Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 1 April 2004

82 articles found

Delay in polls could prompt capital flight

Delay in polls could prompt capital flight Fitri 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. Antonio Yongnata, vice president at Citigroup Asset Management, said such a delay could prompt capital flight and put pressure on the stock market as well as the country's currency.

KL puts Acehnese refugees at risk with deportations: Report

KL puts Acehnese refugees at risk with deportations: Report Agencies Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta The 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 Thursday. The report documents Malaysia's deportations of refugees and asylum-seekers from Aceh and the mistreatment of Acehnese refugees while in Malaysia, the New York-based group said.

* 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, Chile win in World Cup qualifiers 10 * World:President Karzai seeks backing for $27b Afghan plan 11 * Business:Asian firms seek int'l brand names 15 * Features:Pura Dalem Puri, a stairway to heaven 18

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. "The decision is a result of our latest extraordinary shareholder meeting, which asked for a cut in the number of workers," said company spokesman Rakhendi Triatna on Wednesday. The new structure takes effect on Thursday.

Government vows to curb smuggling of cheap sugar

Government vows to curb smuggling of cheap sugar Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The 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 country in a bid to curb rampant smuggling.

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. "I'm like a security guard who is tasked only with observing and overseeing the running of the (Megawati) government, while at the same time, I cannot do anything to bring the government on track," he addressed a crowd of PPP supporters in Sengkuang, Batam.

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. The 10 nations in OPEC's quota system would implement a decision agreed on February 10 in Algiers to reduce their official crude oil production from 24.5 million bpd to 23.5 million from April 1, said the energy ministers of Algeria, Qatar and Kuwait separately.

NGOs slam Sutiyoso's policies

NGOs slam Sutiyoso's policies Bambang 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. Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta) chairman Azas Tigor Nainggolan said at the City Council on Wednesday that on a scale of zero to 10, Sutiyoso's administration would only score 2.8 for performance.

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 ouster Haidir 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. The three concerned were Facrul Rozi, Yusailin and Abunawas who are respectively the heads of education and sports offices in Tambang, in West Bangkinang, and Kampar Kota subdistricts.

JP/13/Budget

JP/13/Budget Govt set to propose 2005 economic indicators The Jakarta Post Jakarta Minister of Finance Boediono said on Wednesday that the government would submit the 2005 macroeconomic assumptions to the House of Representatives in May. He said that the figures could be used by the new government as a basis to design the 2005 state budget. "We'll formulate economic figures that could be achieved in 2005," he said.

Bali Fashion Week due to kick of for fifth time

Bali Fashion Week due to kick of for fifth time Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali Indonesia has countless gifted fashion designers whose work compares favorably to many world-class designers. Yet, only a few local designers have successfully penetrated international fashion markets. Many of their creations are only displayed in local boutiques and department stores.

Reinforcements arrive in Poso

Reinforcements arrive in Poso Ruslan 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. Around 100 police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) personnel arrived in the religiously divided area from Jakarta to help provide tight security there, as the late Reverend Freddy Wuisan, was buried peacefully in a funeral.

Megawati, a housewife, a leader and President

Megawati, a housewife, a leader and President Fabiola 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. Holding their attention was Megawati Soekarnoputri, the incumbent President and leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). Earlier, she had asked her supporters in a firm yet soft voice to draw nearer to the stage.

General faces 10-years sentence

General faces 10-years sentence M. 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 least 14 Muslim protesters dead in 1984. The prosecutors said Maj. Gen.

1. PURA 1x35

1. PURA 1x35 Pura Dalem Puri, a stairway to heaven 2. BALI 1x49 Bali Fashion Week due to kick off for fifth time

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. The rampant smuggling also demonstrates how well-designed policy instruments often fail due either to technical incompetence and corruption within implementing institutions or an acute lack of inter-ministerial cooperation.

A letter from Glodok, Jakarta

A letter from Glodok, Jakarta JP/6/E00 A letter from Glodok, Jakarta Kavi Chongkittavorn The Nation Asia News Network Bangkok Satu musuh -- sudah kebanyakan, seribu kawan -- masih kekurangan, is the motto of Eddy Sadeli. He translates the expression as "one enemy is too many, one thousand friends are too few". Sadeli, who is Chinese, has a greater interest in making friends than enemies, especially among the pribumi, or indigenous Indonesians.

JP/18/BALI

JP/18/BALI Bali Fashion Week to kick of 5th annual Wahyoe Boediwardhana The jakarta Post Denpasar, Bali Indonesia has countless gifted fashion designers whose work compares favorably to many world-class designers. Yet, only a few local designers have successfully penetrated international fashion markets. Many of their creations are only displayed in local boutiques and department stores.

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. During the campaign period, we actually saw some "clashes" between two groups -- the "big" and the "small" groups.

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). The center is expected to conduct research and advise decision makers on ocean development at the national and regional level. The center, which includes a main building and a laboratory, stands on 656 square meters of land.

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. Yet, the nation has been in disagreement whether the TNI has done enough to reform itself.

JP/13/Budget

JP/13/Budget Govt set to propose 2005 economic indicators The Jakarta Post Jakarta Minister of Finance Boediono said on Wednesday that the government would submit the 2005 macroeconomic assumptions to the House of Representatives in May. He said that the figures could be used by the new government as a basis to design the 2005 state budget. "We'll formulate economic figures that could be achieved in 2005," he said.

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 series, launches and open public forums. These are attended by a broad spectrum of Indonesians and expatriates from all walks of life.

Trying to recoup old glory, Golkar on the offensive

Trying to recoup old glory, Golkar on the offensive The 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 Jakarta and several provinces." At that time, its supporters donned the party's attributes only at campaign venues.

Part 2 of 2

Part 2 of 2 U.S.-Indonesia relationship enters new era Ali Alatas Former Foreign Minister Jakarta 2. 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 Syndicate 3. Star30 -- Lessons in curbing the "green wave" 2 X 21 Lessons in curbing the "green wave" in Malaysia Karim Raslan The Star Asia News Network Selangor, Malaysia

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 countries with actual conditions in the field. The Lemelson Foundation focuses on sustainable development program in many countries.

Pura Dalem Puri, a stairway to heaven

Pura Dalem Puri, a stairway to heaven Jagadhita, 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. It is believed the souls of sinful people are tormented here before they reach nirvana. This holy place at the foot of Mount Agung is situated on the way to Pura Besakih, one of the important temples in Bali.

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. The May 12 1998 case completion team said it had sent delegates to the UN Commission on Human Rights annual meeting in Geneva, which is currently in process and will end on April 23.

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 increased to some 7,500 cubic meters.

Military to safeguard elections in troubled Aceh

Military to safeguard elections in troubled Aceh Tiarma 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. Commander of the North Aceh Military overseeing also Lhokseumawe and Bireuen, Lt. Col.

Taiwan accused of Spratlys violation

Taiwan accused of Spratlys violation VIETNAM: 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. Taiwan has put up a house on the Ban Than coral reef on the archipelago in the South China Sea, Vietnam's Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung said in a statement late on Tuesday.

ARF to cooperation in transport sector

ARF to cooperation in transport sector Agence France-Presse Manila Members 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 mess Eva 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 area Andi 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 missing, to a safer area, officials said on Wednesday.

Thursday, April 1, 2004

Thursday, April 1, 2004 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Children Show 7:30 Music: Asyik-Asyik 9:00 TV Series 10:00 Documentary 11:00 Singing Contest: Konteswara 11:30 Pariwisata 12:00 p.m.

Experts criticize government's decision to hike phone rates

Experts criticize government's decision to hike phone rates Dewi 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. RICE: 32 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 24 White House agrees to public Rice testimony 4. MEGA: 28 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 47 Megawati, a housewife, party leader and President

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. Pictured above are Kikwete (center) and his wife, Salma, being welcomed by the hotel's General Manager, Poul E. Bitsch (left).

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 has undertaken many initiatives to alleviate poverty through a variety of policies and programs.

Supreme Court gains gains freedom and powers

Supreme Court gains gains freedom and powers Muninggar 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 courts' independence, the justice minister said.

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 1.57 trillion (US$183 million) compared with 336.25 billion rupiah the previous year. Indosat said sales rose year-on-year to Rp 8.23 trillion from Rp 6.76 trillion.

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. Chief of Watubela, Kesui and Teor Islands' Community Union Dien Kelilauw blamed the poor medical facilities for the high number of fatalities.

Govt draft 2005 economic indicators

Govt draft 2005 economic indicators The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Finance Boediono said on Wednesday that the government would submit the 2005 macroeconomic assumptions to the House of Representatives in May. He said that the figures could be used by the new government as a basis to design the 2005 state budget. "We'll formulate economic figures that could be achieved in 2005," he said.

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. * Painting Perempuan by Made Gunawan, at Jenggala Keramik Bali, Jl Uluwatu 2, Jimbaran, until April 8. * Fine Art Rhythm by Color by Delapan Perupa dari Berbagai Gaya, Bharata The Gallery, Jl. Raya Nyuh Kuning Pengosekan, Ubud, until April 1.

Filthy terminal

Filthy terminal From 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. The whole terminal is the very picture of filth.

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 Open The 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. Candra and Halim lost to home hopefuls Lee Dong-soo and Yoo Yong-sung 15-10, 15-11 in 38 minutes, the tournament's website said.

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. Candidates include Mahmud Hamundu, the incumbent rector of Halu Oleo and Faad Maonde, a deputy rector of the university.

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. Commanders and superiors -- both military and civilian -- may also be held liable for criminal offenses committed by persons under their direct command and control or effective authority and control.

50,000 observers ready for April polls

50,000 observers ready for April polls SEMARANG: 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 Observing Community (Mapilu).

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.

Copiers used in rush to meet election day

Copiers used in rush to meet election day The 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 in certain areas.

Megawati, a housewife, a leader and the President

Megawati, a housewife, a leader and the President Fabiola 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. Holding their attention was Megawati Soekarnoputri, the incumbent President and leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). Earlier, she had asked her supporters in a firm yet soft voice to draw nearer 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. Members of the club are employees of Lippo Bank, AIG Lippo insurance, Matahari department stores, Siloam Gleneagles Hospital and Lippo Karawaci Supermall.

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 change to the state of the nation.

Crooked politicians named in Bali

Crooked politicians named in Bali Wahyoe 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. The anticorruption group urged the Balinese people not to vote for them in the upcoming legislative election. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) had the most candidates on the list.

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, masih tetap tidak efektif sampai ke masyarakat bawah. Lembaga non KPU yang dimaksud adalah lembaga masyarakat yang mendapat bantuan dari pihak asing.

Golkar vote may be at risk in S. Sulawesi

Golkar vote may be at risk in S. Sulawesi Andi 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. The party can count on its loyalists here to win both the general election and the presidency -- as long as the party leadership heeds the tendency toward pragmatism and the ethnic sentiments of its supporters.

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. Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said the number of registered overseas voters was minimal because most were illegal migrants or worked in informal sectors, which are beyond the reach of Indonesian missions.

Azas Tigor fights for disadvantaged

Azas Tigor fights for disadvantaged Emmy 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?

Harsh penalties may stop animal smugglers

Harsh penalties may stop animal smugglers Tony 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. Coordinator of ProFauna Jakarta Hardi Baktiantoro said the criminal sentences for traders and smugglers of endangered animals were too light compared to the state losses accrued from illegal sales. "The sentences are unfair.

Prosecutor's office staff implicated in foiled escape

Prosecutor's office staff implicated in foiled escape The 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. "Our investigation reveals that the three men -- Sukrisman, Padmawinata and Dadang -- did not handcuff Gunawan.

Polls give more than promises to scavengers

Polls give more than promises to scavengers Multa 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 1.57 trillion (US$183 million) compared with 336.25 billion rupiah the previous year. Indosat said sales rose year-on-year to Rp 8.23 trillion from Rp 6.76 trillion.

Policeman to face trial over Papua rights abuses

Policeman to face trial over Papua rights abuses Andi 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. It is the only human rights tribunal in the eastern part of Indonesia.

Part 2 of 2

Part 2 of 2 U.S.-Indonesia relationship enters new era Ali 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. We in Indonesia believe that this could best be achieved through multilateral cooperation and enlightened global partnership rather than through confrontation or through multilateral imposition. By utilizing what Prof.

Shot bystranders won't sue

Shot bystranders won't sue Eva 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 from the force. "We are not going to sue anyone because we are only small people ...

JP/5/ABEPURA

JP/5/ABEPURA Indictment of Abepura case handed over to human rights tribunal Andi 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. It is the only human rights tribunal in the eastern part of Indonesia.

Democratic Party fortune tellers' favorite

Democratic Party fortune tellers' favorite Abdul 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 presidential elections on July 5. Their conclusions are often dismissed by politicians, especially those who do badly in their predictions, as the reasoning of "know-it-alls".

Two more dossiers on BNI scandal rejected

Two more dossiers on BNI scandal rejected P.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 1.7 trillion financial fraud involving Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), the Gramarindo Group and the Petindo Group. Nurcahyo is former deputy of BNI Region X, while Haris is from PT Mahesa, a subsidiary of PT Gramarindo.

JP/5/ABEPURA

JP/5/ABEPURA Indictment of Abepura case handed over to human rights tribunal Andi 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. It is the only human rights tribunal in the eastern part of Indonesia.

Government monopolies

Government monopolies Patrick 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. A fresh government could take those complaints and turn them into an opportunity for real progress in this country.

President inaugurates three new envoys

President inaugurates three new envoys Fabiola 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. Rezlan Izhar Jenie was sworn in as Indonesia's permanent representative to UN Headquarters, Iris Indira Murti as the ambassador to Finland and Kemas Fachruddin as the ambassador to Yemen.

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. Executive director Julia Novy-Hildesley and program officer Satesh Namasivayam are working with the IPB to study the correlation of their programs for developing countries with actual conditions in the field.

Hartono repeats blind support for Soeharto

Hartono repeats blind support for Soeharto SURABAYA: 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. "Not only loyalists, we are the protectors of Soeharto," Hartono addressed some 5,000 supporters while campaigning on Wednesday at the November 10 Stadium in Surabaya.

JP/20/AZAS

JP/20/AZAS Azas Tigor fights for just cause Emmy 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?

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. "They were also not informed about where the cartons were taken to later," Muhammad Rais, 29, told the South Jakarta District Court, AFP reported. Rais was testifying in the case of Suprapto, Solihin, and Heru Setianto.

Indonesia on course

Indonesia on course The 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. The 1999 polls were held in the testy aftermath of the Asian economic crisis and the departure of the Soeharto regime, an exit that released destructive forces created by the centrifugal pulls of ethnicity and regionalism.

Indonesia gets into the swing of things at Manila baseball event

Indonesia gets into the swing of things at Manila baseball event Mariko Takayasu, Contributor, Jakarta Baseball's popularity in Indonesia is growing steadily with children and adults playing the game year round, rain or shine. On weekends, scores of baseball players from Indonesia and other countries descend upon Jakarta's prized baseball fields at Senayan to perfect their hitting, batting and fielding in a sport fast becoming a favorite.

Supreme Court gains its official independence

Supreme Court gains its official independence Muninggar 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 courts' independence, the justice minister said.