Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 21 December 2004

85 articles found

RI, E. Timor balk at UN experts commission idea

RI, E. Timor balk at UN experts commission ideaAdianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIndonesia and its former province East Timor are set to reject an idea to establish a commission of experts to review the judicial processes of human rights abuse cases involving Indonesian military and...

Prison terms await motorists with polluting cars

Prison terms await motorists with polluting carsIndra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, SurabayaSuwito, the owner of an auto repair shop, was very pleased when he learned of Surabaya municipality's plan to implement a bylaw on emission inspections for motor vehicles.

Public, lawyers asked not to 'distract' judges

Public, lawyers asked not to 'distract' judgesMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaA judge has called on people, particularly lawyers, to leave judges alone when they are making decisions in legal cases and to stop distracting them with bribes, in a bid to produce fair verdicts.

JP/16/ITAUTO

JP/16/ITAUTOToday'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.

C. Jakarta to clear red light district

C. Jakarta to clear red light district JAKARTA: Central Jakarta Mayor Muhayat said on Monday that his office had sent the first warning to owners of illegal brothel complexes in Bongkaran, Tanah Abang, to vacate the area. "They have at least 11 days to vacate the area.

3,000 schools to have free data access

3,000 schools to have free data access JAKARTA: Some 3,000 vocational schools in Java will have free data access based on CDMA technology, following a memorandum of understanding signed on Monday between the Ministry of National Education's Directorate of Vocational Education and telecommunication...

Kia Motors develops regional auto hub

Kia Motors develops regional auto hubKUALA LUMPUR: South Korean automaker Kia Motors plans to buy a stake of at least 15 percent in Malaysia auto assembler Naza Automotive Manufacturing in a bid to develop a regional auto hub in Malaysia, a news report said on Monday.

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...

Jakarta must double police to tackle threats: ICG

Jakarta must double police to tackle threats: ICGDan Eaton, Reuters/JakartaIndonesia needs to double the size of its police force and give the military a clearer role if it hopes to cope with a multitude of security threats from terrorists to ethnic conflict, a report said on Monday.

Illegals to get free documents

Illegals to get free documentsMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaMore Indonesian illegal workers are expected to leave Malaysia before the amnesty offer expires on Dec. 31, as they are no longer required to pay for immigration documents.

1. Analysis -- 1x40

1. Analysis -- 1x40 Give Indonesia's democracy more credit 2. Reax ------ 3x16 Cabinet welcomes Kalla, observers warn of backlash 3. Bomb ------ 1x30 Police find grenade in Hilton garden 4. Christmas - 1x30 Seniors get ready for Christmas 5.

Put Muhammadiyah and NU back on track

Put Muhammadiyah and NU back on trackImam Cahyono, Jakarta Following on Nahdlatul Ulama's (NU) 31st congress (Muktamar) in Boyolali, Central Java, Muhammadiyah will hold their 45th congress in Malang, East Java, on July 2005.

Indonesian police take French security lessons

Indonesian police take French security lessons Agence France-Presse, Megamendung, West JakartaFighting off an ambush by terrorists and dislodging overzealous handshakes were among lessons learned by an Indonesian VIP guard squad who graduated Monday from training by French police.

Civilian volunteers ready to promote peace here

Civilian volunteers ready to promote peace hereA'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, JakartaYulianus J. Hisage, 36, has just completed two weeks of conflict- resolution training in Jakarta and is ready to apply his knowledge back home in Wamena, Papua.

Happy, safe holiday

Happy, safe holiday Unmindful of updated travel advisories, holidaymakers from Australia headed to Bali last week. Visitors from other countries are also opting to go through their plans, having booked flights and accommodation a few months in advance.

Palu church bombing materials identified

Palu church bombing materials identified JAKARTA: The police have identified explosive materials used in a blast at Anugerah Protestant church and weapons used to spray bullets at the Immanuel church in Palu, Central Sulawesi on Dec. 12.National Police spokesman Insp. Gen.

Indonesia to stage EPGA Tour event

Indonesia to stage EPGA Tour event PARIS: The European PGA Tour is to break new ground by staging an event in Indonesia for the first time.The Indonesian Open will be held at the Cengkareng Golf Club in Jakarta from March 24-27 with a total prize money of US$1 million, the tour said in a press...

Indo-Pak dialog

Indo-Pak dialog There are reasons to be optimistic about the current round of talks between the two big South Asian neighbors. The present talks under the rubric of composite dialog that includes Kashmir, apart from seven other subjects, is now underway at the secretary level, in Islamabad.

Judges extend Puteh's detention

Judges extend Puteh's detention JAKARTA: Judges to hear the corruption case involving Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Governor Abdullah Puteh have extended his detention period for 30 days.Ridwan Mansyur, the spokesman for the Central Jakarta District Court, which supervises the antigraft court, said on...

JP/13/Bapepa

JP/13/Bapepa Bapepam to probe securities firms linked to Global Rendi A. Witular The Jakarta Post/JakartaThe Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) is planning to investigate five securities houses over their involvement in helping executives of troubled Bank Global Internasional to falsely...

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.

Policeman detained for Poso attacks

Policeman detained for Poso attacksRuslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, PaluA policeman has been detained for his alleged role in spreading terror in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, which recently saw renewed attacks on the Christian community.Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen.

Bapepam to probe firms linked to Global

Bapepam to probe firms linked to GlobalRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) is planning to investigate five securities houses over their involvement in helping executives of troubled Bank Global Internasional to falsely inflate the bank's...

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 rights...

176 North Sumatra firms declared toxic: Agency

176 North Sumatra firms declared toxic: AgencyApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, MedanThe North Sumatra Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bapedalda) has discovered that at least 176 companies in the province produced toxic wastes.

Antiterror spooks to team up in provinces

Antiterror spooks to team up in provincesFabiola Desy Unidjaja and Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/DenpasarThe government said on Monday it would form multi-agency intelligence teams in provinces throughout the country to prevent further terrorist attacks, a move some fear could...

Rupiah Rates Dec.20

Rupiah Rates Dec.20 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,499.20 6,730.19 7,152.83 7,076.33 Brunei dollar 1 5,963.76 5,352.46 5,688.31 5,627.73 Canadian dollar 1 7,983.72 7,164.47 7,614.98 7,532.94 Swiss franc 1 8,479.29 7,610.82 8,087.66 8,002.

Human rights protection remains a far off hope

Human rights protection remains a far off hopeMuninggar Sri Saraswati The Jakarta Post/JakartaThe year 2004 was capped by the appointment of Indonesia's senior diplomat, Makarim Wibisono, as head of the United Nation's Human Rights Commission for the next year.Starting Jan.

Kalla ready to bury old House order

Kalla ready to bury old House orderTony Hotland and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaNewly elected Golkar Party leader Vice President Jusuf Kalla strongly signalled Golkar was out of the National Coalition on Monday by saying there was no such permanent bloc in the House.

UGM celebrates 55th anniversary

UGM celebrates 55th anniversary YOGYAKARTA: Gadjah Mada University (UGM), the oldest university in the country, celebrated its 55th anniversary on Monday, while pledging to promote the values of humanity, democracy, unity and social justice in the country.

Stop illegal fees

Stop illegal fees From Warta Kota The government's attempt to stamp out graft must be made at all levels of the government. While major corruption cases are handled by the police, the prosecutor's office, the Corruption Eradication Commission and other agencies, small-scale corruption, which has a...

Councillors carry hopes of Jakartans

Councillors carry hopes of JakartansBambang Nurbianto The Jakarta Post/JakartaThe April 5 legislative election found Jakartans differing from the rest of the country over who should represent them in the legislative body.

Govt to revise taxation, customs laws

Govt to revise taxation, customs lawsUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is planning to revise the taxation laws to help improve the country's investment climate, the finance ministry says.

TV Program: Tuesday, December 21, 2004

TV Program: Tuesday, December 21, 2004TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 Cartoon: Maya the Bee8:30 Music: Asik-asik9:00 Variety Show: Hari Jadi T.N.I11:00 Singing Contest: Konteswara 12:00 p.m.

Govt must get tough on illegals

Govt must get tough on illegalsV.K. Chin, The Star, Asia News Network, Selangor, Malaysia There are two ways the government can consider to minimize the number of Indonesians entering Malaysia illegally.One is for more Malaysian companies to invest in projects in Indonesia.

Residents demand work on lake

Residents demand work on lake TANGERANG: The Tangerang regional administration needed to do something quickly about the silting Lake Tujuh Muara before more homes were flooded, residents said.Hundreds of villagers said conservation work on the lake, which was silting up and had shrunk to under half...

Malaysian PM sees great potential in economic relations with India

Malaysian PM sees great potential in economic relations with IndiaAgence France-Presse, New Delhi Malaysia sees tremendous potential for growth in economic ties with India and is looking west for new alliances here as New Delhi looks east, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said on Monday.

Bodies of drowned students found

Bodies of drowned students found BOGOR: The partial remains of a second student swept away by a flash flood on Bogor's Ciandong River on Saturday were found by a search team late on Sunday, police said.

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.

BPI placed under BI's special care

BPI placed under BI's special careUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe central bank has placed Bank Persyarikatan Indonesia (BPI) under its special surveillance program -- a measure designed by Bank Indonesia to help prevent a bank's financial woes from worsening.

Danamon to issue Rp3t of bonds in 2005

Danamon to issue Rp3t of bonds in 2005Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaBank Danamon, the country's fifth largest lender, plans to issue Rp 3 trillion (US$326 million) of bonds next year, a top executive says.

Can Southeast Asian Muslims spearhead interfaith dialog?

Can Southeast Asian Muslims spearhead interfaith dialog?Nazry Bahrawi, Singapore When Australian-based Muslim scholar Prof. Abdullah Saaed delivered a series of lectures in Singapore last month, he verbalized an important point, which challenges the fallacy that Muslims are a monolithic bunch, when...

Graft councillors promise to return ill-gotten gains

Graft councillors promise to return ill-gotten gainsSuherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, SemarangSome 14 former Central Java legislative council members, declared suspects in a Rp 14.8 billion (US$1.6 million) scam, have promised to pay back their ill-gotten gains, prosecutors said on Monday.

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...

Car accident kills two

Car accident kills two SEMARANG: Two people were killed and another was injured after a Toyota Kijang minivan crashed into a truck on Monday in the Bawen industrial area in Semarang regency.Anis Suryadi, 62 and Ina Susanti, 55, died instantly and their son Teguh Suryadi, 22, was taken to a local...

'I'll go to church no matter what'

'I'll go to church no matter what'President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered security tightened ahead of the Christmas and New Year's holidays, following attacks on two churches in Palu, Central Sulawesi, and the recent discovery of crude bombs on a bus in Bandung.

Ship with illegal logs nabbed

Ship with illegal logs nabbedHasrul, The Jakarta Post, KendariSoutheast Sulawesi water police personnel have apprehended a ship loaded with thousands of undocumented logs in Wangi-wangi waters, Wakatobi regency.

Councillors pawning job letters for cash

Councillors pawning job letters for cashMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, TangerangSeveral Tangerang regency councillors have handed their letters of appointment over to pawnshops or banks as collateral for loans.

Seniors get ready for Christmas

Seniors get ready for ChristmasAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaWith the glow of dozens of candles lighting her face, Nasiah, 87, gazed at a shimmering Christmas tree as she thanked God for blessing her with such a merry Christmas."I have no family left. No husband and no children. I am alone.

City set to dole out Rp 3.15b to journalists

City set to dole out Rp 3.15b to journalistsBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe city plans to allocate of Rp 3.15 billion (US$338,710) for journalists in the 2005 city budget -- a move its critics call outright bribery that threatens press freedom.The allocation is part of the Rp 34.

Indonesia regrets Thaksin's comments on radical groups

Indonesia regrets Thaksin's comments on radical groupsThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government regretted on Monday Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawarta's statement accusing Indonesian radicals of helping Muslim militants in southern Thailand.

Police foil fuel hoarding

Police foil fuel hoarding MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Police officers foiled on Saturday a fuel hoarding attempt at Pemenang gas station on Lombok, and apprehended a truck loaded with 15 drums of gasoline and a drum of diesel fuel.The arrest took place at 10 p.

Pobsi expects more interest from media

Pobsi expects more interest from mediaJAKARTA: The Indonesian Billiard and Snooker Association has complained that the local media was not disseminating enough news about the sport."I feel envious at times about how the media allocates so much space for other sports like badminton or soccer.

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.

Give Indonesia's democracy more credit

Give Indonesia's democracy more creditEndy M. Bayuni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The naysayers are at it again. No sooner was Vice President Jusuf Kalla elected Golkar chairman, and they are already warning that Indonesia's nascent democracy is under threat from the old guard of Golkar.

Ethnic hatred, poverty spell bloodshed

Ethnic hatred, poverty spell bloodshedAs if sitting on a volcano, the residents who live along Jl. Matraman have to be ready for an outbreak of fighting to erupt at any time.The first incident can be traced back to the early 1950s when groups of KNIL members -- an Indonesian army recruited and...

Kalla consolidates power

Kalla consolidates powerDean Yates, Reuters/JakartaEven before taking over Indonesia's most powerful opposition party on the weekend, Vice-President Jusuf Kalla oozed confidence.In an interview with Reuters on Nov.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec.20, 2004

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec.20, 2004 ____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume _____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 225 0 0 Ades Alfindo...

Matraman residents try to overcome feud

Matraman residents try to overcome feud President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's statement that pluralism has proven to be a blessing for Indonesia rather than a threat to national unity, apparently is not understood by many. An example of that is the terror threats ahead of Christmas celebrations.

BII to issue up to US$200 million subordinated bonds

BII to issue up to US$200 million subordinated bondsLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaPublicly listed Bank International Indonesia (BII) plans to issue up to US$200 million in subordinated bonds early next year to strengthen its working capital and fund its acquisition of a financing firm.

PT Ingold responds

PT Ingold responds I was amazed reading an article in The Jakarta Post on Dec. 20 titled, Environmentalists urge STD ban.The article stated that PT Ingold planned to use submarine tailings disposal (STD) in Maluku. This is a big lie.

3 x 12

3 x 12 Policeman detained for Poso attacks JP/5/CLASH2 x 35 Border dispute kills three people in Riau amid fears of ethnic conflict JP/5/LOG1 x 30 Ship with illegal logs nabbed JP/5/EMISI1 x 49Prison terms await motorists with polluting cars JP/5/korup2 x 30 Graft councillors promise to return...

Four new busway corridors to be built next year

Four new busway corridors to be built next yearDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe city administration has proposed the construction of four new busway corridors in next year's Rp 13.83 trillion (US$1.49 billion) budget to help ease chronic traffic congestion in the capital.

Send legislators back to school

Send legislators back to schoolFrom Warta KotaIt 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...

Cops axed for drugs, burglary

Cops axed for drugs, burglary BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The Aceh police ethics commission dishonorably discharged on Monday two police officers in Aceh who were found guilty in two separate cases, one for burglary and the other for drug abuse.First. Brig.

Lion Air disappoints

Lion Air disappoints Lion Air should not only upgrade the maintenance of its fleet, but they should also upgrade their customer care services. On Nov. 8 my wife and I went to Singapore by Lion Air for medical treatment, the complications of which unexpectedly prolonged our stay.

Government builds 'quake-proof' house

Government builds 'quake-proof' house BANDUNG: The Center for Housing Research and Development completed on Monday a prototype for an earthquake-resistant house, called the Healthy Modest Instantaneous House (RISHA).

1. COALITION: 3 x 15

1. COALITION: 3 x 15 Kalla ready to bury old House order 2. SECURITY: 4 x 10 Antiterror spooks to team up in provinces 3. PAWN: 2 x 21 Councillors pawning job letters for cash 4. FRAUD: 1 x 48 BI renews agreement to nab fraudsters

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...

Palm oil futures may fall ahead of holidays

Palm oil futures may fall ahead of holidaysBloomberg/Jakarta Palm oil futures in Malaysia, the world's biggest exporter of the edible oil, may fall for a fifth week ahead of year-end holidays as buying orders slow.

Police find grenade in Hilton garden

Police find grenade in Hilton gardenEva C. Komandjaja and Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaA rusty hand grenade was found in a garden in the grounds of Hilton Apartment complex here on Monday morning, prompting an increase in security there.

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.

Teenager faces trial over Bojong dump clash

Teenager faces trial over Bojong dump clashTheresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, BogorA 15-year-old student, Atang Ombak, stood trial at the Cibinong District Court on Monday. He was charged with violating Article 170 of the Criminal Code on violent behavior.

Government to issue regulation on management of SOEs

Government to issue regulation on management of SOEsRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government will soon issue a regulation on the formation of a holding company that will oversee poorly managed state-owned enterprises (SOEs), as part of efforts to help restructure and revitalize...

Students leave SMP 56, principal stays on

Students leave SMP 56, principal stays onThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe remaining 53 students from SMP 56 junior high school in Melawai, South Jakarta, bid farewell to their old school on Monday during the last flag-hoisting ceremony.

Border dispute kills three people in Riau amid fears of ethnic conflict

Border dispute kills three people in Riau amid fears of ethnic conflictPuji Santoso, The Jakarta Post, PekanbaruA protracted dispute over border area between residents of two neighboring regencies in Riau province has eventually taken its toll when at least three people were killed in a deadly...

Police work on illegal logging

Police work on illegal logging TANGERANG: Serang Police have arrested three officials of state forestry company PT Perhutani along with two other men suspected of involvement in illegal logging in the Cinangka district.Police chief Sr. Comr.

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.

Disorganized waste management takes its toll, again

Disorganized waste management takes its toll, againBambang Nurbianto The Jakarta Post/JakartaIncidents surrounding garbage disposal opened and closed the year 2004.Residents of Cilincing, North Jakarta, witnessed the death of thousands of fish in their fish ponds following the Jakarta...

Women artists given due recognition

Women artists given due recognitionCarla Bianpoen, Contributor, SemarangOn December 18, Galeri Semarang in Central Java launched yet another of its initiatives in the world of art in Indonesia.It did so by giving space to young women artists whose names have no record in the annals of the visual...

1,000 wheelchairs donated to poor

1,000 wheelchairs donated to poor CIBUBUR, West Java: The Wheelchair Foundation and Latter-day Saints Charity (LDSC) donated on Monday 1,000 wheelchairs for poor people with disabilities in the country.

Bengkulu arson attack suspects apprehended

Bengkulu arson attack suspects apprehended JAKARTA: The police have arrested three suspects in an alleged arson attack on the official residence of Bengkulu Prosecutors' Office head Rusdi Taher on Dec. 9.National Police spokesman Insp. Gen.

*Give Indonesia's democracy more credit Page 2

*Give Indonesia's democracy more credit Page 2 *People told not to 'seduce' judges Page 4 *Policeman detained for Poso attacks Page 5 *Put Muhammadiyah and NU back on track Page 6 *Matraman residents try to overcome feud Page 8 *India sweeps series in test against Bangladesh Page 9 *Opposition...

Cabinet welcomes Kalla, observers warn of backlash

Cabinet welcomes Kalla, observers warn of backlashFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThose attending the Cabinet meeting on Monday were all smiles, particularly Vice President Jusuf Kalla.Showing no signs of fatigue, Kalla was indeed the man of the moment as all Cabinet members...

Bank Indonesia renews agreement to nab fraudsters

Bank Indonesia renews agreement to nab fraudstersUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIn light of the increasing number of fraud cases occurring in the country's banking sector over the past year, Bank Indonesia (BI) on Monday renewed its cooperation agreement with the National Police and the...