Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 12 January 2004

70 articles found

'Pemahayu Jagat' held to purify Bali island

'Pemahayu Jagat' held to purify Bali island Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Kuta, Bali The Bali provincial administration organized on Friday a purification ceremony to restore the island's harmony and peace, believed to have been upset by an earthquake a week ago. The Pemahayu Jagat ceremony was held in the outer yard of the Pura Segara, a temple that lies next to famous Kuta Beach.

Practice makes perfect for rookie busway drivers

Practice makes perfect for rookie busway drivers Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Busway driver Ronny Sugiarto was guided in maneuvering his bus a little to the right, releasing the gas pedal and approaching the shelter in front of Al-Azhar Mosque, South Jakarta, on Saturday evening. He finally made a slightly jerky stop. "Still a bit too far," said instructor Muhar, as he told Ronny to open the bus' hydraulic door and inspect the distance between the bus and the shelter's platform.

KPU urged to summon alumina producers

KPU urged to summon alumina producers Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A monopoly watchdog has called on the General Elections Commission (KPU) to summon all alumunium producers that supply raw materials to two consortiums producing ballot boxes to avoid any pricing conspiracy. "There is a need to make a gentlemen agreement among aluminium producers to avoid unnecessary hike in aluminium price.

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Page 5 Photo caption JP/Tarko Sudiarno REGREENING: A woman plants hardwood tree seedlings on her land in Gunung Kidul regency, Yogyakarta. The government has distributed three million seedlings to regreen 3,000 hectares of unused land in the drought-prone regency. President Megawati Soekarnoputri is scheduled to launch the national forest and soil rehabilitation program in the regency town of Wonosari on Jan. 24.

Government urged to teach SMEs about healthy food

Government urged to teach SMEs about healthy food Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Food and Beverages Producers Association (Gapmmi) admitted that most unhealthy snack foods sold in schools across the country were produced by small or home industries. Gapmmi chairman Thomas Darmawan said over the weekend that out of 916,000 food and beverage producers in Indonesia, there were only 5,000 big producers, with the rest being either small or medium enterprises (SMEs).

Potter's latest installment creates hysteria among fans

Potter's latest installment creates hysteria among fans Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A strange sight was to be seen in Jakarta from Saturday midnight into the early hours of Sunday morning: dozens of cars packed with adults and children chasing three blue vans along Jl. Sudirman and other streets in the capital.

People's lack of trust poses big challenge in online banking

People's lack of trust poses big challenge in online banking Rudijanto, Contributor, Jakarta Transferring funds to one's bank account by a few clicks of the computer mouse or some touches on a mobile phone's buttons using today's sophisticated IT and cellular network system, with its layers of security protection, sounds like a practical solution for modern people, but what if things go wrong and the funds are diverted to the incorrect bank account?

KL may scale back dam project

KL may scale back dam project KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia may scale back plans to build Southeast Asia's largest hydroelectric dam in Sarawak state on Borneo island due to insufficient demand for energy, a weekly newspaper said Sunday. The Bakun scheme is designed to have eight turbines generating 300 megawatts each but it may be reduced to only four turbines, effectively cutting capacity by half to only 1,200 megawatt, the Edge weekly quoted sources as saying.

Violence, death threats, ahead of polls

Violence, death threats, ahead of polls Suherdjoko and Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Semarang/Medan Concerns about violence ahead of the upcoming legislative and presidential elections have already become a reality in North Sumatra. A party figure in capital city Medan was hospitalized on Saturday, after being stabbed by an unidentified motorist. While members of the local chapter of the General Elections Commission (KPUD) in Demak, Central Java, received death threats last week.

No strong grounds to riot during polls: Psychologist

No strong grounds to riot during polls: Psychologist A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A psychologist dismissed on Saturday the possibility of mass riots prior to, or during, the upcoming elections, saying that there were no strong grounds for violence. Psychologist Sarlito Wirawan Sarwono said Indonesia was now economically and socially more advanced than during the 1999 elections. "I'm sure there will be no mass violence.

World champion Chrisjon gets windfall for his boxing feat

World champion Chrisjon gets windfall for his boxing feat Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang Newly-declared world champion Christian John, who is more popularly known as Chrisjon, has been awarded Rp 97.5 million (around US$11,700) in cash bonuses. The bonuses were collected from various parties and were handed over by Central Java Governor Mardiyanto in a ceremony at the Grand Candi Hotel in Semarang on Saturday.

Thousands rally against dump plan

Thousands rally against dump plan BOGOR: Thousands of residents living in the vicinity of a dump planned by the Jakarta administration at Bojong, Klapanunggal, Bogor, staged a rally in front of the site on Sunday to protest against the plan.

Heavily tarnished BNI strives to come back with new strategies

Heavily tarnished BNI strives to come back with new strategies The discovery of a Rp 1.7 trillion (US$203 million) fraud case at state Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) has hurt the publicly listed bank just as it was beginning to get back on its feet after the 1997-1998 financial crisis. The case exposed the bank's weak internal controls, which were not strengthened even after the government bailed out the bank with trillions of rupiah of taxpayer money to prevent it from collapsing.

Two men identified as Palopo bombers

Two men identified as Palopo bombers Andi Hajramuni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi Police have identified two men believed to have been responsible for the bombing in Palopo, some 400 kilometers north of Makassar, which killed four people on Saturday. After questioning 17 witnesses on Sunday, the police produced sketches of two men who left the crime scene just 15 minutes before the explosion ripped through the Samppodo Indah cafe.

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, January 12, 2004

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, January 12, 2004 Exhibitions * Puppet Wayang Menak, Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Jl. Palmerah Selatan No. 17, Central Jakarta (Tel. 5483008 ext. 7910/7911), until Jan. 15. * Installation, Painting, Drawing by Awan Simatupang and Okky Arfie Hutabarat, Lontar Gallery, Jl. Utan Kayu 68H, East Jakarta (Tel. 8573388), until Jan. 31. * Painting: Dari Abas sampai Dumas, Galeri Milenium, D'Best Shopping Center, Blok B-23, Jl. R.S. Fatmawati No. 15, South Jakarta (Tel.

Check your passport!

Check your passport! On Nov. 21, we a family of five traveled abroad for a holiday. Everything seemed fine during our departure. When we returned on Dec. 9, after surrendering all our five passports to the immigration counter the officer by the name of Ida returned my wife's passport and requested her to surrender the passport she used for departure. With great surprise, we told her each one of us had only one passport and my wife used the same passport for departure.

RI, Malaysia to sign MOU

RI, Malaysia to sign MOU JAKARTA: Indonesia and Malaysia will sign in the near future a much-awaited Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the employment of Indonesian migrant workers in the neighboring country, Minister of Manpower and Tranmigration Jacob Newa Wea says.

House may block planned sale of Permata stake

House may block planned sale of Permata stake The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives may block the planned sale of the government's majority stake in Bank Permata unless the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency clears the way of all potential stumbling blocks, including the resolution of a long-running legal saga involving the bank.

TV Program: Monday, January 12, 2004

TV Program: Monday, January 12, 2004 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 8:00 TV Drama 10:30 Quiz: Dibisikin 11:30 Singing Contest: Konteswara 12:30 p.m. Music 1:00 News: Berita Siang 1:30 Documentary 2:00 Music 2:30 English News Service 3:00 Comedy Drama 4:00 News 4:30 Film 5:30 TV Drama 6:00 Children's Show: Bando 7:00 News: Berita Nasional 9:00 News: Dunia Dalam Berita TPI 6:00 a.m.

People told to stay optimistic

People told to stay optimistic JAKARTA: A non-governmental organization, the Partnership for Governance Reform, and the Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu), expressed optimism that the 2004 elections would help speed up reform. They thus called on people to exercise their right to vote and remain optimistic about the future of the country after the elections.

Riau legislator supports ban on sea sand exports

Riau legislator supports ban on sea sand exports PEKANBARU, Riau: A top Riau provincial legislator said on Saturday sea sand exports from the region must be stopped because the disadvantages of the trade far outweighed its advantages. Zanzibar Nong, deputy chairman of the Riau provincial legislative assembly, said the income derived from sea sand mining and exports could not compensate the losses they caused.

Biometrics systems means security at your fingertips

Biometrics systems means security at your fingertips Zatni Arbi, Columnist, Jakarta, zatni@cbn.net.id I remember the first time I visited a secure office almost two decades ago. The door had a pass card security lock mechanism and every employee had to swipe their ID card to gain entry to the office. We still see this type of security system in use today, but we all know that cards can be stolen and reproduced.

Yamaha to set up firm in China

Yamaha to set up firm in China TOKYO: Japan's second largest motorcycling maker, Yamaha Motor Co., will set up a firm in Shanghai to oversee motorcycle and scooter sales in China, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper said Sunday. The planned sales firm is due to begin operations by March to take over brand management advertising and pricing policy from its two production ventures in the country, the business daily said.

Save the country from ruin

Save the country from ruin From Suara Karya Members of the political elite in responsible positions are holders of a public mandate who should bring about improvements for the nation. Their policies should therefore benefit the interests of the public at large. The handling of national economic and security issues, however, have caused widespread disappointment so that the public are now skeptical about all policies adopted by the government.

* Headlines: Busway drivers still not used to their wheels 2

* Headlines: Busway drivers still not used to their wheels 2 * National: government tightens rules adoption 4 * Archipelago: Violence, death threats, ahead of poll 5 * Opinion: More civilized approach needed for evictions 6 * City: Jakarta has no money to build superdump 8 * Sports: Valencia back on top 10 * World: Reformers barred from Iranian elections 11 * Business: RI may become net oil importer in 10 years 13 * Features: Getting man on Mars more than just rhetorics 18

Badawi's visit to S'pore spurs hopes for resolving squabbles

Badawi's visit to S'pore spurs hopes for resolving squabbles Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur Malaysian leader Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's first visit to Singapore since becoming prime minister might brighten prospects for settling stubborn disputes that have blemished the two countries' relations, officials said. Badawi said he would discuss how to heal the rifts with his Singaporean counterpart, Goh Chok Tong, during a five-hour visit to the city-state on Monday.

Turkish Cypriots form coalition: Two Turkish Cypriot parties on

Turkish Cypriots form coalition: Two Turkish Cypriot parties on Sunday agreed to form a coalition government with a pledge to work towards a deal reuniting the divided Mediterranean island before Cyprus joins the European Union (EU) on May 1. The accord will be welcomed in Turkey, the only country to recognize the self-declared northern Cypriot republic. Turkey is also keen to resolve the Cyprus problem by then in order to smooth its own path towards EU membership.

Sjahril, Suta suspects in graft cases

Sjahril, Suta suspects in graft cases Abdul Khalik and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta For Sjahril Sabirin, even after his retirement as the governor of Bank Indonesia jail continues to haunt him; while for former Indonesian Bank Restructuring (IBRA) chairman, the controversial I Putu Ary Suta, only five months after his failure to win the Bali gubernatorial race, he must now work hard to prove his innocence in a corruption allegation.

Councillors pocket allowances for empty homes

Councillors pocket allowances for empty homes Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Up to 39 of the 45 members of the Tangerang Municipal Council appear to be accepting a Rp 1 million (US$118) monthly maintenance allowance for their official residences despite the fact that the houses are not being occupied.

Residents demand national park

Residents demand national park MEDAN, North Sumatra: People from Mandailing Natal regency demanded late on Friday the North Sumatra provincial administra tion turn Batang Gadis forest into a national park, an official has said.

Government toughens adoption regulations

Government toughens adoption regulations Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government plans to issue a regulation tightening the conditions and criteria for adopting a child, including a six- month probation period for prospective adoptive parents. During the probation period, a social worker will check in on the prospective adoptive parents and the child, and a positive report from the social worker will be required to make the adoption final.

Overusing technology won't make you happy

Overusing technology won't make you happy Vishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, Jakarta, vmahmud@yahoo.com By nature, I am a tech junkie. Whenever the latest hi-tech product comes out, be it a PDA, laptop computer or MP3 player, I've just got to have it. When was the last time you remember seeing people carrying paper-based day planners, simple calculators or cassette-based walkmans? Instead of using public phones, just whip out your cell phone and make the call on the go.

Better communication needed to promote digital banking

Better communication needed to promote digital banking Mahendra Gautama, Contributor, Jakarta For many bank customers, digital banking is no longer a strange or unfamiliar term. Digital banking involves transactions using the latest communications technology, like the internet or mobile phones.

Coalition to plot strategies in KL

Coalition to plot strategies in KL MALAYSIA: Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has summoned top government leaders for a meeting this week to debate preparations for a snap general election, news reports said on Sunday. Abdullah will chair a meeting of the National Front coalition's decision-making council on Thursday, ahead of national polls that most political observers predict will be held in March or April, the Sunday Star newspaper reported.

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

1. BUSWAY: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 Practice makes perfect for Busway drivers 2. FERRY: 36 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 28 Asian activists converge for anti-globalization meet 3. POTTER: 32 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 24 Potter's latest installment creates hysteria among fans 4. KPU: 28 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 40 KPU urged to summon aluminium producers 5. ODD: 20 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 24 pt 5.1: Pooping penguins are a fecal attraction 5.2: 'Merry Christmas, this is a robbery!' warn shotgun priests

Residents doubt apartment chances

Residents doubt apartment chances P.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Some residents of Karet Tengsin subdistrict, Central Jakarta, are happy with the Jakarta Housing Agency's recent plan to build another 267 low-cost apartments in the area as they have been promised one since 1993, but many are not. A total of 600 families who resided in community unit RW 7 lost their homes in a fire in 1993.

Govt temporarily bans rice imports

Govt temporarily bans rice imports P.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued a decree temporarily banning rice imports during the upcoming harvest season in a bid to help protect farmers' incomes. Antara said that Ministerial Decree No. 9/MPP/Kep/1/2004 was signed by Minister of Industry and Trade Rini MS Soewandi on Saturday, and was effective immediately.

KPU urged to get tough on premature electioneering

KPU urged to get tough on premature electioneering Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Demands are growing for the General Elections Commission (KPU) to ban the display of party symbols prior to the official start of the election campaign. Ray Rangkuti of the Independent Committee for Election Monitoring (KIPP) and Ani W.

Youths donate books to children

Youths donate books to children Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Concern that deprived children have limited access to knowledge encouraged nine youths to form the 1001buku community in January last year, with as its main goal the provision of as many books as possible for such children. On its first anniversary on Saturday, 1001buku held a book- donating fair at the Harkat Bangsa Foundation office in an effort to see more people donate used books.

Fate of migrant workers

Fate of migrant workers From Warta Kota The year 2003 saw as many as 20 Indonesian female migrant workers in Singapore fall to their deaths from high-rise apartments where they worked, as was revealed by Fachry Sulaiman, a high-ranking official at the Indonesian Embassy there. How tragic their destinies were, working in distant countries to seek a better life while leaving their families behind hoping that they would succeed.

FOR SPOT LIGHT MONDAY

FOR SPOT LIGHT MONDAY ;JP; ANPAc..r.. Spot-light-Kabelvision JP/16/Spotlight Kabelvision VALUE ADDED SERVICE: As part of its commitment to improve its services, PT Broadband Multimedia (Kabelvision) signed an agreement with PT Indosat recently on the use of Value Added Service-Short Message Service (VAS-SMS) TV. Under the agreement, every Kabelvision subscriber can get an Indosat Matrix mobile phone card with a special menu that allows the owner to check TV programs on Kabelvision.

Problematic beef

Problematic beef Beef from the United States has been permitted to enter Indonesia, despite the possibility that it is contaminated with mad-cow disease. The mass entry of imported beef from the U.S. could mean that the public might be faced with a lot of problematic beef in markets across the country. At present, some 48 containers of beef are awaiting a decision from Indonesia's agriculture ministry and quarantine board.

Australia to hold 'Mercuri '04' exercise

Australia to hold 'Mercuri '04' exercise AUSTRALIA: Australia will hold a major counterterrorism exercise in March to ensure its security forces are prepared for any potential terrorist attack, federal Attorney General Philip Ruddock said on Sunday. Australia has never suffered a major terror attack on its soil, but 88 Australians were among the 202 people killed when bombs tore through two nightclubs on the Indonesian island of Bali on Oct. 12, 2002.

Pope urges action against terrorism

Pope urges action against terrorism VATICAN: Denouncing a growing scourge of terrorism, Pope John Paul II urged on Saturday political action to combat terror attacks, contending that "brutal measures" of repression alone were not sufficient.

Beddu Amang arrested after brief spell on the lam

Beddu Amang arrested after brief spell on the lam Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police arrested former State Logistics Agency (Bulog) head Beddu Amang on Sunday, just one day after he was declared a fugitive from justice, and immediately started questioning him over his role in a scam involving government livestock feed subsidies. Beddu was apprehended as he was undergoing a medical examination in the Sumarno VIP room at the Dr.

Estrada seeks alternatives for trip

Estrada seeks alternatives for trip PHILIPPINES: Deposed Philippine president Joseph Estrada will likely travel to either Japan, France or Canada to seek medical treatment if the United States rejects a visa request, his lawyer said on Sunday. A special antigraft court last month gave the 66-year-old former president permission to leave detention and undergo surgery on his arthritic knees in the United States. But it appears the U.S.

Cease-fire no threat to RI sovereignty: Observers

Cease-fire no threat to RI sovereignty: Observers Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government and the Indonesia Military (TNI) have been told to support a cease-fire with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in a bid to release RCTI cameraman Fery Santoro and other civilian hostages in restive Aceh, saying it would do no harm to the country's sovereignty.

JP/7/LET81.LEI

JP/7/LET81.LEI Helping migrant women workers From Kompas We have read reports about the plight of Indonesian migrant women workers in Saudi Arabia and some other countries. I believe the government and the Indonesian labor recruitment companies are fully responsible for this matter. The Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration, the Office of the State Minister for the Empowerment of Women and the foreign ministry should come to the fore in defense of Indonesian citizens facing trouble abroad.

RI may become net oil importer in 10 years: BP Migas

RI may become net oil importer in 10 years: BP Migas Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia could become a net oil importer in 10 years if there are no new finds and the public continues its lavish consumption of fuel oil, a senior official at a governmental agency warned.

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Page 5 Photo caption JP/Tarko Sudiarno REGREENING: A woman plants hardwood tree seedlings on her land in Gunung Kidul regency, Yogyakarta. The government has distributed three million seedlings to regreen 3,000 hectares of unused land in the drought-prone regency. President Megawati Soekarnoputri is scheduled to launch the national forest and soil rehabilitation program in the regency town of Wonosari on Jan. 24.

Biometrics: A new technology to secure ATM transactions

Biometrics: A new technology to secure ATM transactions Mohamad Nazirwan, Contributor, Jakarta The rapid development of banking technology has changed the way people conduct their banking transactions. For many people, the automatic teller machine (ATM) has now become a necessity. With a simple procedure a customer is able to undertake various transactions, such as cash withdrawal, money transfer and paying phone and electricity bills.

High school seniors 'kidnap' juniors

High school seniors 'kidnap' juniors BOGOR: Four third-year students of SMUN 7 state high school in Bogor allegedly kidnapped a junior after a final examination on Friday afternoon. The junior, Vanya Meri Adam, was abducted in front of the school and was forced to get into a Toyota Kijang van at around 4:20 p.m. The seniors -- Neng Istika, Mela, Dea and Ica -- threw a sandal at Vanya's face and threatened her with a hairpin not to tell anyone about what had happened.

U.S. beef confiscated in Mataram

U.S. beef confiscated in Mataram MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The Mataram office of the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) has seized 326 kilograms of beef that originated from the United States, where a case of mad-cow disease was revealed recently. Sri Utami Ekaningtyas, the head of BPOM in Mataram, said that the meat was confiscated from PT SJ, a supplier to the gold and copper mining company PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara.

Parties not to intimidate newsmen

Parties not to intimidate newsmen BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Representatives of 23 political parties in South Kalimantan signed on Saturday a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that bans intimidation and violence toward the media while journalists were covering election events. The signing of the MoU was done in the provincial police headquarters and witnessed by provincial police chief Brig. Gen.

No fun at the fair as legal dispute continues

No fun at the fair as legal dispute continues M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The high-profile legal dispute between business tycoons Edward Soeryadjaya and Hartati Murdaya over the management of the Jakarta Fairground in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, has reached an illegal impasse. Last week, two district courts issued separate rulings on the case. One court ruled in favor of Edward and the other in favor of Hartati, leading to uncertainty over who will run the annual Jakarta Fair.

Military kill eight more rebels

Military kill eight more rebels BANDA ACEH, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam: Eight members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) have reportedly been killed in separate gunfights with the military troops across the province, a military spokesman said on Sunday. Spokesman for the military operation in Aceh. Lt. Col. Ahmad Yani Basuki told the press in Lhokseumawe on Sunday that the military confiscated around 10 weapons of different types and two hand-grenades from the rebels.

Amien eyeing Susilo as running mate

Amien eyeing Susilo as running mate SURABAYA: Presidential candidate Amien Rais said on Saturday he would take into consideration a suggestion that he pick Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as his running mate in the presidential election. Amien was commenting on the results of a poll of mobile phone users conducted by a television channel, which identified the Amien-Susilo combination as the participants' preferred lineup.

S. Sulawesi wants $400m to build railway

S. Sulawesi wants $400m to build railway MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: The South Sulawesi provincial administration is seeking US$400 million (more than Rp 4 trillion) for the construction of a 145-kilometer railway connecting Makassar and Pare-pare starting in 2015 as part of the effort to accelerate economic development in the province. Local transportation office director Farid Suaib said the development of a railway was essential to spur inter-regency trade in the province.

To dump or not to dump?: Jakarta weighs its options

To dump or not to dump?: Jakarta weighs its options Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta administration has yet to decide whether it will start operating the 104-hectare Bantar Gebang dump again following an offer by Bekasi municipality to allow the capital to resume dumping its 6,000 tons of daily garbage there.

Forki proposes 10 athletes for 'Indonesia Rises' program

Forki proposes 10 athletes for 'Indonesia Rises' program Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Karate-do Association (Forki) has proposed ten athletes to be included in the 'Indonesia Rises' program, an association official said over the weekend.

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Page 5 Photo caption JP/Tarko Sudiarno REGREENING: A woman plants hardwood tree seedlings on her land in Gunung Kidul regency, Yogyakarta. The government has distributed three million seedlings to regreen 3,000 hectares of unused land in the drought-prone regency. President Megawati Soekarnoputri is scheduled to launch the national forest and soil rehabilitation program in the regency town of Wonosari on Jan. 24.

WB plans first yuan bonds in China: report

WB plans first yuan bonds in China: report The World Bank plans to issue yuan-denominated bonds to raise funds for development projects in China, the Japanese daily, Yomiuri Shimbun said Sunday. The Bank has already begun talks with the government and the People's Bank of China with an aim to start issuing the bonds by December, the newspaper said. If the plan is carried out, the World Bank will be the first international financial institution to issue such bonds in China, it said.

Councillor supports ban on sea sand export

Councillor supports ban on sea sand export PEKANBARU, Riau: A top Riau provincial legislator said on Saturday sea sand exports from the region must be stopped because the disadvantages of the trade far outweighed its advantages. Zanzibar Nong, deputy chairman of the Riau provincial legislative assembly, said the income derived from sea sand mining and exports could not compensate the losses they caused.

No money for super dump in 2004 city budget

No money for super dump in 2004 city budget Bambang Nurbianto and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Although the city administration has repeatedly said the capital would be provided with high technology treatment facilities for solid waste as recommended by most experts, no funds for the construction of such facilities have been allocated in this year's budget.

JICT, Koja criticized for monoply practices

JICT, Koja criticized for monoply practices Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Jakarta) has accused the Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) and Koja Container of acting as a monopoly, resulting in high fees and poor service. JICT and Koja are the two largest operators of container terminals at the country's main Tanjung Priok Port, in North Jakarta.

Afghan hunger strikers admitted to hospital

Afghan hunger strikers admitted to hospital Luh Putu Trisna Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara Two more people joined on Saturday a hunger strike staged by illegal Afghan immigrants at a refugee camp in Mataram, making the total number of hunger strikers nine. The two are Muhammad Nabi, 28, and 15-year-old Abdul Satar. As of Saturday, the health of the nine refugees, especially Ali Reza and Ubaidillah, had worsened.

Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Golf clubs catering to Asians gain popularity New golf club models with Asian specifications are gaining popularity among Indonesian golfers because they can better accommodate Asian postures compared with those built to American specifications.

More civilized approach needed for evictions

More civilized approach needed for evictions Sirojudin Abbas, Lecturer, State Islamic University (UIN), Jakarta, sirojudinabbas@yahoo.ca The Jakarta administration is about to restart the highly controversial eviction program for illegal settlers in Jakarta and street vendors at the end of January 2004. Like those evicted earlier in 2003, those due for eviction in 2004 will face further risks of impoverishment.

Theft commonest crime in Depok

Theft commonest crime in Depok DEPOK: Depok Police recorded that theft was the crime most frequently committed in the municipality last year, with 802 cases reported, followed by autotheft (749), fraud (369), gambling (116), burglary (105), drug abuse (80) and rape (14 cases). The police report also said that from seven subprecincts in the Depok Police precinct, the Sukmajaya subprecinct was the area most prone to crime, with 563 cases. Of that total, only 100 cases, or 18 percent, were solved.

'Can entertainers make good legislators?'

'Can entertainers make good legislators?' As the deadline on Jan. 19 approaches, some 24 political parties have been struggling to meet the 30-percent quota for women candidates in the general election on April 5. Even those that have managed to meet the quota as recommended by the Elections Law have given their women candidates a low priority by placing them at the bottom of their lists. The Jakarta Post talked to some city residents on the issue. Uli, 30, works as a manager for a company.