Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 9 February 2004

81 articles found

Cipondoh swamp left untapped

Cipondoh swamp left untapped TANGERANG: A project to develop Situ Rawa Cipondoh lake in a swamp area into a recreational site has been abandoned for the last two years, an official said on Saturday.Tangerang administration spokesman Saeful Rachman said the project was started by developer PT Griya...

One of resto stories for Focus Issue: Cafe and Restaurant --

One of resto stories for Focus Issue: Cafe and Restaurant -- Sunday Feb. 8 ;JP; ANPAc..r.. Restaurant-local-chainLocal restaurant franchises make it big T. Sima Gunawan Contributor Jakarta Everybody enjoys good food, which explains why the restaurant business continues to thrive, even during the...

Bojonegoro on alert as Bengawan river threatens to flood

Bojonegoro on alert as Bengawan river threatens to floodIndra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Bojonegoro, East Java Residents in 92 subdistricts in Bojonegoro regency braced themselves for a new round of flooding as the swollen Bengawan Solo River threatened to burst its banks on Saturday.

Adi Sasono's party vows to smash 'monopoly of information'

Adi Sasono's party vows to smash 'monopoly of information'Frans Surdiasis, Research and Development Unit, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta This is the 15th article in a series on the 24 political parties contesting the 2004 elections.

PT Petrowidada to resume operations in March

PT Petrowidada to resume operations in MarchThe Jakarta Post, Gresik, East Java A chemical factory that exploded into flames last month, killing three people and injuring 58, will reopen, its management says, despite strenuous opposition from nearby residents.

Panwaslu chairman demoted

Panwaslu chairman demoted PALU, Central Sulawesi: Mohammad Yusuf, the chairman of the Banggai Kepulauan regency Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu), has been fired from the chairmanship post due to negligence of his duties -- the first such case in the country in the run up to legislative...

KPU should popularize elections

KPU should popularize electionsFrom Media Indonesia A survey conducted by Cetro, a non-government organization, has shown the greater part of the population remains uninformed about how to vote in the general elections, which will take place in less than 100 days.

PKS candidates sign political contracts

PKS candidates sign political contractsSri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Dozens of legislative candidates from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) in Yogyakarta and Semarang signed on Saturday "political contracts" with the public ahead of the April elections.

City in dark on lack of bird flu info

City in dark on lack of bird flu infoDamar Harsanto and Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bogor Despite the wide media coverage on the outbreak of avian influenza, or bird flu, many Jakartans are relatively uninformed on the contagious disease due to a lack of a public health and information...

Myanmar: Difficult road to reconciliation and democracy

Myanmar: Difficult road to reconciliation and democracyJusuf Wanandi, Member, Board of Trustees Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta In Myanmar today there appears to be some movement politically.

Food conference to be held in Bogor

Food conference to be held in Bogor BOGOR, West Java: A number of experts from foreign countries are expected to attend the 4th Asian Food and Nutrition Safety Conference (AFNSC) to take place here on March 2 to March 5.

Police arrest drug suspect

Police arrest drug suspect BEKASI: The police arrested a 25-year-old man at Pasar Kranji traditional market, West Bekasi, on Saturday, for possessing shabu shabu (crystal methamphetamine).Bekasi Police narcotics chief Adj. Comr. Rasino said his men also confiscated Rp 300,000 (US$35.

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;JP; ANPAc..r.. Apartments-business-grow checked EJKBusiness getting better as economy shows its strength Debbie A. Lubis Contributor Jakarta As the country's economy begins to show signs of recovery and the security situation has improved, more and more businesspeople and expatriates are coming to...

'Cap Go Meh' brings Jakarta's streets to life

'Cap Go Meh' brings Jakarta's streets to lifeDewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Thousands of Jakartans flocked the streets in Kota area, West Jakarta, on Sunday morning to witness the colorful celebration of Cap Go Meh, the 15th day after Imlek or Chinese New Year.

Chicken sales 'normal'

Chicken sales 'normal' BATAM: After slow business last week due to the bird flu scare, chicken sales at the popular American fast food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in Batam have returned to normal.

Fire damages Ora Et Labora School

Fire damages Ora Et Labora School JAKARTA: A fire badly damaged Ora Et Labora School, one of the oldest in the capital, located on Jl. Cisadane in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Saturday night. No fatalities were reported in the fire.

LPG scarcity and Pertamina

LPG scarcity and PertaminaFrom Warta Kota Kerosene was recently scarce in Tangerang and Bekasi. Now liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is hard to find in both areas for no apparent reason. Its producer, PT Pertamina, should be able to explain.

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;JP ANPAv..r.. Photo-McDonald-food checked by Rich JP/P.J.Leo GLOBAL CUISINE: Fast-food lovers enjoy their lunch at a McDonald's outlet in Jakarta. Foreign fast-food outlets have become one of the most preferred dining-out venues in Jakarta.

Jakarta stocks foreseen to strengthen this week

Jakarta stocks foreseen to strengthen this weekAgence France-Presse, Jakarta/Singapore Indonesia's stock market is expected to strengthen further this week after making a strong recovery in the past two days from a week-long slump, an analyst said.

Press freedom to be tested in polls

Press freedom to be tested in pollsTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The press will undergo a crucial test of its independence in the face of the upcoming general election since the intervention of interest groups in the mass media will be unavoidable, says an election executive.

China-ASEAN trade at new high in 2003

China-ASEAN trade at new high in 2003Agence-France Presse, Beijing China's trade with Southeast Asian countries hit a record high of US$78.25 billion in 2003, surging by 42.8 percent year-on- year, according to Chinese customs statistics released on Sunday.

Survivors tell story of Mina stampede

Survivors tell story of Mina stampedeApriadi Gunawan and A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Medan/Jakarta Farid Nasution arrived home from the haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia with a sigh of relief on Saturday, still struggling to bury the bitter memory of his survival in the Mina stampede, which killed...

One of resto stories for Focus Issue: Cafe and Restaurant --

One of resto stories for Focus Issue: Cafe and Restaurant -- Sunday Feb. 8 ;JP; ANPAc..r.. Restaurant-local-chainLocal restaurant franchises make it big T. Sima Gunawan Contributor Jakarta Everybody enjoys good food, which explains why the restaurant business continues to thrive, even during the...

Indonesia likely to ban U.S. chicken imports

Indonesia likely to ban U.S. chicken importsSari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia is likely to join other Asian nations in slapping bans on poultry imports from the United States, following the finding of two birds on Friday in the northeastern U.S.

Police arrest drug suspect

Police arrest drug suspect BEKASI: The police arrested a 25-year-old man at Pasar Kranji traditional market, West Bekasi, on Saturday, for possessing shabu shabu (crystal methamphetamine).Bekasi Police narcotics chief Adj. Comr. Rasino said his men also confiscated Rp 300,000 (US$35.

Scientists reach out to children

Scientists reach out to children BOGOR: A professor of the school of forestry at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) shared his secret for staying fit and young to a child."I eat a termite queen once a week," said Dodi Nandika.

Nabire picks up after quake

Nabire picks up after quakeAgencies, Jakarta Residents of Nabire, Papua, struggled after Friday's deadly tremor to reestablish some normalcy in their lives on Sunday, as humanitarian aid started to pour into the country's easternmost province.

RI-Australia museum exchange: A genuine good news story

RI-Australia museum exchange: A genuine good news storyRob Goodfellow, Visiting Fellow, Centre for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, sujoko@ozemail.com.au In The Jakarta Post article A Rosier Account of RI-Australia Relations, Jan.

KL nabs 120 RI Illegal wood traders

KL nabs 120 RI Illegal wood tradersAgence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia has arrested 120 Indonesian timber traders over the past year in a crackdown on the illegal logging trade, the primary industries ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

Corruption rampant in Medan courts: Lawyers

Corruption rampant in Medan courts: LawyersApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra A number of judges at the Medan district and North Sumatra high courts were guilty of extortion and other malpractice, Medan lawyers said on Saturday.

1. Child: 10 x 4 lines

1. Child: 10 x 4 lines Refugee children, child abuse prevail in RI 2. Peradilan: 20 x 2 lines Supreme Court to take over judge supervisory role 3. Trauma: 24 x 2 lines Jamsostek to develop more trauma centers for workers 4. KPU: 16 x 2 lines KPU told to consider quick ink re-tender'

Govt wants reliable contractors

Govt wants reliable contractors TANGERANG: Starting this year, the Tangerang regency office will require contractors who bid for development projects to have a bank balance amounting to at least 10 percent of the value of the project.

RI stocks seen strengthening in coming week

RI stocks seen strengthening in coming week Agence France-Presse Jakarta/Singapore Indonesia's stock market is expected to strengthen further this week after making a strong recovery in the past two days from a week-long slump, an analyst said.

Rare animal trade out of control

Rare animal trade out of control DENPASAR, Bali: Inter-island trading in rare animals in Indonesia is getting out of hand, therefore law-enforcement agencies need to step up efforts to fight the illegal trade, local conservationist I Wayan Wiradnyana said here on Saturday.

24 parties vow to maintain peace

24 parties vow to maintain peace JAKARTA: All 24 political parties eligible to join the general election have signed a nine-point agreement to maintain peace before, during and after the April 5 polls.The agreement was signed on Friday at the General Elections Commission (KPU) building.

Indonesia negotiates access to Hambali: U.S. envoy Black

Indonesia negotiates access to Hambali: U.S. envoy BlackAssociated Press, Jakarta U.S. law enforcement personnel are in Jakarta to discuss a request by Indonesia for access to Hambali, a leading terror suspect who is in American custody, the U.S. State Department's top antiterror official said.

BI needs capable deputy: Analysts

BI needs capable deputy: AnalystsDadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the country's banking sector is gearing up for major changes, President Megawati Soekarnoputri should be cautious in selecting figures to be nominated to fill the post of senior deputy governor at Bank Indonesia (BI),...

Expert, police play down street crime fears

Expert, police play down street crime fearsEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta When the administration announced plans to issue a regulation lowering the allowed opacity of tinted car windows in order to help the police enforce the three-in-one traffic policy, many motorists cried foul.

Refugee children, child abuse prevail in RI

Refugee children, child abuse prevail in RIEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite the Child Protection Law, the problems of displaced children and child abuse have not been resolved by the government, which sparked criticism from the Committee on the Rights of Children (CRC).

'No middlemen in court, please'

'No middlemen in court, please' The new three-in-one traffic policy gives motorists one more chance to get a ticket. Under Law No. 14/1992 on traffic, offenders of the three-in-one rule can receive fines of up to Rp 1 million (US$119).

Mitsubishi mulls supplying Indonesia LNG to U.S. market

Mitsubishi mulls supplying Indonesia LNG to U.S. marketTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Mitsubishi Corporation is mulling supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Indonesia to the California market in the United States.

The cheapening of loyalty, Indonesian style

The cheapening of loyalty, Indonesian styleAguswandi, Researcher, The Indonesian Human Rights Campaign (TAPOL), London In Aceh, the price of loyalty to the unitary state of Indonesia is not very expensive after all.

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;JP; ANPAc..r.. Food-foreign-chain JP/12/ Fast-food outlets: Not just for quick biteSudibyo M. Wiradji The Jakarta Post Jakarta For many people, eating at a fast-food outlet doesn't just mean grabbing a quick bite.

Motomura upsets RI, brings Japan to 3-2 win in Davis Cup

Motomura upsets RI, brings Japan to 3-2 win in Davis CupZakki Hakim and M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Gouichi Motomura showed the meaning of perseverance when he upset Prima Simpatiaji 5-7, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3, and scored a 3-2 win for Japan against Indonesia here on Sunday in the...

Shimada, Terachi put Japan 2-1 up over RI

Shimada, Terachi put Japan 2-1 up over RIZakki Hakim The Jakarta Post JakartaJapan took a 2-1 lead in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group I tie against Indonesia when world No. 74 Thomas Shimada paired with Takahiro Terachi to win the doubles in straight sets here, on Saturday.

Asian nations to sign trade deal despite Bangladesh pullout

Asian nations to sign trade deal despite Bangladesh pulloutSarah Stewart, Agence France-Presse, Phuket, Thailand Asian foreign ministers on Sunday salvaged a free trade deal jeopardized by Bangladesh's sudden withdrawal, pledging to throw open their markets by abolishing tariffs before 2017,...

Islands proposed as heritage sites

Islands proposed as heritage sites JAKARTA: The Kakaban and Derawan Islands in Berau district, East Kalimantan, are being proposed as a world heritage site due to their uniqueness, Kehati Foundation chairwoman Erna Witoelar said.

S. Sumatra gets US$6m from tourism

S. Sumatra gets US$6m from tourism PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: More than US$6 million in foreign exchange entered into the province of South Sumatra last year through the tourism sector, strengthening the budget of the administration, an official said on Saturday.M.

China-ASEAN trade records new high in 2003: report

China-ASEAN trade records new high in 2003: report Agence-France Presse Beijing China's trade with Southeast Asian countries hit a record high of US$78.25 billion in 2003, surging by 42.8 percent year-on- year, according to Chinese customs statistics released on Sunday.

Franky tells it like it is in song

Franky tells it like it is in songT. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta, tabita@cbn.net.id Franky Sahilatua's definitely not just following the trend of local celebs plunging into politics. It is his anger and concerns that have pushed the musician to get in invovled in politics.

Automo parts export to decline in 2004

Automo parts export to decline in 2004Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian automotive component exports are likely to decline this year as Indonesia's competitiveness in the sector will keep weakening due to the lack of tax incentives and the strengthening of the rupiah against the...

Artificial reef restores village fishing grouns in Bunaken

Artificial reef restores village fishing grouns in BunakenMark Erdmann Contributor Bunaken, North SulawesiThroughout this country and Southeast Asia, the illegal practice of blast fishing has destroyed vast areas of once productive coral reef areas.

City agencies to widen main roads, sidewalks

City agencies to widen main roads, sidewalksThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Public Works Agency and Jakarta Park Agency will jointly redesign Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Thamrin in Central Jakarta by widening the roads and sidewalks.

Reciprocity: What Reciprocity?

Reciprocity: What Reciprocity? For a family of four Belgians as mine, the tourist visa will cost US$200 to visit Indonesia for 30 days (compared to a free visa for 60 days before). And we will need to go twice to the Indonesian Embassy of BrusseIs to process it.

ONE OF STORIES FOR FOCUS ISSUE (Cafe and Restaurant) -- Feb.8

ONE OF STORIES FOR FOCUS ISSUE (Cafe and Restaurant) -- Feb.8 ;JP; ANPAc..r.. Dining-Valentine-day Valentine's menu Express your love with a romantic dinnerDebbie A. Lubis Contributor JakartaLove colors our lives with tenderness and passion; sometimes making our hearts beat faster or making us...

'Cap Go Meh' brightens Jakarta's streets

'Cap Go Meh' brightens Jakarta's streetsDewi Santoso The Jakarta Post JakartaThousands of Jakartans flocked the streets in Kota area, West Jakarta, on Sunday morning to witness the colorful celebration of Cap Go Meh, the 15th day after Imlek or Chinese New Year.

More love children in Poe's closet

More love children in Poe's closetAgence France Presse, Manila Philippines presidential frontrunner Fernando Poe has fathered more children out of wedlock than he acknowledged, his campaign spokesman said over the weekend, while the movie icon shed tears in public.

KL hosts UN meet on ecosystem protection

KL hosts UN meet on ecosystem protectionAssociated Press, Kuala Lumpur More than 2,000 government officials, scientists and environmental watchdogs will gather in Malaysia for a UN-backed meeting to promote protection for threatened ecosystems and help developing countries share in the wealth...

Sri Lanka in turmoil as parliament dissolved

Sri Lanka in turmoil as parliament dissolvedAgencies, Colombo Sri Lanka's fragile peace bid and reconstruction from war were plunged into uncertainty on Sunday after the president sacked parliament and called elections nearly four years ahead of schedule.

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;JP; ANPAc..r.. Office-service-marketServiced office: The right choice for good and bad times Rudijanto Contributor JakartaAlthough the outlook for the overall office market remains gloomy, serviced office providers are upbeat that business will continue to flourish despite an expected drop in...

Rare animal trade out of control

Rare animal trade out of control DENPASAR, Bali: Inter-island trading in rare animals in Indonesia is getting out of hand, therefore law-enforcement agencies need to step up efforts to fight the illegal trade, local conservationist I Wayan Wiradnyana said here on Saturday.

Politically connected figures to dominate top audit agency

Politically connected figures to dominate top audit agencyRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives will start considering candidates for the new chairman and board members of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) on Monday, with politically connected figures said to top the...

Lack of tobacco supply imminent

Lack of tobacco supply imminent BOJONEGORO, East Java: Tobacco seeds can not be planted in some 700 hectares of fertile lands in Sumberejo and Kanor districts here in this planting season, as local weather agency has predicted that rain will still pound the areas in the coming months.

24 parties vow to maintain peace

24 parties vow to maintain peace JAKARTA: All 24 political parties eligible to join the general election have signed a nine-point agreement to maintain peace before, during and after the April 5 polls.The agreement was signed on Friday at the General Elections Commission (KPU) building.

A wise pen is still mightier than the sword

A wise pen is still mightier than the swordEndy M. Bayuni, Deputy Chief Editor, The Jakarta Post, Cambridge, Massachusetts The media in Indonesia has come under fire once again. Unlike the Soeharto years, when the attacks came directly from the government, this time it is coming from the wealthy...

1. BIRDFLU: 55 pt, 2 cols, 3 x 10

1. BIRDFLU: 55 pt, 2 cols, 3 x 10 Low outreach keeps bird flu in the dark 2. QUAKE: 30 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 27 Nabire picks up pieces after quake 3. KERRY: 32 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 21 Kerry scores big wins in presidential caucuses 4.

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;JP ANPAv..r.. Photo-McDonald-food checked by Rich JP/P.J.Leo GLOBAL CUISINE: Fast-food lovers enjoy their lunch at a McDonald's outlet in Jakarta. Foreign fast-food outlets have become one of the most preferred dining-out venues in Jakarta.

KPU told to consider quick ink re-tender

KPU told to consider quick ink re-tenderMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A monopoly watchdog has suggested that the General Elections Commission (KPU) consider repeating the ink tender due to the dubious financial capability of the final eight bidders.

Tangerang's flood-prone areas grow

Tangerang's flood-prone areas growMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Rapid construction of residential complexes in Tangerang municipality in the last two years has increased the number of flood prone areas from 22 to 85 sites.

JP/3/ENDY

JP/3/ENDY A wise pen can still be mightier than the sword, even in RI Endy M. Bayuni Deputy Chief Editor The Jakarta Post Cambridge, Massachusetts The media in Indonesia has come under fire once again. Unlike the Soeharto years, when the attacks came directly from the government, this time it is...

24 parties vow to maintain peace

24 parties vow to maintain peace JAKARTA: All 24 political parties eligible to join the general election have signed a nine-point agreement to maintain peace before, during and after the April 5 polls.The agreement was signed on Friday at the General Elections Commission (KPU) building.

IBRA employees' severance pay

IBRA employees' severance payFrom Koran Tempo The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) is making severance pay available for its 2,500 employees, worth half a trillion rupiah.Some 1,600 of its regular employees and 900 workers on a contract basis will be relieved of their jobs with the end...

More outlets to open as retailers confident of market potential

More outlets to open as retailers confident of market potentialTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While many industries are taking a wait-and-see stance due to fears of the possibility of trouble during the general election, retailers are determined to go ahead with their expansion plans this...

Bank divestment continues

Bank divestment continues The House of Representatives should approve immediately the government's request to sell its remaining stakes in four private banks that were nationalized at the height of the economic crisis in 1998.

24 parties vow to maintain peace

24 parties vow to maintain peace JAKARTA: All 24 political parties eligible to join the general election have signed a nine-point agreement to maintain peace before, during and after the April 5 polls.The agreement was signed on Friday at the General Elections Commission (KPU) building.

Jamsostek to develop more trauma centers for workers

Jamsostek to develop more trauma centers for workersThe Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, Riau State-owned insurance company PT Jamsostek is planning to help set up more trauma centers in industrial zones across the country to provide emergency medical treatment for workers.

Cipondoh swamp left untapped

Cipondoh swamp left untapped TANGERANG: A project to develop Situ Rawa Cipondoh lake in a swamp area into a recreational site has been abandoned for the last two years, an official said on Saturday. Tangerang administration spokesman Saeful Rachman said the project was started by developer PT Griya...

* Headlines: A wise pen is still mightier than the sword 2

* Headlines: A wise pen is still mightier than the sword 2 * National:Refugee children, child abuse prevail in RI 4 * Archipelago: Bojonegoro on alert on posible flood 5 * Opinion: The cheapening of loyalty, Indonesian style7 * City: City to widen main roads, sidewalks8 * Sports: Els hangs in there...

RI-Australia museum exchange: A genuine good news story

RI-Australia museum exchange: A genuine good news storyRob Goodfellow, Visiting Fellow, Centre for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, sujoko@ozemail.com.au In The Jakarta Post article A Rosier Account of RI-Australia Relations, Jan.

Terrorists 'have the will to use dirty bomb'

Terrorists 'have the will to use dirty bomb'Steven Gutkin, Associated Press, Jakarta Terrorists have the will and "a reasonable amount" of expertise to employ a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear weapon and will do so if they acquire the necessary materials, the U.S.

Supreme Court to take over judge supervisory role

Supreme Court to take over judge supervisory roleKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Supreme Court will soon take over the promotion and supervision of judges as lawmakers are close to completing amendments to both the public court and state administrative court laws.