Archive: 17 November 2004
58 articles found
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Unsustainable fuel subsidies
Unsustainable fuel subsidies One of the most difficult decisions facing the new government will be how to deal with an increasingly exorbitant fuel subsidy situation. Under the shadow of all-time high crude oil prices, as well as the fact that Indonesia has become a net oil importer, fuel subsidies are now projected at a staggering Rp 59.2 trillion (US$6.5 billion) up from earlier targets of Rp 14.5 trillion.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Drunk youths fall to death
Drunk youths fall to death BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Two people were killed when four youths who were taking a walk after a wine party fell into a deep well in Sukarame subdistrict here on Monday. Local police said they were still investigating why they had fallen into an unfinished well. They fatalities were identified as Usman, 18, and Mitra, 21. Their friends Taufik, 21, and Dayat, 19, also were seriously hurt.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Monkey killed for attacking infant
Monkey killed for attacking infant Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post/Bogor A monkey attacked Prihasto Setianto's four-month-old son who was sleeping in a baby carriage near the Putri Astrid soccer field in the Bogor Botanical Garden, where Prihasto was attending a mass Idul Fitri prayer meeting early on Sunday. Rafid Adrianto had to have 14 stitches to his cheek, forehead and around the eyes as a result of the attack. Park rangers spent the rest of the day hunting the monkey.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Officials and regular people visit Susilo at State Palace
Officials and regular people visit Susilo at State Palace Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta State officials and their spouses as well as lower-income people waited for up to two hours in front of the State Palace on Sunday to greet President Susilo Bambang on the first day of Idul Fitri. Several Cabinet ministers, legislators and other high-ranking officials, wearing their Sunday best, had to wait for more than 45 minutes to meet the president after the palace was opened at 9:30 a.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
China, ASEAN to start cutting duties in 2005
China, ASEAN to start cutting duties in 2005 China and 10 Southeast Asian countries will start cutting import duties next July as part of a plan to form a free-trade zone by 2010, said Thai government spokesman Jakrapob Penkair. China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, will sign a trade accord at a meeting in Laos on Nov. 29, Jakropob told reporters after a cabinet meeting in Ubon Ratchathani province, about 600 kilometers northeast of Bangkok.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Celebrating Idul Fitri between solemnity and fanfare
Celebrating Idul Fitri between solemnity and fanfare On the eve of Idul Fitri, a bomb blast killed six people in the troubled town of Poso, Central Sulawesi, while Muslims on Alor island in East Nusa Tenggara marked the end of Ramadhan outside their homes in fear of more aftershocks after a strong earthquake killed 25 people there on Friday. However in general, Muslims across the country celebrated the occasion peacefully on Sunday amid warnings of possibly more terror attacks.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Speeding up East Asian integration
Speeding up East Asian integration Zhao Huaipu, China Daily/Asia News Network, Beijing As regional integration remains one of today's world's trends, booming East Asian cooperation is becoming a precursor of Asian integration. How to push forward steady and continuous cooperation among East Asian countries, which are still divided on numerous concrete issues, must be resolved by regional members with time and experience.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Toll road traffic rule needed
Toll road traffic rule needed From Bisnis Indonesia On Oct. 28, I was entering the Pejompongan toll road gate during peak hours at around 4 p.m. and was blocked by a minibus from Tomang, which was trying to reverse from a slow lane in order to enter the same gate. The bus would not give way and forced itself to back into the toll road (which is not allowed particularly when the road is busy). After a while, the traffic on my right stopped to let me pass.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Poso violence acts of terrorism: Widodo
Poso violence acts of terrorism: Widodo The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo Adi Sucipto said that the latest string of violent acts in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, could be classified as acts of terrorism. "Therefore, the government will hunt down and arrest all of the perpetrators of these acts and process them accordingly," Widodo said in Poso on Tuesday during talks with local community leaders.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration is prioritizing the
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration is prioritizing the eradication of corruption in its first 100-day program. In this context, the first thing to do must be to put law-enforcement agencies -- the prosecutors, the judges and the police -- in order, to ensure they are corruption-free. The Attorney General took a promising step when he subjected all his workers to an examination.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
KL deputy premier visits Philippines
KL deputy premier visits Philippines PHILIPPINES: Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak on Tuesday visited the southern Philippines, where a Malaysian-led team is monitoring a cease-fire between government troops and separatist rebels. Najib, who is also defense minister, checked on the Malaysian cease-fire monitors based in Cotabato City, 960 kilometers south of Manila, and celebrated with them the end of the holy month of Ramadhan.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
U.S. policy on Asia seen steady in new Bush govt
U.S. policy on Asia seen steady in new Bush govt Karl Malakunas, Agence France-Presse/Singapore Asian governments will miss Colin Powell's moderating voice in the Bush administration but his resignation as secretary of state does not necessarily signal a more hawkish U.S. approach to the region, analysts said on Tuesday. Asian leaders enjoyed working with Powell, whose accommodating style contrasted with those of the so-called neo-conservatives within President George W.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. BETAWI: 2 X 24
1. BETAWI: 2 X 24 Native Jakartans preserve Idul Fitri traditions 2. ALOR: 1 X 28 Alor quake toll continues to rise 3. ACEH: 2 X 24 Extension of civil emergency a certainty 4. POSO: 1 X 33 Poso violence acts of terrorism: Widodo 5. NORTH: 1 X 27 Numerous fatalities mar Idul Fitri
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Homeward bound? Godspeed
Homeward bound? Godspeed It seems odd to say that a national holiday can boost a government's credibility, but that is exactly the case with Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. His new administration is facing a huge challenge early on, as it oversees the movements of some 17 million people during the holiday season. The most populated islands of Java and Sumatra are the places where most of the action is taking place.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Native Jakartans preserve old Idul Fitri traditions
Native Jakartans preserve old Idul Fitri traditions Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Sixty-one-year-old Masyim doesn't mind looking around for young coconut leaves far away from his neighborhood in Srengseng Sawah, South Jakarta, as he can earn Rp 1.5 million (US$157) from selling ketupat (rice cake) casings made from the leaves. "It is difficult to find coconut trees around here. We used to have plenty, but a lot of the land has been sold," the Betawi man told The Jakarta Post.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Extortion on migrants on the increase
Extortion on migrants on the increase Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Homeward-bound migrant workers have long been victims of robbery and extortion, but it's only recently that the Jakarta Police sounded the alarm due to the rising toll. Sr. Comr. Oegroseno, head of operations bureau at the Jakarta Police, voiced concern about the increase in robberies targeting migrant workers.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Family consoles convict before execution
Family consoles convict before execution ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post/Malang Crushing sadness and wan smiles marked the last Idul Fitri for Astini as she bade farewell to her family and fellow inmates in Malang women's penitentiary, aware that she is likely to face the firing squad in the coming days. Astini was seen mingling with hundreds of well-wishers and inmates after the Id prayers on Sunday.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Govt plans to extend Exxon's Cepu contract
Govt plans to extend Exxon's Cepu contract Dow Jones, Singapore Indonesia's new government plans to grant Exxon Mobil Corp. a long-delayed extension of its contract to develop a giant oil field and resolve other disputes with foreign investors, the Financial Times reported on its Web site, citing the country's chief economics minister.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Diarrhea outbreak kills four
Diarrhea outbreak kills four Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, The Jakarta Post/Padang An outbreak of diarrhea has been plaguing Solok municipality, West Sumatra, since last week, leaving at least four people dead and 217 others hospitalized at one stage or another, local officials said on Tuesday. Solok health office director Azwar Hijar said the victims had died in separate hospitals, or before arriving at the hospital, from serious dehydration after not seeking medical treatment in time.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Malaysian death sentence
Malaysian death sentence It's very upsetting to see a young woman, Herlina Trisnawati sentenced to death by a Malaysian court, after being found guilty of murdering her employer. What drove an 18-year-old girl to commit such a crime? The answer can only be an act of despair after years of exploitation and possibly abuse by her employer, as happens with many Indonesian workers abroad. It is known, in her specific situation, that there had been constant arguments. Was this investigated fully?
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Athletes'need attention
Athletes'need attention From Kompas I felt quite sad to learn from a report in Kompas Oct. 3) that a number of national athletes that have contributed to the good reputation of the country now live in poverty and seem to have been forgotten. I hope the new administration can pay more attention to these athletes so that they can live decently. EDDY SUKMANA Bandung
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Imron denied special leave
Imron denied special leave DENPASAR: Prison officials Tuesday denied a convicted Bali bomber permission to attend the funeral of his infant son, the bomber's lawyer said. Ali Imron is serving a life sentence in a Bali jail for helping to plan the attacks, which took place on Oct. 12, 2002 and killed 202 people. His laywer, Suyanto, told AFP that the director of the prison where Imron was being held denied him permission to attend the funeral Tuesday in Lamongan, East Java.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
S'pore to host AMED meeting
S'pore to host AMED meeting SINGAPORE: Singapore announced on Tuesday that it would host an inaugural meeting of officials and other influential figures from Asia and the Middle East next year to boost regional links and counter Islamic extremism. Acting Foreign Minister Raymond Lim told parliament that the first Asia-Middle East Dialogue (AMED) is scheduled to be held over two days in June 2005 with participants drawn from some 50 countries.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Using ideas as weapons for mass improvement
Using ideas as weapons for mass improvement Graeme Macmillan, Jakarta Using ideas as weapons is as old as democracy itself. Ideas are far more effective and lasting than bullets because they change people's minds, which leads to changing their behavior, and this can result in better living. This article provides some ideas for improving Indonesian government and governance.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Numerous fatalities mark Idul Fitri
Numerous fatalities mark Idul Fitri The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Kupang Up to 20 people have been killed in separate accidents as some 17 million Muslims around the country spend their Idul Fitri holidays away from home. At least five people died and 50 others were injured when a truck and a Taft car collided in Banyuglugur, Situbondo regency, East Java, on Tuesday afternoon. "The truck was carrying dozens of people on their way home from a trip to Pasir Putih.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Alor quake toll continues to rise
Alor quake toll continues to rise Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post/Kupang The death toll from a powerful earthquake that jolted Alor island in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) rose to 25 on Tuesday as strong aftershocks continued to rattle the island. An 11-month-old girl named Margareth Moymoley passed away Tuesday morning and a 15-year-old boy died on Monday night as a result of aftershocks, according to Alberth Ouwboly of the relief center in the island's main town of Kalabahi.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Family consoles female inmate before execution
Family consoles female inmate before execution ID Nugroho The Jakarta Post/Malang Crushing sadness and wan smiles marked the last Idul Fitri for Astini as she bade farewell to her family and fellow inmates in Malang women's penitentiary, aware that she is likely to face the firing squad in the coming days. Astini was seen mingling with hundreds of well-wishers and inmates after the Id prayers on Sunday.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Discipline is a shared responsibility
Discipline is a shared responsibility Simon Marcus Gower, Jakarta Recently the Letters pages of The Jakarta Post have seen a flurry of letters concerning matters of school policies, discipline and parental responsibility. The spark that lit this fire of debate was a letter from Etie Dirapradja on Oct. 20 that was essentially a cry for help and advice. Although this original letter was in many ways quite sad to read, it has been the source of some interesting discourse over the matters it raised.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
China owns up to marine incursion
China owns up to marine incursion JAPAN: Beijing admitted on Tuesday that a Chinese nuclear submarine entered Japanese territorial waters last week, announced the foreign ministry. Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura said that the Chinese government admitted the submarine belonged to Beijing and expressed regret over the intrusion into Japanese waters.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Betawi old timers yearn for tastes of yore
Betawi old timers yearn for tastes of yore Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta It was a festive Lebaran -- the local name for Idul Fitri -- at Setu Babakan, a Betawi (native Jakartan) cultural reserve in Srengseng Sawah, South Jakarta, but many of the elder generation were longing for the good old days. "Many types of food aren't found on our dining tables these days and have been replaced with store-bought cookies or tins of biscuits.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Experts welcome move to ease investment procedures
Experts welcome move to ease investment procedures Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta While welcoming the government's most recent plan to improve the country's investment climate by reducing the time required for an investment permit to just 30 days, analysts are questioning how the government will actually implement the plan.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. SBY: 4 LINES, 10 COUNTS
1. SBY: 4 LINES, 10 COUNTS Officials, regular folk meet Susilo 2. MUNIR: 2 LINES, 21 COUNTS Munir death report leads police to Holland 3. MONKEY: 4 LINES, 10 COUNTS Monkey killed after attacking baby 4. TENNIS: 2 LINES, 24 COUNTS Sharapova wins WTA Tour to solidify elite status
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
House backs Aceh emergency extension
House backs Aceh emergency extension Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The extension of the civil emergency in the troubled province of Aceh is now a foregone conclusion as the House of Representatives has thrown its support behind the government. House Speaker Agung Laksono said on Sunday that the House had no objection to the government's plan to extend the state of civil emergency as it was in line with the view of the local legislative council.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Challenges, opportunities and hope for the House
Challenges, opportunities and hope for the House Mochtar Buchori, Jakarta The current internal conflict within the House of Representatives has prompted many people to express concerns and worry about our future as a nation. These concerns do not come only from people outside the House but from current and former legislators as well. Most of these voices express their strong disapproval regarding the current conduct of House members.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
'Donations' to private universities
'Donations' to private universities From Kompas Parents whose children wish to join private universities are often baffled by the universities' policies on "donation" payments. When a candidate student passes the entrance test, the university sets the deadline of payment and the amount of this contribution. Unless a payment is made before the deadline, the candidate student will be removed from the list.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. Bodas (40) - 48 pts 3cols 3lines (3x18)
1. Bodas (40) - 48 pts 3cols 3lines (3x18) Govt plans to jail KBC executives for alleged tax evasion 2. Powell (52) - 36 pts 3cols 2lines (2x21) U.S. policy on Asia seen steady in new Bush govt 3. Enviro (42) - 36 pts 4cols 1line (1x30) Bangkok meet to plan global green agenda 4. Susul (36) - 36 pts 4cols 1line (1x30) Saddam's regime accused of siphoning $21.3b --- 5. Photos 3 pieces
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
500 street vendors ousted from T. Abang
500 street vendors ousted from T. Abang JAKARTA: About 500 sidewalk vendors at the Tanah Abang textile market in Central Jakarta have lost their right to space in the market following relocation to the market's Block G, formerly the Kebon Jati traditional market. "We are only relocating 1,257 sidewalk vendors and another 600 small vendors. We are not responsible for unregistered vendors," said the director of city-owned market operator PD Pasar Jaya, Prabowo Soenirman.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Extension of civil emergency a certainty
Extension of civil emergency a certainty Fabiola Desy Unidjaja The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The extension of the civil emergency in the troubled province of Aceh is now a foregone conclusion as the House of Representatives has thrown its support behind the government. House Speaker Agung Laksono said on Sunday that the House had no objection to the government's plan to extend the state of civil emergency as it was in line with the view of the local legislative council.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Govt plans to detain KBC executives for alleged tax evasion
Govt plans to detain KBC executives for alleged tax evasion Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta In the midst of a lengthy and ongoing dispute between Indonesia and U.S. power firm Karaha Bodas Company (KBC), the Directorate General of Tax is planning to immediately detain three top KBC executives due to tax arrears dating back to the 1990s. Director General Hadi Purnomo said on Tuesday that the detention was for unpaid value-added taxes in 1999 amounting to Rp 12 billion (US$1.33 million).
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
National discipline needed
National discipline needed From Warta Kota The newly formed United Indonesia Cabinet has started its move particularly in law enforcement. Cases under the former attorney general will be thoroughly settled, including those offending the public's sense of justice. Smugglers of various commodities will also be brought to trial.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia's image problem overseas: Can SBY fix it?
Indonesia's image problem overseas: Can SBY fix it? S.P. Seth, Sydney Among the myriad problems facing President Susilo Bambang Yudhhoyono, the one that doesn't receive adequate attention concerns its external image. Frankly, Indonesia has an image problem abroad. After independence, the country had its ups and downs. Under President Sukarno Indonesia became one of the pioneers of the non-aligned movement, starting with the Bandung conference of 1955.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Susilo seeks a meeting with Bush
Susilo seeks a meeting with Bush Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has added United States President George W. Bush to his list of world leaders he would like to talk to on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Chile this weekend. Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said recently Susilo had instructed him to arrange bilateral talks with Bush after the two presidents expressed readiness to meet.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Homeward bound? Godspeed
Homeward bound? Godspeed It seems odd to say that a national holiday can boost a government's credibility, but that is exactly the case with Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. His new administration is facing a huge challenge early on, as it oversees the movements of some 17 million people during the holiday season. The most populated islands of Java and Sumatra are the places where most of the action is taking place.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Munir autopsy report leads police to Holland
Munir autopsy report leads police to Holland Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta As part of a thorough investigation into the death of rights campaigner Munir, the National Police has allowed the coordinator of the National Commission on Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), Usman Hamid, to join a police team heading to the Netherlands.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia tourism won't benefit from visa policy
Indonesia tourism won't benefit from visa policy Evan Jones, Batam It is welcoming news to see that our new State Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik is looking at extending the number of countries whose tourists will be eligible for a visa on arrival, albeit a visa that costs US$25 and is only valid for 30 days. Jero says he is undertaking a survey of major entry points to see what needs to be done to improve the performance of Indonesia's queue-up-and-pay visa policy.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
35,000 bottles of booze destroyed
35,000 bottles of booze destroyed BEKASI: Witnessed by residents, the police bulldozed on Monday at least 35,000 bottles of alcohol, including vodka, white wine and beer, that had been confiscated over the last few weeks from dozens of unlicensed vendors in Bekasi. Bekasi Police chief Sr. Comr. Edward Syah Pernong said that the police would not tolerate any vendors selling alcohol in the city. Mayor Akhmad Zurfakih affirmed that Bekasi vendors were not licensed to sell alcohol.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
* Extension of civil emergency in Aceh a certainty Page 2
* Extension of civil emergency in Aceh a certainty Page 2 * Diarrhea outbreak kills four in West Sumatra Page 4 * Tourism won't benefit from visa on arrival policy Page 6 * Migrant workers easy target of robbery Page 8 * Federer makes triumphant return in title defense Page 9 * Tony Blair urges U.S. to 'reach out' to partners Page 11 * Skepticism lingers on plans to simplify investment permit procurement procedures Page 13 * Condoleeza Rice, Bush's choice for U.S. state secretary Page 20
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia waives the rules?
Indonesia waives the rules? Everywhere Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) goes the skeletons of the past rattle like hell, and they will cause him enormous problems. The tight web of corruption, which has efficiently engulfed all walks of life, has virtually left no one who can say, hand on heart, "I am Mr. Clean". You don't get anything in Indonesia for nothing, and that has been the case for a long while now.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Akbar ready to face contenders at party congress
Akbar ready to face contenders at party congress The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Seasoned politician Akbar Tandjung said on Tuesday that he was ready to face any challenger in the upcoming Golkar National Congress to elect the leader of the country's largest political party. Speaking in his wife's hometown of Surakarta, Central Java, Akbar said he was prepared to lead the party for another five- year term.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Timah predicts tin prices will stay at current levels
Timah predicts tin prices will stay at current levels Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta State PT Timah, the world's largest integrated tin miner, said tin prices were unlikely to get stronger next year despite higher global demand, due to rampant illegal trade of metal.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
'It's true that Jakarta is already too crowded'
'It's true that Jakarta is already too crowded' Anticipating an influx of migrant workers after the Idul Fitri holiday, the Jakarta administration has banned people from entering the capital without a Jakarta identity card or documents showing that they have a permanent job and residence. The Jakarta Post asked some residents for their opinion on the issue. Ashar Makmur, 39, is a civil servant at the Ministry of Transportation' Directorate General of Air Transportation.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
GAM negotiators get sentence cut
GAM negotiators get sentence cut BANDUNG: Three former negotiators for the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebel group were among 41,907 inmates who had their prison terms reduced to mark the Idul Fitri holiday. The government cut on Monday the prison terms of Tengku Kamaruzzaman bin Tengku Syahbuddin, Amni bin Ahmad Marzuki and Tengku Muhammad Usman bin Usman between 15 days and one month, along with 14 other GAM members now jailed in Sukamiskin penitentiary here.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Most streets deserted, all Jakartans relax, enjoy
Most streets deserted, all Jakartans relax, enjoy The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Taxi driver Tadi wrongly decided to rush back to Jakarta from his hometown in Tegal, Central Java, expecting less competition and lots of passengers during Idul Fitri, which fell on Nov. 14 and Nov. 15. "I left for Jakarta after the Idul Fitri prayer early in the morning on Sunday. But what I found here is not like last year when demand for taxis was robust.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Family consoles female inmate before execution
Family consoles female inmate before execution ID Nugroho The Jakarta Post/Malang Crushing sadness and wan smiles marked the last Idul Fitri for Astini as she bade farewell to her family and fellow inmates in Malang women's penitentiary, aware that she is likely to face the firing squad in the coming days. Astini was seen mingling with hundreds of well-wishers and inmates after the Id prayers on Sunday.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Hu to stand firm on yuan-dollar peg at APEC as China tries to
Hu to stand firm on yuan-dollar peg at APEC as China tries to brake economy Robert J. Saiget Agence France-Presse Beijing China will loom large over an Asia-Pacific summit in Chile, with the United States hoping that Beijing will loosen a fixed yuan-dollar link and cool, but not freeze, its red-hot economy. President Hu Jintao will likely reiterate to his APEC partners China's longstanding goal of making its currency fully convertible when they meet in Santiago this weekend.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Got chemistry, can relate
Got chemistry, can relate Personal chemistry is going to feature in relations that Singapore conducts with its two main neighbors, Indonesia and Malaysia. When all is said and done about treaties, memoranda of understanding and complementing one another's economic strengths, it is the easy, personable relationship the leaders enjoy that would smooth out discord and disagreements which are bound to crop up in competitive bilateral relations.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Power plant project to cost NTB Rp 1t
Power plant project to cost NTB Rp 1t MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The project to build a geothermal power plant in West Lombok regency will cost the West Nusa Tenggara province Rp 1 trillion (US$111 million), an official said on Tuesday. Head of the province's development planning office L. Fathurrahman said three investors from Surabaya and Jakarta had been appointed to build the power plant, which will supply 100 megawatts per day.
Wed, 17 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
West Irian Jaya province questioned
West Irian Jaya province questioned Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Constitutional Court's recent ruling on Papua should prompt a revision to Law No. 21/2001 on special autonomy for the province that will justify the establishment of West Irian Jaya as a separate province, an expert says. Constitutional law professor Sri Soemantri said on Tuesday the existing law recognized Papua as the only province on the natural resource-rich western half of the island of New Guinea.