigners
Ambon remains restricted to foreigners AMBON: Despite the improving security condition in Ambon, the local administration has yet to lift the restriction for foreigners to enter the formerly conflict-torn province as it is still technically under a state of civil emergency. "The decree banning foreigners from entering the province remains as long as the province is still under a state of emergency," Ambon immigration office chief Wiryono told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
PT DI's suspension of workers illegal: Minister
PT DI's suspension of workers illegal: Minister Yuli Tri Suwarni and Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bandung Despite chronic financial problems, state-owned aircraft manufacturing company PT Dirgantara Indonesia's unilateral decision to lay off a total of 9,670 employees with pay to salvage the company is a wrong decision and against the law, according to the manpower minister and several company directors.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bambang wins Fun Bike
Bambang wins Fun Bike JAKARTA: Bambang Gunadi of ABC company amateur bike club won the Tour de Kasteel Batavia Fun Bike, beating 400 other participants on Sunday. "This is a unique event that could encourage us to visit museums. I am now planning to take my family to visit another day," said the winner of Rp 1.5 million (US$183) prize money. The fun bike event was staged by The Jakarta History Museum or Fatahillah Museum in West Jakarta.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
`Fire is one of the risks of living in Jakarta'
`Fire is one of the risks of living in Jakarta' Fires in residential neighborhoods have become a major problem in the city. The fires in many parts of the city, including markets and kiosks in Manggarai, South Jakarta, Kebayoran Lama in South Jakarta and in Klender, East Jakarta have seemingly increased in frequency in recent years. Short circuits are most often blamed. The Jakarta Post asked some city residents about their level of preparedness and/or fear of fire in their homes.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Recalling right prone to abuse
Recalling right prone to abuse Kurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post Jakarta Political observers criticized the reinstatement of the recalling mechanism in the newly endorsed bill on the composition of legislative bodies, saying it is prone to misuse by political parties that intend to silence outspoken legislators. J.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Akbar's presidential candidacy keeps other participants away
Akbar's presidential candidacy keeps other participants away Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Andi Hajramuni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Makassar The possible emergence of Akbar Tandjung as a presidential hopeful, has swung the mood of some participants of Golkar Party's convention, underlining tough competition as a feature in the second largest party in the 2004 elections.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Aceh gets 13 new district chiefs
Aceh gets 13 new district chiefs Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Aceh The Indonesian Military will stamp its territorial control on the restive province of Aceh when 13 military officers are installed on Monday as new district chiefs in areas known as strongholds of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). The administration in those areas has long been abandoned during years of armed conflict in the province.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Apartment business on the rise
Apartment business on the rise Golo Riwu Contributor Jakarta The worst effects of the country's economic crisis are gradually receding. In Jakarta's business sector and in other major Indonesian cities, apartment construction and sale is in full force after a deep lull. An abundance of apartments is advertised, both those existing and those under construction. Almost everyday five-star apartments and their not as luxurious counterparts are splashed across the media.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
City Council does not know where its assets are
City Council does not know where its assets are Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Poor documentation of contracts with private companies caused difficulties for the city administration in tracing a number of its rented assets, officials admitted on Saturday. Assistant to the city secretary for economic affairs Hari Sandjojo blamed the situation on unclear records made by past officials and their private business partners.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
House subpoena right may lead to extortion
House subpoena right may lead to extortion Moch. N. Kurniawan and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Constitutional law expert Jimly Ashidiqqie warned that the right of the House of Representatives to subpoena members of the public could be misused by legislators to blackmail businesspeople. He recalled that the subpoena right as stipulated in Law No. 4/1999 on the composition of legislative bodies was misused by regional councillors as an instrument of extortion.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta Fair fails to reach target of 2 million visitors
Jakarta Fair fails to reach target of 2 million visitors Rizky KD Ntoma, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The month-long Jakarta Fair was finally closed on Sunday by event organizer chairman Guruh Soekarnoputra, a younger brother of President Megawati Soekarnoputri. The closing ceremony was marked by fireworks and a concert from rock band Jamrud. A total of 1,760,315 visitors attended the annual event at the Jakarta Fairground in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
PDI-P threatens splinter members
PDI-P threatens splinter members SURABAYA: The central board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) threatened on Sunday to dismiss its legislators should they oppose the party's nomination of the incumbent East Java governor for another five-year term. The pair of Utomo and Sunarjo have been nominated by President Megawati Soekarnoputri's PDI Perjuangan for the gubernatorial race scheduled for July 17.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
The powerful House
The powerful House The House of Representatives (DPR) will soon be the most powerful institution in this country. It will have the authority to hold hostage whoever ignores its summons to "clarify certain issues" which they may be unhappy with, for the sake of national interests. The authority is regulated in a bill on the structure and position of the DPR, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), and provincial legislative bodies (DPRD), which has just been endorsed into law.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
`Stocks to continue rising this week'
`Stocks to continue rising this week' Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta stock index is likely to rally further this week after a 4.1 percent surge last week on continued bullish sentiment, thanks in part to a successful initial public offering (IPO) by giant state Bank Mandiri, a stock dealer said. "Mandiri's IPO has turned out to be as successful as was anticipated, which should provide good reason for the index to rise," the dealer said over the weekend.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Legislator detained for graft
Legislator detained for graft PADANG: After a series of interrogations, state prosecutors in Solok, West Sumatra decided to detain the speaker the local legislature, Saaduddin Chatib Bagindo for alleged embezzlement of Rp 61 million (US$7,625) which had been earmarked for the improvement of chicken farms in the regency. Saaduddin is also the leader of Darussalam Muslim boarding school, which applied for the funds from the government for a chicken farm project.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
`Macroeconomic gains yet to boost growth'
`Macroeconomic gains yet to boost growth' The Jakarta Post, Batu, Malang The current strengthening of the country's macroeconomic indicators has yet to be converted into robust growth in the real sector of the economy due to lingering problems in other areas, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti said on Sunday. He said that to help turn around the situation, the business climate at home must be improved through the acceleration of economic reform.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Contraceptive users down, birth control endangered
Contraceptive users down, birth control endangered Sari P. Setiogi The Jakarta Post Jakarta Contraceptive use has dropped 20 percent in Indonesia, a trend that has sparked fears of a population explosion. Central Statistics Agency (BPS) data reveals that Jakarta headed the plunge with a 22.24 percent drop from the 71.72 percent of women of child bearing age who used contraception in 1997.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
Hotels impose higher parking fees than shopping malls
Hotels impose higher parking fees than shopping malls Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two days after its announcement, the city's largest parking operator Secure Parking indeed kept its promise to roll back its parking fee hikes. However, the parking fees in several hotels remained higher than the imposed fee. The Jakarta Post observed on Sunday that two hotels in Central Jakarta, Mandarin Oriental and Le Meridien, still charge motorists Rp 1,500 per hour.
Mon, 14 Jul 2003, 00:00 WIB
More transparency needed in managing natural resources
More transparency needed in managing natural resources George Soros, Chairman, Soros Fund Management, Open Society Institute, Project Syndicate Many developing countries that are rich in natural resources are even poorer than other countries that are less well endowed. This is because natural resources serve as an enticing prize to fight over. Many countries with significant mineral deposits or valuable cash crops are in the grip of repressive or corrupt regimes or torn apart by armed conflict.