Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 October 2004

74 articles found

Composite Index : 862.11

Composite Index : 862.11 Previous : 849.18 Total trading volume : 1,953,545,106 Total trading value : Rp 1.25 trillion

KID discusses public services

KID discusses public services JAKARTA: The Indonesian Community for Democracy (KID) held its first roundtable discussion on Thursday in Jakarta, one day after it was officially launched.The democratization of public services in education and health was the topic of the discussion held at the Regent...

Court freezes Senayan's assets

Court freezes Senayan's assetsUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Central Jakarta District Court has slapped an asset preservation order on the management of Senayan Square complex in order to stop it disposing of assets before a court case began.

Desires are to be sublimated not destroyed during Ramadhan

Desires are to be sublimated not destroyed during RamadhanMuhamad Ali, Jakarta The recent incidents of raids against Jakarta nightspots and the erecting of a wall to block access to a Catholic school in Tangerang indicate that religious and moral tolerance are difficult for some to uphold.

Sutiyoso says no to gift parcels for officials

Sutiyoso says no to gift parcels for officialsDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaStarting this year, Idul Fitri, Christmas and the New Year may no longer be marked with piles of parcels at City Hall as Governor Sutiyoso says he will ban city officials from receiving gifts from parties who...

Huge forest area damaged: Official

Huge forest area damaged: OfficialSAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: A government official estimated on Thursday some 450,000 hectares of forest in East Kalimantan had been damaged or destroyed annually through illegal logging and plantations.

Political contract, a source of irony and amusement

Political contract, a source of irony and amusementKornelius Purba, Jakarta When asked about the decision of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to oblige his ministers to sign a "political contract" before their appointments, a senior government official who has served three presidents replied,...

Security for homebound rush

Security for homebound rushFrom Suara Karya In the course of the Ramadhan fasting month, particularly toward the Idul Fitri holidays when most people in the city are flocking to bus terminals and railway stations to return to their homes, criminals will again be eyeing the homebound rush.

Desires are to be sublimated not destroyed during Ramadhan

Desires are to be sublimated not destroyed during RamadhanMuhamad Ali, Jakarta The recent incidents of raids against Jakarta nightspots and the erecting of a wall to block access to a Catholic school in Tangerang indicate that religious and moral tolerance are difficult for some to uphold.

Fire razes homes in Gandaria

Fire razes homes in GandariaDozens of houses in Gandaria subdistrict, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, were razed by fire which started at 6 p.m. on Thursday. No fatalities were reported in the fire but hundreds were left homeless due to the inferno.

Ba'asyir 'told followers to kill Westerners'

Ba'asyir 'told followers to kill Westerners'Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, JakartaMuslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir went on trial on Thursday for his alleged role in the Bali and Jakarta Marriott hotel bombings, which were blamed on regional terror group Jamaah Islamiyah (JI).

BII's net profit up 178.5%

BII's net profit up 178.5%Publicly listed Bank International Indonesia (BII) booked a 178.5 percent increase in year-on-year net profit for the three quarters ending September, thanks to a significant surge in the bank's net interest income.Profits soared to Rp 618 billion (US$67.

'Debt-for-nature swaps questionable'

'Debt-for-nature swaps questionable'M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe absence of clear-cut domestic regulations sanctioning the debt-for-nature-swap (DNS) scheme has hampered the way for its full-fledged implementation, a non-governmental organization says.

Civilian supremacy first

Civilian supremacy firstFrom Koran TempoPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) has pledged to strive for civilian supremacy in his new Cabinet, meaning the top positions will be held by civilians rather than a policy against the military or ex-soldiers.

Cops, officials, thugs worst highway robbers: Truckers

Cops, officials, thugs worst highway robbers: TruckersRidwan Max Sijabat and Oyos Saroso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/LampungPardede, a truck driver, had just eaten a meal at a busy roadside Begadang Restaurant, Bandarlampung. But while his stomach was full, his wallet was not.

Susanto secures GM title at chess Olympiad

Susanto secures GM title at chess OlympiadThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Rising Indonesian chess star Susanto Megaranto is assured of a Grand Master (GM) title after securing a draw in the 12th round of the chess Olympiad in Calvia, Spain, on Wednesday.

Election spurs consumer confidence

Election spurs consumer confidenceThe Jakarta Post, JakartaSeptember's successful and peaceful election helped boost the consumer confidence index (CCI) during the month, offsetting the negative sentiment stemming from a bomb attack earlier in the month.

Bank loans increased in Q3: BI

Bank loans increased in Q3: BIThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe country's commercial banks continued to increase new loan disbursements in the third quarter of the year, as improving economic conditions have made lending more profitable, according to a central bank survey of 50 banks.

Tennis association faces insubordination in sports campaign

Tennis association faces insubordination in sports campaignEva C. Komandjaja and Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After the dismissal of women's tennis player Septi Mende from the Indonesia Awakens (IA) training program due to indisciplinary conduct, the Indonesian Tennis Association...

Susilo to tackle security issues in first 100 days

Susilo to tackle security issues in first 100 daysFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration will focus on security in conflict areas and the fight against separatism, rampant smuggling and terrorism in the first 100 days in office.

Legislators continue power struggle

Legislators continue power struggleKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThough the legitimacy of their meetings remains questionable, members of the Nationhood Coalition and the National Awakening Party (PKB) continued on Thursday to elect their own members as the chairs or deputy chairs of the...

Expulsion of migrants set for Nov. 29

Expulsion of migrants set for Nov. 29Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe deportation of hundreds of thousands of illegal Indonesian workers (TKI) from Malaysia will begin in a month, Manpower and Transmigration Minister Fahmi Idris said Thursday.

Police, AGO go for minor cases to meet target

Police, AGO go for minor cases to meet targetAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaResponding to the war on corruption launched by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the National Police and the Attorney General's Office (AGO) have decided to prioritize several graft cases in the first 100 days of...

Rupiah Rates

Rupiah Rates Oct. 28 Banknote rates TT Rates Selling Buying Selling BuyingAustralian dollar 1 7,166.61 6,415.01 6,826.59 6,754.81 Brunei dollar 1 5,768.42 5,163.81 5,494.74 5,437.33 Canadian dollar 1 7,833.69 7,013.96 7,462.02 7,385.48 Swiss franc 1 7,955.87 7,123.31 7,578.40 7,500.

Implications of Susilo's political pledges for education

Implications of Susilo's political pledges for educationMochtar Buchori, Jakarta After the new Cabinet was sworn in, I was telephoned by a number of correspondents asking for my comments about the choice of Bambang Sudibyo as the new minister of education. I said I was disappointed.

Scientists hope for more hominids

Scientists hope for more hominidsAgencies, LondonIn an astonishing discovery that could rewrite the history of human evolution, scientists say they have found the skeleton of a new human species, a dwarf, marooned for eons in a tropical Lost World while modern man rapidly colonized the rest of the...

JP/18/HIVAIDS

JP/18/HIVAIDSTraditional art highlights HIV/AIDS campaign Luh De Suriyani Contributor/Karangsem It was a full moon on Saturday night in Budakeling village, Karangasem district. A 10-year-old boy had just performed the baris dance to a gamelan orchestra accompaniment played on a small tape recorder.

Indonesian government may allow foreign diplomats to visit Aceh

Indonesian government may allow foreign diplomats to visit AcehIvy Susanti, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Indonesian government will review the visa procedures for foreign diplomats to facilitate their travel to Indonesia, particularly Aceh, foreign affairs minister Hassan Wirayuda said on Thursday.

Constitutional Court acts to protect workers' rights

Constitutional Court acts to protect workers' rightsMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaEmployers can no longer dismiss striking workers or those implicated in crimes without due process of law, the Constitutional Court ruled on Thursday.

Australia warns $5b Timor Sea gas project may fail

Australia warns $5b Timor Sea gas project may failAssociated Press, CanberraAustralia warned Thursday that a US$5 billion (euro 3.9 billion) natural gas project in the Timor Sea could be scrapped after East Timor rejected its latest proposal.

Hercules, 'Matra' to settle out of court

Hercules, 'Matra' to settle out of court JAKARTA: The lawyers of plaintiff Hercules and Matra magazine agreed on Thursday to seek an out-of-court settlement over a defamation lawsuit.The South Jakarta District Court appointed judge Asnah Waty as mediator.

Profiles: Jakarta Councillors

Profiles: Jakarta Councillors Amid allegations of vote-buying during the election for Jakarta Council speaker, councillors have pledged to work together to fight institutional corruption and create a better, more humane city for residents.

Kudos to immigration

Kudos to immigration I visited your beautiful country on Oct. 10. Having heard many frightening stories of how the immigration officers demand money to stamp our passports, I would like to tell you that on arrival that day at 3 p.m., I did not encounter any such problem.

JP/5/libel

JP/5/libelChief editor named suspect in libel caseYemris Fointuna and Syofiardi Bachyul Jb The Jakarta Post/Kupang/PadangPos Kupang chief editor Dion DB Putera has been named a suspect in a defamation case involving a former East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) deputy police deputy chief, while a West Sumatra...

New government aims to promote SME development

New government aims to promote SME developmentThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government promised on Thursday to put more focus on the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the country given their contribution to domestic economic growth.

Researcher's contribution honored

Researcher's contribution honoredWahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, DenpasarAfter years getting his hands dirty developing agriculture in Bali, this year for Ir Dewa Ngurah Bagus Suprapta was especially sweet.

House may summon President

House may summon PresidentThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta, BandungIn a move that could spark a possible conflict between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the House of Representatives, major factions in the legislature filed a petition on Thursday to summon the new president over the issue involving...

Japanese train taken on test-drive

Japanese train taken on test-drive JAKARTA: State railway operator PT KAI's Greater Jakarta Transportation division evaluated on Thursday morning the performance of one of four secondhand trains recently purchased from Japan.

[b]But it is not uncommon that such swearing-in ceremonies at the

But it is not uncommon that such swearing-in ceremonies at the State Palace are also attended by businessmen, who are later found to be working closely with the ministers in enriching not just the state but also their own pockets.

'Vandalism taints the holy month'

'Vandalism taints the holy month'A Jakarta administration regulation allows entertainment venues and nightspots to remain open until a certain time during Ramadhan, but stipulates that they close during the first two days and 17th day of the fasting month.

Official to be quizzed over graft

Official to be quizzed over graftJAMBI, Jambi: The Jambi Prosecutor's Office will soon question Anang Fahri, the head of Jambi National Unity and People's Protection Agency, who is accused of embezzling Rp 300 million in public money.

* Jakarta Court freezes Plaza Senayan assets Page 2

* Jakarta Court freezes Plaza Senayan assets Page 2 * Police, AGO go for minor cases to meet target Page 4 * Chief editor named suspect in libel case Page 5 * Desires to be sublimated, not destroyed during Ramadhan Page 6 * BIS school to build Jakarta's largest playhouse Page 8 * Zaragoza,...

Int'l school to build playhouse

Int'l school to build playhouseThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe British International School (BIS) is planning a US$5 million performing arts center, which it says will be the largest and most-modern in the city.

Abu Bakar Ba'asyir trial a political showcase

Abu Bakar Ba'asyir trial a political showcaseMeidyatama Suryodiningrat, JakartaOnce again, 66-year-old cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir went before the court on Thursday to face charges in connection with terrorist activities.

Indonesia needs effective PR, not propaganda

Indonesia needs effective PR, not propagandaYuli Ismartono, Jakarta Now that the dust has settled over our successful general and presidential elections, it is time to start selling Indonesia.In light of the many changes that have transpired in Indonesia -- and in the world for that matter -- the...

1. INSIGHT: 1 X 50

1. INSIGHT: 1 X 50 Implications of Susilo's political pledges for education 2. TARGET: 2 x 24 Susilo to tackle security issues in first 100 days 3. INTER: 1 x 28 House may summon President 4. PLAZA: 1 x 25 Court freezes Senayan's assets 5. SUSUL: 1 x 32 U.S. issues flurry of terror warnings

Fish breeders in limbo due to drought

Fish breeders in limbo due to droughtYOGYAKARTA: About 500 fish ponds have dried up in Sanden, Bantul, following a prolonged drought in the area, fish breeders say.The drought had cost breeders millions of rupiah, Sukamto, the secretary to the Sanden Fish Breeders Association, said.

Southeast Asia may be hit again by major terror attack: Lee Kuan

Southeast Asia may be hit again by major terror attack: Lee Kuan Yew Agence France-Presse SingaporeThe insurgency in Iraq has given Southeast Asia a reprieve from large-scale terror attacks but the region must be ready for a another big strike, Singapore's elder statesman Lee Kuan Yew said in...

Soldier on trial for murder, drug charges

Soldier on trial for murder, drug chargesNani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda AcehA Navy officer who shot five soldiers in late August went on trial for murder at a military court in Banda Aceh on Thursday.

'Prospektif' reports fake price increase

'Prospektif' reports fake price increase JAKARTA: The general manager of business and investment magazine Prospektif, Budi Purnomo, has filed a complaint with the police regarding an unauthorized increase in the magazine's cover price from the official price of Rp 14,800 (US$1.6) to Rp 44,800.

Voice of national conscience

Voice of national conscience Here's a suggestion for Ibu Kristiani Herawati as the new First Lady: She should spearhead a movement to revive volunteerism to help the country cope with its multifaceted crises and live up to her party's motto of "Together, we can".

Museum celebrates Youth Pledge Day

Museum celebrates Youth Pledge Day JAKARTA: The Youth Pledge Museum in Kramat Raya, Central Jakarta, is holding a series of events to commemorate Youth Pledge Day, which fell on Oct. 28.Museum head R. Tjahjo Purnomo said on Thursday that poetry recital contests for kindergarten and elementary...

JP/3/INSIGHT

JP/3/INSIGHTImplications of President Susilo's political pledges for our educational policyMochtar Buchori Jakarta After the new Cabinet was sworn in, I was telephoned by a number of correspondents asking for my comments about the choice of Bambang Sudibyo as the new minister of education.

Sugar shortages plague Riau

Sugar shortages plague RiauPEKANBARU, Riau: Supplies of sugar have been running low in Riau during the past few days because of rising demand ahead of the Idul Fitri holidays.Sugar supplies stood at 2,000 tons in the province but demand was estimated at 8,000 tons, North Sumatra trade and industry...

Special train cars for elderly, children

Special train cars for elderly, children JAKARTA: State railway company PT KAI will provide special economy-class cars for the elderly, pregnant women and women with young children during the Idul Fitri holiday.

Upset investors report Solid Gold to police

Upset investors report Solid Gold to policeEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaVictims of an alleged fraudulent scheme operated by the Solid Gold Investama (SGI) have urged the Jakarta Police to press ahead with their seemingly stalled investigation of the case.

Alleged murder to be probed

Alleged murder to be probedJAYAPURA, Papua: Papuan leaders agreed on Thursday to establish a team to investigate the killing of a priest in the Puncak Jaya region.The agreement was hammered out after a meeting at the Papua provincial council attended by council chief John Ibo, the chief of the...

Close gambling places

Close gambling places From Media Indonesia In response to the call by famous Muslim cleric, KH Abdullah Gymnastiar, all entertainment places must, during this Muslims' fasting month, be closed.Unfortunately, a gambling den located on the third floor of a big shopping center somewhere in Glodok,...

Indonesia has established its own aerospace industry, PT

Indonesia has established its own aerospace industry, PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI, formerly known as IPTN). In the past, IPTN made CN-235, evidence of the country's mastery of high- technology in aircraft making. PT DI has also received orders for components of jumbo Airbus A-380 aircraft.

Two students expelled for 'bullying'

Two students expelled for 'bullying'Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, BandungThe Institute of Public Administration (STPDN) in Sumedang, West Java, dismissed two students on Thursday in connection with the latest case of hazing in the state-run school.

JP/Togean

JP/TogeanSaving the Togean islands from destructive fishingFachruddin Majeri Mangunjaya Contributor/JakartaThe 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...

Chief editor named suspect in libel case

Chief editor named suspect in libel caseYemris Fointuna and Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, The Jakarta Post, Kupang/PadangPos Kupang chief editor Dion DB Putera has been named a suspect in a defamation case involving a former East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) deputy police deputy chief, while a West Sumatra...

WB urges government to empower small and medium-scale businesses

WB urges government to empower small and medium-scale businessesRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The World Bank will propose to the new government efforts to empower small and medium-scale businesses by creating efficient regulations and providing sufficient access to capital markets, a...

TV Today: Friday, October 29, 2004

TV Today: Friday, October 29, 2004 .TB.30" .90"TVRI .tb .30" .90" 3:30 a.m. Variety Show: Sahur4:30 Religious Teachings5:30 Koran Reading: Iqra6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 Children Show7:30 Health8:30 Music: Asik-Asik 10:30 Religious Teachings1:00 p.m.

NISP net profit surges 70%

NISP net profit surges 70%Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Publicly listed Bank NISP, a medium-sized bank, posted a higher net profit during the first nine months of this year, primarily on the lower cost of funds.

;REUTERS;

;REUTERS; ANPAc..r.. Scientists hope to find more tiny Indonesia hominids JP/1/LB1Scientists hope to find more tiny Indonesia hominids Michael Perry Reuters/Sydney Scientists who found a new species of hobbit-sized humans who lived about 13,000 years ago on an Indonesian island said on Thursday...

Far Eastern Economic Review switches to monthly opinion magazine

Far Eastern Economic Review switches to monthly opinion magazine Associated Press Hong Kong The Far Eastern Economic Review will change its format from a news weekly to a monthly opinion journal in December, effectively marking the end of the region's leading English-language news magazine, its...

Eight archers to compete in Asian GP

Eight archers to compete in Asian GP JAKARTA: Eight Indonesian archers will compete in the 1st ASEAN Championship to be held from Dec. 26 to Dec. 30 in Myanmar, according to an official of the Indonesian Archery Association (Perpani).

Govt to lift luxury tax on soft drinks

Govt to lift luxury tax on soft drinksFabiola Desy Unidjaja and Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, JakartaSoft drinks in Indonesia are relatively inexpensive, compared to prices in countries with higher purchasing power, however, they could become even less expensive as the government plans to lift...

Constitutional Court to finish all cases

Constitutional Court to finish all cases JAKARTA: The Constitutional Court announced on Thursday it had settled a total of 44 motions for judicial review filed last year.Jimly Asshidiqie, the Constitutional Court president, said the court would continue to clear cases through the end of the year.

U.S. issues flurry of terror warnings

U.S. issues flurry of terror warningsAgence France-Presse, WashingtonThe United States has in the past week issued a series of dire terrorism warnings for least eight countries, alerting U.S. citizens to the potential for attacks directed at American citizens and interests there, according to the...

Is Islam a religion of peace?

Is Islam a religion of peace? When I was skimming through a book on Islam, I found a sentence stating that "Islam" in Arabic means peace, submission and obedience. Thus, to me, a Muslim is one who submits to the meaning of these characteristics.

At least two people died and 21 were injured on Thursday when a

At least two people died and 21 were injured on Thursday when a bomb exploded in a border town in Thailand's troubled Narathiwat province, where about 100 Muslims earlier gathered for the mass burial of 22 unidentified men killed in military custody after a violent protest, officials said.

Mandiri cancels plan to seek overseas loans

Mandiri cancels plan to seek overseas loansRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned Bank Mandiri, the country's largest bank in terms of assets, has canceled plans to seek bilateral lending from foreign banks to help refinance its maturing debts this year, as the bank's internal cash...