Archive: 11 February 2004
Showing 1-50 of 76 articles
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Can Mega be an exception?
Can Mega be an exception? In a bid to reduce its campaign budget, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is proposing that its chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri be allowed to campaign while conducting state duties. Insisting that the President should not take leave during the 20-day campaign period as it will adversely affect decision making in state affairs, the party said Megawati could insert her campaign program into her working visits.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Regulate trawl fishing to protect deep-sea biodiversity: WWF
Regulate trawl fishing to protect deep-sea biodiversity: WWF Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Fishing in international waters by dragging heavy chains, nets and steel plates across the ocean floor poses a major threat to deep-sea ecosystems and must be regulated, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) conservation group said on Tuesday.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Analysts say stocks will rally during elections
Analysts say stocks will rally during elections Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Stock analysts predict the current rally in the local stock market to continue during the upcoming general elections given the low interest rate environment and the fact that the stock index moved higher during the previous two elections. Speaking at a seminar on the stock market on Tuesday, analyst Dandossi Matram said that the Jakarta Stock Composite Index could go beyond the 800 point level.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Bank interest and syaria
Bank interest and syaria From Tempo As the polemics on the ruling made by the Council of Indonesian Ulema (MUI) that bank interests are forbidden according to the Islamic law are intensifying, I have been prompted to comment as follows: I know for sure that MUI has competent people who are very knowledgeable about the Islamic law, especially in relation to economic matters.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Police with bad record appointed as Bogor chief
Police with bad record appointed as Bogor chief The Jakarta Post Jakarta Former West Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Bambang Wasgito was installed as Bogor Police chief on Tuesday, replacing Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam who had been in office for 14 months, in a ceremony led by West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Dadang Garnida. Anton, formerly the Jakarta Police spokesman, was appointed as head of the internal affairs division at the Bali Police.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Regent criticized over treatment of school principal
Regent criticized over treatment of school principal Haidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, Riau Thousands of students and teachers in Kampar regency, some 60 kilometers west of the Riau capital of Pekanbaru, took to the streets on Tuesday to demand the resignation of Kampar Regent Jefri Noer over the treatment of a local principal. The protest closed schools in the regency for the day.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina reduces kerosene supply across the city
Pertamina reduces kerosene supply across the city Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State oil company Pertamina said on Tuesday that it would cut back its kerosene supplies to its agents around Jakarta starting in February due to an allegation that it was being sold illegally sold to the industrial sector.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Inquiry into deputy mayor demanded
Inquiry into deputy mayor demanded BOGOR: A group of 21 non-governmental organizations urged the West Java governor to order the police to investigate newly elected Bogor deputy mayor Mochamad Sahid. Sahid has been accused of submitting a fake high school diploma to run in the mayoral election. The Joint Committee to Save Bogor (KBPKB) spokesman Deddy Djumiawan Karyadi told the media on Monday that an inquiry should be held soon before Sahid's inauguration later this month.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Hamzah apologizes for busway brashness
Hamzah apologizes for busway brashness Evi Mariani and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Vice President Hamzah Haz's spokesperson made a public apology on Tuesday, particularly directed at other road users "who might feel they were treated unfairly", when Hamzah's convoy slithered into and barreled down the busway lane along congested Jl. Thamrin on Monday. "It was the police who directed us into the lane... as the street was congested that time.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
4.5 years sought for councillors
4.5 years sought for councillors PADANG, West Sumatra: The prosecution asked a local district court on Tuesday to sentence councillors Arwan Kasri, Titi Nazif Lubuk and Masfar Rasyid to 4.5 years in jail for graft. Prosecutor Yuspar also asked judges at the Padang District Court to order the three to repay money they allegedly stole, amounting to Rp 342 million (US$40,235). Arwan is the speaker of the West Sumatra provincial council, and Titi and Masfar are his deputies.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Tommy spurns bribery/mark-up trial for 7th time
Tommy spurns bribery/mark-up trial for 7th time Urip Hudiono The Jakarta Post Jakarta Though currently in town for a health check-up, convicted felon Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, former president Soeharto's youngest son, managed for the seventh time on the trot to call in sick for a trial in which he has been summoned to present testimony.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Cop with bad record made chief
Cop with bad record made chief The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former West Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Bambang Wasgito was installed as the Bogor Police chief on Tuesday, replacing Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam who had been in office for 14 months, in a ceremony led by West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Dadang Garnida. Anton, formerly Jakarta Police spokesman, was appointed head of the Bali Police's internal affairs division.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Visa policy
Visa policy From Kompas Indonesia's tourism industry has struggled due to various unfavorable developments such as the World Trade Center (WTC) tragedy, the Bali and Marriott hotel bombings, the SARS epidemic, the forthcoming 2004 general election and the presidential decree on short-visit visas. Presidential Decree No.18/2003 requires foreign tourists intending to visit Indonesia (excluding those from free-visa countries such as Europe and America) to obtain an entry visa.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Police seize 17,000 pirated VCDs
Police seize 17,000 pirated VCDs JAKARTA: City Police raided two companies allegedly producing pirated video compact discs and confiscated a total of 17,000 pirated music and movie video compact discs (VCDs). The police had put the owners of the companies on a manhunt list, identified as HM and S, whose latest whereabouts were in Singapore and China, said Comr. Elly Lalia, an officer with the directorate of special crime.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Sutardi doctors Orang Rimba
Sutardi doctors Orang Rimba Haidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Jambi When Sutardi Diharjo, a graduate of the Police Nursing College who majored in hemodialysis, pondered joining a team to provide health care to the Orang Rimba, literally the forest people, an indigenous tribe living in Bukit Duabelas National Park in Jambi, people frowned upon the idea. "Why should you go so far away, staying deep in the forest to work with these forest people?" they asked.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
China wins Iraq post-war contract
China wins Iraq post-war contract BEIJING: China has won its first contract in post-war Iraq, sealing a deal with the Iraqi Ministry of Communication to supply the country with telecommunications equipment, state media said on Tuesday. The Zhongxing Telecom Co (ZTE) signed a contract worth US$5 million after six months of difficult negotiations, the Xinhua news agency said on its website.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Committee looks into early campaigning
Committee looks into early campaigning KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Southeast Sulawesi's Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) has been investigating since January alleged early campaigning by seven candidates for the Regional Representative Council (DPD). As of Tuesday, all seven of the candidates had been questioned. The seven were identified as Hayani Imbu, Yokohama Sinapoy, La Ode Mizani, Husen Taliasa, La Ode Ida, Andi Muhammad Thamrin and Arsyad Abdullah.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Singapore, U.S. tech rivals merge in $1.6b deal
Singapore, U.S. tech rivals merge in $1.6b deal Agence France-Presse Singapore Rival chip testing and packaging firms ST Assembly Test Services Ltd. of Singapore and U.S.-based ChipPAC Inc. said on Tuesday they had agreed to merge in a deal worth US$1.6 billion. The companies said they had signed a "definitive agreement" to merge in an all-stock transaction expected to lead to the formation of the world's second biggest chip testing house.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Tenants ask legal protection from Komnas HAM, councilors
Tenants ask legal protection from Komnas HAM, councilors Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Dozens of tenants in low-cost apartments in Pluit, North Jakarta, sought legal protection on Tuesday to fight the apartment operator's plans to evict them on Wednesday.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Disregard politics in Akbar Tandjung affair
Disregard politics in Akbar Tandjung affair All eyes, albeit weary ones, will be on the Supreme Court, which is scheduled on Thursday (Feb. 12) to announce its verdict on an appeal filed by House of Representatives Speaker and Golkar Party leader Akbar Tanjung. Akbar was sentenced to three years' imprisonment by the Central Jakarta District Court in September 2002 for embezzling Rp 40 billion in state funds.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Bali a haven for foreign pedophiles, report says
Bali a haven for foreign pedophiles, report says Agence France-Presse, Sydney, Australia Pedophile rings of Australians, Europeans and Americans are operating freely on the Indonesian island of Bali and pretend to adopt or foster poverty-stricken children to abuse them, a new report claimed on Tuesday. Australian child advocacy group Child Wise said children on Bali's streets had reported networks of thousands of foreign men preying on them, working together and sharing the children.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
[b]KPU delays
KPU delays ballot paper printing for another week 2. NABIRE ( 2 X21) No casualties found in two epicenter villages 3. Harto ( 1 x 40) Soeharto's lawyer says no letter from AGO If sufficient space: Soeharto's lawyer says no letter yet from AGO 4. Monitor ( 2 x 24) Mari'e to lead team to monitor Aceh operation
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Astra Agro plans to play in downstream businesses
Astra Agro plans to play in downstream businesses Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Publicly listed plantation company PT Astra Agro Lestari is considering engaging in downstream business to offset a possible business downturn due to unfavorable government policies in the crude palm oil (CPO) sector, a company official said.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. TVRI: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18
1. TVRI: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 Mega accused of manipulation in 'TVRI' appointment 2. BUSWAY: 36 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 28 Sutiyoso drops executive bus idea or Sutiyoso drops luxury bus idea or Sutiyoso rejects executive buses 3. PRESIDENCY: 32 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 22 Susilo, Kalla set to resign to join presidential election 4. TOMMY: 28 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 37 Tommy spurns Sidiq's trial with 7th absence or Tommy spurns trial with 7th absence 5.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Terms of reference for ethnic Chinese
Terms of reference for ethnic Chinese From Media Indonesia Suhento Liaw's recent article published in Media Indonesia on the terms of reference for the ethnic Chinese in Indonesia is nothing new, as the controversy emerged as far back as the 1920s. One of the books on ethnic Chinese affairs, written by Yunus Yahya (The Diary of an Indonesian Citizen), is relevant here.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
* Headlines:Mega accused of manipulation in 'TVRI' appointments 2
* Headlines:Mega accused of manipulation in 'TVRI' appointments 2 * National:Mari'e to lead team to monitor Aceh operation 4 * Archipelago:Regent scolded over treatment of school principal 5 * Opinion:Prioritizing plantation bill's aim 6 * City:Cop with bad record made chief 8 * Sports:Singh uneasy with Tiger comparisons 9 * World:N.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Sutiyoso rejects executive bus idea
Sutiyoso rejects executive bus idea Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso turned down on Tuesday a proposal made by the TransJakarta Busway management to add executive-class buses to the busway project, which would occupy space in the dedicated lane. "Forget it! Our focus is to make perfect the existing busway project. We shall reject the plan (for an executive-class busway) if they (the management) insist," he said at City Hall.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
3-in-1 exemption for diplomats?
3-in-1 exemption for diplomats? From Koran Tempo For the time being, foreign diplomats are not subject to the 3-in-1 traffic rule, according to Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso. This, I think, is outrageous. Based on the Vienna Convention, reciprocally diplomats have legal immunity, covering tax exemption and other privileges. But they, like our diplomats abroad, should respect local laws. It means that the immunity is not unlimited freedom.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
RI to hold trade expo in UAE
RI to hold trade expo in UAE Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Agency for Export Development (BPEN) is to hold a trade exhibition in the United Arab Emirates, in a bid to boost the country's exports to new markets. The exhibit in the city of Sharja, held from Sept. 13 until Sept. 17, will be the second Indonesian expo in the city. "We have to be more aggressive in entering non-traditional markets.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
KPU delays ballot paper printing for another week
KPU delays ballot paper printing for another week Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The printing of 600 million ballot papers has been delayed for another week, the General Elections Commission (KPU) said on Tuesday. KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti said ballot paper printing would not start until Feb. 15 as print negatives would not be ready until Feb. 12. It would then take up to two days to final- check the printing process he said.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Access to Hambali discussed
Access to Hambali discussed JAKARTA: A United States antiterror team has met with Indonesian police to discuss giving them access to Indonesian terror-suspect Hambali, currently in U.S. custody. Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the team visited Indonesia for the regional conference on counter-terrorism in Bali earlier this month. "During the meeting we renewed our demands for access to question Hambali, while seeking information from the U.S.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia to boost countertrade
Indonesia to boost countertrade Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia will boost its countertrade to expand the country's export markets amid tighter global trade competition, Minister of Industry and Trade Rini MS Soewandi said on Monday. "We face relatively slow global economic growth and tighter competition with other countries.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Loans to small businesses still below target
Loans to small businesses still below target The Jakarta Post Jakarta Credits funneled by the banking sector to cooperatives and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) reached Rp 24.8 trillion (US$2.9 billion) as of the third quarter of 2003, a minister has said. The amount represented only around 58 percent of the full-year target of Rp 42.4 trillion, State Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs H.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Tommy spurns Sidiq's trial with 7th absence
Tommy spurns Sidiq's trial with 7th absence Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Though currently in town for a health check-up, convicted felon Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, former president Soeharto's youngest son, managed for the seventh time on the trot to call in sick for a trial in which he has been summoned to present testimony.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Six Indonesians charged in S'pore
Six Indonesians charged in S'pore SINGAPORE: Six Indonesian men have been charged for allegedly trying to enter Singapore illegally, police said on Tuesday. The men rowed a small, wooden boat for about six hours from an Indonesian island before they were spotted by Singapore's coast guard early on Sunday in waters off the city-state's eastern coast, the police said in a statement. Police spokesman Rachel Yeo said the men, who were not identified, were charged on Monday.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Visa-on-arrival policy
Visa-on-arrival policy I read the book A year of living dangerously three years ago when my wife and I retired and moved to Lombok. We wanted to learn more about Indonesia's history. I will always remember the part where the people of Lombok were hit by a bad famine, with thousands in the south of the island dying of starvation. The government in Jakarta did nothing as "they did not care for the people of Lombok".
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Fery hopes for release of all civilian captives
Fery hopes for release of all civilian captives Tiarma Siboro and Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Banda Aceh Cameraman Fery Santoro is valiantly maintaining hope for a safe release for himself and dozens of other civilian hostages held by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) -- despite failed attempts involving the international and local Red Cross, and a fresh incident on Monday in which a GAM spokesman was killed and a Red Cross worker went missing.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
S'pore looks past bird flu, cries 'Let's Eat!'
S'pore looks past bird flu, cries 'Let's Eat!' Jonathan Landreth, Reuters, Singapore Chop-chop goes the cleaver on the butcher's block at Tian Tian Hainan Chicken Rice, but fear of the bird flu ravaging parts of Asia has cut business in half at this tiny Singapore food stall. "My birds are from Malaysia where there's no flu, but people are still afraid to eat," said proprietor Madam Foo, who did not give her full name. The shop sells 50 whole chickens a day when business is good, Madam Foo said.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Over 1.3 million to secure polls
Over 1.3 million to secure polls Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While saying that police had not detected any groups planning to disturb the elections, Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Tuesday that over 1.3 million police, military personnel and civilians had been made ready to safeguard the five-yearly event. He added that police would step up security measures during the campaigning period to avoid possible clashes between political party supporters.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian dropouts highest in Southeast Asia
Indonesian dropouts highest in Southeast Asia A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The grim picture of education in Indonesia has been confirmed by the latest United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report, which revealed that elementary school dropouts account for 7 percent of the country's 26 million children, the highest among Southeast Asian member states.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Frank Richardson
Frank Richardson Lawyer London 2. Lin -- Plantation bill priority: Fairness, competitiveness or sustainability? 1 x 30 Prioritizing plantation bill's aim Lin Che Wei Director Independent Research & Advisory Jakarta
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Tour de Langkawi cycling results
Tour de Langkawi cycling results MELAKA, Malaysia, Feb 10 (AFP) - Results from the Cycling Tour de Langkawi Fifth stage on Tuesday, an individual time trial: Stage 5 1. Eric Wohlberg (Can) Team Canada 21mins 38.74secs 2. Marlon Perez (Col) Colombia Selle-Italia 21mins 51.91secs 3. John Lieswyn (USA) Health Net Pro 21mins 59.85secs 4. Hector Guerra Garcia (Spa) Relax Bodysol 22mins 00.59secs 5. Russel van Hout (Aus) Colombia Selle-Italia 22mins 13.91secs. Overall 1.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
'If a bribe is cheaper than a court fine, why not?'
'If a bribe is cheaper than a court fine, why not?' Most motorists in Jakarta prefer to bribe police officers rather than go to court when they are ticketed. The reasons vary from time-consuming court proceedings, the existence of middlemen, to work demands. The Jakarta Post interviewed some residents about what their choice of action would be if caught violating traffic laws.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
'I prefer to see my money goes to state budget'
'I prefer to see my money goes to state budget' Most motorists in Jakarta prefer to bribe police officers rather than going to the court when they are ticketed. Their reasons vary from the timely court proceedings, the existence of middlemen, the trial staged on working days and so forth. The Jakarta Post interviewed some other residents on their preference when being ticketed.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Security guards demand severance pay
Security guards demand severance pay SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Dozens of former employees at PT Vico Indonesia, a production sharing contractor of state-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina, protested on Tuesday in front of the East Kalimantan provincial council building. The employees, all former security guards with PT Vico, demanded the company give them severance pay.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
PTDI employees start to arrange severance pay after protests
PTDI employees start to arrange severance pay after protests Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung After months of protest, employees of ailing aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) began on Tuesday to accept the reality that they would not be returning to work for the company. More than 500 employees of PTDI began to arrange their severance pay on Tuesday at the company's office on Jl. Padjadjaran in Bandung.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Traders reject market renovation
Traders reject market renovation BOGOR: Hundreds of traders at Citeureup traditional market staged a protest rally at the Bogor regental administration office on Tuesday, rejecting the administration's plan to renovate the market without their consent. Abdulah, 40, who sells children's clothes at the market said that the market's developer PT Javana Artha Buana had asked the traders to pay Rp 9 million (US$1,058) in annual rental fees for a new kiosk, almost twice of the current Rp 4 million.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Threatened tenants seek protection from Komnas HAM, councilors
Threatened tenants seek protection from Komnas HAM, councilors Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post Jakarta Dozens of tenants in low-cost apartments in Pluit, North Jakarta, sought legal protection on Tuesday to fight the apartment operator's plans to evict them on Wednesday.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Women's quota for show?
Women's quota for show? Advocates of increasing political representation for women are facing their worst fears -- that women are becoming a political commodity just for parties to meet the requirements to contest the next elections.
Wed, 11 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Locals discover another body from sunken ship 'Belaza Timor'
Locals discover another body from sunken ship 'Belaza Timor' Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Sikka, East Nusa Tenggara The body of a fourth victim of the maritime accident in waters off Flores Island was found on Tuesday, a week after the Belaza Timor was lost in severe storms that swept through three eastern provinces. Chief of Sikka Police Adj. Sr. Comr. F.X. Bagus Wahyono said the body of John Alberto L.B., 30, was discovered by locals on a beach in Kepadung subdistrict, Sikka regency.