Archive: 8 March 2004
80 articles found
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Sudibyo M. Wiradi
Sudibyo M. Wiradi The Jakarta Post Jakarta More domestic airlines fly regional routes Indonesians wishing to travel to other Asian countries now have more air carriers to choose from, with several new domestic airlines entering regional routes.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Regent rejects new BPN chief
Regent rejects new BPN chief TANGERANG: Regent Ismet Iskandar rejected the appointment of the regency's new chief of the National Land Agency (BPN), Roli Irawan, who was sworn in last Tuesday.Ismet said on Saturday that the swearing in was against Law No.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Students dead in Vietnam crash
Students dead in Vietnam crash VIETNAM: Seven teenagers were killed and 14 injured when a minibus carrying 22 high school students collided head-on with a truck in southern Vietnam, police said on Sunday.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Indonesia lacks appreciation on women's rights
Indonesia lacks appreciation on women's rights In observance of the UN Day for Womens Rights that falls on March 8, Rita Serena Kolibonso, executive director of Mitra Perempuan, the Foundation of Elimination of Violence against Women, shared her view on the issue with The Jakarta Posts contributor...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
1. ACTIVIST: 50 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18
1. ACTIVIST: 50 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18U.S. expresses deep concern over recent arrests in Aceh2. WOMAN: 36 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 28I was once angry with God, myself, says woman with HIV 3. SUSUL: 30 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 24 PKB and NU officials meet in Kediri to mend ties 4. TAMBAH: 28 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 27U.S.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
The 2004 election
The 2004 election I have participated in several general elections before the upcoming elections and as far as I can remember everything went smoothly and there was not many problems, even during the preparations.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
HEADINGS FOR PAGE 5
HEADINGS FOR PAGE 51. 5ecomine (4x12) Govt warned of catastrophe from mining in protected areas C. Kalimantan blind to illegal logging Power crisis still plagues SE Sulawesi
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
'Women should stand up against domestic violence'
'Women should stand up against domestic violence' All over the world International Women's Day is being commemorated today to raise the issue of HIV/AIDS, which is increasingly affecting women and girls, as the social impact on them is greater -- they assume the burden of care when family members...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
1. 5ecomine (4x12)
1. 5ecomine (4x12) Govt warned of catastrophe from mining in protected areas C. Kalimantan blind to illegal logging Power crisis still plagues SE Sulawesi
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Malaysia detains six Indonesian terror suspects
Malaysia detains six Indonesian terror suspectsAgencies, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia has ordered six Indonesian terror suspects detained for two years after they were captured returning from a training camp in the Philippines, a senior security official said on Sunday.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Kamala, warrior for women's rights
Kamala, warrior for women's rightsEmmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta What does it take for a woman to fight for her rights? A woman of conviction might say that it takes life-long commitment and the commitment of others.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Woman falls 22 stories to death
Woman falls 22 stories to death JAKARTA: A 33-year-old woman was found dead on Sunday after jumping from the 22nd storey of the Robinson Apartment in, Penjaringan, North Jakarta, police said.The woman's body was found in the front yard of the apartment on Sunday at about 11:30 a.m.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
No poll monitors yet in Aceh
No poll monitors yet in Aceh LHOKSEUMAWE, Aceh: The Aceh General Elections Commission (Aceh KPUD) stated on Saturday that no poll monitors, including foreign observers, had yet registered with them, although the March 11 electoral campaign period was fast approaching.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Macacaque Park to be completed
Macacaque Park to be completed JAKARTA: Construction of the two-hectare primate park within the Schmutzer Primate Center in Ragunan Zoo, South Jakarta, is expected to be completed early on August.The park, according to zoo director Edy Setiarto, will also be equipped with a health clinic for...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Teachers protest late salaries
Teachers protest late salaries DONGGALA, Central Sulawesi: Some 40 teachers in Dolo district, Donggala regency, protested on Friday and Saturday at the office of the Dolo district head to demand their monthly salaries.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
W. Jakarta Police handle brawl case
W. Jakarta Police handle brawl case JAKARTA: City police passed on the case of a brawl that killed two security guards at Stadium Discotheque in Taman Sari, West Jakarta last Tuesday, to the West Jakarta Police, an officer said on Saturday.The precinct head of detectives Adj. Comr.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
A paradigm loss, not paradise lost
A paradigm loss, not paradise lostAloys Budi Purnomo, Contextual Theologian Pontifical Faculty of Theology "Wedabhakti", Yogyakarta, aloybudipurnomo@plasa.com In Indonesia, politics in future will have to engage with a new paradigm of the political aesthetic.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Bengkulu develops turtle breeding center
Bengkulu develops turtle breeding center BENGKULU: The local maritime resources and fishery office is developing breeding areas for turtles to prevent the extinction of the rare species."The protected turtle species will become extinct unless such efforts are made because turtle egg poaching is...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Political parties vie for top seven campaign spots
Political parties vie for top seven campaign spotsEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Twenty-four political parties are eying seven popular rallying spots in the capital to kick off their open-air legislative election campaigns on March 26.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
TV Program: Monday, March 8, 2004
TV Program: Monday, March 8, 2004TVRI .TB.30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi7:00 Entertainment News: Selebrita8:00 Music: Sik Asik9:00 Entertainment News10:00 TV Drama: Kabayan 12:00 p.m. Singing Contest: Konteswara 1:00 News: Berita Siang2:30 English News Service4:00 News5:30 News: Info...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Up For Election
Up For ElectionAlong with voting for political parties and legislative candidates in the House of Representatives (DPR) and City/Regency Councils (DPRD) on April 5, voters will also select candidates for the new Regional Representatives Council (DPD).
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
PNBK slams Golkar, PDI Perjuangan
PNBK slams Golkar, PDI Perjuangan JAKARTA: The Freedom Bull National Party (PNBK) launched direct attacks against the ruling Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the opposition Golkar Party on Saturday.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Probe into Marriott blast to be completed
Probe into Marriott blast to be completed SURABAYA: The investigation into suspected terrorists in the Marriott hotel bombing was almost complete, National Police chief Da'i Bachtiar said here on Sunday.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Two TNI raiders killed in Aceh
Two TNI raiders killed in AcehBANDA ACEH, Aceh: Two soldiers from the Infantry Battalion 900 Raider squad have been killed in a gunfight with Aceh separatists in North Aceh. The two were First Pvt. Usman and Second Pvt. Johan Supriadi.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Two TNI raiders killed in Aceh
Two TNI raiders killed in Aceh BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Two soldiers from the Infantry Battalion 900 Raider squad have been killed in a gunfight with Aceh separatists in North Aceh.The two were First Pvt. Usman and Second Pvt. Johan Supriadi.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
RI maids may not be able to vote
RI maids may not be able to vote MEDAN, North Sumatra: Thousands of Indonesian maids in Singapore might not be able to vote in the elections because they were not given time off by their employers, a maid said.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
PNBK slams Golkar, PDI Perjuangan
PNBK slams Golkar, PDI Perjuangan JAKARTA: The Freedom Bull National Party (PNBK) launched direct attacks against the ruling Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the opposition Golkar Party on Saturday.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
From Media Indonesia
From Media Indonesia Although not retroactively effective, the ruling of the Constitutional Court effectively annulling Article 60(g) of Law No. 12/2003 on general elections and restoring the right of former members of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) to vote for and be nominated as legislative...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Jakarta stocks to move sideways
Jakarta stocks to move sidewaysAgence France-Presse, Jakarta, Singapore Indonesia's stock market is expected to trade sideways this week on concerns about possible violence when election campaigning starts, analysts said.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Xacti, small video camera that does all
Xacti, small video camera that does allZatni Arbi, Columnist, Jakarta, zatni@cbn.net.id People all over Indonesia have long associated electric water pumps with Sanyo. Over the decades they have come to call every water pump a pompa Sanyo (Sanyo pump), although it may be a Shimizu, a DAB or a...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Govt warned of catasrophe from mining in protected forests
Govt warned of catasrophe from mining in protected forestsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta An expert on the environment has warned the government of permanent environmental devastation if coal and oil mining in eight protected forests in Central Kalimantan continues.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
High-end TVs, including projection TVs, on the rise
High-end TVs, including projection TVs, on the riseRudijanto, Contributor, JakartaFOR MARKETING PERSPECTIVE -- TUESDAY -- MARCH 9 Projection TV producers and distributors expect better sales this year as many people want to see the news on the general election as well major sports events, such as...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
U.S. expresses deep concern over recent arrests in Aceh
U.S. expresses deep concern over recent arrests in AcehAgencies, Washington/Jakarta The United States has expressed deep concern over the recent arrests of non-violent activists in Indonesia's rebellious region of Aceh and the treatment of a leading campaigner.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
No poll monitors yet in Aceh
No poll monitors yet in Aceh LHOKSEUMAWE, Aceh: The Aceh General Elections Commission (Aceh KPUD) stated on Saturday that no poll monitors, including foreign observers, had yet registered with them, although the March 11 electoral campaign period was fast approaching.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
1. Ecomine: 10 x 4 lines
1. Ecomine: 10 x 4 lines'Mining in protected forests disastrous' 2. Hutan: 16 x 2 lines'Stop logging in C. Kalimantan'
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Ex-officers call on associates for polls
Ex-officers call on associates for pollsTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the April 5 legislative election draws near, the association of former military and police personnel, Pepabri, call on its members to vote for retired officers representing parties committed to maintaining the...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Discrimination against women
Discrimination against women Given the persistent complaints that Indonesia is lagging behind other countries in the world in terms of protecting the rights of its women, the observance today, March 8, of the United Nations Day for Women's Rights should serve as a serious reminder of the huge task...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Risk of libel in freedom of the press
Risk of libel in freedom of the press Patrick Guntensperger, Business consultant, Jakarta, ttpguntensperger@hotmail.com One of the cornerstones of a democratic society is a free press. Freedom of expression is therefore, one of the very first freedoms to be curtailed when a democracy is being...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Men who can't get it up go off half-cocked in search of cure
Men who can't get it up go off half-cocked in search of cureP.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Between 10 percent and 15 percent of Indonesian men suffer from erectile dysfunction, most of whom prefer to use unproven treatments rather than talk the problem over with their partners or doctors,...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Controlled media could cause mass deception
Controlled media could cause mass deceptionThang D. Nguyen, Program Coordinator, United in Diversity Forum, Jakarta The media has become a weapon of mass deception. This has happened in two ways: The first is that governments have come to dominate the media, and the second is that too much freedom...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Overcoming thorny farm issues a key challenge in regional free-trade talks
Overcoming thorny farm issues a key challenge in regional free-trade talksMartin Abbugao, Agence France-Presse, Singapore Overcoming thorny farm issues will be a key challenge as the United States and Japan take on their developing Southeast Asian allies in free-trade negotiations, analysts said.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Bill bans public erotic dances
Bill bans public erotic dancesKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Organizers of erotic dances should beware! Soon they could be sentenced to 10 years in jail or fined Rp 1 billion (US$120,000).A House-sponsored bill banning illegal acts of pornography includes people who organize erotic...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Ecotourism project to go on in Batam
Ecotourism project to go on in Batam BATAM, Riau: A private company will go ahead with its plan to develop an ecotourism project in the forest area in Matakucing Hill despite recent friction with the Batam Industrial Development Authority (BIDA).
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
I. Christianto
I. Christianto Contributor JakartaCheap fares but passengers get limited services During an aerospace or aviation show, flying enthusiasts enjoy jet fighters and other aircraft taking off, soaring and playfully chasing each other through the sky.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Steel industry demands export ban, objects to zero import tariffs
Steel industry demands export ban, objects to zero import tariffsDewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government should ban steel exports rather than increasing import tariffs to overcome the supply shortages in the domestic market, an industrial executive said.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
U.S. foundation to build 1,000 low-income homes
U.S. foundation to build 1,000 low-income homesM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A U.S.-based charity said on Sunday it would build 1,000 houses here over the next three years as part of its worldwide campaign to provide decent shelter for the poor.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Power crisis still plagues SE Sulawesi
Power crisis still plagues SE SulawesiThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Southeast Sulawesi provincial government has allocated Rp 20 billion (US$2.5 million) of its 2004 budget to purchase 5 Megawatt (MW) diesel power generators.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Elections prep in crisis: Lemhannas
Elections prep in crisis: LemhannasMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Following a series of technical and logistical problems that put the elections at risk, the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) is calling on the government and the General Elections Commission (KPU) to implement...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
I was once angry with God, myself, says woman with HIV
I was once angry with God, myself, says woman with HIVA. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Unlike her peers, Yanti may commemorate International Women's Day, which falls on March 8, with past regret -- but hope for the future.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Government drafts regulation to tackle illegal logging effectively
Government drafts regulation to tackle illegal logging effectivelyAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Government announced on Sunday that it is drafting a regulation in lieu of law (perpu) as an emergency measure to crack down on illegal logging practice that have caused trillions of rupiah to...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
TV Program: Monday, March 8, 2004
TV Program: Monday, March 8, 2004TVRI .TB.30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi7:00 Entertainment News: Selebrita8:00 Music: Sik Asik9:00 Entertainment News10:00 TV Drama: Kabayan 12:00 p.m. Singing Contest: Konteswara 1:00 News: Berita Siang2:30 English News Service4:00 News5:30 News: Info...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Rescuers pull another body from mine
Rescuers pull another body from mineTheresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor A rescue team from state mining company PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) evacuated another body from inside the Mount Pongkor gold mine in Bogor regency on Sunday at 12:45 p.m., bringing the number of recovered bodies to seven.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Indonesians, unite!
Indonesians, unite!From Suara Karya The situation in our country is cause for great concern. The country is on the brink of collapse as it is mired in poverty, unemployment and massive debts.Worse still, Indonesians are involved in meaningless debates as each group tries to reach their own goals.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
FOR FOCUS ISSUE
FOR FOCUS ISSUE JPWings Air, a subsidiary of Lion Air, plans to add more aircraft this year to meet increasing demand for its services. Wings focuses its service on Indonesia's eastern provinces such as Papua, Maluku, Sulawesi and Kalimantan.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
* Headlines: Akbar Tandjung strengthens position 2
* Headlines: Akbar Tandjung strengthens position 2 * National: Veteran families s told to vote for ex-officers 4 * Archipelago: C. Kalimantan blind to illegal logging 5 * Opinion: Charting out the presidential election 7 * City: Political parties vie for top 7 campaign spots 8 * Sports: Nedved...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Many small furniture firms go bankrupt
Many small furniture firms go bankruptAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Many small to medium furniture firms have collapsed in the past few months because of tight competition with products from China and Vietnam, an inadequate supply of raw materials and high costs, an industry spokesman...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
JP/1/hour
JP/1/hour 'Trans TV' studio catches fire: A fire spark caused a studio of private television Trans TV studio to be engulfed by thick smoke on Sunday evening on Jl. Kapten Tendean in Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta forcing five people to be rushed to nearby Medistra Hospital.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
No manipulation in BII's share trade: Bapepam
No manipulation in BII's share trade: BapepamThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta While some "procedural violations" occurred in the trading of Bank International Indonesia's (BII) shares last year, none could be categorized as illegal manipulation, the country's share market watchdog said.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Dumped lawmakers 'may abuse power'
Dumped lawmakers 'may abuse power'Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With most members of the House of Representatives' finance commission seeing no chance of reelection, there are fears they will use their remaining sitting period to demand bribes.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Soeharto probe has to be halted: Tutut
Soeharto probe has to be halted: Tutut SEMARANG: Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, the daughter of former president Soeharto, has demanded the Attorney General's Office halt its investigation into alleged graft committed by her father.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Thai shelves planned energy privatisation
Thai shelves planned energy privatisationAnusak Konglang, Agence France-Presse, Bangkok Thailand's government on Saturday indefinitely postponed its plans to privatize the nation's largest power producer in May, caving in to mounting protests from state workers.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
1. DISCOURSE: 50 pt, 7 cols, 1 x 42
1. DISCOURSE: 50 pt, 7 cols, 1 x 42 Indonesia lacks appreciation of women's rights 2. INDAG: 36 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 21 Govt drafts ruling to tackle illegal logging 3. KL: 32 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 37 KL holds six RI Islamist militants 4. TRADE: 30 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 38 Farm issues a key challenge in trade talks
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
PKB and NU officials meet in Kediri to mend ties
PKB and NU officials meet in Kediri to mend tiesIndra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya Top figures from the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) met in Kediri, East Java over the weekend as part of efforts to mend ties between the two groups ahead of the elections.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Police mull recruiting vocational school graduates
Police mull recruiting vocational school graduatesThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta A high-ranking officer suggested over the weekend that police personnel be recruited from the so-called D1 program, instead of high school graduates, in order to get professionals with civilian mind-sets and perspective.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
No poll monitors yet in Aceh
No poll monitors yet in Aceh LHOKSEUMAWE, Aceh: The Aceh General Elections Commission (Aceh KPUD) stated on Saturday that no poll monitors, including foreign observers, had yet registered with them, although the March 11 electoral campaign period was fast approaching.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
;JP;
;JP; ANPAc..r.. Airline-fares-competitionI. Christianto Contributor JakartaCheap fares but passengers get limited services During an aerospace or aviation show, flying enthusiasts enjoy jet fighters and other aircraft taking off, soaring and playfully chasing each other through the sky.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Indonesia on the brink of collapse
Indonesia on the brink of collapseFrom Koran Tempo Bob Hasan has been released from prison. While the public debates the decision of the Supreme Court to acquit an accused corruptor, another corruptor is now going to get his freedom back.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
'Bajaj', top air polluter
'Bajaj', top air polluterFrom Warta KotaThe Jakarta provincial administration is reportedly studying a project for the procurement of Toyota-Kijang taxis and the upgrading of the bajaj, by modifying the engines of the three- wheeled motorized public transportation vehicles from two-stroke to...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
FOR FOCUS ISSUE
FOR FOCUS ISSUE JPWings Air, a subsidiary of Lion Air, plans to add more aircraft this year to meet increasing demand for its services. Wings focuses its service on Indonesia's eastern provinces such as Papua, Maluku, Sulawesi and Kalimantan.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Australia says boat people from RI
Australia says boat people from RI AUSTRALIA: The 15 people who arrived by boat last week on the remote Ashmore Reef were Indonesians hoping to work illegally as fruit pickers, Australian Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said on Sunday.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Govt to go ahead with zero steel tariff plan
Govt to go ahead with zero steel tariff plan Despite concerns from local steel producers, the government is determined to go ahead with its plan of lifting tariffs on steel imports to cope with the domestic supply shortage."The (steel) shortage will last over a year, even five years.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Pope names head of E. Timor church
Pope names head of E. Timor church ITALY: Pope John Paul appointed on Saturday a new head of the Roman Catholic church in East Timor to succeed Nobel Peace Laureate Bishop Carlos Belo, who has stepped down for health reasons.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Disputed highway project wins Maga's backing
Disputed highway project wins Maga's backingNani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Nangroe Aceh Darussalam Defying mounting criticism, President Megawati Soekarnoputri threw her weight on Sunday behind the controversial Ladia Galaska highway project that runs through the Leuser National Reserve...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
C. Kalimantan blind to illegal logging
C. Kalimantan blind to illegal loggingThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The relevant authorities in Central Kalimantan have paid no attention to media pressure to halt illegal logging, which is still rampant in tropical forests there, reports have said.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Persebaya jumps to second place
Persebaya jumps to second placeThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Fifth placed Persebaya Surabaya crushed visiting Semen Padang 5-0 and moved into second place of the Indonesian Soccer League at the Sepuluh November Stadium, Surabaya, on Saturday.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Enough prevarication on women's rights
Enough prevarication on women's rightsDiscrimination against womenGiven the persistent complaints that Indonesia is lagging behind other countries in the world in terms of protecting the rights of its women, the observance today, March 8, of the United Nations Day for Women's Rights should serve as...
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Sharia insurance thriving, premium grows by 40% annually
Sharia insurance thriving, premium grows by 40% annuallyFitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Sharia insurance has gained in popularity here over the past several years, prompting conventional insurance firms to explore opportunities in this new sector.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
The time has come to 'open' your own home theater
The time has come to 'open' your own home theaterBurhanuddin Abe, Contributor, Jakarta The upcoming elections will certainly be different from previous elections, as this year will see the country's first ever direct presidential election.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Garut to develop refugee shelters
Garut to develop refugee shelters GARUT, West Java: The local regional settlement and infrastructure office will develop camps for refugees in the regency's south because the Gasela area is quite prone to landslides and mudflows.
Mon, 08 Mar 2004
Money politics
Money politicsFrom Republika Money politics, through bribery or other gifts to buy votes, marks the lead-in to the 2004 general election. With its detrimental effect on democracy, this practice is certainly familiar to crooked politicians with plenty of resources at their disposal.