Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 17 September 2003

73 articles found

Bridging local, German ventures

Bridging local, German venturesMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang, Banten Jochen Sautter is a key figure in the establishment of industrial and trade relations between German small and medium enterprises and their Indonesian counterparts.

Strike fear into enemies of Islam, says Mahathir: Muslims should

Strike fear into enemies of Islam, says Mahathir: Muslims should pursue knowledge to strike fear in the enemies of Islam and avoid being labeled terrorists, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday.

Indonesia sets up National Halon Bank

Indonesia sets up National Halon BankMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In observance of the 16th International Ozone Day, Indonesia inaugurated a National Halon Bank in a bid to help achieve the country's target of eliminating the use of ozone-depleting products (ODPs) by 2007.

'Police arrests human rights'

'Police arrests human rights' A number of persons have reportedly disappeared or been forcibly taken into custody by the police due to their alleged terrorist links. Rights groups have lambasted the police moves as violations of basic human rights.

Fire dept opposes underground market plan

Fire dept opposes underground market planBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city fire department is worried by city-owned market operator Pasar Jaya's plan to develop a seven-story underground building at Block A of Tanah Abang market, Central Jakarta, which was destroyed by fire in...

Laksamana lambastes ludicrous lawmakers

Laksamana lambastes ludicrous lawmakers Rendi A. Witular The Jakarta Post Jakarta State Minister for State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi erupted in anger on Tuesday during a hearing with House of Representatives legislators, blaming them as the main culprits behind the government's failure to meet...

The fifth ministerial conference of the World Trade

The fifth ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), held in Cancun, Mexico on Sept. 4 to Sept. 10 did not produce any agreement. Developed states and developing countries failed to agree on agricultural products.Developed states like the U.S.

Committee discloses problems in overseeing poll

Committee discloses problems in overseeing pollThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Elections Supervisory Committee is finding it difficult to uncover administrative violations by candidates running for seats on the Regional Representatives Council in the 2004 general elections due to a lack of witnesses...

1 x 35

1 x 35MUI campus closed after deadly clash JP/5/lonsum2 x 22Rights team returns to Bulukumba for probe JP/5/fire1 x 47Authorities told to close Batam hotel after fires 1 x 33Singaporean tried over fake money

China donates motorbikes to police

China donates motorbikes to police JAKARTA: The Chinese government on Tuesday donated 1,000 Chinese-made motorcycles to the Indonesian Police.The donation was accepted in a ceremony involving national police chief Gen.

Komnas to submit May riot report

Komnas to submit May riot report JAKARTA: The ad hoc team of the National Commission of Human Rights given a mandate to investigate the May 1998 riots was scheduled to submit its findings to the Attorney General's Office (AGO) next week, according to the team's chairman.

PKB warned of possible fallout in 2004

PKB warned of possible fallout in 2004 SURABAYA, East Java: A political analyst warned the National Awakening Party (PKB) of the possible fallout in the 2004 elections should it continue to turn a deaf ear to advice from ulemas at the grass roots.Analyst M.

Singaporean tried over fake money

Singaporean tried over fake moneyID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya The Surabaya District Court, East Java, started hearing on Tuesday the trial of a Singaporean accused of possessing counterfeit dollars with a total face value of US$3,000.

Creating employment

Creating employment opportunities From Suara Karya As Indonesia struggles to emerge from economic crisis, unemployment has reached alarming levels. On Jan. 28, 2002, as many as 50 million Indonesians were unemployed.

Election for people, not parties

Election for people, not partiesFrom Media Indonesia The President in our country will later be directly elected, but this is reportedly to be conducted in (two) phases. In this way, the emergence of axes of political parties and "money politics" may recur.

Matahari eyes Singapore's premier retailer

Matahari eyes Singapore's premier retailer Deutsche Presse-Agentur Singapore Thailand's Central Group, Filipino tycoon John Cokongwei and Indonesian's Lippo Group are among the front-runners said to be keen on buying the retail operations of Singapore's Robinson and Co., it was reported on Tuesday.

Payday for top N. Sulawesi officials

Payday for top N. Sulawesi officials MANADO, North Sulawesi: The North Sulawesi provincial administration has allocated at least 2.59 percent of its 2003 budget on what are termed "tactical funds" for the governor, deputy governor and council speaker.As detailed in Governor A.J.

Prima Alloy to issue Rp 150b bonds

Prima Alloy to issue Rp 150b bonds JAKARTA: Indonesia's PT Prima Alloy Steel said on Tuesday it plans to issue Rp 150 billion (US$17.7 million) of five-year bonds Oct. 20 to raise working capital and repay debt.

Taufik refuses to formally lead PDI-P

Taufik refuses to formally lead PDI-P BENGKULU: Taufik Kiemas, the husband of President Megawati Soekarnoputri, rejected a suggestion from several members of the Indonesia Democratic Party for Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) to become the party's deputy chairman.

Rini roundly criticizes rich countries

Rini roundly criticizes rich countriesThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Commenting on the collapse of the World Trade Organization (WTO) talk in Cancun last week, Minister of Industry and Trade Rini M.S. Soewandi expressed her disappointment towards developed countries, saying Indonesia would focus more on...

Six killed in landslide, 3 missing

Six killed in landslide, 3 missingYuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung Six people were killed after a landslide swept away eight houses located on the slope of a deforested hill, Patrol, in Wangonjaya village, Cikalong Wetan regency, near Bandung, late on Monday.

Taufik refuses to formally lead PDI-P

Taufik refuses to formally lead PDI-P BENGKULU: Taufik Kiemas, the husband of President Megawati Soekarnoputri, rejected a suggestion from several members of the Indonesia Democratic Party for Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) to become the party's deputy chairman.

Antam sells $200m bonds at 7.875%

Antam sells $200m bonds at 7.875%Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesia's state-owned gold and nickel mining company PT Aneka Tambang, or Antam, on Tuesday sold US$200 million of bonds at 7.875 percent, the top end of the indicative range, a source close to the deal told Dow Jones Newswires.

Election for people, not parties

Election for people, not partiesFrom Media Indonesia The President in our country will later be directly elected, but this is reportedly to be conducted in (two) phases. In this way, the emergence of axes of political parties and "money politics" may recur.

Preventing children from having major injuries around house

Preventing children from having major injuries around houseDonya Betancourt, Pediatrician, Jakarta Did you know that injuries are the greatest threat to the life and health of your child? The good news is that you can prevent most major injuries.

Laksamana lambastes ludicrous lawmakers

Laksamana lambastes ludicrous lawmakersRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State Minister for State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi erupted in anger on Tuesday during a hearing with House of Representatives legislators, blaming them as the main culprits behind the government's failure to meet...

Tongkang plans $90m, Rp 225b bonds

Tongkang plans $90m, Rp 225b bonds JAKARTA: Indonesia's PT Pertamina Tongkang, the shipping unit of national oil and gas company Pertamina, on Tuesday said it's issuing US$90 million denominated bonds in the local market, less than $100-$150 million originally expected.

'RP-U.S. ties not only on terror'

'RP-U.S. ties not only on terror'PHILIPPINES: The United States President George W. Bush's visit to the Philippines next month will go "beyond mere concerns over terrorism," and will advance mutual interests in the region, President Gloria Arroyo said on Tuesday.

Civil society must stop war

Civil society must stop warAguswandi, Indonesia Human Rights Campaign TAPOL, London The scholar Kirsten Schulze was right to point out that the conflict in Aceh after all is political (The Jakarta Post, Aug. 28). Unless the political problem is settled, the war in Aceh will never end.

It is ironic that despite being an agricultural country with

It is ironic that despite being an agricultural country with farmers consisting the majority of its population, Indonesia remains to be the world's largest food importer. Every year, the country imports at least 2 million tons of rice, 1.6 million tons of sugar, and 1.3 million tons of soybean.

Cricket

CricketJakarta Cricket Association League Sunday's matchesSenayan CC bt Rebdoers by 7 wickets Rebels CC bt Country Woods CC by 8 wickets

'Drought-hit E. Timor needs food aid'

'Drought-hit E. Timor needs food aid'EAST TIMOR: Drought-hit highland villagers in East Timor will need US$2.7 million in emergency food aid in the coming months, the World Food Program said on Tuesday.

15 killed in two accidents in S. Sumatra

15 killed in two accidents in S. Sumatra PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: At least 15 people died and several others were injured in two traffic accidents that occurred on South Sumatra highways over the weekend, police and residents reported on Tuesday.

Police claim enough evidence on Gunawan plot

Police claim enough evidence on Gunawan plotThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta City police chief detectives Sr. Comr. Mathius Salempang revealed on Tuesday that police had collected sufficient evidence to charge businessman Gunawan Santosa for the murder of PT Aneka Sakti Bakti (Asaba) president director...

Finance ministers meet in Brunei

Finance ministers meet in Brunei BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Commonwealth finance ministers annual meeting began on Tuesday in the Brunei capital with the focus on the global economy in the wake of the WTO trade talks failure in Mexico.

15 killed in two accidents in S. Sumatra

15 killed in two accidents in S. Sumatra PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: At least 15 people died and several others were injured in two traffic accidents that occurred on South Sumatra highways over the weekend, police and residents reported on Tuesday.

Observers slam KPU for lack of transparency

Observers slam KPU for lack of transparencyMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A number of organizations criticized on Tuesday the General Elections Commission (KPU) for its failure to consult the public in many of its roles. "We respect KPU members who are independent and credible.

Rights team returns to Bulukumba for probe

Rights team returns to Bulukumba for probeAndi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi A National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) team arrived back in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Tuesday to further investigate reports of human rights violations in Bulukumba regency, where at...

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________ Rupiah Rates Sept.16 _________________________________________________________________________________________ Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 5,970.28 5,299.90 5,665.

High Court upholds Amrozi's death sentence

High Court upholds Amrozi's death sentenceWahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali The Denpasar High Court has decided to uphold the death sentence handed down to Amrozi, the first person convicted in the Bali bombings, but his defense lawyers vowed to appeal the decision yet again to...

Top economic authorities to hold overseas road shows

Top economic authorities to hold overseas road showsEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Three of the country's top economic officials will begin a road show on Wednesday that will take them to the world financial centers of New York, London and Dubai.

Leisure turns to tragedy

Leisure turns to tragedy The death of the spokesman for Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), Raymond van Beekum apparently shocked the media. As most of IBRA activities relating with media had been handled by Raymond and his colleague.Raymond's death also related to media activity.

Russia delivers two Mi-35 assault choppers

Russia delivers two Mi-35 assault choppersThe Jakarta Post JakartaFollowing the delivery of four Sukhoi jet fighters late last month, two Mi-35 assault helicopters Indonesia purchased from Russia along with the warplanes arrived in Jakarta on Monday.

Civilians involved directly in hunt for GAM rebels

Civilians involved directly in hunt for GAM rebelsNani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam The ongoing military operation in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) appears to now be directly involving the participation of civilians, with around 1,000 villagers from Leupung...

WTO failure: Doha Agenda minus 'development'

WTO failure: Doha Agenda minus 'development'Mari Pangestu, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta The recent failure of the WTO Ministerial Meeting in Cancun to agree to move forward, reflects on the continual lack of regard of the major members of the WTO, to the interests...

Rp 80 trillion needed for fired discharged civil servants

Rp 80 trillion needed for fired discharged civil servantsM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government would require the huge sum of up to Rp 80 trillion (US$9.5 billion) to cover the severance payments of tens of thousands of civil servants dismissed for being unproductive.

STPDN, IIP to merge this year

STPDN, IIP to merge this year JAKARTA: The Home Ministry is expected to complete the merger of the Public Administration Institute (STPDN) in Bandung, West Java, and the Institute for State Administration Science (IIP) later this year, according to a ministry spokesperson.

'Mahathir's views must be studied'

'Mahathir's views must be studied'MALAYSIA: Students at a Malaysian university must take a mandatory course starting next year to familiarize them with outgoing Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's thoughts on topics such as globalization, economic management and Islam, an official said on Tuesday.

'Mahathir's views must be studied'

'Mahathir's views must be studied'MALAYSIA: Students at a Malaysian university must take a mandatory course starting next year to familiarize them with outgoing Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's thoughts on topics such as globalization, economic management and Islam, an official said on Tuesday.

RP unemployment rate rises to 12.7%

RP unemployment rate rises to 12.7% MANILA: The Philippines' jobless rate rose to 12.7 percent in July, the government said on Tuesday.The figure was half a percentage point higher than the 12.2 percent unemployment rate in April, and 1.5 percentage points above the year-earlier figure of 11.

What do analysts, business say about government's post-IMF program?

What do analysts, business say about government's post-IMF program? The White Paper on the government's post-IMF program, which sets out the guidelines to be followed by the government in its bid to secure the recovery of the country's economy once the existing IMF bailout program ends later this...

House Commission to summon generic drug producers

House Commission to summon generic drug producersSari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives (DPR) Commission VII is planning to summon domestic producers of generic drugs to shed light on the recent price hike of the commodity.

UMI campus closed after deadly clash

UMI campus closed after deadly clashAndi Hajramurni and Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar/Bandung The administrators of the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) declared a two-day vacation on Tuesday after a student was killed by fellow students on the campus in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

The death of Kartini: Facing up to history

The death of Kartini: Facing up to historyTerence H. Hull, Professor, Demography Program, Australian National University, Canberra For the last 100 years the story of Raden Ajeng Kartini has inspired generations of school children.

Team to select Papua's rights delegates

Team to select Papua's rights delegates JAYAPURA, Papua: The Papuan provincial legislature will soon form a team to select members of the Papua branch of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), councillors said on Tuesday.

Authorities told to close Batam hotel after fires

Authorities told to close Batam hotel after firesFadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam, Riau Calls grew on Tuesday for authorities on the industrial island of Batam in Riau province to close down the four-star Harmoni Hotel after it experienced two fires in one week.

House passes new money-laundering legislation

House passes new money-laundering legislationFitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives passed on Tuesday a new money- laundering law to help the country avoid financial sanctions from developed nations.

Governor conducts unaanounced security checks on public places

Governor conducts unaanounced security checks on public placesThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso and entourage paid surprise visits on six sites on Tuesday to check their readiness to prevent terrorist attacks.

Iraq set to attend OPEC meeting

Iraq set to attend OPEC meeting DUBAI: OPEC member Iraq is set to attend the country's first postwar oil cartel meeting next week, giving further international recognition to Baghdad's U.S.-backed Governing Council.

'Foreign mafia' eyes Papua trees

'Foreign mafia' eyes Papua trees MANOKWARI, Papua: A nongovernmental organization Forest Watch Indonesia (FWI) has warned against the presence of a "foreign mafia" said to be aiming to cut down Papuan forests as many of the forested areas in western parts of Indonesia have been largely denuded.

Balaraja to have agro terminal

Balaraja to have agro terminal TANGERANG: An agricultural terminal will be built in Balaraja district, Tangerang regency, to distribute agriculture products from Banten province to Jakarta.Head of the Banten provincial Development Planning Board (Bappeda) Adang K.

Creating employment

Creating employmentFrom Suara Karya As Indonesia struggles to emerge from economic crisis, unemployment has reached alarming levels. On Jan. 28, 2002, as many as 50 million Indonesians were unemployed.As job opportunities become more difficult to find, the ASEAN Free Trade Area will soon begin.

'BRI to get 30% of IPO proceeds'

'BRI to get 30% of IPO proceeds'Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government may allow state-owned Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) to keep around 30 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the bank's shares so that it can strengthen its capital base.

1. Burhan (3 x 12

1. Burhan (3 x 12 Top officials on White Paper road show 2. Speak ( 2 x 32) What do analysts, businesses say about government's post-IMF program? Fauzi Ichsan, chief economist of Standard Chartered Bank Indonesia Anton Gunawan, chief economist of Citibank Group Indonesia Sofjan Wanandi, chairman of...

Where to go in Surabaya, for Wednesday, September 17, 2003

Where to go in Surabaya, for Wednesday, September 17, 2003Exhibitions* Fine Arts, Taman Budaya Surabaya, Jl. Gentengkali 85 Surabaya (Tel. 031-5342128), 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., until Sept. 17. * Posters Water for Water, CCCL - French Cultural Center, Jl. Darmokali 10 (Phone: 031 5615246), until Sept. 20.

Activist arrest protested

Activist arrest protestedThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta A Muslim organization has protested the recent arrest of 13 activists whom the police have allegedly linked with terrorists and a string of terrorist attacks in the country.

* Headlines: High Court upholds Amrozi's death sentence 2

* Headlines: High Court upholds Amrozi's death sentence 2 * National: Clear definition sought on role of truth commission 4 * Archipelago: MUI campus closed after deadly clash 5 * Opinion: WTO a threat to the rich 7 * City: Fire dept opposes underground market plan 8 * Sports: Victorious Singh...

ASEAN to back common regional market: Goh

ASEAN to back common regional market: GohAgence France-Presse, Singapore Southeast Asian leaders are likely to approve a common regional market when they meet in Bali next month, Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said in comments reported on Tuesday.

Zurich sells RI business to Manulife

Zurich sells RI business to Manulife ZURICH: Swiss insurance group Zurich Financial Services said on Tuesday that it had sold its life insurance business in Indonesia to Manulife Indonesia, as it continued to shift its focus to key markets.

IBRA sells 20% more of Bank Niaga

IBRA sells 20% more of Bank NiagaThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) said on Tuesday it had sold a 20 percent stake in PT Bank Niaga through the stock market for Rp 441.8 billion (US$52 million).

Will the proposed AKSN work?

Will the proposed AKSN work?Hans Vriens, Managing Director, APCO Indonesia, Jakarta Recently a plenary session of the legislature reviewed a new draft bill to introduce a national health insurance in Indonesia, the so-called AKSN (Asuransi Kesehatan Sosial Nasional).

Where to go in Surabaya, for Wednesday, September 17, 2003

Where to go in Surabaya, for Wednesday, September 17, 2003Exhibitions* Fine Arts, Taman Budaya Surabaya, Jl. Gentengkali 85 Surabaya (Tel. 031-5342128), 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., until Sept. 17. * Posters Water for Water, CCCL - French Cultural Center, Jl. Darmokali 10 (Phone: 031 5615246), until Sept. 20.

Clear definition sought on role of truth commission

Clear definition sought on role of truth commissionKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Lawmakers deliberating the bill on truth and reconciliation were urged on Tuesday to clearly define gross human rights violations to ensure that the proposed truth and reconciliation commission would help...