Archive: 27 February 2004
Showing 1-50 of 74 articles
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Rp 30b aid given to 240 poor villages
Rp 30b aid given to 240 poor villages SURABAYA: The East Java provincial government has disbursed Rp 30 billion (US$3.5 million) in aid to 240 poverty-stricken villages in the province. The fund is part of Rp 48 billion from the provincial budget slated to be distributed this year to 400 poor villages across the province. The remaining Rp 18 billion will be disbursed immediately, said Deputy Governor Soenarjo.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Up for election
Up for election Along with voting for political parties and legislative candidates in the House of Representatives (DPR) and City/Regency Council (DPRD) on April 5, voters will also pick candidates for the new Regional Representatives Council (DPD). The DPD will have four members from each of the 32 provinces and together with the 550 elected DPR members will make up the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Total, Petronas, NIOC ink LNG deal
Total, Petronas, NIOC ink LNG deal TEHRAN: French oil giant Total and Malaysian group Petronas signed a US$2 billion deal on Wednesday with the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) to set up a liquefied natural gas production (LNG) venture in Iran, an oil ministry official here said. "The total value of the project is more than $2 billion," said a spokesman for NIOC, adding that a plant for the venture, Pars LNG, will be built in Iran's giant South Pars energy zone in the Gulf.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
With a national character in place and in the absence of
With a national character in place and in the absence of domination from imperialist powers, the nation can achieve the aims of Trisakti as envisioned by Bung Karno: Political independence, economic self-sufficiency and cultural identity.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
* Headlines: Ex-PKI members seek to go to poll this year 2
* Headlines: Ex-PKI members seek to go to poll this year 2 * National: Megawati 'fails to end racial discrimination' 4 * Archipelago: Messy paperwork saves Cirebon mayor 5 * Opinion: Singapore must take steps to clear ties with RI 6 * City: Experts boo mishmash traffic policies 8 * Sports: Tiger survives scare to win at Match Play 9 * World: U.S.-Iran relations chill again after election 11 * Business: Govt may get $11 billion from pipeline project 13 * Features: The best, the worst of Oscar 17
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Of the hearts and minds of the Acehnese
Of the hearts and minds of the Acehnese Aguswandi, Researcher, Indonesian Human Rights Campaign (TAPOL), London Now that many months have elapsed since the imposition of martial law in Aceh, it is the right time to wonder about the hearts and minds of the Acehnese. Winning these two things was the fundamental objective of the government's decision to declare martial law in Aceh. So how have things progressed? Has Jakarta won the hearts and minds of these rebellious people?
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Experts reject bill on legislation
Experts reject bill on legislation Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Ten legal experts from eight universities urged the House of Representatives to delay the approval of the bill on law-making procedures, saying it would disrupt the country's legal system. Maria Indrati of the University of Indonesia (UI) said the bill would create more conundrums as it recognized decrees issued by state institutions as legally binding regulations below presidential decrees.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Official says loan repaid, claims slander
Official says loan repaid, claims slander Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta Sanitation Agency head Selamat Limbong admitted that he had borrowed money from city councillor Posman Siahaan in 2002. "Yes, I borrowed some money from him when I was still working as head of the city-owned Lokasari entertainment area in West Jakarta in April 2002. I borrowed Rp 250 million (US$29,762) to support my friend's business," he said on Thursday.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Credit card crime law urgent: Police
Credit card crime law urgent: Police P.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government needed to urgently pass new a law on payment systems to combat rising credit card crime in the country, card groups and the police said on Thursday. Existing laws were ineffectual and would leave criminals free when they should be behind bars, the Indonesian Credit Card Association (AKKI) and the police said. "Current criminal laws are not effective to combat crimes using high technology," said Adj. Sr.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Sony Ericsson responds
Sony Ericsson responds This is in response to the letter by Julhandiarso dated Jan. 31, regarding his Sony Ericsson T610. On Feb. 3, we contacted Julhandiarso and replaced his T610 with a new phone at PT Tirta Graha Mas (TGM), where he bought and had his cellular phone repaired. KARJANTO LESTIADI Customer Service Manager Sony Ericsson Service Center Jakarta
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Three killed, houses destroyed by floods
Three killed, houses destroyed by floods Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Indramayu, West Java Three people were killed and tens of thousands of homes were damaged after floods swept through a large part of Indramayu regency this week, officials have said. Thousands of hectares of paddy fields, fish and shrimp ponds were also destroyed.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Poso Muslims visit Christian base
Poso Muslims visit Christian base PALU, Central Sulawesi: At least 100 Muslim residents from various parts of Poso regency visited on Wednesday afternoon Christian communities in Tentena, North Pamona district. The visit by Poso Muslims, grouped under the Association of Poso Muslim Families (FKKMP), aims to forge peace and harmony between the two religions in the aftermath of a sectarian conflict that rocked the area for two years since 2000.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
New Order rights abuses probed
New Order rights abuses probed JAKARTA: The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has agreed in a plenary meeting to start a thorough inquiry into alleged human rights violations by former president Soeharto during his 32 years of iron-fisted leadership. M.M. Billah, who is leading a Komnas HAM team investigating Soeharto, said on Thursday that government rights watchdog had decided to establish several teams for the inquiry.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Freedom of the press under strong pressure in Southeast Asia
Freedom of the press under strong pressure in Southeast Asia Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Bangkok Freedom of the press, which flowered in several Southeast Asian nations in the 1990s, now appears to be withering under pressure from authoritarian governments, corrupt judges and corporate interference, according to journalists and media analysts. Concern about the future of Thailand's media was already strong when the editor of the venerable Bangkok Post was suddenly removed on Feb.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Singapore must be sensitive to Indonesia's problems
Singapore must be sensitive to Indonesia's problems OR Singapore must not take advantage of Indonesia Ardimas Sasdi Staff Writer The Jakarta Post Berkeley, California ajambak@calmail.berkeley.edu 2. Yale -- The fallout of Pakistani revelations on North Korea 2 x 30 Fallout of Pakistani revelations on North Korea weapons trade Phillip C. Saunders Yale Center for the Study of Globalization Washington
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Commitment forged to save elections
Commitment forged to save elections KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Leaders of political parties and the police here established on Thursday a commitment to ensuring peaceful elections. All representatives of the 24 political parties contesting the general election attended the meeting at Southeast Sulawesi Police headquarters. Provincial governor Ali Mazi also attended the meeting. Chief of Southeast Sulawesi Police Brig. Gen.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. MARRIOTT: 50 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18
1. MARRIOTT: 50 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 Marriott bomber Sardona gets 10 years in prison 2. PDIP: 36 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 28 Mega wants coalition partner for 1st round knockout victory 3. PKI: 32 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 24 Suspected commies want to be allowed in April's election 4. TEMPO: 28 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 38 Court says not a chance for Press Law 5. RIGHTS: 28 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 47 RI tells U.S. to take the log out of their own eye or RI says U.S. stoops to 'new standard of ignorance' on rights or RI says U.S.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Telekom Malaysia remains committed for Excelcomindo
Telekom Malaysia remains committed for Excelcomindo Bloomberg, Jakarta Telekom Malaysia Bhd., the country's biggest phone company, said it remains committed to acquiring a stake in PT Excelcomindo Pratama, Indonesia's No.3 mobile-phone operator. Telekom's statement of continuing interest in Excelcomindo followed reports that Telstra Corp. of Australia may offer as much as A$3 billion ($2.3 billion) for the Indonesian company.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Mother prays for conjoined daughters as chances slim
Mother prays for conjoined daughters as chances slim Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Neng Harmani cannot stop praying that the operation to separate her two-week-old conjoined twin daughters will be successful. "I don't know what will happen to my daughters, but I hope that doctors can separate them safely," said the 37-year-old mother. Born on Feb.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Porn for kids?
Porn for kids? From Kompas As an Indovision cable TV subscriber, I am disappointed because the channel for children, Nickelodeon, has now been replaced by Animax, a Japanese cartoon with some pornographic scenes. For example, Great Teacher Ohnizuka, in its Friday, January 23 episode, depicted a girl told to take off her underpants. Its Jan. 25 episode even showed three female students stripping a man, followed in the next scene by a teacher stripping the three.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Govt to divest shares in 28 firms
Govt to divest shares in 28 firms The government plans to sell its controlling stake in 19 state-owned firms this year as part of its continuing privatization program, an official said on Thursday. The government will also sell its minority holding in nine other firms, said Parikesit Suprapto, an assistant deputy for privatization at the Office of State Minister of State Enterprises.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
GAM members receive prison terms
GAM members receive prison terms Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra A panel of judges at Medan district court sentenced on Thursday 10 members of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to between two and 10 years in jail for acts of terrorism. Of the 10, two were top brass in GAM's Medan Deli area of operations. This was the first trial in Medan to decided the fate of leading GAM personnel.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Legalities leave fraud diploma cases unreported
Legalities leave fraud diploma cases unreported Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Although the Jakarta General Elections Committee (KPUD) has dropped 23 legislative candidates from the candidacy list for submitting fake school diplomas, the Jakarta Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu Jakarta) has yet to file any report with the police.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
S'pore must take steps to clear ties with RI
S'pore must take steps to clear ties with RI Ardimas Sasdi, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post, Berkeley, California, ajambak@calmail.berkeley.edu Of all the nagging issues hurting ties between Singapore and its giant but frail neighbor Indonesia, nothing is more contentious than allegations the city-state took advantage of its neighbor's corrupt legal system and rampant abuse of power.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Court says not a chance for Press Law
Court says not a chance for Press Law M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A panel of judges at the Central Jakarta District Court turned down a proposal from the Tempo magazine legal team to use the Press Council as mediator in negotiations with the Pemuda Panca Marga (PPM) group, in the two parties' legal dispute.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Army donates Rp 1b for quake victims
Army donates Rp 1b for quake victims The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu has donated Rp 1 billion (US$120,841) to help finance rehabilitation projects in the West Irian Jaya regency of Nabire which was hit by a strong earthquake on Feb. 6. Spokesman for the Trikora Military Command overseeing Papua and West Irian Jaya Maj. G.T.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
237 fired PTDI workers receive severance pay
237 fired PTDI workers receive severance pay Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung, West Java The Jakarta State Administrative High Court (PTTUN) has decided to delay its ruling, not as reported on Thursday, while the management of state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) is unlikely to reinstate its workers, as 237 of the total 6,651 dismissed workers have already received severance pay.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Hidayat's LP2SI cleard of terror link
Hidayat's LP2SI cleard of terror link Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The U.S. government admitted on Thursday it had made a blunder -- listing the address of Hidayat Nur Wahid's Al-Haramain educational foundation as the headquarters of an alleged terror group. Despite the mistake, no apology was forthcoming from the U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, Ralph Boyce, who met with the Prosperous and Justice Party leader and presidential aspirant here on Thursday. The U.S.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Cirebon mayor's dismissal delayed
Cirebon mayor's dismissal delayed Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon, West Java Cirebon mayor Subardi and his deputy Agus Al Wafier are still in power, despite the legislature issuing a recommendation on Dec. 17, 2003 for their ouster, because of a bureaucratic slip-up.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
No smoking at city offices
No smoking at city offices The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With little fanfare, Governor Sutiyoso issued an antismoking decree last Tuesday, prohibiting smoking and the sale of cigarettes in city administration offices, Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo revealed on Thursday. In an antismoking seminar at the City Hall, Fauzi cited Gubernatorial Decree No. 11/2004, which regulates smoke-free zones in the offices and special areas for smokers, which are fitted with exhaust fans.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Kerosene shortage hits Yogyakarta
Kerosene shortage hits Yogyakarta YOGYAKARTA: Several areas in Yogyakarta have been experiencing a kerosene shortage for the past week, forcing local residents to queue for hours for kerosene across the city. Due to the shortage, some kerosene suppliers raised their prices from Rp 1,100 to Rp 1,300. Affected areas include Mantrijeron, Karangkajen, Patangpuluhan and Wirobrajan districts.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
HSBC plans low-key lending target
HSBC plans low-key lending target Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta London-based Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) has set a conservative lending target for 2004 amid government pressure on banks to revive their lending role. The chief executive officer of HSBC in Indonesia Richard McHowat said on Thursday that the bank was only targeting a 10 percent to 15 percent increase in loans over 2003, mainly for corporate borrowers with an export orientation.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
RI tells U.S. to take the log out of their own eye
RI tells U.S. to take the log out of their own eye Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has denounced a U.S. report on human rights abuses in Indonesia, saying Washington was not competent to make judgments about what went on here.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Govt to get huge revenue from gas pipeline project
Govt to get huge revenue from gas pipeline project Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is projected to receive around US$11 billion in revenue for 20 years from the massive gas pipeline project linking East Kalimantan with the heavily populated Java island, according to a feasibility study report.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Mega wants coalition partner for 1st round knockout victory
Mega wants coalition partner for 1st round knockout victory Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Megawati Soekarnoputri dropped a very clear hint on Thursday of her intention to get ever more chummy with Golkar Party leader Akbar Tandjung, as her running mate, in the presidential election.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
'Peranakan' key spice in S'pore gastronomic history
'Peranakan' key spice in S'pore gastronomic history Tony Ryanto, Contributor, Singapore If you visit Singapore, the words peranakan, baba and nyonya are scattered about. Most likely you will pay no attention to them as, to some extent, no matter how vague they are, you already have an idea of what they mean. The three words, however, have special importance in promoting the island republic's tourism and national harmony. On Orchard Road there is a popular eating place, a peranakan.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Can another 'marhaenis' party attract swing voters?
Can another 'marhaenis' party attract swing voters? Sandy Darmosumarto, Research and Development Unit, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Many parties wave symbols of the ideology established by founding father Sukarno, but they may not really understand his teachings. This is the reason to set up our own party, say founders of every party using such symbols, including that of Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, one of Sukarno's daughters.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Govt fights back at U.S. human rights report on Indonesia
Govt fights back at U.S. human rights report on Indonesia Fabiola Desy Unidjaja The Jakarta Post Jakarta Hello fellows, when was the US report released and do we have its official name -- see my bold in story -- cheers, Chris The government has denounced a U.S. report on human rights abuses in Indonesia, saying Washington was not competent to make judgments about what went on here.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Suspected commies want to be allowed in April's election
Suspected commies want to be allowed in April's election Suherdjoko and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Semarang/Jakarta Former suspected members of the Indonesia Communist Party (PKI) are urging the government they be allowed to contest the legislative election after a court this week ruled part of a law banning them was invalid.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Huge fund for education earmarked
Huge fund for education earmarked BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: The Balikpapan mayoral administration has earmarked at least 20 percent of its Rp 550 billion (US$68.75 million) 2004 budget toward education, as stipulated in the Constitution. The fund is to be used for training teachers, constructing schools, paying salaries and other education-related purposes, said Ali Munsjir Hasyim, spokesman of the Balikpapan government.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Get a swig of all the club happenings around Jakarta this weekend
Get a swig of all the club happenings around Jakarta this weekend Friday, Feb. 27 There's a brand-new, British-style pub, Mad Dogs, located inside Cilandak Commercial Estates. Run by a former manager of the M- Club and The Gate, the place could be a popular after-work watering hole for all the South Jakarta expats. The Gate (behind GKBI Bldg., Semanggi) presents "Art of Tribal" -- a special 5-hour marathon set to be pounded out by their resident master of tribal, DJ Tablaa.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Pressure mounts on KL to free detained Islamic militants
Pressure mounts on KL to free detained Islamic militants Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Pressure mounted on the Malaysian government on Thursday over the detention without trial of alleged Islamic militants as human rights groups pressed for their release and 16 detainees threatened to go on hunger strike.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
'PKI won't return, we've learned from past'
'PKI won't return, we've learned from past' Although not all of the constitutional rights of the relatives of former members and former members of the banned Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) have been reinstated, they can now exercise the right to vote and to run in the legislative elections. The Jakarta Post talked to some Jakarta residents about the issue. Safira, 32, is an editor at a publishing company in Palmerah, West Jakarta.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
PDI-P faction slams govt for racist policies
PDI-P faction slams govt for racist policies Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Departing from its usual passivity, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction at the House of Representatives criticized the government of President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday for failing to put an end to racial discrimination.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Asian monies weaken, central banks may sell their currencies
Asian monies weaken, central banks may sell their currencies Christina Soon, Bloomberg, Singapore The Singapore dollar fell, leading its Asian counterparts lower, after the government said regional central banks may sell their currencies to help sustain export-driven economic growth. Demand from investors abroad has helped fuel a 12.9 percent gain in the benchmark Straits Times Index of Singapore equities in the past three months, and a 1.7 percent increase in the currency.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Bank Niaga net profit jumps 230%
Bank Niaga net profit jumps 230% The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Publicly listed Bank Niaga has reported a more than 230 percent jump in 2003 net profit on the back of strong revenue from its lending operation. The country's ninth largest lender said on Thursday its net profit surged to Rp 467.25 billion (US$55.29 million) last year from Rp 141.12 billion in 2002.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Two nations, two women, one aim
Two nations, two women, one aim W. Scott Thompson, The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore On the face of it, there is something extraordinary about the Indonesian and Filipino presidential races. The two incumbents, born less than four months apart, grew up in presidential palaces, where their respective fathers lost power in the same year, 1965.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
S&P unlikely to review its RI rating before election
S&P unlikely to review its RI rating before election Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta International rating agency Standard and Poor's (S&P) acknowledged progress in the Indonesian economy but said that a review of the country's sovereign rating would depend on the implementation and results of the upcoming general election.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Tarmizi named PKB campaigner
Tarmizi named PKB campaigner SURABAYA: Former minister of religious affairs Tarmizi Taher said on Thursday he had been enlisted to campaign for the National Awakening Party (PKB) by co-founder Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid. "I expressed my intention to be the party's campaigner. (Gus Dur) was glad," Tarmizi said after a meeting with the country's former president at a VIP room in Djuanda Airport here.
Fri, 27 Feb 2004, 00:00 WIB
Penalties for public officials
Penalties for public officials From Republika The case of a vice presidential limousine using the dedicated busway lane is one example of a trend among bureaucrats to violate their own rules. According to the city police, the procedure for escorting public officials is covered by a government regulation while busway operation is under regional control.