Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 17 December 2004

86 articles found

DPD's role? Empowering itself ...

DPD's role? Empowering itself ... The Jakarta Post JakartaThe dream for better legislative representation appeared to have come true when the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) agreed in 2002 to adopt a bicameral legislative system.

Newmont refutes team's report

Newmont refutes team's report JAKARTA: PT Newmont Minahasa Raya refuted on Thursday the verified report of a government-sanctioned joint team on the alleged contamination of Buyat Bay with the company's tailings.

New TOEFL scraps grammar section

New TOEFL scraps grammar sectionSari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is to be reintroduced in September 2005 with a new assessment section on speaking skills, a seminar has announced.

Looking for scapegoats

Looking for scapegoatsFrom Media Indonesia Several newspapers have reported that State Minister for National Development Planning Sri Mulyani Indrawati has said that taxation is the constraint that the government is facing in its efforts to boost investment.

Medco starts producing LPG

Medco starts producing LPG JAKARTA: PT Medco Energi Internasional, Indonesia's biggest publicly traded oil company, said it started output of liquefied petroleum gas from its plant at the Kaji oil and gas field in South Sumatra on Wednesday.

Send House members back to school

Send House members back to school From Warta Kota It has been reported in the mass media that many members of the House of Representatives have demonstrated improper behavior. On one occasion, for example, 24 House members from the Golkar Party gave their personal guarantee so that Nurdin Halid, a...

Shares end up; Telkom leads on expansion

Shares end up; Telkom leads on expansionDow Jones, Jakarta Indonesian shares ended higher on Thursday led by a further rebound in Telekomunikasi Indonesia on the company's plan to buy a stake of up to 30 percent in an Asian-based telecommunication company next year, dealers said.

CIC merges with smaller rivals

CIC merges with smaller rivals JAKARTA: PT Bank CIC International, a mid- sized Indonesian lender, combined with two smaller rivals to form a new entity named PT Bank Century."Indonesia's central bank and the Ministry of Justice approved the merger plan," Denny Suryo, a corporate secretary at Bank...

Banten governor quizzed over graft

Banten governor quizzed over graftMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, TangerangBanten Governor Djoko Munandar was questioned as witness in a graft case on Thursday at the prosecutor's office, which has tightened its security following several threatening phone calls to the office.

Munir's death and TNI

Munir's death and TNIFrom Media IndonesiaThe death of human rights activist Munir has evolved into a polemic following an autopsy that showed his death was caused by arsenic poisoning. Many legislators and nongovernmental organizations believe he was killed because of his critical approach to...

Bank Global bond holders may lose all

Bank Global bond holders may lose allThe Jakarta Post, JakartaOver a dozen big Bank Global Internasional bond holders, many of them pension funds, may lose the millions they have invested if the central bank finally decides to shut down the scandal-ridden bank, whose managers have been accused of...

Weather bureau warns of downpours, floods

Weather bureau warns of downpours, floodsBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) has warned residents about taking measures over the next two weeks to anticipate possible flooding in major parts of the city, as heavy rains are expected to hit in early...

Students injured in campus clash

Students injured in campus clashAndi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, MakassarEngineering took on the social sciences on Thursday as hundreds of students at the University of Hasanuddin here ran amok, leaving a dozen people injured, one seriously.The all-out brawl, which started at about 2 p.m.

Media people criticized for lack of solidarity

Media people criticized for lack of solidarityKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Prominent lawyer Nono Anwar Makarim criticized the Indonesian media on Thursday for its lack of cohesion in putting pressure on the government and the House of Representatives to revise existing laws that are...

Rupiah Rates Dec. 16

Rupiah Rates Dec. 16 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,444.70 6,677.58 7,097.62 7,024.53 Brunei dollar 1 5,941.79 5,328.37 5,664.78 5,605.22 Canadian dollar 1 7,957.83 7,137.14 7,586.83 7,507.96 Swiss franc 1 8,533.12 7,652.83 8,135.30 8,050.

Munir's death and TNI

Munir's death and TNIFrom Media IndonesiaThe death of human rights activist Munir has evolved into a polemic following an autopsy that showed his death was caused by arsenic poisoning. Many legislators and nongovernmental organizations believe he was killed because of his critical approach to...

Fishermen complain over low fish output

Fishermen complain over low fish output PALU, Central Sulawesi: Fish catches in the Palu Gulf had dropped dramatically during the past two years because of sand dredging in the area, fishermen said on Thursday.

Terror alerts 'putting off tourists'

Terror alerts 'putting off tourists'Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaRenewed warnings by Western states of an imminent terrorist strike in Indonesia have prompted some foreigners to cancel planned trips to the country, tourism operators said on Thursday.

S'pore schools protect int'l students' fees

S'pore schools protect int'l students' fees JAKARTA: As many as 102 private education organizations (PEOs) in Singapore have signed up for the so-termed student protection scheme, which is expected to protect international students' fees.

Rogue on Pakuan Express

Rogue on Pakuan Express From KompasAs a commuter traveling by the Bogor-Jakarta Pakuan Express train, I consider this railway service fairly secure, except for the presence of beggars, who often make passengers feel uncomfortable as they push and shove for money.On Oct.

Revolution is right on streets, General Sutiyoso

Revolution is right on streets, General SutiyosoDamar Harsanto The Jakarta Post/JakartaWhen one looks at the evolution of Jakarta one cannot go past Governor Ali Sadikin who was once dubbed the city's "father of development".For many, Ali's reign over the city was controversial as it was successful.

Ex-chief councillor held for graft probe

Ex-chief councillor held for graft probeJon Afrizal and Rusman, The Jakarta Post, Jambi/SamarindaProsecutors in Jambi province detained on Thursday a former chief councillor for interrogation over the alleged embezzlement of Rp 5.7 billion (US$633,333).

Inner conflict of a princess at Sendang Kasihan

Inner conflict of a princess at Sendang KasihanTarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta The moral conflict to make a dilemmatic choice between state defense, love and a noblewoman's dignity during the Mataram Kingdom under Panembahan Senopati was portrayed in Hendro Martono's choreography in...

Dadan slugs for single RI gold

Dadan slugs for single RI goldFadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam Dadan Amanda beat Murat Airmassov of Kazakhstan in the 54- kilogram final here on Thursday to earn Indonesia the only victory, while South Korea claimed five of 10 golds on offer at the President's Cup amateur boxing championship.

'Reza fled airport to evade media'

'Reza fled airport to evade media'Multa Fidrus and Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/TangerangSinger Reza Artamevia was not kidnapped but fled the Soekarno- Hatta International Airport to avoid journalists who had been waiting for her, an airport security official said on Thursday.

Disenfranchised victims: Children of violent homes

Disenfranchised victims: Children of violent homesAndayani, Jakarta The last decade has been marked by an increasing awareness of domestic violence in Indonesia. On Sept. 14, 2004, the country enacted the domestic violence protection act (UU Perlindungan Kekerasan Dalam Rumah Tangga), which aims at...

SKorea probes British pension fund

SKorea probes British pension fundAgence France-Presse, Seoul South Korea's financial watchdog is looking into allegations that British pension fund Hermes Investment Management violated stock market rules, officials said on Thursday.

[b]

Ba'aysir trial dealt major blow 2. Agung (32) 1x27 Agung's swift fall from grace 3. Demo (45) 1x32 Decentralization jeopardizes policy 4. Press (40) 2x24 Media people criticized for lack of solidarity

ADB, World Bank to extend new loans to help finance budget deficit

ADB, World Bank to extend new loans to help finance budget deficitThe Jakarta Post, JakartaIndonesia is set to receive loan packages from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank to help finance its budget deficit and implement reform in budget auditing.

Heineken to be produced in Indonesia

Heineken to be produced in IndonesiaAssociated Press, Jakarta Beer lovers in predominantly Muslim Indonesia will find Heineken cheaper and more widely available as part of a deal to have the Dutch brew produced locally, its local partner said Thursday.

Scholars preserve mangrove forests

Scholars preserve mangrove forests BOGOR: The Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB), the University of Indonesia and Indonesia Christian University have taken the initiative to preserve the mangrove forests in Muara Angke Kapuk, West Jakarta.

Japan offers to help secure Malacca Strait

Japan offers to help secure Malacca Strait JAKARTA: Japan offered assistance on Thursday to boost security in the Strait of Malacca, the world's busiest seaway.Visiting Japanese Minister for Trade and Industry Shoichi Nakagawa said Japan was concerned about pirate attacks against Japanese vessels...

25% population in Yogya jobless

25% population in Yogya jobless YOGYAKARTA: Twenty-one percent out of a total of 2.5 million people in Yogyakarta are effectively unemployed, the province's Manpower and Transmigration Office says.Office head Diat Minatu said 100,000 out of the 600,000 people had no sources of income at all, while...

JP/5/COUNCIL

JP/5/COUNCILCouncillors face uphill battle against graft charges A'an Suryana The Jakarta Post/JakartaThe 10 people who came to the Attorney General's Office here as representatives of councillors nationwide were kept waiting in a meeting room for more than 30 minutes.

1. Golkar (40) - 60 pts 6 cols 1line (1x30)

1. Golkar (40) - 60 pts 6 cols 1line (1x30)Dramatic turn favors Akbar's reelection bid2. Global (35) - 36 pts 4cols 1line (1x30) Bank Global bond holders stand to lose all or Bank Global bond holders may lose all 3.

TV stations pledge to avoid indecency

TV stations pledge to avoid indecency JAKARTA: The Indonesian Television Broadcasting Association (ATVSI) pledged not to air programs showing indecent material, and those that highlight violence and ghost busting.

RI says new Australian security zone unacceptable

RI says new Australian security zone unacceptableAgencies, JakartaIndonesia said on Thursday it could not accept Australia's proposed new maritime security zone, saying it infringed on Indonesian waters and violated freedom of navigation.

Officials keep gift giving under wraps

Officials keep gift giving under wraps Muninggar Sri Saraswati The Jakarta Post/JakartaGovernment officials are accustomed to gift giving and will not easily give it up, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was recently told.

Illegal fees at Soekarno-Hatta

Illegal fees at Soekarno-HattaFrom Kompas On Oct. 18, my Thai guests arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, and were only permitted to leave the immigration checkpoint after they had each paid US$10 to the immigration officers in charge, who had detained their passage for no clear reason.

City asked to curb proposed funds for busway project

City asked to curb proposed funds for busway projectDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe City Council has asked Governor Sutiyoso to reduce the proposed fund for the construction of the busway corridor from Pulogadung bus terminal in East Jakarta to Kalideres, West Jakarta.

Taman Rasuna is best apartment

Taman Rasuna is best apartment JAKARTA: The City Housing Agency declared on Wednesday the Taman Rasuna apartments in Kuningan area, South Jakarta, the best managed apartment in the city.Following in second and third place were Apartemen Kintamani and Apartemen Golf Pondok Indah, both also in South...

Chauvinistic verdict

Chauvinistic verdictIndonesia after Soeharto is full of surprises. Almost daily we are greeted by more surprises, both pleasant and unpleasant. We woke up on Thursday to yet another surprise, this one supplied by the Constitutional Court: it had annulled Electricity Law No. 20/2002.

Gresik to remain in govt control: Minister

Gresik to remain in govt control: MinisterUrip Hudiono and Rendi A. Witoelar, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government has decided that it will retain its 51 percent controlling stake in the country's largest cement producer PT Semen Gresik (SG), a senior economic minister said.

Ba'asyir prosecution dealt major blow

Ba'asyir prosecution dealt major blowTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe prosecutors' bid to link Abu Bakar Ba'asyir to the Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) group blamed for a series of bomb attacks in the country was dealt a major blow on Thursday after three key witnesses withdrew earlier statements...

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, December 17, 2004

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, December 17, 2004Exhibitions* Photo The Master Class Klavdij Sluban, Oktagon Gallery, Jl. Gunung Sahari Raya No. 50A, Central Jakarta, until Dec. 22. * The Hungry Box: the endless interiors of MVRDV, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R.

Managing waste properly

Managing waste properlyFrom Koran TempoI have been wondering if the government can draw up a regulation on the proper management of waste, which regulates the separation of organic from inorganic garbage and recycling.

Environmental disaster lingers at Kendari sand quarrying site

Environmental disaster lingers at Kendari sand quarrying siteHasrul, The Jakarta Post, KendariDaeng Embang stared in despair at his dying orchard when a team of government officials and environmental activists stopped by his house on their way to monitor activities at a quarrying site in the area.

Respiratory illness, diarrhea kill 97 in Papua

Respiratory illness, diarrhea kill 97 in PapuaNethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, JayapuraAt least 97 infants died from respiratory ailments and other illnesses that affected six districts in Paniai regency, Papua over the past two months.

Fransisca upsets top seed Pi Hongyan

Fransisca upsets top seed Pi HongyanMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Young Indonesian shuttler Fransisca Ratnasari Haris produced the biggest shock so far at the Djarum Indonesia Open badminton championship, beating top seed Pi Hongyan of France in the third round of the women's...

What kind of cops does RI have?

What kind of cops does RI have? It was to my great surprise that Indonesian police officers are still continuing their same old ways, as the article written in The Jakarta Post on Monday Dec. 13, page 1, points out.

Govt to propose new power law

Govt to propose new power lawDadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government, in response to the Constitutional Court's annulling Electricity Law No. 20/2002, said it would draft a new law that would take a "softer" approach to liberalizing the power sector.

KPUDs told to use existing logistics

KPUDs told to use existing logistics SURABAYA: General Elections Commission (KPU) deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti suggested on Thursday that local elections next year use the logistics of this year's general election.

Route Km Travel Time Travel Time %

Route Km Travel Time Travel Time % 1985 2002 Jl. Pasar Minggu to 9 22.5mins 35.6mins 58% Jl. ManggaraiKalideres to 14.5 29.5mins 51.7mins 75% Jl. Gadjah Mada Jl. TB Simatupang to 13.9 38.2mins 48.9mins 28% the National MonumentCiledug to Mayestik 3.9 15.9mins 25.0mins 57%

Officials keep gift giving under wraps

Officials keep gift giving under wrapsMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaGovernment officials are accustomed to gift giving and will not easily give it up, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was recently told.

1. DISCOURSE: 1 X 42

1. DISCOURSE: 1 X 42 'Indonesia will once again be a net oil exporter' 2. PLN: 1 X 28 Govt to propose new power law 3. CEMEX: 1 X 33 Gresik to remain in govt control: Minister 4. HASSAN: 2 X 24 RI says new Australian security zone unacceptable 5. ZOO: 1 X 36 Thai zoo to be charged over illegal apes

Middle ground sought for harm reduction program

Middle ground sought for harm reduction programDewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, JakartaA year since the harm reduction program was launched, the National AIDS Commission (KPA) and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) are still encountering difficulties with law enforcers when their volunteers...

Irman aims to strengthen DPD

Irman aims to strengthen DPDKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, JakartaBecoming a politician was not his childhood dream.As the son of a successful businessman, his entrepreneurship skills were stronger than his ambition to go into other professions.

Decentralization jeopardizes policy

Decentralization jeopardizes policyRidwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, JakartaEveryone is deeply concerned about the poor human development index (HDI), drug abuse and the increasing prevalence of HIV/AIDS among school-aged children in the country, yet there is no institution tasked to lead a...

A year of expansion rather than breakthroughs

A year of expansion rather than breakthroughsZatni Arbi Contributor/JakartaAlmost 30 years after the birth of the Altaire and 23 years after IBM came up with the world's first PC, have computer scientists and standard organizations hit a brick wall? At any rate, computer components such as modems,...

Four bombs found in Dumai house

Four bombs found in Dumai house PEKANBARU, Riau: Riau Police discovered on Wednesday four home-made bombs in a house in the Dumai area, which they believe would have been used to attack churches around Christmas time.

JP/ /

JP/ /Major economic and political events in 2004March 4: The government launches a US$1 billion international bond, more than double the initial plan of $400 million, to meet overwhelming demand from global investors. The sovereign bond is oversubscribed four times.

Agung's swift fall from grace

Agung's swift fall from graceKornelius Purba and M.Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, BaliAlong the streets from Ngurah Rai International Airport to the Westin Resort, where the seventh Golkar Party national congress is being held, dozens of banners display welcome remarks from House of...

RI, Japan launch joint forum on investment

RI, Japan launch joint forum on investmentLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIndonesia and Japan have launched a high-level forum involving the government and private sector to discuss and solve problems hindering investment here.

Fourteen nabbed in concert brawl

Fourteen nabbed in concert brawl JAKARTA: Fourteen people were arrested on Wednesday night while 10 police officers were injured in a clash at the Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta.Angry concertgoers became violent and threw stones at parked cars, damaging 23 of them, after they...

Indonesia will once again be a net oil exporter

Indonesia will once again be a net oil exporterIndonesia has liberalized the upstream oil industry and is moving to liberalize the downstream sector. The Jakarta Post's Riyadi Suparno interviewed energy expert Soebroto to get a better picture of the situation of the energy sector and its prospects.

JiFFest 2004 honors young film makers

JiFFest 2004 honors young film makersThe Jakarta Post, JakartaBesides screening selected films from world-class filmmakers, the 2004 Jakarta International Film Festival also opened the door to young filmmakers to showcase their works to compete for prestigious awards.

Rupiah Rates Dec. 16

Rupiah Rates Dec. 16 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,444.70 6,677.58 7,097.62 7,024.53 Brunei dollar 1 5,941.79 5,328.37 5,664.78 5,605.22 Canadian dollar 1 7,957.83 7,137.14 7,586.83 7,507.96 Swiss franc 1 8,533.12 7,652.83 8,135.30 8,050.

2 X 16

2 X 16 Students injured in campus clash JP/5/MINING2 X 27 Environmental disaster lingers at Kendari sand quarrying site JP/5/log2 x 25 Five policemen on trial in illegal logging case JP/5/arrest1 x 40 Ex-chief councillor held for graft probe JP/5/SULSEL1 x 42 South Sulawesi governor slams autonomy...

Waste disposal and welfare

Waste disposal and welfareFrom Koran TempoThe recent riot at the waste treatment plant in Bojong, Bogor, which left several villagers hospitalized, has aroused public concern over the fate of ordinary people struggling to make a living.

Rogue on Pakuan Express

Rogue on Pakuan Express From KompasAs a commuter traveling by the Bogor-Jakarta Pakuan Express train, I consider this railway service fairly secure, except for the presence of beggars, who often make passengers feel uncomfortable as they push and shove for money.On Oct.

Driving in Jakarta to slow to snail's pace by 2020

Driving in Jakarta to slow to snail's pace by 2020Evi Mariani and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaSixteen years from now, driving in Jakarta will be at a running pace of 10 kilometers per hour (kph) as revealed in a recent study conducted by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency...

Dramatic turn favors Akbar's bid

Dramatic turn favors Akbar's bidThe Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, BaliThe Golkar congress agreed suddenly on Thursday to change the party's standing order and allow regental branches to vote in the election for party leader.

South Sulawesi governor slams autonomy law

South Sulawesi governor slams autonomy lawMuninggar Sri Sarashwati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaSouth Sulawesi Governor Amin Syam has filed an appeal with the Constitutional Court over an autonomy law he claims disadvantages his provincial government.

'We have to treat them as equals'

'We have to treat them as equals'Housemaids have learned to live with low salaries and indefinite working hours, as there is no regulation to protect their basic rights. Reports of maids being physically or verbally abused by their employers or their children are also common.

Five policemen on trial in illegal logging case

Five policemen on trial in illegal logging caseNethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, JayapuraThe trial of five police officers allegedly involved in illegal logging activities opened on Thursday at a district court in Sorong regency, Papua.The defendants, including former Sorong Police chief Adj.

Key suspect in Global case in the U.S.

Key suspect in Global case in the U.S.Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaPresident director of the troubled Bank Global Irawan Salim has left for the United States, while the police have named him a fugitive for his role in banking crimes committed by the bank.

Today's cars are smarter, but drivers must still use their heads

Today's cars are smarter, but drivers must still use their headsZatni Arbi Contributor/JakartaWe were traveling in the center lane of the Jakarta-Merak toll road. Suddenly, the white BMW 3-Series in front of us veered sharply to the left and slammed into the metal guard rail.

Bosnia signs MoUs with RI to boost trade ties

Bosnia signs MoUs with RI to boost trade tiesVeeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, JakartaBosnia Herzegovina wants to develop its relationship with Indonesia and put more emphasis on trade and economic cooperation, its foreign minister said in Jakarta.

Bright spot

Bright spot amid bad news My local newspaper listed the events that made news throughout the year. Almost all were "bad news" events. Doom, gloom, bloodshed and slaughter.I'm pleased to say that the election of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as President of Indonesia was one of the few "good news"...

JP/ /

JP/ /Major economic and political events in 2004March 4: The government launches a US$1 billion international bond, more than double the initial plan of $400 million, to meet overwhelming demand from global investors. The sovereign bond is oversubscribed four times.

JP/ /

JP/ /Major economic and political events in 2004March 4: The government launches a US$1 billion international bond, more than double the initial plan of $400 million, to meet overwhelming demand from global investors. The sovereign bond is oversubscribed four times.

Is it time to cut energy subsidies?

Is it time to cut energy subsidies?Aziz, Munich, Germany The term subsidy has become a part of daily vocabulary (again) since new Vice President Jusuf Kalla announced that the government of Indonesia intended to cut fuel subsidies by 40% in 2005.

Bank Global bond holders may lose all their money

Bank Global bond holders may lose all their moneyThe Jakarta Post, JakartaMore a dozen big Bank Global Internasional bond holders, many of them pension funds, may lose the millions they have invested if the central bank finally decides to shut down the scandal-ridden bank, whose managers have been...

Regional autonomy makes little headway

Regional autonomy makes little headway Ridwan Max Sijabat The Jakarta Post/JakartaRegional autonomy, including special autonomy in the conflict- ridden provinces of Aceh and Papua, has made little headway in the years since its introduction, not only due to the government's apparent reluctance to...

Sugar policy in place until 2007: Mari

Sugar policy in place until 2007: MariThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government will maintain the sugar policy of the previous administration until 2007, despite criticism the policy is responsible for the rampant smuggling of the commodity.

Governor reject worker demand

Governor reject worker demand BANDUNG: West Java Governor Danny Setiawan rejected on Thursday workers' demand for a repeal of the governor's decree on the minimum wage.Danny said the decree had been agreed by all parties concerned, including workers' representatives.