Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 11 May 2004

66 articles found

3 x 20

3 x 20 Thousands abandon homes as floods hit Sulawesi, Kalimantan JP/5/bomb 1 x 36 Medan bombing suspects to face trial 1 x 32 Elected Lampung councillor arrested JP/5/makassar 1 x 33 Officers fired over campus attack

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Gus Dur and the KPU: Rethinking discrimination Health requirements vital for presidential candidate Thomas Hidya Tjaya Jakarta 2. Phil -- It's the high time for ASEAN to develop a conflict prevention Mechanism 1 X 30 Preventing conflicts within ASEAN Philips Jusario Vermonte Jakarta

PDI-P legislators reported to police

PDI-P legislators reported to police TANGERANG: A councillor-ellect from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) in Tangerang regency, Barhum, 38, was reported to Tangerang Police on Monday for allegedly submitting a fake high school diploma for his candidacy. Barhum was reported by another PDI-P official in Sepatan district Ali Musa, who said Barhum never graduated from SMUN 2 state high school.

China, Korea and Chinese Taipei into Uber quarterfinals

China, Korea and Chinese Taipei into Uber quarterfinals Zakki P. Hakim, Jakarta China, Chinese Taipei and South Korea each emerged each as group winners and followed Denmark in the quarterfinals of the Uber Cup badminton championship after chalking up their second wins in their last group matches at the Bung Karno Indoor Stadium here on Monday.

Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, May 11, 2004

Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, May 11, 2004 Performance * Traditional Performance, Banjet Teluk Jambe Taman Budaya, Jl. Bukit Dago Selatan No. 53 A (Tel. 022 2504912), 7:30 p.m., May 15. Film * French Film, CCF (French Cultural Center), Jl. Purnawarman 32 (Tel. 022 4212417), 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., every Tuesday and Thursday. Music and Entertainment * Sheraton Bandung Hotel and Towers, Jl. Ir. H. Juanda No. 390 (Tel. 022 2500303): - SOB Fun Pub: Live music, daily, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Local courier services less expensive, but reliable

Local courier services less expensive, but reliable Joseph Kirschke, Contributor, Jakarta In 1998, Hubert Fournier was working as an organizer for a painting exhibition in Jakarta. Using a single courier, he sent out 1,000 invitations to people -- expats and locals alike -- across the city. Unfortunately, he recalled, a third of them arrived late.

RI, Malaysia can safeguard Malacca Strait, U.S. says

RI, Malaysia can safeguard Malacca Strait, U.S. says Veeramalla Anjaiah, Jakarta In a clear attempt to calm down Indonesia and Malaysia, a senior U.S. diplomat emphasized on Monday the two countries were more than capable of safeguarding the Strait of Malacca and played down the possibility the superpower would deploy its troops there. "There are lots of strange stories. We have no intentions in the Malacca Straits.

Thousands abandon homes as floods hit Sulawesi, Kalimantan

Thousands abandon homes as floods hit Sulawesi, Kalimantan Jongker Rumthe and Ruslan Sangadji, Manado/Palu Floods hit several parts of Sulawesi island and the provinces of East and Central Kalimantan on Monday, forcing thousands of local residents to flee to safer areas. No casualties were reported after the flooding, which was triggered by three days of heavy rain from Friday. Rainfall continued on Monday in the affected areas of North Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi.

Smuggling rose during general election: Customs

Smuggling rose during general election: Customs Rendi A. Witular, Jakarta The inflow of smuggled goods to the country surged during the first quarter of this year, according to an internal report from the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. While the report did not provide a clear explanation of the reasons for the increase, one business leader said it was due to weaker law enforcement during that period as many were focussing on the legislative election, which ended last month.

Place your bets, people

Place your bets, people JAKARTA: The match between Indonesia and China at the men's team Thomas Cup on Monday attracted not only home fans to air their support but also journalists covering the biennial event who opened a bidding on who will be the eventual winner. There are 13 journalists from various countries for a wager of Rp20,000 (US$2.30) each. Four journalists placed their bets to the Chinese team while the majority put it on the Indonesian team. The pool was closed at 17:40 p.m.

'Black Monday' as stocks plummet by almost 5%

'Black Monday' as stocks plummet by almost 5% Rendi A. Witular, Jakarta The Jakarta stock market fell precipitously for the eighth straight trading day on Monday as regional stock markets also plunged on growing fears that the U.S. Federal Reserve would increase its interest rate in June. The Indonesian rupiah also weakened against the U.S. dollar, following losses in other regional currencies amid the Fed's rate-hike plan and by China's policy to slow the pace of its overheating economy.

Pulo Gebang to be best terminal

Pulo Gebang to be best terminal Damar Harsanto, Jakarta The abandoned Pulo Gebang intercity bus terminal in East Jakarta, now the site of a large fish-pond, would become the most modern bus terminal in the city and replace the overcrowded Pulogadung terminal, the Jakarta Transportation Agency said on Monday.

More evidence now against Hassan Tiro

More evidence now against Hassan Tiro JAKARTA: The police say they will provide more evidence to Swedish prosecutors against the leader and founder of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), Hasan Tiro, by sending a laptop containing electronic mails between Hassan and Acehnese rebels. The National Police's First director of Defense and Transnational Crime, Brig. Gen. Aryanto Sutadi said on Monday that the laptop, currently being kept at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, would be sent on Tuesday.

RI market remains promising for courier firms

RI market remains promising for courier firms Rudijanto, Contributor, Jakarta While the country struggles to boost its exports, and prepares for its first-ever direct presidential election, the local market remains promising for international and domestic courier and express-delivery companies.

Ba'asyir refuses temporary release

Ba'asyir refuses temporary release P.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir refused on Monday to allow his team of lawyers to file a temporary release motion on humanitarian grounds because this would mean begging for leniency from the United States. "Ustadz asked us to cancel our plan, saying that his detention was due partially to U.S. intervention," said M. Luthfie Hakim after visiting Ba'asyir at the National Police Headquarters on Monday.

Mega cancels visit to Central Sulawesi

Mega cancels visit to Central Sulawesi PALU, Central Sulawesi: President Megawati Soekarnoputri will postpone her planned visit to Central Sulawesi province indefinitely, a senior government official said on Monday. Rully Arifudin Lamadjido, a senior official at the Central Sulawesi provincial administration, said the President was busy with state affairs in Jakarta.

Two arrested for $2.3m graft case

Two arrested for $2.3m graft case Evi Mariani, Jakarta A businessman and a local bank employee were arrested over the weekend by the Jakarta Police over an alleged fraud involving a letter of credit (L/C) worth US$2.3 million following a complaint filed by Citibank, police sources revealed on Monday. The head of corporate affairs at Citibank's parent company, Citigroup Indonesia, Ditta Amarhoseya, confirmed the alleged fraud, saying that Citibank filed the complaint on April 29.

Adam Air spreads wings to more big cities

Adam Air spreads wings to more big cities Tony Hotland, Jakarta Newly established Adam Sky Connection Airlines (Adam Air) has spread its wings by opening new routes from Jakarta to two major cities, Semarang, Central Java, and Surabaya, East Java, to capitalize on the large number of potential passengers.

Students donate blood for Ambon victims

Students donate blood for Ambon victims KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: About 100 students from the Maluku islands donated their blood on Monday to increase supplies in their home province, following recent conflict in the area in which 36 people were killed and hundreds of others were injured. The donation was held at the Southeast Sulawesi provincial government office. The blood will be shipped to Maluku to raise stocks in Maluku hospitals, student coordinator Firmansyah said. -- JP

Germans to aim shots at RI's singles

Germans to aim shots at RI's singles Zakki P. Hakim and Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post The German women's team looks to exploit what it sees as the weakness of its Indonesian opponent when the two meet in the playoff here on Tuesday. German team manager Martin Kranitz said, after observing the match between Indonesia and the Netherlands in their Group W match, his team was looking to take points from the host singles trio.

Hamzah Haz to run for presidency with Gen. Agum

Hamzah Haz to run for presidency with Gen. Agum The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Surabaya United Development Party (PPP) leader Hamzah Haz has added his name to the list of presidential candidates when he announced on Monday he would join the race, picking Cabinet minister Gen. (ret.) Agum Gumelar as his running mate. PPP executive Sofyan Usman said the decision followed a meeting of party leaders on Monday night at the official residence of vice-president Hamzah in Central Jakarta.

Rexy enjoys coching stint in England

Rexy enjoys coching stint in England Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta Former Indonesian badminton star Rexy Mainaky looks to be enjoying his coaching stint in England. Rexy, paired up with Ricky Subagdja, won the Olympic gold in Atlanta. After their failure to defend the title in Sydney in 2000, Rexy announced retirement and chose to try his coaching expertise in England in 2001.

[b]TNI to help

TNI to help release Fery 2. MK ( 2 x 24) Court starts hearing electoral complaints 3. UAN ( 2 x 21 ) Students pessimistic, worried about tough UAN 4. Truth (1 x 24) Military objects to 'truth' 5. Baasyir (1x 35) Ba'asyir refuses temporary release

Officers fired over campus attack

Officers fired over campus attack Andi Hajramurni, Makassar A police disciplinary committee dismissed here on Monday three high-ranking officers in South Sulawesi from their posts for their roles in a recent brutal attack on the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI), Makassar. The committee also ordered the detention of the three police officers for 12 days to 17 days in the custody of the province police internal affairs division.

Elected Lampung councillor arrested

Elected Lampung councillor arrested Evi Mariani and Apriadi Gunawan, Jakarta/Medan A Lampung Democratic Party councillor was arrested on drugs charges on Monday while attending the party's presidential candidacy announcement at the Jakarta Convention Center in Senayan. Daniel Hutapea was escorted out of the plush convention center by Medan and Jakarta police during the function and was later detained at the Jakarta Police headquarters. Hutapea has been on the police's wanted list since May 1.

Illegal logging goes on unabated

Illegal logging goes on unabated Nethy Dharma Somba and Rusman, Jayapura/Samarinda Illegal logging continues unchecked in East Kalimantan province and Papua, Indonesia's westernmost province, sparking fears among government officials and environmentalists that pristine forests in the two provinces will soon disappear.

Civil society group sues KPU for perceived election failures

Civil society group sues KPU for perceived election failures Urip Hudiono, Jakarta A civil society group calling itself the People's Movement for a New Indonesia (GRIB) filed a civil suit on Monday with the Central Jakarta District Court against the General Elections Committee (KPU) for its perceived failure to stage an election that fulfilled the public's hope for better government.

HI workers end dispute, reemployment on the cards

HI workers end dispute, reemployment on the cards Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta After nearly a month of negotiation, workers from Hotel Indonesia (HI) and Inna Wisata Hotel ended their dispute with the hotel management company, PT Hotel Indonesia Natour (HIN), by accepting their dismissals under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday. The agreement was reached after a guarantee was made that the workers would be prioritized as employees at the hotel after its renovation.

Arsonists did not spare Ambon 'reconciliation school' in clash

Arsonists did not spare Ambon 'reconciliation school' in clash M. Azis Tunny, Ambon The torching of a school on April 28 that served as a symbol of reconciliation appears to have put paid to the efforts to restore peace in Ambon through education -- for the time being at any rate. Two months ago on March 2, students resumed their studies at the Muhammadiyah senior high school after it was rebuilt following an arson attack during the previous fighting.

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D; *Hamzah Haz to run for presidency with Gen. Agum Page 2 *TNI to help release Fery Page 4 *Thousands flee homes as floods hit Sulawesi, Kalimantan Page 5 *Gus Dur and the KPU: Rethinking discrimination Page 6 *City has fish to fry, but not to eat Page 8 *Chechnya buries slain leader, mulls future Page 10 *Nets silence Pistons to get back in East semifinals Page 11 *RI needs more reform for higher growth: IMF Page 13 *Dali: Genius or self-promoter? Page 20

Susilo-Jusuf Kalla pairing registers with KPU

Susilo-Jusuf Kalla pairing registers with KPU M. Taufiqurrahman and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta A coalition of three political parties on Monday registered Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla as presidential and vice presidential candidates in the July 5 election, the first to register with the General Elections Commission (KPU).

Four-legged baby awaits parental consent

Four-legged baby awaits parental consent Leony Aurora, Jakarta Doctors at Cipto Mangunkusumo general hospital (RSCM), Central Jakarta, await consent from the parents of Ani, a four-legged baby from East Kalimantan, to carry out more complex tests necessary to determine further action. Coordinator of public services at the hospital's children ward Harry Purwanto said on Monday that the hospital had carried out preliminary tests, including heart echo, thorax picture and ultrasonography (USG).

Govt to launch Rp 3.5 trillion bonds

Govt to launch Rp 3.5 trillion bonds The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government will issue a seven-year bond on May 25 through an open auction -- the fourth batch of bonds it has issued this year. The bonds are worth about Rp 3.5 trillion (about US$397 million) and carry a fixed-rate coupon of 10 percent with a seven-year maturity profile, the Ministry of Finance said on Monday. "A coupon will be payable twice a year on Oct. 15 and April 15," it said.

Indonesia goes down to China, relegated to play-off against NZ

Indonesia goes down to China, relegated to play-off against NZ Eva C. Komandjaja and Novan Iman Santosa, Jakarta Indonesia suffered a loss to China in their last Group A match in the Thomas Cup badminton championship here on Monday. The defeat relegated the defending champion to a playoff against New Zealand and a traditionally heated, crunch game against Malaysia now looms. Sony Dwi Kuncoro, world No. 9, stepped onto the court first. He battled hard but found the world No.

Military objects to 'truth'

Military objects to 'truth' Kurniawan Hari, Jakarta The House of Representatives (DPR) on Monday opened the debates of the bill on the truth and reconciliation commission with the Military/Police faction rejecting it outright before deliberations began. Spokesman for the Military/Police faction Maj. Gen. Djasri Marin said the faction wanted the removal of the word "truth" from the bill's title.

Police trace origin of Pekanbaru bomb

Police trace origin of Pekanbaru bomb BATAM, Riau: After identifying suspects in the recent Pekanbaru bombing, police investigators are now trying to trace the origin of the explosives. Riau Provincial Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. S. Pandiangan said police were hunting down Boy, one of four suspects in the case, who was believed to have assembled the bomb with another bomb suspect Irwanto. Irwanto, is still being treated at a hospital in Pekanbaru.

IMF: RI needs more reform for higher growth

IMF: RI needs more reform for higher growth Dow Jones, Washington The International Monetary Fund lauded Indonesia's progress in economic reforms but also said that, for a sustained higher growth, the country needs further efforts, such as banking reforms.

Preventing conflicts within ASEAN

Preventing conflicts within ASEAN Philips Jusario Vermonte, Jakarta Two recent incidents in the southern part of Thailand and in Maluku province, Indonesia, should certainly serve as an eye opener for ASEAN. After four days of deadly clashes in Ambon, the capital city of Maluku, more than 30 people were killed and hundreds badly injured.

Medan bombing suspects to face trial

Medan bombing suspects to face trial Apriadi Gunawan and Ruslan Sangadji, Medan/Palu Eight suspects in the January bombing incident in Medan, North Sumatra, are expected to stand trial soon as police handed over their case files to prosecutors on Monday. The dossiers stated that the suspects -- Marzuki, Anwaruddin, Syaifullah, Didin, Abdul Somad, Tengku Usman, Ridwan Botak and Atekri -- were allegedly members of the rebel Free Aceh Movement (GAM) for the Medan-Deli area.

1. HAMSYAH: 3 LINES, 15 COUNTS

1. HAMSYAH: 3 LINES, 15 COUNTS Hamzah Haz to run for presidency with Gen. Agum 2. TAUFIK: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS Taufik in trouble over minor incident better: Bad boy Taufik is in trouble again 3. HASSAN: 2 LINES, 24 COUNTS RI, Malaysia can safeguard Malacca Strait, U.S. says 4. AMBON: 2 LINES, 32 COUNTS Arsonists did not spare Ambon 'reconciliation school' in clash

RI ministers denied access to worker

RI ministers denied access to worker JAKARTA: The Minister for Manpower Jacob Nuwa Wea and State Minister for Womens Empowerment Sri Rejeki were denied access to an Indonesian worker, Sundarti Suprianto, 24, at Singapore's Changi Women's Penitentiary. Claiming that they had been appointed by President Megawati Soekarnoputri to negotiate with the Singaporean authorities, Jacob and Sri Rejeki flew to the city state on Monday to meet Sundarti, who is currently facing a death sentence for murder.

Merpati pilot union against privatization plan

Merpati pilot union against privatization plan Tony Hotland, Jakarta The Association of Pilots of PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines has refused the management's plan to privatize the state-owned company, but failed to disclose any details regarding the refusal. However, Merpati's general manager in charge of corporate affairs Imam Turidy said the dispute between the association and the company's management was simply a misunderstanding.

Tommy leaves hospital in chopper

Tommy leaves hospital in chopper JAKARTA: Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, son of former president Soeharto, was discharged from the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital on Monday and left the building in a helicopter. News portal detik.com quoted a hospital employee as saying that the helicopter was sent by Nusakambangan Penitentiary officers to retrieve the convict.

Tax office moves ahead with new plan

Tax office moves ahead with new plan The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In relation to plans to raise income tax on stock transactions, the Directorate General of Taxation will soon meet with related institutions, including business associations, to hear views on the issue. Hadi Purnomo, the tax office head, said on Monday the meeting was necessary so as not to create unnecessary impact, such as heavy shocks to the rising industry.

'Badminton only sport that we are proud of'

'Badminton only sport that we are proud of' The Thomas and Uber Cup badminton team championships kicked off in Jakarta on Friday and will run until May 16. The Badminton Association of Indonesia is hoping the event will be a success and that Indonesia will be able to retain the Thomas Cup. The Jakarta Post talked to some residents about Indonesia's chances in the event and the public's response to the championships.

City has fish for to fry, but not to eat

City has fish for to fry, but not to eat Damar Harsanto, Jakarta The Jakarta Environmental Management Agency (BPLHD) called on residents on Monday to temporarily stop consuming fish caught in Jakarta Bay. The call was made following media reports that thousands of fish and clams had been found dead over the weekend after being intoxicated by heavily polluted sea water.

Conjoined twins from Medan stable

Conjoined twins from Medan stable Conjoined twins Angie and Angeli from Medan, North Sumatra, have been stable for the last two weeks, but doctors will await an improvement in their condition and for the results of several more tests before performing separation surgery.

The vote

The vote The nation, for only the 11th time since 1946, goes to the polls today to choose the country's chief executive. Not only is our future at stake, but apparently our past is involved too. The Commission on Elections' bloated list of voters includes -- by the Comelec chair's own admission -- its share of the dead. By and large, the election agency has met the minimum requirements for conducting a national election-but just barely. Are the elections a choice between change and continuity?

JP/12/SCORE

JP/12/SCORE Uber Cup Group W China 5 Netherlands 0 Gong Ruina (Chn) def. Karina De Wit (Ned) 13-11, 11-5 Zhou Mi (Chn) def. Judith Meulendijks (Ned) 11-5, 10-13, 11-5 Xie Xingfang (Chn) def. Brenda Breenhakker (Ned) 11-2, 11-2 Yang Wei/Huang Sui (Chn) def. Paulien van Doormalen/Eva Krab (Ned) 15-0, 15-2 Wei Yili/Zhao Tingting (Chn) def. Karina De Wit/Brenda Beenhakker (Ned) 15-1, 15-3 Group X Chinese Taipei 4 Germany 1 Xu Huaiwen (Ger) def.

Social insurance debate begins

Social insurance debate begins JAKARTA: The House of Representatives and the government, represented by ad interim coordinating minister for public welfare Malik Fadjar and Minister of Health Ashamed Sujudi, have started discussing the national social insurance system (SJSN) bill. Malik Fadjar said the bill was intended to allow an increase in the number of social insurance participants and a greater variety in insurance schemes.

Taufik in trouble over minor insident

Taufik in trouble over minor insident Evi Mariani and Novan Iman Santosa, Jakarta Indonesian top shuttler Taufik Hidayat was reported to the Jakarta Police on Monday due to his involvement in a traffic incident at the Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, just nine hours prior to his encounter with Chinese contender Bao Chunlai in the Thomas Cup championship.

Proton considers tie-up with firms

Proton considers tie-up with firms Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia's national carmaker Proton is in talks with three foreign firms, including Britain's MG Rover group, for possible tie-ups but will not rush to sign on a strategic partner, a report said Monday.

Indonesia ready to supply LNG

Indonesia ready to supply LNG Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia is ready to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Singapore's planned LNG terminal, a senior official said on Monday. "Singapore has market potential, but not that great, so it won't be a problem," head of the Oil and Gas Upstream Regulatory Agency (BP Migas) Rachmat Sudibyo told The Jakarta Post.

Gus Dur and the KPU: Rethinking discrimination

Gus Dur and the KPU: Rethinking discrimination Thomas Hidya Tjaya, Jakarta The issue of discrimination has recently reemerged in the political discourse in this country as it is gears up for the presidential election. The General Elections Commission (KPU) has issued health requirements for presidential and vice presidential candidates that stipulate, among other things, that they should have good eyesight.

Market razed by fire in Semarang

Market razed by fire in Semarang SEMARANG: Fire razed the Karangjati market in Bergas, Semarang, on Sunday night, with more than 300 traders losing their stock worth some Rp 4 billion (US$ 470,588). Witnesses said a fire began in a kiosk belonging to a trader, Karno, and quickly spread into the other shops. An electrical fault was believed to be the cause. Shortly after the incident, police arrested three people for looting electronic goods and gold. -- JP

Local couriers' services cheap but reliable

Local couriers' services cheap but reliable Joseph Kirschke Contributor Jakarta In 1998, Hubert Fournier was working as an organizer for a painting exhibition in Jakarta. Using a single courier, he sent out 1,000 invitations to people -- expats and locals alike -- across the city. Unfortunately, he recalled, a third of them arrived late.

Court starts hearing electoral complaints

Court starts hearing electoral complaints Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta A petition filed by the Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) against the General Elections Commission (KPU) over the results of the legislative election became the first electoral case to be heard by the Constitutional Court on Monday.

East Timor judge issues arrest warrant for Wiranto

East Timor judge issues arrest warrant for Wiranto Agencies, Jakarta A United Nations-backed East Timor tribunal issued an arrest warrant on Monday for former Indonesian Military chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto for his alleged crimes against humanity in 1999 when East Timor broke from Jakarta's rule.

Rupiah and interest rates

Rupiah and interest rates The move by Indonesia's central bank last week to significantly raise the ceiling interest rates on time deposits under the blanket guarantee scheme should be welcomed as a correct and timely measure to save the rupiah exchange rate from wild volatility.

Indonesia and Malaysia strike deal on labor recruitment

Indonesia and Malaysia strike deal on labor recruitment Dewi Santoso, Jakarta As of Aug. 10, 2004, Malaysian employers will be required to hire Indonesian migrant workers directly from authorized Indonesian labor exporting companies and pay the workers the prevailing wage of around RM 1,000 (US$262.42) per month.

Infighting won't hurt NU: Experts

Infighting won't hurt NU: Experts A. Junaidi, Jakarta The political ambitions of some leaders of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) may create friction within the nation's largest Muslim organization, but the conflict would not affect members at the grass roots, observers say. "Conflicts are an ordinary phenomena of NU's culture," scholar Muslim Abdurrahman told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

Governor reelection postponed indefinitely

Governor reelection postponed indefinitely BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: New elections for the posts of Lampung governor and deputy, which were to be held last Saturday, have been postponed indefinitely after a council faction fielding candidates asked for more time.

Students pessimistic, worried about tough UAN

Students pessimistic, worried about tough UAN The Jakarta Post, Semarang/Medan/Ambon/Kupang It was only the first day of the final examinations, but students across the country were already worried about failing to get a pass grade of 4.01 in all subjects following a particularly tough English paper. The final exams for high school students will run for a week, starting Monday.

'Tempo' said to use press principles

'Tempo' said to use press principles JAKARTA: Two expert witnesses told the Central Jakarta District Court on Monday that the Tempo magazine article, 'Is Tomy in Tenabang?' had complied with all basic journalistic principles and contained no defamatory or provocative suggestions.

TNI agrees to help free Fery Santoro

TNI agrees to help free Fery Santoro Tiarma Siboro, Jakarta The Indonesian Military (TNI) said it had agreed to ensure the safe transfer of around 100 civilians, including RCTI cameraman Fery Santoro, from Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels who have been holding them hostage for almost a year. TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said on Monday the military troops in Lhokseumawe, North Aceh, had been ordered to hold their fire ahead of the planned release on Thursday.

We need honest president

We need honest president From Koran TEMPO The general chairman of the central executive board of Muhammadiyah, Syafi'i Ma'arif, has said there are now presidential candidates from the military because civilian leaders have failed in leading this country. He said the emergence of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Gen. (ret.) Wiranto as presidential nominees should be critically responded to in order to prevent the return of an authoritarian government. I agree with Syafi'i.