Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 28 January 2004

86 articles found

Bird flu suspected in Balinese boy

Bird flu suspected in Balinese boy Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Bali provincial health agency reported on Tuesday a suspected case of bird flu in a human being as the World Health Organization continued to recommend a mass cull of poultry in Indonesia. Kadek Heri Darman, a child of 3.5 whose mother works at a chicken farm in Tabanan, was diagnosed of having symptoms similar to bird flu, the head of the Bali health agency, Made Molin Yudiasa, said.

I was tortured: Fatwa

I was tortured: Fatwa M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) A.M. Fatwa testified on Tuesday in an ad hoc rights tribunal that he had been a victim of torture by military personnel in the wake of the bloody 1984 Tanjung Priok massacre. Fatwa, who testified against former military police chief Maj. Gen.

Moesanif warns of chaos in East Timor

Moesanif warns of chaos in East Timor KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Wirasakti military commander Col. Moeswarno Moesanif accused an East Timor opposition group on Tuesday of infiltrating the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara to invite former militiamen to create chaos in the new country. Based on intelligence information, the opposition group called Kolimau 2000 and ex-militias want to destabilize East Timor after the UN peacekeeping force leaves in May, he said.

University bans campus campaigning

University bans campus campaigning Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra The University of North Sumatra (USU) announced on Tuesday that it would not allow any political party to use its campus for campaigning ahead of the upcoming elections. Mass campaigning or that via meetings are banned, the university's senate said. USU leaders said the decision was made to maintain the USU's political neutrality and to avoid the possibility of clashes in the campus.

Bank Permata's service

Bank Permata's service On Jan. 3, 2004 I intended to withdraw Rp 2,400,000 from Bank Permata's ATM on Jl. Teuku Umar, in Denpasar, Bali. But since the ATM can only dispense a maximum of Rp 600,000 at one time, I made four withdrawals. However, after completing the transactions I counted the money and to my surprise was short Rp 400,000, meaning that the ATM only dispensed Rp 500,000, instead of Rp 600,000, each time.

MMI to allocate 5% of revenue for sports

MMI to allocate 5% of revenue for sports Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Metropolitan Magnum Indonesia (MMI), which is KONI's partner in a planned sports fund-raising program, will earmark 5 percent of its revenue for sports development, an official said.

Police arrest real suspects, not 'kolor hijau' in Bekasi attacks

Police arrest real suspects, not 'kolor hijau' in Bekasi attacks Evi Mariani and Marilin, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Depok Jakarta Police chief of detectives Sr. Comr. Mathius Salempang said on Tuesday police had arrested two suspects in a separate rape and robbery that took place in November in Bekasi, which led to rumors of the kolor hijau (green underwear) creature. "The real suspects are currently standing trial at the Bekasi District Court," he said.

Part 2 of 2

Part 2 of 2 The effects of leadership changes on international relations in east Asia Jusuf Wanandi Member, Board of Trustees Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta o Thailand: Thailand under Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has an active foreign policy. With his Thai Rak Party having a solid majority in parliament Thaksin has changed many national policies.

Saving Betawi culture

Saving Betawi culture From Warta Kota Jakarta's native Betawi culture is part of the national culture. As the provincial culture, it covers the local custom and language as well as traditional arts that have high tourism and educational values. In this era of globalization and cultural penetration by foreign influences, the development of Betawi culture in Jakarta's pluralistic society is under threat.

Busway and traffic jams

Busway and traffic jams From Media Indonesia For the new Blok M to Kota Trans-Jakarta Busway system, the city administration has stipulated that the ban on private cars carrying fewer than three passengers now covers more streets and is effective for longer hours. With this new stipulation, the ban is now also in effect along Gajah Mada and Hayam Wuruk streets between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Khaleda-Megawati talks

Khaleda-Megawati talks At their talks in Jakarta, Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia struck a wider Asian note. They underscored the need for a larger forum girdling SAARC and ASEAN in order to try and meet the stupendous challenges of globalization.

Immunity plan for IBRA criticized

Immunity plan for IBRA criticized The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Plans to provide Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency officials with legal immunity once it is closed have been fiercely criticized, as it violates the basic principle of equality before the law. Vice President Hamzah Haz led the chorus of criticism on the plan, saying on Tuesday that no one should be above the law nor should they be allowed the opportunity to evade the law just because their working term expires.

Over 200,000 Indonesian pilgrims arrive in S. Arabia as start of

Over 200,000 Indonesian pilgrims arrive in S. Arabia as start of haj nears Agencies Up to 204,873 Indonesian pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia while some 127 pilgrims canceled their pilgrimages for various reasons. As of Monday the number of Indonesian pilgrims who died in Saudi Arabia reached 91 people. The Haj Media Center said most of the 91 pilgrims -- 57 men and 34 women -- died in Madinah, Mecca and Jeddah.

OPEC may maintain quotas next month

OPEC may maintain quotas next month Bloomberg, Jakarta OPEC President Purnomo Yusgiantoro said he may recommend the group leave output quotas unchanged at a meeting next month, signaling a shift from calls in December by some members for a production cut. Purnomo's comments come after oil prices in New York last week rose to the highest since before the invasion of Iraq in March of last year. Prices surged as record low temperatures in the U.S.

Two dossiers on alleged election violators submitted

Two dossiers on alleged election violators submitted Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Police handed over two dossiers for election violation cases allegedly involving the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the United Development Party (PPP) to the Jakarta Prosecutors' Office on Tuesday. The city police detectives chief Sr. Comr. Mathius Salempang told reporters that police were currently investigating five other similar cases.

Small vendors want a place inside market building

Small vendors want a place inside market building Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta "I have sold fruit here for almost 15 years already. We are allowed to do business here because we pay the officials," said Dudung, 51, who opened his small stand on the sidewalk of Jl. Palmerah Utara, while pointing at the city-run Palmerah market building behind him.

Fire razes houses in Gunung Sahari

Fire razes houses in Gunung Sahari JAKARTA: A fire gutted nine houses on Jl. Industri II, North Gunung Sahari subdistrict, Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta, late on Monday. There were no fatalities, however, according to fire agency official Abas Adiwijaya, as reported by tempointeraktif.com. The fire started at about 22:15 p.m. in one of the houses. Winds enabled the fire to spread fast to neighboring houses. Firemen took over three hours to extinguish the fire.

Bekasi, Jakarta reopen dump

Bekasi, Jakarta reopen dump Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta and Bekasi administrations agreed on Tuesday to reopen the Bantar Gebang dump in Bekasi municipality to end a waste crisis that has affected both areas since Jakarta closed the dump on Jan. 4. "We have signed an agreement on the Bantar Gebang reopening ... .

Bapeptal prone to outside influence: NGOs

Bapeptal prone to outside influence: NGOs Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are seriously questioning the independence of the recently established Power Market Supervision Agency (Bapeptal) and the lack of public participation in selecting the members. The agency was formed in accordance with government regulation No.

Deputy PM Lee meets Hamzah Haz

Deputy PM Lee meets Hamzah Haz JAKARTA: Visiting Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong held a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart Vice President Hamzah Haz on Tuesday to discuss the latest developments in Indonesia ahead of the elections. According to Hamzah, Lee asked about security and economic conditions in Indonesia over the past few years.

Thai Navy chief visits Cilangkap

Thai Navy chief visits Cilangkap JAKARTA: Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto received Royal Thai Navy chief Adm. Chumbol Pachisanon at the military headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Tuesday. During the visit, Adm. Chumbol introduced himself as the successor of Adm. Daleesak Somabha. The Thai military delegation made the visit to enhance military ties between the two countries. Indonesia and Thailand have been working together to improve security.

4 x 13

4 x 13 Floods destroys several houses and bridges, shuts schools JP/5/KPU 2 x 29 Election watchdog finds 253 violations in Riau candidacies JP/5/TEA 2 x 22 Tea prices collapse, farmers face disaster JP/5/USU 2 x 18 University bans campus campaigning

Jakarta to regulate tinted car windows

Jakarta to regulate tinted car windows Damar Harsanto and Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The high number of violations during the extended three-in-one traffic policy on its first day of implementation has prompted the Jakarta Transportation Agency to call on private car owners not to put tinted films on the windows of their vehicles. "There is a limit to the opacity of tinted films, which is 60 percent," agency head Rustam Effendy said on Tuesday.

Police question Syahril for nine hours

Police question Syahril for nine hours JAKARTA: Police investigators fired 29 questions at former Bank Indonesia (BI) governor Syahril Sabirin on Tuesday over his alleged role in the misuse of Rp 20.9 trillion (US$2.45 billion) in funds from Account No. 502. "The police have asked questions related to the use of funds by BI from the account. I have answered a series of questions, including those asked last Friday.

PDI-P allocates Rp 100b for campaign

PDI-P allocates Rp 100b for campaign Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has established a Rp 100 billion (US$11.3 million) budget for the upcoming elections campaign, with half of that budget earmarked for a media campaign. The party's treasurer, Noviantika Nasution, said, however, the PDI-P could exceed its proposed budget because "we cannot prohibit people from giving more donations to the party".

Ninety-one RI pilgrims pass away in Saudi Arabia ahead of haj

Ninety-one RI pilgrims pass away in Saudi Arabia ahead of haj Agencies, Jakarta The number of Indonesian pilgrims who died in Saudi Arabia reached 91 people on Monday from the total of 205,000 pilgrims who will join millions of pilgrims around the world conducting the annual haj. The Haj Media Center said most of the 91 pilgrims -- 57 men and 34 women -- died in Madinah, Mecca and Jeddah.

Dita Indah Sari

Dita Indah Sari General Chairperson Indonesian National Front for Labour Struggle (FNPBI) Jakarta 2. Jusuf2 -- The effects of leadership changes on International relations in East Asia 2 x 30 Part 2 of 2 The effects of E. Asian leadership changes on international relations Jusuf Wanandi Member, Board of Trustees Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta

Thieves leave town in the dark

Thieves leave town in the dark TANGERANG: An official blamed thieves for the absence of street lighting in many neighborhoods in Tangerang in the past year, which has irked taxpayers. Endrawiyanto, an official at the municipal public works agency said on Tuesday that many street lamps were stolen, but none of the culprits had ever been arrested, making the administration reluctant to replace the lamps.

Hazardous waste discussed

Hazardous waste discussed JAKARTA: International cooperation and coordination among relevant government institutions are needed to prevent the smuggling of hazardous waste into the country, an official says. "Cooperation is needed to protect the country from dangerous waste from foreign countries," Deputy Minister for Environmental Management Masnellyarti Hilman said at a national workshop on the "Pilot Project for the Monitoring and Control of the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste".

Floods destroy several houses and bridges, close schools

Floods destroy several houses and bridges, close schools Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Kendal, Central Java Flooding destroyed four houses and four bridges in Kendal regency, Central Java, following hours of heavy rain, officials said on Tuesday. Flooding also prompted authorities in Banjar regency, South Kalimantan, to close a number of schools. There were no reports of casualties or injuries in the floods.

House seeks independent haj body

House seeks independent haj body Sandy Darmosumarto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives called for the establishment of an independent body to take charge of haj travel in order to eliminate the government's monopoly over haj travel management.

Election watchdog finds 253 violations in Riau candidacies

Election watchdog finds 253 violations in Riau candidacies Haidir Anwar Tanjung and Ni Luh Putu Trisna Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru/Mataram Riau Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) has spotted 253 violations of election rules in the run-up to the 2004 election in the province, an official reported on Tuesday. M. Saeri, the official at the poll watchdog, said that the violations consisted mainly of school diploma forgery and campaigning too early.

Despite some decent progress, autonomy remains big problems

Despite some decent progress, autonomy remains big problems Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite progress over the past three years, the implementation of regional autonomy in some parts of the country has fallen short of what had originally been hoped for, The Asia Foundation revealed. The foundation noticed improved popular participation in the decision-making process, which encouraged the local democratization process.

Emergency liquidity loans

Emergency liquidity loans We greatly welcome the government's effort to draw a clear-cut agreement with Bank Indonesia on the definition of the central bank's role as lender of last resort to the banking industry.

Bojong locals want dump closed

Bojong locals want dump closed BOGOR: At least 50 people representing residents living around the Bojong dump in Klapanunggal district, Bogor, complained to the Bogor Council on Tuesday, demanding the closure of the dump. Earlier, the councillors had promised residents the operation of the dump would be delayed in response to their strong resistance. The dump is designed to accommodate garbage from Jakarta and several districts of Bogor.

[b]

Local govts. help decentralization programs work William Frej Mission Director United States Agency for International Development/Indonesia (USAID) Jakarta 2. Strait -- Bird flu closing in 2 x 21 Bird flu closing in: A threat to both chickens and humans The Straits Times Asia News Network Singapore 3. Pro -- Is America an empire? 1 X 30 Is the giant, America, now an empire? Joseph S. Nye Dean Harvard's Kennedy School of Government Project Syndicate

'We better seek ways to avoid the 3-in-1 zone'

'We better seek ways to avoid the 3-in-1 zone' The tough new three-in-one traffic policy in the capital has not stopped road users from using their private cars. At least 1,200 motorists have been ticketed for violating the new policy in the last two days. And joki (paid passengers) are still offering their services along roads leading to the three-in-one zone. The Jakarta Post talked to some city residents about the issue.

President to have power to veto draft laws

President to have power to veto draft laws Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Constitutional Commission (KK) is considering granting the president authority to veto bills that he or she deems to be unfavorable to the nation. Commission deputy chairman Albert Hasibuan said such a power would promote the checks and balances between the executive and legislative branches. Hasibuan said fellow commission members had agreed to the idea of giving the president the power to veto draft bills.

PTDI, workers fail to reach agreement

PTDI, workers fail to reach agreement Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The management of state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) and its 6,600 dismissed workers have failed to resolve their labor dispute under a bipartite negotiation, and has relegated the final decision to the Central Committee for the Settlement of Labor Dispute (P4P).

1. FLU: 2 LINES, 15 COUNTS

1. FLU: 2 LINES, 15 COUNTS Bird flu confirmed in Balinese boy 2. IBRA: 2 LINES, 13 COUNTS Immunity plan for IBRA criticized 3. MECCA: 1 LINE, 54 COUNTS Ninety-one RI pilgrims pass away in S. Arabia ahead of haj 4. ASIA: 1 LINE, 54 COUNTS Bird flu poses serious global human health threat: Agencies

KFC to drop chicken in Vietnam because of bird flu

KFC to drop chicken in Vietnam because of bird flu Bloomberg, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Eight of the nine KFC restaurants in Vietnam, which has stopped some poultry sales to halt its bird flu epidemic, will serve fish and pasta instead of fried chicken when they open Saturday after more than a week closed. Business fell about 30 percent after people died of bird flu in Vietnam, KFC Vietnam General Director Pornchai Thuratum said.

Illness in Bangladesh identified

Illness in Bangladesh identified BANGLADESH: A mystery disease that has killed 10 people in Bangladesh has been identified as viral encephalitis and has no link to the bird flu that has struck nine other Asian countries, a doctor treating some of the victims said on Tuesday. "I can categorically say there is no link with this disease and bird flu," said Dr. Tapash Ahmed who is treating patients in the worst-hit area Goalundo, 67 kilometers west of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka.

Tigers oppose Indo-Lanka deal

Tigers oppose Indo-Lanka deal SRI LANKA: Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels have asked New Delhi not to go ahead with a proposed defense cooperation pact with the Colombo government, arguing that it would alter the military balance of power here. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said they had cautioned India against a military pact with Sri Lanka at a time when the government was locked in an internal power struggle that undermined peace efforts.

Dancer wants RI on world stage

Dancer wants RI on world stage Carla Bianpoen, Contributor, Jakarta When the 14th century Bugis epic poem I La Galigo comes to the world stage on March 12, 39-year-old Restu Imansari Kusumaningrum will have achieved another milestone on the way to making her vision come true. "I dream of a contemporary world stage where Indonesian players have a major role," she once said. Those were no empty words, and she has systematically worked toward their fulfillment.

Restu Imansari pursues Indonesian world stage

Restu Imansari pursues Indonesian world stage Carla Bianpoen Contributor Jakarta When the 14th century Bugis epic poem I La Galigo comes to the world stage on March 12, 39-year-old Restu Imansari Kusumaningrum will have achieved another milestone on the way to making her vision come true. "I dream of a contemporary world stage where Indonesian players have a major role," she once said. Those were no empty words, and she has systematically worked toward their fulfillment.

World Social Forum: Is another power possible?

World Social Forum: Is another power possible? Dita Indah Sari, General Chairperson, Indonesian National Front for Labor Struggle (FNPBI), Jakarta In the middle of the heat and poverty of the Indian city of Mumbai, the fourth World Social Forum (WSF) was held on Jan. 16- 21. An estimated 100,000 activists from some 130 different countries -- the majority from India -- were able to gather together to discuss the urgent social and political issues facing humanity in the 21st century.

Southern Airline buys 21 Airbus jets

Southern Airline buys 21 Airbus jets PARIS: China Southern Airlines recently agreed to buy 21 Airbus aircraft, Chinese President Hu Jintao told a press conference here on Tuesday. "To my knowledge, China Southern Airlines and Airbus very recently agreed on the acquisition of 21 Airbus planes and we are very happy to have received this news," Hu said at a press conference where he appeared alongside French President Jacques Chirac.

Emergency liquidity loans

Emergency liquidity loans We greatly welcome the government's effort to draw a clear-cut agreement with Bank Indonesia on the definition of the central bank's role as lender of last resort to the banking industry.

KADIN expected to play active role in ASEAN integration drive

KADIN expected to play active role in ASEAN integration drive Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda wants input from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) on the development of policy on the planned integration of Southeast Asian economies, as stipulated in the Bali Concord II. "The full integration of ASEAN is a challenge faced by both the government and businesspeople.

Death toll rises to 7 in RP squalls

Death toll rises to 7 in RP squalls PHILIPPINES: Rescuers have retrieved the bodies of four more fishermen who drowned after squalls struck fleets of fishing boats in the northern Philippines, bringing the death toll to seven, officials said on Tuesday. Twenty-one fishermen remain missing in the South China Sea off the western coast of Luzon island, although the government continues to hold out hope they may still be alive.

Seek him here, seek him there, seeking Tommy everywhere

Seek him here, seek him there, seeking Tommy everywhere M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former president Soeharto's youngest son, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, failed once again to testify at a trial in the Central Jakarta District Court. And once again the imperturbable judges gave him more time to decide whether to show up or not.

1. JAKARTA: 48 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 30

1. JAKARTA: 48 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 30 75% of bird slaughterhouses illegal sidebar Poultry workers take safety for granted 2. PTDI: 36 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 36 PTDI, workers fail to reach agreement 3. CETRO: 30 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 45 General election monitors deplore restricted access 4. TRAFFIC: 28 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 18 Jakarta to regulate tinted car windows 5. ODDS: 20 pt, 2 cols, 1 x 28 Crab thief locks self in freezer

Hearing of Sutiyoso lawsuit begins

Hearing of Sutiyoso lawsuit begins JAKARTA: The South Jakarta District Court began hearing on Tuesday Governor Sutiyoso's lawsuit against activist Irma Hutabarat over the alleged misuse of charity funds. The trial was adjourned for a week because of the absence of lawyers representing Irma, the chairwoman of the Institute of Civic Education on Indonesian (ICE on Indonesia).

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

1. LIPPO: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 Bank Lippo posts wider loss ahead of divestment 2. POPE: 36 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 28 Pope urges U.S. to work for peace in talks with Cheney 3. KPU: 32 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 24 800 legislative candidates may fail to qualify for election 4. OSCAR: 30 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 38 'Return of the King' leads Oscar race 5. MMI: 28 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 38 MMI to allocate 5 percent of revenue for sports

Susi concerned about female shuttlers

Susi concerned about female shuttlers Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former Indonesian badminton star Susi Susanti expressed concern about the waning performance of the country's female players since her retirement in 1999. "I share my sympathy with them," Susi, 33, said here on Tuesday after she was given an installment of her bonus money for winning a medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Susi attributed the grim conditions to the lack of badminton talent and local events.

Banjar closes schools due to flooding

Banjar closes schools due to flooding The Jakarta Post Jakarta Authorities in the South Kalimantan regency of Banjar closed several schools on Tuesday due to severe flooding in the area. Water has reached 30 to 100 centimeters deep in five districts in the regency over the past few days. "The schools have been closed in order to protect the students from the floods," said Banjar administration spokesman Syahda Mariadi as quoted by Antara.

Balongan to resume operation next week

Balongan to resume operation next week Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Indramayu, West Java State-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina expects its Balongan oil refinery in Indramayu, West Java, to resume full operation on Feb. 4. Spokesman of Pertamina's Indramayu operation Suwandi said on Tuesday that repairs were currently in progress. "We hope that the RRC unit will be repaired by Feb.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan.27

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan.27 ____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume _____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,100 -50 75,000 Adindo Foresta 50 0 0 AGIS Tbk 100 0 649,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 80 0 161,000 Alakasa Industrindo 220 0 0 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 1,150 0 0 Alter Abadi Tbk 30 0 400,000 Alumindo Light 400 0 0...

JP/5/

JP/5/ Motorboat sinks, two missing MEDAN, North Sumatra: Two persons were reported missing on Tuesday after a motorboat carrying 16 crew members and 25 cubic meters of logs sank in waters off Mursala Island, Central Tapanuli district, North Sumatra. A search and rescue team from the Navy was deployed to find the missing crew men after the Andiah Indah boat was hit by strong winds at about 11 p.m. last Saturday. However, Sibolga naval base commander Col.

* Headlines: Jakarta to regulate tinted car windows 2

* Headlines: Jakarta to regulate tinted car windows 2 * National: Regional autonomy still problematic 4 * Archipelago: Major flood hits Kendal, Central Java 5 * Opinion: Local govts help decentralization program work 7 * City: Jakarta, Bekasi reopen Bantar Gebang dump 8 * Sports: Siem wary of Langer comparisons 9 * World: Al-Qaeda chemical weapon program cut short 11 * Business: S. Korea maintains ban on U.S. beef 15 * Features: Sleep essential for creative thinking 18

Rupiah Rates Jan.27

Rupiah Rates Jan.27 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,887.79 6,114.32 6,535.36 6,466.52 Brunei dollar 1 5,273.98 4,682.02 5,004.12 4,951.71 Canadian dollar 1 6,819.29 6,054.21 6,470.36 6,402.95 Swiss franc 1 7,123.76 6,325.38 6,759.25 6,689.74 Danish krone 1 1,497.92 1,330.24 1,421.28 1,406.87 Euro 1 11,159.21 9,910.13 10,588.22 10,480.98 Poundsterling 1 16,219.21 14,400.85 15,389.32 15,230.38 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,152.59 1,023.69 1,093.61 1,082.66...

Police fatally shoot runaway detainee

Police fatally shoot runaway detainee JAKARTA: Bekasi Police shot on Monday night a man identified as Iwan alias Bewok, as they tried to recapture him and to take him back to the detention cell from which he escaped earlier on Monday. The detainee was shot in the right thigh in front of his house in Cikarang, Bekasi. He died later in the Sukanto Police Hospital in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta. The police claimed Iwan was trying to jump out of the window of his house, ignoring two warning shots.

General election monitors deplore restricted access

General election monitors deplore restricted access A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A number of non-governmental organizations condemned on Tuesday the General Elections Commission (KPU)'s recent decision to ban election monitors from entering polling stations. "The credibility of the upcoming elections will be low if the KPU only provides restricted access to the monitors," said Smita Notosusanto of the Center for Electoral Reform (Cetro).

Bird flu closing in: A threat to both chickens and humans

Bird flu closing in: A threat to both chickens and humans The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore The spread of bird flu afflicting humans is getting uncomfortably close to Singapore. Thailand and Indonesia reported at the weekend mass infections among poultry. In Thailand one person, a child, has died of the ailment and another child is confirmed sick with bird flu. Health authorities there have reported 10 more suspicious cases, of whom four have died.

Part 2 of 2: The effects of E. Asian leadership changes

Part 2 of 2: The effects of E. Asian leadership changes on international relations Jusuf Wanandi, Member, Board of Trustees, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta Thailand: Thailand under Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has an active foreign policy. With his Thai Rak Party having a solid majority in parliament Thaksin has changed many national policies. He is also pro-active in foreign policy, as his chairing of the APEC meeting in Bangkok several months ago indicated.

Bureaucrats to take urine test

Bureaucrats to take urine test KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Civil servants working at the Southeast Sulawesi administration office will soon have to undergo urine tests to determine whether they are drug abusers. Deputy Southeast Sulawesi governor Yusran Silondae said on Tuesday that the move was in line with Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno's order for state officials at all levels to undergo such a test.

Regions make decentralization programs work

Regions make decentralization programs work William Frej, Indonesia Mission Director, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Jakarta This article was condensed from a speech made by the writer at the annual ceremony awarding the most attractive regencies and municipalities to investors in Jakarta last week.

Motorboat sinks, two missing

Motorboat sinks, two missing MEDAN, North Sumatra: Two persons were reported missing on Tuesday after a motorboat carrying 16 crew members and 25 cubic meters of logs sank in waters off Mursala Island, Central Tapanuli district, North Sumatra. A search and rescue team from the Navy was deployed to find the missing crew men after the Andiah Indah boat was hit by strong winds at about 11 p.m. last Saturday. However, Sibolga naval base commander Col. Andy Achdar could not confirm the accident.

Telkom, Mandiri push stock index down

Telkom, Mandiri push stock index down Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Stock Index dropped sharply on Tuesday following an announcement that state-owned telecommunications company PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) once again failed to fulfill a promise to complete its controversial reaudit of its 2002 financial report.

Council to summon employer

Council to summon employer TANGERANG: Tangerang Regency Legislative Council has summoned the executives of textile company PT Shinta Woosung as its workers have been on strike for the last two weeks. "We will make them come and sit with us here to settle the dispute with the workers," the council's Commission E chairman for people's welfare, Ozi Saeroji, said on Tuesday. He said the council was mandated by Law No.

RP army in Iraq to stay 6 more months

RP army in Iraq to stay 6 more months PHILIPPINES: The Philippines will keep its 96-member security and humanitarian team in Iraq for six more months despite increasingly frequent attacks on the U.S.-led coalition forces, a military official said on Tuesday. At least 43 soldiers and police will leave the Philippines for Iraq next month to replace personnel returning home at the end of their tour of duty, said Maj. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, the military's chief of operations.

Golkar gears up for elections

Golkar gears up for elections JAKARTA: Four Golkar presidential candidates have expressed their readiness to help improve the party's image by participating in the March campaign. The four candidates -- former military chief Gen.

GP to lure Indonesians to Sepang

GP to lure Indonesians to Sepang The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Malaysian Formula One race organizers are trying to lure more Indonesians to come to the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) to watch the second series of the 2004 season races. The Malaysian race is scheduled for March 21st, two weeks after the opening race of the season in Australia. Combined with its geographical access, Indonesia is a huge market with many race fans that the organizers hope to tap into.

The bird flu outbreak in Asia

The bird flu outbreak in Asia Asia is grappling with an outbreak of bird flu virus that has killed eight people -- six in Vietnam and two in Thailand. The World Health Organization said the rapid spread of the virus was "historically unprecedented". The following are facts about the outbreak that has spread to Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Pakistan and Laos.

[b]Graft and

Graft and tax collection From Koran Tempo I agree with Taufiequrachman, chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), who has called on the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) to issue a ruling that corruption is forbidden according to Islam. While it is true that such a ruling by MUI would help efforts to eradicate corruption, it means little in law enforcement. In fact, our legislation needs an overhaul. Take, for example, the taxation regulations.

Saving the banks

Saving the banks In these modern times, banks are at the heart of our economy. If our heart stops functioning, we die. So with banks -- if the banking industry collapses, our economy would be in ruins. As such, there are rules about how to rescue the banking industry if it stops functioning. There needs to be a financial safety net to prevent the banking industry from becoming illiquid. With the completion of the tasks of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) on Feb.

Poultry workers take safety for granted

Poultry workers take safety for granted At several poultry distribution centers in Jakarta which sell live chickens to retailers, no precautionary measures were seen being taken by the workers or customers, despite the bird flu epidemic. The Jakarta Post observed on Tuesday at the small distribution points in Kemandoran, West Jakarta, and the bigger ones in Pulogadung, East Jakarta, that the employees still worked with their bare hands.

800 legislative candidates may be disqualified from election

800 legislative candidates may be disqualified from election Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After conducting a second verification, the General Elections Commission (KPU) announced on Tuesday that between 5 and 10 percent of some 8,000 legislative nominees were not eligible for the April polls.

Rp 50m offered for informant

Rp 50m offered for informant MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: South Sulawesi Police chief Insp. Gen. Jusuf Manggabarani has offered Rp 50 million (US$5,952) as a reward for civilians able to provide accurate information that leads to the capture of the perpetrators of a recent blast in Palopo. Police officers who managed to arrest the bombers would receive only Rp 40 million, spokesman for the provincial police Sr. Comr. Andi Nurman Thahir said on Tuesday.

Cheaper MPVs to drive car market this year

Cheaper MPVs to drive car market this year Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Multipurpose vehicles (MPVs) could soar in popularity this year as new economy models are launched with relatively affordable prices of below Rp 100 million (US$11,990). "Last year, MPV (sales) growth was almost zero percent, but this year I predict it will reach about 5 percent," the chairman of the Indonesian Automotive Manufacturers Association (Gaikindo), Bambang Trisulo, said on Tuesday.

New dates for soccer league due to politics

New dates for soccer league due to politics The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian soccer league will be postponed to for about two months after heeding advice from the National Police to halt the league during the national election campaign period, the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) announced on Tuesday. PSSI chairman Nurdin Halid announced during a press conference that National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar had advised them against holding matches during the campaign season.

Players must beat inferiority, says Kolev

Players must beat inferiority, says Kolev Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian players suffer an inferiority syndrome when faced against strong international teams, according to national team coach Ivan Venkov Kolev. "Therefore, the squad must work it out and find some courage if they want to pose a tough challenge during the 2006 World Cup Asian qualification round," Kolev told reporters here on Tuesday through an interpreter.

'Sharia banks should invite foreign investors or go public'

'Sharia banks should invite foreign investors or go public' Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Sharia banks need to improve their capacity to absorb risks and deliver loans by expanding capital through inviting foreign investors or going public, Bank Indonesia (BI) deputy governor Maulana Ibrahim said. He pointed out that Bank Muamalat, where the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) holds 35.71 percent of the shares, as an example.

Tea prices collapse, farmers face disaster

Tea prices collapse, farmers face disaster Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung The price of tea leaves has dropped significantly in West Java since August last year, placing the province's tea farmers in limbo. "The price of tea leaves has dropped from the normal price Rp 900 per kilogram to Rp 600. We can no longer bear the losses," said Ujang Abdullah, chairman of the Association of Tea Agribusinessmen in Indonesia.

75% of bird slaughterhouses illegal

75% of bird slaughterhouses illegal Bambang Nurbianto and Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Around 75 percent of over 500,000 chickens distributed to Jakarta's markets have been slaughtered in illegal slaughterhouses despite a bylaw stipulating those who run the businesses must have licenses.

Lippo Bank posts wider loss ahead of planned divestment

Lippo Bank posts wider loss ahead of planned divestment Rendi A. Witular and P.C. Naomy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Publicly listed Bank Lippo announced on Tuesday its net loss widened last year, at the same time the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) is attempting to sell 52 percent of the government's shares in the bank to strategic investors.