Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 7 January 2004

77 articles found

S'pore manufacture at 37-month high

S'pore manufacture at 37-month high SINGAPORE : Singapore's vital manufacturing sector is expected to expand this year after a key index monitoring factory orders surged to a 37-month high, the Singapore Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management (SIPMM) reported on Tuesday. The purchasing managers index (PMI) soared to 54.5 points in December, up 1.3 points from the previous month.

Only 1,600 pass KPU screening

Only 1,600 pass KPU screening Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The General Elections Commission (KPU) announced on Tuesday that only 1,611 of 8,871 legislative candidates have passed the first screening, with none from, among others, the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Reform Star Party (PBR). A small number of legislative aspirants failed absolutely to pass KPU verification as they did not meet the minimum age requirement of 21, but the KPU did not provide any figures.

JP/R. Berto Wedhatama

JP/R. Berto Wedhatama INTRA-PARTY ACCUSATIONS: A group of rank-and-file Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) supporters hand a banner during a demonstration against secretary general Pramono Anung, who they have accused of corruption in connection with the appointment of prospective legislators to represent their party in the elections. The party members expressed on Tuesday their frustration at the PDI-P headquarters in South Jakarta.

Japan eyes Australia, New Zealand to replace U.S. beef

Japan eyes Australia, New Zealand to replace U.S. beef Reuters, Sydney Japanese officials will visit Australia and New Zealand to discuss increasing beef imports from the two countries after Tokyo banned U.S. beef because of its first case of mad cow disease.

No flood, only medium rain combined with high tide: BMG

No flood, only medium rain combined with high tide: BMG Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakartans may enjoy one more day of dry weather, but according to the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency's (BMG) latest weather forecast, Wednesday should see light drizzle and/or medium rain. Even though there will be a full moon, prompting the highest tide of the month, no flooding is expected if that is combined with a small amount of rain, said a forecaster on duty at the BMG.

GAM rejects officials' involvement in hostage release

GAM rejects officials' involvement in hostage release Kurniawan Hari and Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Aceh/Jakarta The hopes for the immediate release of RCTI cameraman Fery Santoro and other civilians held hostage by the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) were dashed following the latter's rejection of government officials' involvement. As a government team headed by Lt. Gen.

Politicians' greetings in media may be banned

Politicians' greetings in media may be banned Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Presidential candidates will no longer be able to convey their greetings to the public on various occasions via television after the newly formed Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) has completed its media campaign regulations. The ads may be perceived as disguised political campaigns.

RI assures Suu Kyi included in Myanmar democratization process

RI assures Suu Kyi included in Myanmar democratization process Fabiola Desy Unidjaja The Jakarta Post Jakarta Myanmar's opposition leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has asked the international community to be patient with the Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyut's administration, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said on Tuesday.

'Govt could do more about mad cow disease'

'Govt could do more about mad cow disease' The central government has taken precautionary measures against a possible degenerative brain disease among humans caused by the consumption of meat contaminated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease.

CNOOC seeks to preempt RI gas sale

CNOOC seeks to preempt RI gas sale LONDON: BG Group PLC (BG.LN) Tuesday confirmed reports that China National Offshore Oil Corp., or CNOOC, intends to preempt the U.K. gas company's sale of its stake in a major Indonesian natural gas project to Mitsui & Co. (MITSY). Last month, BG said it had agreed to sell its 50% stake in the Muturi Production Sharing Contract to Japan's Mitsui for $236 million in cash.

KL plays down bridge issue with S'pore

KL plays down bridge issue with S'pore MALAYSIA: Malaysia on Tuesday played down a dispute with Singapore over a bridge linking the two countries, days ahead of the new Malaysian leader's first official visit to the city- state. Malaysia has said it wants to unilaterally work on a new bridge across the 1.5-kilometer wide strait separating it from the island of Singapore, in order to ease traffic congestion on the existing bridge and causeway.

New UGM facilities worth Rp 900 billion inaugurated

New UGM facilities worth Rp 900 billion inaugurated Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Minister of National Education Malik Fadjar officially opened on Tuesday 60 new buildings at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), which were built at a total cost of about Rp 900 billion (US$106 million). Measuring a total of 89,000 square meters, the buildings belong to seven UGM departments: medicine, dentistry, forestry, agriculture, agricultural technology, veterinary medicine, and animal husbandry.

Cities respond differently to possible SARS outbreak

Cities respond differently to possible SARS outbreak The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian authorities in separate cities here gave different responses on Tuesday on the possibility of a recurrence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), after a new case was confirmed in southern China.

1. SARS: 12 x 4 lines

1. SARS: 12 x 4 lines RI cities have diverse responses to possible SARS outbreak 2. BOMB: 18 x 3 lines Fresh bomb attacks, threats hit cities across the country 3. HOSTAGE: 27 x 2 lines GAM rejects officials' involvement in hostage release 4. BMG: 20 x 2 lines No flood, only medium rain with high tide: BMG 5. KPU: 30 x 1 line KPU members off on more trips abroad 6. ODD: 24 x 1 line 'Dead' man comes back to life

UN troops to guard forests?

UN troops to guard forests? From Koran Tempo Illegal logging in Indonesia has lasted for 15 years. While in the New Order era no smuggling was involved, in this period of reform log smuggling has become a new and booming business. Our law enforcement agencies are apparently helpless in the face of the illegal logging and smuggling. On the borders between West/East Kalimantan and Malaysia, the contraband log trade is big business. An article written by Hadi S.

Flexibility asked on U.S. security policy

Flexibility asked on U.S. security policy Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia expressed hope on Tuesday that the Unites States would exercise flexibility in implementing its new policy to fingerprint and photograph foreign visitors. Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said the immigration policy was "quite understandable considering the level of threat against U.S. interests. "The new policy sounds excessive, but we'll see how it is applied.

Locals irked by dump, prefer to stay quiet

Locals irked by dump, prefer to stay quiet Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With the Jakarta administration shutting down the Bantar Gebang dump, the capital's dump trucks have begun to dispose of their 6,000 tons of daily waste on open land in Cilincing subdistrict and near Jl. Cakung Cilincing in Rorotan subdistrict, both in North Jakarta. The dump trucks started to dump the garbage in Cilincing on Saturday, without the benefit of any waste treatment processes.

Disguised campaigning

Disguised campaigning From Warta Kota A number of political parties have clearly started their election campaigns, including putting up banners and flags everywhere. Party leaders, especially those who hold government positions, are also campaigning wherever they go, though they always deny this. However, it is the facts that matter, rather than their denials.

Trigger-happy policeman sinks undercover drug op

Trigger-happy policeman sinks undercover drug op Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A highly confidential operation to uncover an international drug syndicate by a joint team from the National Police and the Jakarta Police turned into a farce after a policeman from the Central Jakarta Police precinct, who was not involved in the operation, shot two undercover officers from the joint team in the leg on Monday evening. Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen.

1. STOCK: 18 x 3 lines

1. STOCK: 18 x 3 lines JSX ends lower after spectacular morning jump 2. PATANI: 28 x 2 lines Violence in Thailand's south could spell crisis: Analysts 3. BADAWI: 23 x 2 lines Mega busy with planned visits of foreign guests 4. GOLF: 28 x 2 lines Major focus for Tiger Woods as 2004 offers rich promise 5. TRAIN: 30 x 1 line Jakarta-Banten train catches fire

Medco buys into Langsa oil field

Medco buys into Langsa oil field JAKARTA: Oil and gas company PT Medco Energi International has bought a 70 percent working interest in Langsa oil field in Aceh province from Singapore company MODEC Production (Langsa) Pte. Ltd, a press release said on Monday. A sale and purchase agreement was signed on Dec. 24, 2003 between MODEC and Medco's subsidiary MEDCO MOECO Langsa Limited. It makes MEDCO the majority shareholder in the Langsa Technical Assistance Contract (Langsa TAC).

Consumption tax in Batam

Consumption tax in Batam President Megawati Soekarnoputri should be hailed for her political courage to impose domestic-consumption tax on Batam island, the bonded zone near Singapore, only a few months before the presidential election in early July. Such a painful, fiscal measure certainly will set off protests, both from general consumers and investors.

IBRA in rush to meet 2004 fiscal target

IBRA in rush to meet 2004 fiscal target Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) plans to sell several major assets over the final two months of its term in an effort to meet its Rp 5 trillion (US$590 million) revenue target. The assets include a majority stake in Bank Lippo, some Rp 1.3 trillion worth of property, non-performing loans and investment and commercial papers with a total book value of more than Rp 70 trillion.

KPU members off on more trips abroad

KPU members off on more trips abroad Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPU) members and officials have embarked on a second round of trips across the world, claiming these are necessary to disseminate information on the elections to some two million Indonesian voters overseas. KPU secretary-general Safder Yusacc said on Tuesday that this time around the overseas visits were aimed at training Indonesian election committee officials abroad.

Papua needs Rp 15t for elections

Papua needs Rp 15t for elections JAYAPURA, Papua: Papua needs at least Rp 15 billion (US$1.8 million) to finance the upcoming general elections across its 19 regencies and mayoralties in Papua province and nine regencies and mayoralties in West Papua province. The special fund will be allocated mainly to provide accommodation and transportation for Papuan voters traveling cross-province from remote areas to cast their votes.

Where to go in Jakarta: Wednesday, January 7, 2003

Where to go in Jakarta: Wednesday, January 7, 2003 Exhibitions * Painting: Dari Abas sampai Dumas, Galeri Milenium, D'Best Shopping Center, Blok B-23, Jl. R.S. Fatmawati No. 15, South Jakarta (Tel. 7507828), until Jan. 31. * Affandi and Kartika, the lithographs, etchings and serigraphs, created during 1977 in Europe, when he received the Dag Hammarskjoeld Foundation International Peace Award. The 2nd floor gallery, Dharma Mulia Galleries, Jl. H. Juanda No. 50, Ciputat (Tel. 7492850), until Jan.

Governors, businessmen reject policy on reforestation fees

Governors, businessmen reject policy on reforestation fees Mikael Setiawan and Rusman, The Jakarta Post, Balikpapan/Samarinda Governors and businessmen in Kalimantan demanded on Tuesday that the Minister of Forestry revoke a government decree that obliges logging companies to pay a reforestation fee to the government.

Unrest prevails ahead of general elections

Unrest prevails ahead of general elections A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Five years after the reform movement, social unrest still prevails in Indonesia, where political rivalry has begun to heat up ahead of the 2004 elections. The thriving corruption, stagnant poverty rate, poor law enforcement, a lack of jobs and other social grievances, as well as conflicts of interests among the political elite are to blame.

Results of legislative candidates screening

Results of legislative candidates screening Parties qualified registered 1. Marhaenisme Indonesian National Party (PNI Marhaenisme) 26 250 2. Socialists' Democratic Labor Party (PBSD) - 297 3. Crescent Star Party (PBB) - 390 4. Freedom Party - 300 5. United Development Party (PPP) 59 628 6. United Democratic Nationhood Party (PPDK) 1 272 7. New Indonesia Alliance Party (PPIB) 5 284 8. Freedom Bull National Party (PNBK) 3 221 9. Democratic Party 81 477 10.

Angie hopes for turnaround in 2004

Angie hopes for turnaround in 2004 Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After a disappointing run last year, Angelique 'Angie' Widjaja of Indonesia will be more selective about the tournaments she chooses to play this year. At the beginning of last year, she announced a full slate of tournaments that she would attend. But this time around Angie said that she would open the 2004 season with just four scheduled tournaments before deciding what other tournaments to enter.

Bandung regency poorest in W. Java

Bandung regency poorest in W. Java BANDUNG: A national survey has found that Bandung regency is the poorest in West Java, followed by Bogor and Cirebon. In Bandung regency, some 543,000 residents of a 6,400,000- strong population were categorized as poor, said Edi Suharto, a lecturer at the private Social Welfare Institute here. The statement was based on a survey recently held by the Central Statistics Agency last year.

Aceh military gets new spokesman

Aceh military gets new spokesman JAKARTA: Lt. Col. Asep Sapari will soon be installed as the new spokesman for the military operation in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, replacing Lt. Col. Ahmad Yani Basuki. Aceh military operation commander Brig. Gen. George Toisutta is to formally install him in mid-January. Asep is known for his openness to journalists and has experience in handling the Army public relations.

Bright end to South Asia summit

Bright end to South Asia summit Agencies, Islamabad Nuclear giants India and Pakistan concluded a landmark summit on Tuesday with the surprise announcement they will resume dialog next month, bolstering hopes for a resolution to one of the world's most dangerous disputes. South Asian leaders wrapped up their first summit in two years on Tuesday, a gathering that raised hopes for greater regional cooperation.

Elections organizer goes on trial over fake diploma

Elections organizer goes on trial over fake diploma M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Bogor An active member of the Depok General Elections Commission (KPU Depok), who appeared on Tuesday in Cibinong District Court, Bogor regency, was the first person to stand trial for allegedly producing false information in order to sit on the commission. Defendant Muhammad Amin Nurdin, 32, is charged with repeatedly claiming, falsely, to be a university graduate.

Jakarta garbage crisis may last four-months

Jakarta garbage crisis may last four-months Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso called on residents of the capital to be tolerant of garbage that is likely to pile up in every corner of the city for another four months amid a lingering standoff between the Jakarta administration and Bekasi municipality over use of the 104-hectare Bantar Gebang dump.

Police and AGO pledge to anticorruption body

Police and AGO pledge to anticorruption body Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The anticorruption body received on Tuesday pledges of support from the National Police and Attorney General's Office for its "superpower" duties in investigating and trying corruption cases. "Today, we discussed how the KPK and the police can work hand in hand in corruption cases. The police will provide everything the KPK needs, including all case files and personnel," said National Police Chief Gen.

Bus owners mulling busway feeder services

Bus owners mulling busway feeder services Tony Hotland and Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Nine days before the kickoff of the busway project, the city administration is optimistic that the feeder buses will be ready on time, although the Jakarta Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) has yet to take a decision on the issue. "The feeder buses will be ready by the launch of the busway.

Suu Kyi asks for world's patience: RI

Suu Kyi asks for world's patience: RI Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Myanmar's opposition leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has asked the international community to be patient with the Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyut's administration, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said on Tuesday. "She herself said that ASEAN should not push the new government too hard, because in the end it will only hamper the reconciliation and democratization processes," Hassan said.

Govt told to quickly draft budget bill

Govt told to quickly draft budget bill Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government should speed up the drawing-up process of the 2005 state budget bill so that its deliberation would not be disrupted too much by the election, which is expected to keep lawmakers busy, according to a senior legislator.

From Warta Kota

From Warta Kota Reportedly, the ban that the Jakarta administration imposes on motorized vehicles carrying fewer than three passengers on certain roads and at certain times of the day (the three-in-one traffic ban) will be renewed and this ban will be enforced on more areas and over a longer period of time. It is easy to imagine that Jakarta will experience more traffic jams during the time when the ban is in force.

11 foreigners nabbed for drugs in 2003

11 foreigners nabbed for drugs in 2003 DENPASAR, Bali: Eleven foreigners, along with 160 Indonesians on the island paradise Bali, were arrested for drug trafficking and drug abuse. During the same period, 7.4 kilograms of marijuana, 4.35 kilograms of cocaine and 1.2 kilograms of heroin were confiscated by the police. The provincial police's public relations chief, Sr. Comm.

For Expo Brief Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004

For Expo Brief Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004 Indonesia Economic and Political Outlook 2004 - The Road To Recovery Puri Agung Sahid Jakarta. On January 13, 2004 (8.00 am - 3.00 pm). The Independent Research & Advisory, the Indonesia Rebuilding Association (PMKI), the Indonesia Movement Preparation Committee (KPPI) and the Chinese-Indonesian Association (INTI) Jakarta will hold a joint seminar titled Economic and Political Outlook 2004: The Road to Recovery.

Legislators demand gas from Exxon

Legislators demand gas from Exxon JAKARTA: The Acehnese Legislators Forum (Forbes) has called on the government to urge Exxon Mobile Oil Indonesia (EMOI) to supply gas to local industrial undertakings in Aceh. They said the cutting off of gas was threatening the jobs of 7,000 people in fertilizer and paper companies in the province. T. Syaiful Achmad of Golkar suggested that Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro step in to help settle the problem.

BOGOR (JP) : Drainase di kota Bogor tidak berfungsi

BOGOR (JP) : Drainase di kota Bogor tidak berfungsi karena saluran-saluran air dipenuhi oleh lumpur dan sampah, akibatnya beberapa jalan-jalan strategis dan perumahan yang ada di daerah itu, setiap musim hujan selalu tergenang air. Sementara Pemda kota Bogor belum mampu melakukan pengerukan maupun pembangunan saluran baru karena tidak punya dana.

Maid abuse up, Hassan said consulates to protect

Maid abuse up, Hassan said consulates to protect The Jakarta Post Jakarta Amid rising reports of case of abuse of Indonesian workers abroad, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda reiterated on Tuesday that the government would step up its efforts to provide protection for the migrant workers, most of whom work as housemaids in the Middle East and in neighboring countries. Many cases of unskilled workers being abused by their employers have been reported.

What do teenage expatriates think about Indonesia?

What do teenage expatriates think about Indonesia? Many expatriates bring their teenage children to Indonesia, with some ending up falling in love with the country and spending years here. Living in Indonesia is usually an equally wonderful experience for the kids. So, what is it that expatriate teenagers like or don't like about living in "exotic" Indonesia? What do they think of the country's rich cultural diversity and its unique landscape?

KPU to take no action over ballot box brouhaha

KPU to take no action over ballot box brouhaha Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The General Elections Commission (KPU) said on Tuesday it would not take action against those parties involved in irregularities in the tender to produce 2.1 million ballot boxes for the 2004 elections. KPU chairman Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin said tender winner PT Survindo Indah Prestasi failed to fulfill the Rp 311 billion (US$36.6 million) contract because it lost its financing.

Water charges

Water charges I read in The Jakarta Post that as of Jan. 4 tap water charges will increase by another 30 percent. This greatly disturbs me. Why are we, PAM water users, burdened with such a raise, while almost 50 percent of the tap water is used by people not paying for it. Why am I forced to subsidize the sloppiness of the government c/o PAM, which cannot get its act together by controlling the use of tap water and making people pay for it?

Muslim dress imposed at offices

Muslim dress imposed at offices TANGERANG: Starting next week, the Tangerang municipality administration will impose a new dress code for civil servants, including wearing Muslim clothing on Fridays. Head of the information and communication agency Achmad Chairuddin said on Monday that civil servants were to wear the government-issue brown uniform from Monday through Thursday and jogging suits every Friday morning.

* Headlines: Cities have diverse responses to possible

* Headlines: Cities have diverse responses to possible SARS outbreak 2 * Archipelago: 5 * Opinion: 2004 elections: What happens in kampongs? 7 * City: Locals irked by dump, prefer to stay quiet 8 * Sports: Iverson's return fails to spark 76ers against bucks 9 * World: Thais hunt rebels after attacks 11 * Business: China injects $45 billion to bail out state banks 16 * Features: SARS virus in civet cats may jump easily to man 17

Court delays trial on pollution

Court delays trial on pollution BOGOR: A panel of judges at the Cibinong District Court, Bogor regency delayed on Tuesday the opening hearing of a lawsuit filed by a group of environmental lawyers against large companies on charges of allegedly producing toxic waste that had threatened the lives of Munjul residents, east of Jakarta.

Indonesia's tourism policy

Indonesia's tourism policy Tourism circles have protested the Indonesian government's decision to decrease the number of states enjoying the visa-free facility, from 49 to 11. The business sector launched the protest in April last year, saying the facility given to Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Macao, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam was not effective nor essential.

NHM responds

NHM responds In reply to your article NGOs urge Australian firm to stop mining in Halmahera in The Jakarta Post on Dec. 24, 2003. PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals (PT NHM) is pleased to read that your article is accurate in reporting that PT NHM has all necessary approvals in place to undertake the mining activities as in the Contract of Work (COW) between the Republic of Indonesia and PT NHM agreed to in 1997. Regretfully, this is the limit of accuracy.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan.6, 2004

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan.6, 2004 _____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ______________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,025 0 92,000 Adindo Foresta 50 0 0 AGIS Tbk 90 0 1,652,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 85 5 2,791,500 Alakasa Industrindo 200 30 3,000 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 1,250 0 0 Alter Abadi Tbk 35 10 13,347,000...

Mega busy with planned visits of foreign guests

Mega busy with planned visits of foreign guests Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The visit of President Megawati Soekarnoputri to no less than 27 countries has been fruitful, as foreign leaders have shown an interest in returning her visits to their country or the leaders wish to get first-hand information from the President. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs official schedule, in January alone she will receive three prime ministers.

Rupiah Retes Jan. 6

Rupiah Retes Jan. 6 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,801.23 6,030.10 6,449.85 6,381.24 Brunei dollar 1 5,218.08 4,626.74 4,948.50 4,896.17 Canadian dollar 1 6,925.24 6,141.17 6,567.46 6,498.79 Swiss franc 1 7,194.45 6,380.30 6,822.76 6,751.85 Danish krone 1 1,509.35 1,338.75 1,431.37 1,416.70 Euro 1 11,241.71 9,971.25 10,660.92 10,551.90 Poundsterling 1 16,018.17 14,205.76 15,190.61 15,033.00 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,142.03 1,013.07 1,083.03 1,072.07...

AP/Poltak Lubis

AP/Poltak Lubis DANGEROUS JOB: Two members of the police's bomb squad Gegana defuse one of two homemade bombs at the Sukaramai vegetable market in the North Sumatra capital of Medan. The bomb was defused on Tuesday afternoon just hours after another blast rocked a bus station in Medan. Antara MINISTER IN ACEH: Minister of Social Affairs Bachtiar Chamsjah (center) talks to the Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Military Commander Maj. Gen.

Government bans used truck imports

Government bans used truck imports Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Ministry of Trade and Industry has issued a decree, effective Jan. 1, to ban the importation of used trucks weighing more than 24 tons. Director of imports at the ministry Aang Kanaan Adikusumah told The Jakarta Post that the decree, dated Dec. 31, 2003, aimed to promote national production. Used assets, such as trucks, machines or forklifts, were once allowed to be imported under a 1997 ministerial decree.

Cocoa growers struggling against pests infestation

Cocoa growers struggling against pests infestation Eva C. Komandjaja and Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Palu Cocoa farmers in the country are still struggling to cope with a debilitating pest, which has been blamed as a factor in the nation's declining output.

City wants more billboard tax

City wants more billboard tax JAKARTA: Governor Sutiyoso said on Tuesday that if the City Council approved a new bylaw on outdoor advertising taxes, it could result in a 10 percent increase in tax revenue from billboards. "The new regulation will enable us to secure Rp 110 billion (US$12.9 million) this year," he told the councillors during a plenary meeting to discuss the bylaw.

1. KPU: 1 LINE, 26 COUNTS

1. KPU: 1 LINE, 26 COUNTS Over 1,600 pass KPU screening 2. ABUSE: 1 LINE, 27 COUNTS Govt vows to defend abused maids 3. WASTE: 2 LINES, 17 COUNTS Jakarta garbage crisis may last four months 4. SUICIDE: 2 LINES, 19 COUNTS Singaporean dies after falling from 32nd floor 5. ISLAMABAD: 1 LINE, 28 COUNTS Bright end to South Asia summit

Government may reverse rejections of UN child protection articles

Government may reverse rejections of UN child protection articles Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In an about-face, the government looks likely to accept seven articles in the United Nations convention on children's rights, which will provide children with more freedom and protection. Deputy head on Welfare and Child Protection Rahmat Santika at the office of the State Minister of Women's Empowerment said on Tuesday that the government was reconsidering the articles.

TV Program: Wednesday, January 7, 2004

TV Program: Wednesday, January 7, 2004 .TB.30" 1.00" TVRI .TB.30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:30 Music 8:30 Variety Show: Pentas Ceria 9:00 Entertainment News: Show Biz 10:00 TV Drama 12:30 p.m.

Top items on the Govt's 2004 economic agenda

Top items on the Govt's 2004 economic agenda 1. Preparing 2005 state budget bill 2. Coming up with a formula to address the problems constraining exports and investment to improve business competitiveness and generate a more robust recovery in the real sector 3. Speeding up efforts to tackle poverty and unemployment 4. Maintaining internal and external credibility after the end of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s special lending program 5.

Singaporean dies after falling from 32nd floor

Singaporean dies after falling from 32nd floor A Singaporean citizen was found dead on Monday at about 11 p.m. after falling from the 32nd floor of his Puri Casablanca Apartment in South Jakarta. Tebet Police subprecinct officers identified the dead man as Peter Soh, the president of brokerage house DBS Vickers Securities. Police are currently investigating the course of events that led to his death. Tebet Police chief Comr.

From Kompas

From Kompas The behavior of politicians and the political scene in Indonesia indeed leave most laymen sad and cautious. The current situation is in contrast to the years following the birth of the republic, when many figures were deeply imbued with nationalism and patriotism. As a student, I once read a book by one of Indonesia's freedom fighters, Sutan Syahrir, titled Perjuangan Kita (Our Struggle). His statement over 50 years ago, which was republished in 1999, is still relevant.

Hamzah, Taufik make no commitment

Hamzah, Taufik make no commitment JAKARTA: The United Development Party (PPP)'s deputy chairman Alimarwan Hanan denied rumors that the PPP would be in favor of retaining the team of President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz for another term. He added that the party's position would depend on the results of the general election on April 5. "We have yet to make a commitment," he said on Tuesday.

2004 elections: What is happening in the Kampongs?

2004 elections: What is happening in the Kampongs? Rob Goodfellow, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia On April 5, 2004 voters will select candidates for the House of Representatives (DPR), Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD I), Regional Legislative Council for regencies (DPRD II), and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD).

Council candidates list incomplete

Council candidates list incomplete BOGOR: Bogor General Elections Commission (KPU Bogor) returned on Tuesday the lists of 525 council candidates submitted by the 24 competing political parties as the number of candidates is fewer than half of the expected 1,320 candidates. "Moreover, most of the candidates have not met the administrative requirements and nearly all of the political parties failed to meet the recommended 30 percent allocation for women," KPU Bogor chairman Rajab Tampubolon said.

Fresh bomb attacks, threats hit cities across the country

Fresh bomb attacks, threats hit cities across the country The Jakarta Post, Medan/Palangkaraya/Jakarta The new year is just one week old but the National Police have been dealing with terror threats after a bomb exploded and another was discovered in the North Sumatra capital, Medan, in a 12-hour spell. The police are also investigating the disappearance of 5,796 electric detonators from a warehouse belonging to a stone quarrying company in the Central Kalimantan capital, Palangkaraya.

LNG sales effort to resume this month

LNG sales effort to resume this month Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Oil and Gas Upstream Regulatory Body (BP Migas) will resume negotiations with a number of buyers in a bid to close some deals on the sale of liquefied natural gas (LNG), a senior official said. Eddy Purwanto, BP Migas deputy for finance and marketing said they would resume talks with South Korean buyers, oil refining company SK Corp. and steelmaker Posco this month.

KPUDs rebuked over candidacy documents

KPUDs rebuked over candidacy documents Yuli Tri Suwarni and Ni Luh Trisna Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung/Mataram A number of regional branches of political parties blamed the Regional General Elections Commission (KPUD) on Tuesday for the failure of legislative candidates to submit complete documents for their candidacy.

Poll watchdog reports PPP, PKB to police

Poll watchdog reports PPP, PKB to police Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Central Jakarta Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) reported the United Development Party (PPP) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) to the police on Tuesday for campaign violations. The committee's deputy chairman, Dedi Suhardadi, said that PPP members staged a march on Jan. 4 and distributed stickers bearing the slogan "Vote for the PPP", and the party's logo and election number.

Govt vows to defend abused workers

Govt vows to defend abused workers The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Amid rising reports of case of abuse of Indonesian workers abroad, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda reiterated on Tuesday that the government would step up its efforts to provide protection for the migrant workers, most of whom work as housemaids in the Middle East and in neighboring countries. Many cases of unskilled workers being abused by their employers have been reported.

Jakarta-Banten train catches fire

Jakarta-Banten train catches fire Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A diesel locomotive of economy-class commuter train traveling from Tanah Abang railway station in Central Jakarta to Rangkasbitung, Banten, caught fire as passing residential area Simprug, South Jakarta, about 300 meters from the Kebayoran Lama railway station, late Tuesday. None of the passengers of the train's eight cars was hurt.

Further job losses at SIA viewed as inevitable

Further job losses at SIA viewed as inevitable Deutsche Press-Agentur, Singapura Further job losses at Singapore Airlines (SIA) will be inevitable as the national carrier cuts costs and some of its work is outsourced to India or elsewhere, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew said in a published interview on Tuesday. "The luxury of just carrying on as before is something we cannot afford," Singapore's founding father told The Straits Times.

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.