Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 25 March 2004

78 articles found

Malaysia's opposition calls for new elections

Malaysia's opposition calls for new electionsAssociated Press, Kuala LumpurMalaysia's opposition alleged fraud and demanded new elections on Wednesday, after a wholesale rout by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's coalition that confronts them with near-extinction in Parliament and state...

Killer of rector gets 17 years

Killer of rector gets 17 years Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Nanggroe Aceh DarussalamThe Banda Aceh District Court sentenced suspected Acehnese rebel Mahyiddin alias Raja Preman, 25, to 17 years in prison for murdering Syiah Kuala University (Unsyiah) rector Dayan Dawood in 2001.

Jakarta govt big spender, but fails to address crucial issues

Jakarta govt big spender, but fails to address crucial issuesDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Jakarta administration spent Rp 10.38 trillion (US$1.2 billion), or 89.79 percent of the 2003 city budget of Rp 11.

Kampar regency again paralyzed after violent protest

Kampar regency again paralyzed after violent protestHaidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, RiauTeachers and civil servants in Kampar staged strikes against Kampar Regent Jefri Noer on Wednesday, a day after a violent clash with police that left two students with serious gunshot wounds.

Who must obey the law?

Who must obey the law?From Warta Kota The leader of the Crescent Star Party (PBB), who is also the minister of justice and human rights, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, violated campaign rules by campaigning in south Jakarta while not on leave (Warta Kota, March 15).

Students protest slow graft probe

Students protest slow graft probe CIREBON, West Java: Some 100 student activists staged a protest on Wednesday in front of the Cirebon Prosecutor's Office, condemning it for halting an investigation into the alleged corruption involving 30 Cirebon councillors and Rp 997 million of the municipal...

OCBC to benefit from RI bank stake

OCBC to benefit from RI bank stake Singapore, Dow Jones Singapore's Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.'s move to buy a stake in Indonesia's PT Bank NISP is likely to be positive for the Singapore lender, analysts said on Wednesday.Singapore's No.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 24, 2004

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 24, 2004 ____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ___________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo...

Islamic candidates mum on polygamy

Islamic candidates mum on polygamyA. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, JakartaRealizing their demographic power, Islamic political parties are working hard to win women's votes in the April 5 legislative election. A no-less important strategy is avoiding sensitive issues like polygamy, permitted in Islam.

Green hot chili peppers go through the roof

Green hot chili peppers go through the roofBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAlthough the prices of several food products, particularly vegetables and cooking spices, have dropped a bit this week due to the peaceful campaign period, market confidence remains low, with some traders...

JP/5/AMBON

JP/5/AMBONThousands of refugees await much-needed government aidM. Azis Tunny The Jakarta Post Ambon, MalukuTension and fear is rare today on the spice island of Maluku, which was once rocked by sectarian conflicts from 1999 to 2002, and regardless of their religions, the local people mingle on the...

Five pilgrims still to come home

Five pilgrims still to come home JAKARTA: Five Indonesian pilgrims are still being treated in Saudi Arabian hospitals for a variety of medical conditions, almost two months after the haj season ended on Feb. 1.

(Caption for Spotlight advertisement -- Thursday, March 25, 2004)

(Caption for Spotlight advertisement -- Thursday, March 25, 2004) DHL'S NEW DEDICATED FLIGHT: PT Birotika Semesta/DHL Express Senior Technical Advisor Alan Cassels expressed DHL's confidence in Indonesia during a celebration recently to mark the start of its dedicated flight between Jakarta and...

Supreme Court urged to ban GMO

Supreme Court urged to ban GMORendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A coalition of environmental non-governmental organizations has urged the Supreme Court to rule against the government's policy allowing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to be planted in Indonesian soil.

Hokiarto tried again for graft

Hokiarto tried again for graftM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe trial of businessman Hokiarto for an alleged land scam that caused the state to suffer Rp 48.7 billion (US$5.6 million) in losses began at the South Jakarta District Court on Wednesday.

Cak Nur calls for opposition

Cak Nur calls for opposition JAKARTA: Noted Muslim scholar Nurcholish "Cak Nur" Madjid called for the formation of an opposition party on Wednesday to monitor the new government after the election.Nurcholish said the opposition group would ensure that the government did not violate public trust.

Monument to be tourist site

Monument to be tourist site BANDUNG: After years of neglect, the Bandung municipal administration has decided to turn the Bandung Lautan Api monument in Tegalega into a tourist destination.The monument is currently packed by street vendors during the day, while at night, the place is a hangout for...

Observers lament media's misuse of language

Observers lament media's misuse of languageTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe overuse of acronyms, abundance of slang, inconsistent use of prefixes and irregular sentence structure in most Indonesian mass media are a hindrance for language instructors teaching foreign students across the...

Two new parties running autonomy issue

Two new parties running autonomy issue Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaDeparting from the popular platforms of religion or nationalism, two new parties are highlighting regional autonomy in their campaigns.

Cabinet room deserted for campaign season

Cabinet room deserted for campaign seasonFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaSince the start of the 22-day election campaign on March 11, the Cabinet has gone into virtual hibernation, with President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Vice President Hamzah Haz and a number of senior ministers...

Australian lawmakers to approve Timor Sea gas deal

Australian lawmakers to approve Timor Sea gas deal Rod McGuirk, Associated Press, Canberra, Australia Australian lawmakers on Wednesday were expected to approve legislation paving the way for Australia and East Timor to carve up a gas and oil field, a deal minor political parties say short changes...

Presidential hopefuls must have zero debt

Presidential hopefuls must have zero debtMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe General Elections Commission (KPU) has announced additional requirements for presidential and vice presidential candidates standing in the upcoming election.

MAS to double flights to HK

MAS to double flights to HKKUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) will double its non-stop services between Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur to 14 times a week effective on Sunday, the carrier said. The increased service, using Airbus aircraft, will offer a total of 1,668 seats in each direction, the...

Excelcomindo's profit falls by 46 percent

Excelcomindo's profit falls by 46 percentThe Jakarta Post, JakartaPT Excelcomindo Pratama, the country's third-largest mobile phone operator, said on Wednesday that its 2003 audited net profit dropped by 46 percent compared with the year before, due to rising operational costs.

Pedicab driver assaulters get 10 months

Pedicab driver assaulters get 10 months JAKARTA: The North Jakarta District Court sentenced four Koja subdistrict public order officers to 10 months in prison for assaulting a becak (pedicab) driver on July 3, 2003, who later died of severe injuries.

Panwaslu probes money politics

Panwaslu probes money politics MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: As of the 14th day of the campaign period on Wednesday, the South Sulawesi Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) had received eight reports on money politics, of which five have been investigated.

Sesetan villagers preserve kissing tradition

Sesetan villagers preserve kissing traditionWahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali Around 30 young, beautiful couples solemnly performed a special prayer at the village temple of Banjar Kaja, Sesetan, Denpasar.

Barli puts on masterpiece retrospective

Barli puts on masterpiece retrospectiveOei Eng Goan, Contributor, enggoano@indosat.net.idRarely has a painter been able to show his mastery of various styles at a solo exhibition like the one featuring the works of Barli at the Indonesian National Gallery, Central Jakarta, the opening of which...

TNI accused of ignoring defense white paper

TNI accused of ignoring defense white paper JP/4/TNITNI accused of ignoring defense white paperTiarma Siboro The Jakarta Post JakartaA senior official from the Ministry of Defense lamented on Wednesday that the Indonesian Military (TNI) had ignored the white paper on state defense and accused the...

Mega says beware of bribes, as PDI-P hands out cash

Mega says beware of bribes, as PDI-P hands out cashThe Jakarta Post Jakarta/Yogyakarta/SurakartaWhile observers are warning political parties and the public to be on the alert for vote-buying, at least one high-profile candidate is apparently worried by attempts from rival parties to bribe voters.

TB strategy to be implemented

TB strategy to be implementedLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Special training will be provided for general practitioners and nurses in hospitals on Direct Observed Treatment, Short course (DOTS), a strategy used internationally to battle tuberculosis (TB).

Elections could be postponed: Minister

Elections could be postponed: MinisterP.C. Naommy and Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In spite of repeated assurances from the General Election Commission (KPU) that the election would be held on schedule, several delays in the preparations have led one highly placed minister to...

Sacred site devotees attacked 1 dead

Sacred site devotees attacked 1 deadYuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, BandungA man was killed when an identified assailant ran amok and attacked five visitors with a machete at the sacred Mbah Cacag Ganti burial site in Sumedang regency, West Java, on Wednesday.

* Headlines: Chief justice has new deputies 2

* Headlines: Chief justice has new deputies 2 * National: Observers lament media's misuse of Bahasa 4 * Archipelago: Foreigners suspected in Sumatran tiger trade 5 * Opinion: Islamic parties' prospects in upcoming polls 7 * City: Market prices going down, but still high 8 * Sports: Asian golfers...

BNI to issue up to Rp 1 trillion in bonds in June

BNI to issue up to Rp 1 trillion in bonds in JuneDadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, JakartaPublicly listed Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), the country's second largest bank, is set to issue sub-ordinated bonds worth up to Rp 1 trillion (US$117 million) in May or June, to help strengthen capital and...

Driving not as easy as it used to be

Driving not as easy as it used to beEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIn an effort to improve the quality of drivers in Jakarta, the Jakarta Police have vowed to tighten the procedure in obtaining a driving license for new applicants.

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

1. ROUNDUP: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 Mega instructs party faithful to reject money from others 2. WOMEN: 36 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 28 Islamic candidates mum on polygamy 3. OTONOMI: 30 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 37 Two new parties running on autonomy issue 4.

Pertamina to boost Bekasi field output

Pertamina to boost Bekasi field output The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina said on Wednesday that oil production from its new oil fields in Bekasi, West Java, would reach a peak of 35,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2005.

British Embassy clarifies

British Embassy clarifies On March 10, 2004 you reported that the United Kingdom had banned Indonesian plywood imports, and then lifted the ban. This is not correct. UK consumers greatly value Indonesian timber products for their excellent quality.

PASI seeks versatile athletic recruits

PASI seeks versatile athletic recruits Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Athletics Association (PASI) is looking to step up its talent search by holding an unprecedented 60- to 80-meter sprint meet for students.

Civil servants to get bonus

Civil servants to get bonus JAKARTA: The government has decided to provide a one-month salary bonus for civil servants in June, the beginning of the new school year."The bonus has been approved by the House of Representatives and aims at helping civil servants pay for their children's education in...

[b]Prospects for the Islamic

Prospects for the Islamic parties in the election Muhammad Qodari Director of Research Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) Jakarta qodari@lsi.or.id2. Thomas -- Finding out what voters want 2 X 30 Political parties should give what people really want to win votesTo win votes, parties should give...

Foreign role suspected in tiger trade

Foreign role suspected in tiger trade Haidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, RiauSix animal poachers and brokers were apprehended recently in Indragiri Hulu regency with two dead Sumatran tigers in their possession.

Qatar, Sasol-Chevron sign $6b deal

Qatar, Sasol-Chevron sign $6b deal DOHA: Qatar signed on Tuesday a US$6 billion memorandum of understanding with South African-U.S. partnership Sasol-Chevron for three gas-to-liquid (GTL) projects, Energy Minister Abdullah al-Attiyah announced. One project involves the $1.

PKB secretary-general dismissed

PKB secretary-general dismissed JAKARTA: The National Awakening Party (PKB) has decided to dismiss its Secretary-General, Saifullah Yusuf, for alleged failure to support party patron Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid as a candidate for the presidency.

One more dengue patient dies

One more dengue patient dies BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: Another dengue fever patient passed away at dawn on Wednesday, bringing the number of fatalities in the province to 19.Dita, 3, succumbed to the disease after receiving treatment at Kanujoso Djatiwibowo hospital since Monday.

Ex-general regrets Priok incident

Ex-general regrets Priok incident JAKARTA: A retired Army general in the dock before the ad hoc human rights tribunal said on Wednesday that he regretted the 1984 Tanjung Priok bloodshed, but insisted he was innocent.

Acehnese indifferent to RI election,

Acehnese indifferent to RI election, but will vote to 'avoid trouble'Nani Farida The Jakarta Post Banda Aceh, Nanggroe Aceh DarussalamThe situation in Aceh Nanggroe Darussalam at present is calmer than it has been in recent months, but it is not really very different from other days aside from the...

Regental heads campaign illegally

Regental heads campaign illegally SEMARANG: At least 17 regents and deputy regents were found to have campaigned without official leave from the Minister of Home Affairs, said a local Panwaslu member. Under the Election Law, state officials must take official leave to campaign in order to prevent...

'Social contract is the only way they will get my vote'

'Social contract is the only way they will get my vote'Although only a few Jakarta councillors are willing to ink a social contract with voters, promising to refuse bribes and to work for the public good, some potential voters see it as a way to ensure that politicians honor their campaign promises.

Nabbed cop's dossier returned

Nabbed cop's dossier returned JAKARTA: The dossier on a police officer arrested for alleged possession of ecstasy pills has been returned to police by the Jakarta Prosecutors Office.Office general crime assistant Noor Said told Tempo News Room the dossier on Comr.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, March 25, 2004

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, March 25, 2004.TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions* Painting Melukis dan Melihat by Wayan Muliastra, at K. Sudana Gallery, Campuhan, Ubud, until April 10. * Painting Spiritual Jewels by Walter Van Oelat Agung Rai Museum of Art, Jl. Raya Pengosekan, Ubud, Gianyar, at 6:30 p.m.

FAO confirms decrease in bird flu cases in Indonesia

FAO confirms decrease in bird flu cases in IndonesiaAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIn a clarification of a report issued earlier this week, a Jakarta-based FAO representative said that the number of bird flu cases in Indonesia had been decreasing month by month since November last year, but...

Election Comittesays ready monitor legislative vote

Election Comittesays ready monitor legislative voteMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe 20,000-strong Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) says that it is ready to monitor the legislative vote on April 5 in all districts across the country and ensure that no electoral...

Safe haven for corruptors

Safe haven for corruptors From Koran Tempo A team of investigators from the National Police Headquarters handed over to the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office on March 1 the dossiers on five suspect in a bank scam that inflicted Rp 1.7 trillion in losses to Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI).

Eight parties violate campaign rules

Eight parties violate campaign rules TANGERANG: Eight political parties have violated campaign regulations since the start of campaign period on March 11, the Tangerang Elections Monitoring Committee (Panwaslu) said.

Monument to be tourist site

Monument to be tourist site BANDUNG: After years of neglect, the Bandung municipal administration has decided to turn the Bandung Lautan Api monument in Tegalega into a tourist destination.The monument is currently packed by street vendors during the day, while at night, the place is a hangout for...

To win votes, parties should give people what they really want

To win votes, parties should give people what they really wantThomas Hidya Tjaya, Lecturer, Driyarkara School of Philosophy, Jakarta During the campaign and election period, prospective voters seem to be all that parties are interested in.

1. ELECT: 3 LINES, 15 COUNTS

1. ELECT: 3 LINES, 15 COUNTSPolls could be delayed, Minister says2. GAZA: 2 LINES, 16 COUNTS Hamas threatens to hit Sharon 3. SUSUL: 2 LINES, 18 COUNTS Cabinet room deserted for campaign season 4. ROADS: 1 LINE, 40 COUNTSJakarta police identify rally high-risk zones

Tax evaders get another six months behind bars

Tax evaders get another six months behind barsUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Directorate General of Taxation is planning to extend the prison terms of two businessmen, one of whom is a foreigner, currently under detention for tax evasion as they have still not shown goodwill in paying...

Marianna, Syamsuhadi elected deputies

Marianna, Syamsuhadi elected deputiesMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Supreme Court has elected two new deputy chief justices to help repair the highest judicial tribunal's badly-tarnished image and speed up its sluggish internal reform process.

Reuters/Romeo Ranoco

Reuters/Romeo RanocoCLEAN WATER PROMISE: A Filipino girl drinks water from an artesian well in Manila as another child watches. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said on Wednesday more than 160,000 families in the capital did not have access to clean water.

Nabbed cop's dossier returned

Nabbed cop's dossier returned JAKARTA: The dossier on a police officer arrested for alleged possession of ecstasy pills has been returned to the police by the Jakarta Prosecutors Office.Office general crime assistant Noor Said told Tempo News Room on Wednesday that the dossier on Comr.

3 X 12

3 X 12 Foreign role suspected in tiger trade JP/5/rector1 x 34 Killer of Aceh rector gets 17 years JP/5/BACOK1 x 38 1 dead in attack on sacred site devotees

Party supporters extort traders

Party supporters extort traders BEKASI: A large group of people sporting party paraphernalia extorted sidewalk vendors and shop owners around Jakasampurna area, Kalimalang in West Bekasi, on Wednesday morning.

Jakarta police identify high-risk zones

Jakarta police identify high-risk zonesEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Jakarta Police have identified certain areas and streets that have the potential for clashes and traffic congestion during the official outdoor campaign period starting on March 26.Such areas include Jl.

Ebadi, optimistic about the future of democracy in Iran

Ebadi, optimistic about the future of democracy in IranShirin Ebadi, the 2003 Nobel Peace Laureate, visited Indonesia last week. The lawyer was the keynote speaker of an international seminar on Islam held here by the International Center of Islam and Pluralism in cooperation with the Swiss...

1. WAHYU -- 1 x 45

1. WAHYU -- 1 x 45 Sesetan villagers preserve kissing tradition or Sesetan preserves 100-year old kissing ritual 2. CONRAD -- 1 x 35 Conrad hotel captures the beauty of Bali or Conrad hotel fosters community feeling

Rebels and Perkasa enter cricket semifinals

Rebels and Perkasa enter cricket semifinalsThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe stage is set for an exciting finish to the 2003-2004 JCA season, with Rebels Cricket Club securing the last spot in the semifinals, having defeated West Jawa Wanderers by 158 runs.

Prospectsfor the Islamic party in the elections

Prospectsfor the Islamic party in the electionsMuhammad Qodari, Director of Research, Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) Jakarta, qodari@lsi.or.id Apart from the Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB), another new political party which has attracted attention is the Prosperous Justice Party...

Box of ballots found in Kendal

Box of ballots found in Kendal SEMARANG: A cardboard box containing 500 sheets of ballot papers was found on Jl. Sepetek in Kendal, Central Java. The box was discovered by a resident of Kertosari subdistrict, Singorojo, at dawn on Sunday and was reported to a nearby police post on Wednesday.

Housing estate security

Housing estate security and the environmentFrom KompasIn connection with the complaint about theft conveyed by Sus Kundiasmara, a resident of the Kota Wisata housing estate, in a letter to the editor of this daily (March 6), the estate management has reported the case to the police, held a dialog...

Sutiyoso sees bright lights for Monas in lates scheme

Sutiyoso sees bright lights for Monas in lates schemeDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaOne of the capital's landmarks, it seems as though the National Monument (Monas) Park will not be spared from the city administration's plans to decorate it.

JP/Arief Suhardiman

JP/Arief SuhardimanNEW DEPUTIES: Supreme Court Justices Marianna Sutadi Nasution (left) and Syamsuhadi Irsad shake hands after being elected deputy chief justices of the country's highest court. The two defeated three of their colleagues, Abdul Kadir Mappong, German Hoediarto and Paulus Effendy...

TNI accused of ignoring defense white paper

TNI accused of ignoring defense white paperTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, JakartaA senior official from the Ministry of Defense lamented on Wednesday that the Indonesian Military (TNI) had ignored the white paper on state defense and accused the armed forces of taking over defense policies.Maj.

Data on newly elected Supreme court chiefs

Data on newly elected Supreme court chiefsMarianna Sutadi NasutionBorn in Jakarta on Oct. 12, 1941Education: * University of Indonesia school of law * International Training Course on the Administration of Criminal Justice in Tokyo, Japan * Post Graduate Training at Leiden University, the...

;JP;HBK;

;JP;HBK; ANPAk..r.. Nobel-Islam-Indonesia JP/17/SHIRIN Ebadi, optimistic about the future of democracy in IranShirin Ebadi, the 2003 Nobel Peace Laureate, visited Indonesia last week. The lawyer was the keynote speaker of an international seminar on Islam held here by the International Center of...

Mega instructs party faithful to reject money from others

Mega instructs party faithful to reject money from othersThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Yogyakarta/SurakartaWhile observers are warning political parties and the public to be on the alert for vote-buying, at least one high-profile candidate is apparently worried by attempts from rival parties to bribe...