Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 2 September 2003

75 articles found

* Headlines:U.S. fails to address security problem in Iraq 2

* Headlines:U.S. fails to address security problem in Iraq 2 * National: Harsher law vital to curb women, child trafficking 4 * Archipelago: 5 * Opinion: ASEAN Economic Community much needed 7 * City: Sutiyoso asks for more control of Greater Jakarta 5 * Sports: England's Westwood ends victory drought with BMW Open title 8 * World: U.S., Afghan troops launch new offensive in Zabul province 10 * Business: E.

BRI books Rp 1.5 trillion in pre-tax income

BRI books Rp 1.5 trillion in pre-tax income Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) booked Rp 1.54 trillion (US$181 million) in pre-tax income in the first half of the year, up 49.71 percent from Rp 1.03 trillion over the same period last year. BRI's president director Rudjito told press conference on Monday that the hike mostly due to an increase in BRI' interest revenue. He did not provide the figures of net income.

Asia's terror groups down but not out

Asia's terror groups down but not out Dan Eaton, Reuters, Jakarta Working less like a corporation with branch offices and more like mafia-style family groups, Islamic militant cells in Asia have shown amazing resilience in the face of global efforts to eliminate terror. After almost two years of intelligence operations and hundreds of arrests, Asian security forces still stand on high alert against radicals determined to stage deadly attacks.

RI's businesspeople ready to trade with Libya

RI's businesspeople ready to trade with Libya Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian businesspeople said they were ready to send commodities to Libya under the US$540 million countertrade deal recently signed by both countries, if the prices offered were "attractive".

JP/17/Marketing Perspective

JP/17/Marketing Perspective Distinct segmentation to match consumers' needs Hasan Aula Contributor Jakarta Compared with Singapore or Malaysia, the market for mobile phones in Indonesia is far less developed. However, with its huge population -- over 200 million -- the Indonesian mobile phone market has great potential and opportunities for further growth.

Riau govt under fire over warship deal

Riau govt under fire over warship deal A'an Suryana The Jakarta Post Jakarta The Ministry of Home Affairs is investigating a deal between the Riau provincial administration and the Indonesian Navy's Western Fleet on the purchase of a warship, a high-ranking government official says. Spokesman of the home ministry I Nyoman Sumaryadi said on Monday that his office would not hesitate in voiding the deal if it violated any existing laws.

Foreign tourist arrivals climb

Foreign tourist arrivals climb The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Foreign tourist arrivals through the 13 entry points across the country in July climbed 21.71 percent compared to the previous month, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) monthly report. However the July figure represented a 10.1 percent decline when compared to July 2002. From January to July this year, Indonesia received 1.95 million foreign tourists, compared to 2.46 million in the same period last year.

ASEAN trade up in 2002

ASEAN trade up in 2002 Agence France-Presse, Phnom Penh Total trade in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expanded slightly in 2002, but shows signs of picking up this year, economic ministers from the 10-nation bloc said Monday. Total ASEAN trade grew 2.75 percent year-on-year to US$706 billion last year, with the United States, Japan, the European Union and China as its top trading partners, they said.

;JP;DAN;

;JP;DAN; ANPAf..r.. Rupiah-conversion-rates Rupiah Rates Sept. 1 JP/13/Conver Rupiah Rates Sept.

Solving the low loan-to-deposit ratio syndrome

Solving the low loan-to-deposit ratio syndrome Lin Che Wei, Director, Founder, Independent Research and Advisory, Jakarta For the past five years since the crisis, Indonesia has continued to suffer from a "low loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) syndrome," as the level of LDR among Indonesian banks continues to be very low. The low LDR has resulted in the criticism that the banks are not lending out to the real sector.

Harsher law vital to curb women, child trafficking

Harsher law vital to curb women, child trafficking M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An international organization asked the Indonesian government on Monday to make the law on child trafficking harsher as the existing laws were considered inadequate to protect those who fell prey to traffickers and too lenient against child traffickers.

IBRD grants medical aid to Mentawai

IBRD grants medical aid to Mentawai MENTAWAI, West Sumatra: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has allocated Rp 16 billion (US$1.8 million) toward medical equipment and health care programs to improve the health of local people, says an official. "The assistance will be granted in several phases as of early 2004," Ifdil Gusti, secretary of the Mentawai regency administration, said on Monday in Tua Pajat.

JP/17/Marketing Perspective

JP/17/Marketing Perspective Huge potential for cellular operators in Indonesia T. Hidayat Contributor Jakarta Among the businesses in the country, the telecommunications industry is enjoying some of the most rapid growth. It survived the economic crisis that hit the country in 1997. Its irrefutably enduring quality has made this strategic industry one of the businesses with the most potential in Indonesia.

Foreign banks eye BII, Lippo: IBRA

Foreign banks eye BII, Lippo: IBRA Dow Jones, Jakarta A slew of Asian and European banks are keen on buying a stake in Indonesia's PT Lippo Bank and PT Bank Internasional Indonesia, according to a document seen by Dow Jones. The document from Indonesian Banking Restructuring Agency, or IBRA, to parliament said DBS Bank, a unit of Singapore's DBS Group Holdings, U.K.-based Standard Chartered Plc. and Malaysia's Malayan Banking Bhd are eying Lippo Bank and BII.

More blood spilled fresh in Papua

More blood spilled fresh in Papua Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura/Jakarta Ahead of a planned tribal celebration for peace, the situation in Timika, the capital of Mimika regency, abruptly turned tense on Monday following the killing of two migrant people on Sunday evening.

Ministry asks KPU to delay registration dateline

Ministry asks KPU to delay registration dateline A'an Suryana and Mochammad N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post Jakarta A senior government official has asked the General Election Commission (KPU) to postpone its Oct. 9 deadline for political parties to register for the 2004 general elections.

Squatters protest Mayor Sarimun

Squatters protest Mayor Sarimun JAKARTA: Hundreds of squatters staged a rally in front of West Jakarta Mayoralty on Monday, protesting Mayor Sarimun Hadisaputra for issuing an eviction order against them. The squatters claim the owner of the one-hectare plot next to Mal Taman Anggrek shopping center, Munawar Salbini, permitted them to occupy and cultivate the land.

Man nabbed for illegal arms possession

Man nabbed for illegal arms possession The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police arrested a graduate of a private law school in Jakarta on charges of illegally possessing firearms. The 34-year-old suspect, Stephanus, also known as Ipan, was arrested at his house in Karang Tengah subdistrict, Ciledug district, Tangerang, on Sunday at about 10:30 p.m. "We arrested him based on a tip from the public," said city police detective Adj. Comr. Gunawan.

ASEAN Economic Community much needed

ASEAN Economic Community much needed Eric Teo, Council Secretary, Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA), Singapore The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) concept, first mooted by Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong last year, seeks to knit the Association of Southeast Asian Nations into a more streamlined and integrated economic community, along the lines of the European Economic Community (EEC) in the 1970s.

Bumi to get $280m loan to buy KPC

Bumi to get $280m loan to buy KPC Bloomberg Jakarta PT Bumi Resources, an Indonesian mining company, will get a US$280 million five-year loan to help fund its purchase of Indonesia's No. 2 coal miner from BP Plc. and Rio Tinto Group, the company said. Two-thirds of the loan will be used to refinance the debt of PT Kaltim Prima Coal, which was equally owned by BP and Rio Tinto.

1. Insight -- 7 cols, 1 line, 48pts, 45 counts

1. Insight -- 7 cols, 1 line, 48pts, 45 counts Solving the low loan-to-deposit ratio syndrome 2. Myanmar -- 4 cols, 1 line, 36pts, 35 counts Yangon denies Suu Kyi on hunger strike 3. Susilo -- 4 cols, 2 lines, 36pts, 35 counts Indonesian minister warns of fresh terror attacks in Southeast Asia 3. Asia -- 3 cols, 2 lines, 36pts, 26 counts Asia's terror networks down but not out

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept.1, 2003:

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept.1, 2003: -------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,225 -50 58,500 Adindo Foresta 50 0 0 AGIS Tbk 105 0 583,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 130 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 145 0 0 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 975 25 133,000 Alter Abadi Tbk 20 0 650,500 Alumindo Light 215 0 0 Andhi Chandra 480 0 0...

Rp 5.1 million per councillor?

Rp 5.1 million per councillor? From Suara Karya Several members of the Jakarta legislature have reportedly demanded a budget for official suits at Rp 5.1 million per councillor. If this is true, the respectable members of the City Council should feel ashamed for buying expensive suits amid the difficult lives faced by most citizens under the protracted economic crisis.

Cheap drugs for HIV/AIDS to come in October

Cheap drugs for HIV/AIDS to come in October Sri Wahyuni and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta/Jakarta People living with HIV/AIDS in Indonesia have been given new hope for a more affordable HIV/AIDS treatment following the announcement of plans by a state-owned pharmaceutical company to produce anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs in the near future. Kimia Farma president director Gunawan Pranoto said on Monday that the generic ARV drugs were expected to be available in October.

KPU asked to delay registration dateline

KPU asked to delay registration dateline A'an Suryana and Mochammad N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A senior government official has asked the General Election Commission (KPU) to postpone its Oct. 9 deadline for political parties to register for the 2004 general elections.

House legislators grill Rini over Sukhoi deal

House legislators grill Rini over Sukhoi deal Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives committee of inquiry into alleged procedural violations in the purchase of four Sukhoi jet fighters quizzed Minister of Trade Rini M.S. Suwandi during a closed-door hearing that lasted until midnight on Monday.

Timber companies close due to rampant levies and illegal fees

Timber companies close due to rampant levies and illegal fees Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya As many as 150 out of 250 timber and sawmill companies in East Java have closed down due to the increasing number of levies being imposed by some government institutions, an official said. It was not immediately clear, however, how many employees were affected by the closure of the companies.

Indosat operating profits up 34%

Indosat operating profits up 34% JAKARTA: PT Indonesian Satellite Corp. (Indosat) said over the weekend that its unaudited net profit fell 23 percent in the first half of the year to Rp 402.1 billion from Rp525.1 billion a year earlier mainly due to a new accounting policy on amortization of goodwill. The company said that as of Jan.

PGN cut bonds size to $150m

PGN cut bonds size to $150m JAKARTA: State-owned gas utility PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN), has decided to cut the size of its international bond issue to US$150 million from $200 million due to weaker demand for Indonesian debt following last month's deadly hotel bombing in Jakarta, a banker familiar with the deal said Monday.

Govt to emasculate Papua's special autonomy

Govt to emasculate Papua's special autonomy Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government again made clear on Monday its determination to prevent an overly powerful Papuan People's Assembly (MRP), throwing into question the status of the province's special autonomy. The government has been halfheartedly implementing Law No.

Hassan says U.S. unable to manage conflict in Iraq

Hassan says U.S. unable to manage conflict in Iraq Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The recent violence in Iraq has proven that the United States is incapable of managing conflict in the country and needs participation from the international community to improve the situation, says Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda. Hassan said on Monday that the U.S. authority had fully realized their lack of capability and had asked for assistance.

RP opposition senator links Arroyo to alleged corruption

RP opposition senator links Arroyo to alleged corruption Associated Press, Manila An opposition senator on Monday claimed links between President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her husband's alleged corruption, saying one check that ended up in his reputed bank accounts came from an office under her control. Senator Panfilo Lacson said a dozen bank accounts under the name Jose Pidal - which Lacson claims Mr.

Mega's antiterror tour

Mega's antiterror tour President Megawati Soekarnoputri does indeed have reason to be satisfied with the result of her five-day tour to Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore -- she has won the strong backing of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in her government's war against the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

1. PAPUA: 25 x 1 line

1. PAPUA: 25 x 1 line More blood spilled in Papua 2. ISLAND: 35 x 1 line Small islands offered to oil investors 3. COURT: 40 x 1 line Bali bombers helped ambassador attack

RI minister warns of fresh terror attacks in Southeast Asia

RI minister warns of fresh terror attacks in Southeast Asia Agence France-Presse, Manila Indonesian security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday warned that terrorist outfits are plotting fresh attacks across Southeast Asia despite heavy blows suffered by the Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) group. "They are planning to conduct another strike in the future, not only in Indonesia but other countries in the region," Susilo told AFP in an interview here.

TV Program: Tuesday, September 2, 2003

TV Program: Tuesday, September 2, 2003 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Children's Program 7:30 Music 9:00 Business Magazine 10:00 Music 11:30 Music: Konteswara 12:00 p.m.

Winning through better value propositions

Winning through better value propositions Agus W. Soehadi, Contributor, Jakarta In the past decade the number of cell phone users in Indonesia has increased sharply. Compared with 33,000 in 1992, last year's figure was above 11 million. If each subscriber's bill reaches an average of Rp 130,000 a month, the monthly revenue reaped by service providers could total a staggering Rp 1.4 trillion (about US$165 million).

Mt. Lewotobi erupts on Flores Island

Mt. Lewotobi erupts on Flores Island KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Hundreds of families living on the slope of Mount Lewotobi in Wulanggitang subdistrict, East Flores regency, East Nusa Tenggara, have been evacuated to safe areas following the mountain's eruption on Sunday.

Ministry probes Riau warship deal

Ministry probes Riau warship deal A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Ministry of Home Affairs is investigating a deal between the Riau provincial administration and the Indonesian Navy's Western Fleet on the purchase of a warship, a high-ranking government official says. Spokesman of the home ministry I Nyoman Sumaryadi said on Monday that his office would not hesitate in voiding the deal if it violated any existing laws.

UGM demands 'voluntary' donation

UGM demands 'voluntary' donation My younger brother passed the selection test to join Gajah Mada University (UGM) held in Senayan, Jakarta. Before taking the test, my brother did not fill in the column on the registration form specifying the amount he would give as a voluntary donation. He comes from a poor family and would never be able to afford to pay a voluntary donation ranging between Rp 2 million and Rp 10 million.

Maids injured but burglary foiled

Maids injured but burglary foiled Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two domestic helpers managed to foil a burglary attempt on Monday morning at a luxury home at Jl. Pejaten Barat II No. 16 in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta. But one of them suffered a serious injury to his neck and was taken to Soekanto Police Hospital in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta.

Ecstasy pill maker arrested

Ecstasy pill maker arrested TANGERANG: Tangerang Police have arrested a man for allegedly producing ecstasy pills at his home in Mekarsari subdistrict, Neglasari district. Police apprehended the suspect, identified as Iwan Setiadi, on Sunday night and seized eight Ecstasy pills, raw chemical materials and equipment to mold the pills.

More people commit suicide

More people commit suicide It is a sad indicator of a society in trouble when the number of people who kill themselves grows higher. A recent case of suicide was that of pregnant house-wife, Eriani Adriani, 26, over a Rp 2.9 million debt. A 12-year-old student living in Garut, West Java, tried to kill himself because his parents couldn't provide Rp 2,500 for an additional school-subject -- handicraft. He was saved, but suffers from brain damage.

ASEAN trade up in 2002, shows signs of continued expansion

ASEAN trade up in 2002, shows signs of continued expansion Agence France-Presse Phnom Penh Total trade in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expanded slightly in 2002, but shows signs of picking up this year, economic ministers from the 10-nation bloc said Monday. Total ASEAN trade grew 2.75 percent year-on-year to US$706 billion last year, with the United States, Japan, the European Union and China as its top trading partners, they said.

Scuffle occurs out at Bogor Regency Council

Scuffle occurs out at Bogor Regency Council Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor Hundreds of members of the Bogor People and Student Alliance clashed with police while protesting the nomination of Bogor Regent Agus Utara Effendi for a second term. Dozens of people suffered minor injuries during the clash on Monday in front of the Bogor Regency Council building. After gathering in front of the building, the protesters demanded that councillors meet with them.

Moderating 'radical' Islamic boarding schools

Moderating 'radical' Islamic boarding schools Muhamad Ali, Lecturer, Jakarta State Islamic University muhamad@hawaii.edu Central Java Police Chief Insp.Gen. Didi Widayadi indicated recently that several pesantren or Islamic boarding schools have become home to members of militant groups. This follows the wide- spread belief that extremists advocating sharia are based in a number of districts in the province.

1. IRAQ: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18

1. IRAQ: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 Hassan says U.S. unable to manage conflict in Iraq U.S. fails to address security problem in Iraq 2. BAASYIR: 36 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 30 Security concerns increase ahead of Abu Ba'asyir verdict 3. PAPUA : 28 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 30 Govt to curtail Papua autonomy 4. INDIA: 32 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 38 RI, India to cooperate in terror battle RI, India to fight against terrorism 5. INFLATION: 32 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 48 Inflation remains in check, August rate at 0.84% 6.

Perplexing law in Indonesia

Perplexing law in Indonesia From Media Indonesia The law in Indonesia makes me confused. Though I am not a lawyer, I would suggest that a study be conducted to compare local law enforcement with the conditions in advanced democratic countries. Money seems to solve all cases in Indonesia, thus rendering invalid the current rules. It makes me wonder whether appeals can be filed against all court decisions and whether there is any time limit, such as six months, for an appeal settlement.

Thai court to charge JI suspects

Thai court to charge JI suspects THAILAND: Thailand will lay formal charges on Tuesday against four Thais and a Singaporean suspected of belonging to the Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) regional network blamed for the Bali bombings, chief prosecutor Nipon Kwanyo said. He said on Monday the five would be taken to court to be charged with planning attacks on foreign embassies and beaches popular with western tourists.

N. Sumatran heritage in a shambles

N. Sumatran heritage in a shambles TANJUNG TIRAM, North Sumatra: The historical palace of Lima Laras in North Sumatra, which was constructed in 1907, looks like a haunted house because it has not been maintained, Antara reported on Monday. The walls of its two-storeyed royal theater had decayed, its roof leaked and its stairs had fallen down.

Security concerns increase ahead of Ba'asyir verdict

Security concerns increase ahead of Ba'asyir verdict The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Amid growing security concerns over possible terror attacks, the Central Jakarta District Court is expected to deliver its verdict in the treason trial of cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir on Tuesday. Ba'asyir, 65, is charged with plotting the assassination of then vice president Megawati Soekarnoputri and violating immigration law, offenses that are punishable by 15 years in jail if he is found guilty.

Political problems batter RP economy

Political problems batter RP economy Agence France-Presse, Manila Political problems such as a military mutiny and clashes between the administration and the opposition are the main problems weighing down what should be a vibrant Philippine economy, officials said on Monday. Politics is the main reason the Philippine peso has fallen to 31-month lows while foreign direct investment has slumped despite the government's success in controlling the budget deficit and spurring domestic demand.

S. African leader arrives in KL

S. African leader arrives in KL MALAYSIA: South African President Thabo Mbeki arrived in Malaysia on Monday for a three-day visit to strengthen relations and hold talks with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Mbeki, accompanied by his wife and a 70-member delegation comprising government officials and business leaders, was greeted at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport by Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar.

Distinct segmentation needed to match consumers' demands

Distinct segmentation needed to match consumers' demands Hasan Aula, Contributor, Jakarta Compared with Singapore or Malaysia, the market for mobile phones in Indonesia is far less developed. However, with its huge population -- over 200 million -- the Indonesian mobile phone market has great potential and opportunities for further growth. It is no wonder, then, that many of the world's major mobile phone manufacturers and service providers have put Indonesian consumers on their priority list.

Winning through better value propositions

Winning through better value propositions Agus W. Soehadi Contributor Jakarta In the past decade the number of cell phone users in Indonesia has increased sharply. Compared with 33,000 in 1992, last year's figure was above 11 million. If each subscriber's bill reaches an average of Rp 130,000 a month, the monthly revenue reaped by service providers could total a staggering Rp 1.4 trillion (about US$165 million).

Golkar faction gets new leader

Golkar faction gets new leader JAKARTA: The executive board of the Golkar Party has finally decided upon M. Hatta to replace Marzuki Achmad as chairman of the party's faction at the House of Representatives. Hatta was selected after a majority of Golkar executive members nominated him at a closed door meeting late on Sunday. Hatta defeated three rivals M.S. Hidayat, Fredy Latumahina and Aulia Rachman, winning 44 of 82 votes.

Muhamad Ali

Muhamad Ali Lecturer Jakarta State Islamic University muhamad@hawaii.edu 2. Yale -- Cancun trade meeting should leave investment issue alone 2 x 30 Cancun trade meeting should leave investment issue alone Susan Ariel Aaronson Yale Center for the Study of Globalization Washington

Distinct segmentation to match consumers' needs

Distinct segmentation to match consumers' needs Hasan Aula Contributor Jakarta Compared with Singapore or Malaysia, the market for mobile phones in Indonesia is far less developed. However, with its huge population -- over 200 million -- the Indonesian mobile phone market has great potential and opportunities for further growth. It is no wonder, then, that many of the world's major mobile phone manufacturers and service providers have put Indonesian consumers on their priority list.

Bali bombers helped ambassador attack

Bali bombers helped ambassador attack Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A convict and three defendants in the Bali bombings trials admitted on Monday their involvement in the bombing of the Philippine ambassador's residence in Jakarta in 2000. The four claimed that they had received the order from Hambali, the alleged top operative of the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist network in Asia who is currently under U.S. custody.

JP/17/Marketing Perspective

JP/17/Marketing Perspective Distinct segmentation to match consumers' needs Hasan Aula Contributor Jakarta Compared with Singapore or Malaysia, the market for mobile phones in Indonesia is far less developed. However, with its huge population -- over 200 million -- the Indonesian mobile phone market has great potential and opportunities for further growth.

City govt neglects slums

City govt neglects slums From Warta Kota The thousands of makeshift huts in the slums found butted up against the railway tracks in Manggarai, Tanah Abang, Sentiong and Kampung Bandan, in Jakarta, are apparently still beyond proper reordering. The squalid neighborhoods are obviously a dangerous area for people to live and it is believed to be a safe haven for petty criminals operating aboard trains.

RI, India agree to cooperate in terror battle

RI, India agree to cooperate in terror battle Syaiful Amin, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta The terrorism threat overshadowed the initial Joint Commission meeting here on Monday between Indonesia and India, which came to the conclusion that information exchanges between the two countries needed enhancing as part of the war on terror. The two countries ended the meeting with a joint condemnation of the terrorist attacks that had been plaguing both countries recently.

U.S. fails to address security problem in Iraq: Hassan

U.S. fails to address security problem in Iraq: Hassan Fabiola Desy Unidjaja The Jakarta Post Jakarta The recent violence in Iraq has proven that the United States is incapable of managing conflict in the country and needs participation from the international community to improve the situation, says Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda. Hassan said on Monday that the U.S. authority had fully realized their lack of capability and had asked for assistance.

Yangon called to speed up 'road map'

Yangon called to speed up 'road map' THAILAND: Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Monday called on Myanmar to speed up its newly-announced democracy "road map" and urged the international community to support the isolated regime's efforts. Myanmar's newly installed Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyunt on Saturday announced a seven-point plan to reconvene a suspended national convention to draft a new constitution and then hold "free and fair" elections, but gave no timetable for the roadmap.

Inflation remains in check, August rate at 0.84%

Inflation remains in check, August rate at 0.84% The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Inflation, as measured by the consumer price index (CPI), rose in August by 0.84 percent, bringing the rate for the first eight months of the year to 2.11 percent, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) said on Monday. BPS chairwoman Sudarti Soerbakti attributed the slight rise in inflation to the marginal increase in the prices of most basic commodities and services during the month.

Govt imposes tax on refugee aid

Govt imposes tax on refugee aid AMBON, Maluku: Maluku acting governor Sinyo Harry Sarundayang denied embezzling part of the financial aid earmarked for refugees in the province, saying the government had imposed no levies, but only tax on funds allocated for the construction of low-cost houses. "It is not true that local authorities have embezzled a part of the financial assistance allocated for refugees as many people have alleged," Antara quoted him as saying on Monday.

Small islands offered to oil investors

Small islands offered to oil investors Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government would seem to be becoming more serious in its efforts to lease out at least some the country's small islands, which number in the thousands, with many uninhabited.

BPS says exports up in 10% in seven months

BPS says exports up in 10% in seven months Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported on Monday a rise of almost 10 percent in exports for the first seven months of the year as compared to the same period last year. BPS said July exports stood at US$5.25 billion, bringing total figures from January to July to $35.7 billion, a 9.8 percent increase from $32.6 billion posted in 2002 of the same period.

Council approves revised budget

Council approves revised budget Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After admitting the administration performed poorly in the first half of the year, the City Council approved a revised 2003 city budget of Rp 11.563 trillion (US$1.3 billion) on Monday. All 11 of the council's factions, who earlier criticized the administration for spending less than 25 percent of the budget in the first semester of this year, endorsed a budget increase of Rp 576.942 billion.

Sutiyoso wants to extend the reach of his rule

Sutiyoso wants to extend the reach of his rule The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso wants to expand his power. The former general, often criticized for his inability to govern Jakarta, told a House of Representatives' commission tasked with revising Law No. 34/1999 on the Jakarta administration, that he wanted to assume control of the surrounding cities, including Bogor, Depok, Bekasi and Tangerang and Cianjur.

Huge potential for cellular operators in Indonesia

Huge potential for cellular operators in Indonesia T. Hidayat, Contributor, Jakarta Among the businesses in the country, the telecommunications industry is enjoying some of the most rapid growth. It survived the economic crisis that hit the country in 1997. Its irrefutably enduring quality has made this strategic industry one of the businesses with the most potential in Indonesia.

CP Open Biennale's breakthrough visions

CP Open Biennale's breakthrough visions Carla Bianpoen, Contributor, Jakarta On Sept. 3, CP Open Biennale 2003 will be officially opened, beginning a new tradition of valuing art in a more democratic manner. In a format that is unique in international exhibition practice, artists were not invited but selected from application. It is organized by the CP Foundation, which Djie Tjianan and Jim Supangkat founded in the wake of the new millennium in Washington D.C.

JSX profit plunge by 94% on lower revenue

JSX profit plunge by 94% on lower revenue Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) revealed on Monday that its net profit for the first semester of this year had dropped by 94 percent due to lower revenue from stock transactions and clearance fees and an increase in operational costs. In a report, JSX said that its first half profit declined to a mere Rp 640 million (around US$76,190) from Rp 10.8 billion in the same period last year.

Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta At first Comr. Wiryono was stunned when he was asked to make a sketch of his own face. After a moment he laughed and said that he would do it. He managed to make one without a mirror, relying only on his own mental image. He finished it in less than 15 minutes. The result was a raw sketch of 80 percent accuracy, the obvious flaw in the sketch was the face looked 10 years younger.

'Greedy officials ignore the poor'

'Greedy officials ignore the poor' Governor Sutiyoso's idea to plate the Arjuna Wijaya statue in bronze, along with his plans to beautify the city -- by placing statues of heroes on streets named after them -- have incited various responses. Most people are incredulous that the project will cost Rp 4 billion (US$470,588). The Jakarta Post talks with them. Suleman, 40, is a newspaper boy on Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta.