Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 1 April 2004

82 articles found

OPEC to cut oil output by one million bpd

OPEC to cut oil output by one million bpd OPEC will go ahead with a planned oil output cut of one million barrels per day (bpd) from April 1, ministers told reporters on Wednesday after talks at their Vienna headquarters.

Hamzah says he is mere 'security guard'

Hamzah says he is mere 'security guard'BATAM: Hamzah Haz, leader of the United Development Party (PPP), complained on Wednesday that he had only been a "security guard" as vice president in the Megawati Soekarnoputri regime.

Government vows to curb smuggling of cheap sugar

Government vows to curb smuggling of cheap sugarDadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Customs and Excise Office and the Ministry of Industry and Trade are currently designing a detailed burden-sharing mechanism to supervise inter-island trade in sugar and other commodities within the...

PT DI reorganizes management

PT DI reorganizes management BANDUNG: The management of aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI) has halved the number of unit heads to 20 and added five more managers as part of a reorganization program.

* Headlines:KL endangers refugees with forced return: Report 2

* Headlines:KL endangers refugees with forced return: Report 2 * National:Supreme Court gains freedom and powers 4 * Archipelago:Two policemen to face trial over rights abuses 5 * Opinion:Can the 2004 election bring about real change? 6 * City:NGOs slam Sutiyoso's policies 8 * Sports:Argentina,...

KL puts Acehnese refugees at risk with deportations: Report

KL puts Acehnese refugees at risk with deportations: ReportAgencies Kuala Lumpur/JakartaThe Malaysian government is forcibly returning Indonesian refugees from Aceh province to Indonesia where their safety is at risk amid a continuing conflict there, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on...

Delay in polls could prompt capital flight

Delay in polls could prompt capital flightFitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post , Jakarta A delay in the planned general election this year would create serious damage to the country's economy as investor confidence would tumble due to the uncertainty, an investment expert warned.

Thursday, April 1, 2004

Thursday, April 1, 2004 .TB.30" .90"TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi7:00 Children Show7:30 Music: Asyik-Asyik9:00 TV Series10:00 Documentary11:00 Singing Contest: Konteswara 11:30 Pariwisata 12:00 p.m. Documentary1:00 News: Berita Siang1:30 Traditional Performance2:30 Game Show3:00 English News...

U.S. foundation reps visit IPB

U.S. foundation reps visit IPB BOGOR: Two representatives of the U.S.-based Lemelson Foundation, executive director Julia Novy-Hildesley and program officer Satesh Namasivayam, visited the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) on Wednesday to study the correlation of their programs for developing...

Pura Dalem Puri, a stairway to heaven

Pura Dalem Puri, a stairway to heavenJagadhita, Contributor, Denpasar Have you ever heard the screams of tortured souls? If you want to hear them, come to Pura Dalem Puri, a temple located in Karangasem, about 80 kilometers east of Denpasar.

Team to push UN on May shootings

Team to push UN on May shootings JAKARTA: A rights group has urged the United Nations to pressure the Indonesian government to start the trial of military and police officers allegedly involved in the May 1998 shooting of students in Jakarta.

Garbage piling up in Bandung

Garbage piling up in Bandung BANDUNG: Garbage has been piled up in Bandung since the election campaign began on March 11. On normal days, the amount of garbage the city generates some 7,000 cubic meters, but during the campaign, the amount of garbage collected by the Bandung Sanitation Agency...

Military to safeguard elections in troubled Aceh

Military to safeguard elections in troubled AcehTiarma Siboro and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Jakarta The Aceh military has set up security arrangements to enable local residents in areas known as rebel strongholds to exercise their right to vote on April 5.

Taiwan accused of Spratlys violation

Taiwan accused of Spratlys violationVIETNAM: Vietnam has accused Taiwan of putting up a building on a coral reef that is part of the disputed Spratlys islands, to which the communist country expects to send its first group of tourists next month.

ARF to cooperation in transport sector

ARF to cooperation in transport sectorAgence France-Presse ManilaMembers of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) agreed to boost co- operation to combat terrorism in the transport sector, just weeks after bomb attacks on commuter trains in Madrid left nearly 200 dead, a draft statement said on Wednesday.

Election campaign leaves Bung Karno Stadium a mess

Election campaign leaves Bung Karno Stadium a messEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The favorite location for mass events in the city -- the main stadium of the Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta -- has been severely damaged by political party supporters.

Gowa residents to be moved to safer area

Gowa residents to be moved to safer areaAndi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi The Gowa regental administration will soon relocate at least 63 families from Tinggimoncong subdistrict, who were affected by a recent landslide that left at least two people dead and 31 others...

Part 2 of 2

Part 2 of 2 U.S.-Indonesia relationship enters new era Ali Alatas Former Foreign Minister Jakarta2. Pro -- The decline of America 1 X 45 The U.S. sees its political weight decreasing Jeffrey D. Sachs Professor of Economics Columbia University Project Syndicate3.

Experts criticize government's decision to hike phone rates

Experts criticize government's decision to hike phone ratesDewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Independent experts criticized on Wednesday the government's decision to allow the country's fixed-line operators to raise local telephone rates by up to 28 percent.

JP2HEADINGTHURSDAY, 01-04-04:

JP2HEADINGTHURSDAY, 01-04-04: 1. KL: 50 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 Report: KL endangers Aceh refugees with forced repatriation 2. TELKOM: 36 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 28 Experts criticize govt's decision to hike phone rates Higher interconnection fees for cell phone users 3.

Caption for Spotlight advertisement

Caption for Spotlight advertisement VISIT OF TANZANIA'S MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Hotel Borobudur Jakarta was honored to host the visit of a delegation from the United Republic of Tanzania led by its Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Jakaya M. Kikwete on March 30.

Vulnerability to poverty now a fact of life more than half of

Vulnerability to poverty now a fact of life more than half of all 215 million Indonesians and more than half of all Indonesians are likely to experience an episode of poverty every three years.These grim statistics seem to belie the fact that over the last three decades, the government of Indonesia...

Supreme Court gains gains freedom and powers

Supreme Court gains gains freedom and powersMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Supreme Court increased its status as the country's ultimate legal body on Wednesday when it took over powers from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, a historical move that would ensure the...

Indosat reports sharp rise in 2003 net profit

Indosat reports sharp rise in 2003 net profit Indonesia's second-largest telecoms company PT Indosat on Wednesday reported a sharp rise in 2003 net profit on the back of better operating results and a tax benefit. The company reported 2003 net profit of Rp 1.

Dysentery kills five

Dysentery kills five AMBON, Maluku: Five residents of Kesui island in East Seram regency have died and dozens of others were treated at local community health centers on Wednesday after suffering from dysentery and vomiting.

Govt draft 2005 economic indicators

Govt draft 2005 economic indicatorsThe Jakarta Post, JakartaMinister of Finance Boediono said on Wednesday that the government would submit the 2005 macroeconomic assumptions to the House of Representatives in May.

Sugar smuggling again

Sugar smuggling again The controversy in the past three weeks over sugar smuggling in to Java serves only to validate the public's perception of how grossly corrupt is Indonesia's governance and how vulnerable is the world's largest archipelago country to contraband trade.

NGOs slam Sutiyoso's policies

NGOs slam Sutiyoso's policiesBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have criticized Governor Sutiyoso administration's policies on eviction and the environmental and for delaying important projects.

1. PARA: 3 LINES, 15 COUNTS

1. PARA: 3 LINES, 15 COUNTS Democratic Party fortune tellers' favorite newcomer 2. ACEH: 1 LINE, 24 COUNTS Military to safeguard polls in Aceh 3. ROUNDUP: 2 LINES, 21 COUNTS Trying to recoup old glory, Golkar on the offensive 4. GOLKAR: 2 LINES, 18 COUNTS Golkar vote may be at risk in S. Sulawesi

More teachers quizzed over regent's ouster

More teachers quizzed over regent's ousterHaidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru, Riau Police here questioned three more educators on Wednesday in connection with weeks of protests that resulted in the recent ouster of Kampar Regent Jefri Noer in Riau province.

JP/13/Budget

JP/13/BudgetGovt set to propose 2005 economic indicatorsThe Jakarta Post JakartaMinister of Finance Boediono said on Wednesday that the government would submit the 2005 macroeconomic assumptions to the House of Representatives in May.

Bali Fashion Week due to kick of for fifth time

Bali Fashion Week due to kick of for fifth timeWahyoe Boediwardhana, The jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali Indonesia has countless gifted fashion designers whose work compares favorably to many world-class designers.

Reinforcements arrive in Poso

Reinforcements arrive in PosoRuslan Sangadji and Irvan NR, The Jakarta Post, Poso/Palu Calm has been restored in the troubled regency of Poso, Central Sulawesi, on Wednesday after a series of shooting incidents that killed a reverend and badly injured an academic.

Megawati, a housewife, a leader and President

Megawati, a housewife, a leader and PresidentFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Like children listening to their mother, an audience of thousands of people mostly from the grass roots, moved closer to the stage.

General faces 10-years sentence

General faces 10-years sentenceM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Prosecutors in an ad hoc rights tribunal demanded on Wednesday a 10-year prison term for a retired Army general who was charged with committing a crime against humanity in the bloody Tanjung Priok massacre that left at...

1. PURA 1x35

1. PURA 1x35Pura Dalem Puri, a stairway to heaven 2. BALI 1x49 Bali Fashion Week due to kick off for fifth time

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, April 1, 2004

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, April 1, 2004.TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions* Painting Melukis dan Melihat by Wayan Muliastra, at K. Sudana Gallery, Campuhan, Ubud, until April 10. * Painting by I Nyoman Tusan, at Griya Santriyan, Galeri Sanur, until April 23.

A letter from Glodok, Jakarta

A letter from Glodok, Jakarta JP/6/E00A letter from Glodok, JakartaKavi Chongkittavorn The Nation Asia News Network Bangkok Satu musuh -- sudah kebanyakan, seribu kawan -- masih kekurangan, is the motto of Eddy Sadeli.

JP/18/BALI

JP/18/BALI Bali Fashion Week to kick of 5th annualWahyoe Boediwardhana The jakarta Post Denpasar, BaliIndonesia has countless gifted fashion designers whose work compares favorably to many world-class designers.

A newcomers' debut

A newcomers' debut The election campaign season ends tomorrow (Thursday). Some 24 parties have promoted themselves and tried to gain public support, and what are the results? The people will decide on April 5.

Ocean research center opens in Bali

Ocean research center opens in Bali JEMBRANA, Bali: Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Rokhmin Dahurie opened here on Wednesday the Southeast Asian Center for Ocean Research and Monitoring (Seacorm).

TNI reforms: Between expectation and reality

TNI reforms: Between expectation and reality----------------------------------------------------------------- There has been intense discourse on the importance of reforming the Indonesian Military (TNI) for the sake of democratization in Indonesia.

JP/13/Budget

JP/13/BudgetGovt set to propose 2005 economic indicatorsThe Jakarta Post JakartaMinister of Finance Boediono said on Wednesday that the government would submit the 2005 macroeconomic assumptions to the House of Representatives in May.

Public diplomacy

Public diplomacy I write in response to Roger Smith's letter to the editor of March 31 entitled Elitist diplomacy.The suggestion that I only speak to elite forums in Indonesia is wrong. I accept many invitations on a regular basis to a wide variety of forums including media conferences, lecture...

Trying to recoup old glory, Golkar on the offensive

Trying to recoup old glory, Golkar on the offensiveThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Five years ago, when the Golkar Party held its final round of campaigning in Jakarta, The Jakarta Post reported that "residents and onlookers jeered and stoned Golkar supporters during their final campaign rallies in...

JP/5/ABEPURA

JP/5/ABEPURAIndictment of Abepura case handed over to human rights tribunalAndi Hajramurni The Jakarta Post Makassar, South SulawesiThe indictment and dossier of the human rights violation case in Abepura, Papua province, has been handed over to the Human Rights Tribunal in Makassar, South Sulawesi...

Prosecutor's office staff implicated in foiled escape

Prosecutor's office staff implicated in foiled escapeThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Police have declared three North Jakarta Prosecutor's Office personnel as suspects in assisting defendant Gunawan Santosa to escape on the way to the North Jakarta District Court on Tuesday.

Polls give more than promises to scavengers

Polls give more than promises to scavengersMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Despite the lackluster political campaign, with the majority of people fed up with parties and their unkept promises, euphoria survives among hundreds of scavengers in Tangerang municipality.

Indosat reports sharp rise in 2003 profit

Indosat reports sharp rise in 2003 profit Indonesia's second-largest telecoms company PT Indosat on Wednesday reported a sharp rise in 2003 net profit on the back of better operating results and a tax benefit.The company reported 2003 net profit of Rp 1.

Policeman to face trial over Papua rights abuses

Policeman to face trial over Papua rights abusesAndi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi The indictment and dossier of the human rights violation case in Abepura, Papua province, has been handed over to the Human Rights Tribunal in Makassar, South Sulawesi province.

Part 2 of 2

Part 2 of 2U.S.-Indonesia relationship enters new eraAli Alatas, Former Foreign Minister, Jakarta As the major power in the world today, the U.S. obviously has to assume a unique role and a heavy responsibility in this regard. That responsibility, however, has to be shared.

Shot bystranders won't sue

Shot bystranders won't sueEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The victims of stray bullets fired by a member of the exclusive Paspampres (presidential guard) have decided not to take legal action against the shooter who caused them to be hospitalized, as they have received compensation...

JP/5/ABEPURA

JP/5/ABEPURAIndictment of Abepura case handed over to human rights tribunalAndi Hajramurni The Jakarta Post Makassar, South SulawesiThe indictment and dossier of the human rights violation case in Abepura, Papua province, has been handed over to the Human Rights Tribunal in Makassar, South Sulawesi...

Democratic Party fortune tellers' favorite

Democratic Party fortune tellers' favoriteAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Many scholars and political observers have made in-depth and informed predictions about the results of the April 5 legislative election, some even going so far as to predict the results of country's first direct...

Two more dossiers on BNI scandal rejected

Two more dossiers on BNI scandal rejectedP.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Prosecutor's Office is to return on Thursday the case files submitted by the police last week on Nurcahyo and Haris Is Hartono, two of 16 suspects in the Rp 1.

Harsh penalties may stop animal smugglers

Harsh penalties may stop animal smugglersTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country needs to impose harsh punishments to stop the rampant trade and smuggling of protected animal species, a non- governmental organization says.

Government monopolies

Government monopoliesPatrick Guntensperger Business Consultant Jakarta ttpguntensperger@hotmail.com Polls indicate that the quality of services provided by government utility monopolies is among the most frequent complaints here in Indonesia.

President inaugurates three new envoys

President inaugurates three new envoysFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri swore in on Wednesday three new envoys for overseas Indonesian missions, including a representative to the United Nations in New York.

U.S. foundation reps visit IPB

U.S. foundation reps visit IPB BOGOR: Two representatives of the U.S.-based Lemelson Foundation, which develops and implements sustainable development programs for Third World countries, visited the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) on Wednesday.

Hartono repeats blind support for Soeharto

Hartono repeats blind support for SoehartoSURABAYA: Defying mounting protests, former Army chief Gen. (ret) R. Hartono, leader of the Concern for the Nation Functioning Party (PKPB), has reiterated his calls asking PKPB supporters to be protectors of Soeharto.

JP/20/AZAS

JP/20/AZASAzas Tigor fights for just causeEmmy Fitri The Jakarta Post Jakarta Don't expect Azas Tigor Nainggolan to apologize because he won't. As an ordinary human being, does he ever make a mistake in his personal judgment? "My mistakes are I am easily infuriated and foolhardy enough to speak out.

Defendants 'unaware of bombs'

Defendants 'unaware of bombs' JAKARTA: Three defendants accused of storing the explosives used to build the car bomb in the Marriott Hotel bombing did not know what the boxes contained, a witness said on Tuesday.

Indonesia on course

Indonesia on courseThe Straits Times Asia News Network Singapore The important thing about Indonesia's parliamentary elections next week is that the country's stability is no longer hostage to political outcomes.

Indonesia gets into the swing of things at Manila baseball event

Indonesia gets into the swing of things at Manila baseball eventMariko Takayasu, Contributor, Jakarta Baseball's popularity in Indonesia is growing steadily with children and adults playing the game year round, rain or shine.

Copiers used in rush to meet election day

Copiers used in rush to meet election dayThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Semarang, Central Java Several regencies continued to report the lack of election materials on Wednesday while the government nears the Friday deadline to decide whether to issue a decree postponing the election altogether or only...

Filthy terminal

Filthy terminalFrom Warta Kota The Kampung Rambutan bus terminal is in very poor condition. Street vendors are found virtually everywhere in this terminal. The restaurant inside the terminal carelessly tosses out its dirty water as it pleases. Garbage is everywhere. The whole place stinks.

Backlogged legal cases

Backlogged legal cases It was baffling to read the report in The Jakarta Post on March 4 about the backlog of cases in the Supreme Court. If it is true that the number of unsettled cases has reached 16,000, this must be deplored as a disgraceful occurrence.

Candra, Halim lose at Korea Open

Candra, Halim lose at Korea OpenThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian badminton doubles pair Candra Wijaya and Halim Haryanto suffered further setbacks in their hunt for an Olympics berth after stumbling in the opening round of the Korea Open in Choongju City, South Korea, on Wednesday.

Kendari to have new rector

Kendari to have new rector KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: A total of 19 rectorial candidates are taking part in the race for the rectorship in Halu Oleo University in Kendari, the capital of Southeast Sulawesi province, for the 2004 to 2008 period.

ICC, an alternative to prosecuting war criminals?

ICC, an alternative to prosecuting war criminals?Imanuddin Razak, The Jakarta Post, The Hague A warning to Indonesian Military (TNI) commanders and government officials tasked at conflict areas: They can no longer take arbitrary actions that may result in a massive loss of life.

50,000 observers ready for April polls

50,000 observers ready for April pollsSEMARANG: At least 50,000 poll observers, including foreign observers, are ready to monitor the April 5 legislative election in Central Java.The observers include those from the Gita Pertiwi foundation, the Rector Forum, the European Union and the Election...

4 x 12

4 x 12 Two policemen to face trial over Papua rights abuses 2 x 21 Gowa residents to be moved to safer area 1 x 43 More teachers quizzed over regent's ouster 1 x 33 Seventeen end hunger strike, 2 continue

Lawyers urge Ba'asyir's release

Lawyers urge Ba'asyir's release JAKARTA: The team of lawyers representing Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir urged the government to release their client on April 28 and reject the use of information from U.S. intelligence sources that may be used to open another case against him.

Supreme Court gains its official independence

Supreme Court gains its official independenceMuninggar Sri Saraswati The Jakarta Post JakartaThe Supreme Court increased its status as the country's ultimate legal body on Wednesday when it took over powers from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, a historical move that would ensure the...

Megawati, a housewife, a leader and the President

Megawati, a housewife, a leader and the PresidentFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Like children listening to their mother, an audience of thousands of people mostly from the grass roots, moved closer to the stage.

Club donates 2 million bags of blood

Club donates 2 million bags of blood TANGERANG: The Lippo Karawaci Blood Donors Club donated on Wednesday 2 million bags of blood to the Indonesian Red Cross' Tangerang branch to commemorate the club's fifth anniversary.The donation took place at the Siloam Gleneagles Hospital in Karawaci.

Can the 2004 election bring about real change?

Can the 2004 election bring about real change?Benny Susetyo, Cultural Observer, Malang, East Java The question above is oft-repeated but still retains its significance and needs reflecting upon, particularly in view of the pessimism of many parties that the polls this year will not bring much...

Crooked politicians named in Bali

Crooked politicians named in BaliWahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali Five days before election day, April 5, Bali Corruption Watch (BCW) released here on Wednesday a list of 14 local legislative candidates deemed to be crooked politicians.

Ketua komisi Pemilihan Umum Daerah (KPUD) Kaltim,

Ketua komisi Pemilihan Umum Daerah (KPUD) Kaltim, Noorsyamsu Agang mengakui, sosialisasi pencoblosan saat pemilu 5 april nanti, masih sangat kurang di pahami oleh masyarakat. Lembaga-lembaga non KPU yang mendapat dana dari lembaga asing untuk mensosialisasikan mekanisme pemilu di Kaltim, kata dia,...

Golkar vote may be at risk in S. Sulawesi

Golkar vote may be at risk in S. SulawesiAndi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post,Makassar, South Sulawesi South Sulawesi has for decades a Golkar haven in terms of garnering votes, consistently gaining well over 50 percent of the vote.

Only 23% of overseas voters registered

Only 23% of overseas voters registered JAKARTA: The government has only been able to register 23 percent of 1.9 million eligible overseas voters due to an administrative shortcoming, a senior official acknowledged on Wednesday.

Azas Tigor fights for disadvantaged

Azas Tigor fights for disadvantagedEmmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, JakartaDon't expect Azas Tigor Nainggolan to apologize because he won't.As an ordinary human being, does he ever make a mistake in his personal judgment? "My mistakes are I am easily infuriated and foolhardy enough to speak out.