Archive: 17 February 2004
Showing 1-50 of 74 articles
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
OPEC may cut output again if required: Purnomo
OPEC may cut output again if required: Purnomo The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) may cut output limits again in May if supply curbs in April were not enough to keep oil prices between US$22 and $28 a barrel. "By the end of March we will meet again and if (the April cut) is not enough, we can consider (another cut) in May," OPEC president Purnomo Yusgiantoro, who is also Indonesia's minister of energy and mineral resources, said on Monday.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
On crooked politicians
On crooked politicians From Gatra In the period of reform no significant political change was introduced because the majority of politicians were perceivably exponents of the New Order. Even some newcomers in politics also have the vision and mission of the old regime. Worse still, New Order figures are already enjoying the gains of graft practices. For decades now they have appeared as candidates for national and regional legislative positions, even for presidency.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Banning headscarves
Banning headscarves in public schools Again The Jakarta Post has devoted ample space to the issue of religious paraphernalia, specifically Muslim headscarves in French schools. Yet again, the issue has been narrowly focused.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Tremor jolts Padang, causes blackout
Tremor jolts Padang, causes blackout PADANG, West Sumatra: An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale jolted the West Sumatra capital of Padang late Monday. No fatalities were immediately reported, but the quake caused a blackout in Padang that lasted for more than an hour. Sumarso, an official at the Padang Panjang Geophysics and Meteorology Agency, said the epicenter of the earthquake was located beneath Mount Tandikat, some 40 kilometers north of Padang.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Team starts inquiry into Kampar protests
Team starts inquiry into Kampar protests Haidir Anwar Tanjung and Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru/Makassar A team from the Kampar Regency Council visited schools on Monday in the regency capital of Bangkinang to check into allegations by Kampar Regent Jefri Noer that massive protests against him by students and teachers were being engineered by outside parties.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
TPL urges police to stop vandalism
TPL urges police to stop vandalism Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL) has urged local police to investigate vandalism targeting trucks carrying raw materials heading from and to the pulp mill in Porsea district here, Toba Samosir regency. Company spokesman Chairuddin Pasaribu said that unruly crowds often pelted stones and placed sharp objects on the road where the trucks passed by, and this had certainly disturbed the company's operations.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. PDI: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18
1. PDI: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 PDI-P campaign again to rely on Mega's fame 2. TOMMY: 36 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 28 Tommy finds time to testify 3. BULOG: 32 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 24 to be sent later 4. BALAI: 28 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 38 Jakarta to get RI's first opera house 5. KPU: 28 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 27 Minister tells KPU to resolve ballot price deadlock
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
House to endorse controversial water bill
House to endorse controversial water bill Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Without further ado, the House of Representatives concluded the deliberations of the controversial water resources bill and is set to endorse it on Thursday.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
FDI in January fell by 24 percent: BKPM
FDI in January fell by 24 percent: BKPM The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into the country remained weak as FDI approvals in January of this year dropped by nearly 24 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data from the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM). BKPM said on Monday that FDI approvals during the month fell to US$264.4 million from $324.2 million.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
War of information
War of information From Media Indonesia Some experts say that information control is a precondition for global domination. Wiretapping is, in fact, a method to gain information by illegal means. It is only legalized by countries in government institutions, such as intelligence agencies or its secret services. In the case of wiretapping the Indonesian Embassy by Australia, such methods incur a breach of ethics in international relations, which can certainly disturb diplomatic ties.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Base deposit premiums on bank risk: Association
Base deposit premiums on bank risk: Association Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government-proposed bank deposit insurance scheme has been criticized by local and international experts for treating banks unfairly and lacking certainty on when depositors could get their money back when a bank becomes insolvent.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
RI told to do more on trafficking
RI told to do more on trafficking JAKARTA: Comparing human trafficking to slavery, a U.S. official on Monday called on Indonesia to quickly pass pending legislation that toughens penalties for those caught forcing people into jobs as prostitutes, laborers and maids. John Miller, director of the U.S. State Department's anti- people trafficking office, also announced Washington's plan to spend US$100 million to combat trafficking worldwide this year. His three-day visit to Indonesia ended Monday.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
House proposes independent haj organizational body
House proposes independent haj organizational body Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Smarting from the controversy over the haj quota that marred this year pilgrimage, the House of Representatives is pushing for an independent institution to end the Ministry of Religious Affairs' monopoly over the lucrative business.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Civil society after Akbar's acquittal
Civil society after Akbar's acquittal Christine Susanna Tjhin Department of Politics and Social Change Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta 2. Badawi -- 1 X 45 Asia encounters four strategic challenges Ahmad Badawi Prime Minister of Malaysia Kuala Lumpur 3. Sayid -- Will Unilateralism prevail? 1 X 30 Will unilateralism prevail? Sayidiman Suryohadiprojo Former Governor National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) Jakarta
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
2003 GDP growth slightly exceeds official target
2003 GDP growth slightly exceeds official target Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, and terrorist attacks at home, the economy recorded a 4.1 percent growth last year, higher than the 2002 growth rate and slightly higher than the official target, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported on Monday.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Abrupt company closure leaves 400 jobless
Abrupt company closure leaves 400 jobless Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang About 400 workers at the PT King Stone Indonesia factory on Jl. Raya Serang in Balaraja district, Tangerang regency, are in the dark about their future after the management closed down the factory without notice. "The factory was closed down on Jan. 31 but none of the workers were informed in advanced," Sukrismas, head of the factory's union, told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Chess star Susanto beats Hoang
Chess star Susanto beats Hoang Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Local chess star IM Susanto Megaranto, the youngest player in the Makita-Lakoni International Grand Master Chess Tournament, enjoyed a stunning defeat of IM Hoang Thanh Trang of Vietnam of the opening round of the event here on Monday.
Tue, 17 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.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. GDP: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18
1. GDP: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 2003 GDP growth slightly exceeds target 2. SYDNEY: 36 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 28 Child sex tourism monitored OR Deaths blamed on pedophiles OR Pedophiles blamed for deaths OR Pedophiles on prowl on Bali: Report 3. SUSUL: 32 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 22 Kerry looks for Wisconsin knockout in primary 4. MEGA: 28 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 37 Megawati to attend D-8 Summit in Iran 5. CHESS: 28 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 28 Chess star Susanto beats Hoang
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. TINA -- 1 x 35
1. TINA -- 1 x 35 Cultural center binds Germany, RI 2. CECILE -- 1 x 56 Exhibition celebrates enduring glamour of Cecil Beaton
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Megawati to attend D-8 Summit in Iran
Megawati to attend D-8 Summit in Iran Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri will head for Iran on Tuesday morning to attend the D-8 Summit and hold talks with the country's leaders. The President, along with an entourage including several ministers, would fly from Halim Perdanakusumah Airport in East Jakarta, her office said.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Committee likely to annul election
Committee likely to annul election BOGOR: Bogor's mayoral election could be annulled after apparent proof newly-elected deputy mayor Mochamad Sahid submitted a bogus high school diploma before the Feb. 14 elections. Mayoral elections committee member Nuruzzaman, of the Justice Party faction, said on Monday he and other members Hamzah Ismail, Hotman Damanik and Rohili had met with Jakarta education agency officials.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Supreme Court's ruling
Supreme Court's ruling From Bisnis Indonesia The Supreme Court ruling to exonerate Akbar Tandjung is just a plagiarized, humorous piece by Srimulat, one of the country's famous groups of comedians. However, it falls flat as a joke. Unfortunately, ordinary citizens can do nothing about this. They can only pray that this ruling will pave the way for Akbar Tandjung to win the presidential race later this year so that Indonesia can become a full-fledged land of clowns.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Media confirm Akbar's public relations skills
Media confirm Akbar's public relations skills Ardimas Sasdi, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post, Berkeley, California ajambak@uclink.berkeley.edu In a verdict seen by many as a blow to efforts to build clean governance in Indonesia as one of the aims of the reform movement, the Supreme Court acquitted House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung of corruption in the Buloggate scandal on Thursday.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
TV Program: Wednesday, February 18, 2004
TV Program: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 .TB.30" 1.00" TVRI .TB.30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Entertainment News: Selebrita 8:00 Music: Sik Asik 9:00 Entertainment News: Show Biz 10:00 TV Drama: Si Kabayan 12:30 p.m.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
'Time' appoints new editor for Asia
'Time' appoints new editor for Asia INDONESIA: The world's leading weekly newsmagazine, Time has named its editor-at-large Michael Elliot as Time Asia's new editor, the magazine said in press release made available to The Jakarta Post. "I'm hugely looking forward to leading the most important magazine in Asia," said Elliott, who will assume his new job in May 2004.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Cipinang prison welcomes Akbar's accomplices
Cipinang prison welcomes Akbar's accomplices Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While House Speaker Akbar Tandjung celebrated his recent, yet highly controversial, acquittal of all charges for graft, his two accomplices were admitted on Monday to Cipinang Penitentiary to serve out the remainder of their terms in the same case. Accompanied by their families, convicts Dadang Sukandar and Winfried Simatupang looked listless as they were booked into the high-security penitentiary.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Cabinet to decide on phone rate hike, Agum says
Cabinet to decide on phone rate hike, Agum says P.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Communications Agum Gumelar said on Monday the government had yet to decide whether to raise phone rates by an average of 10 percent this year as proposed by the country's telecom regulatory body.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Balinese children abducted and killed by pedophiles: Australian report
Balinese children abducted and killed by pedophiles: Australian report Agencies Sydney, Australia Hundreds of Balinese children are feared to have been abused and abducted, and some even killed, by pedophiles belonging to a child sex network operating in the Indonesian resort island, an investigation by The Australian newspaper alleged on Monday.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Civil society after Akbar's acquittal
Civil society after Akbar's acquittal Christine Susanna Tjhin, Department of Politics and Social Change Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta A friend won a bet on Akbar's release. "I told you so! Our oh- so-reliable Supreme Court will release him!" he said sarcastically after claiming his prize -- a bag of peanuts. The release of Akbar Tandjung was the climax to disappointments over the Indonesian judicial system throughout the reform period.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Govt fronts bill on Cabinet dissolution
Govt fronts bill on Cabinet dissolution Kurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post Jakarta Reconfirming its refusal to deliberate the presidential bill put forth by the House of Representatives, the government said on Monday it would instead propose a bill on the formation and dissolution of the Cabinet. Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the government would write to the House an official explanation on its stance over the presidential bill.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
CDMA operators start to compete GSM carriers
CDMA operators start to compete GSM carriers Rudijanto, Contributor, Jakarta When state-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom Tbk (Telkom) launched its first fixed wireless telephone service based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, the TelkomFlexi, in Surabaya, Balikpapan and Denpasar in 2002, many people believed the new service would pose a deadly threat for Global Service for Mobile Communications (GSM) cellular operators.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Cultural center binds Germany, RI
Cultural center binds Germany, RI Christina Schott, Contributor, Jakarta Did you know that Berlin and Jakarta were "sister-cities"? They are, although not many activities -- both here and there -- underline this partnership. People in both cities want to change this. Some of them gathered recently in Berlin to rebuild the former Indonesian Cultural Institute and ended up creating a new entity -- the German-Indonesian Cultural Institute (DIKI).
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Legislators represents parties: Cetro
Legislators represents parties: Cetro Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The upcoming general elections will do little to change the face of legislative bodies in the country, as lawmakers will remain the mouthpieces of their parties rather than representatives of the people, a study concluded on Monday. The study, conducted by the Center for Electoral Reform (Cetro), revealed that most legislative candidates surveyed acknowledged they had been promoted by their parties.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Avian flu reappears in Thailand; death toll reaches 21 in Asia
Avian flu reappears in Thailand; death toll reaches 21 in Asia Agencies Bangkok Thailand's hopes of following Japan in declaring a swift end to its huge bird flu crisis were dashed on Monday as the virus which has killed 21 Asians reappeared in eight areas where it had been thought vanquished.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Govt to build more overpasses
Govt to build more overpasses TANGERANG: Tangerang regent Ismet Iskandar said his office will soon construct overpasses in Ciputat and Balaraja to ease heavy traffic, and that Rp 29 billion (US$3.4 million) from the regental budget had been earmarked for the project. "We will also have additional funds from investors and Banten province ... part of the budget can be used to restore schools and for health services," he said as quoted by Tempo News Room.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
KPU reported for alleged irregularity
KPU reported for alleged irregularity PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Three legislative candidates from the Indonesian Democratic party of Struggle (PDI-P) reported on Monday the local General Elections Commission (KPU) to poll watchdog the Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) for an alleged irregularity. The three legislative candidates for Banyumas regency are Wiyono, Isnaeni and Priyanto. Wiyono said he is fourth on the PDI-P's list of legislative candidates for the Banyumas regency council.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Prominent social activist Fakih dies
Prominent social activist Fakih dies Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta One of the country's most prominent social activists, Mansour Fakih, died about midnight on Sunday at Yogyakarta's Bethesda Hospital after 10 days in a coma. He was 51. His elder brother, Ainur Rokhim, said Fakih was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 6 for a medical checkup. He then lost consciousness, remaining in a coma until he died. Doctors said he had suffered a stroke and internal bleeding in the brain.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Minister tells KPU to resolve ballot price deadlock
Minister tells KPU to resolve ballot price deadlock Andi Hajramurni and Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Makassar/Jakarta Home minister Hari Sabarno urged the General Elections Commission (KPU) on Monday to resolve immediately the deadlock over printing costs between the commission and tender participants to allow early printing of ballot papers.
Tue, 17 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.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Police link Gun Gun with blast
Police link Gun Gun with blast JAKARTA: Alleged terrorist Rusmawan 'Gun Gun' Gunawan, one of six students deported from Pakistan in December, is suspected of being involved in the JW Marriott Hotel bombing that killed 13 people on Aug. 5, 2003, a police officer says. Brig. Gen. Pranowo, a director for antiterrorism of the Detective and Criminal Unit of the National Police, however, declined to reveal details of Gun Gun's involvement in the terrorist attack.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Govt agencies unenthused by transportation study
Govt agencies unenthused by transportation study Bambang Nurbianto and Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Officials of local administrations in Greater Jakarta expressed reluctance on Monday to adopt recommendations of a study on a transportation master plan proposed by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), citing financial constraints as the major problem.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
NGO activists quizzed for libel
NGO activists quizzed for libel JAKARTA: The police questioned on Monday an activist of non- governmental organization Center for Democracy and Social Justice Studies (Cedsos) over a libel complaint filed by Nur Hidayat, the leader of Laskar Sabililah, in December last year. Cedsos executive John Mempi was questioned as a witness in the publishing of Cedsos' book titled The Conspiracy of Intelligent and Islamic Radical Movements, which was edited by Umar Abduh.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Three-in-one bothersome
Three-in-one bothersome From Bisnis Indonesia The Jakarta city administration is now enforcing its three-in- one policy that requires that a car must carry a minimum of three passengers to be able to pass certain streets during certain hours in the morning and afternoon. Regarding this policy, I have had a bothersome experience traveling in Jakarta. It is understood that the slow lane in the street going from Jl. Gatot Subroto towards Jl. Jend.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Billions of rupiah needed to repair Nabire Airport
Billions of rupiah needed to repair Nabire Airport Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua The aftermath of the tectonic earthquake in Nabire has left Nabire airport here practically crippled. Around Rp 9.5 billion (US$1.12 million) in funds in needed to rebuild the airport.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Probity above politics
Probity above politics Corruption, if left unchecked, can destroy the foundations of society. It undermines governments, particularly those that have to periodically renew their mandates before the people. It is therefore naive for anyone, even the Opposition, to doubt the government's seriousness in fighting graft. As Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has emphasized, the anti-corruption drive is no election gimmick.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
'All have the same rights on the road'
'All have the same rights on the road' The existing law gives the police the authority to stop the traffic to allow state officials or state visitors, among others, to pass. But with the severe traffic congestion in Jakarta nowadays, some residents The Jakarta Post spoke with surmised that such privileges were excessive. Jamal, 28, works as a technician for a private company in Slipi, West Jakarta.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Beteleme suspects to stand trial
Beteleme suspects to stand trial Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu, Central Sulawesi Central Sulawesi Police completed on Monday the dossiers on 16 suspects allegedly involved in a deadly attack on Beteleme subdistrict, Morowali regency, last year. The dossiers were then handed over on the same day to the Central Sulawesi High Prosecutor's Office in order that the office could process the dossiers immediately and take the case to court. Chief of Central Sulawesi police detectives Sr. Comr.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Experts urge improvement of busway feeder
Experts urge improvement of busway feeder Urip Hudiono and Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In evaluating the busway's first month of operation, two independent studies highlighted the busway's poor feeder system and urged the Jakarta administration on Monday to develop more busway corridors.
Tue, 17 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
RP, Thailand to set up regional 'petroleum hub'
RP, Thailand to set up regional 'petroleum hub' Associated Press Manila The Philippines and Thailand are to begin talks this week in establishing a Southeast Asian "petroleum hub" to boost energy supply in the region, Manila's energy department said on Monday. A 22-member delegation led by Thai energy minister Prommin Lertsuridej and senior officials of state Petroleum Energy of Thailand are to arrive on Tuesday and meet with his counterpart Vicente Perez and President Gloria Arroyo.