Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 18 October 2004

64 articles found

Good spokesperson, not information minister

Good spokesperson, not information minister Alpha Amirrachman, Jakarta In his article, Information minister vital for Susilo's success (The Jakarta Post, Oct. 11, 2004), Muhammad Qodari argued that Megawati Soekarnoputri had failed to make use of the "strategic" information ministry. The appointment of Syamsul Mu'arif of the rival Golkar Party, not a cadre from her own party, as the information minister was also regarded as a blunder.

Aburizal Bakrie Coordinating Minister for the

Aburizal Bakrie Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hassan Wirayuda Minister of Foreign Affairs Mari Elka Pangestu Minister of Trade Rachmat Gobel Minister of Industry Hatta Radjasa Minister of Transportation Kusmayanto Kadiman Minister of Education/State Minister for Research and Technology Lt. Gen.(ret) Muh.

Four ex-councilors keep official cars

Four ex-councilors keep official cars TANGERANG: As of Saturday, four former members of Tangerang municipal council were still in possession of their official cars, although their tenures finished last month. E. Kusnadi, an official of the council secretariat, named former speaker Gian Sugiharsono and councillors Awing Suhanda, Mohamad Nur and M. Fauzie as those who had not returned the cars. He said he personally would approach the three councillors to ask for the cars.

Clinic to help infertile couples

Clinic to help infertile couples Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Like most married couples, Pedro and Aurelia are eager for the presence of a child in their family. For six years of marriage, the couple has tried every possible medication and treatment to have a child of their own.

Revising foreign-policy management

Revising foreign-policy management Yayan GH Mulyana, Bogor, West Java Foreign policy is a sector that has received little attention from the Indonesian public, particularly in relation to the emergence of the new government.

Banpu joins tender to develop South Sumatra power plant

Banpu joins tender to develop South Sumatra power plant Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Samarinda Thailand's largest coal miner Banpu Plc. said it would invest up to US$200 million to build a power plant in South Sumatra next year should it win a project to supply power tendered by state electricity company PT PLN. Banpu business development director Pongsak Thongampai said the company had already submitted a proposal for the pre- qualification bid in September to PLN.

Accused cop gets career enhancement

Accused cop gets career enhancement KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: A top police officer from North Central Timor regency was replaced earlier this week following reports from local religious and community leaders that he had allegedly backed gambling dens and extorted local businessmen. However, Comr. Marthen Radja, the spokesman for the East Nusa Tenggara provincial police, denied that the replacement was linked to pressure from the community leaders. He said that the replacement of Adj. Sr. Comr.

Flood anticipation urgent

Flood anticipation urgent From Suara Karya In anticipation of floods in Jakarta as the rainy season is approaching, the Jakarta regional administration should actively take specific flood measures, particularly by clearing open drains as well as river, lake and pool dredging. The cleaning and dredging are needed to increase the capacity of the drainage channels when the wet season arrives.

Asia's low-cost airlines hold their breath as fuel costs soar

Asia's low-cost airlines hold their breath as fuel costs soar Dirk Beveridge, Associated Press/Hong Kong High oil prices are putting the squeeze on airlines worldwide, and passengers are seeing fuel surcharges tacked onto tickets as executives keep a nervous eye on the bottom line. But low-cost budget air carriers taking off around Asia see little choice but to press ahead. They're pushing on with expansion plans and insist they can still beat their bigger, established rivals on price.

TNT finding linked to Sept. 9 bombing

TNT finding linked to Sept. 9 bombing Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police said on Sunday they were hunting down four men for illegal possession of explosives found in a West Java village recently and for their alleged role in last month's bombing outside the Australian Embassy in Kuningan, South Jakarta. National Police chief of detectives Comr. Gen. Suyitno Landung Sudjono said the four were part of the group responsible for the Sept. 9 attack.

NYPD nabs RI-born for extortion

NYPD nabs RI-born for extortion JAKARTA: The New York Police Department (NYPD) arrested on Saturday an Indonesian-born U.S. citizen for extortion against Indonesian Consul-General Kristio Wahyono. The man, identified only by his initials CK, is the employee of Indonesian maid Faridah Abdullah, who made a claim before a notary that she had sex with 41 people, mostly Indonesian officials, for money.

Mega's plan to skip SBY induction 'will backfire'

Mega's plan to skip SBY induction 'will backfire' Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bogor Outgoing President Megawati Soekarnoputri's decision to skip the inauguration of her successor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will backfire and further damage her image, political analysts said on Sunday.

NTB governor, deputy charged with corruption

NTB governor, deputy charged with corruption The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Banda Aceh Police have named West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Governor Lalu Serinata and his deputy Thamrin Reyes as suspects in two separate corruption cases. NTB Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. M. Basri was quoted by Antara as saying on Saturday that Serinata, who was the provincial legislative council speaker at the time of the alleged crime, was being charged with misusing the 2001 and 2002 provincial budgets.

Thousand flee riot-torn village

Thousand flee riot-torn village Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar Tension was still high on Sunday in a village in Aralle district, some 400 kilometers from the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar, after two people were reported killed and dozens of homes burned down in a communal clash over a dispute on the formation of a new regency there.

Off-road adventure to be held in Sumatra

Off-road adventure to be held in Sumatra JAKARTA: This year's annual off-road auto competition will be held in December in Sumatra, starting in Pekanbaru, Riau, and ending in Padang, West Sumatra. The Diplomat Challenge of Indonesia 2004, the longest off-road auto competition in the country, will feature about 50 off- roaders, according to organizing committee chairman Justinus Sahlim. "The time is short and the route is difficult, therefore we intend to limit the number of participants.

Indonesian held for killing Malaysian family in Cairo

Indonesian held for killing Malaysian family in Cairo The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An Indonesian citizen has been arrested in Egypt for allegedly killing four members of a Malaysian family in their home in Cairo during an alleged robbery over the weekend, an official said Sunday. The Antara news agency reported the killing happened on Friday morning local time.

Stop terrorism, please!

Stop terrorism, please! T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta Stop terrorism. That is the call of most people, including hoteliers, as they are all fed up with terrorist attacks that bring pain and misery to many. After the prolonged crisis that struck Indonesia in 1997, the country again received another blow with the Bali bombings in 2002. The tragedy that killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists, shocked the whole world and almost paralyzed the tourist industry.

Papuan protesters narrow minded over autonomy: Salossa

Papuan protesters narrow minded over autonomy: Salossa Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura A three-day evaluation of regional autonomy in Papua ended on Friday, with one of the most contentious issues raised being the appointment of civil servants in the province. The issue was brought to the forefront amid prolonged protests by native Papuans, over the appointment of civil servants hailing from outside Papua.

Java, Bali face water shortage

Java, Bali face water shortage JAKARTA: The water supply for Java and Bali has hit critical levels against increasing demand, a minister warned on Saturday. Minister of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure Soenarno said the densely populated islands of Java and Bali were able to supply only 300 billion cubic meters of water annually, while demand was twice this amount.

Oil price may hurt economy: Susilo

Oil price may hurt economy: Susilo JAKARTA: Indonesian President-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono vowed Friday to find a solution to rising oil prices, which he said could hurt the global economy. Crude oil futures eased slightly to US$54.58 at 1300 GMT on electronic after-hours trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, a day after a decline in the U.S. inventory of heating oil roiled a market already on edge over tight supplies, high demand and unrest among key producers.

Professionals needed in the Cabinet

Professionals needed in the Cabinet From Koran Tempo Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and his running mate Jusuf Kalla have won the presidential elections. The fact that Susilo has been directly elected the sixth president of the country is indicative of the great hope that Indonesians have in the new administration. At this juncture, it would be wise for Indonesians to bear in mind that the country is facing extraordinarily serious problems that may not be solved in a short time.

Mega to sign decree on holiday exodus

Mega to sign decree on holiday exodus SURAKARTA, Central Java: President Megawati Soekarnoputri is expected to issue a presidential decree to better coordinate government agencies that cater to the needs of holidaymakers who wish to travel to their hometowns for Idul Fitri.

Senior treasurer charged with graft

Senior treasurer charged with graft MEDAN, North Sumatra: A senior government treasurer in Medan, who recently retired from his post, was accused on Saturday of embezzling state money amounting to Rp 417 million (US$44,361). Edy Sofyan, the spokesman of the North Sumatra provincial government, said that the administration had reported the case to the police for further investigation.

Malaysia sets the stage to become key Islamic banking hub in region

Malaysia sets the stage to become key Islamic banking hub in region Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur With eight full-fledged Islamic banks including three Middle East players, predominantly Muslim Malaysia has set the stage to become a key Islamic financial hub in the region, analysts say. The central bank last week completed a plan to fast-track the liberalization of the Islamic banking sector this year, three years ahead of the World Trade Organization (WTO) deadline in 2007.

'We are victims of Ramadhan': Nightclub workers, owners say

'We are victims of Ramadhan': Nightclub workers, owners say Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya Yulianti, a bartender at a nightclub in Surabaya, had a busy couple of nights before Ramadhan started on Friday. On Wednesday night, the club was packed and there was a huge demand for drinks. Pouring a beer was one thing, but some of the cocktails were complicated to mix.

Foreign-policy agenda for the new president

Foreign-policy agenda for the new president Bantarto Bandoro, Jakarta Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is likely to be in charge of the country for the next five years following an official announcement by the General Elections Commission that he won support from three-fifths of the voters. Indonesia now stands at another crossroads; it is another time for leaders to be farsighted and to bring the country five years of better domestic security and improved prosperity.

Trying the press

Trying the press In an example of prudence in the search for justice, the underused Press Council issued on Friday a momentous decision that should reignite freedom of expression's dimming light. In a decision that will surely become a model for resolving future press disputes, the council found that four publications breached the Indonesian Journalist's Code of Ethics.

Foreign and local tourists flock back to Bali island

Foreign and local tourists flock back to Bali island Rita A.Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar The number of foreign tourists visiting Bali has continued to increase over the past few months, thanks to the improved security situation. The deadly terrorist attack that hit the resort island in October, 2002, scared away not only foreign tourists, but also local visitors. The number of foreign tourists started to increase in January this year, and continued to rise in the following months.

Three cell phones to broaden your choices

Three cell phones to broaden your choices Zatni Arbi, Contributor, zatni@cbn.net.id Imagine having to review three cellular phone devices in a single week, and that was just what I had to do over the last seven days. Fortunately, these phones had some interesting features that I would like to share with you. After test driving so many, I have come to the conclusion that it is getting more and more difficult to say which one is the best.

Golkar takes Bekasi speaker post

Golkar takes Bekasi speaker post BEKASI: The Golkar Party faction scored another success in taking the speakership of Bekasi municipal council, following its success in Jakarta and Tangerang municipal councils. Rachmat Effendi of the Golkar Party was elected as Bekasi's new speaker, after defeating Achmad Syaikhu of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction with 25 votes against 18.

No layoffs in banking merger: Bank CIC

No layoffs in banking merger: Bank CIC The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The merger of Bank Pikko, Bank CIC and Bank Danpac -- to be completed this week -- will not lead to layoffs as the resulting bank will be controlled by the same majority shareholders, Bank CIC said. "In this process, the management will not dismiss any of the workers," said Anwary Surjaudajam, president of Bank CIC, chosen as the surviving bank in the merger, although the resulting bank will be called Bank Century.

Graft led to Adrian's escape, experts say

Graft led to Adrian's escape, experts say Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Observers demanded on Sunday a thorough investigation into officers allegedly involved in the escape of Adrian Waworuntu, a key suspect in the Rp 1.7 trillion (US$185 billion) BNI scandal, saying it could reveal widespread bribery involving the police.

Cracks emerge in SBY coalition

Cracks emerge in SBY coalition Tiarma Siboro and M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Signs of cracks in the coalition of political parties that support president-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono are emerging as they question his choice of several ministerial candidates.

Off-road adventure

Off-road adventure to be held in December JAKARTA: This year's annual off-road auto competition will be held in December in Sumatra, starting in Pekanbaru, Riau, and ending in Padang, West Sumatra, The Diplomat Challenge of Indonesia 2004, the longest off-road auto competition in the country, will feature about 50 off- roaders, according to organizing committee chairman Justinus Sahlim. "The time is short and the route is difficult, therefore we intend to limit the number of participants.

Australia mulls new pact with RI

Australia mulls new pact with RI Agence France Presse, Sydney Australia said on Sunday it was considering signing a new security agreement with Indonesia to replace a treaty between the countries that was scrapped when Canberra sent troops into East Timor in 1999. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the government was aware that Indonesia president-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called for the security pact to be renewed last year on a trip to Australia.

Aceh sharia court not yet effective

Aceh sharia court not yet effective JAKARTA: Chief Justice Bagir Manan said the country's first sharia court in Aceh, which applies Islamic law, or sharia, could not work effectively due to the absence of related bylaws. Last week, Bagir transferred the power of the district court to hear cases involving Muslims to the sharia court, which was established in early 2003 under the special autonomy granted to the province.

*Mega further tarnishes her image: analysts Page 2

*Mega further tarnishes her image: analysts Page 2 *Police link Cianjur explosives with Kuningan attack Page 4 *Two suspects nabbed over fatal robbery in Cianjur Page 5 *Foreign policy agenda for the new government Page 6 *Tug-of-war ended, council starts work Page 8 *Deco keeps Barcelona flying high Page 10 *Kerry, Bush exploit terror fears in campaign Page 11 *Asia's airlines hold their breath as fuel costs soar Page 13 *High-tech tagging secures Japanese school children Page 18

Aburizal Bakrie Coordinating Minister of the Economy

Aburizal Bakrie Coordinating Minister of the Economy Hassan Wirayuda Minister of Foreign Affairs Mari Elka Pangestu Minister of Trade Rachmat Gobel Minister of Industry Hatta Radjasa Minister of Transportation and Telecommunication Kusmayanto Kadiman Minister of Education/State Minister for Research and Technology Lt. Gen.(ret) Muh.

Metrosexual man has arrived in Indonesia: AC Nielsen

Metrosexual man has arrived in Indonesia: AC Nielsen Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta What does singer Titi DJ think about metrosexual men? "I have no problem with them, as they are well groomed. Women are not the only ones expected to constantly appear beautiful and smell good. "Being a metrosexual man, however, should have a certain limit.

Malaysia

Malaysia likely to scrap plans on betting Agence France-Presse Kuala Lumpur Malaysia will likely rescind approval for a bid to introduce legal soccer betting as there are too many gambling operators in the predominantly Muslim country, officials and local media said on Saturday.

Bill gives BIN 'excessive powers'

Bill gives BIN 'excessive powers' M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The draft bill on intelligence provides the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) with excessive powers, say rights campaigners, and will put civil liberties in peril. Article 1 of the bill states that the BIN has the authority to arrest those suspected of conducting any activities that could threaten national security -- a power that will turn Indonesia into a police state, according to three prominent rights groups.

;JP;

;JP; ANPAf..r.. Purnomo-decree-oil JP/1/Perpu Govt issues decrees on oil and gas sector After a long wait, the government issued two decrees on the upstream and downstream oil and gas industries on Thursday. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro said on Sunday the two decrees dealt with business regulations in the oil and gas sector, including the processing of licenses.

Profiles: Jakarta Councillors

Profiles: Jakarta Councillors Amid allegations of vote-buying during the election for the Jakarta Council Speaker, councillors have pledged to work together to fight institutional corruption and create a better, more humane city for residents. The Jakarta Post's Bambang Nurbianto has gathered profiles on the 75 councillors, along with their thoughts on the most pertinent issues for the capital. Below are profiles on councillors from the Democratic Party.

New envoy admires RI's democracy

New envoy admires RI's democracy Adianto P. Simamora and Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Egypt's new ambassador to Indonesia Mohamed El Sayed Taha hailed Indonesia for holding peaceful and democratic elections, including the country's first-ever direct presidential election, in one year.

MUI asks vendors to respect fasting

MUI asks vendors to respect fasting JAKARTA: The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) has urged food and beverage vendors to refrain from running their businesses openly during the fasting month. "I urge all vendors to open their shops from evening until dawn to respect those who are fasting," MUI deputy chairman Umar Shihab said on Saturday. He further said if the vendors needed to make money during the day, they should do so discreetly.

Collusion, corruption hurting the outlook for education

Collusion, corruption hurting the outlook for education Simon Marcus Gower, Jakarta Recently a friend from the United Kingdom, who has spent much of her working life dedicated to various aspects of the world of education, was paying a first visit to Jakarta. Currently working with a non governmental organization, she was naturally enough interested to look at schools and school development in the city.

The human face of corruption's victims

The human face of corruption's victims Patrick Guntensperger, Jakarta There is a natural inclination among those of us who love Indonesia to downplay the seriousness of corruption, Indonesia's single biggest problem. We try to see the cultural climate of corruption as being a remnant of the tradition of showing respect in the form of "tributes" or "tips" to public officials who do something for us.

Islamic law revision and common sense

Islamic law revision and common sense I wish to congratulate The Jakarta Post for printing an interview with Professor Siti Musdah Mulia. In Canada many are working to get Section 293 of the Criminal Code of Canada which outlaws polygamy in our country declared constitutional so that polygamy will be banned and prosecuted.

1. BAGHDAD: 1 X 25

1. BAGHDAD: 1 X 25 Seven Iraqis die in latest battles 2. SUSILO: 2 X 20 SBY allies threaten to withdraw support 3. METRO: 2 X 25 Metrosexual man has arrived in Indonesia: AC Nielsen

Papuans call for start of special autonomy

Papuans call for start of special autonomy Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Papuans have called on president-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to enforce the Special Autonomy Law for Papua to resolve the prolonged issues in the province. A meeting of Papuan activists and leaders last Wednesday and Thursday urged Susilo to support the Papuan people by implementing fully Law No.

S. Korea plans FTA talks with Europe

S. Korea plans FTA talks with Europe SEOUL: South Korea and a bloc of four European countries have reached a tentative agreement to launch talks early next year on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), the foreign ministry here said on Saturday. South Korea plans to hold the talks with the European Free Trade Association, a free trade bloc made up of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The association was launched in 1960.

Asia's low-cost airlines hold their breath as fuel costs soar

Asia's low-cost airlines hold their breath as fuel costs soar Dirk Beveridge Associated Press/Hong Kong High oil prices are putting the squeeze on airlines worldwide, and passengers are seeing fuel surcharges tacked onto tickets as executives keep a nervous eye on the bottom line. But low-cost budget air carriers taking off around Asia see little choice but to press ahead. They're pushing on with expansion plans and insist they can still beat their bigger, established rivals on price.

Legislative-executive

Legislative-executive synergy needed From Koran Tempo The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the House of Representatives (DPR) should operate according to their scope of authority and should not maneuver to resist president-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's government during the next term.

2 x 23

2 x 23 Two suspects nabbed over fatal robbery in Cimahi JP/5/korup 1 x 43 NTB governor, deputy charged with corruption JP/5/PAPUA 3 x 17 Papuan protesters narrow minded over autonomy: Salossa JP/5/BROTHEL 2 x 27 We are victims of Ramadhan, nightclub workers, owners say

ASEAN manufacturing not hollowed out by China

ASEAN manufacturing not hollowed out by China ASEAN is maintaining its hold on manufacturing without being clobbered by China's lure as feared, a U.S.-based financial house reported on Saturday. The big hollowing out of Southeast Asia's manufacturing sector was predicted by many analysts who watched as industries poured into China in the last decade.

Governor goes on 'Ramadhan Safari'

Governor goes on 'Ramadhan Safari' PEKANBARU, Riau: The Riau provincial government will give away Rp 330 million (US$35,106) to 33 mosques in the province during Ramadhan, a government official said on Saturday. Riau Governor Rusli Zainal will hand over the taxpayers' cash himself to selected mosque officials during his "Ramadhan Safari" set to commence this week, said Nazarudin, the head of People's Welfare Office in the province.

Teluk Naga village to open crocodile park

Teluk Naga village to open crocodile park Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Following the Tangerang regency administration officially declaring that Tanjung Pasir village is a tourist destination, the Teluk Naga district administration approved the construction of a crocodile park in the village in a bid to attract tourists.

'Businesspeople should follow Assembly's example'

'Businesspeople should follow Assembly's example' The decision of four leaders of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to refuse the luxuries they are entitled to, including Volvo cars and plush hotel suites, has received various reactions from the public. The Jakarta Post talked to some residents about the issue. Gobind Vashdev, 30, volunteers for a social foundation. He lives with his family in Sunter, North Jakarta: That's a really extraordinary example for Indonesians.

Buying hotel rooms over the Internet

Buying hotel rooms over the Internet Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Most Indonesians booking a hotel room for business or pleasure prefer to do so over the phone. But, in fact, people are now able to make reservations over the Internet, popularly known as online booking. Online booking offers benefits that customers cannot enjoy when making reservations by other means, such as phone, fax or email.

Two suspects nabbed over fatal robbery in Cimahi

Two suspects nabbed over fatal robbery in Cimahi Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung Two of at least seven suspects have been arrested for their role in killing two female students and injuring another during a recent robbery in Cimahi regency, West Java Police said on Sunday. They said 25-year-old suspect Roji was captured on Sunday morning at the house of a relative in Palembang, South Sumatra, by a joint West Java-Cimahi police team.

Credit card users will grow 20% next year

Credit card users will grow 20% next year Rendi A. Witular, Jakarta The number of credit card users here is expected to grow by at least 20 percent next year, driven by a more robust growth in consumer spending and an expected improvement in people's income. Citibank Indonesia card business director Sanjay Kao told The Jakarta Post consumer spending would be stronger next year on the back of higher economic growth and a stable political situation.

Latest oil spill only a rumor, police say

Latest oil spill only a rumor, police say Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Pos, Jakarta The Jakarta Police asserted they would not go ahead with an investigation into the alleged oil spill in Kepulauan Seribu regency, as it was "a complete rumor". "Our team of investigators visited the islands, but they did not find any evidence of pollution. Where was the exact location of the oil spill? They did not find any spills... It was only a rumor," city police chief of special crimes Sr. Comr.

Tug-of-war ended, council starts work

Tug-of-war ended, council starts work Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta City councillors finally ended their political maneuvers and competition for strategic posts after the National Mandate Party (PAN) faction agreed to the option offered by the Democratic Party faction over the chairmanship of Commission B, which deals with economic affairs. The two factions agreed to divide the chairmanship term in Commission B and C into two terms, each lasting two-and-a-half years.

Malaysia told to act on timber smuggling

Malaysia told to act on timber smuggling Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia has asked Malaysia to deal with those smuggling ramin from Indonesia, following its recent registration in Appendix 2 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Growing only in swampy areas of Indonesia and Malaysia, ramin (Gonystylus spp.) has long been considered an endangered species.