Archive: 20 November 2004
69 articles found
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Police nab 2 suspects in Poso bomb blast
Police nab 2 suspects in Poso bomb blast The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Makassar Less than a week after a deadly bomb blew up inside a public transportation minivan in the troubled Central Sulawesi regency of Poso, police arrested two men on Friday for their alleged role in the attack. Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Holidaymakers return to the big smoke
Holidaymakers return to the big smoke After spending Idul Fitri with their families in their hometowns and villages across Java, Sumatra and other islands, hundreds of thousands of Jakartans return home in time to start work on Monday. Like their departure, most holidaymakers returned on public transportation such as buses, trains and ferries.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Malaysians of Nagari origin
Malaysians of Nagari origin There is a big group of Malaysians in Indonesia whose ancestors came from Nagari and I am one of them. We hear from our elders and in my case from my late grandmother stories about places such as Payo Kumbuh and Padang Panjang in West Sumatra. I have also heard about social and cultural activities such as the berandai and others. I have always wanted to learn more about the Nagari. I soon plan to retire from government service.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
'Pasar Lebaran Jogja' offers alternative shopping
'Pasar Lebaran Jogja' offers alternative shopping Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta It is common knowledge here that when Idul Fitri (the celebration that marks the end of Ramadhan) comes around, shopping centers in the city, especially those along Jl. Malioboro and Jl. Solo, become very crowded. The places are so busy that even to buy just a few packets of instant noodles one has to queue for hours. Not to mention the traffic jams along both these roads.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
* Govt lacks initiative in approach to Aceh problem Page 3
* Govt lacks initiative in approach to Aceh problem Page 3 * Extortion of motorists rife in Lampung Page 4 * Palestine and Aceh: Limits of solidarity Page 6 * Job seekers stream to Jakarta despite threat of expulsion Page 8 * Roger Federer fights through in Houston Page 9 * Myanmar releases key opposition journalist from prison Page 11 * IMF head warns that free-falling dollar is 'risky' Page 16 * Gajah Mada adopts education quality assurance system Page 17
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Three killed in motorcycles crash
Three killed in motorcycles crash JAKARTA: Three people died instantly in an accident on Thursday afternoon involving two motorcycles, police revealed on Friday. Two of the fatalities, Saparudin and Peni Puji Rahayu, were riding on a motorcycle on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said in South Jakarta, when they crashed into a speeding motorcycle coming from the opposite direction. The two, and the driver of the other motorcycle, identified as Febi Ainul Najib, were flung a few meters away from their vehicles.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
1.Ong Keng Yong-ASEAN summit in Laos
1.Ong Keng Yong-ASEAN summit in Laos 1 X 38 ASEAN Summit: Continuing the dynamism 2. Maria T.Huhtala--Indonesia-US ties: building mutual understanding. 1 X 48 U.S. and Indonesia must work to build ties 3. View Point/Power-- History does not justify either Israel or Palestine 2 X 23 History doesn't justify Israel or Palestine
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
UGM adopts education quality assurance system
UGM adopts education quality assurance system Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta In a bid to assure the public of the high quality of its education, Yogyakarta's Gadjah Mada University (UGM) has recently declared that it has fully and thoroughly implemented the so-termed Quality Assurance System for Higher Education (SPMPT). "Quality assurance has become a world trend. It is part of our public accountability.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Shocking survey results
Shocking survey results Almost one in six Indonesian Muslims support the mass murder of their guests and other innocent people, among them women and children. And only a little more than half of Indonesian Muslims disagree with such cruelty. These were the truly shocking results of a survey conducted by various Muslim organizations. (Intolerance is still high, The Jakarta Post, Nov.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Kulonprogo opens art market
Kulonprogo opens art market Kulonprogo regency, Yogyakarta, started the operation of dozens of kiosks selling artwork and handicrafts on Nov. 17 as part of an art market project being built on a 1.9-hectare plot of lnd in Salamrejo village, to showcase local handicrafts.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Residents oppose slaughter house
Residents oppose slaughter house TANGERANG: Residents of Pondok Kacang village in Pondok Aren, here, protested on Friday the presence of a slaughter house in the neighborhood, which they said was polluting the environment. The group also said the livestock slaughter house was illegal. "We have repeatedly expressed our objections to the slaughter house owner for a long time now, but he ignored our complaints," Sanif, one of the protesting residents told The Jakarta Post.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Messy sidewalks in Jakarta
Messy sidewalks in Jakarta From Kompas Jakarta sidewalks are getting increasingly untidy; they have become more of a hindrance to pedestrians than convenient pavements to walk on. On Jl. Wahid Hasyim, Central Jakarta, for instance, vendors and motorcycle taxi drivers pack the sidewalks from the Hotel Cemara intersection to the Jl. Thamrin interchange and as far as Tanah Abang.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Vice President Kalla goes home in style
Vice President Kalla goes home in style Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's call for a moderate and simple lifestyle seems to have fallen on deaf ears in the case of Vice President Jusuf Kalla and several Cabinet ministers. On Friday, just when Susilo was away attending the annual meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Chile, Jusuf Kalla, along with Minister of Home Affairs M.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Probe Munir's death
Probe Munir's death From Media Indonesia The Institute for Study of Democracy (LKaDe) welcomes the formation of a team by the National Police to investigate the death of Munir, rights campaigner and coordinator of the National Commission on Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras). Based on the Dutch Forensic Institute's report, a lethal dose of arsenic was found in the body of Munir following an autopsy.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Law enforcement
Law enforcement and political will From Koran Tempo The initial drive launched by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to eliminate corruption, collusion and nepotism through the government's 100-day program has apparently received a serious response from all ministers and law enforcers. What is now obvious is that the entire state apparatus is capable of more arduous work as long as the chief executive shows strong political will.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Law enforcement
Law enforcement and political will From Koran Tempo The initial drive launched by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to eliminate corruption, collusion and nepotism through the government's 100-day program has apparently received a serious response from all ministers and law enforcers. What is now obvious is that the entire state apparatus is capable of more arduous work as long as the chief executive shows strong political will.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Kafkaesque drama unfolds off Java as foreign divers find treasure
Kafkaesque drama unfolds off Java as foreign divers find treasure Sebastien Blanc, Agence France-Presse/Jakarta In the blue waters of the Java Sea, a drama is unfolding around an ancient cargo of sunken treasure, but with corruption and bureaucracy never far from the surface in Indonesia, the tale owes more to Franz Kafka than Indiana Jones.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Text messages up by 100 percent
Text messages up by 100 percent Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With new, cheaper cellular cards on the market and more people owning cell phones, text messaging during Idul Fitri saw a tremendous jump of almost 100 percent this year as compared to last year. The country's biggest cellular operator, Telkomsel, reported traffic of 87 million short messages on Idul Fitri, which fell on Nov. 14 this year.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Council to probe Tanah Abang project
Council to probe Tanah Abang project Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The inquiry team set up by the City Council will investigate possible irregularities in the Jakarta administration's plan to demolish the Tanah Abang market in Central Jakarta, amid the strong opposition of traders. "We want to look further into the plan. Therefore, our investigation will focus on the durability of the market buildings," chairman of the inquiry team Maringan Pangaribuan said on Friday.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Ladia Galaska project
Ladia Galaska project The Ladia Galaska road project in the Gunung Leusser ecosystem in Aceh is proving to be even more of a disaster than predicted. According to the observations of the Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) Aceh a large flood occurred on Sept. 3, marked by the overflowing of several rivers, like Krueng Teunom, Krueng Sabee, Krueng Meureubo, and Krueng Nagan.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, November 20, 2004
Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, November 20, 2004 Exhibitions * Fine Arts Agoes Jolly Sendiri, Galeri Cipta II, Taman Ismail Marzuki Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta, Nov. 24 to Dec. 4. * Painting Rediscovering Indonesia by Italian Maestro Agostino De Romanis, Gedung Arsip Nasional (the National Archive Building), Jl. Gajah Mada 111, Central Jakarta, (Tel. 6347744), 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Nov. 23 to Dec. 7.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Bali favorite island in Asia: Magazine
Bali favorite island in Asia: Magazine The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bali's panoramic views and unique mixture of spiritualism and tourism has made it the favorite island for travellers in the Asia-Indian Ocean region, according to readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine. The international award was received by Bali Tourism Agency head I Gede Nurjaya last week in London at the World Travel Mart 2004, Antara news agency reported.
Sat, 20 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.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Suffering not over yet for Alor earthquake victims
Suffering not over yet for Alor earthquake victims Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang The sky was dulled with clouds as Orpa Muakesak sifted through the rubble of what was once her home in the earthquake-rattled village of Tulen on Alor island. Seven months into her pregnancy, the 29-year-old could only sigh, "they say you should put something away for a rainy day." But there was nothing left, and it was her tears that fell, heavy and wet. "How am I going to deliver this baby?
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Nov. 22, 2004
Nov. 22, 2004 Waiting for economic action It is now already a month after the inauguration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's United Indonesia Cabinet and the market is still waiting for what has long been promoted as Susilo's first 100-day action plan to fully restore investor confidence. In Susilo's speech on Wednesday evening to mark his first 30 days in office it was expected he would reveal the detail of this agenda.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Interest and investment
Interest and investment From Koran Tempo President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has introduced three economic strategies for the banking sector, namely (i) an average economic growth rate of 6.5 percent in five years, (ii) creation of macro-economic stability to drive the real and business sectors and (iii) fulfillment of people's basic rights. Investment is necessary if you wish to achieve a growth level of about 5 percent.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. Discourse (35) - 42 pts 7cols 1line (1x42)
1. Discourse (35) - 42 pts 7cols 1line (1x42) Government lacks initiative in approach to Aceh problem 2. APEC (60) - 36 pts 5cols 1lines (1x40) Protesters denounce Bush, Iraq war and APEC summit 3. Credit (35) - 36 pts 4cols 1line (1x32) UN spotlights microcredit for 2005 4. Susilo (55) - 48 pts 3cols 2line (2x18) President SBY makes international debut in Chilean capital --- 6. Photo -- 3 pieces
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
British businessmen to visit Indonesia
British businessmen to visit Indonesia JAKARTA: A British delegation, grouped under the Indonesian- British Business Council, is scheduled to visit the nation on Nov. 22-23 to get a closer look at the business climate here and the government's plans to boost exports and investment.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Sexagenarian killed in ferry collision
Sexagenarian killed in ferry collision BATAM, Riau: An elderly woman was found dead after a boat she was on was hit by a ferry off of Banten Island on Thursday evening. Deputy chief of the Tanjungpinang Police Precinct Sr. Comr. Nasri said here on Friday that Siti Maryam, 60, was believed to have fallen overboard and drowned.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Prophetic religiosity
Prophetic religiosity From Media Indonesia A year ago (Nov. 25, 2003), in his Idul Fitri sermon at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, General Chairman of the central board of Muhammadiyah, Syafii Ma'arif said, "A religion failing to defend justice is a withering religion, one that has lost is vigor." This message implies that a vigorous faith is the kind that responds to the demands of justice in the community.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Stop TV corrupting youth
Stop TV corrupting youth From Koran Tempo Our television stations air quite a lot of TV shows for youngsters but, unfortunately, the stories dwell only on love affairs, mud-slinging and slander, vying for a girl's or a boy's heart, and partying. These shows will corrupt the minds of our youngsters. Such TV shows must be stopped.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Budget revision still unclear
Budget revision still unclear Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite a thawing in the once icy relationship between the government and the House of Representatives, the administration's plan to revise several assumptions in the 2005 state budget could still face challenges from legislators. House finance commission chairman Paskah Suzetta said on Friday that the government should not be in such a rush to make the revisions.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Right of way
Right of way For a newcomer, a simple drive across town can be a heart- stopping experience. A lack of discipline, ignorance of traffic regulations and the plain absence of courtesy among motorists make our streets a hazard. Compounding this is the deficient road infrastructure and the flagrant inconsistency of traffic officers in enforcing the law. So much needless suffering occurs as a result.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. Budget (1 x 26)
1. Budget (1 x 26) Budget revision still unclear 2. CPO (3 x 15) CPO output may drop, as drought threat looms 3. Bali (3 x 13) Bali favorite island in Asia: Magazine 4. Trade (1 x 42) Fed chairman worried about impact of deficits 5. Wifi (1 x 55) Taipei to cloak city in world's largest Wi-Fi network
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
President SBY makes international debut in Chilean capital
President SBY makes international debut in Chilean capital Endy M. Bayuni, The Jakarta Post, Santiago What is the prospect of Indonesia trading with Chile? Given the vast expanse of water that separates the two countries, probably not a lot, but that has not stopped Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono from making the long journey to make his international debut here since becoming Indonesia's President in October.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Maulana challenges Medan mayor
Maulana challenges Medan mayor MEDAN, North Sumatra: The deputy mayor of Medan, North Sumatra, Maulana Pohan said here on Friday that he was preparing himself to challenge mayor Abdillah in the first-ever direct election for mayor next year. He said that he would pair up with Budi Panggabean to face Abdillah who has taken Ramli M.M., secretary of the municipal administration, to be his running mate in the direct election.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Bogor Park full of people and litter
Bogor Park full of people and litter Kosasih, a cleaning worker at the Bogor Botanical Park, is sweeping piles of ticket stubs thrown by visitors along Jl. Kenari I. The park is a very popular place for family outings during the Idul Fitri holiday. According to the park's management, every day thousands of visitors from Bogor, Jakarta and surrounding areas come to the park for picnics. On the second day of Idul Fitri alone, the official number of visitors reached 17,484 people.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Police capture logging ship in Papua
Police capture logging ship in Papua Nethy Dharma Somba and Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura/Medan The nationwide drive against illegal logging continued as the police apprehended a foreign ship carrying illegal logs in Papua and a minister revealed that a number of officials were allegedly involved in the rampant illegal logging.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Four ambassadors from non-aligned and G-77 countries in the UN
Four ambassadors from non-aligned and G-77 countries in the UN atomic agency were to head to Tehran on Friday ahead of talks on whether Iran should face UN sanctions over its nuclear program, Malaysian ambassador Hussein Haniff told AFP. Haniff said he and the ambassadors of Cuba, South Africa and Algeria "are going to update ourselves about the agreement between the EU and Iran" on Tehran suspending uranium enrichment.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Japan, RP work on trade pact talks
Japan, RP work on trade pact talks TOKYO: Japan and the Philippines have reached a basic agreement on a bilateral free trade agreement, a Japanese official said on Friday. The agreement was reached between Japanese Trade Minister Shoichi Nakagawa and his Philippine counterpart Cesar Purisima in talks on the sidelines of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Santiago, Chile.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Discipline the responsibility of both parents and teachers
Discipline the responsibility of both parents and teachers 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.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
House seeks honest crash probe
House seeks honest crash probe Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Several House of Representatives members urged the government and the police on Friday to disclose the procedure for halting traffic on toll roads for VVIPs to the public, in order to make the investigation of a fatal accident on Wednesday more transparent.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Aceh administrator wants audit conducted
Aceh administrator wants audit conducted Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh The acting civil emergency administrator in Aceh has asked the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to verify reports of malfeasance in the use of Rp 6 trillion (US$6.8 billion) in state funds allocated for the first six months of the state of civil emergency in the province. Acting Civil Emergency Administrator Insp. Gen.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. MONORAIL: 3 X 18
1. MONORAIL: 3 X 18 Developer set to build monorail depot next week 2. KALLA: 1 X 28 VP Kalla goes home in style 3. SMS: 1 X 24 Text messages up by 100% 4. MAID: 1 X 27 RI tries to up maid wage in S'pore 5. DOLLAR: 1 X 36 Dollar woes have little impact on rupiah
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Illegal fees
Illegal fees From Warta Kota Illegal fees, practices that are a part of corruption, collusion and nepotism, are rampant at all levels of Indonesia's bureaucracy. The impact of illegal fees are more catastrophic than bomb blasts because they can destroy the whole nation. Therefore, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono must institute shock therapy in order to eradicate illegal fees within the first 100 days of his administration. Take, for example, a corporate domicile certificate.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Sleman to test over 8,000 candidates
Sleman to test over 8,000 candidates Well over 8,000 civil service candidates for Sleman regency, Yogyakarta, will take entrance tests on Nov. 24, for which 57 school buildings have been made ready around the local administration. "Buildings located near the regency administration were chosen to facilitate the implementation of the tests," said Sleman chief spokeswoman Sudarningsih.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Punish backers of timber smuggling
Punish backers of timber smuggling From Media Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has instructed law enforcers to unhesitatingly take stern action against those backing illegal logging overtly and covertly, without discrimination. Forest management agencies have also been warned to not tolerate timber theft and smuggling, while regional administrators are now required to more cautiously issue forestry permits in order to avoid misuse of resources.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Palestine and Aceh: Limits of solidarity
Palestine and Aceh: Limits of solidarity Aguswandi, London An interesting opinion article appeared in this newspaper, which drew a comparison between the plight of the Palestinians and the Acehnese. (The Jakarta Post, Nov. 8). This is maybe the first time an Indonesian has connected the two conflicts. There has been no identification of the similarities between the two in Indonesia, despite common elements of widespread and deliberate human suffering, injustice and human rights violations.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Job seekers flood Jakarta after break
Job seekers flood Jakarta after break Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Pipit Subakir, 40, holds his two children tightly by the hand while his wife, Tuti, 35, and his brother-in-law, Sofyan, 19, follow behind as the family walk out of the Senen railway station in Central Jakarta on Friday. "I brought Sofyan to Jakarta because he has had nothing to do back there in our village in Kendal, Central Java after he graduated from senior high school several months ago.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
The Vientiane Summit
The Vientiane Summit Ong Keng Yong, Jakarta The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will end the year 2004 on a high note. A record number of about 20 major agreements and declarations are expected to be signed or adopted either by the ASEAN member countries or between ASEAN and its partners in the Lao capital of Vientiane next week. This is the culmination of year-long consultations, negotiations and consensus-building that demonstrates ASEAN's continued dynamism and relevance.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
KPU OKs councillors after rigged election
KPU OKs councillors after rigged election JAYAPURA, Papua: An alliance of 20 political parties that participated in the April 5 legislative election in Mimika, Papua protested the recent inauguration of 25 councillors for the Mimika regency legislature, saying it was against Decree No. 44/2004 issued by the General Election Commission (KPU).
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Part 1 of 2
Part 1 of 2 U.S.-Indonesian Relations: Building Mutual Understanding Ambassador Marie T. Huhtala Washington DC Indonesia has experienced a dizzying series of changes since the fall of President Soeharto in 1998, representing rather amazing progress in the country's democratization. With a vast, multi-ethnic nation and little history of democracy, Indonesia has faced a steep learning curve, but the results so far have been impressive.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Twisted logic
Twisted logic From Koran Tempo When I learned that the toll road company PT Jasa Marga Jagorawi branch had provided facilities for the convenience of those returning to their hometowns for the Idul Fitri holiday, I became more convinced of the twisted logic that prevails in this country. Well, we pay more attention to those returning to their hometowns for the holiday than to the migrant workers returning home from abroad with foreign exchange.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
AirAsia set to make solid debut on stock exchange
AirAsia set to make solid debut on stock exchange Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia's budget carrier AirAsia is expected to make a solid debut on the stock exchange on Monday, with gains to be made from its retail initial public offer (IPO) price of 1.16 ringgit (31 U.S. cent) a share, fund managers and analysts said on Friday. AirAsia will become the first budget carrier listed in Southeast Asia on Nov. 22.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Tangerang takes loans to fix schools
Tangerang takes loans to fix schools Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang The Tangerang Council has given the green light for a proposal to renovate 220 school buildings in the municipality, with most of the estimated Rp 200 billion (US$22.22 million) budget loaned from private companies. "In principle, the Council had no objection to the plan to simultaneously renovate the damaged school buildings next year by involving private investors," deputy speaker Bonnie Mudfijar said on Thursday.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
AirAsia to make solid debut on Malaysian bourse next week
AirAsia to make solid debut on Malaysian bourse next week Agence France-Presse Kuala Lumpur Malaysia's budget carrier AirAsia is expected to make a solid debut on the stock exchange on Monday, with gains to be made from its retail initial public offer (IPO) price of 1.16 ringgit (31 U.S. cent) a share, fund managers and analysts said on Friday. AirAsia will become the first budget carrier listed in Southeast Asia on Nov. 22.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Probe Munir's death
Probe Munir's death From Media Indonesia The Institute for Study of Democracy (LKaDe) welcomes the formation of a team by the National Police to investigate the death of Munir, rights campaigner and coordinator of the National Commission on Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras). Based on the Dutch Forensic Institute's report, a lethal dose of arsenic was found in the body of Munir following an autopsy.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
RI needs $72b for infrastructures
RI needs $72b for infrastructures Endy M. Bayuni, The Jakarta Post, Santiago Building infrastructure will be the bedrock of the government's economic strategy for the next five years, and that means raising no less than US$72 billion, or around Rp 600 trillion to finance related projects, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Friday. The money, he said, would come from all kind of sources: the government, private sector investment, foreign aid, and foreign direct investment.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Extortion of motorists rife in Lampung
Extortion of motorists rife in Lampung Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung Some 21 traffic police officers are facing possible demotion or dismissal for extorting money from motorists traveling through the province during the week-long Idul Fitri holiday. The police officers were detained after they were caught red- handed collecting money from drivers and motorists. The policemen have been questioned since Wednesday.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Airport calm, Merak port crowded
Airport calm, Merak port crowded Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang The mass influx of homeward-bound holiday revelers is yet to be seen at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, but people returning from Sumatra have started to pack Merak port. Wahyu Raharjo, a duty officer at the airport, said the number of arrivals and departures recorded no significant increase. "No signs of passenger influx is yet to be seen, thus far. Many want to enjoy their holiday to the last minute.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Major problems on Trans-Kalimantan
Major problems on Trans-Kalimantan BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Travelers and motorists have complained about the poor condition of the road in almost all sections of the Trans-Kalimantan Highway. The South Kalimantan provincial administration has remained silent despite the fact that the road damage was mainly caused by overloaded trucks carrying gold and coal from companies in the province that have agreements with the local government.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Developer set to build monorail depot next week
Developer set to build monorail depot next week Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After months of little or no progress on the ambitious monorail project, the developer is set to prioritize constructing its nine-hectare depot complex above the West Flood Canal in the crowded Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. "The depot will be built on a reinforced concrete platform built above the Canal. The site has been finalized.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia tries to up maid wage in Singapore
Indonesia tries to up maid wage in Singapore Agence France-Presse, Singapore Indonesian maids working in Singapore will next year have their minimum salaries raised by S$50 (US$30) a month, under a plan being pushed by the Indonesian embassy. The embassy sent a letter to all maid agencies this week calling on them to lift the salaries from $230 a month to $280 dollars to reflect the better quality of maids the Singapore government is trying to attract.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
'It's not easy to find work in Jakarta'
'It's not easy to find work in Jakarta' The Jakarta administration on Monday will start checking people returning home after Idul Fitri holidays. Those caught without Jakarta identity cards, permanent jobs or residence in the city, will be sent back home. The Jakarta Post asked some residents about their opinion on the policy. Basri, 32, is a minivan driver.
Sat, 20 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.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Acehnese hopes dashed
Acehnese hopes dashed The Acehnese will have to endure yet another six months of suffering after the new government this week extended the state of civil emergency until May 2005. It's appalling to see a golden opportunity slip through the fingers of former general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and prove to the nation that he is true to his word.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Government lacks initiative in approach to Aceh problem
Government lacks initiative in approach to Aceh problem President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono issued a regulation on Thursday to extend the state of civil emergency in Aceh for another six months. Criticism loomed even before the decision was taken, with many questioning the new government's commitment to a more comprehensive solution to the long-standing problems in the natural resource-rich province.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Punctuality is Susilo's middle name
Punctuality is Susilo's middle name Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Punctuality is one thing that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has enforced during his first month in office, unlike his predecessors. After having a career in the military, Susilo is demanding that Cabinet members, presidential staff and even journalists covering his activities be punctual. The swearing-in of Cabinet members at the State Palace on Oct.
Sat, 20 Nov 2004, 00:00 WIB
Eradicating corruption
Eradicating corruption From Koran Tempo Corruption is a chronic social ill in Indonesia. However, it is not enough for the government just to find the right way to eradicate it. It is more important for the government to look for its root causes. One of the reasons why corruption has become rampant is that civil servants are still underpaid.