Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 31 July 2003

64 articles found

Banks show mixed first-half results

Banks show mixed first-half results Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta During the first semester of this year large-sized Bank Central Asia (BCA) and Bank Lippo lost ground over their net profits while their rivals Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII) and Bank Panin advanced forward with impressive growth. Banking analyst M.

RI palm oil output may hit 9.9m tons this year

RI palm oil output may hit 9.9m tons this year Dow Jones, Kuala Lumpur Palm oil production in Indonesia, the world's second largest producer of this commodity, may beat initial projections by rising to around 9.9 million metric tons this year, said the head of Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association. But despite the upward revision, the forecast is still considered friendly for prices, traders said, as there had been some recent talk in the market that production would exceed 10 million tons.

Les villagers promote sustainable fishing

Les villagers promote sustainable fishing Pariama Hutasoit, Contributor, Buleleng, North Bali Blessed with abundant marine resources, Bali waters are home to a wide variety of underwater species, including aquarium fish -- lucrative for local fishermen as well as greedy businessmen. Tropical fish have become one of the island's top export commodities, generating huge amounts of foreign exchange in return.

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_________________________________________________________________________________________ Rupiah Rates July 30 _________________________________________________________________________________________ Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,027.58 5,360.43 5,724.54 5,663.24 Brunei dollar 1 5,177.42 4,605.23 4,917.13 4,865.37 Canadian dollar 1 6,524.08 5,802.19 6,196.08 6,129.96 Swiss franc 1 6,722.38 5,979.31 6,384.41 6,317.07 Danish krone 1 1,400.03 1,245.40...

Auto theft second major offenses, city police say

Auto theft second major offenses, city police say Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Auto theft has become the second major offense this year as between five and seven cars are reportedly stolen every day. Up until June this year, police received 2,922 reports of auto theft comprising of 2,370 motorcycles, 545 cars and seven three- wheeled vehicles. There were 2,955 cases of burglary, 718 cases of robbery and 674 cases of homicide.

Dieng volcano heats up, villagers put on top alert

Dieng volcano heats up, villagers put on top alert Agencies, Jakarta Government authorities in the crowded province of Central Java have put residents living near the Dieng volcano on top alert for a possible major eruption, local officials said on Wednesday.

Nurcholish withdraws from Golkar convention

Nurcholish withdraws from Golkar convention Tiarma Siboro and A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Respected Muslim scholar Nurcholish Madjid announced his withdrawal on Wednesday night from the Golkar Party convention to select presidential candidates after party chairman Akbar Tandjung moved to participate in the race. "It (Akbar's participation) could spark a conflict of interest and make the convention process unfair," Nurcholish, better known as Cak Nur, told a news conference.

Asia and Africa join forces in pursuing fair world

Asia and Africa join forces in pursuing fair world Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Bandung Asian and African countries vowed on Wednesday to pursue a common view and collective action to ensure the fair and equal sharing out of advantages among nations in the world in the wake of globalization.

Indosiar, media companies book gloomy first semester performance

Indosiar, media companies book gloomy first semester performance The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The first semester net profit of television company PT Indosiar Visual Mandiri, which runs Indosiar television network, plunged by 36 percent to Rp 59.8 billion (US$7 million), from Rp 94 billion in the same period last year. In its financial statement published on Wednesday, Indosiar said that the drop was mostly caused by an increase in operational costs to Rp 374 billion from Rp 271 billion.

'Failed coup a setback for economy'

'Failed coup a setback for economy' Teresa Cerojono, Associated Press, Manila A failed military mutiny over the weekend will have a long- term negative impact on the country's struggling economy and scare away foreign investors, the finance minister said on Wednesday. The immediate impact, though, on currency and stock markets was not as bad as the government anticipated, Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho said.

Minister upbeat about tourist arrivals

Minister upbeat about tourist arrivals JAKARTA: The number of international tourists visiting Indonesia could reach the optimistic figure of 4.8 million by the end of 2003, despite the Bali bombings in October 2002 and the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), says Minister for Tourism and Culture I Gede Ardika. "After the bombing we predicted that tourist arrivals would only reach 4.5 million by the end of this year.

Megawati's diplomatic 'coup' in freeing Suu Kyi

Megawati's diplomatic 'coup' in freeing Suu Kyi Kornelius Purba, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta korpur@yahoo.com A euphoric tide of democratization has swept through some members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in recent years, especially founding members Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. ASEAN has also experienced a steady recovery in its once lowly international stature.

Asian currencies mostly down late, Peso continues slide

Asian currencies mostly down late, Peso continues slide Dow Jones Singapore The Philippine peso extended losses on Wednesday, a day when most Asian currencies moved to a weaker footing. The peso closed at a four-month low on continued fallout from the weekend's failed mutiny by junior army officers that has reignited security concerns in the Philippines.

RI Embassy initiates maid protection

RI Embassy initiates maid protection SINGAPORE: The Indonesian Embassy has drawn up rules for employers and domestic service agencies in Singapore to curb the high number of deaths and abuse, it said on Wednesday. So far, 186 agencies have been given approval under the new accreditation system.

* Headlines: Bush rejects Saudi request for 9/11 details 3

* Headlines: Bush rejects Saudi request for 9/11 details 3 * National: MPR to cut short Annual Session 4 * Archipelago: Parties accused of extortion in Medan 5 * Opinion: How fair are international tribunals?

CIMB to inject capital into Niaga Sekuritas

CIMB to inject capital into Niaga Sekuritas The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Commerce International Merchant Bank (CIMB), a unit of Malaysia's financial group Commerce Asset Holdings Bhd., will inject fresh money into PT Niaga Sekuritas in return for a 51 percent stake in the securities firm. Peter B.

Bojong residents raise stink over garbage dump

Bojong residents raise stink over garbage dump Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta For the second time, villagers from Bogor regency rallied at City Hall and the City Council building against plans to build a garbage treatment facility in Bojong village. Four hundred villagers arrived in nine buses to protest the construction of the facility, owned by PT Wira Gulfindo Sarana. Once completed, the facility would be able to treat 1,500 tons of garbage every day.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, July 31, 2003

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, July 31, 2003 .TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions * Painting Three Sides of Me by Kerry Pendergrast at Pranoto's Gallery, Main Road, Ubud (next door to Fed Ex, Tel. 0361 970 827), until July 31. * Ceramic by Marcello Massoni and Michela Foppiani, Gaya Fusion of Senses, Jl. Raya Sayan, Ubud (Tel. 0361 979253), until Aug. 25. Museums and Galleries * Sika Galery, Jl. Raya Campuhan Sanggingan, Ubud (Tel. 0361 975727, 975085) * Blue Moon Gallery, Jl.

LG Indonesia boosting DVD player production

LG Indonesia boosting DVD player production Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta South Korean electronics giant LG Electronics is boosting the production of its digital video disc (DVD) player in Indonesia in response to the surge in demand for the product. "Currently, LG's audio-video plant produce six types of DVD players," Randy, spokesman of PT LG Electronics Indonesia's audio-video marketing department, told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

RI Embassy initiates maid protection

RI Embassy initiates maid protection SINGAPORE: The Indonesian Embassy has drawn up rules for employers and domestic service agencies in Singapore to curb the high number of deaths and abuse, it said on Wednesday. So far, 186 agencies have been given approval under the new accreditation system.

LG Indonesia boosting DVD player production

LG Indonesia boosting DVD player production Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta South Korean electronics giant LG Electronics is boosting the production of its digital video disc (DVD) player in Indonesia in response to the surge in demand for the product. "Currently, LG's audio-video plant produce six types of DVD players," Randy, spokesman of PT LG Electronics Indonesia's audio-video marketing department, told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

Theater empowers and educates

Theater empowers and educates Zora Rahman, Contributor, Jakarta "If you want to change Indonesia, you have to go to the theater." The wise words from famous late theater director Wahyu Sihombing found fertile ground in Lena Simanjuntak, and the advice changed her life. Initially planning to study fine arts, the ambitious young Simanjuntak ended up becoming the first female student of theater directing at the Institute of Arts in Jakarta (IKJ) in 1975, after she met the director.

TV Program: Thursday, July 31, 2003

TV Program: Thursday, July 31, 2003 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:00 English News Service 9:00 Music 11:00 News: Berita Daerah 12:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang 1:00 Talk Show: Konsultasi Keluarga 2:00 News: Metro Indonesia 4:00 Religious Teachings 4:30 Documentary 5:00 Religious Songs 6:00 News: Berita Petang 7:00 Battle of Wits 8:00 TV Drama 9:00 News: Dunia Dalam Berita 9:30 Music: Country Road 11:00 Talk Show: Bincang Malam TPI 6:00 a.m.

Violence up in South Kalimantan

Violence up in South Kalimantan BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The number of acts of violence, particularly against women and children, has increased in the province of South Kalimantan. Head of the violence and disaster prevention bureau at the provincial social affairs office, Husni Indar, said on Tuesday that there had been 177 reports of violence against women and children so far this year alone. Most violence targeted children, followed by women and the elderly.

Miss Universe's plane forced to land

Miss Universe's plane forced to land The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra A Garuda Indonesia plane carrying Miss Universe Amelia Vega had to make an emergency landing on Wednesday in South Sumatra province due to engine failure, officials said. The Boeing 737 plane landed safely at the airport in the provincial capital of Palembang. No one was injured in the incident.

Jakarta water supply disrupted

Jakarta water supply disrupted JAKARTA: PT PAM Lyonnaise Jaya (PALYJA) warned the public to anticipate a water supply disruption in certain areas on Thursday and Friday. PALYJA urged people to fill up home reservoirs and to use water efficiently during the two days as the company will maintain and rehabilitate the system Water supplies will be disrupted on Thursday in Swadharma, Dukuh Patra, Warung Pedok, Palmerah, Daan Mogot and the surrounding vicinity of West Jakarta.

Philippines demands release of Suu Kyi

Philippines demands release of Suu Kyi Agencies, Manila/Bangkok The Philippines demanded on Wednesday that the Myanmar's ruling junta release democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Foreign Secretary Blas Ople said he told Myanmar's visiting deputy foreign minister U Khin Maung Wing that Manila expects his government to put in place "sincere measures at democratic reforms" and free Suu Kyi from detention.

RI hopes to see Suu Kyi freed in October

RI hopes to see Suu Kyi freed in October Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Bandung Indonesia stepped up the pressure on the Myanmar government to release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday, dropping a hint that the Nobel laureate could be freed before the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) summit in October.

American journalist faces jail but says not guilty

American journalist faces jail but says not guilty Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Aceh Facing two months imprisonment for immigration offenses, an American freelance journalist asserted that he had not committed any acts or activities that violated Indonesia's immigration law.

Regency offices may be seized

Regency offices may be seized TANGERANG: Offices of the Tangerang administration and council in Tiga Raksa subdistrict were almost confiscated by the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) on Wednesday, because the land certificate was pawned by developer PT Panca Wira Sakti. The developer, which built the offices with an agreement from the administration in 1996, is currently in possession of the land certificate for the 80-hectare plot.

BI further cuts SBI rate

BI further cuts SBI rate The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a sign of further confidence in the economy, the central bank cut its benchmark interest rate to 9.10 percent on Wednesday from 9.17 percent previously. Bank Indonesia has cut the interest rate on one-month SBI promissory notes by more than 4 percentage points since the beginning of this year amid a benign inflation environment and stronger exchange rate of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar.

Driver arrested for child deaths

Driver arrested for child deaths MEDAN, North Sumatra: Police here have captured a public transportation driver who allegedly hit and killed four elementary school students in Sambirejo subdistrict, 30 kilometers from the North Sumatra capital Medan. The driver, identified only by his initials as JR, 22, was arrested at his brother's home in Tanjung Morawa on Tuesday. He is being held by Binjai Police.

Oil firms' spending autonomy

Oil firms' spending autonomy Budgeting or spending autonomy, an ongoing issue between oil and natural gas production-sharing contractors (PSCs) in Indonesia and the government since the late 1960s, was again the subject of debate between oil firms and BP Migas, the upstream oil and gas authority, last week. The issue is certainly of great interest to both parties.

Deer me, grass sweeter in Monas

Deer me, grass sweeter in Monas Bambang Nurbianto and Theresa Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bogor It would appear that the criticism of Governor Sutiyoso's decision to release 12 spotted deer in the National Monument (Monas) park might have been wrong -- six does are now reportedly pregnant. Ironically, the Bogor Presidential Palace, which had earlier rejected Sutiyoso's request to supply deer, can no longer provide enough grass for its 600-strong herd due to the long dry season.

UGM, British Council to hold book fair

UGM, British Council to hold book fair YOGYAKARTA: The Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in cooperation with the British Council will hold the Indonesia-Britain Children's Book Illustration exhibit here from August 4 to August 18, a spokesman has announced. "The exhibit, to be held at Yogyakarta's traditional palace, will showcase about 40 selected books illustrated by British cartoonist, Quentin Blake, and Indonesian cartoonist Fabi Koesoemadinata," head of UGM's library Ida Fajar Priyanto said.

No hurry in Akbar graft case

No hurry in Akbar graft case JAKARTA: A panel of five Supreme Court justices has yet to decide on the appeal brought by House Speaker Akbar Tandjung against his graft conviction, and has said that no target date had been set to finish it. "We have no target date. We will deal with it in good time," said Justice Paulus E. Lotulung, who heads the panel hearing Akbar's appeal. The case is currently being examined by the fourth justice, Parman Suparman.

Police arrest a suspect in kidnapping case

Police arrest a suspect in kidnapping case The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Surabaya East Java Police have arrested Dani alias Deni Saputra, 21, a member of a serial kidnapping gang. The suspect was nabbed on Tuesday at his girlfriend's rented house on Jl. Pucang Anom, Juwingan subdistrict in the East Java capital of Surabaya.

Regency offices may be seized

Regency offices may be seized TANGERANG: Offices of the Tangerang administration and council in Tiga Raksa subdistrict were almost confiscated by the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) on Wednesday, because the land certificate was pawned by developer PT Panca Wira Sakti. The developer, which built the offices with an agreement from the administration in 1996, is currently in possession of the land certificate for the 80-hectare plot.

Artists paint the dark side of military

Artists paint the dark side of military Yusuf Susilo Hartono, Contributor, Jakarta Artists over the last five years have represented the military through painting, sculpture, graphic-art and installation but violence and cruelty has most often been the subject of discourse. The latest exhibition to excoriate the military was Five-year Reform Reflection held in May by the Jakarta Art Council in Galeri Cipta II, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM).

Careless motorist razes family home

Careless motorist razes family home BOGOR: The carelessness of a motorist almost killed a family when the suspect, who is still at large, threw a cigarette butt into a gas kiosk owned by Didin, 40, and wife Titih, 36, in Parung Banteng village, Bogor. Eyewitness Romly, a relative, said that the cigarette butt started a fire at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday that burned down both the kiosk and the house behind it.

Industry, officials in bed together while Jakartans choke

Industry, officials in bed together while Jakartans choke Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As long as the city administration continues to treat industry as its cash cow, officials will remain blind to environmental damage caused by business, environmental groups say. Indonesian Center for Environmental Law senior researcher Sukanda Husin told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that environmental regulations were strong enough but the administration lacked the will to enforce them.

'Police discriminative in handling cases'

'Police discriminative in handling cases' Police are currently under the spotlight for their investigations into the shooting of a businessman and his bodyguard and the serial kidnappings in Jakarta and West Java. Both cases reflect the difference in how police view "big" and "petty" cases. Several lawyers shared their views on how the police are handling the cases with The Jakarta Post. Hendardi, 45, is the director of the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association.

Asian currencies mostly down late, Peso continues slide

Asian currencies mostly down late, Peso continues slide Dow Jones Singapore The Philippine peso extended losses on Wednesday, a day when most Asian currencies moved to a weaker footing. The peso closed at a four-month low on continued fallout from the weekend's failed mutiny by junior army officers that has reignited security concerns in the Philippines.

Govt excludes mining firms from environmental audit

Govt excludes mining firms from environmental audit Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has excluded mining companies from the 2002 environmental audit (PROPER) due to the lack of precise indicators to measure the amount of damage they have caused to the environment, says an official.

Strike paralyses Bombay

Strike paralyses Bombay INDIA: A strike over a deadly bus bombing in Bombay paralyzed India's commercial hub on Wednesday, halting public transport and slashing trade in the city's financial markets. A bomb ripped through a bus in a northeastern suburb of Bombay on Monday, killing two people and wounding 47 others -- the latest in a wave of blasts in the city since December.

RI's palm oil output may hit 9.9m tons this year

RI's palm oil output may hit 9.9m tons this year Dow Jones Kuala Lumpur Palm oil production in Indonesia, the world's second largest producer of this commodity, may beat initial projections by rising to around 9.9 million metric tons this year, said the head of Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association. But despite the upward revision, the forecast is still considered friendly for prices, traders said, as there had been some recent talk in the market that production would exceed 10 million tons.

Corrupt judges exist, Chief Justice says

Corrupt judges exist, Chief Justice says Muninggar Sri Saraswati The Jakarta Post Jakarta Chief Justice Bagir Manan admitted on Wednesday that there were currently corrupt judges both in the Supreme Court and in lower courts, but blamed lawyers for initiating the practice. "There are some of us who do not love the court. They are worse than parasites as they poison us," he said during the inauguration of 23 chiefs of provincial high courts.

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_________________________________________________________________________________________ Rupiah Rates July 30 _________________________________________________________________________________________ Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,027.58 5,360.43 5,724.54 5,663.24 Brunei dollar 1 5,177.42 4,605.23 4,917.13 4,865.37 Canadian dollar 1 6,524.08 5,802.19 6,196.08 6,129.96 Swiss franc 1 6,722.38 5,979.31 6,384.41 6,317.07 Danish krone 1 1,400.03 1,245.40...

Parties accused of extortion in Medan

Parties accused of extortion in Medan Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra Chinese-Indonesian businesspeople in North Sumatra have alleged that political party activists are extorting money from them ahead of the 2004 elections. The businesspeople said they were intimidated by the activists into giving them money.

Minister upbeat about tourist arrivals

Minister upbeat about tourist arrivals JAKARTA: The number of international tourists visiting Indonesia could reach the optimistic figure of 4.8 million by the end of 2003, despite the Bali bombings in October 2002 and the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), says Minister for Tourism and Culture I Gede Ardika. "After the bombing we predicted that tourist arrivals would only reach 4.5 million by the end of this year.

U.S. still not sure for Bali beach volleyball tourney

U.S. still not sure for Bali beach volleyball tourney Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia will have two wild cards at next month's Swatch Women's Beach Volleyball World Tour in Bali, while teams from the United States are still unsure about their participation due to government travel warnings.

Sleman chosen for budget program

Sleman chosen for budget program YOGYAKARTA: The regency of Sleman will receive a Rp 2.5 billion grant from the group Building Institutions for Good Governance (BIGG) to help it develop performance-based budget transparency. The grant also will help the regency develop an on-line computer-based information system within two years. Sleman Regent Ibnu Subiyanto said the grant would not be in the form of cash, but in technical assistance and software design and infrastructure.

Banning old cars and buses?

Banning old cars and buses? From Koran Tempo With regard to the news on the plan to restrict the operation of old cars and buses in Jakarta, I would venture to say that most citizens would prefer to use public transportation, particularly for their everyday activities, because of its smaller risk. But the lack of comfort and security prompts some people to use private cars.

Bali has abundant and unexplored marine potential

Bali has abundant and unexplored marine potential Ayu Anggraeni, Contributor, Singaraja, North Bali For years, the travel and tourist industry has generated major income for Bali, while industries like agriculture and fisheries were ignored to make way for tourism development projects.

PDI-P condemned as New Order clone

PDI-P condemned as New Order clone JAKARTA: Pioneer Party (PP) chairwoman Rachmawati Soekarnoputri says that the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)'s central board's strategy of ignoring its own members when choosing who to support in gubernatorial elections resembled the approach of the former regime of president Soeharto.

The Golkar convention

The Golkar convention From Media Indonesia It began with the muddled internal state of the Golkar Party, when two groups, for and against general chairman Akbar Tandjung, opposed each other. As it was too risky to promote the defamed party chief further for the 2004 election, there emerged the "smart creation" of Golkar in the form of a convention. This convention offers an opportunity for anyone to become a presidential contender via Golkar.

TNI's dual function

TNI's dual function The article in your paper on July 3, 2003 written by Dr. Damien Kingsbury, titled Lingering problems: TNI, the state, the nation was appalling. The dual function of the Indonesian Military (TNI), which went beyond the intentions of its architect, the late Gen. A.H. Nasution, contributed significantly to political and economic stability in Indonesia for nearly 30 years under former president Soeharto.

What should the elderly be called?

What should the elderly be called? From Kompas The term manula (aged people) sounds derogatory because the word manusia in the acronym means "humans" as the counterpart of "animals". In order to make it more refined within an administrative connotation, it should be replaced by warga (citizens). The term usia lanjut (aged) for ula is not neutral either. It suggests incapacity or helplessness. In other countries, they call their aged "senior citizens".

Profits down for BCA, Lippo, up for BII, Panin

Profits down for BCA, Lippo, up for BII, Panin Rendi A. Witular The Jakarta Post Jakarta During the first semester of this year large-sized Bank Central Asia (BCA) and Bank Lippo lost ground over their net profits while their rivals Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII) and Bank Panin advanced forward with impressive growth. Banking analyst M.

JP/1/HOUR

JP/1/HOUR Army troops shoot dead GAM leader: The Indonesian Military claimed on Wednesday to have killed Tengku Jamaica, a Free Aceh Movement (GAM) leader. Jamaica, the spokesman for the GAM command overseeing the Passe area, was shot dead during an ambush by a group of Army Special Forces troops in the North Aceh village of Kandang, the Aceh military operation commander Maj. Gen. Bambang Darmono said.

House, govt to vote on court bill, but still mulling judicial criteria

House, govt to vote on court bill, but still mulling judicial criteria Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives has one issue left to resolve before the Constitutional Court bill can be endorsed, and plans to hold a vote on whether to pass the bill when it convenes on Thursday.

1 x 35

1 x 35 Parties accused of extortion in Medan JP/5/dieng 2 x 23 Dieng volcano heats up, villagers put on top alert JP/5/landing 1 x 35 Miss Universe's plane forced to land

Consumer confidence increases: Danareksa

Consumer confidence increases: Danareksa The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian consumer confidence strengthened in the first half of the year from the same period last year on the back of significant improvements in macroeconomic indicators, according to the latest survey by the Danareksa Research Institute. Danareksa said that with greater confidence in the economy, consumers would have more of an appetite to purchase durable goods in the second semester.

Less workload prompts MPR to cut short Annual Session

Less workload prompts MPR to cut short Annual Session M. Taufiqurrahman and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) looks set to cut short its upcoming Annual Session due to a lighter workload compared to previous sessions. Unlike the past five years, when the Assembly was working on constitutional amendments, the 700-strong lawmaking body will tackle low-key issues.