Archive: 27 March 2004
103 articles found
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Schools should enlighten, not indoctrinate students
Schools should enlighten, not indoctrinate students Simon Marcus Gower, Executive Principal, High/Scope Indonesia School Jakarta Many people, it is clear, fret and worry about how Indonesia is going to survive in our "age of globalization". This is understandable as the challenges are considerable. But we must not fret too much and become overwhelmed; response is necessary.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Akbar denies fresh allegation on collusion
Akbar denies fresh allegation on collusion Fabiola Desy Unidjaja The Jakarta Post Jakarta Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung flatly denied on Friday a fresh bribery allegation, while his colleague suspected the case was aimed at foiling his presidential bid. Speaking on the sidelines of his campaign in the Southeast Sulawesi provincial capital, Kendari, Akbar said he had never promised anything to anybody to help him fight corruption charges, which he eventually won.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. TARKO -- 1 x 35
1. TARKO -- 1 x 35 Museum embraces Imogiri batik makers 2. BATIK -- 1 x 24 Batik museum limping along 3. YUNI -- 2 x 30 Yogyakarta offers everything a batik enthusiast could want
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
RI breakup 'inevitable' if rights ignored
RI breakup 'inevitable' if rights ignored Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The chances of Indonesia disintegrating will remain as long as the government does not develop a mechanism to fix the human rights violations of the past, a non-governmental organization (NGO) warned on Friday.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Mayor not required to testify
Mayor not required to testify JAKARTA: The prosecutor in a defamation suit against Tempo magazine's chief editor and journalists deemed that serving Central Jakarta mayor Hosea Petra Lumbun was not required to testify before the court as a witness. "We already have his statements (from police dossiers)," Bastian Hutabarat told Tempo News Room on Friday. The mayor, who is considered a key witness in the case, has failed to show up in court on three previous occasions. Tempo lawyer Trimoelja D.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Cops search Cimanggis group's files
Cops search Cimanggis group's files P.C. Naommy and Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Police are examining files in a notebook computer seized from the site of an explosion in Cimanggis, Depok, for clues about possible networks and the financial sources of a group whose members accidentally detonated a homemade bomb during training. National Police chief of detectives Insp. Gen.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Zero tariff on steel import may be extended
Zero tariff on steel import may be extended Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government might extend the recent lifting of import duties on hot-rolled coil (HRC) and cold-rolled coil (CRC) steel if their price in the international market remains high. "It could be extended if global steel prices stay aloft," said Minister of Industry and Trade Rini Soewandi, as quoted by Antara on Friday.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
DPD candidates find new ways of campaigning
DPD candidates find new ways of campaigning Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Perhaps Bambang Warih Koesoemo wants to convey the message straightforwardly. To every constituent he meets during his political campaign these days, the former legislator hands his name card. Below his name it reads "Senator". Yes, Bambang is campaigning to be a member of the Regional Representatives Council (known locally by its acronym DPD), the closest equivalent to a U.S. senator.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Expert brought in to help with BNI case
Expert brought in to help with BNI case P.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police have enlisted two prominent legal experts to back up their allegation businessman Adrian Woworuntu was involved a high- profile Rp 1.7 trillion (US$200 million) financial scandal involving state Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI). Police chief of detectives Insp. Gen.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
[b]Indonesia needs
Indonesia needs to learn from U.S. mass media Ardimas Sasdi Staff Writer The Jakarta Post Berkeley, California ajambak@calmail.berkeley.edu 2. Yale -- Jobs can be outsourced, not politics 1 X 30 Jobs can be outsourced, not politics Harold James Professor of History Princeton University and YaleGlobal Yale Center for the Study of Globalization Princeton
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Estrada mulls suing NGO over graft allegations
Estrada mulls suing NGO over graft allegations Associated Press, Manila Disgraced former President Joseph Estrada said on Friday he was consulting his lawyers on possible legal action against a global watchdog group that identified him as one of the world's 10 most corrupt former leaders. Estrada ranked No. 10 on the Transparency International list, which also includes late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Museum embraces batik makers
Museum embraces batik makers Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta A new batik museum has opened here in Imogiri, Bantul, about 15 kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta, offering not just a collection of batik works but also an environment where traditional batik painters who have been in the business for generations live and produce fine traditionally made batik works. Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, who is also the sultan of Yogyakarta Palace, officially opened the museum last week.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Navy to accept 200 new cadets
Navy to accept 200 new cadets JAKARTA: The Naval Academy plans to accept 200 new cadets for the 2004/2005 academic year, the Navy's human resources assistant, Sudaryanto, said on Friday. Sudaryanto said steps would be taken to ensure all of the cadets met the physical, mental and intellectual requirements of the academy. He also stressed cadet hopefuls would not be charged any registration fees by the Navy.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Beware of deception by phone
Beware of deception by phone From Media Indonesia Through a Jakarta newspaper on March 15, I sought the address of a man from whom I could obtain information on the accreditation of Global 21 vocational high school (SMK), which had been seeking for about four years.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta invites world athletes
Jakarta invites world athletes Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta administration looks set to organize an international sports event to highlight the city's 477th anniversary next June, inviting athletes from sister cities. "We have invited representatives from our sister city administrations ... but are still waiting to hear which cities are confirmed to participate in the tournament," Governor Sutiyoso said at City Hall.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian pleads guilty in U.S.
Indonesian pleads guilty in U.S. USA: An Indonesian woman has pleaded guilty to forcing a maid from her home country into virtual slavery in the United States and refusing to let her leave, justice officials said on Thursday. Mariska Trisanti brought the victim to Los Angeles on a tourist visa in 1997 to work for her as a nanny and housekeeper for two years, federal prosecutors said.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Jardine C&C buys stake in Tunas Ridean
Jardine C&C buys stake in Tunas Ridean Dow Jones, Singapore Singapore's Jardine Cycle & Carriage Ltd. said on Friday that it has bought a 33.7 percent stake in Indonesia's PT Tunas Ridean for US$19.8 million. Tunas Ridean is a Jakarta-listed company that sells new and used automobiles and motorcycles in Indonesia. The stake price represents approximately 3.4 percent of the audited consolidated net tangible assets of Jardine Cycle & Carriage of S$1 billion (US$591 million) as at Dec.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Businessmen sing old song of extortion story
Businessmen sing old song of extortion story Rendi A. Witular The Jakarta Post Jakarta General elections have always been a headache for businessmen. For them it is time to pay, while for political parties it is pay day. "I think the issue is not whether they have received funds from businesspeople, but how they have extorted us for years to fund their campaign activities," said businessman Sofjan Wanandi, owner of several companies under the Gemala Group.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Election campaigns and money politics
Election campaigns and money politics From Warta Kota In the election campaign period, the practice of money politics is rife. Some people, who have taken part in the election campaign, said that they received money for their participation. Legislative candidates also resort to money politics in mobilizing support. For the common people, the election campaign is a means to earn additional income. They receive the money but do not promise to vote for the relevant party. Our people are smart now.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Free market and
Free market and competitiveness From Koran Tempo The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has proposed that the government reduce taxes for the mining sector. "This is important to maintain the nation's competitive edge in the international arena," the chairman of the permanent committee for domestic development at Kadin, Herman Afif Kusumo, said here recently (Tempo Interaktif, March 12).
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Threat to 2004 elections
Threat to 2004 elections From Koran Tempo The 2004 general election is approaching but an analysis by the State Intelligence Agency indicates the threat of failure due to inconsistent performance by the General Elections Commission (KPU). Among the signs of possible election delay are the long, drawn-out settlement of legislative candidacy and slow progress in the tenders for ballot boxes and papers, and in election publicity and logistical arrangements. Although KPU deputy chairman Mulyana W.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Poverty blamed for spread tuberculosis
Poverty blamed for spread tuberculosis Suherdjoko and Rusman, The Jakarta Post, Semarang/Samarinda The number of tuberculosis sufferers increased to 36,820, with 12,000 fatalities, in Central Java province this year and that number is expected to go higher due partly to poverty, a local health official said on Friday.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Housing estate security
Housing estate security and the environment From Kompas In 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 with the local association of residents on security procedures and informed Kundiasmara of the results of the meeting.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Businesspeople urge govt not to meddle with outsourcing
Businesspeople urge govt not to meddle with outsourcing Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Employers have urged the government not to further complicate the contract-based and outsourcing employment systems widely practiced in the mining and banking sectors because the country would be less attractive to foreign investors as a result.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Gender issues buried by frivolity, exploitation
Gender issues buried by frivolity, exploitation Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor The capability of local artists, who are running as legislative candidates, was questioned by the head of a women study institution at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) Ekowati Sri Wahyuni. She said they were being exploited for their popularity just to get votes for their political parties. "I doubt if most of these (female) artists even have the capability to fight for women's rights.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina to abide by U.S. verdict in contract dispute
Pertamina to abide by U.S. verdict in contract dispute Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State oil and gas firm PT Pertamina said on Friday it would abide by a U.S. court's ruling and pay Karaha Bodas Co. (KBC) US$294 million in compensation for the cancellation of the latter's power project. Pertamina finance director Alfred Rohimone said the company would not appeal the ruling.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Batik museum limping along
Batik museum limping along Asip A. Hasani, Contributor, Yogyakarta At first glance, the modest building which is situated in an alley off Jl. Dr. Sutomo, in the heart of Yogyakarta, looks like a factory warehouse. However, a placard states that the building is in fact the Museum Batik, the first such venue for Yogyakarta, which is renowned for its collection of classic, elegant and fine batik.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
JP/20/NORA
JP/20/NORA RI's first woman naval base commander Haidir Anwar Tanjung The Jakarta Post Pekanbaru, Riau When one meets Commander Nora Lelyana, she seems so relaxed and self-assured, and is so hospitable, that one might forget that it is her duty to oversee the over 200 soldiers who safeguard the North Sumatra and Riau waters. Nora, the mother of nine-year-old Dito Pratomo, took over as commander of the naval base in Dumai, in August 2003.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Australia broke int'l in gasfield, says E. Timor
Australia broke int'l in gasfield, says E. Timor Agence France-Presse, Dili Tiny East Timor accused its giant neighbor Australia on Friday of breaching international law by issuing exploration licenses in a disputed section of a giant gasfield in the sea area between them. Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said his country is committed to honoring agreements with Canberra about the Greater Sunrise field.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Businessmen say they're fed up with party extortion story
Businessmen say they're fed up with party extortion story Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta General elections have always been a headache for businessmen. For them it is time to pay, while for political parties it is pay day. "I think the issue is not whether they have received funds from businesspeople, but how they have extorted us for years to fund their campaign activities," said businessman Sofjan Wanandi, owner of several companies under the Gemala Group.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Kite fliers near airport under fire
Kite fliers near airport under fire Flying a kite near the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang regency could one day get you in big trouble: up to three months in jail or a maximum fine of Rp 5 million (US$588). Responding to complaints from airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II over the residents' pastime, the Tangerang administration has submitted a draft bylaw banning kite-flying near the airport.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Mitsui, Sinopec plan China venture
Mitsui, Sinopec plan China venture TOKYO: Major Japanese chemical maker Mitsui Chemicals and Sinopec, China's largest oil refiner and producer of petrochemical products, said on Friday they would jointly produce a high-performance plastic in China. Mitsui and Sinopec will build a plant in Shanghai to make the product, bisphenol A, which is used for home electronics and optical discs such as CDs and DVDs, a spokesman for Mitsui said.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
[b]Schools should enlighten,
Schools should enlighten, not indoctrinate students Simon Marcus Gower Executive Principal High/Scope Indonesia School Jakarta 2. Pro -- Our unbalanced world 2 X 30 Developing nations deserve to have leading positions on int'l bodies Alberto Alesina and Francesco Giavazzi Project Syndicate
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Despite the absence of any proof of attempts to disrupt this
Despite the absence of any proof of attempts to disrupt this year's general election, the recent discovery of five bombs in Medan Mall, North Sumatra, and the explosives blast in Cimanggis in the West Java town, Depok, indicate the possibility of security disturbances in the run-up to the elections.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
RI Muslims slam Israel, U.S. for Yassin's death
RI Muslims slam Israel, U.S. for Yassin's death The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian Muslims reacted angrily to the assassination of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin by Israel, with rallies held in several major cities on Java island on Friday in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians. Most of the rallies turned into verbal attacks on the United States, Israel's long-standing ally.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Akbar denies fresh allegation on collusion
Akbar denies fresh allegation on collusion Fabiola Desy Unidjaja The Jakarta Post Jakarta Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung flatly denied on Friday a fresh bribery allegation, while his colleague suspected the case was aimed at foiling his presidential bid. Speaking on the sidelines of his campaign in the Southeast Sulawesi provincial capital, Kendari, Akbar said he had never promised anything to anybody to help him fight corruption charges, which he eventually won.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
FBI to help probe Burfon's death
FBI to help probe Burfon's death DENPASAR: The United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will work with the Bali Police to investigate the death of Sandra Jean Burfon, a former journalist with Time magazine. Bali Police's chief of detectives, Boy Salamuddin, said on Friday FBI agents would provide the gear and the knowledge to examine the contents of the deceased's laptop computer, which is believed to hold clues to her death.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Derailment paralyzes rail links
Derailment paralyzes rail links ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post , Surabaya The north coast rail line from East Java to Central Java remained at a standstill on Friday after an economy-class train derailed in the country's second largest city, Surabaya, killing one passenger and injuring seven others. State rail operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) had to cancel all trains on the Surabaya-Semarang-Tawang line, including Rajawali trains.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Two perish, 33 missing after landslide in Gowa
Two perish, 33 missing after landslide in Gowa Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Gowa, South Sulawesi Two people died and 33 others are missing after a landslide hit Manimbahoi subdistrict in Gowa regency, South Sulawesi province, on Friday morning. The two were named as Sadding Limpo and Daeng Rumpa, both residents of Manimbahoi subdistrict, Moncong Tinggi district. Muhammad Guntur, the head of the subdistrict, said on late Friday that he initially heard a loud noise at 11.30 a.m.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Wake up call from Cimanggis
Wake up call from Cimanggis On Sunday, March 21, reports about a U.S. warning of a possible terror attack in Indonesia was launched by a number of local papers in this country. On that very day, Jakarta was rocked by a blast that occurred at a house in Cimanggis, Depok. It is unclear that the warning from Washington had any connection to the Cimanggis explosion. If it was, though, a simple conclusion could be drawn that Washington has sharper eyes and ears than the Jakarta Police.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Yogyakarta: Saturday, March 27, 2004
Where to go in Yogyakarta: Saturday, March 27, 2004 Exhibitions * Photo Sosok by Buldanul Kuhri at Kedai Kebun Forum's Stage, Jl. Tirtodipuran 3 (Tel./Fax. 0274-376114, e-mail: kkforum@indosat.net.id), until April 6. * Biboki Weaving Monet Tok Tan'ni - Skill for Life, at Cemeti Art House, Jl DI Panjaitan 41 (Tel./Fax. 0274 371015, e-mail: cemetiah@indosat.net.id, website: www.cemetiarthouse.com), until April 5.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Yogyakarta offers everything a batik enthusiast could want
Yogyakarta offers everything a batik enthusiast could want Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Yogyakarta has long been known as a haven for batik lovers. Here, tourists and batik aficionados can shop for, learn about and generally enjoy all different types of batik. If you wish to enjoy and learn more about batik, museums and galleries offer not just batik collections, but also hold demonstrations on the process of making batik.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Sutiyoso nets phony Megawati in funds sting
Sutiyoso nets phony Megawati in funds sting Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Apparently set on taking the city's intrepid busway founder for a ride, a housewife tried to get her hands on Jakarta's emergency election funds, but Governor Sutiyoso was having none of it. The woman, identified as Noor Rahayu, 59, telephoned Sutiyoso at his residence in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Thursday morning and introduced herself as President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Solidarity in autonomy needed
Solidarity in autonomy needed From Warta Kota Regional autonomy is society's hope for true development based on regional needs. Such development certainly should involve direct public participation in regional policy-making. This hope will be realized if regional government officials are prepared to meet with local communities in order to absorb their aspirations.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Seven GAM members killed in gun battle
Seven GAM members killed in gun battle EAST ACEH, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam: Seven members of the rebel Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and two Indonesian soldiers were killed on Friday after an armed clash on Tateh mountain in East Aceh regency. The two dead soldiers are First Pvt. Heroik and First Pvt. Hartono, both from the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus). "Another soldier was injured in the incident -- First Sgt. Solikhin," said Lt. Col.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Govt in the dark on contaminated wheat purchase
Govt in the dark on contaminated wheat purchase Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government vowed that it would try not to allow the import of contaminated Australian wheat, which has been recently rejected by a Pakistani buyer and reportedly sold to Indonesia after an alleged fungal infection was found.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Rp 26b allocated for bridges
Rp 26b allocated for bridges BEKASI: The Bekasi administration will soon start constructing two bridges in Muaragembong subdistrict, a project that will cost Rp 26 billion (US$3 million), regent Saleh Manaf said on Friday. One of the bridges, which will span to 100 meters, is to connect four villages: Pantai Bhakti, Pantai Bahagia, Pantai Sederhana and Pantai Makmur. The other, 60-meter bridge over Kali Mati River, will connect Pantai Sederhana and Pantai Mekar villages.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
BI wants to keep real rate at 2-3%
BI wants to keep real rate at 2-3% The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The central bank is to keep the real interest rate within the current range of 2 percent to 3 percent to help maintain public interest in depositing funds in banks amid increasing investment options. Bank Indonesia senior deputy governor Anwar Nasution said on Friday that the range, the highest in the region, would be maintained until the banking sector had fully recovered from the impact of the economic crisis.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Party workers not in it for idealism
Party workers not in it for idealism The Jakarta Post, Jakarta During this legislative election campaign, most of the leaders of the 24 political parties are trying to promote their strong commitment in defending the rights of workers and speak out against employers who treat employees poorly. But can they back up their words with deeds?
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Poll body ready to delay poll
Poll body ready to delay poll BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: The Lampung General Elections Commission (KPUD) said it may have to delay the elections in the province due to logistical problems. Edwin Hanibal, a member of the Lampung commission, said on Friday that not all the ballot papers sent by the central General Elections Commission (KPU) had been received by the Lampung commission.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Golkar tops list of TV ad
Golkar tops list of TV ad Moch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post Jakarta A media watchdog has found 130 breaches of campaign laws on TV advertising committed by political parties from March 16 to March 21, with Golkar topping the list. Monitoring conducted by the Institute of the Studies on Free Flow of Information (ISAI) found that Golkar in an advertisement for its presidential candidate Lt. Gen. (ret) Prawobo Subianto, had played an advertisement up to 180 seconds in length, 94 times.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Concern over education
Concern over education From Kompas The situation of education in Indonesia gives reason for concern. Some alternative schools offer various programs and facilities, including luxury buildings and car pick-up service. Conversely, lots of children have to study in dilapidated school buildings and wear old clothes without shoes, particularly in remote regions.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Three more die of food poisoning
Three more die of food poisoning SIKKA, East Nusa Tenggara: Three more people died on Friday, bringing the number of fatalities to eight following a recent food poisoning incident in the East Nusa Tenggara regency of Sikka. On the same day, six others were still being treated at the TC Hillers Hospital in Maumere, the capital of Sikka regency.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Voters don't know candidates: Survey
Voters don't know candidates: Survey Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Most voters know how to properly perforate their ballot papers, but they remain so indifferent to the candidates that many of them are likely to vote for anybody, a survey reveals.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
City plans to establish fire safety standards
City plans to establish fire safety standards Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Administration is to formulate an Indonesian National Standard on fire safety to implement Bylaw No. 3/1992 on fire. The decision was taken due to the large number of fires that have occurred in the capital -- fire department records show that approximately 800 fires occur in the capital every year.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
PDI Perjuangan, Golkar have chance to form coalition
PDI Perjuangan, Golkar have chance to form coalition Ridwan Max Sijabat Writer staff The Jakarta Post Jakarta Ridwan@thejakartapost.com The large number of political parties, and the fragmentation of around 147 million eligible voters, have indicated that no party will win a simple majority in the legislative election scheduled for April 5.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
KPU hopes for no dealy in 2004 polls
KPU hopes for no dealy in 2004 polls The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The General Elections Commission (KPU) shrugged off on Friday calls for a delay to the polls in particular areas, claiming that more than 95 percent of 650 million ballot papers had arrived in all regencies and municipalities. The KPU data, however, shows that the printing of ballot papers was incomplete for certain provinces, let alone the distribution.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Elections versus dengue
Elections versus dengue Indonesians, especially the rank and file of political parties, have been hit by general election fever. On the other hand, another fever, dengue, has been plaguing the country and has claimed hundreds of victims. The first fever has overwhelmed the leaders of the 24 political parties contesting the elections. Big and old political parties are striving to increase their vote tallies or at least maintain their votes from the 1999 general election.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Deputy mayor insists on staying
Deputy mayor insists on staying BOGOR: Newly appointed Bogor deputy mayor Mohammad Sahid was confident he would stay in the job despite allegations he had used a fake high school diploma in his candidacy. He said on Friday that his case, currently being handled by Bogor Police, "was over" and declared he was ready for his installment along with new Bogor Mayor Diani Budiarto. On Jan. 14, six factions in Bogor Council withdrew their approval of the election.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Friday too hot to enjoy 'dangdut' at party rally
Friday too hot to enjoy 'dangdut' at party rally The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The first day of outdoor campaigning in Jakarta went relatively peacefully without a significant increase in the usual congestion -- though it was not clear whether residents were intentionally avoiding the political parties' activities. There were gatherings of supporters, only a few hundred each in the case of small new parties. Many of them opted to sit in the shade despite attractive dangdut performances.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
* Headlines:'Borobudur' crew greeted with top state medals 2
* Headlines:'Borobudur' crew greeted with top state medals 2 * National:Experts brought in to help with BNI case 4 * Archipelago:Kampar administration, schools return to normal 5 * Opinion:Jobs can be outsourced, not politics 7 * City:City plans to establish fire safety standards 8 * Sports:PBSI seeks definitive team with Bandung simulation 10 * World:Violent protesters attack Taiwan's election office 11 * Business:BI moves to defend rupiah 13 * Features:A war hero struggles for peace at home 20
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Bank Indonesia moves to defend ailing rupiah
Bank Indonesia moves to defend ailing rupiah The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The beleaguered rupiah ended slightly higher on Friday following comments from the central bank that it was ready to defend the local unit and late dollar selling by exporters. The local currency closed at Rp 8,615 per U.S. dollar, compared to Rp 8,620 on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Bank Indonesia deputy governor Aslim Tadjudin said the central bank was ready to sell its dollar reserves to defend the rupiah.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia needs to learn from U.S. mass media
Indonesia needs to learn from U.S. mass media Ardimas Sasdi, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post, Berkeley, California ajambak@calmail.berkeley.edu Worried at its negative image with the public, which viewed the press as failing to defend the truth and meekly toeing the government line, executives of the U.S. media, journalists and university professors gathered here last week for a soul- searching seminar.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Tutut could become next president: Analyst
Tutut could become next president: Analyst Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former president Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardijanti Rukmana could emerge a serious contender for the presidency, given her family's wealth and solid network, a scholar warns. Maswadi Rauf, a University of Indonesia (UI) professor, said politicians seemed to ignore the maneuvers of Hardijanti, popularly known as Tutut.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Anticorruption measures: Small steps, big results
Anticorruption measures: Small steps, big results Patrick Guntensperger Business Consultant Jakarta ttpguntensperger@hotmail.com As Indonesia will have a new government in place very soon, now is the time for us to start considering what we want in terms of new policies, procedures and services. While enormous, sweeping changes are needed in order to reverse the tide of corruption in this country, small steps should not be eschewed.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Bamboo flagpole sales drop in Bandung
Bamboo flagpole sales drop in Bandung Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung Sellers of bamboo flagpoles in Bandung, West Java, are hardly smiling nowadays when asked about their sales turnover during the campaign period, as sales have dropped more than 50 percent compared to the previous campaign period in 1999. The flagpoles are mainly used to raise the banners of political parties along Jl. Soekarno-Hatta and the southern ring road here. Party flags are also raised at residences.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Kampar administration, schools return to normal
Kampar administration, schools return to normal Haidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, Riau Work at the Kampar district administration in Riau returned to normal on Friday after three days of paralysis caused by protests against its much-derided regent. Civil servants, teachers and students, who had spearheaded weeks of demonstrations to press for the dismissal of regent Jefri Noer, resumed working after their demand was heeded by the central government.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
2. 2 x 18
2. 2 x 18 Experts brought in to help with BNI case 3. 2 x 24 Businesspeople urge govt not to meddle with outsourcing 4. 1 x 32 RI breakup 'inevitable' if rights ignored 5. 1 x 32 Tutut could become next president: Analyst
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
End of a regent
End of a regent The long and sickening struggle of the people of Kampar regency, Riau province, ended on Thursday when Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno finally suspended controversial Regent Jefri Noer and his deputy. The decision was announced before Kampar representatives who had visited the ministry in Jakarta to voice their demands for the regent's dismissal. They were ecstatic at the news, shaking hands with each other, with some bursting into tears.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
PDI-P, Golkar may need to form coalition
PDI-P, Golkar may need to form coalition Ridwan Max Sijabat Writer staff The Jakarta Post Jakarta Ridwan@thejakartapost.com 2. Pat -- Anticorruption measures: Small steps, big results 1 X 48 Anticorruption moves: Small steps, big results Patrick Guntensperger Business Consultant Jakarta ttpguntensperger@hotmail.com 3. China -- Foreign trade has ripple effect 1 X 30 China steadily expands foreign trade Foreign trade has ripple effect Miao Yingchun China Daily Asia News Network Beijing
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. ROUNDUP: 50 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12
1. ROUNDUP: 50 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12 Friday too hot to enjoy 'dangdut' at party rallies 2. PEGAWAI: 36 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 14 Party workers not in it for idealism 3. DPD: 32 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 24 DPD candidates find new ways of campaigning 4. SURVEY: 30 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 33 Voters don't know candidates: Survey 5. FIRMS: 28 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 27 Businessmen say they're fed up with party extortion
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
RI woman sails unchartered water
RI woman sails unchartered water Haidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, Riau When one meets Commander Nora Lelyana, she seems so relaxed and self-assured, and is so hospitable, that one might forget that it is her duty to oversee the over 200 soldiers who safeguard the North Sumatra and Riau waters. Nora, the mother of nine-year-old Dito Pratomo, took over as commander of the naval base in Dumai, in August 2003. Dumai is about 200 kilometers north of the capital of Riau, Pekanbaru.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Unilever profit up 33% on higher sales
Unilever profit up 33% on higher sales The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Publicly listed PT Unilever Indonesia, a local unit of giant consumer goods company Unilever NV, reported on Friday that audited net profit surged by 33 percent last year on higher sales, amid strong consumer purchasing power. In its financial statement, the company said that profit rose to Rp 1.29 trillion (US$151 million), or Rp 170 per share last year, from Rp 978 billion, or Rp 128 per share, in 2002.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
'Borobudur' crew greeted with top state medals
'Borobudur' crew greeted with top state medals Leony Aurora , The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Cheers and praise greeted a group of intrepid sailors returning on Friday from an epic six-month voyage tracing the Cinnamon Route from the archipelago to Africa onboard the Samudraraksa, a traditional sailing vessel.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
PBSI seeks definitive team for Thomas and Uber Cups
PBSI seeks definitive team for Thomas and Uber Cups Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After getting together for a scrimmage in Batam Island over the weekend, the national badminton players for the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup will be heading to Bandung for another round, scheduled for April 17 and 18.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Sleman earns increased tax revenue
Sleman earns increased tax revenue YOGYAKARTA: Sleman Regent Ibnu Subiyanto said that the regency had enjoyed a some 12-percent increase in the property tax (PBB) earned in 2003, from some Rp 12 billion to Rp 13.8 billion in 2002, with Depok subdistrict contributing the most, some 40 percent of the total earnings.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
'Poll crimes'overwhelm police
'Poll crimes'overwhelm police SURABAYA: East Java Provincial Police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani said on Friday that crime statistics in the province over the past two weeks had been dominated by breaches of electoral law. Out of the 89 legal violations, 53 were electoral violations, with the remainder being ordinary offenses, said the two star police general. "This figure has been collated from both complaints from the public and detection by police personnel.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Jogja Expo Sekaten kicked off
Jogja Expo Sekaten kicked off YOGYAKARTA: Jogja Expo Sekaten (JES) 2004, which was previously called the Sekaten Night Market, was officially opened on Friday by Yogyakarta Governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X of the Yogyakarta Palace. Held for 40 days annually ahead of the ceremony to observe the birthday of Prophet Mohammad, to fall on May 2, the expo is held in the palace's Alun-Alun Utara (north square), occupying some 4,000 square meters of land.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
No longer 'cash cows' and 'black goats'?
No longer 'cash cows' and 'black goats'? Christine Susanna Tjhin Department of Politics and Social Change Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta "If the world knows about 12 Chinese signs of the zodiac, Chinese-Indonesians know only of two -- the cash cow and black goat," joked Mely G. Tan years ago. The sardonic joke seems to have endured throughout Indonesian history and may be further accentuated in the 2004 elections -- or not.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Traffic jams on UKI route
Traffic jams on UKI 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.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Solidarity in autonomy needed
Solidarity in autonomy needed From Warta Kota Regional autonomy is society's hope for true development based on regional needs. Such development certainly should involve direct public participation in regional policy-making. This hope will be realized if regional government officials are prepared to meet with local communities in order to absorb their aspirations.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
The assassination of Hamas leader and the Middle East peace
The assassination of Hamas leader and the Middle East peace process Mideast peace process after Yassin's killing Muhamad Ali Lecturer State Islamic University (UIN) Sharif Hidayatullah Jakarta unedit version 2. Tjhin -- No longer "Cash Cows" and "Black Goats"? 2 X 30 More Chinese-Indonesians become actively engaged in politics Christine Susanna Tjhin Department of Politics and Social Change Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Court rejects review request
Court rejects review request JAKARTA: The Constitutional Court rejected on Friday a request by a group of lawyers to remove an article in Law No. 22/2003 that allows legislative members to subpoena individuals, state institutions and private institutions. The nine-member court rejected the petition on the grounds that the lawyers were not representatives of those "whose constitutional rights are affected by the law". Law No.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Akbar denies new corruption charge
Akbar denies new corruption charge Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung flatly denied on Friday a fresh bribery allegation, while his colleague suspected the case was aimed at foiling his presidential bid. Speaking on the sidelines of his campaign in the Southeast Sulawesi provincial capital, Kendari, Akbar said he had never promised anything to anybody to help him fight corruption charges, which he eventually won.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Election razzmatazz
Election razzmatazz Where's my T-shirt, you would-be legislator? Have you no idea at all about priorities, and what else have you got in your political handbag? What about some money?
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Post-flood diseases hit Gresik
Post-flood diseases hit Gresik GRESIK, East Java: The floodwaters have subsided in the East Java regency of Gresik, but the misery that the local residents have to bear is far from over. After the flooding, local people are now facing a new problem: the spread of respiratory and skin ailments, and diarrhea. Data issued by the Cerme district community health center 10 days ago showed that 14 people were suffering from diarrhea, 114 from skin problems and 149 from respiratory ailments.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. NORA -- 1 x 30
1. NORA -- 1 x 30 RI woman sails unchartered waters 2. STAR -- 1 x 40 A war hero struggles for peace at home
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Tanah Abang project to model itself on HK plan
Tanah Abang project to model itself on HK plan Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In an effort to integrate Tanah Abang's new business district with its old market, Governor Sutiyoso ordered officials of city- run developer PD Pembangungan Sarana Jaya to compare their project with an existing one in Hong Kong. "I told the officials to visit Hong Kong to learn about the similar project there, so that they can adopt it for the (Tanah Abang) plan," he said on Friday.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Japanese internships tightened
Japanese internships tightened JAKARTA: The Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration and the Japanese Association of Labor Suppliers for Small and Medium Enterprises have agreed to tighten the criteria for internships in Japan in order to prevent abuses. The ministry's director general for labor placement, Kirnadi, said on Friday about 200 Indonesian workers were sent to Japan monthly. The criteria for internships include general knowledge, specific skills and good physical and mental condition.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Animals rescued from private home
Animals rescued from private home Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The orangutan gripped the bars of its cage on the back of a truck, having just been rescued from four years inside a cage at a house in Jatipadang, South Jakarta. Some time last year, a neighbor said, the orangutan, estimated to be five years old, enjoyed a brief taste of freedom when it managed to escape its cage. "The orangutan squatted on my roof for a while.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Prerequisite to high growth
Prerequisite to high growth Recent analysis by the National Development Planning Agency and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) reiterates the need to improve the investment climate to put the economy back on a high-growth path. The agency, which is designing a transitional development program for the new government that comes into power in October, estimates Rp 379.8 trillion (US$44.6 billion) in new investment will be needed to generate growth of 5 percent next year.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
JSX suspends Indofarma shares
JSX suspends Indofarma shares The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) suspended on Friday trading in shares of state-controlled pharmaceutical company PT Indofarma, over reports that the company's 2003 losses would widen due to a planned write-off of old medical equipment and drugs. The JSX said it suspended trade in the shares over fears of speculation by investors. Indofarma shares were trading at Rp 160 when the suspension took effect.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
PTDI workers demand verdict execution
PTDI workers demand verdict execution BANDUNG: Some 2,000 employees of state-owned aerospace firm PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) staged a protest again on Friday at the West Java High Court on Jl. Diponegoro here. They demanded that the president of the court, Ben Suhanda Syah, order the execution of the verdict handed down by the Bandung District Court, which ruled in favor of the PTDI employees following a hearing last month.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
2 x 25
2 x 25 Kampar administration, schools return to normal JP/5/TBC 1 x 38 Poverty blamed for tuberculosis spread JP/5/train 3 x 11 Derailment paralyzes rail links JP/5/BAMBU 1 x 37 Bamboo flagpole sales drop in Bandung
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
EU plans 1.5m euros in aid for RI small projects
EU plans 1.5m euros in aid for RI small projects Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali The European Union plans to allocate some 1.5 million euros (about US$1.24 million) in financial assistance to support various social and economic projects in Indonesia, a senior European Commission official said on Friday. The financial assistance is part of the EU's three-year Small Project Facility (SPF) program, which was first launched in 2003.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
'Morality is dead in this country'
'Morality is dead in this country' Fed up with the empty promises from Jakarta councillors, a residents forum, FAKTA, drew up an actual, legally binding contract based on Locke's political philosophy -- that a "social contract", a mutually supportive understanding of moral responsibility, existed between the governing and the governed in a civil society.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto's lawyer questions TI's motivation
Soeharto's lawyer questions TI's motivation A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former president Soeharto has been named as the world's number one corruptor in the last 20 years, but his lawyer questioned Friday the motivation behind the announcement by Transparency International (TI). "Why was it announced now when Soeharto's eldest daughter was campaigning for a political comeback?" lawyer Mohammad Assegaf asked.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Legend wins Olympics deal
Legend wins Olympics deal BEIJING: China's largest computer firm, Legend Group, said on Friday its Lenovo PC brand had won the country's first ever bid to become an official sponsor of the Olympic Games. The deal will make Lenovo the exclusive computing technology equipment and service provider for the 2006 Turin winter and 2008 Beijing summer Olympic Games, the company said in a statement ahead of a news conference in Beijing.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
* Headlines:'Borobudur' crew greeted with top state medals 2
* Headlines:'Borobudur' crew greeted with top state medals 2 * National:Experts brought in to help with BNI case 4 * Archipelago:Kampar administration, schools return to normal 5 * Opinion:Jobs can be outsourced, not politics 7 * City:City plans to establish fire safety standards 8 * Sports:PBSI seeks definitive team with Bandung simulation 10 * World:Violent protesters attack Taiwan's election office 11 * Business:BI moves to defend rupiah 13 * Features:A war hero struggles for peace at home 20
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Nepotism and national unity
Nepotism and national unity From Suara Karya It is strange that Indonesians have been losing much of their spirit of unity in the era of reform and democracy. It seems that Indonesians prioritize their group or individual interests over the interests of the nation as a whole. Some people believe that amid the euphoria of reform, they are free to do anything and forget that they must respect the interests of other people.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Buoyant India eyes first Test win in Pakistan
Buoyant India eyes first Test win in Pakistan Kuldip Lal, Agence France-Presse , Multan, Pakistan India is confident of re-writing history and succeeding where its predecessors failed when the long-awaited Test series against Pakistan opens here from Sunday. India has never won a Test match in Pakistan on five previous tours comprising 20 Tests. The hosts won five while the rest were drawn.
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Election preparation for the next 10 days
Election preparation for the next 10 days Initial schedule * March 26 - Logistics for election including ballot paper must have reached village election committee (PPS) - Working Committee for Polling Stations (KPPS) must have been established * March 31 - KPPS must have announced the location of polling stations, and the date of election * April 2 - KPPS must have informed voters to exercies their vote right - KPPS must have received ballot papers for election * April 4 - Polling stations must...
Sat, 27 Mar 2004, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina to lower quality of household kerosene
Pertamina to lower quality of household kerosene Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina said on Friday that it planned to lower the quality of kerosene used for households in an effort to resolve a price disparity, which was believed to be the main cause of the current kerosene shortage. Pertamina commissioner Syafruddin A.