Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 26 October 2004

74 articles found

Merpati creditors may accept debt settlement plan

Merpati creditors may accept debt settlement plan Rendi A. Witular and Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Creditors of ailing state carrier PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines are set to approve the company's debt settlement proposal by converting debt into equity, which would help increase the value of the airline ahead of a planned privatization program.

* Police yet to grill FPI members over attacks Page 2

* Police yet to grill FPI members over attacks Page 2 * The government monitors provinces prone to Anthrax and will provide free medication Page 4 * Quakes jolt E.

Composite Index : 846.63

Composite Index : 846.63 Previous : 850.77 Total trading volume : 1,359,805,076 Total trading value : Rp 889.82 billion

Violence returns to state institute

Violence returns to state institute Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, bandung Controversy has again hit the Institute of Public Administration (STPDN) in Sumedang, West Java, in connection with bullying by senior students. Ichsan S., a 19-year-old student from Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, is undergoing psychological counseling at Al-Islam hospital in the West Java capital of Bandung. Ichsan's father, Capt.

Team finds victims executed by rebels

Team finds victims executed by rebels JAYAPURA: The remains of five civilians allegedly killed by members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) separatist group two weeks ago were found on Sunday by soldiers and police. The team had found five incomplete skeletons, which they said appeared to have been burned, military commander Col. Inf.

JP/13/Bond

JP/13/Bond Sulawesi to issue regional bond Following the revision of the 1999 intergovernmental revenue sharing law that allows regions to issue debts to raise cash, the provincial administrations in Sulawesi plan to sell a collective bond to help finance local development programs. "We're planning to set up, what we call Celebes Fund. But we're still waiting for the government (implementing) regulations on this (bond) policy," Gorontalo Governor Fadel Muhammad said on Monday.

Rupiah Rates Oct. 25

Rupiah Rates Oct. 25 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,120.72 6,372.13 6,782.06 6,710.56 Brunei dollar 1 5,753.55 5,149.06 5,479.91 5,422.53 Canadian dollar 1 7,804.06 6,983.78 7,432.91 7,354.69 Swiss franc 1 7,967.19 7,128.47 7,588.27 7,507.07 Danish krone 1 1,643.42 1,470.38 1,565.26 1,548.47 Euro 1 12,216.10 10,935.78 11,635.11 11,516.58 Poundsterling 1 17,587.97 15,744.43 16,751.50 16,580.63 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,228.81 1,100.29 1,170.37 1,158.73...

Puteh pleas for extension of Aceh emergency status

Puteh pleas for extension of Aceh emergency status Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In an apparent start of the government's "shock therapy" on graft and terrorism, the government announced on Monday it planned to send people convicted of serious corruption and terror offenses to Nusakambangan prison island.

Change in Myanmar

Change in Myanmar Those that want to see the implementation of democratic reforms in Myanmar will have received the news of the sacking of Myanmar's prime minister Khin Nyunt with a great deal of dismay. The ousted prime minister, a more liberal and forward looking person, credited with the formulation of the seven-point 'road map to democracy' was in favor of a dialogue with the leading opposition parties in Myanmar as well as for setting the NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi free.

Susilo orders governors to 'stay put'

Susilo orders governors to 'stay put' Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has told governors from across the country on Monday to avoid unnecessary overseas travel and trips to the capital and instead stay in their provinces and concentrate on regional issues.

ADS -- Spotlight -- Oct. 26

ADS -- Spotlight -- Oct. 26 Ads: Spotlight-On Tuesday Oct 26 HELPING SMALL COMPANIES: The governor of Yogyakarta, Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, and the executive director of the World Trade Center Jakarta, Arief Gunawan (standing), sign a Memorandum of Understanding at the Grand opening of the 10-day Yogyakarta Art and Culture Festival at the World Trade Center building on Oct. 12.

Sulawesi to issue bond

Sulawesi to issue bond Following the revision of the 1999 intergovernmental revenue sharing law that allows regions to issue debts to raise cash, the provincial administrations in Sulawesi plan to sell a collective bond to help finance local development programs. "We're planning to set up, what we call Celebes Fund. But we're still waiting for the government (implementing) regulations on this (bond) policy," Gorontalo Governor Fadel Muhammad said on Monday.

JP/5/DRUG

JP/5/DRUG Police probed for bribery MEDAN, North Sumatra: Several North Sumatra Police officers are being questioned for allegedly taking a bribe from the son of the Karo Regent after the son was arrested in a drug raid. Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Bambang Priady said on Monday an internal police investigation began after he was informed police officers had received a bribe for the release of Beny, the son of Karo Regent, Sinar Perangin-Angin, after he was arrested on drug charges.

Probe into councillors must stop: Protesters

Probe into councillors must stop: Protesters SEMARANG: About 2,000 people calling themselves the Marhaen People's Alliance staged protest on Monday here, demanding local prosecutors stop a probe into a Rp 14 billion (US$1.5 million) corruption case involving Central Java councillors. The protesters said the graft charges were politically motivated and should be halted.

RI takes middle ground on stem-cell cloning

RI takes middle ground on stem-cell cloning Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As western countries debate the controversial issue of stem-cell cloning, Indonesia has come to a uniform decision on the country's standing on the issue. The health ministry's head of research and development, Dini Latief, said on Monday that Indonesia took the middle ground in responding to the controversy.

Hadi Waluyo named Kostrad commander

Hadi Waluyo named Kostrad commander Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After leaving the post vacant for more than two months, the Indonesian Military (TNI) appointed Lt. Gen. Hadi Waluyo as commander of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) on Monday. Hadi, currently commander of the Military Education and Training Command (Kodiklat) in Bandung, West Java, was a classmate of former Kostrad commander Lt. Gen. Bibit Waluyo, who retired on Aug.

Govt remains cautious over subsidy cut

Govt remains cautious over subsidy cut The Jakarta Post/Jakarta While giving assurances that there would be no populist measures in its economic policies, the new government remains cautious over whether or not to cut fuel subsidies in the near future. Against a backdrop of a tight budget, every policy adopted would have to be prudent and accountable, thus providing no room for populist policies, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie told a breaking-of-the-fast forum on Monday.

Selection row threatens to stall House

Selection row threatens to stall House Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Factions supporting the People's Coalition government have threatened to boycott a plenary House of Representatives session to endorse commission members scheduled on Tuesday, accusing their opposition of changing the rules in the race for commission chairmanship posts. A failure to divide lawmakers into commissions would stall the election of commission leaders and all House activities.

JP/5/stpdn

JP/5/stpdn STPDN catches headlines again Yuli Tri Suwarni The Jakarta Post/bandung Controversy has again hit the Institute of Public Administration (STPDN) in Sumedang, West Java, in connection with bullying by senior students. Ichsan S., a 19-year-old student from Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, is undergoing psychological counseling at Al-Islam hospital in the West Java capital of Bandung. Ichsan's father, Capt.

Stash of 123 bombs discovered in Poso

Stash of 123 bombs discovered in Poso Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu Locals have discovered a stash of 123 home-made bombs in the religiously divided regency of Poso, Central Sulawesi, putting security in the regency to a test ahead Idul Fitri and Christmas festivities this year. The bombs were found on Sunday evening in a Muslim cemetery in Moengko Lama. Adj. Sr. Comr.

'Are the police afraid of militants?'

'Are the police afraid of militants?' Following the vandalizing of several nightspots in Greater Jakarta during Ramadhan by militant groups, the U.S. Embassy has warned its citizens to take precautions by avoiding stand-alone bars, clubs and nightclubs. Despite criticism of such violent raids, no legal action has been taken against the groups. The Jakarta Post asked some residents about their views on the issue. Glenn Marsalim, 31, is a creative director at an ads agency on Jl.

Democracy wins, but danger lurks

Democracy wins, but danger lurks Sadanand Dhume , Yale Center for the Study of Globalization, Bali At midnight on Saturday, the dance floor at the Hard Rock Cafe in Bali was heaving. Apart from a careful pat down at the door for guests, the scene was no different from two years ago, before Islamist bombers killed 202 people at two nearby clubs and quickly emptied the HRC, and the rest of the island, of tourists.

BI to keep rates flat until yearend

BI to keep rates flat until yearend Tony Hotland and Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite the soaring oil prices and the upcoming holiday festivities, the central bank has vowed to keep inflation in check and maintain low interest rates until the end of this year to help spur on business activities. Bank Indonesia's senior deputy governor Miranda S.

Disco guard nabbed for drugs

Disco guard nabbed for drugs JAKARTA: A security guard for the Manhattan Discotheque at the Hotel Borobudur, Central Jakarta, was caught red-handed on Saturday distributing ecstasy pills, the police revealed on Monday. The police said the security guard, identified only as PN, said he got the pills from a colleague, identified a CH. Moving on a tip-off that the suspect was seeking buyers, the police placed PN under surveillance and found five ecstasy pills on the suspect.

2 x 19

2 x 19 Stash of 123 bombs discovered in Poso 2 x 27 Quakes jolt NTT and Sumatra, many refugees flee in panic 1 x 34 Bus crashes into Kijang, four dead 1 x 34 Violence returns to state institute

Govt remains cautious over subsidy cut

Govt remains cautious over subsidy cut The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While giving assurances that there would be no populist measures in its economic policies, the new government remains cautious over whether or not to cut fuel subsidies in the near future. Against a backdrop of a tight budget, every policy adopted would have to be prudent and accountable, thus providing no room for populist policies, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie told a breaking-of-the-fast forum on Monday.

Woman arrested for visa stamp forgery

Woman arrested for visa stamp forgery JAKARTA: Investigators from the immigration office declared a woman a suspect on Monday in a visa stamp forgery scam, a crime that carries a maximum of six years in jail. Immigration office head Iman Santoso told reporters that Hotma Juliana Panjaitan had been caught red-handed in possession of fake visa stamps from Indonesia, Malaysia, Hongkong and Singapore.

Police yet to interrogate FPI attackers

Police yet to interrogate FPI attackers The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Criticism is of the Jakarta Police has increased due to their relative silence over the attacks on restaurants and entertainment venues by the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) since the beginning of Ramadhan. "It's a shame that the police have done nothing to stop the attacks (on nightspots).

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A Message from H.E. Ambassador Sabato Della Monica, Head of the European Commission Delegation in Indonesia, on Occasion of the 5th EU-Indonesia Ministerial Meeting At the occasion of this first Ministerial dialogue between the European Union and the new Indonesian government, it is truly a pleasure and privilege to confer to the Indonesian people Europe's deep admiration and heartfelt congratulations for the remarkable democratic electoral process that this great country has traversed so...

Analysts skeptical about Juwono's visit to U.S.

Analysts skeptical about Juwono's visit to U.S. Tiarma Siboro and M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Minister of Defense's planned visit to the U.S. will bear little fruit unless he can convince U.S. authorities, during his visit, that the Indonesian Army has acknowledged its past human rights violations, a military analyst said on Monday. "The key is in the Army.

Bapepam urges Ades management to cooperate

Bapepam urges Ades management to cooperate Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) has urged the newly installed management of beverage firm PT Ades Alfindo Putrasetia to cooperate with the watchdog in uncovering alleged misconduct by the previous management of the publicly listed company.

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 the councillors from the United Development Party (PPP) faction.

Police grill Nabiel about alleged pollution in Buyat

Police grill Nabiel about alleged pollution in Buyat Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Police questioned former state minister of the environment Nabiel Makarim for five hours on Monday in connection with alleged pollution in Buyat Bay, North Sulawesi, where PT Newmont Minahasa Raya ceased operations late August.

Looking for life's meaning? Run backwards

Looking for life's meaning? Run backwards KUALA LUMPUR: A 22-year-old Malaysian electronic engineer has claimed a national record for running backwards, saying he "wanted to do something meaningful in life". S. Moganasundar won a place in the popular "Malaysia Book of Records" after running backwards for 30 kilometres (18.75 miles), the official Bernama news agency reported Monday.

UN announces essay contest winners

UN announces essay contest winners JAKARTA: The United Nations office in Indonesia announced on Monday the winners of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) essay competition.

Mutia sorry she missed celebration

Mutia sorry she missed celebration Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Many had hoped and prayed for the recovery of Mutia Rahmani Amalia, a third year student of SMU 70 state high school, who was seriously injured in the blast outside the Australian Embassy on Jl. Rasuna Said in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Sept. 9. And, after her initial days in intensive care at Medistra Hospital in South Jakarta, there were indications that the 16- year-old girl would get better.

BI to fight court ruling in bank closure case

BI to fight court ruling in bank closure case Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Indonesia will soon file an appeal to the Supreme Court to counter the Jakarta Administrative Court's recent verdict that ruled in favor of the now defunct Bank Dagang Bali (BDB). Deputy director of legal directorate at the central bank Oey Hoey Tiong said on Monday the verdict proved the court did not take prudent banking practices seriously and it had the potential of incurring state losses.

Corruption, terror cases top police job list

Corruption, terror cases top police job list Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former attorney general M.A. Rachman's corruption case, Account No. 502 and the arrest of terrorist suspects Azahari and Noordin Moh. Top are some issues police want to pursue in the first 100 days of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration. National Police chief of detectives Comr. Gen.

Trigger-happy officer suspended

Trigger-happy officer suspended JAKARTA: Following the detention of the Tanah Abang Police deputy chief, Adj. Comr. Paidi, for his shooting of a motorcyclist, the Jakarta Police announced on Monday that the officer had been suspended. "After a number of hours of questioning the suspect and several witnesses, we concluded that he had violated police procedures in firing the warning shots. We believe he fired into the crowd instead of the air," city police internal affairs chief Sr. Comr.

RI third in junior badminton meet

RI third in junior badminton meet Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian young shuttlers had to settle for third place three consecutive times after defeating Chinese Taipei 3-1 in the team competition playoff at the World Junior Badminton Championships in Richmond, Canada, on Sunday (Monday morning Jakarta time). Meanwhile, defending champion China, which beat Indonesia in the semifinals, landed the trophy with a 3-0 win over South Korea in the finals.

Agus Sumule

Agus Sumule Manokwari, Papua 2. Burma -- Myanmar's leadership change is aimed at its neighbors 1 X 45 Myanmar's leadership change aimed at neighbors Kavi Chongkittavorn The Nation Asia News Network Bangkok 3. New -- Goodwill and forgiveness 2 X 21 Goodwill, forgiveness for RI illegals in Malaysia New Straits Times Kuala Lumpur

RI and the Netherlands:

RI and the Netherlands: From old friendship to modern partnership Bernard Bot Yesterday The Hague, today Jakarta, tomorrow Rome. Anyone who passes through five time zones twice within 48 hours and covers a total of 28,000 kilometers must have a good reason for doing so. And so I do. Today I am in Jakarta on behalf of the European Union to congratulate the new president of Indonesia on his historic election victory.

City promises better investment climate next year

City promises better investment climate next year Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In an effort to attract more investment to the city, the administration plans to revoke bylaws hindering development and create a one-stop-shop investor service, Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo says. The moves were highlighted after a World Bank study released on Sunday put the nation at the bottom of an international list, ranking its business climate as one of the worst in the world.

JP/13/Market

JP/13/Market Shares end down on weak Asian markets Dow Jones Jakarta Indonesian shares ended lower Monday on swift profit-taking after sharp gains in the previous session, driven partly by losses across Asian markets amid worries over rising oil prices, dealers said. "The market ran out of steam after Friday's gains," a trader with Kuo Capital Securities said. Fears that the higher oil prices may force the new government to raise fuel prices also dampened sentiment, he added.

1. SCHOOL: 1 X 28

1. SCHOOL: 1 X 28 School's wall falls, talks fail 2. FPI: 1 x 32 Police yet to quiz FPI attackers 3. NEWMONT: 2 x 24 Police question Nabiel over Buyat Bay case 4. PRISON: 2 x 22 Govt to send fraudsters, terrorists to island jail 5. ACEH: 2 x 18 Puteh pleas for extension of Aceh emergency status

Conservation awareness essential for tourism

Conservation awareness essential for tourism Observation of International Tourism Day on October 27 is encouraging the development of the tourism sector to better promote the country as a holiday destination. Unfortunately, this international event is yet to be coupled with concrete efforts to conserve tourist sites, many of which are in a poor state. The Jakarta Post reporter Indra Harsaputra has taken a closer look at tourism in East Java.

Skeptically hopeful

Skeptically hopeful It all sounds too familiar. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono vowed to make fighting corruption one of the top priorities of his government, declaring in his inauguration speech last week that he was personally leading the campaign. He also promised to appoint someone tough as attorney general: His choice was Abdul Rahman Saleh, a respected judge who had been cleaning up the Supreme Court.

JP/Togean

JP/Togean Saving the Togean islands from destructive fishing Fachruddin Majeri Mangunjaya Contributor/Jakarta The sea was calm, clear and without a single wave. The exhausting journey from Ampana, 150 kilometers from Palu, Central Sulawesi, was immediately compensated for when we stepped from the boat into a remote village in the middle of Kabalutan island, one of hundreds in the Togean islands, situated in Tomini Bay, Palu. We arrived at a simple, wooden, raised house.

ADS -- Spotlight -- Oct. 26

ADS -- Spotlight -- Oct. 26 Ads: Spotlight-On Tuesday Oct 26 HELPING SMALL COMPANIES: The governor of Yogyakarta, Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, and the executive director of the World Trade Center Jakarta, Arief Gunawan (standing), sign a Memorandum of Understanding at the Grand opening of the 10-day Yogyakarta Art and Culture Festival at the World Trade Center building on Oct. 12.

Recently, on 11 October 2004, the Council of European Ministers

Recently, on 11 October 2004, the Council of European Ministers of Foreign Affairs adopted conclusions on the priorities in the cooperation and dialogue between the EU and Indonesia. The main topics of those conclusions were the following: General remarks The EU is attached to a united, democratic, stable and prosperous Indonesia. It fully respects the territorial integrity of the Republic of Indonesia and recognises its importance as a major partner.

Fully furnished accommodation with quality of hotel

Fully furnished accommodation with quality of hotel Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Serviced apartments have become a flexible alternative to a hotel, offering guests not only fully furnished accommodation, but also a space for meeting clients or entertaining friends for a few days, months or even years. Accommodation at an apartment generally offers all the advantages of a fully furnished apartment with all the conveniences of a hotel.

Okay for home or investment

Okay for home or investment Burhanuddin Abe, Contributor, Jakarta For some Indonesians, lifestyle has changed considerably, including their preference for homes. For quite some years now, living in apartments is the ultimate choice. Just look at the skies of several major cities here, especially Jakarta, and you will find more and more skyscrapers filling the landscape. And, they are not only office buildings, but residential apartments.

Top court keeps rector killer in jail

Top court keeps rector killer in jail BANDA ACEH, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam: The Supreme Court has upheld a 17-year jail term given to the man convicted of murdering Syah Kuala University rector Dayan Dawood. An official with the Banda Aceh District Court said on Monday that the jail sentence for Mahyudin alias Raja Preman had been upheld by the Supreme Court on Sept. 22. The district court found Mahyudin, a native of Aceh Besar, guilty of the murder and of illegal possession of firearms.

Crime prevention for Ramadhan

Crime prevention for Ramadhan From Suara Karya As the Muslim community fasts during the month of Ramadhan, it is even more imperative for state intelligence officers and police detectives to conduct surveillance activities in the fight against crime. Public spaces and transport facilities in Greater Jakarta are notorious for their crime rates, which could rise during Ramadhan and on the eve of the Idul Fitri post-fasting holiday.

Ministers told to quit party jobs

Ministers told to quit party jobs M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Calls are mounting for Cabinet members to relinquish their posts in political parties and business enterprises to avoid conflict of interests and to allow them to focus on state duties.

FedEx's response

FedEx's response I would like to respond to PT Crown Closures Indonesia's letter of complaint sent to The Jakarta Post, a copy of which was sent to us by the Post. We can confirm that the shipment addressed to PT Crown Closures Indonesia arrived at Soekarno-Hatta airport on Oct. 15. Customs detained the shipment and requested that it go through a formal entry-clearance process, and it was successfully delivered the following day.

Manpower minister must prove skeptics wrong

Manpower minister must prove skeptics wrong Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta Newly appointed Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Fahmi Idris should not necessarily wait for the National Planning Board (Bappenas) to draw up the tasks for his first 100 days in office or to design long-term programs over the next five years, because a number of urgent labor issues await his immediate attention. What must he do to administer shock therapy?

Indonesia needs to build up its international credibility

Indonesia needs to build up its international credibility Wimar Witoelar In a recent article for a major Jakarta newspaper, economist Faisal Basri warned President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to preserve the moral capital that is the major endowment of his government. This is a very important message. A singular effort needs to be specifically aimed at building up, not just preserving, Indonesia's international credibility. Undoubtedly President Susilo starts his term with ample moral capital.

Jakarta shares end down on weak Asian markets, oil hike worries

Jakarta shares end down on weak Asian markets, oil hike worries Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesian shares ended lower Monday on swift profit-taking after sharp gains in the previous session, driven partly by losses across Asian markets amid worries over rising oil prices, dealers said. "The market ran out of steam after Friday's gains," a trader with Kuo Capital Securities said. Fears that the higher oil prices may force the new government to raise fuel prices also dampened sentiment, he added.

Police probed for bribery

Police probed for bribery MEDAN, North Sumatra: Several North Sumatra Police officers are being questioned for allegedly taking a bribe from the son of the Karo Regent after the son was arrested in a drug raid. Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Bambang Priady said on Monday an internal police investigation began after he was informed police officers had received a bribe for the release of Beny, the son of Karo Regent, Sinar Perangin-Angin, after he was arrested on drug charges.

1. SBY: 3 LINES, 15 COUNTS

1. SBY: 3 LINES, 15 COUNTS Susilo tells governors to 'stay put' 2. TNI: 2 LINES, 16 COUNTS Hadi Waluyo named Kostrad commander 3. MUTIA: 4 LINES, 10 COUNTS Mutia sorry she missed celebration 4. CELL: 1 LINE, 40 COUNTS RI takes middle ground on stem-cell cloning

Bus crashes into Kijang, four dead

Bus crashes into Kijang, four dead Puji Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru Four people were killed and six others severely injured on Sunday evening when a bus crashed into a Toyota Kijang in Redang Seko subdistrict, Indragiri Hulu regency, Riau province. Redang Seko is located some 126 kilometers west of Pekanbaru, the provincial capital of Riau.

Destructive fishing and Togean Islands coral

Destructive fishing and Togean Islands coral Fachruddin Majeri Mangunjaya, Contributor, Jakarta We set off for a Bajau village on Kabalutan island, Palu from the port of Ampana, on Sulawesi's eastern peninsula. The journey was exhausting, but the still, clear waters of the Togean islands -- which Kabalutan is among -- was compensation enough. The wooden houses of the Bajau people are roofed with palm leaves and built on stilts over the water.

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A Message from H.E. Ambassador Sabato Della Monica, Head of the European Commission Delegation in Indonesia, on Occasion of the 5th EU-Indonesia Ministerial Meeting At the occasion of this first Ministerial dialogue between the European Union and the new Indonesian government, it is truly a pleasure and privilege to confer to the Indonesian people Europe's deep admiration and heartfelt congratulations for the remarkable democratic electoral process that this great country has traversed so...

Papua, integrity and Susilo's presidency

Papua, integrity and Susilo's presidency Agus Sumule, Manokwari, Papua The downfall of former president Soeharto on May 21, 1998, undoubtedly fueled the widespread revival of free speech among the people -- including Papuans -- in determining their own future. And as the reform movement, or reformasi, swept across the archipelago, it revealed itself in Papua with the indigenous people of the province demanding merdeka -- or simply "M" among locals -- meaning separation from Indonesia.

District sealed after Anthrax outbreak

District sealed after Anthrax outbreak Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is closely monitoring several provinces prone to Anthrax and will provide free medication for those that contract the disease. Minister of Health Siti Fadilah Supari said after a meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday that the government was focusing on West Java, East Java and East Nusa Tenggara as the provinces where the contagious disease was likely.

School's wall falls, tensions still high

School's wall falls, tensions still high Urip Hudiono and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The two-meter-high concrete wall that sealed off the Sang Timur Catholic school in Ciledug, Tangerang, came crashing down on Monday, but intolerance in the community is still a force to reckon with.

Quakes jolt NTT and Sumatra, many refugees flee in panic

Quakes jolt NTT and Sumatra, many refugees flee in panic The Jakarta Post, Kupang, Jakarta A strong earthquake jolted East Nusa Tenggara province on Monday, slightly damaging scores of buildings and causing local residents to flee in panic. No injuries were reported. Earlier, an earthquake had also rocked Lampung and the neighboring province of Bengkulu on Sunday night, but there were no reports of structural damage or injuries.

Minister pledges to push ahead with sports bill

Minister pledges to push ahead with sports bill Eva C. Komandjaja and Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After hanging in legislative limbo since 2002, the sports bill looks set to be revived by new sports minister Adhyaksa Dault.

Kerosene shortage hits Lombok Island

Kerosene shortage hits Lombok Island MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: After a week kerosene remains scare on Lombok Island, with locals forming long queues at stores in the provincial capital of Mataram. Made Aswinayasa, a kerosene distributor, blamed the shortage on Monday on distribution problems in state oil and gas company PT Pertamina. The shortage has caused the price of kerosene in the area to increase from Rp 1,000 to Rp 1,500 a liter. -- JP

Goodwill, forgiveness for RI illegals in Malaysia

Goodwill, forgiveness for RI illegals in Malaysia New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur What began as a gesture of goodwill to the new government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the people of Indonesia, and limited to illegal workers from that country, has now become a two-week amnesty to all undocumented migrants living and working in Malaysia, irrespective of their country of origin.

Govt to send fraudsters, terrorists to island jail

Govt to send fraudsters, terrorists to island jail Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Citing fragile peace in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, Governor Abdullah Puteh proposed on Monday an extension of the state of civil emergency in the war-torn province. During a meeting between governors across the country and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday, Puteh said the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebels group remained an imminent danger to the province.

ASEAN lawmakers to debate ways to push Myanmar

ASEAN lawmakers to debate ways to push Myanmar Agencies, Kuala Lumpur/New Delhi Southeast Asian lawmakers might ask their governments to suspend military-ruled Myanmar from the region's main grouping if it doesn't speed up democratic reforms, officials said on Monday. The non-binding recommendation could emerge at a Nov. 27-28 conference in Kuala Lumpur of members of parliament and other officials from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, said Nazri Aziz, a Malaysian minister.

;JP;

;JP; ANPAd..r.. APMF in Bali Correction: The position of Indra Abidin in the Asia Pacific Media Forum as stated in the article "Bali to host first regional forum on advertising media", which appeared in our Special Report in The Jakarta Post of Oct. 19, 2004, should have been "founding member and steering committee member", instead of the conference's "steering committee chairman" as appeared in the report. Editor