Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 15 March 2004

74 articles found

Farmers trained for reforestation

Farmers trained for reforestation GORONTALO: The Gorontalo provincial administration is to train 510 farmers to make a success of the reforestation and land rehabilitation program in the province. Organizing manager of the training program Noho Moningka said in Gorontalo city over the weekend that the farmers would be given information on forestry, the environment and land rehabilitation and would be trained to regreen barren land.

JP/1/ROUNDUP

JP/1/ROUNDUP 3 x 10 Tutut vows return of good days JP/1/BIKE 1 x 30 Car kills 4 in no-vehicle zone 2 x 28 Pertamina raises LPG price to cover production costs JP/1/BUSUK 1 x 42 Parties dismiss list of 'crooked politicians'

FOR FOCUS ISSUE

FOR FOCUS ISSUE JP/P.J. Leo A woman enjoys a Jacuzzi at a Martha Tilaar spa center in Prapanca, South Jakarta as part of the traditional spa treatment provided by the center. JP A member of a Jakarta fitness club uses the latest version of a stationary bike to firm her thighs. Fitness centers generally offer a variety of exercise equipment to their customers.

Car kills four in no-vehicle zone

Car kills four in no-vehicle zone Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A speeding Honda City sedan veered into a group of Sunday morning joggers and cyclists on Jl. Sudirman in front of the Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, killing four people and injuring three others.

PDI-P boys brawl after erotic dance

PDI-P boys brawl after erotic dance SEMARANG: Gangs of youths supporting the Indonesian Democratic of Struggle (PDI-P) clashed violently with each other during a PDI-P campaign event featuring a sensual dancer in Semarang on Sunday. At least five people suffered from injuries sustained in the clash, which happened right under the watchful eyes of several PDI-P candidates, who were sitting on stage at the time also enthralled with the provocative dancer's enticing steps.

Mega calls for cooperation in combating illegal logging

Mega calls for cooperation in combating illegal logging The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri has said that eradicating rampant illegal logging simply requires the strong will of law enforcers and other related state officials. "If state apparatus are willing to work together to combat illegal logging, the crime will actually be easier to cope with.

Old Jakarta, 'little Venice'

Old Jakarta, 'little Venice' Since the 12th century, the Ciliwung river which divided Batavia (old Jakarta) into eastern and western sections, served as the main transportation system connecting the center of the Hindu Sunda Kingdom in Batutulis, Bogor, to Sunda Kalapa seaport. Adolf Heuken writes in his Historical sites of Jakarta that Sunda Kalapa was visited by vessels from southern Sumatra's Palembang, Tanjungpura, Malaka, Makassar and Madura.

Fears remain over possible election delay

Fears remain over possible election delay Kurniawan Hari and Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With only 21 days left until election day on April 5, barely 30 percent of districts in 10 monitored provinces had received the necessary materials, according to the Center for Electoral Reform (Cetro).

Local airlines ready to compete with foreign rivals

Local airlines ready to compete with foreign rivals Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country's airline operators expect turbulence ahead as competition intensifies with a rising number of foreign low-cost airlines flying into domestic skies. But local airlines claim they are ready to compete. For now. Garuda Indonesia's corporate communications vice president Pujobroto said the flagship carrier would take up the challenge posed by foreign rivals.

One Papuan killed, fears of election disruptions loom

One Papuan killed, fears of election disruptions loom Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua An official of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) was killed in a firefight between Army personnel and a group of rebels in Sarmi regency, highlighting fears that the elections could be delayed or even fail to take place in the country's easternmost province. Lt. Col.

Spa: The art of pampering

Spa: The art of pampering T. Sima Gunawan Contributor Jakarta Stressed out by the frantic pace of urban life? Jakartans have found a new way to unwind. Its not playing golf, squash or tennis, nor is it exercising in a fitness center. It seems that physical exercise has been forgotten in the pursuit of professional pampering. Communications expert Kafi Kurnia, says this new trend is really taking off. He readily confesses that he treats himself to an hour or two at the spa at least once a week.

Local ARV drugs now on sale in hospitals across the country

Local ARV drugs now on sale in hospitals across the country Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung State pharmaceutical company Kimia Farma has started to sell locally produced generic antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for people living with HIV/AIDS in the country. The coordinator of HIV/AIDS therapy access at the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) in Jakarta, Samsuridjal Djauzi, said here on Saturday the drugs had brought new hope for people to extend their life expectancy.

Evicted fishermen draw lots for new homes

Evicted fishermen draw lots for new homes Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor The evicted fishermen of Kali Adem in Muara Angke, North Jakarta, will apparently not enjoy the housing pledged earlier by the government, as most of the 720 units of the low-cost apartment block have been reserved by non-evictees. "We have to draw lots to get an apartment in the apartment block that was built to resettle us.

JP/3/AIRLINE

JP/3/AIRLINE Parties demand cheap flights MEDAN, North Sumatra: Several executives at airline companies in North Sumatra province revealed on Sunday that, as the election campaign is underway, demands are on the rise from the political parties for discounted flights. The party leaders argued for the discounted prices, saying they had to visit their supporters often during the election campaign, said Nasrizal, a general manager for Garuda Indonesia Airways' Medan branch.

'I am not familiar with candidates'

'I am not familiar with candidates' For the first time voters will select candidates for the Regional Representatives Council (DPD), which will consist of four members from each of the 32 provinces. The elected representatives, together with the 550 elected members of the House of Representatives, will make up the People's Consultative Assembly. The Jakarta Post talked to some residents on how well they knew the candidates and the task the legislators have ahead of them.

Kadin proposes environmental tax incentives

Kadin proposes environmental tax incentives Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government should provide tax incentives to encourage companies to adopt environmentally friendly businesses, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) said. Kadin said such a scheme would be more effective than just imposing restrictive regulations and penalizing errant companies.

Parties demand cheap flights

Parties demand cheap flights MEDAN, North Sumatra: Several executives at airline companies in North Sumatra province revealed on Sunday that, as the election campaign is underway, demands are on the rise from the political parties for discounted flights. The party leaders argued for the discounted prices, saying they had to visit their supporters often during the election campaign, said Nasrizal, a general manager for Garuda Indonesia Airways' Medan branch.

2004 election: New bottle, same content, room for change

2004 election: New bottle, same content, room for change Endy M. Bayuni, Deputy Chief Editor, The Jakarta Post, Cambridge, Massachusetts The 2004 election is just around the corner, but many, especially those in the reformist camp, have already dismissed this important national event as nothing but a political charade. They are probably right insofar as the outcome is concerned, and most polls have confirmed their cynicism.

Draft bylaw open to fraud

Draft bylaw open to fraud TANGERANG: A proposed bylaw regulating the allocation and use of public development money raised by third parties or private businessmen would be open to abuse, a municipal law expert said. Regional Information Study Center coordinator Muslih M. Amin said on Saturday the draft bylaw had no teeth to deal with those who attempted to pervert it. The bylaw was one of 11 Tangerang Mayor Wahidin Halim proposed to his administration last week.

Three rebels killed, four others surrender

Three rebels killed, four others surrender Three members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) were killed in separate gunfights with Army soldiers in Aceh while four others, including a GAM official, surrendered. Spokesman for the military operation in Aceh Lt. Col. Asep Sapari said here over the weekend that three rebels were shot dead and a number of rifles and rounds of ammunition seized in gunfights between GAM rebels and soldiers in Bireuen, South Aceh, and North Aceh on Friday and Saturday.

River transportation unlikely

River transportation unlikely Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The old pictures of romantic cruises on Jakarta's rivers back in the city's early years may remained an insert in history books as experts are skeptical about the revival of river transportation in today's city as planned by Governor Sutiyoso's administration. "What do you mean by water transportation? Bamboo-raft cruises or what?" commented Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo jokingly.

Panwaslu monitors West Irian policies

Panwaslu monitors West Irian policies Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Election Supervisory Commission (Panwaslu) is to continue monitoring policies issued by the General Elections Commission (KPU) on West Irian Jaya for fear that the policies may disrupt poll preparations in the whole of Papua.

A matter of decorum

A matter of decorum Unfortunate as the course of events may have been, Indonesians have reason to welcome Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's decision to quit his post as coordinating minister for political and security affairs in President Megawati Soekarnoputri's cabinet. For one thing, the addition of the former coordinating minister to the campaign trail widens the choices available to voters in the first direct presidential election, scheduled for later this year.

Spa: The art of pampering

Spa: The art of pampering T. Sima Gunawan Contributor Jakarta Stressed out by the frantic pace of urban life? Jakartans have found a new way to unwind. Its not playing golf, squash or tennis, nor is it exercising in a fitness center. It seems that physical exercise has been forgotten in the pursuit of professional pampering. Communications expert Kafi Kurnia, says this new trend is really taking off. He readily confesses that he treats himself to an hour or two at the spa at least once a week.

RI's ASEAN peacekeeping force initiative gets big boost

RI's ASEAN peacekeeping force initiative gets big boost Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia's new ASEAN Security Community (ASC) concept and the regional peacekeeping force initiative received a big boost last week not only from prominent members of the House of Representatives but also from intellectuals and the media despite some signals of skepticism from outside.

Cooperative equilibrium needed for ASEAN ......7

Cooperative equilibrium needed for ASEAN ......7 River transportation unlikely ..........8 Real Madrid held at home ...............10 Bombs kill four Americans in Iraq 11 Kadin proposes green tax incentives 13 Danger of bird flu virus studied 18

Chinese-Indonesians rising to political stage

Chinese-Indonesians rising to political stage Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Medan, North Sumatra Scores of Chinese-Indonesians legislative candidates and regional representative council candidates (DPD) will be adding new color to the country's political stage. Moving forward after 32 years of being deprived of their political rights, candidates of Chinese descent are determined not to miss a chance to participate in politics.

Pertamina raises LPG price

Pertamina raises LPG price Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State oil and gas company Pertamina announced on Sunday an increase in the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by 5.3 percent, or Rp 150 per kilogram, to cover rising production costs amid higher international crude prices. The company also intends to raise the price again later this year in order to break even. The new price of Rp 3,000 (35 U.S.

FOCUS ISSUE --- Beauty and Health

FOCUS ISSUE --- Beauty and Health ;JP; ANPAc..r.. Fitness-equipment-stores Finding fitness equipment in Jakarta Sudibyo M. Wiradji The Jakarta Post Jakarta The growing awareness about the importance of sport for health among the public has had a positive effect on the sale of fitness and health equipment, such as treadmills, stationary bikes, rowing machines and multigyms.

Toll road landowners hold out

Toll road landowners hold out JAKARTA: Toll road operator PT Jasa Marga has yet to complete the 1.3-kilometer Veteran-Ulujami toll road, part of the Jakarta Outer Ring Road, because landowners are still holding out for greater compensation, an official said on Friday.

Rights body to settle land conflict

Rights body to settle land conflict JAMBI: The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) will set up a subcommission to settle land disputes, an official said on Saturday. Komnas HAM's subcommission head Amidhan revealed that the new body would involve farmers, fishermen, urban poor and activists from non-governmental organizations. "The sub-commission would also be established in regions," Amidhan, who is also a member of the People's Consultative Assembly, said.

Quality control

Quality control for roads needed Quality of road repairs poor From Bisnis Indonesia A number of road sections in Jakarta are severely damaged. Roads newly repaired look alright for a while, only to be smashed again by rain and returned subsequently to their original state, with large holes appearing all over. Road repair in the capital city is usually conducted soon after damaged parts have claimed victims, or letters to the editor have been published in the print media.

Parties dismiss list of 'crooked politicians'

Parties dismiss list of 'crooked politicians' The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The publication of the list of roguish politicians would not have an impact on political party performance in the upcoming general elections, some leaders of political parties asserted on Sunday. They also said that the publication was sensationalized and subjective, and people should question the credibility.

JP/3/AIRLINE

JP/3/AIRLINE Parties demand cheap flights MEDAN, North Sumatra: Several executives at airline companies in North Sumatra province revealed on Sunday that, as the election campaign is underway, demands are on the rise from the political parties for discounted flights. The party leaders argued for the discounted prices, saying they had to visit their supporters often during the election campaign, said Nasrizal, a general manager for Garuda Indonesia Airways' Medan branch.

Shepherd will tend RI flock

Shepherd will tend RI flock I refer to the article by Benny Susetyo (The Jakarta Post, March 11, under the heading This country needs visionary leader, not simply a ruler).

Candidates get serious on the foueth day

Candidates get serious on the foueth day The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Unlike the first three days of campaigning marked by frivolous jokes and dangdut contests, the fourth day on Sunday saw candidates for the newly established Regional Representatives Council (DPD) getting a bit more serious by setting out their platforms and vowing to bring about change for impoverished citizens.

Gade sets up All England final with Lin

Gade sets up All England final with Lin Reuters, Birmingham, England Denmark's Peter Gade breezed into the All England badminton men's singles final with a convincing 15-9 15-9 victory over Indonesia's Taufik Hidayat on Saturday. Gade's opponent on Sunday will be top seed and world number one Lin Dan of China, who ousted Singapore's Ronald Susilo 15-6 15-10 in their semi-final.

Parties demand cheap flights

Parties demand cheap flights MEDAN, North Sumatra: Several executives at airline companies in North Sumatra province revealed on Sunday that, as the election campaign is underway, demands are on the rise from the political parties for discounted flights. The party leaders argued for the discounted prices, saying they had to visit their supporters often during the election campaign, said Nasrizal, a general manager for Garuda Indonesia Airways' Medan branch.

OPEC members diverge on output cut

OPEC members diverge on output cut Lachlan Carmichael, Agence France-Presse, Cairo OPEC members expressed diverging opinions on Saturday on whether the oil cartel should automatically implement a production cut from April 1, despite soaring prices. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) said the 11-member Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries could delay a decision to reduce its official output ceiling, but Iran said the cut agreed in Algiers last month should go ahead.

Illegal burial fees

Illegal burial fees From Koran Tempo A Jakarta councillor has questioned the fee for the burial of a citizen in the capital. The city administration has allocated Rp 150,000 per person for digging and filling a grave. He wondered why some people had been asked to pay Rp 1 million a person. This happened to my family. When my elder brother died and was buried in the Pondok Kopi public cemetery, Kedoya, West Jakarta, I had to pay Rp 950,000 in burial costs.

i][b]I-box:

i]I-box: - A group of cyclists and joggers rest on the median strip on Jl. Sudirman. - A Honda City sedan speeds toward them from the direction of Jl. Sisingamangaraja. - The driver, unaware of the regulation prohibiting motorized vehicles, crashes into a plastic barrier and hits the busway lane divider. - The driver turns the vehicle to the left, killing four people. - The car veers to the right crossing the lane divider and hits the busway shelter. - The car spins before coming to a stop.

Dengue prevention must be constant, expert says

Dengue prevention must be constant, expert says Leony Aurora and Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Jayapura A lack of post-outbreak action is blamed for the recurrence of dengue fever and the country's failure to eradicate the disease, a tropical disease specialist said on Saturday.

71 villages in C. Java not yet electrified

71 villages in C. Java not yet electrified Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang, Central Java Central Java will carry out a community-based electricity program, besides speeding up the establishment of several power plants, to meet the increasing demand for power in the province, says governor Mardiyanto.

Sunu beats Ocvirk to defend Salonpas title

Sunu beats Ocvirk to defend Salonpas title Zakki Hakim The Jakarta Post Jakarta Young Indonesian star Sunu Wahyu Trijati won the 2004 Salonpas International Junior Tennis Championships for the second consecutive year after he beat second seed Luka Ocvirk of Slovenia 6-3, 6-3 at the Kemayoran Tennis Center on Saturday.

Ban on head scarves

Ban on head scarves From Koran Tempo The French government has appealed for Indonesian Muslims' understanding of the Laicite bill, which bans the conspicuous use of religious symbols, including head scarves. According to the French Embassy's cultural adviser in Jakarta, Gilles Garachon, the bill reflects his country's neutral attitude toward all citizens. Who can guarantee the neutrality of a bill after its enforcement?

PDI-P rebuked for poll violation

PDI-P rebuked for poll violation CIREBON, West Java: A member at Cirebon mayoralty's General Election Commission (KPUD) lashed out on Sunday at the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle's (PDI-P) Cirebon branch, saying that the party had violated election rules. "According to the campaign schedule, the party should only campaign in the media on Friday.

Sunu beats Ocvirk to defend Salonpas title

Sunu beats Ocvirk to defend Salonpas title Zakki Hakim The Jakarta Post Jakarta Young Indonesian star Sunu Wahyu Trijati won the 2004 Salonpas International Junior Tennis Championships for the second consecutive year after he beat second seed Luka Ocvirk of Slovenia 6-3, 6-3 at the Kemayoran Tennis Center on Saturday.

1. CHINA: 50 pt, 6 cols, 1 x 55

1. CHINA: 50 pt, 6 cols, 1 x 55 Chinese-Indonesians rise up to political opportunity 2. PAPUA: 28 pt, 1 cols, 4 x 9 Panwaslu monitors West Irian policies 3. CETRO: 36 pt, 2 cols, 3 x 14 Fears remain over possible elections delay or 21 days away, elections may still be delayed 4. PANWASLU: 28 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 32 Panwaslu says campaign still on track 5. DPD: 28 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 47 Candidates get down to business on day 4 of campaign 6.

Noise-canceling headphones boost sound clarity

Noise-canceling headphones boost sound clarity Have you ever tried listening to your MP3 music while riding a bajaj, the hyper-noisy three-wheeled vehicle that every other road user hates but a lot of people still need for their daily transportation? No matter how sophisticated your MP3 player is, it is unlikely that you would get any enjoyment from it.

Transparent election budgets

Transparent election budgets From Kompas The District Elections Committee of East Bekasi has announced the pay for the ballot support group (KPPS) head is Rp 40,000 a day while this year's general election takes place. It implies the fee is paid only on election days. The Kompas, Feb. 16 election issue, however, put the fees at Rp 50,000 for the KPPS head and Rp 40,000 for lesser officials each month, including tax deductions.

Accident claims candidate's eye

Accident claims candidate's eye SURABAYA: Bad luck struck Muhammad Subhan, a legislative candidate with the National Awakening Party (PKB) for the Trenggalek regency council, leaving him with only one eye. The accident occurred when Muhammad, who was a riding motorcycle on Friday, was on his way to a relative's house in Trenggalek. As he sped along Jl. Soekarno-Hatta in Trenggalek, a bamboo pole with a campaign flag on it, suddenly fell and impaled Muhammad's left eye.

The sentence for Abu Bakar Ba'asyir

The sentence for Abu Bakar Ba'asyir Unwelcome is the news that Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, the subject of an important trial in Indonesia last year to determine his alleged connections with organized terror, has had his jail sentence reduced on appeal. This was his second appeal, but for release. On each occasion, he has had his sentence cut; first, from four years to three and now, from three to 1 1/2.

Plunder of public funds continues

Plunder of public funds continues From Warta Kota In this reform period, corruption, collusion and nepotism keep going and state agencies continue to be plundered of public funds. According to the latest findings of the Supreme Audit Agency, in the second semester of 2003, irregularities involving Rp 4.5 trillion-worth of public money were discovered. Surprisingly, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) hit the graft record of 95.04 percent, or Rp 11.4 billion of the Rp 11.9 billion audited.

Fish farmers disappointed with compensation

Fish farmers disappointed with compensation M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The compensation the city administration paid to fish farmers in Cilincing subdistrict, North Jakarta, for losses due to pollution from a temporary dump was totally inadequate and snacked of corruption. Adding insult to injury, the farmers branded the administration's bid to stop further pollution from the dump a failure.

Mega opens ornamental fish farm

Mega opens ornamental fish farm JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri inaugurated the country's largest ornamental fish farm in Cibinong, West Java on Sunday. Citing the country's potential to breed ornamental fish, Megawati said that the industry could support the conservation of the sea. "We need to breed these fish to avoid further destruction of the sea," said Megawati, adding that Indonesia could be the world's largest ornamental fish exporter by 2006.

The elections,new government and anticorruption measures

The elections,new government and anticorruption measures Patrick Guntensperger, Business Consultant, Jakarta, ttpguntensperger@hotmail.com This year there will be a new government in Indonesia. You can be sure that we will see some of the same old faces around the legislature just as we will see some new ones. But it is a chance to make a fresh start.

Govt urged to eradicate smuggling

Govt urged to eradicate smuggling JAMBI: Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea called on the government to seriously curb the rampant smuggling of basic commodities and luxury products to and from Sumatra because such activities had caused losses, not only to the government but also to workers. Speaking to hundreds of investors and workers here on Saturday, the minister said Sumatra had been a target of certain foreign countries marketing their products via smuggling.

FOR FOCUS ISSUE

FOR FOCUS ISSUE JP/P.J. Leo A woman enjoys a Jacuzzi at a Martha Tilaar spa center in Prapanca, South Jakarta as part of the traditional spa treatment provided by the center. JP A member of a Jakarta fitness club uses the latest version of a stationary bike to firm her thighs. Fitness centers generally offer a variety of exercise equipment to their customers.

Criminologist warns of more conflicts during campaign

Criminologist warns of more conflicts during campaign Damar Harsanto and Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With the legislative election campaign kicking off on Thursday, University of Indonesia criminologist Erlangga Masdiana warned the Jakarta administration and the Jakarta Police of the danger of conflicts during the three-week campaign. "Some places, mostly along the city's borders, are prone to community conflicts.

AEKI urges cooperation with Vietnam

AEKI urges cooperation with Vietnam Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta he country's coffee exporters urged the government to talk with Vietnam, the world's largest robusta coffee exporter, in seeking ways to lift the current low price of the commodity. The Association of Indonesian Coffee Exporters (AEKI) said a stronger price for robusta would help ensure the government's target of a 30 percent increase in the export value of coffee this year.

Foreign creditor stay away from commercial court

Foreign creditor stay away from commercial court Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Lengthy court proceedings as well as ambiguous rulings have prompted many creditors, especially foreign companies, to take their cases against local indebted firms from the commercial court to the district court. From past experiences it was evident that creditors had little hope of regaining their money from debtors through the commercial court, experts said.

Panwaslu says campaign still on track

Panwaslu says campaign still on track The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) has recorded a number of violations during the four-day-old campaign, most of which are minor ones, an official says. "Of course there have been violations here and there, including some serious ones," said Saut H. Sirait, Panwaslu deputy chairman, on Sunday without giving exact figures.

Students 'poisoned' by school

Students 'poisoned' by school PANGKALPINANG, South Sumatra: Nearly 170 students and teachers at the state-run 42 Elementary School here developed severe food- poisoning with symptoms of severe diarrhea and vomiting after eating food given to them free at the school. The supplementary food was part of the local administration's effort to improve nutrition. The students get free food once a week.

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.

Medan evicts food and drink vendors

Medan evicts food and drink vendors MEDAN, North Sumatra: Dozens of roadside food and drink vendors around Merdeka Park have protested against their eviction to the Medan municipal authorities, saying it has affected their daily income. "Following the eviction, our sales have dropped by 50 percent to 75 percent," said a chicken noodle vendor at the park area. He questioned the eviction because the traders obtained permission from the Kesawan subdistrict office to erect stalls around the park.

Cheaper security tools enter the local market

Cheaper security tools enter the local market Sudibyo M. Wiradji The Jakarta Post Jakarta The Bali bomb blast, which occurred in November 2001, followed by a host of bomb threats in the following months, prompted many building owners to beef up their security systems.

Floods inundate thousands of houses

Floods inundate thousands of houses BANDUNG, West Java: More than one thousand houses in South Bandung regency were inundated on Sunday following heavy rains over the past three days. The inundated houses were located in four districts -- Baleendah, Dayeuhkolot, Rancaekek and Solokanjeruk. Two school buildings and four mosques were also submerged. Water levels in the Bojong Citepus residential area reached up to two meters, prompting hundreds of people to seek higher ground.

'Cooperative equilibrium' neded by ASEAN

'Cooperative equilibrium' neded by ASEAN Bantarto Bandoro, Editor, The Indonesian Quarterly Centre For Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta, bandoro@csis.or.id ASEAN's commitment when it was first established in 1967 was to take care of its immediate region, Southeast Asia. It was decided that matters relating to Southeast Asia be managed through cooperative measures between ASEAN member countries.

Fish farmers complain about paltry compensation

Fish farmers complain about paltry compensation M. Taufiqurrahman The Jakarta Post Jakarta The compensation the city paid to fish farmers for losses due to pollution from a temporary dump was totally inadequate and snacked of corruption, angry farmers and activists said in Cilincing, North Jakarta on Sunday. Adding insult to injury, the farmers branded the city's bid to stop further pollution from the dump a failure.

Vasectomy brings villagers satisfaction all round in Boyolali

Vasectomy brings villagers satisfaction all round in Boyolali Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Boyolali, Central Java There is nothing unusual about Kaligentong village, Ampel district, which lies six kilometers to the east of the foot of Merbabu mountain, Central Java. Like other modest villages in the country, Kaligentong is blessed with clean and fresh air. Brick houses are everywhere, with chicken running around and dogs sprawling in the unkempt yards. Smiling villagers stare at passing cars.

Minister plans to sue 'Tempo'

Minister plans to sue 'Tempo' JAKARTA: The Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agil al- Munawar is planning to file a lawsuit against Tempo magazine after the weekly published the results of its research showing Munawar's ministry as the most corrupt among government offices. "The Ministry of Religious Affairs has filed a suit against the Tempo reporter who published the report," the minister said on Sunday in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara.

Tutut vows return of good day

Tutut vows return of good day The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Six years ago, Amien Rais was one of the country's most prominent reformist figures involved in the national movement to force Soeharto to end his 32-year regime as the country was on the brink of economic collapse. On Sunday, he did not talk much about the progress of the stagnated reform movement, while Soeharto's daughter promised a return to "the good ol' days" under her father.

CIMB says RI needs to consolidate local securities sector

CIMB says RI needs to consolidate local securities sector Malaysia's second largest financial group Commerce International Merchant Bankers Berhard (CIMB) has recently launched its Indonesian securities house PT CIMB Niaga Securities, with the aim of becoming a major player in Indonesia's growing capital market industry.

FOR FOCUS ISSUE

FOR FOCUS ISSUE JP/P.J. Leo A woman enjoys a Jacuzzi at a Martha Tilaar spa center in Prapanca, South Jakarta as part of the traditional spa treatment provided by the center. JP A member of a Jakarta fitness club uses the latest version of a stationary bike to firm her thighs. Fitness centers generally offer a variety of exercise equipment to their customers.