Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 2 December 2004

80 articles found

Public wary about wearing ribbons

Public wary about wearing ribbons Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Tebet railway station in South Jakarta was hectic on Wednesday morning. Dozens of commuters hastening out of the station to the exit gate were met by activists from the Pelita Ilmu Foundation, that concerns itself with HIV/AIDS issues, who handed out leaflets and gave away red ribbon pins. "Would you mind wearing this ribbon as a sign of your awareness of HIV/AIDS, sir?" an activist asked a man.

UN combs Malaysian jungles for refugees ahead of crackdown

UN combs Malaysian jungles for refugees ahead of crackdown M. Jegathesan, Agence France-Presse/Kuala Lumpur Mobile teams will be deployed in an urgent effort to register refugees hiding in the jungles on the fringes of Malaysian cities ahead of an imminent government crackdown on illegal immigrants, the UN refugee agency said on Wednesday.

China to keep tight credit policy

China to keep tight credit policy Elaine Kurtenbach, Associated Press, Shanghai,China China's leaders were expected to hold their annual economic meeting this week, a Beijing-backed newspaper reported on Wednesday, as a central bank official stressed the country's commitment to keeping its currency stable. China usually holds an economic work conference late in the year to set policy direction for the coming year.

Disciplinary body finds 16 police officers guilty

Disciplinary body finds 16 police officers guilty Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Fourteen police officers have been found guilty of using unnecessary disciplinary methods to restore order during the Nov. 22 protest at Bojong waste treatment facility in Bogor, while two others were declared guilty of violating the Criminal Code, for causing serious injuries to others. "The police disciplinary committee hearing decided that six Bogor Police officers were guilty of disciplinary violations.

Former council speaker to go on trial soon

Former council speaker to go on trial soon Syofiardi Bachyul Jb and Rusman, The Jakarta Post/Padang/Samarinda The trial of a former Payakumbuh council speaker accused of embezzling Rp 695.7 million (US$66,300) of public money would begin soon, a senior prosecutor said on Wednesday. Regional prosecutors handed the dossier on Chin Star to a local district court on Tuesday, office chief Zulbahri Munir said.

Govt to phase out deposit insurance scheme

Govt to phase out deposit insurance scheme Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta As the country's banking sector is recovering to a healthier state, the government plans to start phasing out its costly guarantee on bank liabilities -- including savings and deposit accounts -- starting next year, the finance ministry said. "We will lift the existing blanket guarantee in a planned manner and in gradual steps, not all at once," Ministry of Finance Yusuf Anwar said on Wednesday.

AIDS activists struggle with death, exhaustion

AIDS activists struggle with death, exhaustion I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali For a woman who just turned 22 this year, Nita Purnakusuma has seen a lot of death. Working as a counselor for local HIV/AIDS NGOs, first with Yayasan Hatihati and presently with the newly established Yayasan Matahati, the dark-skinned girl is expected to assist, advise and comfort patients, mostly injecting drug users (IDUs) who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

JP/18/AIDS

JP/18/AIDS AIDS activists struggle with death, exhaustion I Wayan Juniartha The Jakarta Post Denpasar, Bali For a woman who just turned 22 this year, Nita Purnakusuma has seen a lot of death. Working as a counselor for local HIV/AIDS NGOs, first with Yayasan Hatihati and presently with the newly established Yayasan Matahati, the dark-skinned girl is expected to assist, advise and comfort patients, mostly injecting drug users (IDUs) who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

Five killed after boat explosion

Five killed after boat explosion Fadli, The Jakarta Post/Batam Five people were killed and three others severely injured when a wooden freighter carrying diesel fuel exploded in the Laut Blantas III harbor in Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands on Tuesday afternoon. Tanjung Pinang is about 30 kilometers east of Batam island. Tanjung Pinang Police Chief Adj. Sr. Comr.

Mega gets third notice from anticorruption body

Mega gets third notice from anticorruption body Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has sent its third warning letters to former president Megawati Soekarnoputri and her Cabinet members as the Dec. 21 deadline for wealth reports looms. M.

Inflation stable in November: BPS

Inflation stable in November: BPS The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Prices increased slower than expected in November in spite of Ramadhan, which traditionally heightens inflationary pressures due to rising demand for goods and services, according to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). BPS reported on Wednesday that year-on-year inflation for November was 6.18 percent, nearly the same as the year-on-year October rate of 6.22 percent.

Every inch has a price in Cipinang prison, say visitors

Every inch has a price in Cipinang prison, say visitors Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A 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. The identity card she would get back later after seeing her son, but she still had to cough up Rp 15,000 a go at each of the three subsequent gates.

F-16 jet fighter skids off runway, no fatalities reported

F-16 jet fighter skids off runway, no fatalities reported Andi Hajramuni, The Jakarta Post/Makassar One day after the Lion Air passenger jet accident that claimed the lives of 26 people, an Air Force F-16 jet fighter skidded off a runway on Wednesday at Hasanuddin Airport in Makassar. No fatalities were reported in the incident. Hasanuddin Air Base commander Col. Bambang Sulistio said that the incident occurred at 8:45 a.m. local time, when the weather condition had been considered fine.

Immigration officers ask for dollars

Immigration officers ask for dollars From 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 immigration officers assigned there usually ask expatriates and Indonesian residents abroad for U.S. dollars.

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. Of course, the Jakarta Arts Council still organizes some arts events there but they are usually low in quality and attract only a small audience.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, December 2, 2004

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, December 2, 2004 .TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions * Arts Exhibition From Tension to Oneness by Antonius Kho, at Ganesha Gallery, Four Season Resort Bali, Jimbaran Bay, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Dec. 17. * Sculpture Objects of Life by I Wayan Jana, Griya Santrian Gallery, Jl. Danau Tamblingan 47, Sanur, until Dec. 3. * Painting by Yasco Kanehira at Alam Kulkul Jl. Pantai Kuta Legian until Jan. 31, 2005.

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.

1. CRASH

1. CRASH Experts look for clues as death toll tops 26 2. AIDS: 3 LINES, 16 COUNTS Wives and children innocent victims of HIV transmission 3. RAID: 1 LINE, 30 COUNTS Migrants face raids in Jakarta 4. NU: 1 LINE, 56 COUNTS Nahdlatul Ulama sets double standard on bribery

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. Of course, the Jakarta Arts Council still organizes some arts events there but they are usually low in quality and attract only a small audience.

Goodyear to sell rubber plantation

Goodyear to sell rubber plantation JAKARTA: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., the biggest North American tiremaker, agreed to sell its 95 percent stake in an Indonesian rubber-plantation unit to Bridgestone Corp. to end production of natural rubber and focus on tires. The Goodyear Sumatra Plantations unit owns 47,000 acres (19,028 hectares) in North Sumatra province and has about 5,000 employees, company spokeswoman Tricia Ingraham said.

Australia suggests East Timor would not be wise to ask for U.N. intervention

Australia suggests East Timor would not be wise to ask for U.N. intervention in border dispute Rod McGuirk Associated Press Canberra, Australia Australia questioned on Wednesday whether East Timor would be wise to invite U.N. intervention in a bitter dispute over US$30 billion in oil and gas royalties. Negotiations between Canberra and Dili on sharing the royalties and drawing a maritime boundary broke down in October.

Less farewells for president

Less farewells for president From Koran Tempo For years, Indonesia's President has always been seen off by the vice president, ministers, the police chief, military commander, governors and other high-ranking officials when going abroad. The same thing happened when President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono left for Chile to attend the APEC Summit. The President has often said we all have to work hard, and of course effectively, to fix national problems.

China-ASEAN FTA: Who wins?

China-ASEAN FTA: Who wins? Michael Vatikiotis , Vientiane China is fond of characterizing its ties with neighboring Asian nations as built on a foundation of "win-win" for all. But just who wins in a China-ASEAN free trade area is a matter of debate -- and also a matter of time. On the face of it, creating a single market of almost two billion people with a combined gross domestic product of US$2 trillion cannot be bad for business.

Pertamina maintains most fuel prices

Pertamina maintains most fuel prices JAKARTA: PT Pertamina, Indonesia's state oil company, left retail prices of regular gasoline, diesel and kerosene unchanged for individual consumers and businesses in December for the 11th consecutive month. Pertamina raised the price that international shipping companies pay for auto diesel by 2.7 percent and marine diesel by 2.9 percent due to higher crude oil prices.

Susilo hindering House's performance: Legislators

Susilo hindering House's performance: Legislators Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Legislators implied on Wednesday that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono held them back in bill deliberations by deferring the issuance of a decree on coordination between the House of Representatives and the government in the lawmaking process.

The rights of mixed couples

The rights of mixed couples President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono stated while in Chile that he wanted to improve the situation of mixed Indonesian-foreign couples and their children. This not only shows his compassionate humanitarian side but also his profound wisdom. In the past, he also has stated that one of Indonesia's most important goals would be to achieve economic growth in order to combat poverty and unemployment -- by attracting more (foreign) investment.

Downer praises ASEAN Summit

Downer praises ASEAN Summit AUSTRALIA: Australia's participation in a Southeast Asian summit this week buried criticisms that the government's close ties with the United States was harming its relations with Asia, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said on Wednesday. Downer described Prime Minister John Howard's participation at the summit in Laos of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as successful.

Immigration officers ask for dollars

Immigration officers ask for dollars From 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 immigration officers assigned there usually ask expatriates and Indonesian residents abroad for U.S. dollars.

Experts look for clues as death toll tops 26

Experts look for clues as death toll tops 26 The Jakarta Post, Surakarta/Bandung/Jakarta Dozens of experts were sifting through the wreckage of passenger plane Lion Air on Wednesday in search of clues in the deadly crash in Surakarta, Central Java as the death toll rose to 26. Up until Wednesday evening, the plane's black box had not been found, leading authorities and airline staff to theorize that bad weather had caused the accident, the country's worst in the past seven years.

US threatens to boycott ASEAN meetings in 2006

US threatens to boycott ASEAN meetings in 2006 Agencies, Washington/Vientiane The United States has warned it might boycott ASEAN meetings when Myanmar takes over the chairmanship of the Southeast Asian grouping in 2006, unless the military-ruled state improves its human rights record. "The U.S. has made clear that the situation in Burma has complicated our dealings with ASEAN," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said on Tuesday in a written statement using Myanmar's previous name.

City officials close ranks as graft allegations hit home

City officials close ranks as graft allegations hit home Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The city administration has requested the West Jakarta Prosecutor's Office to release two of its officials following their detention by the prosecutors over their alleged involvement in scams worth Rp 1.4 billion (US$155,555.56).

Every inch has a price in Cipinang prison, say visitors

Every inch has a price in Cipinang prison, say visitors Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A 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. The identity card she would get back later after seeing her son, but she still had to cough up Rp 15,000 a go at each of the three subsequent gates.

Government eyes higher growth in manufacturing

Government eyes higher growth in manufacturing The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government aims to boost growth in the country's manufacturing sector -- the largest contributor to gross domestic product (GDP) -- to an average of 8 percent per year in the next five years, from about 5 percent currently. Speaking to legislators on Wednesday, Minister of National Development Planning (Bappenas) Sri Mulyani Indrawati said such growth was needed to help push the economy to grow at pre-crisis levels.

Bank Central Asia Says Profit May Rise 10% on Loans

Bank Central Asia Says Profit May Rise 10% on Loans Linus Chua and Bernard Lo Bloomberg/Jakarta PT Bank Central Asia, Indonesia's second-largest lender by assets, expects 2005 profit to rise 10 percent as demand for credit expands, President Commissioner Eugene Galbraith said. The Jakarta-based bank, which lends 30 percent of its deposits, in November forecast a 30 percent increase in 2004 profit to Rp 3.1 trillion (US$344 million).

Mutilated body found in Pekanbaru hotel

Mutilated body found in Pekanbaru hotel Puji Santoso, The Jakarta Post/Pekanbaru The mutilated corpse of a local businessman was discovered in a hotel room in Pekanbaru on Tuesday night cut in to five pieces and packed into a large bag. Adj. Comr. Dwiyono, the chief of Pekanbaru police detectives, said on Wednesday that the body was discovered on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. when Budi, an employee with the Permai Hotel, saw a trace of blood outside a closed hotel room.

The rights of mixed couples

The rights of mixed couples President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono stated while in Chile that he wanted to improve the situation of mixed Indonesian-foreign couples and their children. This not only shows his compassionate humanitarian side but also his profound wisdom. In the past, he also has stated that one of Indonesia's most important goals would be to achieve economic growth in order to combat poverty and unemployment -- by attracting more (foreign) investment.

Mosque vandalized in Medan

Mosque vandalized in Medan MEDAN, North Sumatra: Dozens of people vandalized the Ar Ridho Mosque in the Polonia subdistrict of Medan on Wednesday morning. An eyewitness, Maimunah, said that vandals alit from two cars, ordered her to leave the mosque and began to vandalize it -- particularly electronic items and other objects inside. They left immediately after the attack. It was the fourth such attack at the mosque in recent months.

Migrants face raids in Jakarta

Migrants face raids in Jakarta Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Budi, a 30-year-old resident of Bogor, West Java, was anxious when he learned that Jakarta would launch raids on rented houses starting Thursday, to weed out unregistered newcomers to the city. "I'm afraid of being arrested. Who would pay the Rp 5 million (US$555.56) fine so that I could walk free -- certainly not my employer," said the food stall employee.

Scholarship to be explained at Sanur

Scholarship to be explained at Sanur The American Indonesian Exchange Foundation (AMINEF) in cooperation with the American Consulate General in Surabaya, East Java, will hold a one-day seminar and presentation on the Fulbright Scholarship. The seminar will take place at the Wantilan Convention Center, in the Sanur Beach Hotel, Sanur, on Thursday (today) at 2 p.m. Prior to the seminar, the U.S. Consular General for Surabaya Phillip L. Antweiler will speak at the same venue at 1.30 p.m.

S&P downgrades Taiwan rating

S&P downgrades Taiwan rating TAIPEI: International ratings agency Standard and Poor's has downgraded its ratings outlook on Taiwan to negative from stable on concerns over rising tensions with China and the island's weakening fiscal flexibility. Standard and Poor's credit analyst Philippe Sachs said the downgrade reflects rising tensions with China which have undercut the outlook, especially in the run up to December parliamentary elections.

Elephantiasis stalks Bekasi

Elephantiasis stalks Bekasi BEKASI: At least 33 residents of Bekasi are suffering from elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis), a condition that can lead to the dramatic swelling of the legs, arms and genitals, the director of infectious disease surveillance at the Bekasi Health Agency, Yasni, revealed on Wednesday. "They are now receiving medical treatment for free," he was quoted as saying by Antara. The patients hail from Jatisampurna, Pondokgede and Bekasi Timur districts, he added.

'Indonesia's karatekas 'lacking in creativity'

'Indonesia's karatekas 'lacking in creativity' Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Nervousness and lack of creativity in attacks were to blame for Indonesian karatekas' dismal performance in the recent World Championship in Mexico, according to the chairman of the Indonesian Karate-do Federation (Forki). "Our athletes had problems with their attacking combinations. They were stalling in the attacks ...

Masdar ready to take up NU reins

Masdar ready to take up NU reins Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post/Surakarta Young Muslim scholar Masdar F. Mas'udi publicly announced his intention here on Wednesday to run for the chairmanship of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), challenging the incumbent, Hasyim Muzadi. Masdar declared his candidacy after Mustofa "Gus Mus" Bisri, a noted cleric and poet, who had won solid backing from the anti- Hasyim camp, refused a nomination to run for the chairmanship and instead gave his support to Masdar.

Air safety

Air safety The fatal Lion Air accident, which occurred when a passenger jet skidded off a slippery runway and came to rest in a graveyard in Surakarta (Solo) on Tuesday, has attracted intense attention. Images of the crash have been published extensively in the electronic and print media. It's not just because plane accidents are more dramatic than transport accidents on land, but also because Indonesians nowadays are much more accustomed to air travel.

Schools recognized for antidrug, HIV/AIDS programs

Schools recognized for antidrug, HIV/AIDS programs Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The principal of Bina Nusantara School, Gregory C. Mowday, proudly explains how the school has integrated its anti-drug program into the students' daily subjects. "A chemistry teacher, for example, will touch upon drugs and their dangers to the body when he or she is explaining related topics.

Erin Brokovich attends Bali environmental meet

Erin Brokovich attends Bali environmental meet Remember Hollywood diva Julia Robert playing environmental activist Erin Brokovich in the Academy Award-winning film of the same name? The real Erin Brokovich-Ellis is on the island of Bali to attend a five-day meeting on environmentally-friendly technology and capacity building here at the Bali Intercontinental Resort in Jimbaran from Thursday (today) through Saturday.

Differences cannot justify conflict, says President

Differences cannot justify conflict, says President Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post/Bogor President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Wednesday that pluralism had proven itself to be a blessing for the country rather than a threat to national unity. Speaking before participants at the 14th congress of the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) here, the President said that differences in ethnicity or religion could never justify conflict.

House urged to probe Telkom scam

House urged to probe Telkom scam JAKARTA: The labor union of state telecommunication company PT Telkom demanded on Wednesday that the House of Representatives investigate an alleged graft case involving the Central Java office of the firm. The labor union said the case had inflicted Rp 2 trillion (US$200 million) in losses to the state.

Anti-AIDS campaigners stress need to protect women and girls

Anti-AIDS campaigners stress need to protect women and girls Alexander G. Higgins, Associated Press/Geneva Campaigners sang, lit candles and marched on Wednesday as they observed World AIDS Day by turning the spotlight on the need to protect women and girls, often sidelined in the fight against the disease. "Today the face of AIDS is increasingly young and female," said Peter Piot, head of UNAIDS.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec.1, 2004

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec.1, 2004 ____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume _____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 225 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 2,300 0 561,000 Adhi Karya 600 25 18,600,500 Adira Dinamika 2,600 0 0 AGIS Tbk 110 5 5,973,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 175 5 43,500 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,150 0 1,522,500 Alakasa Industrindo 165 0 0 Alfa...

Kiss of death may be on the lips for TV stations

Kiss of death may be on the lips for TV stations Kurniawan 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. The KPI issued the guidelines on Aug. 30 and gave the broadcasting stations three months to adjust.

Beautician's lawyers want quick trial

Beautician's lawyers want quick trial JAKARTA: Defense lawyers for HJT, a beauty parlor owner who allegedly caused the death of a customer by injecting her with too much collagen, decided on Wednesday not to deliver a response to the prosecution indictment in the case. "We have no complaints about the indictment. Moreover, we want a quick trial," said Donald Pangaribuan at the West Jakarta District Court.

SCTV expects TV ad spending to grow 12%

SCTV expects TV ad spending to grow 12% Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Publicly listed television and multimedia company PT Surya Citra Media (SCM), which operates the Surya Citra Televisi (SCTV) television network, estimates that television advertising spending next year will grow as much as 12 percent.

Wives and children innocent victims of HIV transmission

Wives and children innocent victims of HIV transmission Sari P. Setiogi and Jongker Rumteh, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta/Manado Nobody could have ever imagined years ago that HIV could decimate families, transmitted to innocent women by their husbands and to children by their mothers. "My husband never told me that he was HIV positive. I never knew ...

NU sets double standard on bribery

NU sets double standard on bribery Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post/Surakarta Paying money to officials or brokers in order to obtain posts in governmental agencies that require a civil service exam is considered a bribe, which is forbidden, or haram, under Islamic law, according to a regulatory commission of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).

Burhanuddin Abe

Burhanuddin Abe Contributor Jakarta Like 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 in several parts of the nation have further heightened everyone's awareness of the urgent need to secure themselves and every place prone to such threats.

Diarrhea outbreak inundates Indramayu

Diarrhea outbreak inundates Indramayu INDRAMAYU, West Java: Twenty-two people, 16 of them infants, have been hospitalized over the last week suffering from an unknown ailment with one of the symptoms being severe diarrhea. Dadang Supriyadi, the head of Indramayu health office, said that such cases where people had symptoms of severe diarrhea had increased greatly in the regency following the start of the rainy season. He said that no fatalities were reported. -- JP

Probe into Munir's death

Probe into 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.

Chicken restaurant burns down

Chicken restaurant burns down JAKARTA: A fried chicken restaurant, Ny. Suharti, on Jl. Wahid Hasyim, Central Jakarta, burned down on Wednesday. A fireman was hurt when he was hit by a falling roof tile. The restaurant, which is part of a franchise, was about to open at around 8:50 a.m. when the fire started.

* Strong tail winds blamed for Lion Air plane crash Page 2

* Strong tail winds blamed for Lion Air plane crash Page 2 * Mega gets third warning from anticorruption body Page 4 * Independence celebration turns into clash in Papua Page 5 * The ASEAN Community and democratic evolution Page 6 * Jakarta Schools recognized for anti-drug programs Page 8 * Stojakovic powers Kings past slumping Grizzlies Page 9 * U.S.

BMG hosts seminar on geomagnetism

BMG hosts seminar on geomagnetism JAKARTA: Experts from Indonesia, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and East Timor are gathering here for a three- day international seminar on geomagnetism, which began on Wednesday. Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) head Ibrahim Gunawan said the seminar was aimed at expanding the application of geomagnetism both in the country and the world.

RI shares end up on late buying

RI shares end up on late buying Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesian shares ended higher on Wednesday as late buying in Telekomunikasi Indonesia and Bank Mandiri drove the main index to another closing high, dealers said. News that inflation in Indonesia was steady in November also fueled buying, they said. "The stable inflation could support economic growth and may prevent the central bank from raising interest rates," said an analyst with a foreign securities firm.

Exports jumped to $7.27b in October

Exports jumped to $7.27b in October The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Exports in October jumped by 46 percent from the same period last year, defying earlier concerns that the country was losing its share in the export market due to tougher competition from more efficient economies. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported on Wednesday that exports soared to US$7.27 billion during the month, from $4.99 billion in October 2003.

SMP 56 students ready to move

SMP 56 students ready to move JAKARTA: At least 55 of 95 students of junior high school SMP 56 on Jl. Melawai Raya, South Jakarta, have enrolled to attend additional courses before registering with other state schools. The remaining 40 students have continued to study on the sidewalk outside the school grounds after the city administration sealed the school building on Nov. 17.

New riches fuel Vietnam luxury car dreams

New riches fuel Vietnam luxury car dreams Nguyen Nhat Lam, Reuters/Hanoi Le Anh Hung is doing what his father and grandfather only dreamed of. Sitting in a plush BMW showroom, the 32-year-old owner of a fire protection business in communist Vietnam watched with satisfaction as clerks counted his US$50,000 stack of U.S. bills, to be exchanged for a gleaming new black car.

'We must respect them as human beings'

'We must respect them as human beings' The World Health Organization has called on countries to set specific national targets for the treatment of women and girls with HIV/AIDS, and to take measures to ensure equitable access to AIDS prevention and treatment services for the commemoration of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1. The Jakarta Post asked city residents how they would cope if one of their family members was a person living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

Grauffel wins AustralAsia shooting championship

Grauffel wins AustralAsia shooting championship Rita A. Widiadana and Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Sanur, Bali Eric Grauffel of France lived up to his status as the world champion by winning the AustralAsia Practical Shooting Championship here on Wednesday. Trailing in second place behind Martin Kamanicek of the Czech Republic when entering the day's competition, the world champion scored a total of 1857.1059 points in the Open Division after completing 24 stages.

Tailwinds and wet runways are threats to landing planes

Tailwinds and wet runways are threats to landing planes Eva C. Komandjaja and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Heavy rain and strong tailwinds are two conditions that pilots dread during landing. A study conducted by scientist Gerard van Es and test pilot Arun Karwal of the Netherlands' National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR) in 2001, showed that tailwinds played a key role in 33 accidents involving large (5,700 kgs or higher) turbojets.

The ASEAN Community and democratic evolution

The ASEAN Community and democratic evolution Meidyatama Suryodiningrat, Vientiane Behind the flurry of document signing by ASEAN leaders during their two-day summit in Vientiane, democracy Southeast Asia continued to quietly evolve. Quietly being the operative word.

Suspected rebels kill 10 RP troops

Suspected rebels kill 10 RP troops PHILIPPINES: Suspected communist rebels ambushed a group of soldiers on a mission to support relief operations for victims of a storm, killing 10 and wounding six others, the military said on Wednesday. The rebels, however, said they killed 14 soldiers, and denied that the troops were deployed to assist storm victims.

Anwar Ibrahim to visit Indonesia

Anwar Ibrahim to visit Indonesia Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Former Malaysian deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim will pay a four-day visit to Indonesia starting on Dec. 6, his first trip to another ASEAN country since his release from jail last September.

FTA with China 'will deal a blow to manufacturing sector'

FTA with China 'will deal a blow to manufacturing sector' The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Free trade between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China will deal a blow to Indonesia's manufacturing sector, but provide opportunities for the nation's natural resources-based industries to expand their market in the world's most populous nation, industry players say.

PGN sees revenues tripling in 2007

PGN sees revenues tripling in 2007 The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned gas utility company, PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN), on Wednesday projected that revenue from operations to rise three fold in 2007 after completion of its massive pipeline project in 2006, the company's top executive said. PGN president director WMP Simandjuntak said the company was optimistic for a significant rise in revenues after it completed the construction of a US$1 billion pipeline project.

HM Sampoerna's Local Currency Credit Rating Raised

HM Sampoerna's Local Currency Credit Rating Raised Bloomberg Jakarta PT H.M. Sampoerna, Indonesia's biggest cigarette maker by market value, had its local currency credit rating raised two levels to 'BB' by Standard & Poor's, two levels below investment grade. The rating company reiterated its B+ rating for Sampoerna's foreign currency debt, four levels below investment grade.

Independence celebration turns into clash, several injured

Independence celebration turns into clash, several injured The Jakarta Post, Agencies Police personnel clashed on Wednesday with pro-independence Papuans in Trikora field, Jayapura, after the independence supporters hoisted in the area the Bintang Kejora flag, the symbol of the Papua independence movement. Several people were injured after the clash, but no fatalities were reported in the incident.

[b]

The ASEAN Community and democratic evolution Meidyatama Suryodiningrat Vientiane 2. Mike-- 1 x 30 China-ASEAN FTA: Who wins? China ASEAN Free Trade Area: Who wins? Michael Vatikiotis Vientiane 3. China-- 1 x 33 What is the value of a miner's life? By Chen Hong China Daily/Beijing Asia News Network

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. The figure marks a 9 percent increase over the 2004 target, which has already been achieved, the lender said. "The bulk of the loans will be for small and medium enterprises," Finance Director Wayan Alit Antara told reporters in Jakarta.

Indonesia vies for two gold in President's Cup boxing event

Indonesia vies for two gold in President's Cup boxing event Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post,Jakarta Host Indonesia has set a target to win two gold medals in the President's Cup boxing championship in Batam, Riau islands, next month. The championship, after four-year break due to financial problems, will run from Dec. 9 to 18. Ten countries have already confirmed their participation with another five expected to follow.

One more killed asaftershock hits Nabire

One more killed asaftershock hits Nabire Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta/Kupang An aftershock again rocked the Papua town of Nabire on Wednesday, as residents were battling against various diseases that had struck the city since the main quake last Friday. The aftershock, measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale, killed one person, bringing the death toll in the disaster to 29, Antara reported.

Siemens in $100m tie-up with Huawei

Siemens in $100m tie-up with Huawei BEIJING: German telecoms giant Siemens AG will set up a new US$100 million joint-venture with China's largest network equipment firm, Huawei Technologies Co., state press said on Wednesday. The Beijing-based joint-venture, TD Tech, will produce next generation TD-SCDMA network equipment and mobile phones, the Beijing Times said.