Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 23 March 2004

77 articles found

'Taiwan's economic relations with Indonesia are improving

'Taiwan's economic relations with Indonesia are improving Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Taiwan, the archrival of China, has succeeded in improving economic relations with Indonesia at a faster rate than on the political front, where the island nation has been stymied by Jakarta's "One China" policy. "Taiwan's relations with Indonesia are cordial and comprehensive.

Robbers clean out candidate's home

Robbers clean out candidate's home JAKARTA: The residence of Sys NS, a legislative candidate and an executive of the Democratic Party, was robbed by four men on Monday around midday. The robbers took diamond jewelry worth Rp 200 million (US$23,529), two exclusive wristwatches, and US$1,000, S$1,000 and Rp 20 million in cash. The robbers gained entry to the house, which is located on Jl. Prapanca Raya No. 92, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, by pretending to be members of the Democratic Party.

The political impact of the sharia question

The political impact of the sharia question Lambert J. Giebels Historian Breda, The Netherlands After the fall of president Soeharto the sharia movement did revive in the political field. The sharia question is haunting Indonesia from the very beginning of its existence.

Bumi Putera to launch securities

Bumi Putera to launch securities The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Bumi Putera plans to issue asset-backed securities worth Rp 1 trillion (US$117.65 million) sometime this year in a bid to raise cash to boost its lending, according to the bank's president. Bumi Putera president Winny E. Hassan said on Friday that the debt instrument would be backed up with the bank's car and automotive loan assets as collateral.

Poll positions

Poll positions People across the country shares their views on the upcoming general elections: Yan, 27, is an alumnus of the University of Cendrawasih in Jayapura, the capital of Papua. He is currently unemployed: The politicians running for seats in the elections only make empty promises during the election campaign. I'm sure they'll tend to their own interests rather than people's interests after they are elected. What we need is fact, not empty promises.

Striving for better Indonesia

Striving for better Indonesia In the road the other day was a brick and I sat and watched it. A lot of people walked past that brick and a lot of drivers steered round it, but no one picked it up, and as far as I know, it's still there. That brick tells a story, and it is one on noninvolvement and of not caring.

Campaigning parties break Day of Silence

Campaigning parties break Day of Silence The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta/Jakarta Several political parties continued to campaign across the country on Monday, ignoring a ban on campaigning during Sunday's Hindu Day of Silence and the following national holiday. The General Elections Commission (KPU) wrote to the State Secretariat on March 12 that campaigns were banned on Sunday on Bali and other areas with Hindu communities. Campaigns were banned on Monday, as it was a national holiday.

Government plans to shift to legal software

Government plans to shift to legal software Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Eight months after authorities began enforcing Law No. 19/2002 on copyrights, the government will begin using licensed software once it finishes taking inventory and negotiating prices, an official said. A secretary to the state minister for communications and information, J.B. Kristiadi, said on Friday the government was in the process of listing unlicensed software at each of its institutions.

Poll positions

Poll positions People across the country share their views on the upcoming general elections: Yan, 27, is an alumnus of the University of Cendrawasih in Jayapura, the capital of Papua. He is currently unemployed: The politicians running for seats in the elections only make empty promises during the election campaign. I'm sure they'll tend to their own interests rather than people's interests after they are elected. What we need is fact, not empty promises.

'Clay painting' inventor still strunggles

'Clay painting' inventor still strunggles Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post,Makassar Zainal Beta never really dreamed that he would someday earn a reputation as an inventor. His artwork, mostly clay paintings, which he conceived by accident, have drawn special attention from noted artists, including the late Affandi, one of the country's great painting masters and the late Sutan Takdir Alisyahbana, a literary luminary.

BI's scriptless system to foster domestic bond market

BI's scriptless system to foster domestic bond market Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Indonesia (BI)'s new, fully computerized securities settlement system is expected to support and promote the country's domestic bond market.

Big parties aim to deliver more oomph

Big parties aim to deliver more oomph Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Major political parties are fine-tuning their campaign strategies in order to bounce back from disastrous early indoor campaigning, party sources say. President Megawati Soekarnoputri's Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is working to improve its television spots.

Asthma drives girl to suicide

Asthma drives girl to suicide YOGYAKARTA: A 30-year old girl, Kaminah, was found dead on Sunday night after reportedly committing suicide at her home in Jemblangan village, Bantul regency, Yogyakarta, police said on Monday. "The victim was found hanging from the ceiling in her bedroom at the end of a 1.5 meter-long piece of plastic rope," said Bantul Police detectives chief Adj. Comr. Deny S.

Tough action urged against diploma cheats

Tough action urged against diploma cheats T. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Legislative candidates who have submitted fake diplomas in their application to register to contest the elections should have been charged under the Criminal Code and Education Law instead of the Election Law, a legal expert said.

Taiwan may recruit RI workers again

Taiwan may recruit RI workers again The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Taiwan will resume its recruitment of Indonesian workers after the expected signing in May 2004 of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on labor cooperation, Taiwan's new economic and trade representative to Indonesia said on Sunday. "The negotiations on the draft MoU (on labor cooperation) are almost finished. Hopefully, it will be signed by May 2004," David Y.L.

Soldiers run amok in Lampung

Soldiers run amok in Lampung BANDAR LAMPUNG: Dozens of Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel went on the rampage at Bandar Lampung's Rajabasa bus terminal on Monday afternoon, destroying a police post and sidewalk eateries in the process. The violence was triggered by a reported misunderstanding between Privates David and Alex and civilians Mukti and Nasir, two ticket scalpers operating at the bus terminal.

Muara Angke forest needs only slight upgrade

Muara Angke forest needs only slight upgrade Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The protected mangrove forest in Muara Angke, North Jakarta, has long served as a haven for different animals and as a research center for university students. Soon, it will also be the first eco-tourism site in the city.

1. KPU: 48 pt, 7 cols, 1 x 42

1. KPU: 48 pt, 7 cols, 1 x 42 Election tenders leave KPU in sticky point 2. ROUNDUP: 36 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 14 Parties break Day of Silence 3. STRATEGY: 32 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 16 Big parties aim to deliver more oomph

Taiwan may recruit RI workers again soon

Taiwan may recruit RI workers again soon The Jakarta Post Jakarta Taiwan will resume its recruitment of Indonesian workers after the expected signing in May 2004 of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on labor cooperation, Taiwan's new economic and trade representative to Indonesia said on Sunday. "The negotiations on the draft MoU (on labor cooperation) are almost finished. Hopefully, it will be signed by May 2004," David Y.L.

Legal experts find deputy MA candidates unimpressive

Legal experts find deputy MA candidates unimpressive Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A poll has revealed that five career justices vying for two deputy chief justice posts have failed to convince legal practitioners that they would be an asset to the highest judicial institution.

'Social contracts worth a try'

'Social contracts worth a try' The non-governmental organization Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta) recently asked several councillors to sign a social contract that would bind them to live up to their election promise to work for the interests of the public. Such contracts are just one of several initiatives to try and force our representatives to honor their campaign promises. The Jakarta Post talked to some residents about the issue.

JP/1/POLL

JP/1/POLL More firms fail to print ballots Moch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post Jakarta With polling day on April 5 being only two weeks away, more companies have been identified as having failed to print their ballot paper allotments on schedule.

Activists target RI's illegal timber trade

Activists target RI's illegal timber trade Jamie Wilson, Guardian News Service, London Waiting for the first shards of light to break through the night sky, the two inflatable speedboats were running without navigation lights. The lead boat flashed a torch twice, and the two ribs powered up and began cutting through the swell of the English Channel.

Rp 185b for contraceptives

Rp 185b for contraceptives KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The National Family Planning Board (BKKBN) has earmarked Rp 185 billion for the procurement of contraceptives in 2004. "The funds will be channeled to provinces for the purchase of the contraceptives that are needed for BKKBN programs," board deputy chairman Imam Haryadi said in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, over the weekend. He did not elaborate on the BKKBN's programs for 2004.

Elections commission a crisis in waiting

Elections commission a crisis in waiting Ong Hock Chuan, Partner, PT Maverick Solusi Komunikasi, Jakarta Denial is the main cause of crises in organizations. If all the media reports about the General Elections Commission (KPU) are even half right the KPU is exhibiting such behavior and courting a crisis when polling begins on April 5.

Striving for better Indonesia

Striving for better Indonesia In the road the other day was a brick and I sat and watched it. A lot of people walked past that brick and a lot of drivers steered round it, but no one picked it up, and as far as I know, it's still there. That brick tells a story, and it is one on noninvolvement and of not caring.

Missing boat found, all safe in S. Sulawesi

Missing boat found, all safe in S. Sulawesi The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Searchers have found a missing ship that was reported missing in eastern Indonesian waters and rescued all 52 people aboard, including eight crew members. The KM Untung Jaya, which was also carrying tons of freight, was found in the Banda Sea at around 3 p.m. on Sunday, where it had gone missing after encountering bad weather on Saturday night.

'Social contracts might make politicians think'

'Social contracts might make politicians think' The non-governmental organization Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta) recently asked several councillors to sign a social contract that would bind them to live up to their election promise to work for the interests of the public. Such contracts are just one of several initiatives to try and force our representatives to honor their campaign promises. The Jakarta Post talked to some residents about the issue.

Few signs of cutting back on damage

Few signs of cutting back on damage John Vidal, Guardian News Service, London Late last year more than 200 people were killed and 400 houses destroyed when hundreds of illegally felled trees in the Leuser national park in northern Sumatra crashed down a mountain side, smashing their way into the town of Gunung Leuser. The "natural" disaster was a direct result of the rampant illegal forestry in the national park, which can expect to have few trees left within a few years.

E. Java conjoined twins die

E. Java conjoined twins die SURABAYA: Siamese twins Nugroho Yuliana and Nugroho Yuliani of Madiun, East Java, who were being treated at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital here for the past 15 days, died on Sunday. The twins, born to Suryono and Sri Hariyani of Kuwu village, Balerejo subdistrict, suffered from various congenital defects, making it difficult to separate them.

Calm restored in Lembata

Calm restored in Lembata KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: A number of police officers and Catholic priests managed to calm down an angry mob who surrounded Lembata police station in Lewoleba, East Nusa Tenggara, on Sunday morning after a resident allegedly insulted the holy Eucharist, a local official said. Deputy East Nusa Tenggara governor Frans Lebu Raya said the situation has returned to normal in Lembata after the intervention of local church leaders and security officers.

Poll positions

Poll positions Yan, 27, is an alumnus of the University of Cendrawasih in Jayapura, the capital of Papua. He is currently unemployed: The politicians running for seats in the elections only make empty promises during the election campaign. I'm sure they'll tend to their own interests rather than people's interests after they are elected. What we need is fact, not empty promises.

Strikers taken to hospital

Strikers taken to hospital CIREBON, West Java: At least ten students and youths staging a hunger strike in Cirebon, West Java, were rushed to hospitals on Sunday, six days after they started their protest to pressure local prosecutors to investigate alleged malfeasance by local officials. One of the hunger strikers was Sholahudin Umar, who had been unconscious for more than 12 hours by Monday afternoon.

S'poreans drive sex trade: Study

S'poreans drive sex trade: Study Singaporeans ranging from teenagers to grandfathers are fueling the sex trade on the Indonesian island of Batam, a survey showed on Monday. They account for eight out of every 10 men who go to the Riau island for a sex romp an hour's ride away from the city-state by ferry, according to a nongovernmental organization that helps sex workers.

Poor patients still forced to pay medical bills: UPC

Poor patients still forced to pay medical bills: UPC Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite the nationwide policy of providing free medical treatment to poor dengue fever patients, some hospitals continue to charge poor patients, according to an investigation by the Urban Poor Consortium (UPC).

True statesmanship

True statesmanship and BIN chief From Koran Tempo Now that the general elections are only a few weeks away, it is interesting to observe how some political party figures that happen to be government officials are acting as campaigners for their parties. Obviously, these government officials must take leave so as to concentrate on their political party. As a result, the state will not be properly managed. In this context, it is interesting to note that State Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief A.M.

TV Program: Tuesday, March 23, 2004

TV Program: Tuesday, March 23, 2004 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Children Show 8:00 Music: Sik Asik 10:00 TV Drama 12:00 p.m.

Medan's colonial buildings lost to poor law enforcement

Medan's colonial buildings lost to poor law enforcement Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra Some 300 of the 600 old buildings in Medan have been demolished due to lax law enforcement, according to a survey by the modern Asian Architecture Network (mAAN) and Sumatra Heritage Body (BWS). The recently completed survey discovered that most of the old buildings were rumah panggung (stilt houses).

Strikers taken to hospital

Strikers taken to hospital CIREBON, West Java: At least ten students and youths staging a hunger strike in Cirebon, West Java, were rushed to hospitals on Sunday, six days after they started their protest to pressure local prosecutors to investigate alleged malfeasance by local officials. One of the hunger strikers was Sholahudin Umar, who had been unconscious for more than 12 hours by Monday afternoon.

PAN campaign claims child's life in Batam

PAN campaign claims child's life in Batam BATAM, Riau: A seven-year old child, named Rizki, was killed during a campaign on Sunday by the National Mandate Party (PAN) on the island of Batam, Riau province. A number of other PAN supporters were injured when a truck carrying them collided with another truck loaded with ice in Sijantung village, Galang subdistrict.

Traffic jams on

Traffic jams on UKI to Cawang route From Warta Kota Every day, at around 6 a.m., East Jakarta residents always have to face traffic congestion on the UKI to Cawang route, where an underpass is now under construction. It is not the project that has worsened traffic jams but the unauthorized terminal about 10 meters away from the UKI to Cawang route. The name of a Siliwangi Division retired Army captain can be found at this location.

Swedish law enforcers question JSX bombers

Swedish law enforcers question JSX bombers P.C. Naommy The Jakarta Post Jakarta Swedish prosecutors and police questioned on Saturday five Acehnese, including two convicted of the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) bombing in 2000, as part of their investigation into Free Aceh Movement (GAM) leader Hasan Tiro, who lives in exile in Sweden. The Swedish law enforcers also heard the account of Cut Safrida, one of two women who walked free in January after being held hostage by GAM for seven months.

1. GAZA: 2 LINES, 15 COUNTS

1. GAZA: 2 LINES, 15 COUNTS Hamas vows revenge for chief's murder 2. BOMB: 1 line, 24 COUNTS 10 held for Cimanggis blast 3. POLL: 4 LINES, 11 COUNTS KPU axes more printers for missing ballot quota 4. SOFWARE: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS Govt to shift to legal software

KPU axes more firms for missing ballot quota

KPU axes more firms for missing ballot quota Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With polling day on April 5 being only two weeks away, more companies have been identified as having failed to print their ballot paper allotments on schedule.

NISP sees 40 percent increase in profit this year

NISP sees 40 percent increase in profit this year The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Mid-sized bank NISP said that its net profit may grow by up to 40 percent this year on higher revenue from lending and lower fund costs amid a continuing decline in the Bank Indonesia (BI) benchmark interest rate. NISP president Pramukti Surjaudaja told The Jakarta Post on Friday that despite the general election, the bank was expecting profit to jump by between 35 percent to 40 percent this year.

Health bills differ, and the patient dies?

Health bills differ, and the patient dies? Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Agus Subiantoro was happy that the operation to empty his bladder went smoothly and painlessly. A few days later, he was surprised to find out there was a tiny tube in his kidney. His surgeon told him the tube was needed to dissipate kidney stones and that it would later need to be removed. Agus insisted that he had never been informed about a second operation, and that he could not afford it.

Trillion in tenders leave KPU in sticky point

Trillion in tenders leave KPU in sticky point Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta When the members of the General Elections Commission (KPU) were installed in 2001, they might not have expected that the tenders to procure over Rp 1 trillion (US$117 million) worth of election materials would have been so complicated as to put the 2004 elections at risk.

1. TIMER 2x25

1. TIMER 2x25 Activists target RI's illegal timber trade 2. KAYU 4x12 Few signs of cutting back on damage 3. CARBON 2x25 The 'Snowball Earth' event takes men into the Ice Ages 4. FOREST 2x25 The future of Russian forests may be decided by regulation

Saving the future through water conservation programs

Saving the future through water conservation programs Debbie A. Lubis, Contributor, Jakarta Many of us have perhaps never pondered on how a drop of water can influence our life. With the ever-growing population today, water consumption has increased dramatically. It is estimated that an individual requires more than 100 liters of water every day. Water is essential to life, not only for drinking or cooking but also for bathing and even washing cars.

* Headlines: Parties change campaign strategies 2

* Headlines: Parties change campaign strategies 2 * National: Taiwan may recruit RI workers again soon 4 * Archipelago: Many of Medan's colonial buildings lost 5 * Opinion: Elections commission a crisis in waiting 7 * City: Multiple charges proposed for fake diploma cases 8 * Sports: Campbell fights back to win Bay Hill by six 9 * World: Karzai sends troops after clash killed 100 11 * Business: Government to facilitate oil companies 13 * Features: Activists target RI's illegal timber trade 18

Black market remittances thrive in SE Asia

Black market remittances thrive in SE Asia Yasmine Yahya, Agence France-Presse, Singapore Once a month, Nisha sends the money she saves from her job as a maid in Singapore to her family back home in Sri Lanka. But like millions of her fellow Asian migrant workers, she does not use a bank. She gets an unlicensed remittance agent in Singapore's bustling Little India district to send the money to a collection point in Colombo.

Ten held for Cimanggis explosion

Ten held for Cimanggis explosion Evi Mariani and Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Depok The Jakarta Police declared 10 people suspects on Monday following a low-explosive blast at a rented house in Cimanggis, Depok, south of Jakarta, early on Sunday morning. Another 17 people who had also been questioned by city police were released late on Monday. The blast, reportedly the result of an accident during a bomb- making training session, caused minor damage to the house's roof.

Ignoring water concerns will lead to disaster

Ignoring water concerns will lead to disaster Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The selection of "Water and Disaster" as the theme for the commemoration of this year's World Water Day again reminds us of the importance of protecting existing water resources. If they are not protected, the coming generations will face disasters that might be worse than we could imagine.

Taufik gives aid to NU ulema

Taufik gives aid to NU ulema CIREBON, West Java: President Megawati Soekarnoputri's husband Taufik Kiemas visited KH Abdullah Abbason Monday, one of the most influential ulema from Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), ahead of the April 5 legislative election. Taufik arrived at Abbas Buntet Islamic boarding school in Lemahbang subdistrict, Cirebon regency, accompanied by other senior executives of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

Kalla's presence a violation for Golkar

Kalla's presence a violation for Golkar JAYAPURA, Papua: The Golkar Party has been rebuked for inviting Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla to campaign in Jayapura, Papua province. The Papua General Elections Commission (KPUD) argued on Monday that the presence of Kalla violated campaign regulations because Golkar had not listed him as one of its national campaigners in the province. The reprimand was supported by the province's Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu).

Traffic jams on

Traffic jams on UKI to Cawang route From Warta Kota Every day, at around 6 a.m., East Jakarta residents always have to face traffic congestion on the UKI to Cawang route, where an underpass is now under construction. It is not the project that has worsened traffic jams but the unauthorized terminal about 10 meters away from the UKI to Cawang route. The name of a Siliwangi Division retired Army captain can be found at this location.

Swedish prosecutors to review case against GAM leaders

Swedish prosecutors to review case against GAM leaders Tiarma Siboro The Jakarta Post Jakarta Swedish lawyers wrapped up their investigation here on Sunday, but whether leaders of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) would be tried or not remains unknown.

Legal practitioners distrust deputy chief justice aspirants: Poll

Legal practitioners distrust deputy chief justice aspirants: Poll Muninggar Sri Saraswati The Jakarta Post Jakarta A poll has revealed that five career justices vying for two deputy chief justice posts have failed to convince legal practitioners that they would be an asset to the highest judicial institution.

Government moves to help oil firms

Government moves to help oil firms Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is considering offering investors the opportunity to conduct joint studies before they submit proposals for oil and gas concessions as part of the country's latest bid to boost investment in the sector.

Fish breeding center inaugurated in Batam

Fish breeding center inaugurated in Batam Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam The Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Rokhmin Dahuri, inaugurated on Saturday a fish breeding center in Batam, Riau, in a bid to meet an increasing demand for fresh grouper (a type of fish) from Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as on the domestic market.

Teachers lament unpaid salaries

Teachers lament unpaid salaries TANGERANG: Substitute teachers working at hundreds of elementary school in Tangerang regency since June last year claim they have not received their salaries. Mulyadi, who works in Mauk district, said some colleagues had received four-month pay packages. They received Rp 1.84 million (US$216.4) for their June- September salaries, and another Rp 1.84 million for November through February.

Two killed in toll road accident: Two people were killed and

Two killed in toll road accident: Two people were killed and three others injured in a traffic accident on Monday at 5:40 p.m. on a toll road heading to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Ratna, 23, and Sumarto Bakri, 26, were killed. Ferry Gunawan, 22, Suryani Bakri, 61, and Lisa Bakri, 57 suffered injuries and are being treated at Atmajaya Hospital in Pluit, North Jakarta. North Jakarta traffic police chief Brig.

1. BADAWI: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18

1. BADAWI: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 Abdullah restores Malaysia's moderate image with poll win 2. GAM: 36 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 28 Sweden to review GAM case 3. MA: 32 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 24 Legal experts find deputy MA candidates unimpressive 4. SEPANG: 30 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 37 Ferrari pass acid test with Malaysia triumph

New Order revival?

New Order revival? Just nine days remain to the 22-day campaign period, after which there is a three-day cooling-off period before people cast their votes for legislative candidates on April 5. It will be the first of two direct elections the people of this country have ever participated, the second being the presidential election in July.

Sweden to review GAM leaders' case

Sweden to review GAM leaders' case Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Swedish lawyers wrapped up their investigation here on Sunday, but whether leaders of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) would be tried or not remains unknown.

Open-pit-mining

Open-pit-mining From Koran Tempo A government regulation in lieu of law was issued on March 11 amending Law No. 41/1999 on forestry, allowing 13 companies to resume open-pit mining in protected forests. This regulation, an obvious policy blunder on the part of the government, was based more on greed without any concern over the fate of the nation's present and future generations.

Criminal Code, Education Law more relevant in dealing with fake

Criminal Code, Education Law more relevant in dealing with fake documents M. Taufiqurrahman The Jakarta Post Jakarta Legislative candidates who have submitted fake diplomas in their application to register to contest the elections should have been charged under the Criminal Code and Education Law instead of the Election Law, a legal expert said.

Robbers clean out candidate's home

Robbers clean out candidate's home JAKARTA: The residence of Sys NS, a legislative candidate and an executive of the Democratic Party, was robbed by four men on Monday around midday. The robbers took diamond jewelry worth Rp 200 million (US$23,529), two exclusive wristwatches, and US$1,000, S$1,000 and Rp 20 million in cash. The robbers gained entry to the house, which is located on Jl. Prapanca Raya No. 92, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, by pretending to be members of the Democratic Party.

Three alleged rebels killed in Aceh

Three alleged rebels killed in Aceh BANDA ACEH: Three suspected separatist rebels had been killed in exchanges of fire with troops in Aceh, the Indonesian Military said on Monday. The three had been shot dead in Beringin village, Rantau Peureulak subdistrict, East Aceh district, Aceh military operation spokesman Lt. Col. Asep Sapari said in Lhokseumawe, some 270 kilometers east of Banda Aceh.

Spread of bird flu in RI is a cause for serious concern: UN

Spread of bird flu in RI is a cause for serious concern: UN Associated Press, Bangkok Although the spread of bird flu has slowed in most countries, outbreaks have appeared across Indonesia, where government resources are stretched thin in the fight against the disease, a United Nations agency said Monday. The virus has extended its range in southern Sumatra, while West Kalimantan recently became the latest province to be infected with the avian influenza, the U.N.

Activists train as peacekeepers

Activists train as peacekeepers Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A peacekeeping force does not necessarily carry guns, wear bulletproof vests and ride in tanks or armored cars. They simply need to understand the root of the conflict they are to help resolve. That was all that crossed the minds of Ichsan Malik and his colleagues from the Peace Building Institute (ITP) when they initiated training for community-based facilitators to prevent and manage conflicts.

Indonesia needs true leader with vision

Indonesia needs true leader with vision Patrick Guntensperger, Business Consultant, Jakarta ttpguntensperger@hotmail.com At this critical turning point in the history of Indonesia, it's crucial that those who have the ultimate responsibility for selecting the government -- the voters -- keep some distinctions firmly in mind.

Singapore upgrading Changi airport

Singapore upgrading Changi airport SINGAPORE: Singapore's Changi airport is undergoing a S$45- million (US$26-million) upgrade so it can cater for the world's biggest commercial jet, the Airbus A380, authorities said Monday. Some of the modification work being carried out includes widening the runway shoulders, expanding the existing gaterooms by five to 10 percent and extending the baggage belts, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said.

Taiwan may recruit RI workers again soon

Taiwan may recruit RI workers again soon The Jakarta Post Jakarta Taiwan will resume its recruitment of Indonesian workers after the expected signing in May 2004 of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on labor cooperation, Taiwan's new economic and trade representative to Indonesia said on Sunday. "The negotiations on the draft MoU (on labor cooperation) are almost finished. Hopefully, it will be signed by May 2004," David Y.L.

S'pore nabs two Thai traffickers

S'pore nabs two Thai traffickers SINGAPORE: Two Thai nationals face the death penalty in Singapore after being arrested over the weekend for trafficking methamphetamine pills, the local drug enforcement agency said on Monday. The 9,938 methamphetamine pills, also known as "yaba", seized from the suspects has an estimated street value of S$99,380 (US$58,804) and is the largest seizure of the drug this year. Acting on a tip, officials mounted a raid at a food market on Sunday evening.

3 x 13

3 x 13 Missing boat found, all safe in S. Sulawesi JP/5/KUNO 2 x 27 Medan's colonial buildings lost to poor law enforcement S'poreans drive Batam sex trade: Study

Czech caught for smuggling reptiles

Czech caught for smuggling reptiles CZECH REPUBLIC: A man was caught at Prague airport trying to smuggle almost 70 snakes, lizards and other rare reptiles into the Czech Republic from Indonesia, customs officers said on Monday. Customs officers at Prague's Ruzyne Airport found the animals, valued at 650,000 koruna (US$24.24), in the Czech man's luggage and clothes, customs spokesman Zdenek Malek said.