Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 31 December 2004

100 articles found

Jakarta stocks wrap up slightly lower on profit taking

Jakarta stocks wrap up slightly lower on profit takingRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAs investors and traders grieved over the devastation in Aceh and North Sumatra, the Jakarta stock market closed without the usual fanfare and slightly lower due to profit taking.

Bracing for disaster

Bracing for disasterMMI Ahyani, Bandung The massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit Aceh and other countries sharing the Indian Ocean on Sunday, claiming thousands of lives, reminds us that we truly live in a geographically hazardous area.

Soeharto's last chance

Soeharto's last chance Finding the appropriate words has become impossible as by the hour, more and more personal tragedies are revealed, showing that barely a family in Aceh province has been left untouched by the devastation.

RI's tourism development, challenges in 2005

RI's tourism development, challenges in 2005Meity Robot Tourism plays an important role in the development of a nation. It is not only a major contribution to a country's economy, but it also is a means to develop peace and understanding among people.

Tsunami refugees cry out for medical help

Tsunami refugees cry out for medical help Apriadi Gunawan The Jakarta Post/MedanNursiah, a refugee from Peusong Baru village in Lhokseumawe, North Aceh -- one of the areas hardest hit by Sunday's crushing tsunami and earthquake -- was pleading for doctors to immediately tend to her two children at...

Safeguarding the constitutional economic system

Safeguarding the constitutional economic systemA. Irmanputra Sidin Jakarta The Constitutional Court has, in the last two weeks, issued two historic decisions in the economic sector, namely constitutional reviews of Law No.20/2002 on Electricity and Law No.22/2001 on Oil and Gas.

SE Asia forces on alert against terror attacks

SE Asia forces on alert against terror attacksPaul Alexander, Associated Press/ManilaSecurity forces on alert for possible terrorist attacks in Southeast Asia during the Christmas/New Year holidays are trying to remain vigilant, although their focus has shifted to coping with the tsunami that has...

Singapore sets up competition body

Singapore sets up competition bodySINGAPORE: Singapore said on Thursday it will set up a commission aimed at cracking down on anti-competitive business practices in this wealthy city-state, which relies heavily on international trade.

Deputy Attorney General dies

Deputy Attorney General dies JAKARTA: Deputy Attorney General for General Crimes Haryadi B. Widyasa died early on Thursday morning at Pertamina Hospital after being hospitalized for a stroke.Haryadi was rushed to the hospital when he lost consciousness while observing Friday prayer on Dec.

Media gloom

Media gloom Taufiqurrahman's article on Dec. 27 concerning the Press Law and press freedom is appropriate and pithy. He states that the freedoms that Indonesia has gained in recent years have been shackled by a powerful elite offended by the media disturbing their comfortable lives.

1. Refugees (50) - 60 pts 6 cols 1line (1x24)

1. Refugees (50) - 60 pts 6 cols 1line (1x24) We feel like dogs: Survivor 2. US Carrier (40) - 36 pts 4 cols 1 lines (1x28) U.S. warships heading for Sumatra orU.S. warships head for tsunami-hit Aceh 3. New Year (35) -- 36 pts 4 cols 1lines (1x28) New Year parties become charity events4.

Lonsum to issue $100m in bonds for expansion

Lonsum to issue $100m in bonds for expansionRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Publicly listed plantation company PT PP London Sumatra Indonesia (Lonsum) plans to issue bonds or sell some of its shares via a rights issue to finance the expansion of its plantations and the construction of...

New Year convoys OK, but no parking

New Year convoys OK, but no parkingAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaJakartans will still be allowed to participate in convoys along the capital's streets on New Year's Eve, but they will not be allowed to stop or park their cars on the major thoroughfares, Jakarta Police announced on Thursday.

Corruption and democracy

Corruption and democracyFrom 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.

Eradicating corruption - first crush the oligarchy

Eradicating corruption - first crush the oligarchyDanang WidoyokoThe new government has vowed to take real action against corrupt officials in its first 100 days as a form of "shock therapy" in an effort to gain public trust.

Lesser graft must be unveiled

Lesser graft must be unveiledFrom Koran TempoThe disclosure of alleged corruption in the purchase of Scorpion tanks means considerable progress in the unveiling of cases that were formerly seen as untouchable, but the flow of funds in such cases should also be traced.

Candy as change

Candy as change This is in response to the letter from Wendy (of Freiburg, Germany) who complains of getting candy in lieu of Rp 100 change at Balinese stores (Cheating in Bali, The Jakarta Post, Dec. 16).

Indocement buys back $27.5m debt

Indocement buys back $27.5m debtJAKARTA: PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa, controlled by Germany's largest cement maker, HeidelbergCement AG, said it bought back US$27.5 million in debt earlier this week.Indocement bought back the debt through an auction on Dec.

Tsunami victims

Tsunami victims1. AustraliaAssistance- Overall, a pledge of AS10 million in aid for all affected countries- For Indonesia: * Water treatment, water containers, shelters, food and medicine.* Five C130 Hercules (four Australian AF aircraft and one of NZ AF) and one Boeing 747 to carry aid* 10 medical...

SBY and good governance in Indonesia

SBY and good governance in IndonesiaFauzi Ichsan When Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was elected president, many in the country were elated. They thought Indonesia had finally chosen the right man to clean up the country's biggest problem -- widespread corruption.

Susilo told to ban dual positions for officials

Susilo told to ban dual positions for officialsKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, JakartaPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) was again urged on Thursday to prohibit government officials from holding double positions in an effort to fight corruption.

Singapore calls on urgent ASEAN meet

Singapore calls on urgent ASEAN meetSINGAPORE: Leaders from Asia's wave-hit countries should meet within days to develop a strategy to cope with the devastation caused by Sunday's quake and tsunamis, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on late Thursday.

RI's new govt: A diagnosis and a prognosis

RI's new govt: A diagnosis and a prognosisKahlil RowterWith so many economic initiatives brewing it is necessary to shift direction from mere reaction to pressure. But the big bang eludes us. Either there was never one planned or the reality of the economy-polity nexus necessitates a more gradual...

President's official car park?

President's official car park?From KompasOn 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.

Is Indonesia shining?

Is Indonesia shining?Satish MishraHead/Chief Adviser of UNSFIR (UNSFIR is a joint project of the Indonesian government and UNDP)Countries, like individuals, it would seem, need acclaim and recognition. When the front cover of the Economist magazine, just after July 5, 2004, the first round of...

JP/5/LONGSOR

JP/5/LONGSORRiau-Sumatra highway cut by landslidePuji 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.

Police enable SMS, radio reporting

Police enable SMS, radio reporting JAKARTA: Starting Jan. 17, Greater Jakarta residents will be able to submit security, traffic, violence and public order reports via short messaging service (SMS) and radio calls.Reports can be sent as SMS to 1717, or to Suara Metro, 91.1 FM, at (021) 5708037.

RI calls for global conference on tsunami disaster relief

RI calls for global conference on tsunami disaster relief Indonesia is pushing for a UN-sponsored international conference to discuss relief operations for nations affected by the Asian tsunamis, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Thursday.

IMF to mull debt relief for RI

IMF to mull debt relief for RIThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe International Monetary Fund (IMF) has joined the increasing number of creditors willing to consider granting Indonesia debt relief to help cushion the massive financial impact of the Aceh and North Sumatra calamity.

5m displaced by tsunami, death toll hits 118,000

5m displaced by tsunami, death toll hits 118,000Up to five million people were displaced by tsunamis that killed more than 118,000 people in Asia, officials said Thursday, as aftershocks rocked traumatized survivors.

Disciplinary hearing delayed yet again

Disciplinary hearing delayed yet again JAKARTA: The National Police has postponed for the second time a disciplinary hearing for 16 officers charged with allowing Adrian Waworuntu, a key suspect in the BNI 46 graft scandal, to flee abroad.

Refugees cry out for medical help

Refugees cry out for medical helpApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, MedanNursiah, a refugee from Peusong Baru village in Lhokseumawe, North Aceh -- one of the areas hardest hit by Sunday's crushing tsunami and earthquake -- was pleading for doctors to immediately tend to her two children at the...

1. DJISMAN: 42 x 1 line

1. DJISMAN: 42 x 1 line Walking the walk on reform in a new era Djisman S. Simandjuntak 2. SATISH: 32 x 2 lines Indonesian economic outlook: Old habits die hard Satish Mishra 3. KAHLIL: 42 x 1 line RI and the new govt: 2004 Diagnosis, 2005 Prognosis Kahlil Rowter 4.

U.S. warships heading for Sumatra

U.S. warships heading for SumatraAgencies, Jakarta/Singapore/Sydney/MoscowA U.S. aircraft carrier group was headed for Indonesia's tsunami- hit Aceh province on Thursday and several other U.S. military ships were on course to the Bay of Bengal to help with relief operations, officials said.

TV Today: Friday, December 31, 2004

TV Today: Friday, December 31, 2004 .TB.30" .90"TVRI .tb .30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 Cartoon: Maya the Bee7:30 Health8:30 Music: Asik-Asik 10:30 Religious Teachings1:00 p.m.

Rupiah Rates Dec.30

Rupiah Rates Dec.30 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,638.61 6,859.08 7,287.49 7,209.98 Brunei dollar 1 6,015.75 5,402.03 5,739.23 5,678.38 Canadian dollar 1 8,144.63 7,312.74 7,770.25 7,686.84 Swiss franc 1 8,691.24 7,805.89 8,291.74 8,205.

French violinist plays arpegina

French violinist plays arpeginaA. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, JakartaFrench violinist Jean-Paul Minali-Bella plays even the most complex classical music on his arpegina, the only one of its kind in the world."I can perform classical compositions from F. Schubert and J.S.

S'pore's investment arm keen on RI energy sector

S'pore's investment arm keen on RI energy sectorSingapore/Deutsche Press-Agentur Tanasek Holdings, the Singapore government's investment arm, is still keen on Indonesia's energy sector despite scrapping plans to buy a stake in the country's largest publicly traded oil company, a spokeswoman said in...

JP/5/PILKADA

JP/5/PILKADACandidates gear up for June electionsOyos 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...

Floating graveyard rescue by fishermen the tsunami forgot

Floating graveyard rescue by fishermen the tsunami forgotNurdin Husin, Agence France-Presse/SigliMuhammed and the crew of his Indonesian fishing trawler failed to notice when one of the most destructive forces in living memory rolled beneath their boat as it bobbed on the Indian Ocean.

RI Red Cross deploys trained volunteers

RI Red Cross deploys trained volunteersM. Taufiqurrahman and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe scope and severity of devastation brought about by a monstrous tsunami in Aceh and North Sumatra is so massive that many trained relief workers are badly needed.

Graft indicated in SMP 56 deal

Graft indicated in SMP 56 deal JAKARTA: The Attorney General's Office has found indications of corruption in the land swap deal between PT Tata Disantara, owned by businessman Abdul Latief, and the Jakarta National Education Office.

'Faith no reason for discord'

'Faith no reason for discord'Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, JakartaFollowers of Christianity and Islam need to communicate, instead of turning faith into a reason for discord, in a bid to build mutual understanding and avert conflicts, a Catholic leader said.

Floods return to Riau, Jambi

Floods return to Riau, JambiJon Afrizal and Puji Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jambi, PekanbaruAs thousands of people in Aceh and North Sumatra struggled for survival after Sunday's tsunamis, thousands of others in Jambi and Riau were dealing with flooding on Thursday after two weeks of rain.

Anti-GAM raids continue despite catastrophe

Anti-GAM raids continue despite catastropheTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, JakartaWhile volunteers, security officers and families are busy collecting and searching for the bodies of victims killed in Sunday's catastrophic tsunami in Aceh, soldiers are continuing their offensive against separatist...

Court vows to erase graft

Court vows to erase graft JAKARTA: The Constitutional Court has declared a commitment to ensure that it is free of corruption practices.In a modest ceremony that was attended by a number of state officials on Wednesday, the Court judges pledged not to be involved in graft, while launching a road...

;JP;AFS;IMN;

;JP;AFS;IMN; ANPAk..r.. Yearender-photo JP/20/PHOTO B THE EXPECTED, AND THE UNEXPECTED: While the Indonesian people wait for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla (left) to fulfill their election campaign commitments and meet their 100-day targets, a part of the nation...

No paper

No paper In observance of New Year's day, The Jakarta Post will not be published on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2005. The Post will resume publication on Sunday. Our website will keep out readers up to date on the latest findings and relief operations in Aceh and North Sumatra after the quake and tidal waves...

Hypermarkets: Lessons from abroad

Hypermarkets: Lessons from abroadBarlev Nicodemus Brussels An article that appeared in The Jakarta Post on Dec. 20 attracted my attention. The article, When violence is used to overcome big business, shed light on an issue that is very crucial to all of us.

Where to send donations for tsunami victims

Where to send donations for tsunami victimsDompet Dhuafa Republika 128 000 4397 839 Bank Mandiri Ciputat branch 676 030194 7 BCA Ciputat Mega Mall 004 002 990 7 Bank Syariah Mandiri Dompet Kemanusiaan Media Indonesia 309 300 7979 BCA Kedoya Baru Kotak Pundi Amal SCTV 084 266 2000 BCA Wisma Asia...

Walking the walk on reform in a new era

Walking the walk on reform in a new eraDjisman S. SimandjuntakThough people were not clear on the policy direction and priorities of the contenders in the general elections, all seemed to agree on the need for change, and the year 2004 was full of hope with peaceful legislative and presidential...

Indonesia fundamentals after fuel price hike

Indonesia fundamentals after fuel price hikeDavid E. SumualIndonesia's financial markets have been shaky in recent weeks, raising scores of questions about the country's economic fundamentals. A volatile financial market typically indicates there is a battle of views being waged in the market.

JP/5/KAKAK

JP/5/KAKAKWhite cockatoo population dwindlingIndra 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.

Getting rid of corruption in Indonesia: The Future

Getting rid of corruption in Indonesia: The FutureSaldi IsraThe year 2004 will soon leave us. Aside from the successful legislative and presidential elections, this year marked an important point in the eradication of corruption in Indonesia.

JP/18/PATUNG

JP/18/PATUNGSurabaya's four-faced Buddha, a religious tourism assetIndra Harsaputra The Jakarta Post/SurabayaWithout squinting, Buddhist culture researcher Sirichai from Mahidol University, Thailand, focused his gaze with amazement and delight on the four-faced Buddha statue at Sanggar Agung (Great...

Corruption is 'rampant' in schools: ICW

Corruption is 'rampant' in schools: ICWEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe way school textbooks are procured leaves the door open to corruption in elementary and junior high schools, involving not only principals but also teachers and school committees, a survey revealed.

Eradicating corruption, means first crushing the Oligarchy

Eradicating corruption, means first crushing the OligarchyDanang Widoyoko The new government has vowed to take real action against corrupt officials in its first 100 days as a form of "shock therapy" in an effort to gain public trust.

Part 2 of 2: Serious, not soft, change in TNI

Part 2 of 2: Serious, not soft, change in TNIAgus Widjojo, Jakarta While it is unlikely to satisfy all parties concerned, the Indonesian Military (TNI) has made some progress in ensuring its soldiers are held to account for criminal or human rights abuses they commit.

Good governance about issues of transparancy, accountability

Good governance about issues of transparancy, accountabilityFrans Hendra WinartaAll over the world, people demand good governance for political as well as for economic reasons. Politically, good governance is an issue of democracy, public accountability, transparency and fairness.

UGM extends aid to Acehnese students

UGM extends aid to Acehnese students YOGYAKARTA: Gadjah Mada University (UGM) offered on Thursday to pay living costs for its 304 Acehnese students, whose families were affected by a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami."We have prepared an initial fund of Rp 15 million.

Flandi/Eng Hian win Copenhagen Masters

Flandi/Eng Hian win Copenhagen MastersThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Flandi Limpele and Eng Hian ended their disappointing 2004 campaign on a high note by beating Shang Yang and Zheng Bo of China in the men's doubles final at the Copenhagen Masters on Wednesday.

Brave boy found alive after two days at sea

Brave boy found alive after two days at sea Feeling no fear, a five-year-old Indonesian boy spent two days floating at sea on a mattress to survive the tsunami that killed thousands of people from his town and was reunited with his family on Thursday.

Flexible market will solve manpower issues

Flexible market will solve manpower issuesMohamad IkhsanIndonesia is facing several serious labor issues viewed both in the short and long-term. While some of these interrelated problems can be partially settled, they will need comprehensive solutions that should not be limited to the labor market.

Resolving differences in disaster's wake

Resolving differences in disaster's wake Ooi Kee Beng The Straits Times Asia News Network Singapore The best memorial to the thousands of victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster will be for the politics of the region to change for the better because of the widespread suffering and through the...

JP/5/FOCUS

JP/5/FOCUSInmate suspected of running drug ringBANDUNG, 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.

JP/5/PILKADA

JP/5/PILKADACandidates gear up for June electionsOyos Saroso H.N. The Jakarta Post/BandarlampungCandidates 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...

Run! The water is coming!

Run! The water is coming!Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda AcehThere is this shout that still keeps ringing in my ears: "Run!! The water's coming!!"Sunday morning began hotter than usual -- the sun was really bright at just 7:50 a.m.

Indonesia, ASEAN and Australia

Indonesia, ASEAN and AustraliaS.P. Seth Sydney Indonesia is understandably upset over Australia's recent announcement of its plan to establish a 1,000-mile maritime identification zone to fight terrorism and other international crimes.

Students, public take to streets for Aceh donations

Students, public take to streets for Aceh donationsDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Aceh and North Sumatra have moved the hearts of Jakartans from all walks of life, particularly students, who fanned out onto the capital's streets to collect...

Government bans shrimp imports

Government bans shrimp importsZakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government announced on Thursday a six-month ban on shrimp imports from all countries starting Dec. 28, saying the move was made to protect the local industry and consumers from a suspected contamination from imported...

Be proud of one's language!

Be proud of one's language! Pieter Van Der Vienhart's recent article on schooling (The Jakarta Post, Dec. 18) discussed how English language skills are being used as a criteria for employment in some schools above other more essential factors like teaching skills.

San Miguel bids on National Foods

San Miguel bids on National Foods SYDNEY: San Miguel Corp. launched a takeover bid on Thursday for Australia's largest dairy company, National Foods, topping a previous offer from New Zealand's Fonterra as the Philippines brewing giant moved to expand its non-alcoholic food holdings.

Disbursement

Disbursement These supplies will be transported by a Boeing 747, scheduled to land in Medan on Dec. 30 at 8 p.m.The crew and equipment will be transported by a Boeing 747, scheduled to land in Medan on Dec. 30, at 10 p.m.13.

Soeharto's last chance

Soeharto's last chance Finding the appropriate words has become impossible as by the hour, more and more personal tragedies are revealed, showing that barely a family in Aceh province has been left untouched by the devastation.

Hungry victims irate at lack of aid

Hungry victims irate at lack of aidThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Banda AcehCrucial food and medical supplies remained far too scarce for the traumatized survivors on Thursday, nearly five days since the earthquake-triggered tidal waves pounded northern Sumatra on Sunday.

1. MEULABOH: 2 X 21

1. MEULABOH: 2 X 21 Anti-GAM raids continue despite catastrophe 2. ACCOUNT: 1 X 30 Run! The water is coming! 3. VOLUNTEER: 2 X 15 RI Red Cross deploys trained volunteers 4. QUAKE: 1 X 40 More major quakes to hit Sumatra: Geologists 5. TOURISM: 1 X 36 Tourists rush to Bali after tsunami

'We must accept the govt's decision'

'We must accept the govt's decision'In a bid to gradually lift subsidies on fuel, the government began increasing the prices of liquefied petroleum gas and high octane fuels in early December. The decision has sparked protests from people concerned that the price of basic commodities will rise as a...

Law enforcement key to rights protection

Law enforcement key to rights protectionAbdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara, Chairman of the National Commission on Human RightsSince the downfall of the repressive regime of former president Soeharto in 1998, Indonesia has produced several pieces of legislation which aim to strengthen human rights...

Rupiah Rates Dec.30

Rupiah Rates Dec.30 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,638.61 6,859.08 7,287.49 7,209.98 Brunei dollar 1 6,015.75 5,402.03 5,739.23 5,678.38 Canadian dollar 1 8,144.63 7,312.74 7,770.25 7,686.84 Swiss franc 1 8,691.24 7,805.89 8,291.74 8,205.

KL to probe lack of tsunami warning

KL to probe lack of tsunami warningAgencies, Kuala Lumpur/New Delhi/Washington/Geneva/SingaporeThe Malaysian government has pledged a post-mortem on why the public was not warned about tidal waves which smashed into its northern coastal areas and killed at least 65 people.

KPK says 61 vie

KPK says 61 vie for advisory seats JAKARTA: The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said on Tuesday that 61 candidates have passed administrative selection to become members of the commission's advisory team.The candidates were selected from 177 applicants who were required to submit essays.

1. Analysis - 1x40

1. Analysis - 1x40Don't betray Aceh -- get coordinated2. Debt ----- 2x25 IMF to consider debt relief for Indonesia after disaster 3. Victms --- 1x33 Tsunami refugees cry out for medical help 4. Child ---- 1x45 Children haunted by nightmares of tidal waves 5.

Power industry enters a new era

Power industry enters a new era Eddy Satriya Jakarta Economic changes coupled with advances in new technology, the need to conduct good-governance practices, and intensifying pressure to reduce the central government's role have significantly brought new developments to the provision of public...

;JP;AFS;IMN;

;JP;AFS;IMN; ANPAk..r.. Yearender-photo JP/20/PHOTO B THE EXPECTED, AND THE UNEXPECTED: While the Indonesian people wait for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla (left) to fulfill their election campaign commitments and meet their 100-day targets, a part of the nation...

New Year parties become charity events

New Year parties become charity eventsThe Jakarta Post, JakartaMany of the planned New Year's celebrations will become charity events in the wake of Sunday's 9.0-magnitude earthquake and deadly tidal waves in Aceh and other nations on Indian Ocean that killed at least 80,000 in Aceh alone as of...

[b]When oil/gas on the market is not pro-people, the state must

When oil/gas on the market is not pro-people, the state must be held responsible.

NEW PRESIDENT, NEW ERA: Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono takes the oath

NEW PRESIDENT, NEW ERA: Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono takes the oath of office at a ceremony at the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Oct. 20, 2004. Susilo, Indonesia's first directly elected president, has the task of dealing with numerous problems, including rampant corruption and continuing...

Asia holds its collective breath over bird flu threat for 2005

Asia holds its collective breath over bird flu threat for 2005 Michael Mathes, Agence France-Presse, Bangkok Chilling warnings about an inevitable global influenza pandemic that could kill millions signal more turmoil to come after a grim year in Asia when nations weary from fighting SARS faced a...

Don't betray Aceh - Get coordinated

Don't betray Aceh - Get coordinatedEndy M. Bayuni, JakartaBodies are still scattered on the streets and under the rubble in Banda Aceh, Meulaboh and many other towns in Aceh. Tens of thousands of survivors are still without food, clean water, medicines or even clothes to change into.

A starting point in eradicating graft: A personal experience

A starting point in eradicating graft: A personal experienceGamawan FauziIn the past few decades, graft has become extremely difficult to separate from Indonesian society. Voices of concern against graft have been heard in many places but corruption has become even more widespread, involving nearly...

Indonesian economic outlook: Old habits die hard

Indonesian economic outlook: Old habits die hardSatish MishraWherever you look -- in national daily newspapers, in academic journals, at ministerial seminars, at industrial road maps put forward by leading business associations and at those annual gatherings of the economic cognoscenti -- it seems...

Tsunamis haunt nightmares of child survivors

Tsunamis haunt nightmares of child survivors M. Jegathesan Agence France-Presse/Penang, MalaysiaKiller tsunamis are coming again, over and over, in the nightmares of children who survived the waves which swept them from their homes or picnics on Malaysia's Penang island.

The exhausting legal journey

The exhausting legal journeyFrom 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...

Tourists rush to Bali after tsunami

Tourists rush to Bali after tsunamiLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Every cloud has a silver lining, so the saying goes, and Indonesia's tourist industry may prove to be the unintended beneficiary of the tsunamis that crushed several popular tourist destinations in Malaysia and Thailand.

Tiger selayed due to tsunami

Tiger selayed due to tsunamiAgencies, Tokyo The second leg of a Tiger Cup semifinal has been postponed after the weekend's deadly Asian tsunami, Southeast Asian soccer officials said on Thursday.Malaysia and Indonesia, both hit by the devastating tidal waves that swept the Indian Ocean on Sunday,...

NTT asks more funds to reconstruct Alor

NTT asks more funds to reconstruct Alor KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The provincial government complained on Thursday it lacked funds to rebuild houses and public facilities ravaged by last month's earthquake on Alor island, which killed 23 people.

More major quakes to hit Sumatra: Geologists

More major quakes to hit Sumatra: GeologistsMuninggar Sri Saraswati and Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/YogyakartaThe disastrous earthquake that generated deadly tsunami on Sunday has made Sumatra island more vulnerable to more major earthquakes in the future, the Indonesia Science Institute...

Indonesia market outlook 2005: Another better year ahead

Indonesia market outlook 2005: Another better year aheadDavid ChangThis time last year, I predicted that the stock market in 2004 would be better than in the previous year despite the political concerns, even after being one of the strongest performers in Asia for 2003.

'If our neighbors take our market, where is our pride?

'If our neighbors take our market, where is our pride?The Jakarta Post, JakartaLocal electronics producers claim that 50 percent of the electronic goods traded in Indonesia are illegally brought into the country. This situation has hampered domestic growth and discouraged new investment.

Alternative energy for electricity

Alternative energy for electricityFrom Bisnis IndonesiaThe high world oil price will certainly raise the cost of power production by state electricity company (PLN), whose cost components are 25 percent composed of fuel oil.