Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 5 September 2003

71 articles found

Govt, House rush to amend Money-laundering Law

Govt, House rush to amend Money-laundering Law Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Under pressure to meet the deadline, a working team comprising government officials and legislators are speeding up the process of amending Indonesia's money-laundering laws to prevent international sanctions. The 35-strong team was meeting and aiming to complete deliberations next week, Financial Transaction and Report Analysis Center (PPATK) chairman Yunus Husein said.

Bomb caused Rp 78m in damages

Bomb caused Rp 78m in damages JAKARTA: Police have spent Rp 78 million (US$9,176.50) to repair damages caused by the bombing at the National Police's Wisma Bhayangkari hall on Feb. 3. The head of the Wisma Bhayangkari building management, Wagimin, told the panel of judges at the South Jakarta District Court on Thursday that the money was mostly spent on renovating the damaged ceiling, windows and floor. Wagimin was testifying at the trial of Adj. Comr.

'Navy needs hundreds more boats'

'Navy needs hundreds more boats' Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Navy chief of staff Adm. Bernard Kent Sondakh defended on Thursday the purchase of patrol boats by some provinces as the country needed 200 more boats to guard its vast sea territory while the central government only has a limited budget. Bernard said Indonesia, as an archipelagic country, ideally should operate at least 380 patrol boats to cover thousands of square kilometers stretching from Aceh to Papua.

Amien to name VP hopeful after poll

Amien to name VP hopeful after poll SURABAYA: Presidential hopeful Amien Rais said on Thursday that he would choose his vice presidential running mate only after the outcome of the 2004 legislative election in April next year. Amien, who chairs the National Mandate Party (PAN), hinted that the announcement of the nominee could be done by the end of April, after it is known which parties were biggest vote-getters.

Ba'asyir's verdict should not ruin state foundation

Ba'asyir's verdict should not ruin state foundation The four-year prison sentence handed down to Islamic cleric, Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, has elicited many comments, not only from Indonesia but from other countries as well. Ba'asyir, chairman of the Indonesian Mujahidin Council, has been implicated in cases of terrorism in Indonesia. Witnesses even said that the leader of the Al Mukmin Ngruki boarding school is part of the Jamaah Islamiyah militant group.

Utut-Karpov set for another showdown

Utut-Karpov set for another showdown Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A replay between Indonesian chess grand master Utut Adianto and Anatoly Karpov moved a step closer to realization after the organizers confirmed they had agreed on a fee with the 52-year- old former world champion from Russia. "We have already made contact with Karpov about the match. He has agreed to the fee.

Don't corner Muslims

Don't corner Muslims Kornelius Purba, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, korpur@yahoo.com After saying his predawn prayers at the At-Taqwa mosque in a housing complex in East Jakarta on Thursday, a man approached his old friend, a Catholic neighbor who was jogging near the mosque. But this time the face of the engineering lecturer looked grim.

'RI to see a rebound after global upturn'

'RI to see a rebound after global upturn' JAKARTA: Indonesia is likely to see a rebound in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow after the global upturn, according to James Castle, chairman of business consultancy Castle Asia. "Because of the elections ... I think next year is going to be very much like this year. I don't see much change," Castle said on the sidelines of the UNCTAD seminar.

Lily Zakiyah Munir

Lily Zakiyah Munir Center for Pesantren and Democracy Studies (CePDeS) Jakarta lilyzm@hotmail.com Five years ago in a pesantren (Islamic boarding school) in the small city of Jombang, East Java, amid the tranquil light of dawn, a congregation of male santri (pesantren students) performed their prayers in the mosque. While absorbed in the ritual, a Dutch Catholic priest -- who had spent the previous night at the school -- observed them.

[b]

Japanese firms' capital spending posts highest growth in over two years

Verdict not end of story for Ba'asyir

Verdict not end of story for Ba'asyir The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, who has been sentenced to four years in jail for treason, could yet face terrorism charges, provided that police obtain new evidence after they question Hambali, who is now in U.S. custody following his recent capture in Thailand. National Police chief Gen.

Police dismish Brimob commander

Police dismish Brimob commander Erik W. and La Remmy, The Jakarta Post, Palu, Central Sulawesi Three days after the deaths of four police recruits at the Central Sulawesi Police paramilitary Mobile Brigade (Brimob) training academy, authorities fired on Thursday the province's Brimob unit commander. Central Sulawesi Police Chief Brig. Gen. M. Taufik Ridha confirmed that National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar ordered the dismissal of Adj. Sr. Comr.

Malaysia's high-tech aim gets boost with Japanese microchip

Malaysia's high-tech aim gets boost with Japanese microchip Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur A Japanese firm unveiled plans to produce a revolutionary microchip in Malaysia as Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad held talks here on Thursday with global hi-tech chiefs. FEC (M) Sdn. Bhd. chief executive Kunioki Ichioka was quoted by the Malay-language Utusan Malaysia as saying the patent for producing and marketing the MM chip would be shifted to Malaysia in six months.

Cawang bypass should be avoided

Cawang bypass should be avoided JAKARTA: The Jakarta Transportation Agency is to indefinitely reroute traffic passing Cawang bypass, along Jl. Mayjen Sutoyo and Jl. DI Panjaitan in East Jakarta on Friday, due to the construction of an underpass. The agency advises motorists traveling along Jl. Letjen MT Haryono/Jl. Otto Iskandardinata heading to Jl. Halim Perdanakusumah to use alternative roads, namely via Jl. Dewi Sartika and Jl. Cililitan Besar. Motorists from Jl.

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, September 5, 2003

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, September 5, 2003 Exhibitions * Fine Arts Suara-Suara di Ruang Gelap by Gotot Prakosa, GoetheHaus, Jl. Sam Ratulangi 9-15 Central Jakarta (Tel. 23550208), 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., until Sept. 9. * Painting by Mangu Putra, Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Jl. Palmerah Selatan no. 17, Central Jakarta (Tel. 5483008 ext. 7910/7911), Sept. 5 - 14. * Painting Painthinkting by F. Sigit Santoso, Edwin's Gallery Jl. Kemang Raya No. 21, Kemang, South Jakarta (Tel. 7194721), until Sept.

Signs to watch for in RI polls

Signs to watch for in RI polls Stanley A. Weiss, The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore Voters in Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population, will soon choose their own president. However, next year's direct election is not as simple as it seems. Under the new election law, only parties that receive more than 5 percent of the vote in next April's parliamentary election can field a presidential candidate in the general election several months later.

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_________________________________________________________________________________________ Rupiah Rates Sept.4 _________________________________________________________________________________________ Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 5,743.71 5,100.82 5,451.09 5,393.20 Brunei dollar 1 5,126.30 4,553.48 4,865.14 4,814.50 Canadian dollar 1 6,511.19 5,780.22 6,179.47 6,111.55 Swiss franc 1 6,340.36 5,633.11 6,017.35 5,956.01 Danish krone 1 1,310.82 1,163.60...

Meanwhile, an offical of the Indonesian embassy in India died

Meanwhile, an offical of the Indonesian embassy in India died Thursday while attending the India-ASEAN trade meeting. Quoting Press Trust India (PTI) news agency report, AFP reported trade counsellor at the embassy, Vishararaja Gukguk, 50, collapsed during the plenary session of the meeting presided by Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha. He was immediately rushed to hospital but died on the way.

City OKs cloud seeding project

City OKs cloud seeding project Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city administration plans to carry out cloud seeding at the cost of Rp 2.2 billion (US$258,825) starting in the middle of this month which is expected to mitigate the adverse impact of the current drought, officials said.

Vajpayee opens India-ASEAN business summit

Vajpayee opens India-ASEAN business summit Reiner S., The Jakarta Post, New Delhi India's Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee inaugurated on Thursday the second India-ASEAN Business Summit as part of the effort to boost economic and business cooperation between the two.

Real purpose of Jakarta busway

Real purpose of Jakarta busway From Warta Kota Jakarta's busway project creates the impression of haphazard planning, with its purpose becoming even more obscure, while its delay has increased the cost to Rp 118 billion. The busway, which will ply the Blok M to Kota route, is financed by the Jakarta regional budget and slated for operation at the end of 2003.

'108 Acehnese have vanished'

'108 Acehnese have vanished' Nani Farida and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta At least 108 people have gone missing in Aceh since the government launched its integrated operation in the troubled province on May 19, a police officer says. Aceh police spokesman Sr. Comr. Sayed Husaeny said on Thursday that those who went missing, believed to have been kidnapped by members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), were civil servants and village heads.

Bapedal to seu 13 polluting firms

Bapedal to seu 13 polluting firms Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra The North Sumatra Regional Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bapedalda) said on Thursday that it would again file a lawsuit against at least 13 major companies in the province accused of polluting the environment. "The companies are 13 of 85 large companies on the blacklist that have been shown to be polluting the environment," Bapedalda chairman Hakimil Nasution told The Jakarta Post.

TV Today: Friday, September 5, 2003

TV Today: Friday, September 5, 2003 .TB.30" .90" TVRI .tb .30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Panggung Boneka: Pak Odor 8:00 Travel 9:00 Religious Teachings 10:00 Quiz: Dibisikin 11:30 Music 12:00 p.m. Talk Show: Konsultasi Keluarga 1:00 News: Berita Siang 2:00 TV Drama 3:00 City News 3:30 Documentary 4:30 Music 5:00 Robocon 6:00 English News Services 7:00 News 9:00 News: Dunia Dalam Berita 9:30 Variety Show 10:30 Talk Show: Bincang Malam TPI 6:00 a.m.

JP/5/student

JP/5/student 50 students questioned over killing Yuli Tri Suwarni The Jakarta Post Bandung Police here were questioning around 50 students of the Public Administration Institute (STPDN) in Sumedang, West Java, on Thursday in connection with the mysterious death of a fellow student, Wahyu Hidayat. Wahyu, 20, died on Tuesday night after allegedly being beaten by older students at the institute, which has a reputation for imposing military-style discipline on its students.

SARS-hit Singapore retailers boosted by 'great sale': Survey

SARS-hit Singapore retailers boosted by 'great sale': Survey Agence France-Presse Singapore This year's 'Great Singapore Sale' gave a much-needed boost to the island's retail industry and reversed sharp revenue falls resulting from SARS, an industry group said on Thursday. The Singapore Retailers Association (SRA) said in a statement that revenues of participating establishments rose by an average of 15 percent during the heavily-promoted shopping festival in the first two weeks of July.

President complains about too many kids

President complains about too many kids Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri complained about the nation's seeming lack of awareness about the country's worrisome population growth in recent years and warned that overpopulation would reduce people's quality of life.

Hundreds rally against dam project

Hundreds rally against dam project BANDUNG: More than 400 people from Sumedang regency, West Java, protested at the provincial governor's office in Bandung on Thursday against the government's revived plan to build the Jatigede dam. The protesters, grouped in the Jatigede People's Communication Forum (FKRJ), were among those to be affected by the project, which was initiated in 1985. They opposed the plan, saying it would harm their futures and create social problems.

Matori flown to Singapore

Matori flown to Singapore JAKARTA: Defense Minister Matori Abdul Djalil who has been bed-ridden with a possible stroke over the past week has been moved from the Army hospital in Central Jakarta to Mount Elizabeth general hospital in Singapore.

Kornelius Purba

Kornelius Purba Staff Writer The Jakarta Post Jakarta korpur@yahoo.com 2. Strait -- 5 signs to watch for in Indonesian polls 1 x 30 5 signs to watch for in Indonesian polls Prepare to watch Indonesian films Stanley A. Weiss The Straits Times Asia News Network Singapore 3. IPS -- The whole world loses if Cancun is a failure 1 x 30 The consequences of failure in Cancun Jacques Diouf Inter Press Service Rome

Local vilagers banned from approaching Mt. Lewotobi

Local vilagers banned from approaching Mt. Lewotobi Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara Mount Lewotobi in East Flores continued to spew ash, lava and other volcanic material on Thursday, forcing local authorities to increase warnings to prevent fatalities. Local villagers have been banned from the volcano's slopes, said Stanis Tefa, secretary of the Natural Disaster Management and Refugee Coordination Board task force in the East Nusa Tenggara capital of Kupang.

Matori flown to Singapore

Matori flown to Singapore JAKARTA: Defense Minister Matori Abdul Djalil who has been bed-ridden with a possible stroke over the past week has been moved from the Army hospital in Central Jakarta to Mount Elizabeth general hospital in Singapore.

Murdoko to chair Central Java's PDI-P

Murdoko to chair Central Java's PDI-P SEMARANG: Murdoko was elected the new Central Java chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) on Thursday to replace Mardijo. Murdoko, who has served as the party's provincial deputy treasurer, won 81 votes, defeating rivals Gatot Luprianto and Agus Condro, who got 10 and four votes respectively.

Saving wood for legendary 'phinisi'

Saving wood for legendary 'phinisi' Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi Phinisi boats, traditional vessels from South Sulawesi, are typically used to transport goods around the archipelago. But one special boat is being used as a hi-tech laboratory. The floating lab was made possible by Osozawa Katsuya, an expert in tropical bio-resources at Ehime University in Japan.

Mega receives new envoys

Mega receives new envoys JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday received credential letters from new ambassadors of Canada, Kuwait and Slovak to Indonesia. Ambassador Randolph Bruce Mank of Canada, Ambassador Mochammad Adel Khalaf of Kuwait and Ambassador Peter Holasek of Slovak submitted their credential letters in a state ceremony at the Merdeka Palace.

Sutiyoso allows speech at PDI Headquarters: witness

Sutiyoso allows speech at PDI Headquarters: witness The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The former secretary-general of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) testified on Thursday in the trial of five men charged with involvement in the July 27, 1996, attack on the party's Jakarta headquarters. Alex Litaay told the Central Jakarta District Court that a free speech forum at the party's headquarters had been approved by Jakarta's then military commander, Sutiyoso.

2 x 20

2 x 20 Bapedalda to sue 13 polluting firms JP/5/student 1 x 35 50 students questioned over killing JP/5/siaga 2 x 27 Local villagers banned from approaching Mt. Lewotobi

Garuda repudiates KPPU charge to pay Rp 1b fine

Garuda repudiates KPPU charge to pay Rp 1b fine Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta National flag carrier PT Garuda Indonesia has repudiated the conclusion drawn by the country's antimonopoly watchdog, which declared the airline had broken the Antimonopoly Law.

U.S. urges APEC to pressure Chinese on yuan revaluation

U.S. urges APEC to pressure Chinese on yuan revaluation Michael Mathes, Agence France-Presse, Phuket, Thailand Chinese officials kept a low profile Thursday at a Pacific rim finance ministers meeting here as the U.S. expressed optimism the ministers would jointly urge APEC members, including Beijing, to adopt greater currency flexibility, officials said. U.S.

Cawang bypass should be avoided

Cawang bypass should be avoided JAKARTA: The Jakarta Transportation Agency is to indefinitely reroute traffic passing Cawang bypass, along Jl. Mayjen Sutoyo and Jl. DI Panjaitan in East Jakarta on Friday, due to the construction of an underpass. The agency advises motorists traveling along Jl. Letjen MT Haryono/Jl. Otto Iskandardinata heading to Jl. Halim Perdanakusumah to use alternative roads, namely via Jl. Dewi Sartika and Jl. Cililitan Besar. Motorists from Jl.

Views on Indonesia from leaders of tomorrow

Views on Indonesia from leaders of tomorrow Dewi Anggraeni, Contributor, Melbourne, Australia "When I visited Indonesia, I was surprised at the gentleness and friendliness of the people. They were so different to the angry faces I'd seen on television," wrote a Year 10 student studying Indonesian. Another revealed, "I think my teacher was a spy when he was in Indonesia.

Commercial dispute center opened by minister

Commercial dispute center opened by minister Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro- Jakti officially opened on Thursday an independent mediation center which is intended to help businesses reach out-of-court settlements in commercial disputes.

50 students questioned over abused

50 students questioned over abused Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung Police here were questioning around 50 students of the Public Administration Institute (STPDN) in Sumedang, West Java, on Thursday in connection with the mysterious death of a fellow student, Wahyu Hidayat. Wahyu, 20, died on Tuesday night after allegedly being beaten by older students at the institute, which has a reputation for imposing military-style discipline on its students. Sumedang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr.

Bhayangkari bomb caused Rp 78m in damages

Bhayangkari bomb caused Rp 78m in damages JAKARTA: Police have spent Rp 78 million (US$9,176.50) to repair damages caused by the bombing at the National Police's Wisma Bhayangkari hall on Feb. 3. The head of the Wisma Bhayangkari building management, Wagimin, told the panel of judges at the South Jakarta District Court on Thursday that the money was mostly spent on renovating the damaged ceiling, windows and floor. Wagimin was testifying at the trial of Adj. Comr.

Stubborn prosecutors

Stubborn prosecutors The stubbornness of the Attorney General's Office (AGO) in its attempts over the past month to take back Rp 546.5 billion (US$64.3 million) -- related to the Bank Bali corruption case -- from the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) is a snub to the government and confounds lawyers.

City OKs

City OKs cloud seeding project Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak The Jakarta Post Jakarta The city administration plans to carry out cloud seeding at the cost of Rp 2.2 billion (US$258,825) starting in the middle of this month which is expected to mitigate the adverse impact of the current drought, officials said.

KL troops boost security on border

KL troops boost security on border MALAYSIA: Malaysian soldiers have stepped up patrols along the country's long, porous border with Thailand to prevent weapons smuggling and illegal immigration, the military said on Thursday. Officials have been increasingly concerned that Malaysia might be used as a transit point for arms smuggling after gunmen stole automatic rifles from two military outposts in southern Thailand in April, Brig. Gen.

Garuda repudiates KPPU charge

Garuda repudiates KPPU charge Evi Mariani The Jakarta Post Jakarta National flag carrier PT Garuda Indonesia has repudiated the conclusion drawn by the country's antimonopoly watchdog, which declared the airline had broken the Antimonopoly Law.

Malaysia's high-tech aim gets boost with Japanese microchip

Malaysia's high-tech aim gets boost with Japanese microchip Agence France-Presse Kuala Lumpur A Japanese firm unveiled plans to produce a revolutionary microchip in Malaysia as Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad held talks here on Thursday with global hi-tech chiefs. FEC (M) Sdn. Bhd. chief executive Kunioki Ichioka was quoted by the Malay-language Utusan Malaysia as saying the patent for producing and marketing the MM chip would be shifted to Malaysia in six months.

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_________________________________________________________________________________________ Rupiah Rates Sept.4 _________________________________________________________________________________________ Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 5,743.71 5,100.82 5,451.09 5,393.20 Brunei dollar 1 5,126.30 4,553.48 4,865.14 4,814.50 Canadian dollar 1 6,511.19 5,780.22 6,179.47 6,111.55 Swiss franc 1 6,340.36 5,633.11 6,017.35 5,956.01 Danish krone 1 1,310.82 1,163.60...

RI stock index hits fresh three-year high

RI stock index hits fresh three-year high Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Composite Index surged on Thursday to its highest level in more than three years as foreign funds continued flowing into the bourse. Led by continued heavy buying of blue chips shares, the index closed at 575.19 points, around 3 percent higher than the previous day's closing.

People told to save water during the rainy season

People told to save water during the rainy season Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) urged people on Thursday to save as much rain water as possible during the upcoming wet season, which will likely be even shorter than it was last year. BMG head Gunawan Ibrahim suggested that the government and farmers manage rain water properly. so that they would have enough water during the longer dry season next year.

Mutilated body found in river

Mutilated body found in river BOGOR: A mutilated body was found on Thursday morning, floating on the Cileungsi river in Gunung Putri district, Bogor regency. Cileungsi Police chief Adj. Comr. Sartono said the body, possibly female, was found by locals at around 6 a.m. missing its head and all four limbs. "We are still investigating the case, searching along the river to find the other body parts," he said. The body was taken to the Bogor Indonesian Red Cross Hospital. -- JP

Ba'asyir's verdict should not ruin state foundation

Ba'asyir's verdict should not ruin state foundation The four-year prison sentence handed down to Islamic cleric, Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, has elicited many comments, not only from Indonesia but from other countries as well. Ba'asyir, chairman of the Indonesian Mujahidin Council, has been implicated in cases of terrorism in Indonesia. Witnesses even said that the leader of the Al Mukmin Ngruki boarding school is part of the Jamaah Islamiyah militant group.

Al-Ghozi used two RP passports

Al-Ghozi used two RP passports PHILIPPINES: Fathur Rohman Al-Ghozi, an Indonesian bombmaker who fled from a Manila jail in July, used two Philippine passports to leave and enter the country before his original capture last year, the government said on Thursday. The bureau of immigration said it had put the passports on a watchlist for officers at airports and seaports after it was informed by the department of foreign affairs that the two documents had been revoked.

Hundreds rally against dam project

Hundreds rally against dam project BANDUNG: More than 400 people from Sumedang regency, West Java, protested at the provincial governor's office in Bandung on Thursday against the government's revived plan to build the Jatigede dam. The protesters, grouped in the Jatigede People's Communication Forum (FKRJ), were among those to be affected by the project, which was initiated in 1985. They opposed the plan, saying it would harm their futures and create social problems.

Alcatel to invest $53m in Malaysia

Alcatel to invest $53m in Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR: French telecom equipment maker Alcatel will invest over 200 million ringgit (US$53 million) in the next five years to develop Malaysia as the hub for its third generation (3G) mobile business in Southeast Asia, reports said on Thursday. Ron Spithill, executive vice president and Asia Pacific president, was quoted by Bernama news agency as saying that Alcatel would develop 3G expertise and new mobile applications with local partners.

7 years for bomb accomplice

7 years for bomb accomplice Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi The Makassar District Court sentenced on Thursday an accomplice in the deadly Makassar bombing to seven years in prison, the first sentence to be handed down for a number of suspects in the terror attacks in the South Sulawesi provincial capital. In the meantime, a prosecutor sought eight years imprisonment for another accomplice.

* Headlines: Govt to provide compensation to PT DI workers 2

* Headlines: Govt to provide compensation to PT DI workers 2 * National: 108 Acehnese have vanished 4 * Archipelago: 50 students questioned over abuse 5 * Opinion: London-Tehran worsening relations7 * City: City OKs cloud-seeding project 8 * Sports: Weir leads field for Canadian Open 9 * World: RP says it has foiled a fresh plot against govt 11 * Business: Malaysia's high-tech hub boosted by Japanese firm 14 * Features: Views of Indonesia from leaders of tomorrow 19

Radicalism a typical of Indonesian 'pesantren'

Radicalism a typical of Indonesian 'pesantren' Lily Zakiyah Munir, Center for Pesantren and Democracy Studies (CePDeS), Jakarta, lilyzm@hotmail.com Five years ago in a pesantren (Islamic boarding school) in the small city of Jombang, East Java, amid the tranquil light of dawn, a congregation of male santri (pesantren students) performed their prayers in the mosque. While absorbed in the ritual, a Dutch Catholic priest -- who had spent the previous night at the school -- observed them.

Tragedy of education

Tragedy of education From Bisnis Indonesia A heartrending report said recently that a 12-year-old primary school student had committed suicide, because he could not pay for an extracurricular activity that cost only Rp 2,500. It was a fact not fiction, just as the news that many rural communities can no longer afford to buy rice for their meals, so they have to eat tiwul (dried cassava) instead.

SARS-hit Singapore retailers boosted by 'great sale': Survey

SARS-hit Singapore retailers boosted by 'great sale': Survey Agence France-Presse Singapore This year's 'Great Singapore Sale' gave a much-needed boost to the island's retail industry and reversed sharp revenue falls resulting from SARS, an industry group said on Thursday. The Singapore Retailers Association (SRA) said in a statement that revenues of participating establishments rose by an average of 15 percent during the heavily-promoted shopping festival in the first two weeks of July.

Anticlimactic ending in Sukhoi inquiry

Anticlimactic ending in Sukhoi inquiry Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives' inquiry into the highly publicized and controversial Russian jet fighter purchase reached an anticlimax on Thursday with just a call for penalties against those involved in the scandal.

Broken promises in Papua

Broken promises in Papua The opinion section (page 7) of The Jakarta Post, on Aug. 28, carried an illustration by its cartoonist (TS) depicting the disappointment of the population of West Irian or Papua about empty promises made by government officials in Jakarta to bring justice and prosperity to the region. They decided to establish a third controversial province, which almost led to a tribal war, causing five people to be killed unnecessarily.

Blair vows to keep talking to Iran

Blair vows to keep talking to Iran BRITAIN: British Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Thursday that London would continue its dialog with the Iranian leadership, despite a sharp deterioration in relations with Tehran. Blair also urged Iran to meet its international obligations on its nuclear activities, amid suggestions the government has a secret atomic weapons program, and halt support for "terrorist" groups.

Govt to provide compensation for PT DI workers

Govt to provide compensation for PT DI workers Moch. N. Kurniawan and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government rejected on Thursday demands to void a decision by state aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) to suspend indefinitely 6,000 employees, but promised to raise some US$50 million to provide them with compensation.

'Hambali planned to launder money'

'Hambali planned to launder money' CAMBODIA: Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Thursday his government had foiled an attempt by arrested terrorist suspect Hambali to launder money in Cambodia to fund attacks. Hun Sen said the funds would have been in the form of humanitarian assistance, but he did not name the Cambodian aid organization which would have received the money. Hambali, an Indonesian whose real name is Riduan Isamuddin, was arrested in Thailand last month. Now in U.S.

SARS-hit Singapore retailers boosted by 'great sale': Survey

SARS-hit Singapore retailers boosted by 'great sale': Survey Agence France-Presse Singapore This year's 'Great Singapore Sale' gave a much-needed boost to the island's retail industry and reversed sharp revenue falls resulting from SARS, an industry group said on Thursday. The Singapore Retailers Association (SRA) said in a statement that revenues of participating establishments rose by an average of 15 percent during the heavily-promoted shopping festival in the first two weeks of July.

High hopes abound on Customers Day

High hopes abound on Customers Day Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Mastur, a customer of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) in Papua, was impressed when the state-owned telecommunications company gave him snacks and drinking water on Thursday, which has been declared National Customers Day. Other Telkom customers who were waiting at the company's office on Thursday to pay their telephone bills voiced similar comments when the company offered them snacks.

Hundreds rally against dam project

Hundreds rally against dam project BANDUNG: More than 400 people from Sumedang regency, West Java, protested at the provincial governor's office in Bandung on Thursday against the government's revived plan to build the Jatigede dam. The protesters, grouped in the Jatigede People's Communication Forum (FKRJ), were among those to be affected by the project, which was initiated in 1985. They opposed the plan, saying it would harm their futures and create social problems.

1. DIRGANTARA: 48 PT, 3 COLS, 3 X 18

1. DIRGANTARA: 48 PT, 3 COLS, 3 X 18 Govt to provide compensation for PT DI workers 2. SHIP: 36 PT, 4 COLS, 1 X 28 'Navy needs hundreds more ships' 3.BRIMOB: 28 PT, 3 COLS, 1 X 30 Police dismiss Brimob commander Heads roll in death march debacle 4. SUKHOI: 28 PT, 4 COLS, 1 X 40 Anticlimactic ending in Sukhoi inquiry 5. ODD WORLD: 24 PT, 2 COLS, 1 X 28 Disco rocked by an 80-year-old