Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 30 January 2004

71 articles found

Multifinance industry sees brighter prospects

Multifinance industry sees brighter prospectsP.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Financial Services Association (APPI) projected net investment by the country's multifinance industry this year to grow by 20 percent to Rp 60 trillion (US$7.

New Honda Stream offers all the comforts of a sedan

New Honda Stream offers all the comforts of a sedanNovan Iman Santosa The Jakarta Post Jakarta Indonesia's automotive market seems to be opening up this year, particularly in the multipurpose van (MPV) segment, as new vehicles are being launched one after the other.

Four Palopo bombing suspects arrested

Four Palopo bombing suspects arrestedSandy Darmosumarto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta South Sulawesi police have captured four suspects charged with the bombing earlier this month at the Sampoddo Indah Cafe in Palopo regency, which killed four people.National Police detective chief Comr. Gen.

Kofi A. Annan

Kofi A. Annan Secretary-General United Nations Brussels2. Inqui -- Deadly threat 2 x 21 Bird flu unlikely to go the way of the dodo soon Philippine Daily Inquirer Asia News Network Manila3. Yale -- A rising new force in world public opinion 1 X 30 Rising new force in world opinion Immanuel...

Tanah Abang goat sellers still confident of sales

Tanah Abang goat sellers still confident of salesUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Goat sellers in the Tanah Abang area, Central Jakarta, are still confident of good sales prior to the upcoming celebration of Idul Adha, or Sacrifice Day, on Feb.

Facts about bird flu

Facts about bird flu Here is a look at the bird flu spreading through Asia. WHAT IS IT: A form of influenza believed to strike all birds, though domestic poultry are believed especially prone to it. It also has jumped to humans, though no human-to-human transmission has been reported.

Thai man stabbed in robbery

Thai man stabbed in robbery YOGYAKARTA: Robbers injured a Thai businessman and made off with his cellular phone and money on Wednesday night, local police said on Thursday.The victim, identified only by the initials KHC, 52, sustained serious stab wounds in the arm during the robbery at 9:30 p.m.

Danamon issues debt to acquire Adira

Danamon issues debt to acquire AdiraThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Danamon announced on Thursday a plan to issue Rp 2.4 trillion (US$285 million) in subordinated debt to raise funds to purchase majority shares in automotive financing company PT Adira Dinamika Multi Finance.

Legislators back sports door prize scheme

Legislators back sports door prize schemeZakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives (DPR) expressed support on Thursday for the National Sports Council (KONI) scheme in conjunction with PT Metropolitan Magnum Indonesia (MMI) to hand out door prizes at sporting events in a...

Court orders suspension of 2003 water rate hike

Court orders suspension of 2003 water rate hikeUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Central Jakarta District Court ruled on Thursday that the city administration would suspend last year's water rate hike indefinitely in its verdict on a class action suit filed by the Jakarta Tap Water...

Navy intercepts illegal loggers

Navy intercepts illegal loggers JAKARTA: Naval officers intercepted on Thursday two Indonesian ships carrying illegal logs in the Aru Sea, Southeast Maluku.The crew of the KRI Sutanto patrol boat confiscated 1,268 logs aboard the Fitria Perdana and Semangat Lestari, which were leaving Indonesian...

Moluccans convicted for treason

Moluccans convicted for treason AMBON, Maluku: The Ambon District Court in Maluku province sentenced three Christian separatists on Thursday to between 13 and 15 years in prison for treason.John Latuhihin and Johanis Abraham were jailed for 15 years each, Antara reported.

Law only for ordinary people

Law only for ordinary peopleFrom Warta KotaFour of seven treasure hunters who allegedly dug up the Bogor Botanical Gardens have been taken into custody by the Bogor Police for violating the cultural heritage law.

PDI-P members stage violent rally

PDI-P members stage violent rally INDRAMAYU, West Java: Hundreds of local supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) burned party flags and tore down other party paraphernalia from the street in a protest against local leaders on Thursday.The protest started at around 10:30 a.

KPUD bans 126 councillor candidates

KPUD bans 126 councillor candidatesBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPUD) disqualified on Thursday 126 of 1,682 regional legislative candidates from 24 political parties contesting the April 5 legislative election.

Officials accused of embezzling aid funds for Poso refugees

Officials accused of embezzling aid funds for Poso refugeesRuslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Poso, Central Sulawesi Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla has urged the public to report any diversion in the distribution of welfare funds for refugees in Poso, Central Sulawesi.

Health agency monitors bird flu

Health agency monitors bird flu JAKARTA: The Jakarta Health Agency has distributed 10,000 leaflets about the symptoms and prevention of avian influenza to community health centers around the city.Public relations head Evi Zelfino said the move, which aimed to inform medical staff of the virus,...

Permata sale likely to take more than a month

Permata sale likely to take more than a monthThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) admitted on Thursday that it might not be able to conclude the sale of a controlling stake in Bank Permata by the time its term expires next month.

15 Malaysians detained for illegal logging

15 Malaysians detained for illegal loggingNethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua Bintuni Police subprecinct recently arrested 15 Malaysian nationals for illegal logging in Papua.The 15 suspects were caught cutting down trees in a forest concession area of Tohiba subdistrict, without...

Poll authority sticks to PDI-P ban

Poll authority sticks to PDI-P banRusman, The Jakarta Post, Samarinda, East Kalimantan The East Kalimantan General Election Commission (KPUD) has insisted on its decision to bar the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle's (PDI-P) East Kalimantan chapter from the legislative election.

Parties ready for legal battle

Parties ready for legal battle JAKARTA: A coalition of 13 political parties completed on Thursday documents to be presented at court when they file a lawsuit against three major parties for abusing Rp 15 trillion (US$1.7 billion) in state assets.

Amien Rais' new book offers humor

Amien Rais' new book offers humor JAKARTA: A compilation of anecdotes and witticisms from People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker Amien Rais was launched on Thursday.Guru Salimin (Teacher Salimin) features 60 stories of Amien, a presidential aspirant of the National Mandate Party (PAN).

Six held for 'inciting rebellion' in RP

Six held for 'inciting rebellion' in RPPHILIPPINES: Six Philippine military officers have been arrested for inciting rebellion against President Gloria Arroyo's government, officials said on Thursday.The six, who have been detained by the Philippine army, were part of a group within the armed...

Presidential veto of House legislation criticized

Presidential veto of House legislation criticizedKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has questioned a proposal to grant the presidency the right to veto the entry into effect of legislation passed by the House of Representatives, arguing that the...

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State of civil emergency, integrated ops in Papua? Neles Tebay Pontifical University of Urbaniana Rome2. Pro -- Brazil breaks out 1 x 30 Brazil breaks out upon Lula's vision Jeffrey D. Sachs Professor of Economics Columbia University Project Syndicate

EU to provide $7.5m grant to innovative businesses

EU to provide $7.5m grant to innovative businessesEva C. Komandjaja The Jakarta Post Jakarta A visiting European Commission (EC) delegation is encouraging business associations in Indonesia to apply for grants under a program called the Small Project Facility (SPF).

Cleric defends polygamous politicians

Cleric defends polygamous politicians KEDIRI, East Java: Chairman of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) Sahal Mahfudz sees no need to classify politicians who practice polygamy among the so-called "rotten" politicians, saying that marrying more than one women did not indicate immorality under...

Bali blast accomplice gets life sentence

Bali blast accomplice gets life sentenceWahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali The Denpasar District Court sentenced on Thursday a man to life imprisonment for his role in the devastating Bali blasts that killed 202 people.

Attractive new TV show

Attractive new TV show Fortunately, although in stark contrast to conventional TV- shows or dramas, a newly nascent TV program has emerged on Indosiar station, dubbed Tembang peduli kasih Song of compassionate love), featuring Bob Tutupoly as chief entertainer, with a batch of other noted artist,...

Aussie opposition keen to strengthen Asia ties

Aussie opposition keen to strengthen Asia tiesBelinda Goldsmith, Reuters, Sydney, Australia Australia's new opposition leader, touted as the most serious threat to the government in eight years, launched his bid for the nation's top job on Thursday pledging to strengthen ties within Asia.

* Headlines: Militant gets life for Bali bombing role 2

* Headlines: Militant gets life for Bali bombing role 2 * National: Soeharto proteges join elections 4 * Archipelago: Four Palopo bombing suspects arrested 5 * Opinion: State of civil emergency in Papua? 6 * City: Hi-tech garbage facility hits a snag 8 * Sports: Legislators back sports door prize...

Public protests pollution

Public protests pollution JAKARTA: Dozens of demonstrators staged a protest at City Hall on Thursday, demanding Governor Sutiyoso take stern measures against an oil driller they said was polluting the waters of the Thousands Islands.

Megawati orders selective cull

Megawati orders selective cullFabiola Desy Unidjaja and Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri's government responded to international criticism, including from the World Health Organization (WHO), over its handling of the bird flu outbreak by announcing on...

Indonesia buys LNG cargo from Algeria for buyers

Indonesia buys LNG cargo from Algeria for buyersBloomberg, Jakarta Indonesia, the world's top exporter of liquefied natural gas, bought a cargo of the fuel from Algeria to help meet export commitments after the Southeast Asian country channeled its natural gas supplies to domestic users.

[b]Graft and

Graft and tax collectionFrom 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.

Government to offer controlling interest in scandal-ridden BNI

Government to offer controlling interest in scandal-ridden BNIThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government will divest a 51 percent stake in scandal-hit Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) via a strategic sale in the first semester after the completion of the bank's on-going restructuring process.

PIB and its intellectuals seek to take reform to a higher level

PIB and its intellectuals seek to take reform to a higher levelAnton Doni, Head of Research and Development Unit, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The dilemma of idealistic intellectuals ahead of the first election after Soeharto quit the presidency in 1998 was whether or not to get their hands dirty by...

Integrated Operation with a state of civil emergency in Papua?

Integrated Operation with a state of civil emergency in Papua?Neles Tebay, Pontifical, University of Urbaniana, Rome Papuans are again shocked by the proposal to conduct an integrated operation with a state of civil emergency declared in Papua, or even martial law, if necessary.

'Govt, farmers have to stop the epidemic'

'Govt, farmers have to stop the epidemic' The lack of coordination between government and the regions in monitoring the health of meat and livestock has been exposed by the avian influenza -- or bird flu -- epidemic.

The Jakarta-based company's debt was reduced to 1.25

The Jakarta-based company's debt was reduced to 1.25 trillion rupiah ($148 million) and $350 million after the payment, the company said. Excelcomindo sold $350 million of bonds earlier this month in its first overseas debt sale.

Two female GAM hostages walk free at last

Two female GAM hostages walk free at lastThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Lhokseumawe/Banda Aceh Two hostages were freed in Tungkah Gajah village in East Aceh regency on Thursday, exactly seven months after they were kidnapped by members of separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

Government assigns medical team to combat bird flu

Government assigns medical team to combat bird fluEva C. Komandjaja and Wahyoe Boedhiwardana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bali The government has asked the team previously tasked with making preparations to deal with an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) to take all necessary...

Telkom secures US$129 million loan

Telkom secures US$129 million loanLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) signed on Thursday a US$129 million loan agreement with ABN Amro to repurchase the former's promissory notes.

Police seize 55,400 ecstasy tablets

Police seize 55,400 ecstasy tabletsEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A joint police team confiscated on Thursday 55,400 ecstasy pills from a building in Cengkareng, West Jakarta, and arrested two guards. The owners of the shop-house, however, are still at large.

ASITA urges visa policy review

ASITA urges visa policy reviewDewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA) urged on Thursday that the government hold a review of Presidential Decree No. 18/2003 on the new visa-on-arrival policy a month after its enactment on Feb. 1.

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The threat of bird flu Philippine Daily Inquirer Asia News Network Manila

NGOs want KPUD head dismissal

NGOs want KPUD head dismissal TANGERANG: Some 200 activists of 10 non-govermental organisations staged a rally on Thursday at the Tangerang municipal council, demanding the dismissal of the Tangerang General Elections Committee (KPUD) chairman.

Bird flu won't hurt economy

Bird flu won't hurt economyThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Finance Boediono said on Thursday that the bird flu outbreak would not seriously harm the country's economy.He argued that bird flu was considered to be as dangerous as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), because it had not...

Fear of delay to elections looms

Fear of delay to elections loomsKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais joined on Thursday those expressing concern over a possible delay to the elections following the ballot box tender fiasco.

IBRA bashing

IBRA bashing Analysts, senior officials and the media have of late been increasingly critical of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), which will end its government mandate later this month, due primarily to two reasons.

Supreme Court launches blue print on graft tribunal

Supreme Court launches blue print on graft tribunalMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In introducing a blueprint for the establishment of a new anticorruption court, the Supreme Court said it expected the graft-busting body to be up and running by June.

Sudanese Embassy responds

Sudanese Embassy responds I refer to the article published in The Jakarta Post on Jan. 16 titled Sudanese woman rises from slave to author in UK. I would like to make the observation that the press is powerful, and must therefore exercise great responsibility in the search for the truth through its...

New Honda Stream is all about comfort

New Honda Stream is all about comfortNovan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia's automotive market seems to be opening up this year, particularly in the multipurpose van (MPV) segment, as new vehicles are being launched one after the other.

Let New Order politicians run, scholar says

Let New Order politicians run, scholar saysA. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Any move to ban people belonging to the New Order regime from the elections violates the principle of democracy itself, political observer Arief Budiman says."We should implement democracy in its entirety.

Brazil breaks out

Brazil breaks outJeffrey D. Sachs Professor of Economics Columbia University Project Syndicate The biggest hidden story in international development these days may be Brazil's economic takeoff. Two years ago, Brazil's economy was left for dead, and the election of Worker Party candidate Luiz Inacio...

China denies blame for bird flu outbreak

China denies blame for bird flu outbreakAgencies, Bangkok/Geneva China, accused of deceiving the world over SARS, denied on Thursday a similar cover-up that allowed the bird flu scourge to sweep across Asia.

* Headlines: Militant gets life for Bali bombing role 2

* Headlines: Militant gets life for Bali bombing role 2 * National: Soeharto proteges join elections 4 * Archipelago: Four Palopo bombing suspects arrested 5 * Opinion: State of civil emergency in Papua? 6 * City: Hi-tech garbage facility hits a snag 8 * Sports: Legislators back sports door prize...

The threat of bird flu

The threat of bird fluPhilippine Daily Inquirer, Asia News Network, Manila The threat of bird flu is lapping at our shores, with other Asian countries reporting deaths from the virus that has jumped from fowl to humans at a pace worrisome to the World Health Organization.

Hi-tech garbage facility hits a snag during trial

Hi-tech garbage facility hits a snag during trialDamar Harsanto and Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bogor The second trial of the bale press garbage processing system at the Jakarta administration's Bojong dump in Klapanunggal district, Bogor, experienced a hitch as the management of the...

Earthquake rocks Maluku islands

Earthquake rocks Maluku islands AMBON, Maluku: A powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale shook on Thursday morning Kelang island in Central Maluku regency, hundreds of kilometers northwest of Ambon, the capital of Maluku.

Excelcomindo repays $293m loans

Excelcomindo repays $293m loans JAKARTA: PT Excelcomindo Pratama, Indonesia's third-biggest cell-phone operator, repaid about US$293 million of bank loans, allowing the company to focus on expanding business.

Parties have no objections to KPU's candidate list

Parties have no objections to KPU's candidate listA. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta All 24 political parties have approved the lists of their legislative candidates for the election to the House of Representatives, finally marking an end to the selection process, which began in December of last...

Brazil breaks out upon Lula's vision

Brazil breaks out upon Lula's visionJeffrey D. Sachs, Professor of Economics, Columbia University, Project Syndicate The biggest hidden story in international development these days may be Brazil's economic takeoff.

BMW launches new program to satisfy customers satisfaction

BMW launches new program to satisfy customers satisfactionPrimastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a bid to meet its commitment to satisfy consumers, PT BMW Indonesia launched the BMW Service Inclusive Program for any purchase of 2004 models from the 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X5 and...

Four men arrested

Four men arrested over Palopo blastSandy Darmosumarto The Jakarta Post JakartaSouth Sulawesi police have captured four suspects charged with the bombing earlier this month at the Sampoddo Indah Cafe in Palopo regency, which killed four people.National Police detective chief Comr. Gen.

Excerpts of PIB's vision/mission:

Excerpts of PIB's vision/mission:o To strive for a new Indonesia that is democratic, equitable, pluralist and open minded; o To strive for the creation of a safe, peaceful and prosperous world based on independence, democracy, humanity, justice and plurality.

KPU should popularize elections

KPU should popularize electionsFrom Media Indonesia A survey conducted by Cetro, a non-government organization, has shown the greater part of the population remains uninformed about how to vote in the general elections, which will take place in less than 100 days.

Akbar keeping wolves at bay

Akbar keeping wolves at bayMuninggar Sri Saraswati and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The five-judge Supreme Court bench examining Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung's appeal failed to hand down a decision on Thursday, arguing that they needed more time to discuss the legal issues involved.

Death toll rises to 3 in Gresik fire

Death toll rises to 3 in Gresik fireID Nugroho and Ainur R. Sophiaan, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya The death toll in the devastating fire last week at chemical plant PT Petrowidada in Gresik regency, East Java, increased to three after another victim died from severe burns, doctors said on Thursday.

BMW V12 engine: From aircraft to saloon car

BMW V12 engine: From aircraft to saloon carNovan Iman Santosa The Jakarta Post Serpong, BantenHow many people are aware that the giant automotive company BMW started its business producing engines for aircraft? This fact is far removed from many people's impressions of this manufacturer of luxury...

Her Majesty's ambassador

Her Majesty's ambassador Diplomatic assignments, by definition, are of a short-term nature. So it is not surprising that ambassadors come and go when they have completed their assignments. Nevertheless, the departure of Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador Richard Gozney and his wife Mrs.