Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 30 March 2004

78 articles found

Grand Imam of Istiqlal passes away:

Grand Imam of Istiqlal passes away:Muchtar Nasir, the Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque, passed away on Monday at the age of 79.The imam suffered a stroke last year and had been hospitalized for the past 19 months at the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital.

Imbalances between nuke haves and have-nots threaten NPT: RI

Imbalances between nuke haves and have-nots threaten NPT: RIAdianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The growing imbalances between nuclear weapon states (NWS) and non-nuclear weapon states (NNWS) may pose a threat to the credibility of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) itself if...

Model officials wanted

Model officials wantedFrom Republika A program on SCTV recently indicated that the nation would be deprived of the benefits of its tropical forests before long because of the greed of some forestry officials.

Soldiers find bombs in Aceh

Soldiers find bombs in AcehBANDA ACEH, Aceh: Government troops found three homemade bombs allegedly belonging to the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) during a raid in Idi Rayeuk district, East Aceh regency, on Sunday, a military spokesman said.

Free market and competitiveness

Free market and competitivenessFrom 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...

Kampar teachers questioned for orchestrating protest

Kampar teachers questioned for orchestrating protestHaidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, Riau Although Kampar has seemingly returned to normal after the recent dismissal of Kampar regent Jefri Noer, police plan to summon teachers who allegedly ordered and mobilized students to hold...

Banker details problems in textile industry

Banker details problems in textile industryAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The banking sector is still reluctant to extend loans to the country's textile companies as they doubt their business prospects given the lingering problems in the industry.

Wholesale market plan unclear

Wholesale market plan unclear TANGERANG: The plan to build a wholesale vegetable market, or an agricultural terminal, in Balaraja district, Tangerang regency, was first revealed last September, but six months later, the project remains unclear.

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Akbar-Surya rivalry at convention intensifies Dengue outbreak subsiding: Govt Holes in water bill 'must be plugged'

Dengue outbreak subsiding: Government

Dengue outbreak subsiding: GovernmentLeony Aurora , The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Although the number of people infected with dengue fever is steadily declining, the government is still maintaining an alert in 12 provinces and keeps reminding citizens to continue to eradicate potential mosquito...

India, China to boost military ties

India, China to boost military tiesINDIA: India and China announced on Monday a series of proposals to strengthen ties between their armed forces to help bolster a new friendship between the world's most populous countries, who went to war decades ago.

JP/03/DPD

JP/03/DPDDPD candidates struggle to win the crowdM. Taufiqurrahman and Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post Jakarta During the 22-day legislative election campaign period, which will end on April 1, the contesting 24 political parties have dominated the wooing of voters, leaving Regional Representatives...

Australian IT experts help in bomb case

Australian IT experts help in bomb caseEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Police have started to work hand-in-hand with experts on information technology from Australia to find out more on the links and sources of funding of the Cimanggis bombing group.

KL warns Asian bond markets risk being sidelined

KL warns Asian bond markets risk being sidelinedEileen Ng Agence France-Presse Kuala Lumpur Malaysia called on Monday for the development of a unified regulatory framework to integrate bond markets in Asia, warning the region risked being sidelined by global investors if markets remain fragmented.

City protests to regency over dump

City protests to regency over dump BEKASI: Bekasi municipality administration strongly protested to neighboring Bekasi regency for dumping its waste in Mustikajaya subdistrict, Bekasi municipality, since last month.

Election emergency plans

Election emergency plans Having denied the facts for weeks while apparently waiting for some kind of miracle to happen, the General Elections Commission (KPU) yesterday was finally forced to admit it would be practically impossible for the country to hold simultaneous legislative elections...

Airline reaps profits during election

Airline reaps profits during electionMANADO, North Sulawesi: The number of air passengers from and to North Sulawesi's provincial capital of Manado has risen 10 percent to 20 percent since the electoral campaigning period began last March 11, an airline executive said.

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;AFP; ANPAf..r.. Malaysia-Asia-bond Malaysia warns Asian bond markets risk being sidelined if not uni JP/16/BondMalaysia warns Asian bond markets risk being sidelined if not unified Eileen Ng Agence France-Presse Kuala Lumpur Malaysia called on Monday for the development of a unified regulatory...

RI shares end up on late rebound

RI shares end up on late reboundAgencies Jakarta/Singapore Indonesian shares ended slightly higher Monday, after falling in the previous two sessions, on a late rebound in select blue chips, dealers said.

Uzbekhistan women deported

Uzbekhistan women deported JAKARTA: The directorate general of immigration of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights deported 10 Uzbekhistani women to their home country on Sunday for visa violations, a spokesman said.Ade E.

Akbar-Surya rivalry at convention intensifies

Akbar-Surya rivalry at convention intensifiesKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In an apparent bid to prevent the rivalry between Golkar Party presidential candidates Akbar Tandjung and Surya Paloh from becoming hostile, the party's executives have decided to separate them during the final...

Success in fighting dengue declared

Success in fighting dengue declaredSri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Sleman regent Ibnu Subiyanto claimed here on Monday that the regency had been successful in overcoming the dengue fever outbreak that had plagued Sleman since January.

Cirebon mayor under fire for airport name change

Cirebon mayor under fire for airport name changeNana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon, West Java The Cirebon municipal government's unilateral decision to change the name of Penggung Airport to Cakrabhuwana Airport has been criticized by residents and the Cirebon Legislative Council.

Changing equilibrium in international oil market

Changing equilibrium in international oil marketKurtubi, Energy Analyst, Jakarta On March 17, 2004, the price of oil on the world market reached a record high for the past two decades. The price of light crude of WTI (West Texas Intermediate) type, which is the benchmark for oil prices in the...

Clarifying some errors

Clarifying some errors On Friday, March 26, The Jakarta Post published an opinion piece of mine entitled Malaysians shun theocratic society. In the following passage, the percentage of indigenous Malays is 48 percent and not 38 percent, and they are known as bumiputras, and not pribumi, a term used...

Commitment to better

Commitment to better education neededFrom Suara KaryaThe high cost of education in the country has led to a large number of school dropouts, while many others fail to pursue higher education, meaning that good education is only enjoyed by a privileged few.

BII net profit jumps 135%

BII net profit jumps 135%The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Publicly listed Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII) reported a 135 percent jump in its 2003 audited net profit on the back of strong revenue from lending and low cost of funds.

Marketing strategy: Big fish need more tempting bait

Marketing strategy: Big fish need more tempting baitBurhanuddin Abe, Contributor, Jakarta The credit card business has become a gold mine for the issuing banks in Indonesia as each year the number of cardholders increases.

checked by rich

checked by rich (Caption for Spotlight advertisement) HSBC INDONESIA AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS: HSBC Indonesia CEO Richard Mchowat (right) presents a check for Rp 207 million to a primary school student representative, while State Minister for the Acceleration of East Indonesia Development Manuel...

Govt finishes draft regulation to delay election

Govt finishes draft regulation to delay electionThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has completed a draft decree that will be issued in the event that the general election cannot be held simultaneously nationwide or must be postponed altogether.

Amien stands high to contest election

Amien stands high to contest electionThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The world's most famous stadiums across the world are known for hosting memorable matches, but here the country's biggest stadium has been reduced to a meeting point of party supporters.

SE Asia must curb child trafficking: Unicef

SE Asia must curb child trafficking: UnicefThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) urged on Monday Southeast Asian nations to enhance cooperation to curb child trafficking for sexual purposes in the region.

Solidarity in autonomy

Solidarity in autonomyFrom Warta KotaRegional autonomy is society's hope for true development based on regional needs. Such development certainly should involve direct public participation in regional policy-making.

More landslides feared in Gowa

More landslides feared in GowaAndi Hajramurni, Makassar, South Sulawesi Fears of more landslides in the Gowa regency in South Sulawesi materialized late Sunday and Monday as similar, though less severe, incidents ruined a bridge and therefore isolated a village.

* Headlines:Foreign direct investment down 66% in Jan-Feb 2

* Headlines:Foreign direct investment down 66% in Jan-Feb 2 * National:Akbar-Surya rivalry at convention intensifies 4 * Archipelago:Despite frustration, Papuans to still go to the polls 5 * Opinion:Changing equilibrium in international oil market 6 * City:Jakarta to sign deal with Japanese firm...

Deception by phone

Deception by phoneFrom Media IndonesiaThrough 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.

Vietnam to remove stock market's 30% foreign investor limit

Vietnam to remove stock market's 30% foreign investor limitAssociated Press Hanoi, Vietnam Vietnam will lift a cap on the amount of stock foreigners can own in listed companies in an attempt to attract more investment from abroad, a government official said on Monday.

Thief makes off with solar panel

Thief makes off with solar panelGARUT, West Java: A thief stole a solar panel from the Guntur Mountain observatory in Garut regency, West Java."The thief is irresponsible. The lost of the equipment could put many people in danger because this equipment helps us monitor the mountain, whether it is...

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Changing equilibrium in international oil market Kurtubi Energy Analyst Jakarta2. Pro -- America's schizophrenic economy 1 X 30 Employment stagnant amid U.S. growth J. Bradford DeLong Professor of Economics University of California Berkeley Project Syndicate

BlueScope Steel launches new painting facility

BlueScope Steel launches new painting facilityThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Private-owned flat steel manufacturer PT BlueScope Steel Indonesia launched on Monday its new A$7.94 million (US$6.07 million) paint line, which will increase its capacity to 55,000 tons annually from 25,000 tons.

SingTel plans new submarine cable

SingTel plans new submarine cable SINGAPORE: Singapore's largest telecommunications provider said on Monday it will invest in a US$500 million undersea cable that will link 14 countries in Western Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Up to 52 Aceh villages may be denied elections

Up to 52 Aceh villages may be denied electionsFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As many as 52 villages in war-torn Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam may skip the elections due to the unfavorable security situation there, a senior Cabinet minister said on Monday.

TV Program: Tuesday, March 30, 2004

TV Program: Tuesday, March 30, 2004TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 Children Show7:30 Music: Asyik Asyik 8:30 Documentary10:00 TV Drama12:00 p.m. Singing Contest: Konteswara 1:00 News: Berita Siang1:30 TV Drama: Suka-Suka2:30 English News Service3:00 TV...

DPD candidates struggle to win crowd

DPD candidates struggle to win crowdM. Taufiqurrahman and Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta During the 22-day legislative election campaign period, which will end on April 1, the contesting 24 political parties have dominated the wooing of voters, leaving Regional Representatives Council...

Singapore arrivals drop 4%

Singapore arrivals drop 4% SINGAPORE: Visitor arrivals to Singapore dropped 4 percent in February from a year earlier because of a sharp fall in tourists from China and Hong Kong, the tourism board said on Monday.

Jakarta shares close 0.39 percent higher

Jakarta shares close 0.39 percent higher Jakarta share prices closed up 0.39 percent on Monday, bolstered by Telkom, although sentiment remained weak on concerns about a possible delay to legislative elections, dealers said. The Jakarta Stock Exchange composite index added 2.792 points to 716.

Journalists warn of bogus press

Journalists warn of bogus press TANGERANG: A group of journalists warned government officials and businessmen on Monday to turn down legislative election campaign coverage proposals made by people claiming to be journalists who ask for money in return.

Yusril threatens to put KPU members in jail of polls delayed

Yusril threatens to put KPU members in jail of polls delayedMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a reaction to the General Elections Commission's decision (KPU) to prohibit his next campaign activity, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra threatened to jail the...

APP seeks support for restructuring plan

APP seeks support for restructuring planDadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Asia Pulp & Paper Co. (APP), the world's leading pulp and paper producer, said on Monday it would not be able to obtain enough support from creditors for a debt work-out scheme by the March 31 deadline.

'Party flags, posters make Jakarta messier'

'Party flags, posters make Jakarta messier' In conjunction with the election campaign period, the 24 political parties began putting up their flags and posters all over the city. Various shapes, sizes and colors in overwhelming abundance now adorn the city, however, it has given the city an even...

Foreign direct investment down 66% in Jan-Feb

Foreign direct investment down 66% in Jan-FebThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Approved foreign direct investment (FDI) plunged by 66 percent in the first two months of this year from the same period last year amid rising uncertainty ahead of the country's first direct general election.

5,000 Poso residents have yet registered

5,000 Poso residents have yet registeredPOSO, Central Sulawesi: Some 5,000 Poso refugees have yet to be registered as eligible voters as of today. They are Poso residents living in refugee camps in Tentena, North Pamona district and in Poso Pesisir district.

Two separate events rock Poso regency

Two separate events rock Poso regencyIrvan NR and Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu/Poso Central Sulawesi Police have been hunting down since Sunday snipers who shot dead a local man, Jhon Christian Tanalida, 37, a senior police officer said on Monday in Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi.

More busway corridors prepared

More busway corridors prepared JAKARTA: Jakarta will start the construction of two more busway corridors this year. These will stretch from Pulogadung, East Jakarta, to Harmoni, Central Jakarta, and from Harmoni to Kali Deres, West Jakarta.

The 'White Group' expresses its disenchantment

The 'White Group' expresses its disenchantmentEndy M. Bayuni, Deputy Chief Editor, The Jakarta Post, Cambridge, Massachusetts How many people will stay away from the polling booths on April 5, or whenever the general election is eventually held? The number of people who boycott the election has...

Antitrust watchdog needs legal support

Antitrust watchdog needs legal supportUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) expressed a need for better support from relevant judicial institutions in enforcing the Antimonopoly Law, as some of its antitrust rulings have ended up in court and...

Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, March 30, 2003

Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, March 30, 2003 Performances* Operetta, Taman Budaya, Jl. Bukit Dago Selatan No. 53 A (Tel. 022 2504912), 7:30 p.m., April 3. * Traditional Performances Teater Rakyat Uyeg, Taman Budaya, Jl. Bukit Dago Selatan No. 53 A (Tel. 022 2504912), 7:30 p.m., April 10.

Holes in water bill must be plugged: Observed

Holes in water bill must be plugged: ObservedTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government needs to add more regulations to the newly-passed water bill to make sure possible commercialization in the sector would not cut off public access to water, observers say.

Komnas HAM visits police HQ

Komnas HAM visits police HQ JAKARTA: A team from the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) visited the National Police Headquarters on Monday to learn more about how human rights concepts are being applied in the institution.

TV stations want warning revoked

TV stations want warning revoked JAKARTA: The Association of Indonesian Private Television Stations (ATVSI) called on the General Elections Commission (KPU) and Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) on Monday to revoke a warning letter issued against several TV stations on March 23.

Correcting some errors

Correcting some errors On Friday, March 26, The Jakarta Post published an opinion piece of mine titled Malaysians shun theocratic society. In the following passage "the percentage of indigenous Malays is 38 percent", I should have written 48 percent.

1. INVESTMENT: 50 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18

1. INVESTMENT: 50 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 Foreign direct investment down 66% in Jan-Feb 2. LANDSLIDE: 36 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 28 More landslides feared in Gowa 3. TANAHABANG: 30 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 24 Traders, residents unaware of Tanah Abang makeover 4.

Golkar's internal fight heats up as polls near

Golkar's internal fight heats up as polls nearAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the political party campaigns for the legislative election draw to a close, Golkar Party presidential hopefuls seem to have set their sights against one another.

Tapping into rich clients through privilege cards

Tapping into rich clients through privilege cardsRudijanto, Contributor, Jakarta The continuous hunt for affluent clients has picked up among banks but, unlike the tapping of middle- and low-level clients, banks are not doing it with promises of spectacular rewards or prizes such as luxury cars and...

Activists seek worker protection

Activists seek worker protection JAKARTA: The Consortium for Indonesian Migrant Workers Advocacy (Kopbumi) urged the government on Monday to ratify the 1990 international convention on the protection of migrant workers and their families and draft a law on the same matter.

City to sign deal with foreign firms for monorail

City to sign deal with foreign firms for monorailDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After dropping a Malaysian firm from its list of potential investors for the monorail project earlier this month, the Jakarta administration confirmed on Monday that it would sign a memorandum of...

Correcting some errors

Correcting some errors On Friday, March 26, The Jakarta Post published an opinion piece of mine titled Malaysians shun theocratic society. In the following passage "the percentage of indigenous Malays is 38 percent", I should have written 48 percent.

S'pore nabs two Myanmar illegals

S'pore nabs two Myanmar illegalsSINGAPORE: Singapore police arrested on Monday two 29-year-old men from Myanmar who were trying to swim into the island's territory illegally.Night vision devices helped Police Coast Guard authorities spot the two men swimming toward Singapore's north shore at about...

Australia slammed for Timor gas deal

Australia slammed for Timor gas dealAgencies Sydney, AustraliaCanberra was accused on Monday of robbing East Timor of billions of dollars after parliament signed off on a controversial treaty with the impoverished nation covering oil and gas reserves in the Timor Sea.

Gus Dur cracks joke on Hamzah Haz

Gus Dur cracks joke on Hamzah HazSURABAYA: Abdurrahman Wahid alias Gus Dur, a former president of Indonesia, is widely known as a funny guy. Gus Dur, who is head of patron board at the National Awakening Party (PKB), again established his title in the last round of PKB's campaign in Sidoarjo, East...

Environmentalist held over alleged GAM link

Environmentalist held over alleged GAM linkNani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam The Aceh martial law administration has arrested an environmental activist for alleged involvement with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), sparking protests from his lawyer.

RP demands apology from U.S.

RP demands apology from U.S.PHILIPPINES: Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Monday demanded an apology for a U.S. Republican congressional survey that described the country and Thailand as among nations aiding and harboring terrorists.

Three killed in Cirebon crash

Three killed in Cirebon crashCIREBON, West Java: Three people were killed and dozens of others injured on Monday morning when a public bus crashed into a toll booth at the entrance of the Plumbon toll road in Cirebon. The dead and the injured were taken to the Gunung Jati Hospital in Cirebon.

Official calls for preservation

Official calls for preservationPALEMBANG, South Sumatra: Many of Palembang's historic buildings have been lost in the rush to modernize the city, a government official said on Monday.Rahman Zeth, head of the provincial administration's Development and Planning Agency, said modernization could not...

Parties praised for upholding ethics

Parties praised for upholding ethics SEMARANG: A top ulema expressed relief recently that as of the 15th day of the election campaign, campaigners had not attempted to exploit the verses of the Koran or hadith (stories about the live of the Prophet Muhammad).

'Tempo' files appeal over Tomy civil suit verdict

'Tempo' files appeal over Tomy civil suit verdictM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The defense team for Tempo magazine filed an appeal with the Central Jakarta District Court on Monday against a court decision ordering the weekly to pay Rp 500 million (US$58,100) to Tomy Winata and to...

Traders, residents unaware of Tanah Abang makeover

Traders, residents unaware of Tanah Abang makeoverEva C. Komandjaja and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Traders and residents around Tanah Abang textile market, Central Jakarta, are unaware of the Jakarta Administration's latest plan to transform the site into a plush business district.

Leaders and environment

Leaders and environment Brilliant! Just as my interest in reading the newspaper begins to wane, Bam! There again is a most beautiful tiger exotically decorating the front page of The Jakarta Post.The continuing news stories regarding issues that are causing havoc to the environment and the natural...