Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 1 December 2004

105 articles found

Policemen nabbed after drinking spree

Policemen nabbed after drinking spreeJongker Rumthe, The Jakarta Post/Manado Seven boozing policemen whose unruly escapades almost caused a riot in Tuminting, Manado, have been thrown into the drunk tank until they are disciplined, the North Sulawesi Police say.

AirAsia to offer flights to China in February

AirAsia to offer flights to China in FebruaryHaslinda Amin and Khoo Hsu Chuang, Bloomberg/China AirAsia Bhd., Southeast Asia's biggest discount airline, plans to start flights to China in February, expanding outside of Southeast Asia, as it prepares to face competition from as many as eight...

W. Java villagers die of asphyxiation in well

W. Java villagers die of asphyxiation in wellYuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post/Bandung A grim atmosphere loomed over Selacau village, Sumedang regency, West Java, following the death of four residents who died of gas poisoning inside a well on Tuesday.

Last bond issue draws strong response

Last bond issue draws strong responseThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government auctioned its last bond issue of the year worth Rp 1.8 trillion (US$199 million) on Tuesday, with the proceeds to be used for financing the state budget deficit, the Ministry of Finance said.

Govt to double agricultural exports

Govt to double agricultural exports The government has set itself a target of raising exports of agricultural products to US$9 billion in 2009, or more than double this year's estimate of $3.7 billion, a senior official said on Tuesday.

Workers protest minimum wage

Workers protest minimum wageBANDUNG: At least 3,000 workers in Cimahi regency staged a protest on Tuesday outside the regent's office, demanding that he raise the minimum wage in the regency. The workers said the minimum wage in Cimahi had to equal the minimum wage in Bandung municipality, as the...

Only 50% TKI use KL amnesty: Govt

Only 50% TKI use KL amnesty: Govt JAKARTA: Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Fahmi Idris said on Tuesday that only 76,000 Indonesian migrant workers (TKI), or a little over half of the 150,000 TKI expected to return, took advantage of the amnesty program offered by Malaysia to repatriate.

Vin+ offers booze at attractive prices in stylish surroundings

Vin+ offers booze at attractive prices in stylish surroundingsRich Simons, Contributor/JakartaPort (wine) is the comfort of age and the companion of the scholar and the philosopher. (Evelyn Waugh) In yet another tangible indicator that Indonesia, and Jakarta in particular, is recovering from the...

The Ismail Marzuki Arts Center (TIM) seems to have been

The Ismail Marzuki Arts Center (TIM) seems to have been forgotten now. While in the past this arts center was always associated with quality performances from the regions and other countries, today it is only a place where people have their lunch, make love in their cars or see a movie.

HIV patients still fear discrimination

HIV patients still fear discriminationDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Rohana of Bukit Duri, South Jakarta, is still grieving for her nephew, who spent the last three months of his life in hospital.

Probe Munir's death

Probe Munir's deathFrom 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).

RI shares end at record high, cigarette stocks lead

RI shares end at record high, cigarette stocks leadDow Jones, Jakarta Indonesian shares ended higher Tuesday, with foreign-led buying in cigarette makers Hanjaya Mandala Sampoerna and Gudang Garam driving the main index to close at a fresh record high, dealers said.

Banker allegedly amassed Rp 9.4b

Banker allegedly amassed Rp 9.4bEvi Mariani , The Jakarta Post/Jakarta If it were not for a promotion that moved him to the bank's headquarters office, no one would have suspected that a Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) official allegedly misused his authority to amass wealth of about Rp 9.

Indonesia in danger of HIV/AIDS explosion in 2005

Indonesia in danger of HIV/AIDS explosion in 2005Yulia Wardhani, Jakarta There has recently been a shift in the perception of HIV/AIDS that has accompanied the increasing number of intravenous drug users (IDUs) who have become HIV positive.

BRI to make Rp 12t new loans next year

BRI to make Rp 12t new loans next yearBank Rakyat Indonesia, the nation's fourth-largest lender, expects to give Rp 12 trillion (US$1.3 billion) of new loans next year as consumers and companies borrow more.

East Timor deports dozens of Muslims to Indonesia

East Timor deports dozens of Muslims to Indonesia Reuters JakartaTiny East Timor has deported 61 Muslims to neighboring Indonesia after detaining nearly 300 who had been living illegally near the only mosque in the capital Dili, officials said on Tuesday.

Touchy Indonesia keeps tight lid on foreign researchers

Touchy Indonesia keeps tight lid on foreign researchersMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The government is drafting a new decree setting out even more onerous rules for foreign scientists conducting research here due to a growing number of "illegal studies", an official says.

HSBC gives $292m loan to Pertamina

HSBC gives $292m loan to Pertamina JAKARTA: Banking giant HSBC signed on Tuesday a US$292 million syndicated loan agreement to finance the import of crude oil by state oil and gas company Pertamina.HSBC is the lead arranger and sole book runner for the loan, which was raised from several sharia...

Newmont faces off against police, activists

Newmont faces off against police, activistsMichael Casey, Associated Press/Buyat Bay, North SulawesiMention Newmont Mining Corp. in this impoverished seaside community and villagers angrily recount how pollution from its gold mine has killed the fish and sickened residents with headaches, nausea...

OPEC production exceeds quota

OPEC production exceeds quota JAKARTA: OPEC is currently producing 28.5 million barrels of oil per day, exceeding its quota by 1.5 million bpd, the cartel's president said on Tuesday."We have oversupply (amounting to) 1.5 million barrels per day. Currently, total output stands at 28.

JP/ /

JP/ /Part 2 of 2Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Vientiane/LaosThe future of ASEAN's competitiveness But that's not all -- the road to success is much tougher than that. To gain maximum benefit from integration, we need to meet other conditions.

Building stakeholders' trust

Building stakeholders' trustSudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta There is a growing awareness among local companies that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become an important business concept to maintain long-term profitability.

Suggestions on tourism

Suggestions on tourismFrom Koran TempoAs described in the 100-day program announced the tourism minister, the important part of the plan to boost the inflow of foreign tourists is security, which will be maintained in coordination with all levels of the government's security agencies.

JP;IWA;CD;

JP;IWA;CD; ANPAs..r.. Putbrief-Gymnastics-Rumania Gymnasts departure to Rumania delayed JP/9/brief Gymnasts departure to Romania delayed JAKARTA: The Romanian's winter training break will prompt a rescheduling of the Indonesian gymnasts' planned departure for a two-year training program in Romania,...

;JP;BBY;

;JP;BBY; ANPAj..r.. Greater-antidrug-campaign Anti-drug campaign leads to new law JP/8/ Antidrug campaign leads to new law JAKARTA: The Jakarta Library and Yayasan Cahaya Hati Bangsa will hold a panel discussion on Dec.

;JP;

;JP; ANPAk..r.. Buyat-environment-damages JP/7/opinion Buyat case: Growth versus environment2. SBY-- 1 x48JP/7/ The future of ASEAN's competitiveness 3.Yulia-- HIV/AIDs explosion 2 x 21 Indonesia in danger of HIV/AIDS explosion

TV Program: Thursday, December 2, 2004

TV Program: Thursday, December 2, 2004 .TB.30" .90"TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 Documentary8:00 Talk Show8:30 Music: Asyik-Asyik10:00 Talk Show: Wirausaha11:00 Singing Contest: Konteswara12:00 p.m.

Panel puts two proposals for UNSC reform

Panel puts two proposals for UNSC reformAgencies, United Nations/Vientiane/JakartaA high-level panel on reforming the United Nations has proposed two models for enlarging the United Nations Security Council, according to a major report obtained by Reuters on Monday.

Thugs attack public order officers

Thugs attack public order officers TANGERANG: A group of thugs at Pasar Anyar market attacked public order officers while the latter were evicting street vendors occupying part of the road, injuring two of the officers.

* Vijay Singh poised for overdue players' accolade Page 3

* Vijay Singh poised for overdue players' accolade Page 3 * Govt drafts plan to restrict foreign researchers Page 4 * Prosecutors drop graft charges against Solok businessman Page 5 * Buyat case: Economic growth vs environment Page 7 * Rainy season catches City govt with pants down Page 8 * Celtics...

Gymnasts departure to Romania delayed

Gymnasts departure to Romania delayed JAKARTA: The Romanian's winter training break will prompt a rescheduling of the Indonesian gymnasts' planned departure for a two-year training program in Romania, according to the Indonesian Gymnastics Association (Persani).

Sampoerna, France provide scholarships

Sampoerna, France provide scholarships Full scholarships to pursue doctorate programs in France are on offer for Indonesian nationals from the Sampoerna Foundation and the French government, starting next year.

ASEAN-China free trade a likely disaster, say trade unions

ASEAN-China free trade a likely disaster, say trade unionsRidwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Labor unions here called the historic trade pact between China and the 10 Southeast Asian countries a disaster on Tuesday, claiming that Indonesia would not be able to compete with Chinese...

JP/6/YULIA

JP/6/YULIAIndonesia in danger of HIV/AIDS explosion in 2005Yulia Wardhani Jakarta There has recently been a shift in the perception of HIV/AIDS that has accompanied the increasing number of intravenous drug users (IDUs) who have become HIV positive.

RI's H1 coal sales reach 45.77m tons

RI's H1 coal sales reach 45.77m tons JAKARTA: Indonesia exported 45.77 million metric tons of coal in the January through June period, Indonesia's Central Statistics Bureau said.The shipments were valued at US$1.06 billion at Indonesian ports, the bureau said.

40 suffering from diarrhea after Nabire earthquake

40 suffering from diarrhea after Nabire earthquakeThe Jakarta Post, Agencies At least 40 Nabire residents have been struck down with diarrhea since a powerful earthquake rocked the city last Friday, while death toll in the disaster stood at 27 as of Tuesday afternoon.

Public to pay 40% more on fuel

Public to pay 40% more on fuelDadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The public will pay up to 40 percent more for fuel by early next year, as the government insists on raising the price of the commodity in order to lower subsidy costs, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said on Tuesday.

Two officials named graft suspects

Two officials named graft suspectsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The West Jakarta Prosecutor's Office has named two top officials of the area's Parks Office suspects in a corruption case worth Rp 1.4 billion (US$155,555.56).

Buyat case ordered to be taken to court

Buyat case ordered to be taken to court JAKARTA: The Attorney General's Office has ordered the North Sulawesi Prosecutor's Office to bring the pollution case involving PT Newmont Minahasa Raya to court, an official says.

62 deported Indonesians arrive home from East Timor

62 deported Indonesians arrive home from East TimorYemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post/Kupang After five hours of immigration checks in Motaain, on the border of East Timor and Indonesia, 62 people were deported from the neighboring country, finally arriving on Monday evening in Atambua, the capital...

Liang Bua, human evolution study center

Liang Bua, human evolution study centerYemris Fointuna The Jakarta Post/Manggarai At the end of October, the fossilized remains of a one-meter- tall hominid were discovered in Flores island, which lies within East Nusa Tenggara province.

Probe Munir's death

Probe Munir's deathFrom 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).

Consumer confidence rises to 37-month high

Consumer confidence rises to 37-month high Delight and relief after the successful elections lifted the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) by 6.2 percent to a 37-month high of 105.8 in October, Danareksa Research Institute (DRI) announced on Tuesday.

Telekom Malaysia's 3rd-Qtr Profit Falls on Higher Tax

Telekom Malaysia's 3rd-Qtr Profit Falls on Higher Tax Bloomberg Kuala Lumpur Telekom Malaysia Bhd., Southeast Asia's second-largest phone company, said third-quarter profit fell 1 percent because it paid higher taxes.

India-ASEAN rally pauses for ceremony

India-ASEAN rally pauses for ceremonyAye Aye Win, Associated Press/Vientiane, Laos A caravan of about 60 mostly Indian-made cars reached Laos on Tuesday after meandering through jungles and mountains of Southeast Asia in an Asian car rally to promote the region's little used byways for travel and...

More countries join the rush to sign on for free trade talks with ASEAN

More countries join the rush to sign on for free trade talks with ASEANAgencies, VientianeFour Pacific Rim economies from Australia to Japan joined the rush to court Southeast Asia, agreeing on Tuesday to launch free trade talks with the region's leaders hours after they clinched a momentous...

One Asia

One Asia The walls of division which separate the people's of South, Southeast and East Asia came down earlier this week for a brief moment as leaders of 14 Asian countries gathered in Vientiane as equals and colleagues.

Rupiah Rates Nov.30

Rupiah Rates Nov.30 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,392.63 6,613.38 7,039.23 6,966.64 Brunei dollar 1 5,798.36 5,187.26 5,521.17 5,464.34 Canadian dollar 1 8,015.83 7,170.64 7,632.64 7,553.67 Swiss franc 1 8,320.66 7,442.55 7,922.90 7,840.

Asian monies down on concern central banks will sell

Asian monies down on concern central banks will sellChristina Soon, Bloomberg/Singapore Asian currencies fell on speculation the region's central banks will sell them to protect exporters after the Wall Street Journal said South Korea, China and Japan voiced concern about the dollar's decline.

1. LION: 1 LINE, 30 COUNTS

1. LION: 1 LINE, 30 COUNTS Over 20 die in Solo plane crash 2. FUEL: 1 LINE, 28 COUNTS Public to pay 40% more on fuel 3. ASEAN: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS ASEAN dimmed by Myanmar issue

ASEAN backs Japan's bid for permanent UN Security Council seat

ASEAN backs Japan's bid for permanent UN Security Council seat Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders on Tuesday backed Japan's bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, an official said.

CSFB named best foreign bank

CSFB named best foreign bank JAKARTA: Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB) has been awarded the Asset Triple-A Country Awards for best foreign investment bank in Indonesia and Malaysia by banking and finance publication The Asset.

General Issue: Corporate Social Responsibility

General Issue: Corporate Social Responsibility Dec - 1;JP; ANPAd..r.. Business-CSR-programCSR may be debatable, but not the recipientsRudijanto Contributor Jakarta "Help me, I want to get well," reads a brochure featuring seven-year-old Faizal, a leukemia patient at Jakarta's Cipto Mangunkusumo...

Busway sales over Rp 33b in 10 months

Busway sales over Rp 33b in 10 months JAKARTA: Since its grand opening 10 months ago, the management of the TransJakarta Busway has contributed Rp 33.89 billion (US$3.76 million) to the city's coffers, however most of that has already been spent on the salaries and expenses incurred by the city.

S'pore to give medical tourism a shot in the arm

S'pore to give medical tourism a shot in the armLilian Karunungan, Reuters/SingaporeWhen Indonesian Rismayanti Maulana's husband was diagnosed with liver cancer, she had no hesitation in bringing him to Singapore for an operation despite the city-state's higher medical costs.

Online identity system

Online identity systemFrom Koran TempoThe government of Malaysia can easily trace its citizens, who traveled abroad and never returned, through the identity system called "I/C online". Indonesia's new government should have included this in its 100-day agenda.

Lion Air

Lion Air Plane skids off runaway, dozens dieBlontank Poerwoko, The Jakarta Post/Surakarta At least 23 people have been killed and dozens more were injured after a Lion Air passenger jet skidded off a slippery runway and slammed into a graveyard after landing at a Surakarta airport on Tuesday...

Buyat case: Economic growth versus environment

Buyat case: Economic growth versus environmentTodung Mulya Lubis, Jakarta The Buyat Bay case reflects the never ending tension between the concept of economic growth on the one hand and that of environmental management on the other.

Coffee brings Indonesia and Romania closer

Coffee brings Indonesia and Romania closerVeeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Bela Lugosi's famous introduction to film audiences, "I -- am -- Drac -- ula...", the brutal communist regime in Bucharest and soccer legend Georghe Hagi are some of the things that come to mind upon mention of...

CSR may be debatable, but not the recipients

CSR may be debatable, but not the recipientsRudijanto, Contributor, Jakarta "Help me, I want to get well," reads a brochure featuring seven-year-old Faizal, a leukemia patient at Jakarta's Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM).

Graft suspect challenges KPK Law

Graft suspect challenges KPK Law JAKARTA: Bram Manoppo, a suspect in a graft case involving Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Governor Abdullah Puteh, challenged on Tuesday the law on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).According to Bram, whom the commission has named a suspect, Law No.

HIV/AIDS now major threat to Papuan tribes

HIV/AIDS now major threat to Papuan tribesNethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post/Jayapura Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that causes it, may be contributing to the extinction of some of Papua's 250 tribes. With a population of 2.

JP/6/6eds1

JP/6/6eds1 A rude awakeningAn Indonesian visitor to Paris once noted how she was struck by the many more elderly faces filling the famous city's trams and streets, compared to the youthful scene in crowded Jakarta.

Probe Munir's death

Probe Munir's deathFrom 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).

Consumption not the spark behind economic growth

Consumption not the spark behind economic growthChristopher Lingle, Bali Indonesia's economic growth exceeded 5 percent in the third quarter of this year, up from a revised 4.54 percent in the previous quarter. Many commentators have suggested that a consumption boom was behind much of this news.

'For increased consumer spending to be sustainable, there must

'For increased consumer spending to be sustainable, there must be employment growth as well as higher labor productivity.' ;JP; ANPAk..r.. Lingle-consumption-growth JP/6/ CONSUMPTION IS NOT THE SPARK BEHIND ECONOMIC GROWTH Christopher Lingle, Bali Indonesia's economic growth exceeded 5 percent in...

Sun bears run amok in Jambi

Sun bears run amok in JambiJAMBI, Jambi: Four sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) frightened residents and livestock in two separate locations in Jambi in recent weeks, destroying kitchens in residences and preying on chicken and cattle.

Govt raises $65m from Niaga sale

Govt raises $65m from Niaga saleThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has raised around Rp 585.8 billion (US$65 million) from the sale of a 16.8 percent stake in publicly listed Bank Niaga on Tuesday.Ministry of Finance's asset management company PPA said that the government sold some 1.

Chinese consumers most optimistic

Chinese consumers most optimistic CHINA: Chinese consumers are the most optimistic in the world, with 78 percent expecting the economy to improve in the coming year, according to a survey by market researcher AC Nielsen.

'People with HIV should get help'

'People with HIV should get help'Studies have shown that injecting drug users are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, as they frequently share needles with other junkies. Official data estimates that Indonesia is home to about 130,000 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

Multicultural approach vital in dealing with HIV

Multicultural approach vital in dealing with HIV On the sidelines of a seminar in Jakarta last week, Marina Mahathir, President of the Malaysian AIDS Council talked to The Jakarta Post's M. Taufiqurrahman last week about how reluctance to address the issue of multiculturism had aggravated the...

Support grows for Sahal-Gus Mus ticket in NU

Support grows for Sahal-Gus Mus ticket in NUThe Jakarta Post, Surakarta The ground under incumbent Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) leader Haysim Muzadi appeared to be moving on Tuesday, as ex-president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's campaign to remove him from power gained some ground.

Standard Chartered Bank's response

Standard Chartered Bank's response This is in response to the letter from Avian Eddyputra which was forwarded to the Standard Chartered Bank by The Jakarta Post.Avian Eddyputra has been our customer since April 2002 for both our Kredit Tanpa Agunan (KTA) -- unsecured loan -- and credit card...

JP/6/

JP/6/ One Asia The walls of division which separate the people's of South, Southeast and East Asia came down earlier this week for a brief moment as leaders of 14 Asian countries gathered in Vientiane as equals and colleagues.

China-ASEAN ties become dynamic

China-ASEAN ties become dynamicBi Lun, China Daily/Beijing, Asia News Network The Monday's meeting of leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK), has the potential to inject new vitality into the already booming economic...

Bojong plant enlists support of House

Bojong plant enlists support of HouseDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The city administration is seeking support of the House of Representatives in its attempts to prove that the Bojong waste treatment facility in Bogor regency will not damage the environment nor cause health problems as...

RI employee loyalty lowest in Asia

RI employee loyalty lowest in AsiaThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two out of three Indonesian employees say they would move to a different company even if the position, field of work and remuneration were the same as in their current company.

Immigration officers ask for dollars

Immigration officers ask for dollarsFrom Koran Tempo The government must start immediately its fight against fraud and corruption. In this context, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Hamid Awaluddin must inspect immigration checkpoints at international airports and domestic seaports because...

New Golkar leader needed: Kalla

New Golkar leader needed: Kalla JAKARTA: Vice President Jusuf Kalla suggested on Tuesday that the Golkar Party change its leadership in order to grow, but pledged not to intervene in the party's upcoming congress.

(BCA Advertorial: 4 x 27: 108cm)

(BCA Advertorial: 4 x 27: 108cm) (Publishing date: December 1, 2004) Serving the people through education and health Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become an integral part of today's business world, in both developed and developing countries.

Correction

CorrectionCorrection:In the GDP story in this paper's Tuesday issue on page 13, the name of a Golkar Party legislator was mistakenly written as Achmad Hafiz Zawawi. The correct name is Harry Azhar Azis. We regret any inconvenience caused by the mistake. Editor

BRI to make Rp 12t new loans next year

BRI to make Rp 12t new loans next yearBank Rakyat Indonesia, the nation's fourth-largest lender, expects to give Rp 12 trillion (US$1.3 billion) of new loans next year as consumers and companies borrow more.

The Ismail Marzuki Arts Center (TIM) seems to have been

The Ismail Marzuki Arts Center (TIM) seems to have been forgotten now. While in the past this arts center was always associated with quality performances from the regions and other countries, today it is only a place where people have their lunch, make love in their cars or see a movie.

Ship nabbed for illegal sugar

Ship nabbed for illegal sugarMEDAN, North Sumatra: The Customs and Excise Office at Belawan port in Medan apprehended a cargo ship allegedly smuggling 400 tons of sugar on Tuesday at Teluk Nibung port, Tanjung Balai regency.

BRI to make Rp 12t new loans next year

BRI to make Rp 12t new loans next year Bank Rakyat Indonesia, the nation's fourth-largest lender, expects to give Rp 12 trillion (US$1.3 billion) of new loans next year as consumers and companies borrow more.

Ba'asyir is spiritual head of JI, say members

Ba'asyir is spiritual head of JI, say membersEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Two Malaysian militants testifying in the trial of Abu Bakar Ba'asyir acknowledged on Tuesday that the elderly cleric was the spiritual leader of the regional terrorist group, Jamaah Islamiyah (JI).

The Vientiane opportunity

The Vientiane opportunity Verghese Mathews New Straits Times Kuala Lumpur ASEAN's 10th summit in Vientiane, Laos, is a good time to address what is rapidly becoming a major problem for three members of the grouping: The fate of the Montagnards in the central highlands of Vietnam.

ASEAN leaders held a succession of meetings with some of Asia's

ASEAN leaders held a succession of meetings with some of Asia's top leaders in Vientiane on Tuesday, the substance of which were overshadowed by alarm over the grouping's neglect of continued rights repressions by fellow member Myanmar.

The Ismail Marzuki Arts Center (TIM) seems to have been

The Ismail Marzuki Arts Center (TIM) seems to have been forgotten now. While in the past this arts center was always associated with quality performances from the regions and other countries, today it is only a place where people have their lunch, make love in their cars or see a movie.

Security tight ahead of Dec. 1 in Biak

Security tight ahead of Dec. 1 in BiakThe Jakarta Post, AntaraThe situation in Biak Numfor, Papua, remained secure on Tuesday, one day before separatists planned to celebrate the province's independence on Wednesday, a senior police officer said.Biak Numfor police chief Adj. Sr. Comr.

Grauffel denied championship in Bali

Grauffel denied championship in BaliWahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Sanur, Bali World champion Eric Grauffel of France was denied a title of the AustralAsia Practical Shooting Championship after he ended up in second place here on Tuesday.Grauffel fired a total of 1297.

Right body wants judicial power

Right body wants judicial powerKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has called for a revision of human rights Law No.39/1999, to empower it with the right to press state institutions to follow up on the findings of its investigations.

Burhanuddin Abe

Burhanuddin Abe Contributor JakartaLike other places in the world, concern for security in all aspects of life has also become a top priority in Indonesia. A number of bombings -- in Bali as well as the recent one in front of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta -- and other types of violence raging...

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.

Police jailed for killing suspect

Police jailed for killing suspectPADANG, West Sumatra: The Padang District Court sentenced five policemen on Monday to 18 months in jail each for beating a drug suspect to death. The crime occurred last year, when a patrol officer arrested Faisal, 27, in connection with a drug case.

Rainy season catches city govt with their pants down

Rainy season catches city govt with their pants downThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Residents in several flood-prone areas across the capital have not yet prepared for potential floods this rainy season, although the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) has warned Jakartans that rains would peak...

Part 2 of 2: The future of ASEAN's competitiveness

Part 2 of 2: The future of ASEAN's competitivenessSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Vientiane/Laos But that's not all -- the road to success is much tougher than that. To gain maximum benefit from integration, we need to meet other conditions.

Standard Chartered terror

Standard Chartered terror For the past few months members of my family have been receiving death threats and harassment from a Standard Chartered Bank representative/debt collector. In his last phone call to my house (Oct. 26), he threatened he would hunt me down and kill me.

U.S., Indonesia fight HIV/AIDS

U.S., Indonesia fight HIV/AIDSLynn B. Pascoe, JakartaAIDS Day is Dec. 1. The people of the United States, through President George W. Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, are privileged to be a partner with the people of Indonesia in building a future free from AIDS.

Every inch has a price in Cipinang prison, say visitors

Every inch has a price in Cipinang prison, say visitorsAbdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/JakartaA woman produced her identity card and Rp 15,000 (US$1.67), and handed them over to the prison guard at the entrance to the Cipinang penitentiary in East Jakarta.

ASEAN proposes summit with Russia

ASEAN proposes summit with Russia VIENTIANE: Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) proposed to hold a Russia-ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur in 2005 and to send a relevant invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Kiss of death may be on the lips for stations

Kiss of death may be on the lips for stationsKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Now that a three-month grace period has expired, the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) is set to crack down hard against radio or television stations violating government-dictated broadcasting guidelines.

Refugees reject relocation plan

Refugees reject relocation planAMBON, Maluku: Thirty-four refugee families from Banda district now living in neighboring Waitatiri hamlet, Salahutu district, Central Maluku regency, rejected on Tuesday the government's plan to transfer them to a state-built housing complex in Suli hamlet, Salahutu.

Prosecutors drop graft charges against Solok businessman

Prosecutors drop graft charges against Solok businessmanSyofiardi Bachyul Jb and Ruslan, The Jakarta Post/Padang/Poso The West Sumatra Prosecutor's Office announced on Tuesday that it had dropped a corruption charge against a businessman in Solok municipality, saying there is not enough evidence to...

Retail sales to expand 25-30% next year

Retail sales to expand 25-30% next yearZakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The country's retail sector is projected to continue enjoying strong sales growth of between 25 percent and 30 percent next year on the back of robust consumer consumption and increased purchasing power of households as...