Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 10 February 2004

71 articles found

Two students die on Mt. Bawakaraeng

Two students die on Mt. Bawakaraeng MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Two students of Hasanuddin University (Unhas), located in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar, were found dead on Monday on Mt. Bawakaraeng in Gowa regency, some 11 kilometers south of here. The university's search and rescue team reported that the victims were mountaineers: Alawi Hasyimi Parukki, a geology student, and Ikhsan, a social/political science student.

Quake victims still scared

Quake victims still scared 2. TEROR (2 X 24) Another Bali bomber gets life sentence 3. HAJI (1X 36) NU alleges rampant corruption over haj

Rupiah Rates Feb.9

Rupiah Rates Feb.9 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,926.83 6,147.96 6,571.93 6,502.64 Brunei dollar 1 5,301.90 4,705.99 5,030.25 4,977.47 Canadian dollar 1 6,754.91 5,986.73 6,400.27 6,332.10 Swiss franc 1 7,264.53 6,443.99 6,892.32 6,815.75 Danish krone 1 1,526.96 1,354.99 1,448.73 1,433.16 Euro 1 11,375.77 10,100.79 10,792.92 10,683.50 Poundsterling 1 16,577.38 14,710.97 15,728.01 15,559.64 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,150.39 1,021.57 1,091.45 1,080.50...

Indonesia enters debating contest

Indonesia enters debating contest JAKARTA: Four senior high school students from Greater Jakarta will represent Indonesia at the World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC) in Stuttgart, Germany, which commences on Feb. 11.

Serviced office: The right choice for good and bad times

Serviced office: The right choice for good and bad times Rudijanto, Contributor, Jakarta Although the outlook for the overall office market remains gloomy, serviced office providers are upbeat that business will continue to flourish despite an expected drop in foreign direct investment (FDI) and the political uncertainty of the upcoming general election.

Deposit insurance premiums to be risk-based

Deposit insurance premiums to be risk-based Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the deliberations for a draft law on a deposit insurance scheme continued, the government stated on Monday that the premiums for national banks would eventually be designed using a risk-based approach. That means the healthier the bank, with lower risks, the lower the premium the bank would have to pay, Minister of Finance Boediono explained.

Govt accused of violating freedom of expression

Govt accused of violating freedom of expression Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung Noted artist Tisna Sanjaya will report Bandung mayor Dada Rosada to the police after officials from the Bandung city's Public Order Agency burned down his installation art works last week. Tisna is discussing the substance of the indictment with his lawyers, but most likely the mayor will be reported to the police for insulting his work. "We will file the report on Tuesday.

JP/2/A05

JP/2/A05 No vehicles are allowed on the busway lane except those with VVIPs, if the incident involving Vice President Hamzah Haz becomes a precedent. On Monday morning a convoy of vehicles including that transporting Hamzah was seen cruising on the special lane, past unfortunate motorists along the congested Jl. M. Thamrin in front of the Sarinah department store. Hamzah's spokesman Yudo Bambang Satrio told detik.com that it was the police who directed the convoy into the busway lane.

First HIV eradication committee in prison set up

First HIV eradication committee in prison set up I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali In an apparent attempt to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS among prison inmates, particularly those who have drug dependency problems, the Indonesian government on Monday established the Bali's prison working committee on HIV/AIDS prevention.

Bomb suspect denies charges

Bomb suspect denies charges JAKARTA: The legal defense representing Mohammad Rais, who went on trial for last year's Marriott bombing, refuted on Monday the prosecution's charges that Mohammad organized the terror act. Lawyer M. Toha argued that the case was obscure, as it failed to detail where and when the defendant became involved in masterminding the blast on Aug. 5, 2003, which claimed 12 lives, including six drivers and a Dutch banker, and injured 147 others.

Asia has the most kids out of school, UNESCO says

Asia has the most kids out of school, UNESCO says Agence France-Presse, Paris Asia accounts for the biggest number of children in the world not receiving a school education, despite steady increases in enrollment in the 1990s, according to a statistical report released by UNESCO on Tuesday.

Illegal fishing rampant in Togean

Illegal fishing rampant in Togean PALU, Central Sulawesi: Fishing with the use of explosive materials such as ammonium cyanide is becoming rampant in the islands of Togean, Poso regency in Central Sulawesi and had caused coral reefs and marine biota to be damaged even further. Whereas in fact, the Togean islands consist of the most beautiful coral reefs in Indonesia, even the whole world. Director of the Tolaka Foundation, Jafar M.

Ministers must resign to run in election

Ministers must resign to run in election Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Cabinet ministers will have to leave office if they decide to contest the presidential election, a draft government regulation says in response to controversy on the issue. "Ministers who run for the presidency will have to resign.

Hamzah's convoy takes over busway lane

Hamzah's convoy takes over busway lane No vehicles other than the designated buses are allowed in the busway lane -- unless, of course, your name is Hamzah Haz. On Monday morning a convoy of vehicles including the one in which Hamzah was riding, were seen cruising down the special lane, past all the unfortunate motorists caught in bumper-to- bumper Monday morning traffic along Jl. M. Thamrin near Sarinah department store.

Six Indonesians nabbed in S'pore

Six Indonesians nabbed in S'pore SINGAPORE: Six Indonesians caught trying to enter Singapore illegally on a small sampan were to be charged in court on Monday, the Police Coastguard said. The men, aged between 21 and 29, were detected on Sunday about five kilometers from a jetty. It is believed they were hoping to seek employment in the city-state, officers said. If convicted of entering illegally, they face up to six months in prison and at least three strokes of a cane or a fine.

10 more people die of dengue

10 more people die of dengue BANDUNG: Ten people have died of dengue since January this year, in which the figures served as a wake up call for officials on the danger of the dengue outbreak. Fatimah Rusmiyati, an official at the West Java provincial administration's health office, said that five died in Indramayu regency, one in Majalengka regency, one in Cianjur regency, one in Depok mayoralty and two in Bogor mayoralty.

City admits violations at Cilincing dump

City admits violations at Cilincing dump Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city administration admitted for the first time that it has violated the environmental regulations by openly dumping some of the capital's 6,000 tons of daily waste on swampy land at the temporary dump in Cilincing, North Jakarta. The city spokesman Muhayat said on Monday that the administration has failed to comply with the existing procedures and later damaged the environment around the 15-hectare dump.

Mired at home, RI can't lead ASEAN

Mired at home, RI can't lead ASEAN Takashi Shiraishi, The Daily Yomiuri, Asia News Network, Tokyo Since the downfall in 1998 of the Soeharto regime, Indonesia has seen three presidents: B.J. Habibie (1998-1999), Abdurrahman Wahid (1999-2001) and Megawati Soekarnoputri, who took office in 2001.

Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, February 10, 2003

Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, February 10, 2003 Talks * Cultural Lecture with Ms. Katarzyna Dreszer (Poland), Galeri Soemardja, Jl. Ganeca No. 10, 2 p.m., Feb. 10. * Works of Georges Sand, CCF (French Cultural Center), Jl. Purnawarman 32 (Tel. 022 4212417), 2 p.m., Feb. 25. Films * French Film Braveheart, at CCF (French Cultural Center), Jl. Purnawarman 32 (Tel. 022 4212417), 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Feb. 10 and Feb. 12. * Documentary Film Infiniment Courbe, CCF (French Cultural Center), Jl.

'Officers, motorists know how game is played'

'Officers, motorists know how game is played' The police have ticketed hundreds of motorists for violating the new three-in-one traffic policy, with many of these scofflaws saying they vainly attempted to bribe their way of the tickets. However, The Jakarta Post spoke with some residents who cast doubt over the idea that the police had given up their venal ways. Teddy, 28, works at an insurance company in Jakarta. The newlywed lives with his wife at his parents' house in South Jakarta.

Voucher reload by deception

Voucher reload by deception From Warta Kota Retailers are frequently becoming targets of a new scam where sham customers engage in hand phone voucher fraud. Here is the customers' mode of operation. They visit retailers who reload their mobiles with a voucher worth Rp 100,000. Still in the shop they reload their phone and check their new credit on the phone's monitor. Strangely, however, the phone's panel fails to display the new value.

APP to develop forest conservation area

APP to develop forest conservation area Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta One of Indonesia's largest pulp and paper companies, Asia Pulp & Paper Co. Ltd (APP), plans to convert about 76,000 hectares of its timber forest into a conservation area. The company is also completing a sustainability action plan, which covers the development of conservation areas, community development and the tracking of timber.

Jamsostek pays allowance

Jamsostek pays allowance From Koran Tempo Following the publication of my letter to the editor of Koran Tempo (Jan. 16) on the lack of responsiveness shown by the state labor social security company (Jamsostek), I visited the firm's Gambir branch on Jan. 19 to demand my allowance. As required by Jamsostek, applicants must submit their identity card, family list and certificate of job relief when collecting old-age allowances.

NGOs skeptical on new bill to improve teachers' welfare

NGOs skeptical on new bill to improve teachers' welfare Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Ministry of Education and the Indonesian Teachers Union (PGRI) have drafted a bill aimed at improving teachers' welfare across the country. The bill offers protection for teachers by imposing a number of sanctions for violations of teachers' rights, including those related to their salary, holidays, promotion and discriminatory policies.

Earthquake victims still scared

Earthquake victims still scared Agencies, Jakarta Minor aftershocks hit the Papuan town of Nabire on Monday, causing people who have been camping outside their homes over the last two days to stay in their tents. "Today there were three or four minor aftershocks. People are still afraid to return to their homes," Tornado Edmawan, a district judge who along with other residents, has moved to a tent outside his house, said.

Indirect leaders: Reform champions to reckon with

Indirect leaders: Reform champions to reckon with Edi Suhardi, Programme Advisor, Partnership for Governance Reform in Indonesia, Jakarta Experts, writers and politicians alike are disillusioned by the slow pace of reform, a dividend of true democracy in the post-Soeharto era. There is no systematic and strategic effort to reform the overall governance introduced.

War against pedophiles demanded

War against pedophiles demanded DENPASAR, Bali: Some 200 children aged five to 13 years old in Bali have been the victims of pedophiles, mostly foreigners, a senior doctor has said. They became the victims of the pedophiles after they were enticed with money or other kinds of gifts, said Prof. Suryani, the chairwoman of the Committee Against Sexual Abuse in Bali. When meeting with the chief of Bali police Insp. Gen.

Work on nuclear plant to begin

Work on nuclear plant to begin Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang Work on the much-disputed Muria nuclear power plant (PLTN) in Jepara regency, Central Java, will start soon, a senior government official said in Semarang on Monday. Arnold Y. Soetrisnanto, head of the Nuclear Energy Development Center of the National Nuclear Power Agency (Batan), said that the agency would commence a feasibility study into the project sometime this year.

Press Law should be used in 'Tempo' case: Legal expert

Press Law should be used in 'Tempo' case: Legal expert Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A legal expert testifying at the Central Jakarta District Court on Monday in the libel suit filed against Tempo journalists by businessman Tomy Winata, said the case should be prosecuted under the Press Law rather than the Criminal Code. "It was a legal entity that published the article, so Law No.

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Strategic voting in the 2004 elections Nico Harjanto Researcher Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta 2. Yomi -- Indonesia may not take ASEAN lead for some time 1 x 30 Mired at home, RI can't lead ASEAN Takashi Shiraishi The Daiy Yomiuri Asia News Network Tokyo

Students continue hunger strike

Students continue hunger strike Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Purwokerto, Central Java Seventeen students of the Jendral Soedirman University (Unsoed) continued with their hunger strike on Monday. They are protesting an additional fee imposed on them by the university last year. The strike started on Thursday last week, with 19 students fasting. Two have already stopped due to the deterioration of their health. "We will continue the hunger strike until our demand is met.

S'pore opens tourism office in Jakarta

S'pore opens tourism office in Jakarta Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Singapore has opened its first tourism office in Indonesia as part of efforts to encourage more Indonesians to visit the island state.

Who can dismiss civil servants?

Who can dismiss civil servants? From Media Indonesia Head of the State Personnel Agency (BKN) Hardjanto has said his institution is not authorized to dismiss civil servants (PNS) joining political parties as executives and members. The latest data shows that over 1,000 PNS have become party activists and legislative candidates. Based on the relevant government regulation promulgated in 1999, BKN administratively issues civil servants identity numbers (NIP).

NU alleges rampant corruption over haj

NU alleges rampant corruption over haj Tiarma Siboro and A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post Rampant corruption, including price markups, at the Ministry of Religious Affairs involved many officials, businesspeople, politicians and foreigners, a respected Muslim leader alleged on Monday.

TV Program: Tuesday, February 10, 2004

TV Program: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Entertainment News: Selebrita 7:30 Children Show: Pentas Ceria 8:00 Music: Sik Asik 10:00 TV Drama: Nostalgia 12:00 p.m.

Constitutional Commission slammed

Constitutional Commission slammed JAKARTA: Members of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) told the Constitutional Commission on Monday to focus on its original job of assessing the amended Constitution instead of attempting to draft a new one. The lawmakers said the commission was assigned to harmonize articles in the amended Constitution.

Soeharto to be reexamined: AGO

Soeharto to be reexamined: AGO Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Attorney General's Office (AGO) has gathered a new medical team to examine former president Soeharto's health to determine whether or not it could resume investigations into his alleged corruption. "The Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) formed the team last week and we will discuss when to carry out the examination as soon as possible," AGO spokesman Kiemas Yahya Rahman told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

Cinemas reflect socio-economic gap among Jakarta residents

Cinemas reflect socio-economic gap among Jakarta residents Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As if the contrast between high-rise buildings and riverbank slums were not enough to indicate the social gap among Jakartans, different kinds of movie theater across the capital provide more than just favorite flicks. A crowd slowly began to gather around a cinema building that accommodates two movie theaters, in Senen, Central Jakarta, as the first show time was at 2 p.m.

IPB opens training project

IPB opens training project BOGOR: The Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) began on Monday a farm management training project for arid areas, with participants from 11 African countries. The participants came from Zimbabwe, Ghana, Madagascar, Swaziland, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Gambia, the Ivory Coast, Egypt and Seychelles. The project, which will end on Feb. 20, is a part of the Non- Alliance Movement Center of South to South Technical Cooperation, which was established in 1995.

Malaysian PM to visit Myanmar

Malaysian PM to visit Myanmar MALAYSIA: Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will visit Myanmar on Friday, officials said. Badawi was initially scheduled to visit Myanmar late last month, but the trip was postponed because he was unwell. The Myanmar visit will be the last leg of Badawi's introductory tour of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a tradition for newly installed regional leaders. Badawi took over from veteran leader Mahathir Mohamad on Oct. 31. -- AFP.

Vietnam reports one more bird flu death, Asia toll 19

Vietnam reports one more bird flu death, Asia toll 19 Reuters, Hanoi A Vietnamese man has died of bird flu, taking Asia's death toll to 19, and a Cambodian woman who died last week in a Vietnamese hospital could be the first victim from that neighboring country, officials said on Monday.

Dig for clues behind E. Sumba poverty

Dig for clues behind E. Sumba poverty Friedhelm Betke, Advisor, Central Statistics Agency, Jakarta The district government of East Sumba, on Sumba island in East Nusa Tenggara province, invited the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) to take a fresh look at the poverty figures calculated for that district. According to the BPS, some 27 percent of households in East Sumba were living in poverty in 1999, two years after the onslaught of the Asian economic crisis.

* Headlines:Government assures people of peaceful polls 2

* Headlines:Government assures people of peaceful polls 2 * National:Quake victims still in fear as more aid flows in 4 * Archipelago:Ship sinks in Flores, three dead, eight missing 5 * Opinion:Indirect leaders: Reform champions to reckon with 7 * City:City admits violations at Cilincing dump 8 * Sports:Europe's power clubs stay in first place in top leagues 10 * World:Palestinians mull unilaterally declaring state: Official 11 * Business:Telkom finishes 2002 reaudit report 13 * Features:Dali...

Students protest planned tuition hike

Students protest planned tuition hike DEPOK: Some 500 students from the University of Indonesia staged a rally on Monday to protest the university's plan to increase tuition. The students said that although the increase was not yet official, a report in circulation stated that the rector's office had proposed a 300 percent hike to the university's board of trustees.

Govt to import Chinese vaccine

Govt to import Chinese vaccine Rendi A. Witular and Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Agriculture Bungaran Saragih asserted that the government would continue to import bird flu vaccine from China despite rising criticism from veterinarians and virologists who question the quality of the vaccine.

Government assures public of timely, peaceful elections

Government assures public of timely, peaceful elections Tiarma Siboro, The Jakart Post, Jakarta Amid fear of possible widespread chaos in the run-up to, during, and after the upcoming elections, the government assured the public on Monday that it had prepared contingency plans to anticipate any eventuality.

Religious leaders urged to back family planning

Religious leaders urged to back family planning Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Confronted with increasing population growth figures, President Megawati Soekarnoputri appealed to religious leaders on Monday to take part in promoting the family planning program. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the National Family Planning Coordinating Agency (BKKBN) meeting, Megawati said that the movement needed to be revitalized.

Kadin opens first overseas office in Melbourne

Kadin opens first overseas office in Melbourne The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has selected Melbourne, Australia, as a location for its first foreign representative office and opened it on Monday. The buoyant Australian economy and geographical proximity were the main reasons for the selection. "We consider Australia to be our most important partner.

Govt to finish draft tax laws this month

Govt to finish draft tax laws this month Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Finance, Boediono said on Monday that the government was still trying hard to finish the revised version of three tax law bills, after failing to complete them by the January schedule. "We are still working on them. We plan to finish it this month. We need to put details on several issues," said Boediono without elaborating further. The ministry has drafted amendments to three tax laws: Law No.

Big rallies to mark campaign in RP

Big rallies to mark campaign in RP Election season in the Philippines kicks off on Tuesday with huge rallies and motorcades planned as a two-way presidential race shapes up between film star Fernando Poe Jr. and incumbent Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. As usual, personalities are likely to win out over policies at the ballot box on May 10, but analysts are warning Filipinos they can expect some of the worst violence and nasty tricks in the unruly democracy's history.

General implicated in Timor bloodshed runs for Indonesian

General implicated in Timor bloodshed runs for Indonesian presidency Michael Casey, Associated Press, Bontang, Indonesia As he flew over the coal mines and shrimp farms that dot Indonesia's part of Borneo island, a smiling Gen. (retired) Wiranto couldn't contain himself. "Did you see how they touched me," he said.

Fire guts printing company

Fire guts printing company JAKARTA (Antara): A fire gutted a building belonging to the German printing machine company, Heidelberg, on Monday in East Jakarta, an official has said. Six fire engines were deployed to the site on Jl. MT Haryono after the East Jakarta fire department received a call at 10:30 a.m., a firefighter said. "The police are investigating the fire, which was allegedly caused by a short circuit," he said. No casualties have been reported thus far. -- Antara

Preparing the 2005 budget

Preparing the 2005 budget The economists grouped in the Indonesia Rises, or Indonesia Bangkit, forum are right to assert that the current government and House of Representatives do not have the political mandate to legislate the 2005 state budget. The state budget is the most important government tool in implementing fiscal policies, which detail the funds the government allocates toward the provision of public goods and services and the way in which the government finances expenditures.

Balada Ghoshal clarifies

Balada Ghoshal clarifies This is in reference to my part-two article The future of democracy in Indonesia that you published on Feb. 5 and Feb. 6. When the article was submitted, there was no reference to my association with the United Nations Support Facility for Indonesian Recovery (UNSFIR), nor was there any reference to any study being undertaken by UNSFIR on the above.

Jakarta's problems spilling over

Jakarta's problems spilling over Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Tangerang Mayor Wahidin Halim urged the Jakarta administration to share responsibility in coping with a variety of social problems now emerging in the areas bordering the two administrations. "I'll send a team to meet Governor Sutiyoso directly to talk about these problems as most of them are resulting from over population in Jakarta," Wahidin said on Monday.

EcoReefs aim to restore village fishing grounds in Bunaken

EcoReefs aim to restore village fishing grounds in Bunaken Mark Erdmann, Contributor, Bunaken, North Sulawesi Throughout this country and Southeast Asia, the illegal practice of blast fishing has destroyed vast areas of once productive coral reef areas. Homemade explosives are effective in killing large schools of fish with a single blast, but unfortunately also destroy the delicate coral framework that serves as shelter for coral reef fishes.

Telkom finishes 2002 reaudit report

Telkom finishes 2002 reaudit report Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-controlled telecommunications company PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) said the reaudit of its 2002 financial report has been finally completed with a consolidated net profit for the year was revised downward by 3.7 percent.

Ship sinks in Flores, three dead, eight missing

Ship sinks in Flores, three dead, eight missing Jacob J. Herin and Jemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Sikka, East Nusa Tenggara More than 40 persons of Search and Rescue Team (SAR) have been searching the waters off Flores Island since Saturday for eight crew members of a cargo ship who went missing after their ship sank on Tuesday last week. The eight were among the 12 crew members of the Belaza Timor ship, which is owned by a businessman in East Timor.

Another Bali bomber gets receives life sentence

Another Bali bomber gets receives life sentence Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali The Bali District Court sentenced Suranto Abdul Ghoni, alias Umar, alias Wayan, to life imprisonment on Monday for his role in the Bali bombings in October 2002. Abdul Ghoni joined Ali Imron, Mubarok and Sarjiyo as Bali blast convicts who have received such a penalty for the act of terror that killed 202 people, mostly Australian holidaymakers.

Orphaned hippo to have new mate

Orphaned hippo to have new mate Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Now the only male hippopotamus at Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta after the death of his father Omon last Wednesday, nine-year-old Jacky is expected to produce his own line. The zoo management plans to breed Jacky with his younger sister Dania. "The plan is part of efforts to preserve the protected, endangered species ... the offspring will replace Omon," zoo veterinarian Wardani told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

1. CONTINGENCY: 55 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 15

1. CONTINGENCY: 55 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 15 Govt assures public of peaceful polls 2. GURU: 36 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 28 NGOs skeptical on new bill to improve teachers' welfare 3. TEMPO: 32 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 27 Press Law should be used in 'Tempo' case: Legal expert 4. Susul: 28 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 27 Orphaned hippo to have new mate 5. HIPPO: 28 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 36 Hamzah's convoy takes over busway lane 6. ODD: 20 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 40 6.1: Two trees 'married' to appease rain god 6.2: Wedding guest cow wanders into bank

State secretary critical of presidency bill

State secretary critical of presidency bill Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State Secretary Bambang Kesowo questioned on Monday the content of the presidency bill that the House of Representatives (DPR) submitted to the President in December 2001, saying that most of the stipulations in the draft have been set out in the Constitution.

Govt set to sell 20% stake in Mandiri

Govt set to sell 20% stake in Mandiri Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government hopes to sell 20 percent of the shares in giant state-owned Bank Mandiri this year through a private placement, according to a senior official. Deputy at the Office of the State Minister of State Enterprises Mahmuddin Yasin said on Monday that the ministry would soon seek approval from the House of Representatives. The House previously allowed the government to sell a 30 percent share in Bank Mandiri.

UNSFIR disclaimer

UNSFIR disclaimer We are writing in respect to Baladas Ghoshal's article on The future of democracy in Indonesia published by The Jakarta Post in two parts, on Feb. 5 and Feb. 6. Please note that the article does not represent the views of the United Nations Support Facility for Indonesian Recovery (UNSFIR) nor the views of any of the UNSFIR staff. The article was written without any association at all to the work that UNSFIR had commissioned Baladas Ghoshal to undertake. BONA SIAHAAN Sr.

Land for Naval cemeteries provided

Land for Naval cemeteries provided SURABAYA: The Indonesian Navy has provided 12.2 hectares of land in Sidoarjo, East Java, and Sukamana, Bogor, West Java, for cemeteries for its personnel. The graveyards will accommodate approximately 11,000 Navy personnel from the Eastern and Western fleet. Navy chief Adm. Bernard Kent Sondakh inaugurated the cemeteries on Monday during a ceremony also attended by deputy Navy chief Vice Adm. IWR Argawa, Sidoarjo Regent Wien Hendarso and other Navy top brass.

To euro or not: Should oil pricing ditch the dollar?

To euro or not: Should oil pricing ditch the dollar? Robert Koch, Agence France-Presse, Algiers As the U.S. dollar continues its slide against world currencies, should oil, the most valuable global commodity, now be priced in euros?

Officers lack info on bird flu

Officers lack info on bird flu Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the Jakarta Health Agency relied on its officers at community health centers and hospitals as its vanguards in spreading information of avian influenza, or bird flu, and its impacts for the public, the officers themselves have not received thorough and complete information on the contagious disease.

RI may lose US$10m on poultry export

RI may lose US$10m on poultry export Indonesia stands to lose millions of dollars in exports due to import bans imposed by consumer countries on Indonesian poultry, an association said.

1. Edi -- Champions of reform to reckon with

1. Edi -- Champions of reform to reckon with 3 X 15 Indirect leaders: Reform champions to reckon with Edi Suhardi Programme Advisor Partnership for Governance Reform in Indonesia Jakarta 2. ADB -- Observations from a remote Island in Eastern Indonesia 1 X 30 Observations on poverty from E. Sumba Dr. Friedhelm Betke Advisor to head of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), Jakarta

Rupiah Rates Feb.9

Rupiah Rates Feb.9 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,926.83 6,147.96 6,571.93 6,502.64 Brunei dollar 1 5,301.90 4,705.99 5,030.25 4,977.47 Canadian dollar 1 6,754.91 5,986.73 6,400.27 6,332.10 Swiss franc 1 7,264.53 6,443.99 6,892.32 6,815.75 Danish krone 1 1,526.96 1,354.99 1,448.73 1,433.16 Euro 1 11,375.77 10,100.79 10,792.92 10,683.50 Poundsterling 1 16,577.38 14,710.97 15,728.01 15,559.64 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,150.39 1,021.57 1,091.45 1,080.50...

Agencies ordered to ready for storms

Agencies ordered to ready for storms Damar Harsanto and Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Tangerang Governor Sutiyoso told all agencies in his administration to prepare for possible storms and floods following the violent storm that hit the capital on Jan. 30. The storm uprooted nearly 200 trees, mostly in South Jakarta, and caused huge traffic jams along roads connecting the municipality to other areas.