Archive: 19 February 2004
Showing 1-50 of 88 articles
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
WB urges greater cooperation between central, local govts
WB urges greater cooperation between central, local govts Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Clarity of functions between the central and local governments, and the yawning disparity between poor and rich regencies have posed a real threat to regional autonomy in Indonesia, a World Bank (WB) study reveals.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Factory meal lands hundreds in hospital
Factory meal lands hundreds in hospital Hundreds of employees of PT Mataram Tunggal Garment in Sleman regency, Yogyakarta, were admitted to the hospital on Wednesday with food poisoning. Four of the sick employees were taken to Panti Rapih Hospital in downtown Yogyakarta for intensive medical treatment. The employees of the factory had eaten lunch at the garment factory, located in Ngaglik, Sleman regency, prior to falling ill.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Angie ousts Camerin to reach third round in Indian Open
Angie ousts Camerin to reach third round in Indian Open The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Angelique "Angie" Widjaja of Indonesia beat Maria Elena Camerin of Italy 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the third round of the US$140,000 WTA Indian Open tennis tournament in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Angie, who brushed aside Barbara Schwart of Austria in the opening round, took the initiative early when she pulled to a 5-1 lead in the first round, coach Deddy Tedjamukti said.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
'New taxis only make the traffic worse'
'New taxis only make the traffic worse' The Jakarta administration is planning to launch a new taxi service using Kijang minivans, which can carry more passengers and baggage, despite the 25,000 taxis currently already traversing the city. The Jakarta Post talked to some residents about the issue. Yunita, 26, owns a retail store in Roxy, Central Jakarta. She lives with her parents in Karawaci, Tangerang: Kijang taxis? What for? Are they for private charter? I am totally against the idea.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Three killed in road accident
Three killed in road accident SUBANG, West Java: Three people were killed and seven others were severely injured on Tuesday evening when a Mitsubishi Colt minivan overturned in Ciater subdistrict, Subang regency. All were the passengers of the minibus. Endang, 51, a resident of Sumur district, Bandung regency, Kasman, 50, and Aan, 36, both from Jalan Cagak district, Subang, were killed in the accident. The seven injured are being treated at PT Perkebunan Nusantara Hospital here.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Students clash with Makassar police
Students clash with Makassar police MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Hundreds of students clashed with police on Wednesday during a protest condemning the Supreme Court's unequivocal acquittal of Akbar Tandjung of graft. No fatalities were reported, but several students suffered minor injuries. The clash began at 12:30 p.m., when the Indonesia Muslim University (UMI) students began their protest on Jl. Urip Sumohardjo, burning a used tire.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Five killed in workplace in 2003
Five killed in workplace in 2003 YOGYAKARTA: Accidents in the workplace occurred 332 times at various companies across Yogyakarta mayoralty last year, an official has said. Five were killed, 12 severely injured and 270 others were slightly injured, Sugiman, head of Yogyakarta's Manpower and Transmigration office said on Tuesday. In order to minimize work-related accidents, the office would initiate a "safety first" campaign for all companies.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Textile makers to face tough challenges: Forum
Textile makers to face tough challenges: Forum Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian textile and apparel industry may further lose its export market share once the quota system in its main U.S. and European markets is scrapped by 2005, an industry leader said. Indonesian Textile Association chairman Benny Soetrisno said on Wednesday local textile manufacturers would be squeezed out by more efficient producers from countries like China, Vietnam, India and Bangladesh.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Nothing to stop approval of water bill
Nothing to stop approval of water bill Suherdjoko and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Semarang/Jakarta Despite mounting public opposition, the House of Representatives is set to endorse the controversial water resources bill when it convenes for a plenary session on Thursday. Erman Suparno, the head of the House Working Committee deliberating the bill, said the plenary session had the authority to endorse the bill, which has sparked disagreements among government officials.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Infrastructure investment key to tackling poverty: ILO
Infrastructure investment key to tackling poverty: ILO Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The International Labor Organization (ILO) recommended on Tuesday the Indonesian government invest in labor-intensive public infrastructure projects and support small and medium enterprises in order to tackle poverty.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
NU to issue leadership criteria
NU to issue leadership criteria JAKARTA: The country's largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), will hold a national meeting before the presidential election to draw up a list of criteria for future leaders. NU deputy chairman Ahmad Bagdja said on Wednesday his organization would recommend that future leaders must be free from any corruption allegations. "We are already urging our local leaders to tell their followers at every occasion about the negative impacts of corruption.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Thai PM admits guns smuggled to Aceh came from army arsenal
Thai PM admits guns smuggled to Aceh came from army arsenal Agencies Bangkok Hundreds of weapons smuggled into the war-ravaged Indonesian province of Aceh came from a Thai army arsenal, Thailand's prime minister admitted on Wednesday. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra refused to say if corrupt army officials were involved in smuggling the stolen arms to Aceh rebels, or whether common criminals were responsible.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Budget carriers in dogfight over skies
Budget carriers in dogfight over skies Michael Mathes Agence France-Presse Bangkok Thailand's skies are becoming increasingly crowded, and a dogfight is brewing between the kingdom's flagship carrier and upstart budget airlines snapping for a bite of the lucrative aviation sector. Thai Airways this month announced a launch date for its own budget carrier which in June will go nose-to-nose with a number of new competitors attempting to gain a foothold here.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
S'pore sees free trade with India by midyear
S'pore sees free trade with India by midyear Rajesh Mahapatra Associated Press New Delhi Singapore's trade minister said on Wednesday his country would likely sign a free-trade pact with India by the middle of this year, paving the way for greater integration of the city-state with the South Asian nation of more than 1 billion people.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
2 heads
2 heads 1. FISH -- 1 x Sudimara, the other face of Bali 2. JAZZ -- 1 x 30 Musicians give Bali all that jazz
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bali for Thursday, February 19, 2004
Where to go in Bali for Thursday, February 19, 2004 .TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions * Photographs featuring works by Indonesian noted photographer Rama Surya and William R Durman, Cottage Art, Jl By Pass Ngurah Rai 888XX, Pemogan, Denpasar, until Feb. 20. * Painting What is behind a Picture? at K. Sudana Gallery - Campuhan, Ubud. The exhibition will be opened by a performance by I Ketut Sugantika: Journey of a Pig, the exhibition continues until Feb. 29.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Vietnam condemns US ruling in shrimp dumping case
Vietnam condemns US ruling in shrimp dumping case Ben Rowse Agence France-Presse Hanoi Vietnam's seafood industry condemned Wednesday a ruling by a U.S. trade panel that Vietnamese shrimp exports are threatening the American shrimp industry, calling the anti-dumping investigation "absurd". The Vietnam Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said it was "very disappointed" that the International Trade Commission (ITC) did not terminate the legal action against Vietnam and five other countries.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
IBRA has failed to cure banks: Analysts
IBRA has failed to cure banks: Analysts Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Less than a fortnight before the official Feb. 27 closure of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), economic analysts are saying that the agency has been unsuccessful in carrying out its main task of curing the country's ailing banking sector.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Children banned from election campaigns : Bachtiar
Children banned from election campaigns : Bachtiar The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Anyone found to have involved children in the upcoming election campaigns will be subject to a maximum five-year prison term or a Rp 100 million (US$11.4 million) fine, Minister of Social Affairs Bachtiar Chamsyah said. The minister, addressing the opening of the Children's Congress in Yogyakarta on Wednesday, was referring to the 2002 Law on Child Protection.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Thursday, February 19, 2004 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 6:30 Documentary 7:00 Entertainment News: Selebrita 8:00 Music: Sik Asik 9:00 Entertainment News: Pro Biz 10:00 TV Drama 12:00 p.m.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Bank Danamon net profit jumps by 61%
Bank Danamon net profit jumps by 61% The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Danamon, the country's fifth largest bank in terms of assets, announced on Wednesday that 2003 net profit jumped by 61 percent on strong revenue from lending and fee-based activities. In a report to the Jakarta Stock Exchange, the publicly listed bank said that net profit increased to Rp 1.53 trillion (about US$182 million) last year from Rp 948 billion in 2002.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Naming people with AIDS May I strongly protest your naming of the person who died of AIDS in Mataram (First AIDS death reported in NTB, The Jakarta Post, Feb. 17, 2004, page 5). This violates the accepted principles of ethical and empathetic journalism. While we all look forward to the day when people with AIDS can acknowledge the cause of their condition in the same way as those, for example, with diabetes or cancer, that time has not yet come.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Police hunts for perpetrators behind pornographic pictures
Police hunts for perpetrators behind pornographic pictures Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Internet users have been bombarded recently with pornographic pictures of a local female TV soap star and a rock band guitarist, which have become a hot topic on local gossip shows and made headlines in several newspapers and tabloids. In the face of the hype, the Jakarta Police cyber crimes division has opened an investigation to uncover the "real perpetrators" of the widely distributed pictures.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Dengue death toll hits 166
Dengue death toll hits 166 Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The death toll in the dengue fever outbreak has reached 166 from the at least 8,135 people infected nationwide, as health authorities are struggling to identify the virus responsible for the rapid spread of the disease.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Knock! Knock! 'Jumantik' is here
Knock! Knock! 'Jumantik' is here The Jakarta Post, Jakarta From next week one of your neighbors may knock on your door and show you a glass jar containing mosquito larvae. When this happens, you know they have been recruited by the city administration as a jumantik (mosquito larvae monitoring officer). "The jumantik is assigned to inform residents of the danger of dengue fever and tell them about how to prevent the outbreak.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Locust invasion wrecks havoc in West Sumba
Locust invasion wrecks havoc in West Sumba Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara Thousands of hectares of ripened corn in six districts in West Sumba regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), have been destroyed by swarms of locusts over the past few months. The locusts first appeared at the end of last year and their numbers have continued to increase.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia: Hard to stop smuggled RI timber
Malaysia: Hard to stop smuggled RI timber Reuters Kuala Lumpur Malaysia said on Wednesday it was unable to stop smuggled Indonesian wood from reaching its ports due to a legal loophole but pledged to work with green groups that exposed the problem. The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), which published a scathing report on Malaysia after a two-year probe on trade of banned Indonesian ramin wood, maintained that Malaysian officials were working with smugglers.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Farcical trial
Farcical trial of Akbar Tandjung From Koran Tempo Securing justice in this country seems a difficult task, even more so in the case of the misappropriation of State Logistics Agency (Bulog) funds allegedly involving Akbar Tandjung. Few would believe Akbar's claim that the Rp 50 billion (for a food program for the poor) was "kept" by Winfred Simatupang. Who would keep such a huge amount of cash at home for three years?
Thu, 19 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.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
BI refuses to weaken rupiah to boost exports
BI refuses to weaken rupiah to boost exports Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Indonesia (BI) has refused to intervene in the foreign exchange market and weigh in on the rupiah performance against the U.S. dollar to boost exports in spite of calls from local business players.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
KPU names ink tender winners amid financial doubt
KPU names ink tender winners amid financial doubt Moch. N. Kurniawan and Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After a two-week delay, the General Elections Commission (KPU) announced on Wednesday four companies that won the contract to provide ink for the April 5 legislative election despite some serious questions about their financial documents.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Humans blamed for animal-related disease
Humans blamed for animal-related disease Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Humans are to blame for the recent spread of many life- threatening diseases that are related to animals, including Bovine Spongiform Encephalophathy (BSE) or mad cow disease, avian influenza, also known as bird flu, and dengue hemorrhagic fever, experts say. Mad cow disease and avian influenza are found among cows and poultry and only infect animals.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
[b]Behind the scenes on
Behind the scenes on the busway project Sachin Gopalan Business Analyst Jakarta sachin.gopalan@jditeam.com 2. Bharat -- Multipolar world may emerge from collapse of dollar 2 x 30 Multipolar world may emerge from decline of greenback Bharat Jhunjhunwala Columnist New Delhi bharatj@nda.vsnl.net.in
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
IBRA's place in history
IBRA's place in history When IBRA closes its doors on Feb. 27, the curtain will come down on one of the most controversial chapters in Indonesia's recent economic history. IBRA (the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency) was established during the Asian crisis in 1998 to rehabilitate Indonesia's devastated banking sector, recover the Rp 650 trillion (S$130 billion) the state pumped into ailing banks, restructure thousands of Indonesian companies and rebuild the economy.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Patients confused about free care
Patients confused about free care Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Although the city administration has urged city-run hospitals to prioritize dengue fever patients and provide them with free-of- charge medical services, at city-run Budhi Asih Hospital in East Jakarta, many patients and relatives were poorly informed of the free service. "We have heard about the free treatment on television, but we are confused if it's really free of charge or if we have to pay for the medicine.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Investors want higher gas output split
Investors want higher gas output split P.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Oil and gas implementing body BP Migas has rejected a request from ExxonMobil Indonesia Inc. and ConocoPhilips for a higher production split in the Blok A gas field in Lhokseumawe, Aceh. BP Migas chairman Rachmat Soedibyo said on Wednesday the two production sharing contractors had requested the production split be revised to 50:50 from the current 65:35 because of higher than expected production costs.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Mutual funds remains the best alternative
Mutual funds remains the best alternative Hendarsyah Tarmizi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Although many people have turned their investments into shares to take advantage of the bullish stock market, fund managers still believe that mutual funds will remain the favorite among individual and institutional investors. Besides, stocks are much riskier, and many local investors doubt if the bullish condition of stock trading will last until the end of the year.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Environment ministers seek to thrash out biodiversity deal
Environment ministers seek to thrash out biodiversity deal Eileen Ng Agence France-Presse Kuala Lumpur Environment ministers from 74 countries opened a two-day United Nations meeting on Wednesday seeking to curb the extinction rate of threatened species and to map out regulations to ensure developing nations benefit from the commercialization of their biological resources.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
SINGAPORE: An Indonesian maid was hospitalized after falling from
SINGAPORE: An Indonesian maid was hospitalized after falling from a four-story Singapore flat while hanging out the laundry on Tuesday. She was reported in stable condition. Her employer told the local media that the maid lost her balance and fell out the window. The accident was witnessed by another maid, who quickly got help. The maid plunged head first and was bleeding profusely, other witnesses said.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Behind the scenes on the busway project
Behind the scenes on the busway project Sachin Gopalan, Business Analyst, Jakarta sachin.gopalan@jditeam.com Everyone nowadays seems to be going ballistic over the shiny brand new TransJakarta project of the Governor of Jakarta. Everyone wonders at the twisted logic behind some of the decisions of the administration. Are they wrong or is it just exciting to prove them wrong? What were they thinking? What really goes on in their minds before they take major decisions that affect our daily lives?
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. GUN: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18
1. GUN: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 Thai PM admits guns smuggled into Aceh came from army arsenal 2. DPR: 36 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 27 Bankers expose weaknesses in deposit insurance plan 3. D-8: 30 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 28 D-8 members open economic summit 4. IBRA: 28 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 18 IBRA has failed to cure banks: Experts 5. SUSUL: 28 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 47 Children banned from election campaigns: Bachtiar
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Abdul Khalik and Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Abdul Khalik and Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Local officials, supposedly the frontline of the Jakarta administration's community fix for flooded areas, have done little to help inundated residents, often not even bothering to show up, flood victims said. However, as water in some areas started to subside on Wednesday, many residents, apparently used to the floods -- and the lack of action -- downplayed the problem.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
S.E. Asian officials worry about cuts in oil production
S.E. Asian officials worry about cuts in oil production Associated Press Manila, Philippines Thailand and the Philippines expressed concern on Wednesday over recent reductions in world oil production, warning that further cuts could slow global economic growth. The two Southeast Asian countries said in a joint statement that they will push for creation of a regional petroleum hub to be used for stockpiling and distribution.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
BNI faces uncertainty over Texmaco debt repayment
BNI faces uncertainty over Texmaco debt repayment Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), the country's second largest bank, has hit a snag in its attempt to obtain full repayment of its US$67 million loan to troubled textile and engineering giant Texmaco Group. BNI president Sigit Pramono said the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), the guarantor of the Texmaco debt, said it would only repay the debt in the form of credit assets.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
TB and global health
TB and global health In addition to your article on Bill Gates, the most generous philanthropist in history in The Jakarta Post on Feb. 15, I would like to share the following information provided by Reuters on Feb. 13, 2004: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has donated US$82.9 million to support research to prevent tuberculosis (TB).
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Kampar Regent must go: Councillors
Kampar Regent must go: Councillors Haidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, Riau A special team of Kampar regency councillors on Wednesday recommended the dismissal of Regent Jefri Noer and his deputy, Zakir, following massive protests by teachers and students in the province. Chairman Yurmailis Saroji said the recommendation was made after the team went to a series of schools and talked to community leaders about the protests.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Alleged JI member on trial
Alleged JI member on trial JAKARTA: An alleged member of the Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist network stood trial on Wednesday at the South Jakarta District Court for conspiracy to commit terrorism, targeting National Police headquarters and foreign interests in the capital. Defendant Slamet Widodo, alias Pepen, 37, is being charged under Law No. 15/2003 on antiterrorism and faces at least 15 years in jail.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Utut beats Stefanova in Makita chess tourney
Utut beats Stefanova in Makita chess tourney Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta GM Utut Adianto bounced back from a surprise loss to beat GM Antoaneta Stefanova in the third round of the Makita-Lakoni International Grand Master Chess Tournament here on Wednesday. The favorite in the tournament, which features six players, Utut was dealt a blow on Tuesday when, holding white, he lost to GM Zhu Chen.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
After bird flu, dengue
After bird flu, dengue Doctors' confirmation on Tuesday of suspicions a new, previously unknown sub-variant of the dengue virus is responsible for a virulent outbreak accross the country adds to the graveness of a situation already rated "extraordinary" by the government. This is all the more so because the Asian bird flu has yet to be brought fully under control.
Thu, 19 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Australia's Child Wise regrets Bali child abuse document
Australia's Child Wise regrets Bali child abuse document The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The head of Australia's leading child protection advocacy group said she wished she had never made public a report on pedophiles in Bali. In a recent interview with Australia's The Age newspaper, Child Wise director Bernadette McMenamin said her group's report on pedophiles was a "working document" prepared by a postgraduate student and not "an investigation".