Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 8 December 2004

98 articles found

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec.7, 2004

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec.7, 2004 __________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 225 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk...

JIFFEST-profile-Lee Chang Dong

JIFFEST-profile-Lee Chang DongJP/19/LEE(Queries in bold being checked)Lee Chang Dong: The man behind Korean cinema developmentJohn Badalu Contributor/JakartaLee Chang Dong has been one of the most important figures in Korean cinema recently.

Govt 'lacks will' on disappearances

Govt 'lacks will' on disappearancesTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The government is being urged to take action to relieve the pain of thousands of families across the country who do not know the fate of loved ones who disappeared because of their political beliefs.

RI pupils at bottom of world class

RI pupils at bottom of world classAgencies, Paris Some Indonesian pupils may have won international science competitions, but according to an OECD survey of 15-year-olds in 41 countries, Indonesian students trail behind the rest of the pack, along with their peers from Tunisia, Brazil and Mexico.

Council tells governor to revise minimum wage

Council tells governor to revise minimum wageThe City Council sent a letter to Governor Sutiyoso on Tuesday, demanding that he revise the decree on the minimum wage for Jakarta.City Council Commission E on education, health, and people's welfare chairman Dani Anwar said that the council requested...

ASEAN urged to fight natural disasters

ASEAN urged to fight natural disasters CAMBODIA: The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) must continue to stand together to help each other handle or even avert natural disasters, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told a meeting on the subject held in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.

Citizenship and visas for expats

Citizenship and visas for expats I am an Australian male married to an Indonesian woman. This year I was out of work for six months while my company was negotiating contracts in Indonesia. I stayed in Indonesia with my wife under a social visa.

Young Indonesians at the bottom of world class: OECD

Young Indonesians at the bottom of world class: OECD Agencies ParisSome Indonesian pupils may have won international science competitions, but according to an OECD survey of 15-year-olds in 41 countries, Indonesian students trail behind the rest of the pack, along with their peers from Tunisia,...

Campaign focuses on violence against women

Campaign focuses on violence against women The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) has launched a 16-day campaign about ending violence against women, which is dedicated to the recently poisoned human rights campaigner Munir.The campaign, which began on Nov.

What happened TIM?

What happened TIM?From Warta Kota 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...

Rupiah Rates Dec.7

Rupiah Rates Dec.7 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,410.05 6,631.47 7,057.74 6,983.55 Brunei dollar 1 5,848.92 5,234.55 5,570.83 5,512.46 Canadian dollar 1 7,965.71 7,131.56 7,586.98 7,510.19 Swiss franc 1 8,402.11 7,519.52 8,002.63 7,918.

Suspect cannot visit

Suspect cannot visit victim's grave: Court BOGOR: The Cibinong District Court turned down the defense's request for murder suspect Ronald Johanes Aroean to visit the grave of the victim, Amanda Devina."It's in the interests of the safety of the defendant," presiding judge Andi Samsan Nganro said.

Corruption-free agencies

Corruption-free agenciesFrom Koran Tempo 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...

* NU leadership race: How Hasyim retains power Page 3

* NU leadership race: How Hasyim retains power Page 3 * Why govt fails to enforce new minimum wage ruling Page 4 * Over 1,000 Nabire quake victims arrive in Makassar Page 5 * Treating aviation accidents as crimes Page 7 * Creativity helps Jakarta beggars survive Page 8 * Two-way shoot-out for Asian...

House sets up teams of investigation

House sets up teams of investigationKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The House of Representatives (DPR) on Tuesday set up three teams of investigation, one monitoring team and one special committee (pansus) to deal with various issues.

RI wants higher OPEC benchmark price

RI wants higher OPEC benchmark priceThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia will likely ask the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) during its scheduled meeting later this week to revise upward its crude oil price band to better reflect economic developments of late.

Port policeman dies in traffic accident

Port policeman dies in traffic accident JAKARTA: Tanjung Priok Port Police detective Brig. Sahrun, 39, was killed in a hit-and-run on Monday afternoon along Jl. Raya Cakung-Cilincing in North Jakarta.Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr.

Lampung plans to hold simultaneous elections

Lampung plans to hold simultaneous electionsOyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung In order to prevent possible poll rigging, the Lampung General Elections Commission (KPU) is planning to hold direct elections at five regencies and municipalities at the same time.

JP/5/BUJANG

JP/5/BUJANGBujang myth accused to have impede fight against malaria Puji Santoso The Jakarta Post/PekanbaruAyub, 47, a resident of Telaga hamlet in Batang Sari village, Indragiri Hilir regency, believes in the mythical Bujang Penunggu Laut or Bujang, Guardian of the Sea.

2 x 21

2 x 21 Over 1,000 migrants flee quake-hit Nabire JP/5/ELECTION2 x 22 Lampung plans to hold simultaneous elections JP/5/RALLY2 x 22 Ministers to welcome rally racers to Batam JP/5/FLOOD1 x 35 Locals return home as flood subsides

Malaysia Airlines, No thank you!

Malaysia Airlines, No thank you! Six months ago I purchased tickets for my wife and myself, Denpasar-Vienna-Denpasar from Malaysia Airlines (MH). We also enrolled in their "Enrich" (MH064601165, MH064601180), to earn promised mileage points.

1.ISLAM: 3 X 18

1.ISLAM: 3 X 18Muslim countries declared ready for democracy2. BIN: 1 X 28President appoints new BIN chief3. ILO: 2 X 24RI's labor indicators deteriorate: ILO 4. CAR: 1 X 32Jakarta sets priorities for 2005 5. KOBAN: 1 X 45Citizens expect benefit from the presence of 'koban'

Ministers to welcome rally racers to Batam

Ministers to welcome rally racers to BatamFadli, The Jakarta Post/Batam Ministers and ambassadors will greet the participants of a three- week-long car rally between India and ASEAN countries, which culminates on Saturday in Batam, Riau Islands.

House, govt need to communicate

House, govt need to communicateKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Minister of Law and Human Rights Hamid Awaluddin on Tuesday called for intensive communication between the House of Representatives and the government to avoid deadlock in the law- making process.

Revolution is right on streets, General Sutiyoso

Revolution is right on streets, General SutiyosoDamar Harsanto The Jakarta Post/JakartaWhen 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.

Disastrous disaster management

Disastrous disaster management It has become a matter of routine -- which means something that does not attract serious attention -- for Indonesia to face major disasters, both natural and man-made ones, as if the number of fatalities or material loses incurred during the devastation are only a...

Two-way shoot-out for Asian Tour Order of Merit honors

Two-way shoot-out for Asian Tour Order of Merit honors Agence France-Presse Kuala Lumpur Former Thai soldier Thongchai Jaidee and Scotland's Simon Yates are preparing for a two-way shoot-out for Order of Merit honors at the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia.

Deysi beaten at University Games

Deysi beaten at University GamesMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Sidoarjo, East Java National champion Deysi Sumigar was dealt a blow in the women's 100-meter sprint on the track at the ASEAN University Games as defending champion Thailand began to show its domination here on Tuesday.

Governor questions legal basis for councillors cars

Governor questions legal basis for councillors carsBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso questioned the legal basis for the provision of cars for 71 city councillors, arguing that such a facility was not stipulated in Government Regulation No.

Japfa wins Batam international event

Japfa wins Batam international event Indonesia's young chess star Grand Master (GM) Susanto Megaranto led Japfa Chess Club to a victory at the International Chess Team Open Tournament in Batam, Islands Riau province, according to a release here on Tuesday.

Follow cabin crew's instructions

Follow cabin crew's instructions My sympathy goes to the victims of the recent aviation mishap involving a Lion Air aeroplane crash-landing at a Surakarta airport. However, there are some issues that I believe need addressing.

Record tourist arrivals tipped for Asia in 2004

Record tourist arrivals tipped for Asia in 2004 More than 300 million tourists are expected to visit the Asia Pacific this year, easily surpassing the record of 274.8 million set in 2002, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) said on Tuesday.

Clerics vow action on terrorism

Clerics vow action on terrorismSri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta Asia-Pacific religious leaders wrapped up a two-day meeting here on Tuesday, vowing action to curb the causes of terrorism and recommending the establishment of a center to promote moderate spiritual beliefs.

Rupiah Rates Dec.7

Rupiah Rates Dec.7 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,410.05 6,631.47 7,057.74 6,983.55 Brunei dollar 1 5,848.92 5,234.55 5,570.83 5,512.46 Canadian dollar 1 7,965.71 7,131.56 7,586.98 7,510.19 Swiss franc 1 8,402.11 7,519.52 8,002.63 7,918.

'Police should get higher salaries'

'Police should get higher salaries' The Jakarta Police are the largest and most prestigious police force in the country. However, many residents look at the crime and traffic in Greater Jakarta and wonder just what it is the police do to serve the community.

Military cadets get marching orders

Military cadets get marching orders JAKARTA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono agreed on Tuesday to strip officer cadets off their long-standing privilege of receiving their commissions at the Presidential Palace.

Muslim countries declared ready for democracy

Muslim countries declared ready for democracyM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Despite its shortcomings, democracy is the most suitable form of governance in Muslim countries and should be implemented, even if some people are not ready, scholars say.

Malaysia Airlines, No thank you!

Malaysia Airlines, No thank you! Six months ago I purchased tickets for my wife and myself, Denpasar-Vienna-Denpasar from Malaysia Airlines (MH). We also enrolled in their "Enrich" (MH064601165, MH064601180), to earn promised mileage points.

Governor presents computers to media

Governor presents computers to media SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: East Kalimantan Governor Suwarna A.F. presented on Tuesday 15 desktop computers to 15 major weekly publications in the province.The governor denied the computers were an attempt to curry favor with the media, saying they were simply...

Qualified track officials pursued

Qualified track officials pursued The Jakarta-based Regional Development Center (RDC) is hosting a five-day education and certification course for track and field officials.Experts have long called for standardization among track officials throughout Asia.

Citizens expect benefit from the presence of 'koban'

Citizens expect benefit from the presence of 'koban'Wahyuana, The Jakarta Post/Bekasi Many people panic somewhat whenever a police officer knocks on their door. They will immediately try to recall what it was that they could have done wrong.

Prosecutors to speed up graft probe

Prosecutors to speed up graft probe MANADO, North Sulawesi: The chief of the North Sulawesi Prosecutor's Office, Nelson Worotikan, has ordered his office to speed up investigations into seven high-profile corruption cases in the province.

ADS-SPOT

ADS-SPOT Hotel Borobudur Jakarta REAL ESTATE MEETING: Vice President Jusuf Kalla arrives for the opening of the national meeting of the Association of Indonesian Real Estate Developers held Dec. 6 to Dec. 8 at the Flores Ballroom, Hotel Borobudur Jakarta.

President picks close aide as BIN chief

President picks close aide as BIN chiefFabiola Desy Unidjaja The Jakarta Post/JakartaPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has appointed a close aide and former military intelligence chief, Maj. Gen. (ret) Syamsir Siregar, as the director of the powerful National Intelligence Agency (BIN), replacing...

Locals return home as flood subsides

Locals return home as flood subsidesThe Jakarta Post, Blitar/Pekanbaru/Medan Thousands of Blitar residents began to return home on Tuesday as flooding subsided in the area on the same day.However, after cleaning up their houses, some residents quickly returned to refugee camps on higher ground,...

Telkom to issue Rp 1.25t MTNs to cut dollar-denominated debts

Telkom to issue Rp 1.25t MTNs to cut dollar-denominated debtsRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta tate-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom plans to issue Rp 1.25 trillion (US$138 million) in medium-term notes (MTNs) later this month to cover its debts.

U.S. seen as losing influence in SE Asia

U.S. seen as losing influence in SE Asia The United States is in danger of losing its influence in Southeast Asia and the quest for the hearts of minds of Muslims, a report on the challenges facing the U.S. in Asia said on Tuesday.Any U.S.

JICA produces assistance to train local entrepreneurs

JICA produces assistance to train local entrepreneursZakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Japanese government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has provided Indonesia with a grant of Rp 2.

12 institutions and individuals in list of Tanah Abang

12 institutions and individuals in list of Tanah AbangDamar Harsanto The Jakarta Post/JakartaA special committee of the City Council investigating a disputed plan to renovate the Tanah Abang textile market will ask 12 institutions and individuals to appear and answer questions.

President appoints new BIN chief

President appoints new BIN chiefabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has appointed a close aide and former military intelligence chief, Maj. Gen. (ret) Syamsir Siregar, as the director of the powerful National Intelligence Agency (BIN), replacing...

Shares end higher on gains in Telkom, Semen Gresik

Shares end higher on gains in Telkom, Semen GresikDow Jones, Jakarta The Jakarta stock index ended higher on Tuesday as a late rebound in Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) and further gains in cement maker Semen Gresik kept the main index in positive territory, dealers said.

Council tells governor to revise minimum wage

Council tells governor to revise minimum wage The City Council sent a letter to Governor Sutiyoso on Tuesday, demanding that he revise the decree on the minimum wage for Jakarta.City Council Commission E on education, health, and people's welfare chairman Dani Anwar said that the council requested...

Three books dedicated to Munir

Three books dedicated to Munir The 16-day campaign to end violence against women was marked with the launching of three books published by the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) and dedicated to the deceased human rights activist Munir.

'Creativity' street children to survive

'Creativity' street children to surviveDewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The young busker smiled as he passed around a hat to collect money from passengers on a bus in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta."Thank you for your kindness, ladies and gentlemen.

Minister clarifies

Minister clarifies E. Timor deportations JAKARTA: Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said on Tuesday over 200 Indonesians were deported from neighboring East Timor because they did not have valid documents.

To commemorate International Day on the Elimination of Violence

To commemorate International Day on the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25 and Human Rights Day on Dec. 10, The Jakarta Post is publishing a special report on women's rights and the late human rights campaigner, Munir.

Committee seeks clarification on Tanah Abang

Committee seeks clarification on Tanah AbangDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A special committee of the City Council investigating a disputed plan to renovate the Tanah Abang textile market will ask 12 institutions and individuals to appear and answer questions.

South Africa's FM to visit Indonesia, discuss relations

South Africa's FM to visit Indonesia, discuss relationsVeeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma arrives in Jakarta on Wednesday to lay the groundwork for the opening of a new chapter in her country's relations with Indonesia.

AG seeks leave to quiz lawmakers

AG seeks leave to quiz lawmakers JAKARTA: Attorney General Abdul Rachman Saleh asked President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday for a permission to question four House of Representatives legislators for their alleged involvement in past graft cases.

NU leadership race: Why did Hasyim retain power?

NU leadership race: Why did Hasyim retain power?Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta As widely predicted earlier, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi won a further five-year term despite steadfast resistance from his predecessor and former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid.

Governor questions legal basis for councillors cars

Governor questions legal basis for councillors cars Bambang Nurbianto The Jakarta Post/JakartaGovernor Sutiyoso questioned the legal basis for the provision of cars for 71 city councillors, arguing that such a facility was not stipulated in Government Regulation No.

Government fails to enforce new minimum wage ruling

Government fails to enforce new minimum wage rulingRidwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The government has acknowledged that labor oversupply and the prolonged economic crisis have prevented it from enacting the new ruling on minimum wages. According to Law No.

Indonesia trounces Laos in Tiger Cup

Indonesia trounces Laos in Tiger CupAgence France-Presse, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Indonesia got its Tiger Cup campaign off to a winning start Tuesday, sweeping aside Laos 6-0 here on the opening day of Southeast Asia's premier international soccer tournament.

Jakarta unable to cope with large fires

Jakarta unable to cope with large firesUrip Hudiono The Jakarta Post/JakartaIt 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.

Indonesia's labor indicators deteriorate: ILO report

Indonesia's labor indicators deteriorate: ILO reportRidwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Overall labor market indicators for Indonesia and other countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region have deteriorated over the past decade, although some improvements have been observed recently,...

RI moves on economy backed

RI moves on economy backed The new administration in Indonesia was praised on Tuesday for moving towards a more open economy and planning to establish a framework for better integration on the regional and international level.

Dam-busting forest, water 'myth-understandings'

Dam-busting forest, water 'myth-understandings'Meine van Noordwijk and Fahmuddin Agus, Bogor Given that the recent tragic floods in East Java's Blitar regency are being blamed on upstream deforestation, it is timely to look at some of the myths surrounding trees and water.

Q Fest takes a walk on the wild side

Q Fest takes a walk on the wild sidePaul F. Agusta, Contributor/Jakarta For the third year in a row, the Q Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (QFF) will present Jakartans with an alternative selection of films they most likely would not see anywhere else.

Police officers to go on trial

Police officers to go on trial JAYAPURA, Papua: The deputy chairman of the Papua Prosecutor's Office, Djohani Silalahi, interviewed on Tuesday five officers accused of involvement in illegal logging in Sorong regency.

Three toll roads to be built

Three toll roads to be built BANDUNG: The government plans to build three toll roads in West Java with financing from the central government, the West Java provincial government and private investors.Danny Setiawan, the governor of West Java, said the three toll roads would connect...

Tax office comes under fire from antigraft commission

Tax office comes under fire from antigraft commissionUrip Hudiono The Jakarta Post/JakartaResponding to reports of rampant corruption in the tax office, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has lambasted the finance ministry's Directorate General of Taxation, urging it to crack down on the...

Suciwati: Human rights activists need proper protection

Suciwati: Human rights activists need proper protection The death of human rights campaigner Munir from poisoning during his trip to the Netherlands two months ago, has highlighted the need for the state to legally protect activists, his widow says.

JP/5/nu

JP/5/nuGus Dur presses ahead with plan to split NUNana Rukmana and Slamet Susanto The Jakarta Post/Cirebon/YogyakartaFormer president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid will likely press ahead with his plan to soon break up Nahdlatul Ulama in protest against NU chairman Hasyim Muzadi's winning of a second...

Gus Dur presses ahead with plan to split NU

Gus Dur presses ahead with plan to split NUNana Rukmana and Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post/Cirebon/Yogyakarta Former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid will likely press ahead with his plan to soon break up Nahdlatul Ulama in protest against NU chairman Hasyim Muzadi's winning of a second...

Civil service hiring criticized

Civil service hiring criticized JAKARTA: Lack of transparency in the civil service recruitment process has given rise to widespread concern, a junior minister says.State Minister for Administrative Reform Taufik Effendi told House of Representatives legislators on Tuesday that his office had...

Australia sees improvement in ties with RI

Australia sees improvement in ties with RIVeeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta After the successful conduct of the first-ever direct presidential election in Indonesia, Australians are increasingly optimistic about improvements in economic relations with its near neighbor, despite some...

U.S. giant firms eye investment in North Sumatra

U.S. giant firms eye investment in North SumatraApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post/Medan Some 20 representatives of various giant U.S. companies visited on the weekend Medan in North Sumatra to look into investment possibilities in the province.

Aceh governor thrown in slammer

Aceh governor thrown in slammerFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) tossed Aceh governor Abdullah Puteh in prison on Tuesday, pending his trial for his alleged involvement in a graft case in 2002.

BMW 3P program gets good response

BMW 3P program gets good response JAKARTA: PT BMW Indonesia has sold 2,936 service packages to the country's BMW customers under its 3P -- which stands for price, performance and punctuality -- program during the April to November period, a press release said on Tuesday.

Over 1,000 migrants flee quake-hit Nabire

Over 1,000 migrants flee quake-hit NabireThe Jakarta Post, Makassar/Jayapura/Kupang As many as 1,130 migrants who fled Nabire regency, Papua after a series of deadly earthquakes, arrived home in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Tuesday morning on board a motor boat.

Treating air accident as crimes

Treating air accident as crimesLalu A. Damanhuri, Jakarta Within a one-month period at the end of this year there have been a number of serious accidents in Indonesia in almost all forms of transport.While it is too early to make judgments about the exact cause of the Lion Air Boeing MD-82 aircraft...

Munir, women's rights campaigner

Munir, women's rights campaignerA. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta To commemorate International Day on the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25 and Human Rights Day on Jakarta Post is publishing a special report on the late human rights campaigner, Munir.

Astra unit sets coupons for bonds

Astra unit sets coupons for bonds JAKARTA: A unit of PT Astra International, Indonesia's biggest auto distributor, plans to sell Rp 1 trillion (US$110.1 million) of bonds in five parts with coupons ranging from 7.875 percent to 11 percent.

RI may supply LNG to Singapore

RI may supply LNG to Singapore Indonesia said it is willing to supply liquefied natural gas to Singapore, which is examining the feasibility of setting up a terminal to import the fuel. "If we can reach an agreement, we would be very keen to bring our gas to Singapore," said Iin Arifin Takhyan,...

Government raises Rp 1.16t from Bank Permata divestment

Government raises Rp 1.16t from Bank Permata divestmentThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government on Tuesday sold another 20 percent stake in publicly listed Bank Permata, the country's seventh largest bank, raising around Rp 1.16 trillion (about US$128 million).

NGOs provide help for bombing victims

NGOs provide help for bombing victims JAKARTA: Non-governmental organizations Yayasan Pulih, Yayasan Forum 58 and the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) have launched an joint campaign to help people cope with trauma resulting from terrorist attacks.

Illiteracy down in Tangerang

Illiteracy down in Tangerang TANGERANG: After a two-year intensive adult education program, Tangerang regency managed to reduce the number of illiterate people from 17,514 to 2,673.The success in 26 districts prompted President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to give the regency an award last week.

House sets up teams of investigation

House sets up teams of investigationKurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post/JakartaThe House of Representatives (DPR) on Tuesday set up three teams of investigation, one monitoring team and one special committee (pansus) to deal with various issues.

Buskers to help cops protect bus passengers

Buskers to help cops protect bus passengers BEKASI: At least 300 buskers grouped in the Bekasi Street Singers Group pledged on Monday to help police protect bus passengers from pickpockets and robbers."We the buskers are ready to help police prevent or stop any robberies on buses," singer spokesman...

Graft unit takes aim at corrupt tax officers

Graft unit takes aim at corrupt tax officersUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Responding to reports of rampant corruption in the tax office, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has lambasted the finance ministry's Directorate General of Taxation, urging it to crack down on the...

Ministers divided over controversial Cemex plan

Ministers divided over controversial Cemex planRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta State Minister for State Enterprises Sugiharto opposed plan by chief economic minister Aburizal Bakrie to allow Cemex SA controls a majority stake in state-owned cement producer PT Semen Gresik, in what could...

Minister clarifies E. Timor deportations

Minister clarifies E. Timor deportations JAKARTA: Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said on Tuesday over 200 Indonesians were deported from neighboring East Timor because they did not have valid documents.

Jakarta sets its priorities in 2005 budget

Jakarta sets its priorities in 2005 budgetBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The 2005 city budget estimates show that the Jakarta administration is focusing on the completion of a number of major projects, including two new busway corridors, the East Flood Canal and waste treatment plants.

Suspect requests to visit victim's grave rejected

Suspect requests to visit victim's grave rejectedTheresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post/Bogor The Cibinong District Court turned down the defense's request for murder suspect Ronald Johanes Aroean to visit the grave of the victim, Amanda Devina.

1. TAX: 3 LINES, 10 COUNTS

1. TAX: 3 LINES, 10 COUNTS Graft unit focuses on tax office 2. PUTEH: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS Aceh governor thrown in slammer 3. FAITH: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS Religious leaders vow moderation 4. OECD: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS RI pupils at bottom of world class

Singapore, Vietnam plan to connect ' resources

Singapore, Vietnam plan to connect ' resourcesAssociated Press, Hanoi, Vietnam Singapore and Vietnam are hammering out an agreement that would allow each country to tap into the other's resources, an official said on Tuesday.

Afghan refugees stage hunger strike

Afghan refugees stage hunger strike MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Three Afghan refugees began a hunger strike on Tuesday and sewed their mouths shut, after a similar protest earlier in the year.The protest is aimed at pressuring the United Nations High Commissioners for Refugee into sending dozens...

East Timor to finalize oil law

East Timor to finalize oil law SINGAPORE: East Timor is likely to approve a legal code for its fledgling petroleum industry next week, setting the stage for exploration by foreign companies next year, a senior official said on Tuesday.