Archive: 22 August 2003
Showing 1-50 of 76 articles
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
The savior of Bank Mandiri, Garuda
The savior of Bank Mandiri, Garuda Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The name Robby Djohan seems to be lost in the euphoria of the initial public offering of Bank Mandiri, the largest bank in Southeast Asia. The launching of his book The art of a turnaround: Kiat-kiat Restrukturisasi (tips on restructuring) at QB Bookstore in Kemang, South Jakarta in June was a modest one. No media uproar. Only family, close friends and colleagues attended.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
KPU allocates 550 House seats for 32 provinces
KPU allocates 550 House seats for 32 provinces Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The General Elections Commission (KPU) announced on Thursday the allocation of 550 seats of the House of Representatives for 30 provinces with five new provinces securing at least three seats through the 2004 legislative elections. KPU chairman Nazaruddin Syamsuddin said that the KPU was somewhat late in allocating the seats, as it had to be accurate in the counting because the issue was a sensitive one.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Australia-RI to co-host regional counterterrorism summit in 2004
Australia-RI to co-host regional counterterrorism summit in 2004 Australian Prime Minister John Howard (left) meets in his office with Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda. During the meeting on Thursday, the two discussed plans to co- host an Asia-Pacific regional summit early next year to help better coordinate the fight against terrorism. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer also met with his counterpart Hassan to discuss the proposal in details.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
JI has 300-man attack force
JI has 300-man attack force Agencies Jakarta/Bangkok/Sydney, Australia The Southeast Asian Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) militant group has at least 300 fighters trained in the Philippines and Afghanistan, a senior Indonesian police officer said on Thursday. The leader of the group, linked to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda and suspected of involvement in a string of attacks including last year's Bali bomb blasts, was arrested in Thailand last week.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Medan records 21 deaths from AIDS
Medan records 21 deaths from AIDS MEDAN, North Sumatra: At least 21 people have died from AIDS -related illnesses in Medan, North Sumatra, since records began in 1994, Medan Health Office head Herman Shadeck said on Thursday. Another 64 had HIV/AIDS and were being treated, he said. "All the people with HIV are currently under our supervision along with non-governmental organizations," he told The Jakarta Post.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
BI expects lending rate to fall to 13% by year-end
BI expects lending rate to fall to 13% by year-end The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Indonesia Governor Burhanuddin Abdullah expects the bank lending rate to drop to around 13 percent by the end of this year following the cutting by the central bank of its benchmark interest rate to a record low. Speaking at a business forum on Thursday, Burhanuddin said that lower lending rates would make loans more affordable to the corporate sector, and also reduce excess liquidity in the banking industry.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Advertorial: Global Jaya
Advertorial: Global Jaya Focus Issue: Sunday - August 24, 2003 Sekolah Global Jaya teaches students to be Critical Thinkers "Indonesia is yet to be prosperous... but I love it." is part of a poem that was written to commemorate the 58th Indonesian Independence Day. The writer is not a professional poet, nor one who is experiencing the pinch of the prolonged economic crisis, but an elementary student of the well respected Sekolah Global Jaya (Global Jaya School).
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Priceless proposal by govt
Priceless proposal by govt Doubtless, Sari Setiogi's front-page article Learn to speak Bahasa Indonesia or pack your bags! (The Jakarta Post, Aug. 15) is fodder for further bewilderment as to the priorities of the government at a time of national crisis.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
House factions criticize, want revision of budget draft
House factions criticize, want revision of budget draft The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A number of factions in the House of Representatives have criticized the draft 2004 state budget, saying it is will not stimulate the economy or improve the quality of life for civil servants in Indonesia. "Golkar demands the government help improve the welfare of the civil servants in the 2004 budget," Golkar spokesperson Ahmadi Noor Supit told a plenary session on Thursday.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Ba'asyir emotionally denies involvement in terrorist acts
Ba'asyir emotionally denies involvement in terrorist acts The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Alleged leader of regional terrorist network Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) Abu Bakar Ba'asyir emotionally denied on Thursday any knowledge of the terror group he has been accused of leading, saying the "terrorist state of America" has stage-managed his treason trial.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, August 22, 2003
Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, August 22, 2003 Exhibitions * Photo The Transfixed Spectator, by Kassian Cephas, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Tel. 5241069), until Aug. 30. * Caricature Menafsir Kemerdekaan by Augustin Sibarani, Galeri Milenium, Diamond Plaza, Blok B-23, Jl. R.S. Fatmawati No. 15, South Jakarta (Tel. 7507828), until Aug. 31. Performances * Classic Ballet, Jazz and Modern Dance by Marlupi Dance Company, Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, Jl.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
'JI has 300-man attack force'
'JI has 300-man attack force' Agencies, Jakarta/Bangkok/Sydney, Australia The Southeast Asian Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) militant group has at least 300 fighters trained in the Philippines and Afghanistan, a senior Indonesian policeman said on Thursday. The leader of the group, linked to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda and suspected of involvement in a string of attacks including last year's Bali bomb blasts, was arrested in Thailand last week.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Indosat to issue bonds, cut down debt burden
Indosat to issue bonds, cut down debt burden The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia's second largest telecommunications firm, PT Indonesia Satellite Corp. (Indosat), will issue bonds this year to help refinance its debt and to fund the merger of its cellular units. President of Indosat Widya Purnama told reporters on Thursday that the company would issue rupiah and dollar-denominated bonds worth Rp 3 trillion (US$352 million) and US$300 million.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bogor to host classical music concert
Bogor to host classical music concert BOGOR: The Ensemble Belliniano quintet will perform at the Novotel Coralia Hotel in Bogor on Friday evening to commemorate the 59th anniversary of Indonesian independence. Head of the quintet, Corrado Ratto, said that the group would also perform at the Erasmus Huis on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta, and the Italian Cultural Institute on Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto, Central Jakarta.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
'Disney Channel' brings Asian legends to life
'Disney Channel' brings Asian legends to life Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In the beginning there were nine suns scorching the Earth. The Moon felt sorry for the people of Earth and helped them trick the father Sun into eating the other suns. This is the story of Why the Sun Chases the Moon, based on Indonesian folklore for the Disney Channel series Legends of the Ring of Fire. Legends is a series of animated short stories locally produced by the Disney Channel in Asia.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Bamus fails to hold first meeting
Bamus fails to hold first meeting JAKARTA: The House of Representatives steering committee (Bamus) failed to hold its first meeting on Thursday after most of its members did not show up. Only 18 of the 76 Bamus members showed up for the meeting, arranged to determine the date on which President Megawati Soekarnoputri was due to explain the loss of Sipadan and Ligitan islands to Malaysia in December last year.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Special task forces set up to fight drug trafficking
Special task forces set up to fight drug trafficking Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Police and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) set up a special task force on Thursday to fight the prison drug trade. The task force -- comprising police officers, BNN officials and prisons guards -- will eventually work in 2,400 prisons across the country, following a pilot project at the Cipinang, Salemba and Tangerang penitentiaries.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Fire department, so important yet neglected
Fire department, so important yet neglected Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The increasing number of fires across the capital and the lack of fire hydrants has apparently not stayed the hand of the Jakarta administration in cutting the budget for the Jakarta Fire Department. The administration has proposed slashing its 2003 fire prevention and fire fighting budget from Rp 201.511 billion (US$24 million) to Rp 184.33 billion.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
BI to host numismatic show
BI to host numismatic show JAKARTA: The Bank of Indonesia (BI) will hold a numismatic exhibition from Aug. 25 to Aug. 29, featuring the bank's collection of coins and banknotes from the ancient Javanese Majapahit kingdom. The exhibition will be open for public view at the Wisma Candra building in the BI office complex on Jl. Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
On daylight savings
On daylight savings David Beins' reply to my letter (The Jakarta Post, Aug. 4) made some useful points. True, we know that the number of daylight hours are not affected by clock changes, but the times we switch lights on and off are altered. It still seems to me that we use much more electricity at 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. than at 6 a.m. to 7 a.m., as all the lights are on in the evenings and not nearly so many in the early morning hours.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
City only spends 25% of budget
City only spends 25% of budget Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city council criticized on Thursday the administration's poor performance in realizing their projects, as was indicated by their meager spending of only 24.52 percent of the Rp 11.07 trillion (US$1.3 billion) budget in the first half of this year.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
1. KPU: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18
1. KPU: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 KPU allocates 550 House seats for 32 provinces 2. BAASYIR: 36 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 30 Ba'asyir emotionally denies involvement in terrorist acts 3. FIRE: 28 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 20 Fire department, so important yet neglected
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia denies it harbors terrorists, blames Indonesians for militancy
Malaysia denies it harbors terrorists, blames Indonesians for militancy Agencies, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on Thursday lashed out at a growing perception it is harboring terrorists, saying it was not a base for the al-Qaeda network and blaming Indonesians for inspiring Islamic militancy in the country. The majority Muslim nation has been stung by reports that two Malaysians played major roles in bomb attacks in Indonesia, blamed on the al-Qaeda-linked Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) network.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
PDI-P to fire convicted councillor
PDI-P to fire convicted councillor PURWOKERTO, Central Java: The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) will likely recall the speaker of the Banyumas legislative council, Tri Waluyo Basuki, from the regency legislature for disciplinary offenses. He was sentenced to 2.5 years in jail for attempting to intervene in a court order relating to a plot of land in 2001.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Akbar clears Golkar screening for presidency
Akbar clears Golkar screening for presidency A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Golkar Party announced on Thursday the 19 people who will contest the convention held to select the party's presidential candidates, including its chairman Akbar Tandjung. Akbar, who was sentenced to three years in jail for corruption involving the State Logistics Agency (Bulog), qualified for the convention, thanks to the lax rules of the game.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Constitutional Commission not as big as its name
Constitutional Commission not as big as its name Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta The 2003 Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) resulted in a controversial decision on the constitutional commission, a body which most people were hoping would help in the drafting of a new constitution. State administrative law expert Denny Indrayana of Gadjah Mada University, who is also a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne in Australia, shared his views on the issue.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Ferinanto wins fifth stage of Tour d'ISSI
Ferinanto wins fifth stage of Tour d'ISSI Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang Indonesian riders dominated the 146-kilometer fifth stage of the cycling Tour d'ISSI on Thursday from Pekalongan to Semarang, taking all three podium positions. Ferinanto of Eest Java matched his stage three triumph to take his second stage of the race. He averaged 42.82 kilometers per hour to cover the stage in two hours, 25 minutes and 44 seconds.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
* Headlines:KPU allocates 550 House seats for 32 provinces2
* Headlines:KPU allocates 550 House seats for 32 provinces2 * National:House to revise autonomy legislation 4 * Archipelago:C. Irian Jaya to be declared a province 5 * Opinion:Constitutional commission not as big as its name 7 * City:City only spends 25% of budget 8 * Sports:Pak seeks to defend third title of season at Wachovia 9 * World:Factions name businessman to head Liberia to peace 11 * Business:Group urges WTO farm compromise 16 * Features:'Disney Channel' brings Asian legends to life 18
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
KL mulls temporary stay for Acehnese
KL mulls temporary stay for Acehnese Agencies, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia is reviewing plans to deport some 250 detained Acehnese asylum seekers and may grant them temporary stay, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said on Thursday. Although it is not Malaysia's policy to protect asylum seekers, Abdullah said the situation of the migrants from the war-torn Indonesian province of Aceh has to be given serious consideration.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Drug business still operates in Tangerang penitentiary
Drug business still operates in Tangerang penitentiary Multa Fidrus The Jakarta Post Tangerang Drug dealing is certainly a profitable business, making it irresistible to inmates of the Tangerang penitentiary. They can operate quite efficiently from behind bars, seemingly undeterred by death sentences, already handed down by the Tangerang District Court.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
House to amend Jamsostek law
House to amend Jamsostek law JAKARTA: The House of Representatives (DPR) has agreed to revise the existing Workers' Social Insurance (Jamsostek) law to promote transparency and open up an opportunity for the private sector to set up a similar institution. During a House plenary meeting here on Thursday, House factions called for an improvement in Jamsostek's services, including increased benefits for workers.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Xuanze awards win to Wimpie
Xuanze awards win to Wimpie Agence France-Presse, Singapore World champion Xia Xuanze pulled out of a third round clash with Indonesian youngster Wimpie Mahardi at the US$170,000 Singapore Open badminton tournament Thursday complaining of a strained calf muscle. The injury was likely the result of late matches on the opening day of the tournament Wednesday when Xia had to fight through three games against Malaysian veteran Ong Ewe Hock in a match that started well after midnight.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Govt cancels dismissal of civil servants
Govt cancels dismissal of civil servants Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has canceled a plan to cut the number of civil servants by up to 60 percent, but will adopt a stricter recruitment process for new state employees. "There will no mass dismissal of existing civil servants but we shall limit the recruitment of new employees," Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla told a media conference after a Cabinet meeting on Thursday.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Govt, ADB to channel $85m in loans for SMEs
Govt, ADB to channel $85m in loans for SMEs Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will channel US$85 million in loans for small- and medium-scale exporters across the country by the end of this year, in a bid to promote economic growth and job creation. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of the Indonesian economy.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
ICW to list corrupt politicians
ICW to list corrupt politicians PADANG, West Sumatra: Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) chairman Teten Masduki disclosed on Thursday that his office planned to publish a list of corrupt politicians, as well as evidence of their misdeeds. The publication, he said, was designed to help voters identify which politicians should be shunned in next year's general elections.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Crew missing, foul play suspected
Crew missing, foul play suspected TAIWAN: Taiwan suspects foul play in the disappearance of the crew of a fishing trawler that was found empty near the Indonesian island of Java, authorities said on Thursday. The ship, which disappeared late last month, was found on Wednesday. Its "crew, cargo of fish, and equipment were all missing," said fisheries official Sha Chih-yi, who suspected theft or piracy.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Fire guts market in Surabaya
Fire guts market in Surabaya SURABAYA: A fire destroyed at least 114 shops in the Pabean traditional market in Surabaya, East Java, on Wednesday evening, causing billions of rupiah in damage. Police have not established the cause of the fire. The fire, which started at 6 p.m after the market had closed, took crews from 12 fire engines three hours to extinguish. There were no injuries.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Foreign firms to repay $7b debt
Foreign firms to repay $7b debt JAKARTA: Offshore debt repayment by foreign companies in Indonesia is expected to rise to US$7 billion next year from around $5 billion this year, Bank Indonesia said on Thursday. The nation's central bank said that the increase indicates improving performance of these companies after the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis forced them to reschedule debt repayments.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
1. ROBBY: 1 x 35
1. ROBBY: 1 x 35 The savior of Bank Mandiri, Garuda 2. HANSON: 2 x 30 Hanson: from fish and chips to politician, and now prison
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Imron rues straying from Islam
Imron rues straying from Islam Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali A key suspect in the Bali bombings said on Thursday the bomb attack on Bali last year was the result of a misinterpretation of jihad. Ali Imron, standing trial for his involvement in the bombings, told the Denpasar District Court he had made a grave mistake in executing the terror attacks, which claimed 202 lives, mostly foreigners, and injured over 300 others.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
checked
checked Introducing Starbucks DoubleShot Iced Shaken Espresso A Singularly Intense Experience in a Small Glass Customers in Indonesia can now enjoy a totally 'intense' taste experience with the introduction of Starbucks DoubleShot Iced Shaken Espresso. A distinctly unique ice cold coffee experience, Starbucks DoubleShot is hand-shaken and hand-crafted with a difference - a special treat for customers seeking a singularly bold infusion of espresso.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Heading Page 4, August 22
Heading Page 4, August 22 1. OTDA (4 X 12) House plans to revise autonomy legislation 2. GOLKAR (2 X 21) Akbar clears Golkar test for presidency 3. FUND (2 X 24) Public participation sought for monitoring party funding 4. PNS (2 X 20) Govt cancels dismissal of civil servants
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
House plans to revise autonomy law
House plans to revise autonomy law Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta To be consistent with the newly enacted law on direct presidential election, the House of Representatives will propose the direct election of regional heads in its draft revision of the Regional Autonomy Law. House Commission II on legal and home affairs has set up a team to draft the revision, focusing on this particular issue.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
C. Irian Jaya to be declared a province
C. Irian Jaya to be declared a province Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua Despite opposition from the Papua administration, local officials are pressing forward with their plan to declare the Central Irian Jaya province on Saturday, with the support of the central government. The declaration will be marked by the unveiling of a sign bearing the name of the new province in front of the Graha TSD building in Timika, the capital of Mimika regency.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Police detain 26, burn 49 houses in forest raid
Police detain 26, burn 49 houses in forest raid Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post. Bandung Villagers in the West Java regency of Garut have accused police of detaining families and burning down their houses during a raid on illegal settlers. At least 26 farmers were detained by the Garut Police and 49 houses burned down during the police operation, the protesters said. Dozens of local farmers were arrested during the raid on Aug.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta office cost 2nd cheapest
Jakarta office cost 2nd cheapest Occupancy costs for prime office space in Asian cities are the lowest in Manila, Jakarta and Bangkok, a study showed on Thursday in Singapore. Among 14 cities covered by the CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) findings, Grade A office space was 0.84 U.S. cents per square foot at the end of June in the capital of the Philippines. Next was 1.01 U.S. in Jakarta and 1.02 in Bangkok. Occupancy cost is rent inclusive of service charges and taxes.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
JSX to delist Manly
JSX to delist Manly JAKARTA: The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) announced on Thursday that it would delist shares of troubled financial service company PT Manly Unitama Finance on Sept. 26. JSX said that the decision was taken due to the firm's inability to sustain future operations as signaled by the disclaimer in its 2002 audited financial report.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Peso sliding too fast: official
Peso sliding too fast: official MANILA: Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho expressed concern on Thursday that the Philippines peso may be depreciating too steeply, too fast. The unit hit a new 31-month intraday low on Thursday at 55.250 pesos to the greenback after hitting record closing lows for the past two days. "There are fundamental reasons for the dollar-peso exchange rate to rise, but it should not reach a level that we are seeing now," Camacho said in a radio interview.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
Farewell gift for city councillors
Farewell gift for city councillors There is much controversy surrounding a demand by Jakarta councillors for an end-of-term clothing allowance of Rp 435 million. If granted, each of the 85 councillors would get more than Rp 5 million for their farewell outfit. Common people are probably curious about just what kind of outfit costs that much. For certain individuals, expensive clothes costing millions of rupiah are the norm. But these people work hard to earn the money to buy the clothes.
Fri, 22 Aug 2003, 00:00 WIB
JP/5/papua
JP/5/papua C. Irian Jaya to be declared a province JP/5/garut 3 x 15 Police detain 26, burn 49 houses in forest raid JP/5/bandung 1 x 39 West Java councillors to face graft probe