Archive: 3 December 2004
75 articles found
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
BI to issue new banking rules
BI to issue new banking rules NUSA DUA, Bali: The central bank will soon release two crucial regulations to accelerate banking activities, strengthen banking institutions and to boost real economic sectors, including small- to medium enterprises (SMEs). Speaking on Wednesday after the opening of a three-day seminar on microbanking in Nusa Dua, Bali, Bank Indonesia governor Burhanuddin Abdullah said the new regulations were expected to accelerate economic growth to around 6 percent in 2005.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Plywood biggest forex source
Plywood biggest forex source PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: Plywood exports from Central Kalimantan have contributed the most in terms of provincial foreign exchange revenues compared to other commodities, a senior government official said on Thursday. Hariyanto Halim, head of trade and industry at the Central Kalimantan administration, said the province had exported 117,554 cubic meters of plywood between January and July this year.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN's example
ASEAN's example It is encouraging to see that ASEAN and China have signed an accord to create the world's biggest free trade area by removing tariffs for their two billion people by the decade's end. This is a giant leap in their vision of building a trade bloc to rival Europe and the U.S. ASEAN leaders had earlier signed a pact to flesh out the agreement last year to create an ASEAN community along the lines of a unified Europe by 2020.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
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.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
NU congress means fortune for locals
NU congress means fortune for locals Slamet Susanto and Blontank Poer, The Jakarta Post/Surakarta Sartini, 36, a food vendor outside Donohudan Haj Dormitory in Surakarta, Central Java, which hosted the recently completed Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) congress, said her income drastically increased during the five-day national convention. "In normal days, I alone am able to serve all the customers.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
On dual citizenship
On dual citizenship I recently heard from a good acquaintance that the director of an important foreign-based project, which has its head office in Jakarta, actually possesses an Indonesian passport and also a west European one. When confronted with this fact, the director reportedly stated that it was perfectly all right and that the Indonesian passport was used for entering this country and moving about without encumbrances.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Court slaps asset preservation order on Tanah Abang market
Court slaps asset preservation order on Tanah Abang market The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Central Jakarta District Court issued on Thursday an asset preservation order on Tanah Abang textile market blocks B, C, D and E, and refused to revoke the traders' permits, meaning they can continue doing business in the market. The court bailiff, Suharto, issued the order based on the court head's ruling No. 20/2004.Del/PN.JKT.PST.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Unilever nets best 'FinanceAsia'
Unilever nets best 'FinanceAsia' Hong Kong-based FinanceAsia magazine has recognized consumer goods company PT Unilever Indonesia, the local unit of London-and-Rotterdam-based Unilever NV, as this year's best managed company and for best corporate governance. The magazine ranked automotive company PT Astra International in second place as the best managed company, followed by telecommunications firm PT Indosat, publicly listed retail company PT Ramayana Lestari Sentosa and Bank Central Asia.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Justice minister to review legislation
Justice minister to review legislation JAKARTA: Minister of Justice and Human Rights Hamid Awaluddin said on Thursday he would review a number of regulations and pieces of legislation that the business community had been complaining about. "Economic recovery is the most important thing. Therefore, the review of regulations and legislation relating to the economy is a priority," he said. Hamid said he had talked to members of the Indonesian Chambers of Commerce regarding his plan.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah Rates Dec.2
Rupiah Rates Dec.2 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,434.17 6,649.01 7,078.86 7,004.09 Brunei dollar 1 5,832.98 5,217.07 5,554.19 5,495.68 Canadian dollar 1 8,061.65 7,208.73 7,676.35 7,593.71 Swiss franc 1 8,364.08 7,481.56 7,964.33 7,881.10 Danish krone 1 1,712.48 1,531.82 1,630.63 1,613.63 Euro 1 12,721.58 11,383.57 12,113.56 11,991.50 Poundsterling 1 18,420.25 16,481.09 17,539.87 17,361.24 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,224.93 1,096.19 1,166.38 1,154.73...
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
RI needs to specialize to survive ASEAN-China FTA: Mari
RI needs to specialize to survive ASEAN-China FTA: Mari Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries and China on Monday signed a historic free trade agreement (FTA) in Vientiane, Laos, that will pave the way for creating the world's biggest free trade zone covering nearly two billion people. Despite the potential benefits, local industry players have expressed concerns on whether or not they can compete with China's more efficient industries.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Hasyim-Sahal back in NU top spots
Hasyim-Sahal back in NU top spots The Jakarta Post, Surakarta/Surabaya Nahdlatul Ulama head Hasyim Muzadi stared down an attack by a rival faction on Thursday, winning reelection as NU chairman for another five years. Haysim and NU lawmaking body chief Sahal Mahfudz staved off the persistent efforts of former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, who had tried to rally support from senior clerics to dethrone Hasyim.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Police nab suspected weapons smuggler
Police nab suspected weapons smuggler Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Jakarta Police have detained a suspect for allegedly smuggling 552 illegal weapons into the country, the biggest haul this year, through Tanjung Priok port in North Jakarta. "The suspect, identified as F, is the owner of an import company," said the city police detectives chief Sr. Comr. Mathius Salempang on Thursday.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Toll in Philippine floods tops 1,000
Toll in Philippine floods tops 1,000 Erik de Castro Reuters/Real, Philippines More than 1,000 people have been killed or are missing after mudslides and flash floods devastated three coastal towns in the Philippines, a military spokesman said on Thursday. Residents of towns hit by floods have now fled to higher ground to escape an approaching powerful typhoon whipping them with rain and wind and threatening more destruction.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Two recent RI films to be screened
Two recent RI films to be screened Rainmaker (Ravi Bharwani, 2004) and Yasujiro Journey (Faozan Rizal, 2004) -- two low-budget feature-length films directed by young Indonesians -- are scheduled to make their home-country premiere at the Jakarta International Film Festival (JIFFEST) 2004. Bharwani and Rizal, both graduates of the Jakarta Arts Institute, have released several short films and make feature or documentary films for television.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia banks entering challenging phase: S&P
Indonesia banks entering challenging phase: S&P The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian banks are entering a new phase of transformation, which will pose greater challenges for industry participants, according to international rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) In the medium term, the Indonesian banking sector is poised to enter a phase of increasing risk with added pressure on its earning margins, S&P said in its commentary titled "Changing Dynamics Pose Greater Challenges for Indonesian...
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. NU: 4 LINES, 10 COUNTS
1. NU: 4 LINES, 10 COUNTS Hasyim-Sahal return to NU top spots 2. JIFFEST: 1 LINE, 18 COUNTS Lights, curtains: JiFFest 3. STOCK: 3 LINES, 16 COUNTS Jakarta stocks tip 1,000 before falling back 4. S&P: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS Legal uncertainty main snag: S&P
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Indocement sees sales rise
Indocement sees sales rise JAKARTA: PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa, controlled by Germany's largest cement maker HeidelbergCement AG, said sales would probably rise at a faster pace in 2005, as the government was planning more roads and power plants.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Ba'asyir 'unaware' of Marriot attack
Ba'asyir 'unaware' of Marriot attack The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Five witnesses testifying in the Abu Bakar Ba'asyir trial said on Thursday that they had met with the cleric either in Malaysia, Afghanistan or Philippines, but ruled out his having a hand in the J.W. Marriot Hotel bombing in August 2003. The witnesses were Yudi Lukito Kurniawan alias Ismail alias Abdurrahman, Ir. Bambang Tetuko, Muh Rais, Ismail alias Muh Ikhwan alias Agus, and Masrizal bin Ali Umar alias Tohir.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
The spoiler of ill-fated plane did not work: Board
The spoiler of ill-fated plane did not work: Board Blontank Poer, The Jakarta Post/Surakarta A malfunctioning spoiler was a catalyst, but bad weather was the major factor behind the deadly crash of a Lion Air passenger plane that killed at least 26 people and seriously injured dozens of others, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on Thursday.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Singapore slashes vehicle entry fees
Singapore slashes vehicle entry fees SINGAPORE: Singapore said on Thursday it will reduce foreign vehicle entry fees by one-third on weekdays to attract more visitors. Foreign motorists will pay S$20 (US$12) a day beginning Dec. 6, said Singapore's tourism board and transport authority. Two causeways connect Malaysia and Singapore.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, December 3, 2004
Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, December 3, 2004 Exhibitions * Arts by Canadian artist Ken Pattern, at Four Seasons Hotel (Regent), Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. B-4, South Jakarta, Dec. 3 to Jan. 15. * Fine Arts Agoes Jolly Sendiri, Galeri Cipta II, Taman Ismail Marzuki Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta, until Dec. 4. * Painting Rediscovering Indonesia by Italian Maestro Agostino De Romanis, Gedung Arsip Nasional (the National Archive Building), Jl. Gajah Mada 111, Central Jakarta, (Tel.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Anticorruption campaign and press freedom
Anticorruption campaign and press freedom Abdullah Alamudi , Jakarta December will witness Indonesia's drive to eradicate its most serious and deepest social disease: Corruption. On Friday, the President is scheduled to attend an informal meeting on the plan to launch an anticorruption campaign. Next Thursday, he will sign a presidential decree on the Anticorruption Action Plan. The anticorruption campaign, from Dec. 3 to Dec.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Foreign investors 'need level playing fields'
Foreign investors 'need level playing fields' Riyadi Suparno, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Harassing foreign investors is never a good thing, moreover in times of a poor investment climate. The best advice would probably be to offer fair treatment and a level playing field. According to U.S. Treasury Assistant Secretary Randal K.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Regent detained in graft case
Regent detained in graft case JAMBI, Jambi: Local police detained Sarolangun Regent M. Madel on Wednesday night, one week after he was named a suspect in an Rp 5.7 billion (US$633,333) graft case. Jambi Police chief of detectives Sr. Comr. Budi Harsono said the regent was arrested because he was a flight risk, adding that officers had begun questioning Madel on Thursday.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Bekasi to get 12 more 'koban' next year
Bekasi to get 12 more 'koban' next year Wahyuana The Jakarta Post/Bekasi Following the successful introduction of Japanese-style police posts, the Bekasi Police, with the assistance of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will build 12 more of these koban in 2005. The announcement was made during Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Yutaka Iimura's recent visit to Bekasi Police Headquarters.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Salemba task force set up to end student brawls
Salemba task force set up to end student brawls Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Recurring riots, between students from three of the most esteemed institutions of higher learning in the country, on and around Jl. Salemba in Central Jakarta, have prompted the municipality administration to take action. It has now joined forces with five institutions in the area to set up a special task force to end the violence.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Five ministers visit devastated Nabire
Five ministers visit devastated Nabire The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Five ministers visited the devastated town of Nabire on Thursday as many residents in the area continued to come down with various diseases following the recent earthquake. In the belated visit, which took place almost a week after the powerful quake rocked the town, the five ministers toured the city and visited victims in local hospitals.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Microfinance key to eradicating poverty
Microfinance key to eradicating poverty Rita A.Widiadana, The Jakarta Post/Nusa Dua The promotion of microfinance programs is crucial to accelerating poverty alleviation, as it would help small businesses long neglected by commercial banks, a three-day international seminar here has concluded. "We need a new paradigm of poverty alleviation.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Former Banten councillors detained
Former Banten councillors detained Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post/Tangerang Banten prosecutors have detained four former councillors after a nine-hour questioning session on Thursday over their alleged involvement in the misuse of Rp 14 billion (US$1.56 million) of public funds last year. The suspects are former council speaker Dharmono K. Lawi, his deputy Muslim Jamaludin, secretary Tardian, and former secretary of the council's budget committee Tuti Sutiah Indra.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
OCBC to take majority stake in NISP
OCBC to take majority stake in NISP Agence France-Presse, Singapore Singapore's Oversea-China Banking Corp (OCBC) said Thursday it would acquire next year a majority stake in Indonesia's Bank NISP as it seeks to expand its presence across the region. OCBC's wholly owned subsidiary, OCBC Overseas Investments, will raise its stake in Bank NISP, Indonesia's fourth oldest and 12th largest bank, by 28.5 percent to 51 percent, subject to regulatory approval in both countries.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Security tops Pacific dialogue
Security tops Pacific dialogue Agence France-Presse, Wellington Counter-terrorism and trans-national crime will top the agenda at this week's Southwest Pacific Dialogue meeting in Adelaide -- Australia -- New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff said on Thursday. The third annual dialog will bring together senior ministers from New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and East Timor. "Regional security will be the main focus of discussions.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Human error?
Human error? I would like to express greetings to The Jakarta Post, since it is my first English newspaper and it adopts a one-stop reading headline format, as well as providing the latest news with considered articles. Let me introduce myself. I am just an ordinary employee in the research and development department of a multinational enterprise in Indonesia. As a professional newspaper, in my opinion the Post makes few significant mistakes (wrong titles, poor grammar, word choice, etc.).
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Interfaith dialog vital in dealing with religious radicalism
Interfaith dialog vital in dealing with religious radicalism Late last week, prominent Muslim scholars from Southeast Asia gathered in Jakarta to attend a meeting organized by the International Center for Islam and Pluralism (ICIP). Among the conclusions of the meeting was that spreading Islamic teachings (dakwah) did not necessarily entail conversion, and could in fact open up the possibility of interfaith dialog. The Jakarta Post's M. Taufiqurrahman spoke with ICIP executive director M.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
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Helping disabled people out of the shadows Amartya Sen and James Wolfensohn Jakarta 2. Inge -- Inclusion of disabled people in society 2 x 30 Inclusion of disabled people in every aspect of society Inge Komardjaja Bandung
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Buyat residents urge relocation
Buyat residents urge relocation Muninggar Sri Saraswati The Jakarta Post/Jakarta People living in the vicinity of the polluted Buyat Bay in Minahasa, North Sulawesi, demanded on Thursday that they be relocated, as the area was no longer inhabitable. "The government told us not to drink the water in our village, but there is no other source of water here.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
'I wouldn't isolate people with HIV'
'I wouldn't isolate people with HIV' World AIDS Day was commemorated on Wednesday with activists calling for the need to protect women and girls, who are often sidelined in the fight against the disease. With estimates of between 90,000 and 130,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Indonesia, The Jakarta Post asked residents what they thought about people with the virus. Bayu, 29, works as a television producer in a production house in South Jakarta.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Ken Pattern exhibits work on Indonesia
Ken Pattern exhibits work on Indonesia JAKARTA: The popular lithographs and paintings of renowned Canadian artist Ken Pattern will be on display at the Four Seasons Hotel in Central Jakarta from Dec. 2 to Jan. 16. Most of his pieces are inspired by Indonesian urban and rural landscapes, particularly parts of Jakarta. During the exhibition kick-off ceremony on Wednesday, Canadian Ambassador Randolph Mank revisited his first encounter with Pattern's work during his first posting in 1990.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
TV Today: Friday, December 3, 2004
TV Today: Friday, December 3, 2004 .TB.30" .90" TVRI .tb .30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Documentary 7:30 Health 8:30 Music: Asik-Asik 10:30 Religious Teachings 1:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang 2:00 Music 3:00 English News Service 4:30 Documentary 5:00 Children Drama 6:00 TV Drama 7:00 News: Berita Nasional 7:30 TV Drama 8:00 TV Series: Demigods 9:00 News: Dunia Dalam Berita 9:30 TV Drama 10:30 Sports TPI 5:30 a.m.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Education key to foster religious tolerance: Expert
Education key to foster religious tolerance: Expert M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The close alignment between religion and politics has resulted in a decline in tolerance among the adherents of different religious over the past few years, aggravating the problems facing the country.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Govt urged to review Aceh Autonomy Law
Govt urged to review Aceh Autonomy Law Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A Working Group for Aceh called for a revision of the special autonomy for the troubled province, arguing that it had failed to address the roots of the problems.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Govt renovates Bekasi sluice
Govt renovates Bekasi sluice BEKASI: The administration has started the renovation of the crucial Kali Bekasi sluice gates in a last second bid to mitigate flooding in Jakarta, an official said on Wednesday. Technical assistance for the Citarum Water Control Project, Subady, said that one of the three gates, which also regulates the amount of water that flows through much of Jakarta was severely corroded and no longer working well.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. Tolerance (45) -- 48 pts 7 cols 1line (1x42)
1. Tolerance (45) -- 48 pts 7 cols 1line (1x42) Education the key to foster religious tolerance: Expert or Education the key to cultivate religious tolerance: Expert 2. Tn. Abang (35) -- 32 pts 3 cols 2line2 (2x24) Court slaps asset preservation order on Tanah Abang market 3. Senpi (36) - 32 pts 4 cols 1line (1x30) Police detain suspected weapons' smuggler 4. Dinners (35) - 36 pts 3 cols 2lines (2x21) Mega, Gus Dur meet to discuss politics: But where is Akbar? 5.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration is prioritizing the
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration is prioritizing the eradication of corruption in its first 100-day program. In this context, the first thing to do must be to put law-enforcement agencies -- the prosecutors, the judges and the police -- in order, to ensure they are corruption-free. The Attorney General took a promising step when he subjected all his workers to an examination.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta stocks tip 1,000 before falling back
Jakarta stocks tip 1,000 before falling back Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Driven by optimism of higher corporate earnings and a flow of fresh capital from the bond market, the Jakarta stock market soared on Thursday to another record high, tipping the 1,000 level before inching down on profit taking.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
OPEC chief to resign at year end
OPEC chief to resign at year end JAKARTA: OPEC head Purnomo Yusgiantoro said he would tender his resignation from the oil cartel by the end of this year to concentrate on his job as Indonesia's energy minister. "OPEC will have to select a new secretary general at its meeting in Cairo on Dec. 10," Yusgiantoro told reporters.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Government likely to budget for $35 oil price in 2005
Government likely to budget for $35 oil price in 2005 Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The government, which is looking at ways to gradually scrap fuel subsidies next year, said on Thursday it would likely revise upward its assumption of average oil prices for 2005 -- from US$24 to US$35 a barrel. The government uses the estimate to set the budget for the fuel subsidy each year.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Widyatama to host research conference
Widyatama to host research conference BANDUNG: Widyatama University here is slated to host a major conference of Southeast Asian research institutions next September in Bali. Teachers and researchers from 12 countries are to attend the conference, which is to focus on means of enhancing the quality of university teaching and research in participating countries, said Elisabeth Koes Soedijati of Widyatama. The Bali conference will be the fifth to date. -- JP
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
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.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
City blames polluted rivers for fish kills in Jakarta Bay
City blames polluted rivers for fish kills in Jakarta Bay Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The death of thousands of fish and clams in waters off Ancol Beach on Tuesday was likely caused by pollution in the city's toxic rivers, the Environmental Management Agency said. Agency head Kosasih Wirahadikusumah said on Thursday the fish had likely died of asphyxiation. "The phenomenon was probably caused by a drop in oxygen in the seawater.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
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.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Govt prepares options to help Garuda
Govt prepares options to help Garuda Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The government has prepared several options to help ease national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia's financial problems and boost its competitiveness in the cutthroat airline industry. Ministry for State Enterprises official Ferdinand Nainggolan would not go into detail about all the options on Thursday but said one was to convert the airline's debts into equity.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Legal uncertainty main snag: S&P
Legal uncertainty main snag: S&P Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Despite improving interest rates and a peaceful election year, legal uncertainties remain the main obstacle for Indonesian firms in obtaining business finance, a report from global rating agency Standard and Poor's (S&P) said.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
JP/5/FOCUS
JP/5/FOCUS Regent detained in graft case JAMBI, Jambi: Local police detained Sarolangun Regent M. Madel on Wednesday night, one week after he was named a suspect in an Rp 5.7 billion (US$633,333) graft case. Jambi Police chief of detectives Sr. Comr. Budi Harsono said the regent was arrested because he was a flight risk, adding that officers had begun questioning Madel on Thursday.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Gang of computer thieves arrested
Gang of computer thieves arrested JAKARTA: Tangerang Police revealed on Tuesday that they had arrested a gang of thieves, who specialized in robbing schools and companies of their computer's Central Processing Units (CPUs). "We picked up each of the five suspects from their respective homes on Monday," Tangerang Police chief of detectives Adj. Comr. Kustanto was quoted as saying by Tempointeraktif. One of the suspects, Nofiardi, is a taxi driver, whose taxi was used in the gang's operations.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Moral hazards of a tax amnesty
Moral hazards of a tax amnesty We are quite apprehensive about the real objective behind the government's plan to grant a tax amnesty. While no further developments have been heard regarding the long-awaited tax administrative reform, the new government has revived the idea of a tax amnesty, which had been banished by the previous administration as economically unfeasible and a gross violation of the people's sense of fairness.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Train-truck crash kills seven
Train-truck crash kills seven Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post/Purworejo An economy train smashed into a truck packed with passengers on Wednesday night in Purworejo regency, Central Java, killing seven and injuring four others. The crash came only four days after similar fatal accident in Tegal, also in the same province. Purworejo police reported that of the seven victims, six died instantly while the other died at Purworejo Hospital.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Moral victory for ASEAN leaders
Moral victory for ASEAN leaders Syed Nadzri, New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur Some of the most astute diplomacy appears to have been at play during the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, where just about everyone from John Howard to Thaksin Shinawatra scored moral victories.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
* Malaysia 'not walking blind' into expulsion of illegal
* Malaysia 'not walking blind' into expulsion of illegal immigrants Page 3 * Residents of polluted Buyat Bay demand relocation Page 4 * Train smashes into truck, seven killed Page 5 * Helping disabled people out of the shadows Page 6 * Jakarta says no to higher salaries Page 8 * Curry, Chandler lead Bulls to upset win over Lakers Page 9 * UN lacks the right to inspect military sites in Iran Page 11 * Govt's options to solve Garuda's financial problems Page 13
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Police pull in ecstasy syndicate
Police pull in ecstasy syndicate JAKARTA: The narcotics division of the West Jakarta Police have arrested five drug suspects and confiscated 191 ecstasy pills and 50 grams of crystal methampethamine, or shabu-shabu, as evidence, police revealed on Thursday. Based on a tip off, the police on Nov. 24 broke an long- running drug dealing operation in a karaoke room at the Arwana Hotel, West Jakarta.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Helping disabled people out of the shadows
Helping disabled people out of the shadows Amartya Sen and James Wolfensohn , Jakarta Disabled people are not only the most deprived human beings in the developing world, they are also the most neglected. As the world marks the International Day of Disabled Persons this week, it is important to acknowledge that more than 600 million people in the world live with some form of disability. More than 400 million of them live in developing countries, often amidst poverty, isolation and despair.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
RI, U.S. militaries maintain cooperation
RI, U.S. militaries maintain cooperation JAKARTA: Despite the prolonged arms embargo imposed by the United States on Indonesia, the militaries of the two countries are attempting to maintain their cooperation. A group of 30 information officers from the Indonesian Army, Navy and Air Force and six counterparts from the U.S. Pacific Command concluded a three-day discussion on Thursday on how to present information and news to the press.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
RI banks entering challenging phase
RI banks entering challenging phase The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian banks are entering a new phase of transformation, which will pose greater challenges for industry participants, according to international rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) In the medium term, the Indonesian banking sector is poised to enter a phase of increasing risk with added pressure on its earning margins, S&P said in its commentary titled "Changing Dynamics Pose Greater Challenges for Indonesian Banking Industry"...
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta to host Islam seminar
Jakarta to host Islam seminar JAKARTA: A number of experts on Islam, cultural identity, multiculturalism and politics from Indonesia, the United States, Canada, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore and Pakistan will gather here for a four-day international conference on Islam, which begins on Sunday. Organized by the International Center for Islam and Pluralism (ICIP), the event will discuss the future of Islam, democracy and authoritarianism in the Muslim world.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
TNI alleges GAM members among RI deportees from Dili
TNI alleges GAM members among RI deportees from Dili Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post/Kupang Over 270 people, who were deported from East Timor, were moved into a dormitory belonging to East Nusa Tenggara's Manpower and Transmigration Office in Kupang on Thursday.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Friendly countries in line to boost ties with RI
Friendly countries in line to boost ties with RI Adianto P. Simamora and Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Six weeks after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono took office, several high-ranking officials from friendly countries are slated to visit Indonesia to explore possibilities of enhancing bilateral cooperation.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta says no to higher salary
Jakarta says no to higher salary The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta administration turned a deaf ear to workers' pleas for a revision to the minimum wage for 2005 of Rp 711,843 (US$79) to Rp 759,532, the estimated minimum cost of living in the capital. City Manpower Agency head Ali Zubeir said on Thursday that as Governor Sutiyoso had signed the decree on the minimum wage for next year, there would be no more revisions.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
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.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
House accepts Endriartono after reshuffle dispute
House accepts Endriartono after reshuffle dispute Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The House of Representatives's defense commission held a hearing with Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto Thursday, the first since the controversy surrounding the replacement of the TNI chief. During the hearing, which was presided over by commission chairman Theo L.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Corruption and social harm
Corruption and social harm From Media Indonesia The crimes committed by corruptors are greater in magnitude than those involving ordinary street criminals, many of whom are forced to perpetrate offenses due to critical circumstances, ignorance, poverty and other desperate problems. Corruptors, on the other hand, are motivated by personal or group interests, with the aim of enriching themselves through deception, discrimination, as well as the abuse of rights and the country's natural resources.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Mega, Gus Dur meet to discuss politics: But where is Akbar?
Mega, Gus Dur meet to discuss politics: But where is Akbar? Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Two former presidents, Megawati Soekarnoputri and her predecessor Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid held a meeting for the first time since the Sept. 20 presidential election to discuss political issues in the country, albeit in a casual way. Former House of Representatives speaker Akbar Tandjung was scheduled to join the gathering hosted by Megawati at her private residence on Jl.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Lights, curtains: JIFFest
Lights, curtains: JIFFest John Badalu, Contributor/Jakarta The Jakarta International Film Festival (JIFFEST) is returning with a vengeance, from Dec. 3 through Dec. 12. Much larger than last year's, it features 130 films divided into a number of categories, like features, documentaries, experimental and short films. The festival will open with Wolfgang Becker's Goodbye Lenin!, which won the Golden Bear for best feature film at last year's Berlin Film Festival.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Teachers demand more than just pay hike
Teachers demand more than just pay hike Sari P. Setiogi and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Indonesian teachers marked the 36th anniversary of their organization on Thursday with a demand for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration to pay more respect to their achievements.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
Residents of landslide areas pan govt relocation plan
Residents of landslide areas pan govt relocation plan Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post/Kuningan Top officials in the Kuningan and Majalengka regental administrations have acknowledged that they are facing difficulties in relocating residents from landslide-prone areas. They attributed the difficulties to a lack of money for land compensation and people's stubbornness.
Fri, 03 Dec 2004, 00:00 WIB
High-cost economy
High-cost economy From Koran Tempo The trade minister has said that priority will be given to lowering economic costs. Indeed, a high-cost economy has always been one of the serious problems in the effort to promote the competitiveness of Indonesian goods. A high-cost economy, which is reflected in the fact that the U.S.