Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 7 December 2004

66 articles found

Violence erupts at Golkar meeting, vehicles destroyed

Violence erupts at Golkar meeting, vehicles destroyedPuji Santoso and Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post/Pekanbaru/Makassar Violence triggered by the recent election of a Golkar Party leader in South Sulawesi spread to Siak regency, Riau province, on Sunday night.

Tangerang city launches drug body

Tangerang city launches drug body TANGERANG: Tangerang Mayor Wahidin Halim inaugurated the establishment of the municipal narcotics body on Monday, saying drug abuse was not only a threat for students but also city employees.

Yani Mariani and Awan Simatupang: Trendsetters in the art of modern sculpture

Yani Mariani and Awan Simatupang: Trendsetters in the art of modern sculptureCarla Bianpoen, Contributor/Jakarta The art of sculpture as we used to know it, from the classical eras, may continue to find a place in our times, yet a growing tendency to change is evident among the younger generation...

IMF welcomes economic progress

IMF welcomes economic progressDadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A visiting team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recognized early signs that the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is serious about improving the business climate here.

Batam employers oppose wage rise

Batam employers oppose wage riseFadli, The Jakarta Post/Batam Businesspeople oppose Riau Islands acting governor Ismeth Abdullah's plan to review the monthly minimum wage of Rp 635,000 (US$70.50) on the industrial island of Batam.

New violence hits S.Thailand after "peace bombing"

New violence hits S.Thailand after "peace bombing" Reuters BangkokFresh violence flared in mainly Muslim southern Thailand on Monday, hours after the Air Force dropped an estimated 100 million origami "peace birds" to try and quell a wave of unrest which has claimed nearly 500 lives.

Quake-hit Nabire faces shortage of medicines

Quake-hit Nabire faces shortage of medicinesThe Jakarta Post, Jayapura/Kupang/Yogyakarta Health workers in Papua are breathing easier after more people were discharged from Nabire Hospital on Tuesday, following a series of devastating earthquakes that have killed 32 people.

Artists continue festival despite 'facistic' raid

Artists continue festival despite 'facistic' raidDewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Despite a raid by public order officers, street artists insisted on Monday that they would continue to paint the streets, saying the public had the right to enjoy and appreciate art.

'Illegal logging' police to face trial

'Illegal logging' police to face trialNethy Dharma Somba and Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post/Jayapura/Yogyakarta Five police officers allegedly involved in illegal logging in Sorong, Papua, arrived on Monday in Jayapura and will be handed over soon to the Papua Prosecutor's Office for...

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec.6, 2004

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec.6, 2004 ____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ___________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 225 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk...

British Council clarifies

British Council clarifies Referring to the article on Nov. 30 of The Jakarta Post regarding the creation of a new partnership between the British Council and the Ministry of National Education, and the transfer of the British Council Library, I am most concerned to correct the suggestion made by...

Housemaid dies

Housemaid dies after violent assault TANGERANG: A 22-year-old housemaid died on Monday at Tangerang General Hospital after being treated for five days for severe injuries to her neck, allegedly sustained from a violent assault.

Singapore PM visits Vietnam

Singapore PM visits Vietnam VIETNAM: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is making his first official visit to Vietnam since taking office in August.Lee was expected to meet with his Vietnamese counterpart Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, President Tran Duc Luong and Communist Party chief Nong...

India offers over 150 scholarships

India offers over 150 scholarshipsINDONESIA: India is offering over 150 scholarships to Indonesians every year to study at India's top educational institutions, an Indian Embassy official said."India has awarded over 150 scholarships to Indonesian students in 2004.

Foreign leaders cautioned on meeting Anwar

Foreign leaders cautioned on meeting AnwarReuters, Putrajaya, Malaysia Malaysia's prime minister cautioned foreign leaders on Monday about meeting the country's most prominent opposition figure, former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, who is on an international tour."The foreign leaders...

APP settles part of massive debt restructuring

APP settles part of massive debt restructuringRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Singapore-based Asia Pulp & Paper Co. (APP) announced on Monday that it had obtained approvals from its creditors for the restructuring of most of the debts owed by the group's Indonesian units, with repayments...

Soldiers barred from moonlighting

Soldiers barred from moonlighting MEDAN, North Sumatra: The chief of the Bukit Barisan military command, Maj. Gen. Tri Tamtomo, reiterated on Monday that any soldiers found providing protection for places of entertainment would be severely punished.

British envoy visits Indonesia

British envoy visits Indonesia INDONESIA: Michael Williams, the special adviser to British Foreign Minister Jack Straw, is in Indonesia until Friday to meet a number of ministers and religious leaders, according to the British Embassy in Jakarta on Monday.

Smuggled weapons confirmed as replicas

Smuggled weapons confirmed as replicasEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Three days after examining evidence, Jakarta Police confirmed on Monday that hundreds of weapons smuggled through Tanjung Priok sea port last week were not real firearms, but replicas.

Govt declares karst conservation zone in three provinces

Govt declares karst conservation zone in three provincesSlamet Susanto and Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono kick-started on Monday a drive to conserve the country's karst by declaring protected a 154,000- square-kilometer stretch of the limestone...

Govt shuns call for regional law revision

Govt shuns call for regional law revisionKurniawan Hari and Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta/Cirebon Ignoring public demand for an amendment to Regional Administration Law No. 32/2004, the government has insisted that it will issue a regulation to justify its involvement in the direct...

Gloomy outlook for workers next year

Gloomy outlook for workers next yearDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta "Forget asking about how we're going to cope with the fuel price hike. Just asking the government to increase our wages to meet the minimum cost of living is difficult enough," complained Iqbal.

Indian cities and Jakarta top Asia's air pollution charts

Indian cities and Jakarta top Asia's air pollution chartsUttara Choudhury, Agence France-Presse/Agra, India People living in Indian cities New Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and Pune have been breathing some of the most polluted air in Asia, but Jakarta and China's Chongqing are also bad, a conference...

All faiths must rise up against terrorism: Susilo

All faiths must rise up against terrorism: SusiloSri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono urged world leaders of all religions on Monday to rise up against the scourge of terrorism and demonstrate that faith is a force for peace.

Shares up on late rebound

Shares up on late rebound Indonesian shares ended slightly higher on Monday, helped by a late rebound in Bank Mandiri and nickel miner PT International Nickel Indonesia, dealers said.However, dealers said overall sentiment remained cautious because of growing worries that the government may hike...

ASEAN and collective security system

ASEAN and collective security systemBantarto Bandoro, Jakarta The emergence of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as President raised high expectations in the region that he would initiate even stronger measures in the fight against terrorism.

1,300 still 'missing' since 1965

1,300 still 'missing' since 1965Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Nurhasanah, 48, could not hold back the tears welling up her eyes as she shared the story of her son who disappeared more than six years ago during the May 1998 riots, one of the more tragic events in Indonesian history.

Thailand aims for hat-trick as Tiger Cup kicks off

Thailand aims for hat-trick as Tiger Cup kicks offAgence France-Presse, Hanoi, Vietnam Southeast Asia's biennial battle for footballing supremacy kicks off Tuesday with regional giant Thailand gunning for a hat- trick in the 10-team Tiger Cup.

E. Java flooding continues, loggers blamed

E. Java flooding continues, loggers blamedIndra Harsaputra and ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post/Surabaya/Blitar More towns in East Java will likely follow Blitar's major flood with the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) forecasting continuous torrential rain and strong winds this week in the...

Fraud and corruption

Fraud and corruptionFrom Koran TempoThe government must start immediately its fight against fraud and corruption. In this context, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Hamid Awaluddin must inspect immigration checkpoints at international airports and domestic seaports because immigration officers...

U.S., Indonesia and religious tolerance

U.S., Indonesia and religious toleranceMuhamad Ali, Manoa, Hawaii Christmas is coming soon; Christmas trees with all their trimmings and lights have been placed in offices, shopping centers, streets, and campuses.

Deputy mayor faces court for corruption

Deputy mayor faces court for corruption BOGOR: Bogor Deputy Mayor M. Sahid faced his first hearing on Monday over his alleged involvement in a Rp 6.28 billion (US$697,778) corruption case.The hearing at the Bogor District Court was marked by protests from Sahid's supporters.

Govt may offer Cemex more SG shares: Minister

Govt may offer Cemex more SG shares: MinisterUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta With the option of buying back Cemex SA's shares in state-owned cement producer Semen Gresik (SG) no longer viable, the government will likely offer the Mexican cement giant a majority stake in SG to amicably settle...

Malls bustling ahead of Christmas

Malls bustling ahead of Christmas MANADO, North Sulawesi: Malls and shopping centers in Manado, North Sulawesi province, were bustling on Monday as the Christmas celebrations got underway.Manado residents, who are mostly Christian, flocked to the shopping centers and malls on cars and motorcycles,...

Gus Dur demands apology from stations

Gus Dur demands apology from stations JAKARTA: Upset by what he saw as unbalanced coverage of his activities during the recent Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) congress, Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid said on Monday he would file a complaint against Metro TV and TransTV.

Police reach out to residents to wind hearts and minds

Police reach out to residents to wind hearts and mindsEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Brig. Ngatiyono has been a policeman for 27 years. Donning a dusty uniform and rubber sandals -- after his shoes got soaked through in a sudden rainstorm -- he did not look particularly special.

JiFFest Short Film Competition showcases some interesting films

JiFFest Short Film Competition showcases some interesting filmsJohn Badalu, Contributor/Jakarta The Indonesian film industry is awaking. This can be seen from the increasing numbers of films being produced every year.

Airlines 'not registering workers with Jamsostek'

Airlines 'not registering workers with Jamsostek'Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The government will take action against companies operating in hazardous sectors that failed to register their workers in the national social security scheme, says a minister.

More comfortable buses needed

More comfortable buses neededFrom Warta KotaEconomy-class busses connecting several towns in West and Central Java have too many seats, with the result that there is too little space between the rows. As these buses usually cover great distances, it must be painful for the passengers to have to sit...

Swedish trade mission in Jakarta

Swedish trade mission in JakartaThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta A Swedish business mission is in town for a five-day visit in a bid to explore new business opportunities in Indonesia, according to a press statement issued on Monday by the Embassy of Sweden here.

Lion Air copilot moved to Jakarta

Lion Air copilot moved to JakartaKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The copilot of the Lion Air MD-82 that skidded off a runway in Surakarta and crashed last week, Steven Liesdek, was transferred from Kasih Ibu Hospital in the Central Java town to Pertamina Hospital, South Jakarta.

'The police still soldiers at heart'

'The police still soldiers at heart' The Jakarta Police receive more money than any other police force in the country, yet residents say they are still unable to deal with crime and traffic in the capital. In conjunction with the Jakarta Police's 55th anniversary on Dec.

Bojong women demand release of protesters

Bojong women demand release of protestersTheresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post/Bogor Hundreds of women demonstrated on Monday to demand seven village heads in the area help secure the release of 19 residents detained by the Bogor Police following a violent clash at the Bojong waste treatment facility in...

I forgive Mahathir, says Anwar

I forgive Mahathir, says AnwarAgence France-Presse, Jakarta Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim said on Monday that he had forgiven his former boss and ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad, who accused him of sodomy and corruption -- charges which put him in jail for six years.

Islam compatible with democracy, scholars say

Islam compatible with democracy, scholars sayM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Although democracy is not an alien concept to Islam, its implementation in a predominantly Muslim country is made difficult by the deep mistrust between Muslims themselves, scholars said on Monday.

School ruins, teacher injured

School ruins, teacher injured JAMBI, Jambi: A teacher and 12 elementary school students in Legok subdistrict, Jambi municipality, were rushed to hospital after a part of the wooden deck of their school, which is built on stilts, suddenly collapsed and plunged them into the Batang Hari River below.

1 X 43

1 X 43 Post-quake Nabire faces shortage of medicines JP/5/batam1 x 33 Batam employers oppose wage rise JP/5/LOG1 x 37 'Illegal logging' police to face trial JP/5/5Papua2 x 25 Papua likely to seek referendum over MRP

Ahmad Zarkoni, animal healer

Ahmad Zarkoni, animal healerTarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta The horse was standing with one of its legs in the strong grip of the old man's dark hands.Without any difficulty, he bent the left foreleg of the horse backward and kept it in that position for a few minutes.

Deported Indonesians face military probe

Deported Indonesians face military probe DENPASAR: Udayana Military commander Maj. Gen. Supiadin Yusuf said on Monday his office was investigating 61 Acehnese and Papuans who were deported from East Timor last week.

Papua likely to seek referendum over MRP

Papua likely to seek referendum over MRPRidwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Papua will probably return its special autonomy status to Jakarta and, instead, demand for a self-determination ballot for the province's future, if the government decides to establish Papuan People's Assemblies in...

Dec. 6, 1949: The Dutch government handed over authority of

Dec. 6, 1949: The Dutch government handed over authority of the Police institution to Indonesia, three weeks before the country's sovereignty was handed over on Dec. 27.Sr. Comr. Ating Natadikusuma was appointed as the first Commissioner of the Jakarta Police, and the first headquarters was on Jl.

Saving cockatoos in Sumba

Saving cockatoos in SumbaBarry Neild, Agence France-Presse/Sumba Herman Dedi recalls when yellow-crested cockatoos were pests on Sumba, swooping out of the forest to steal his papaya.Now the bird, unique to the Indonesian island and adopted as its emblem, is on the brink of oblivion with fewer than...

Students vie for Olympic laurels in science

Students vie for Olympic laurels in science The first International Junior Science Olympiad kicked off in Jakarta on Monday, bringing together 180 young talents from 30 countries across the world in a battle of wits (photo left).

* Malaysian PM outlines vision for East Asian Community Page 2

* Malaysian PM outlines vision for East Asian Community Page 2 * Govt refuses to revise local administration law Page 4 * Quake-hit Nabire faces shortage of medicines Page 5 * U.S., Indonesia and religious tolerance Page 6 * Jakarta Police confirm smuggled weapons replicas Page 8 * Australia says...

[b]

U.S., Indonesia and religious tolerance Muhamad Ali Manoa, Hawaii2. Mali -- Communities must come together for peace 2 x 30 Communities must come together to settle differences peacefully M. Ali Manchester, UK

Police to question 11 in Munir case

Police to question 11 in Munir case JAKARTA: The National Police will re-question 11 people this week about the murder of human rights activist Munir aboard a Garuda Indonesia plane traveling from Jakarta to Amsterdam on Sept. 7.Police spokesman Insp. Gen.

1.ISLAM: 3 X 18

1.ISLAM: 3 X 18Islam compatible with democracy, scholars say2. FLOOD: 1 X 28East Java flooding continues3. IMF: 1 X 30IMF welcomes economic progress 4. PARK: 1 X 45Govt declares karst conservation in 3 provinces

Indofarma back in black

Indofarma back in black Publicly listed pharmaceutical company PT Indofarma booked an operating profit of Rp 39.27 billion (US$4.36 million) in the first nine months of this year, from a loss of Rp 17.06 billion in the same period last year.

Malaysian PM outlines vision for EAC

Malaysian PM outlines vision for EACEileen Ng, Agence France-Presse/Kuala Lumpur Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Monday outlined his vision for an East Asian Community (EAC) incorporating a free trade area, a non-aggression zone and political and security cooperation as Malaysia prepares to...

Governor to submit draft budget

Governor to submit draft budgetBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso on Tuesday will officially submit a draft on the 2005 budget to be deliberated at the City Council, the first session for the newly installed councillors.The proposed budget for next year is Rp 13.

1. FAITH: 2 LINES, 20 COUNTS

1. FAITH: 2 LINES, 20 COUNTS All faiths must rise up against terrorism: Susilo 2. MISSING: 4 LINES, 10 COUNTS Over 1,300 still missing: Kontras 3. OLYMPIAD: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS Students vie for Olympic laurels 4. POLICE: 1 LINE, 42 COUNTS Police reach out to residents win hearts, minds

Bulog wants to regain commodity monopoly

Bulog wants to regain commodity monopolyZakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The government's main commodity regulator, Bulog, wants to regain its total monopoly on all strategic commodities such as rice, sugar, corn and soybeans in the country, according to chairman Widjanarko Puspoyo.

RI leads Thailand in University Games

RI leads Thailand in University GamesMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya Badminton is the only one of the ten sports to have concluded competition at the 12th ASEAN University Games here on Monday, with hot rivalries between host nation Indonesia and defending champion Thailand.

Semeru, Merapi barred to climbers

Semeru, Merapi barred to climbers BANDUNG: The government has banned mount climbing on two volcanoes -- Semeru in East Java and Marapi in West Sumatra -- due to increased volcanic activity on the two mountains.Mount Semeru spewed out hot ash to a height of up to 700 meters between Nov. 26 and Nov.

Telkom may start overseas expansion next year to help boost revenue

Telkom may start overseas expansion next year to help boost revenueRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Despite a huge untapped market domestically, PT Telkom plans to expand its overseas market next year to help achieve greater revenues.

Bumi may invest in India terminal

Bumi may invest in India terminal JAKARTA: PT Bumi Resources, Indonesia's biggest coal exporter, may invest in a coal receiving terminal in India to help its sales to the country, Ari S. Hudaya, Bumi's president, said in an interview in Jakarta.