Archive: 27 December 2004
97 articles found
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
President's official car park?
President's official car park? From Kompas On Nov. 15, I parked my car outside of Klub Bimasena (health/sports center) in South Jakarta, near the gate of the club, which shares the same complex with Hotel Dharmawangsa. When I left my car near the entrance, club security men told me to move my car to the parking lot at the rear of the building, because the car park near the gate was reserved for the president, vice president and ambassadors.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
TV Program: Monday, December 27, 2004
TV Program: Monday, December 27, 2004 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon: Maya the Bee 7:30 Children Show 8:30 Music: Asyik Asyik 10:00 Talk Show 11:00 Singing Contest: Konteswara 1:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang 1:30 Documentary 2:00 Music 3:00 English News Service 4:30 Documentary 5:30 TV Drama 7:00 News: Berita Nasional 8:00 TV Drama 9:00 News: Dunia Dalam Berita 9:30 Dangdut Music 10:30 Documentary TPI 5:30 a.m.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Two strong men in Jakarta
Two strong men in Jakarta Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla's election as chairman of the Golkar party introduces an element of drama into the country's political scene in the early days of the President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration. Golkar -- Indonesia's largest political party, which has 23 percent of the seats in Parliament -- has gone from being the main opposition force to a main supporter of the government. The truth is that these are early days for both men.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Malpractice cases in 2004
Malpractice cases in 2004 No. Cases Location Result -------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Complications after Jakarta Solved by the Ethics otorhinolaryngology Committee (MKEK) head & neck surgery Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) Jakarta 2. Eye surgery leads to Banjarmasin Solved by the Ethics blindness Committee (MKEK) Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) Surabaya 3. Skin complications Jakarta Solved by mediation after appendectomy through YPKKI 4.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Inmate suspected of running drug ring
Inmate suspected of running drug ring BANDUNG, West Java: Following the arrest of six suspected drug dealers over the weekend, the Bandung Police announced they suspected an inmate was controlling the city's drug trade from inside prison. The police came to this conclusion after collecting information from the suspected dealers, one of whom reportedly admitted to being part of a gang controlled by the inmate.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Two die in Cikampek toll road accident
Two die in Cikampek toll road accident JAKARTA: Two people died instantly, while two others were seriously injured in an accident at Kilometer 51 on the Jakarta- Cikampek toll road near East Karawang on Saturday at around 4:20 a.m. The fatalities were identified as Yudi Herdiyana, 32, and Doni Indra Ismail, 29. One of the bodies was found inside a Daihatsu Feroza, which was flipped upside down and burned. Two other victims -- Yayah and Dewi Puspitasari -- were rushed to Medika Cikarang Hospital.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Councillors shoulder great hopes of all Jakartans
Councillors shoulder great hopes of all Jakartans Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The April 5 legislative election found Jakartans differing from the rest of the country over who should represent them in the legislative body. Nationwide, the Golkar Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) received the most votes and together controlled the House of Representatives.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Asia devastated as over 10,000 killed, missing
Asia devastated as over 10,000 killed, missing Agencies, Colombo The world's biggest earthquake in 40 years hit South and Southeast Asia on Sunday, unleashing a tsunami that crashed into Sri Lanka and India and swamped tourist isles in Thailand and the Maldives, killing more than 10,000 people. A wall of water up to 10 meters high triggered by the 8.9 magnitude underwater earthquake off the Indonesian island of Sumatra caused death, chaos and devastation.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Puteh's trial a test for war on corruption
Puteh's trial a test for war on corruption Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The government's anti-graft campaign will be put to the test on Monday, when Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Governor Abdullah Puteh goes on trial for alleged graft involving Rp 4 billion (US$440,000) in state losses. The Anticorruption Court trying Puteh is under supervision of the Central Jakarta District Court, and will take 80 days to deliver a verdict on the case, its first.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
JP/1/quake
JP/1/quake Huge quake, tsunami rattle Aceh, 2,000 killed The Jakarta Post Banda Aceh/Jayapura/Medan The morning after Christmas brought tragedy to Aceh and North Sumatra, as well as to Asian countries bordering the Indian Ocean, when a devastating earthquake wreaked havoc with massive tsunamis that swept through towns, villages and resort areas.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
JP/5/LONGSOR
JP/5/LONGSOR Riau-Sumatra highway cut by landslide Puji Santoso, The Jakarta Post/Pekanbaru The main highway between the provinces of Riau and West Sumatra was cut on Friday by a landslide triggered by torrential rains in Kampar regency over the past week. Mud and rocks covered about 30 meters of the highway, while heavy rains aggravated the situation. Hundreds of vehicles traveling to and from West Sumatra were left stranded and a massive traffic jam formed along the highway.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
JP/20/intro
JP/20/intro Year of historical events brings Indonesia new challenges The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Time seems to be ticking faster -- as it always seems to in the final months of the year -- until the deafening blares of trumpets and blinding flashes of fireworks will close 2004. Good and bad events of the year past will fade into memory and thus herald the nation into 2005 -- a new year with new challenges ahead for the government to address.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Civil disobedience against graft
Civil disobedience against graft From Koran Tempo It is not so hard to eliminate corruption if every member of society is committed to the cause, such as when we are asked for money for identity cards (KTP) and driver's licenses (SIM). In the case of KTPs, we should refuse to pay any fees other than official ones and we should always demand receipts. In renewing our SIM, we should avoid using the services of brokers, most of whom are off-duty cops.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
table for bank
table for bank Performance of some of top banks --------------------------------------------------- Profit NIM --------------------------------------------------- 2004* 2003** 2004* 2003** --------------------------------------------------- BRI Rp 4.3t Rp 2.7t 11.7% 9.2% Danamon Rp 2.3t Rp 1.0t 6.9% 5.3% BII Rp 0.6t Rp 0.2t 5.3% 2.5% BNI Rp 2.3t Rp 1.1t 5.6% 4.1% Permata Rp 0.5t Rp 0.2t 5.7% 4.0% Mandiri Rp 6.3t Rp 5.1t 4.4% 3.3% BCA Rp 3.3t Rp 2.1t 5.3% 4.9%...
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Thai PM's Muslim insurgency blame game a blunder: analysts
Thai PM's Muslim insurgency blame game a blunder: analysts Michael Mathes Agence France-Presse/Bangkok The Thai premier's attempt to shift blame onto Malaysia and Indonesia for his failure to quell an Islamic insurgency in southern Thailand was a blunder that threatened regional ties, analysts warned.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Democracy takes root in world's largest Muslim country
Democracy takes root in world's largest Muslim country M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta In a period of less than eight months, Indonesia held this year an unprecedented three direct elections -- proving the skeptics wrong in their peaceful process and conclusion -- and heralding a new era in its political evolution.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Burglaries, robberies, keep rising
Burglaries, robberies, keep rising Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Residents are advised to remain on the alert and to take steps to protect their property and loved ones, as the crime figures continue to rise in Greater Jakarta. According to data from the Jakarta Police from January to November of this year, crime increased almost across the board from 2003 to 2004 in Jakarta, Bekasi, Tangerang and Depok.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
President's official car park?
President's official car park? From Kompas On Nov. 15, I parked my car outside of Klub Bimasena (health/sports center) in South Jakarta, near the gate of the club, which shares the same complex with Hotel Dharmawangsa. When I left my car near the entrance, club security men told me to move my car to the parking lot at the rear of the building, because the car park near the gate was reserved for the president, vice president and ambassadors.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Authorities fiddle while Jakarta continues to burn
Authorities fiddle while Jakarta continues to burn Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It was only recently that Marsudi, 33, and his family were able to find a new place to live -- in a crowded neighborhood in Kebon Kacang, Central Jakarta. The family was forced to move after their house in the nearby slum of Kebon Melati was razed in a large fire in July, which destroyed hundreds of houses and left thousands of people homeless.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Corruption and democracy
Corruption and democracy From Koran Tempo President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono declared Dec. 9 Anticorruption Day for the purpose of waging a war against corruption. On several occasions he even said he would direct the corruption eradication movement himself. Indonesia belongs to the group of most corrupt countries, occupying top place on Transparency International's corruption list. This has been due to the lack of serious attempts to fight corruption, with no punishments imposed in major cases.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
The country's rich natural resources endangered
The country's rich natural resources endangered Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A high ranking official with the (then) Trade and Industry Ministry was clearly puzzled when a journalist asked for his comment about a number of companies accused of polluting a river in West Java. Seconds later, he laughed and asked the journalist to solicit comments from the State Minister for the Environment instead.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, December 27, 2004
Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, December 27, 2004 Exhibitions * The Hungry Box: the endless interiors of MVRDV, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Tel. 5241069), Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., until Jan. 7. * Arts by Canadian artist Ken Pattern, at Four Seasons Hotel (Regent), Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. B-4, South Jakarta, until Jan. 15.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Bomb attacks could be done at anytime, anywhere
Bomb attacks could be done at anytime, anywhere Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Following the Sept. 9 bombing outside the Australian Embassy in Kuningan, South Jakarta, John Douglas, 40, who worked for a U.S.- based multinational consultancy here, decided to return to Canada despite unfinished business. "I was scheduled to stay here for at least three months but I decided to leave, although I had been here for three weeks only. The bomb attack terrifies me.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Bring back our literacy in local dialects
Bring back our literacy in local dialects Atmakusumah, Jakarta How many times in a week, or even in a day, is it that I stumble in a conversation in my own national language, Bahasa Indonesia. I realize at such moments that I am unable to finish my sentence because I could only find the proper words for certain thoughts in my mother tongue -- the Bahasa Sunda spoken by the majority of the West Javanese ethnic group -- but which may not be understood by my companions.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
table for investment
table for investment Elements needed to start a business ------------------------------------------------------------- RI Malaysia Thailand Vietnam India ------------------------------------------------------------- Number of procedures 12 9 8 11 11 Time (days) 150 30 33 56 89 Cost (% per kapita) 130 25 6 28 49 -------------------------------------------------------------- Source: IFC's Doing Business in 2005
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Anti-corruption record poor as ever
Anti-corruption record poor as ever M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In 2004, almost six years after the dawn of the reform movement, Indonesia's record on corruption remained shabby as ever. In circumstances that would have raised eyebrows almost anywhere else, a main suspect in a multimillion dollar fraud case at state Bank BNI, Adrian Herling Wawowuruntu, somehow walked out of the police station where he was being held.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
'Some don't make enough to eat'
'Some don't make enough to eat' A recent increase in the prices of liquefied petroleum gas and high octane fuels sparked protests by people concerned over the possibility of steep price increases for other fuels next year, which also would cause the prices of basic commodities to rise. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their opinions on this issue. Zaky, 25, works at a publishing company in Central Jakarta.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
JP/ /Bank
JP/ /Bank Banks enjoy strong profit, but intermediary role still weak Dadan Wijaksana The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Business-wise, the banking industry is in for probably the best year of showing since the crisis. With most large banks posting a sharp increase in profits this year (as the table shows), one would be tempted to think that the banking sector has finally recovered from the crushing 1997-1998 crisis, and started cashing in on rewards from a painful and costly rebuilding process.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
The revolution has begun on Jakarta's streets
The revolution has begun on Jakarta's streets Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta When 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.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Anti-graft ruling to shift burden of proof
Anti-graft ruling to shift burden of proof Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The government is making a breakthrough in its anticorruption campaign with the drafting of a regulation that will shift the burden of proof to suspects. Minister of Justice and Human Rights Hamid Awaluddin said over the weekend that the regulation would consider corruption an extraordinary crime, equivalent to that of terrorism.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Malls packed with shoppers as new year gears up
Malls packed with shoppers as new year gears up Dewi Santoso The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Various promotions offered by malls and shopping centers across the capital have prompted Jakartans to spend their time there during the holiday season after Christmas Day and ahead of the New Year. Lisa, a visitor at Taman Anggrek Mall in West Jakarta, said on Sunday she took her seven-year-old son Jimmy and five-year-old son Joshua to the mall to ice skate at the arena.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Quilt painting, an alternstive art
Quilt painting, an alternstive art Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta For a beginner like Ratna, the idea of doing a watercolor or oil painting can be daunting. So the 36-year-old decided to go to a workshop on quilt painting that she thought would be interesting. "I cannot paint. I have never done any watercolors or oil paintings. I can paint batik, though. I thought quilt painting might be interesting because unlike the usual kinds of painting, it uses solid form," said the mother of two.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Councillors face uphill battle against graft charges
Councillors face uphill battle against graft charges A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The 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. When senior prosecutor Sudhono Iswahyudi finally entered the room, the councillors duly rose and shook hands with the powerful deputy head of the special crimes division. Sudhono took the seat at the head of the table and began the meeting.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Extreme weather, disaster wreak destruction in Asia
Extreme weather, disaster wreak destruction in Asia Helen Rowe , Agence France-Press/Dhaka Natural disasters and extreme weather -- from quakes and floods to some of the worst typhoons in decades -- claimed 4,000 lives and left a US$22 billion trail of destruction across Asia in 2004. Incessant monsoon rains that lashed Bangladesh, northeast India and parts of Nepal in July and August killed at least 1,240 people.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
JP/5/PILKADA
JP/5/PILKADA Candidates gear up for June elections Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung Candidates vying for top posts in the direct elections for heads of regional governments in Lampung province are confused over which political party to register with, as each party has its own screening process.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Woman stabbed in rape attempt
Woman stabbed in rape attempt JAKARTA: Eka Sulistyowati, 22, a fish vendor at Ciputat Market, Tangerang regency, was severely wounded after another vendor Dedi stabbed her several times in a rape attempt at 2:30 a.m. on Sunday as the market was opening. Eka was sent to Fatmawati Hospital due to gash wounds in her stomach, right thigh, left leg and right arm. Police reports said Eka had just arrived at the market to open her kiosk.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Regional autonomy makes little headway
Regional autonomy makes little headway Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Regional 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 implement the law, but also local leadership problems.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Affected countries
Affected countries Death toll: Sri Lanka: 3,225 India: 2,447 Indonesia: 4,185 Thailand: 310 Malaysia: 29 Maldives: 15 Bangladesh: 2
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
The exhausting legal journey
The exhausting legal journey From Media Indonesia Law enforcement in Indonesia is like a long and exhausting journey with no certainty in sight. Law becomes a commodity most demanded by wealthy and powerful buyers, while its enforcers can be so directed that justice is exchanged for money and pleasure. The law becomes bland, vague and hard to digest for the rich and powerful but it gets simple, smooth and easily applicable when ordinary people are involved.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Disaster spells freedom for 500 convicts
Disaster spells freedom for 500 convicts Agencies, Jakarta Hundreds of prisoners escaped from Indonesian and Sri Lankan jails when a tsunami triggered by a massive earthquake in Aceh province knocked down their walls on Sunday. At least 204 inmates escaped from a prison in Pidie, Aceh, near the epicenter of the powerful quake, police said. However, several of the prisoners later turned themselves in, Pidie Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Ali Taruna Jaya said as quoted by Reuters.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Extreme weather and disaster wreak death and destruction in Asia
Extreme weather and disaster wreak death and destruction in Asia Helen Rowe Agence France-Press/Dhaka Natural disasters and extreme weather -- from quakes and floods to some of the worst typhoons in decades including the deadly tsunami on Sunday -- claimed over 19,000 lives and left a scores of billions of dollars trail of destruction across Asia in 2004.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Ciputra Surya, Sampoerna tie up
Ciputra Surya, Sampoerna tie up JAKARTA: PT Ciputra Surya, Indonesia's third- largest real estate developer by value, signed an agreement with a unit of PT H.M. Sampoerna to jointly develop a project in Indonesia's East Java province. According to the Dec. 22 accord, Ciputra Surya will develop buildings and other properties on a 400-hectare land owned by PT Taman Dayu, a Pasuruan, East Java-based unit of Sampoerna, Ciputra and Sampoerna said in separate statements to the Jakarta Stock Exchange.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Megawati's last stand came too late
Megawati's last stand came too late Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In the last 10 months of her presidency, Megawati Soekarnoputri tried to do the impossible: make up for the disappointment of her first 28 months in office. Megawati went to great lengths to win reelection and retain her presidency with shows of affections toward the wong cilik, or little people, and by pushing for a series of popular policies.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
What's wrong with RI's development planners?
What's wrong with RI's development planners? Budhi Santoso, Jakarta The Indonesian economic crisis of 1998 provoked a number of practitioners and critics to review national development planning systems that had been implemented for 30 years during the New Order era. Simple questions were raised: What has the planning institute been doing to allow such a severe crisis to occur?
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Year-end Special Edition
Year-end Special Edition Three elections made 2004 the year of elections here -- no doubt about that. The legislative election on April 5 saw nearly 150 million Indonesians choose 550 members of the House of Representatives and 128 members of the newly established Regional Representatives Council. Then there were two rounds of direct presidential elections on July 5 and Sept. 20, the first ever in the country's history. And most of all, those elections took place in a relatively peaceful manner.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Neighborly tempers
Neighborly tempers For four decades, the amity between members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been the bedrock of the region's vibrancy. ASEAN leaders became "cronies", with their personal bonds ensuing much given-and-take within relationships, allowing disagreements to be shelved far from the fire of conflict. But the contours of the relationships that we thought were so strong remain subject to personal ambitions, over-sensitivity and national zealousness.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
The Anti-corruption campaign
The Anti-corruption campaign A number of politicians from the House of Representatives (DPR) have commented positively on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's declaration on Dec. 9 to crack down on corruption. One of them, Maiyasyak Johan, a member of the DPR's Commission III, came up with two proposals for Yudhoyono to immediately deal with the problem.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
JP/5/KAKAK
JP/5/KAKAK White cockatoo population dwindling Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post/Surabaya The population of White Cockatoo (Cacatua alba) in North Maluku is dwindling due to uncontrolled poaching. More than 500 of them are traded in Jakarta and other places annually, say an environmental group.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Skepticism of military reform
Skepticism of military reform Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta During the initial years of the "reform" euphoria, the streets were abuzz with spirited talk about removing the military from politics. Approaching the elections this year, much of this hype evaporated -- some suggested this was because most voters had begun to yearn for security and stability, following six years of stagnant reformasi and the lingering socioeconomic crisis.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Bigger steps toward accelerating Asian integration
Bigger steps toward accelerating Asian integration Eric Teo Chu Cheow, China Daily, Asia News Network, Beijing The recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit held in Vientiane, Laos on November 28-30, could have broken new ground in Asian integration and community-building.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Death toll from Asian quake, tidal waves rises to 8,467
Death toll from Asian quake, tidal waves rises to 8,467 Death toll: Sri Lanka: 3,225 India: 2,447 Indonesia: 2,439 Thailand: 310 Malaysia: 29 Maldives: 15 Bangladesh: 2 Total: 8,467
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. ROUNDUP: heading already made
1. ROUNDUP: heading already made 2. ACEH: 3 x 14 Massive quake rattles Aceh, 2,400 killed 3. CEMEX: 1 X 36 Cemex ceases legal battle: Minister
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Council takes vow of silence
Council takes vow of silence Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post/Tangerang In protest against the regulation on protocol and financial affairs of councillors, Tangerang Legislative Council members are to form an ojek (motorcycle taxi) convoy to drive to the office on Monday and not speak a word the whole day. The protest will coincide with the regency's 61st anniversary, the celebration of which will be held at the administration's Serba Ginma Hall in the regency capital of Tigaraksa.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
When will the 'play group' move up a grade?
When will the 'play group' move up a grade? Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former president Abdurrahman Wahid had such a difficult time finding a polite word to describe the House of Representatives that, back in 2001, he called it a "kindergarten". Gus Dur, as the former president is known, was referring to the enthusiastic legislators who, in the name of freedom of speech, took every opportunity to interrupt plenary meetings.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Ciputat to build integrated bus terminal
Ciputat to build integrated bus terminal JAKARTA: Tangerang regency administration will build an integrated bus terminal in Ciputat next year to handle the current crowded and traffic-congested area. The terminal is expected to serve intra-city buses and inter-city buses. Hidayat, a spokesperson for the regency's planning body said on Sunday the construction of the 5-hectare terminal in Ciputat was expected to ease traffic congestion in front of Ciputat market, as well as along Jl.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Cemex ceases legal battle: Minister
Cemex ceases legal battle: Minister Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Mexican cement giant Cemex SA has agreed to suspend a law suit it had filed against the government in a protracted dispute regarding cement producer PT Semen Gresik, a senior minister said. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie said on Friday the suspension had been agreed upon, so as to pave the way for further negotiations between the government and Cemex to amicably settle the case.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Residents protest garbage dump
Residents protest garbage dump BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Hundreds of residents of West Telukbetung blocked off access to the local dump over the weekend to protest what they said was pollution caused by the dump. The residents demanded the city administration relocate the dump away from their neighborhood after a meeting with Mayor Achmad Yulizar on Friday ended without resolving the issue. Residents said they would maintain the roadblocks until an amicable solution was found.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Improving the dreadful
Improving the dreadful state of transportation From Warta Kota With the frequent reports of fatal road accidents, in which vehicles drive into oncoming traffic, causing head-on collisions, I would like to suggest that median strips be built to prevent further mishaps. The medians on such two lane roads and highways should reach such a height that technically will not allow cars cross them and they should not have sharp edges.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Grandma Ponirah, 'becak' driver
Grandma Ponirah, 'becak' driver Ponirah, 55, a mother of six children and grandmother to two, is no ordinary woman. The woman from Jeblog village, Kasihan district, Bantul regency, Yogyakarta, sports a crew cut and is of solid build, the muscles of her biceps and forearms clearly defined. At first glance, Ponirah, better known as Mbak Pon, looks like a man, and with her strong physique and short hair, people presume she is a soldier.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Managing waste properly
Managing waste properly From Koran Tempo I 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. This way, organic waste can be turned into compost, while craftsmen and artists may benefit from recycled materials to create various objects with artistic value.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
;JP;REN;
;JP;REN; ANPAf..r.. JSX-stock-yearender Despite weak law enforcement, RI stocks shine JP/13/JSX Despite weak law enforcement, RI stocks shine Rendi A. Witular The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Jakarta stock market made headlines in the nation's media nearly every week this year with its record-high trading activities, which also made it one of the best performers in the world. Yet, analysts and industry players are still concerned over the weak law enforcement demonstrated by market authorities.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Gloomy year for RI media as big guns try to sink it
Gloomy year for RI media as big guns try to sink it M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A year of living dangerously for the press here was signaled early last year when well-connected businessman Tomy Winata filed a criminal complaint with the police against Tempo magazine over an article published in February 2003. This was the first of a number of attacks on press freedom during the course of the year.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Tsunami sweeps Sumatra
Tsunami sweeps Sumatra The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Jayapura/Medan The morning after Christmas brought tragedy to Aceh and North Sumatra, as well as to Asian countries bordering the Indian Ocean, when a devastating earthquake wreaked havoc with massive tsunamis that swept through towns, villages and resort areas.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. Reaction (45) - 48 pts 3cols 2lines (2x18)
1. Reaction (45) - 48 pts 3cols 2lines (2x18) World offers aid to Asian quake victims 2. Tidal (40) - 36 pts 5cols 1line (1x35) Tsunamis: Deadly waves born in the sea 3. Jail (23) - 28 pts 2cols 2lines (2x20) Tsunami spells freedom for 500 convicts 4. Police (36) - 36 pts 4cols 1line (1x28) Burglaries, robberies keep rising 5. Perpu (32) - 36 pts 5cols 1line (1x35) Anti-graft ruling to shift burden of proof --- 5. Photo 1 piece 6. Oddworld 7. Ad- 1 piece
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
DPD's role? Empowering itself ...
DPD's role? Empowering itself ... The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The 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. The creation of a new state institution, the Regional Representatives Council (DPD), was seen as a remedy for people's disappointment with politicians who were more concerned with their own short-term interests than with people's aspirations.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
JP/13/Y-Invest
JP/13/Y-Invest Investment climate still weak; brighter outlook ahead Dadan Wijaksana The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Despite all the efforts to help revive the business climate here, little improvement has been made this year as direct investment remains weak and is struggling to get back to the pre- crisis level.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Year-end Special Edition
Year-end Special Edition Three elections made 2004 the year of elections here -- no doubt about that. The legislative election on April 5 saw nearly 150 million Indonesians choose 550 members of the House of Representatives and 128 members of the newly established Regional Representatives Council. Then there were two rounds of direct presidential elections on July 5 and Sept. 20, the first ever in the country's history. And most of all, those elections took place in a relatively peaceful manner.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
JP/4/yearend
JP/4/yearend The Jakarta Post Jakarta The joy of having a second child proved to be short-lived for Hasan Kesuma, 33, a self-employed resident of Bogor, West Java. Just days after giving birth to their second child, his wife Agian Isna Naili, 33, slipped into a persistent vegetative state in July and has been on life support equipment for the past five months at the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital in Central Jakarta.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Being herself cost Megawati her presidency
Being herself cost Megawati her presidency Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With a sorrowful and troubled look in her eyes, Megawati Soekarnoputri pleaded for the lives of two Indonesian maids held hostage by militants in Iraq. Wearing a white head-scarf, the image of the Indonesian president was aired over and over again by the Qatar-based Al- Jazeera television, and apparently contributed to the release of the two women, who arrived home safely just days afterwards.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
S.Korea to double rice imports
S.Korea to double rice imports SEOUL: South Korea has agreed to double rice imports to extend a World Trade Organization (WTO) accord that allows Seoul a grace period of staying out of market-opening, news reports said Sunday. In a deal with key rice exporters, South Korea has agreed to expand the quota from the four percent of its total domestic consumption to 7.9 percent over the next decade until 2014, Yonhap news agency said.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Quake, tsunami devastate Asia, 7,459 dead
Quake, tsunami devastate Asia, 7,459 dead Agencies Colombo The world's biggest earthquake in 40 years hit South and Southeast Asia on Sunday, unleashing a tsunami that crashed into Sri Lanka and India and swamped tourist isles in Thailand and the Maldives, killing 7,459 people. A wall of water up to 10-meter high triggered by the 8.9 magnitude underwater earthquake off the Indonesian island of Sumatra caused death, chaos and devastation.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Start 2005 with a refreshed old PC
Start 2005 with a refreshed old PC Zatni Arbi, Contributor/Jakarta Now that Christmas is over and work pressure must be a bit lighter, it is perhaps the best -- and the last -- opportunity to restore your PC to its level of performance when the operating system was first set up and before all those downloaded trial software programs were installed and uninstalled. Some people may choose to tweak the system to recoup the lost snappiness.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Special Yearender Section
Special Yearender Section Starting today, The Jakarta Post is running a special year-end section from page 13 through page 20. In today's edition, we take a look back at the national and city scenes of 2003.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
World scrambles to offer aid for Asian quake victims
World scrambles to offer aid for Asian quake victims Agence France-Presse Paris Governments and aid organizations around the world scrambled to offer aid and technical help on Sunday after the devastating quake and tidal waves that killed thousands of people in Asia. With the death toll over 10,000 and rising inexorably, authorities offered immediate help in terms of food, shelter and medicines, as well as longer-term aid once the situation stabilizes.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Being herself cost Megawati her presidency
Being herself cost Megawati her presidency Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With a sorrowful and troubled look in her eyes, Megawati Soekarnoputri pleaded for the lives of two Indonesian maids held hostage by militants in Iraq. Wearing a white head-scarf, the image of the Indonesian president was aired over and over again by the Qatar-based Al- Jazeera television, and apparently contributed to the release of the two women, who arrived home safely just days afterwards.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
House told to OK chopper deal
House told to OK chopper deal Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The House of Representatives and the government look set to revive their debate over the procurement of Russian-made MI-17 helicopters following an official request from Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono for resumption of the procurement process. Lawmaker Happy Bone Zulkarnaen said on Sunday the House's Commission I for defense and foreign affairs discussed the letter in an internal meeting on Friday.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Johannes Simbolon
Johannes Simbolon The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The nation's mining industry, which has been mired in problems during the past six years, has yet to see the light at the end of tunnel, experts say. For decades, the industry enjoyed peace and growth during the authoritarian regime of former president Soeharto, who did not hesitate to silence anyone perceived to be making trouble for investors, including those in the mining industry.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
KL cuts duties to meet AFTA obligations
KL cuts duties to meet AFTA obligations Antara/Kyodo, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia announced Friday that it will slash import duties on motorcars from other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to 20 percent from as much as 190 percent from January next year in a long-awaited move to conform with the 10- member regional grouping's free trade plans.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Petronas expands in Thailand
Petronas expands in Thailand KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's national oil company said it will expand its investments in Thailand by buying the Thai operations of Kuwaiti Petroleum International, which operates over 117 gasoline stations across the country. Under the agreement signed Friday, Petronas would acquire Kuwait Petroleum (Thailand), taking over the gasoline stations and KPTL's lubricant businesses, the company said in a statement. No financial details were disclosed.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
The nail trap
The nail trap From Kompas We were riding on our motorcycle on Jl. Daan Mogot, West Jakarta late on Nov. 13 when our rear tire got a puncture near Pesing area. Some ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers in the area said that tire repair workshop owners spread various kinds of nails over the road to boost their business. In fact, on that evening, many motorbikes had their inner tubes replaced due to flat tires.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Malls packed with shoppers as New Year approaches
Malls packed with shoppers as New Year approaches Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Various promotions offered by malls and shopping centers across the capital have prompted Jakartans to spend their time there during the holiday season after Christmas Day and ahead of the New Year. Lisa, a visitor at Taman Anggrek Mall in West Jakarta, said on Sunday she took her seven-year-old son Jimmy and five-year-old son Joshua to the mall to ice skate at the arena.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
*Tsunamis: Devastating tidal waves born deep in the ocean Page 2
*Tsunamis: Devastating tidal waves born deep in the ocean Page 2 *Ba'asyir group expands across country Page 3 *City urged to revise miscalculated budget Page 4 *Shaq enjoys Christmas with victory over Lakers Page 5 *What's wrong with RI's development planners Page 6 *Start 2005 with a revitalized old PC Page 9 *KL cuts auto duties to meet AFTA obligations Page 10 *Thai hotel pillar saves Swede from Phuket tsunami Page 12 *Yearenders -- National/City Pages 13-20
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Disorganized waste management takes its toll, again
Disorganized waste management takes its toll, again Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Incidents 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 administration's decision to dump its waste in the surrounding area.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Ba'asyir group spreads wing
Ba'asyir group spreads wing Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post/Medan An Islamic extremist group led by elderly cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, currently standing trial in Jakarta on terror charges, has established dozens of new branches in at least eight provinces across Indonesia. The Indonesian Mujahidin Council (MMI) central executive board said on Saturday it has branched out to at least 53 regencies and mayoralties in eight provinces in a bid to push for its campaign for Islamic sharia law.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
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 direct impact on the public, must also be stamped out. One obvious example is the collection of illegal fees at virtually all levels of the government.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
The exhausting legal journey
The exhausting legal journey From Media Indonesia Law enforcement in Indonesia is like a long and exhausting journey with no certainty in sight. Law becomes a commodity most demanded by wealthy and powerful buyers, while its enforcers can be so directed that justice is exchanged for money and pleasure. The law becomes bland, vague and hard to digest for the rich and powerful but it gets simple, smooth and easily applicable when ordinary people are involved.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Today's cars are smarter, but drivers must still use their heads
Today's cars are smarter, but drivers must still use their heads Zatni Arbi Contributor/Jakarta We 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. My friend quickly stepped on the brakes, fearing that the BMW was going to ricochet to the right. It did not. It just slowed down after scraping some of its left fender.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
From ASEAN+3 to Asia-Europe
From ASEAN+3 to Asia-Europe Bunn Nagara, The Star, Asia News Network, Selangor, Malaysia From regionalization, a process in which countries within a region cooperate and integrate over a range of issues, comes inter-regionalism. This involves regional entities like the European Union (EU) and the impending East Asian economic community working more closely together.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Officers to face the music
Officers to face the music The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Police investigators are set to hold a disciplinary hearing, which could spell the dismissal of 16 officers alleged to have received bribes during the Bank BNI scandal investigation. Detective chief Comr. Gen.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Corruption and democracy
Corruption and democracy From Koran Tempo President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono declared Dec. 9 Anticorruption Day for the purpose of waging a war against corruption. On several occasions he even said he would direct the corruption eradication movement himself. Indonesia belongs to the group of most corrupt countries, occupying top place on Transparency International's corruption list. This has been due to the lack of serious attempts to fight corruption, with no punishments imposed in major cases.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
House's internal
House's internal conflict harmful From Kompas The protracted conflict in the House of Representatives between the Nationhood Coalition and the People's Coalition has remained unresolved. This problem is doing considerable harm to public interests because the House has been rendered unproductive, with the tendency to manipulate democracy.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
RP rebels vow to step up attacks
RP rebels vow to step up attacks PHILIPPINES: Communist rebels on Sunday vowed to step up attacks and the revolutionary struggle in the Philippines as they marked the 36th anniversary of the founding of the underground movement.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
City urged to revise its miscalculated budget
City urged to revise its miscalculated budget Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta With less than one week before the Dec. 31 budget deadline, the city administration has been told to fix an error in the draft budget that could cause a deficit of about Rp 1.2 trillion (US$133.33 million) next year. In the draft, the administration calculated a 2005 budget of Rp 13.83 trillion, with Rp 1.9 trillion of that amount coming from the unspent portion of the 2004 budget.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Global's auditors may lose licenses over suspected accounting cover-ups
Global's auditors may lose licenses over suspected accounting cover-ups Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The government may revoke the operating license of accounting firms that audited the financial accounts of troubled Bank Global Internasional if they are proven to have committed irregularities in the process.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
JP/5/FOCUS
JP/5/FOCUS Inmate suspected of running drug ring BANDUNG, West Java: Following the arrest of six suspected drug dealers over the weekend, the Bandung Police announced they suspected an inmate was controlling the city's drug trade from inside prison. The police came to this conclusion after collecting information from the suspected dealers, one of whom reportedly admitted to being part of a gang controlled by the inmate.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
LG Electronics considers making LCD, plasma TV in Indonesia
LG Electronics considers making LCD, plasma TV in Indonesia South Korea's LG Electronics (LGE) aspires to attain the rank of global top 3 in the rapidly growing digital display and media sector by 2007. Global demand for plasma televisions alone is estimated to expand to 12 million units by 2007 from this year's 3.5 million. LGE needs more production bases for such products to meet the growing demand.
Mon, 27 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Human rights enforcement remains a far off hope
Human rights enforcement remains a far off hope Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The 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. 17, 2005, Indonesia will officially see its representative at the helm of this prestigious commission.