Archive: 21 May 2004
66 articles found
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Clough wins RI mining extension
Clough wins RI mining extension PERTH: Clough Ltd., a mining and offshore services contractor, won a A$28 million (US$19.5 million) extension of a coal mining contract with PT Gunungbayan Pratamacoal, or GBP, in Indonesia.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Sierra Leone citizen gets death for drug dealing
Sierra Leone citizen gets death for drug dealing Apriadi Gunawan, Medan The Medan District Court in North Sumatra sentenced on Wednesday a 28-year-old foreigner to death for serving as a middleman in international drug dealing. A panel of three judges, led by Dahlia Brahmana, accepted the sentencing demand by prosecutors for Sierra Leone citizen Okonkwo Nonso Kingsle, saying there was no compelling reason to hand down a lighter sentence.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Man kills wife over Rp 20m
Man kills wife over Rp 20m BEKASI: A man, who allegedly killed his wife late on Tuesday, accused her of stealing Rp 20 million (US$2,222), the proceeds of his family house in Lagoa, North Jakarta. Iwan Saleh, 36, is now being detained at Jatiasih Police station. His sister, Nuzulilla, had bought the house from Iwan for Rp 115 million. He gave the money to his wife, Eka Rita Luciana Yusuf, alias Erly.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Michelin Asia-Pacific clarifies
Michelin Asia-Pacific clarifies I am writing to clarify some points in your article published on May 15 regarding the agreements between Michelin and PT Gajah Tunggal (GT). There were in fact two different agreements signed between Michelin and GT. The first is a manufacturing agreement, where GT will be producing Michelin Group associate brand tires (Michelin and BFGoodrich) for export to Michelin markets outside Indonesia.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
'Corruption is still rife after Soeharto'
'Corruption is still rife after Soeharto' Former president Soeharto quit on May 21, 1998, amid a chaotic security and economic crisis after he had ruled for three decades. His resignation led to the reform era, which, after six years, many say has yet to rehabilitate the country's economy and the nation's integrity. The Jakarta Post asked a few residents their opinion about the changes that have occurred since then. Boedi Indratama, 30, is an executive at a private company in South Jakarta.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
East Timor could become failed state, aid agency says
East Timor could become failed state, aid agency says Reuters Canberra, Dili East Timor, the world's newest nation, is in danger of becoming a failed state because Australia is dragging its feet on maritime border talks and hindering the development of its neighbor, aid agency Oxfam said on Thursday.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Myanmar needs Suu Kyi for credible talks, neighbors say
Myanmar needs Suu Kyi for credible talks, neighbors say Agencies Bangkok, Jakarta Myanmar's neighbors stepped up calls for the release of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, saying her role in constitutional talks was key to giving the process credibility. Indonesia, which now chairs the 10-nation regional bloc, on Wednesday criticized Myanmar's decision to go ahead with constitutional talks without involving Aung San Suu Kyi's pro- democracy opposition.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Boediono says 4.8 percent growth target still realistic
Boediono says 4.8 percent growth target still realistic The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is optimistic that the country's economy can still grow by 4.8 percent this year as targeted, despite a weakening currency, rising oil prices and an economic slowdown in China. "We think that the 4.8 percent growth target is still realistic and can be achieved. We shouldn't be overly worried by short-term changes. Who knows?
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
RI firms face QC, promotion problems
RI firms face QC, promotion problems Tony Hotland, Jakarta Most of Indonesia's small and medium enterprises (SMEs) cannot enter the United States market, the world's largest, due to weak quality control and a dearth of opportunities for promoting their products. "Only about 1 percent of our SMEs have ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certificates, while the U.S.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Megawati to open antiterrorist school
Megawati to open antiterrorist school SEMARANG: President Megawati Soekarnoputri is scheduled on July 3 to inaugurate an international antiterrorist school being developed in Semarang, Central Java, by the National Police. The school will train high-ranking police officers from at least 24 countries in the Asia-Pacific region on how to deal with terrorism, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Wednesday. He added that trainers will come from Indonesia and other countries.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Police arrest 4 suspects for illegal firearms possession
Police arrest 4 suspects for illegal firearms possession Leony Aurora , Jakarta The Jakarta Police apprehended four suspects for illegal possession of firearms during a drugs operation last week. A number of firearms were also recovered from the suspects City police spokesman Sr. Comr. Prasetyo told a media conference on Wednesday that one of the suspects, Ready Hermawan, 49, claimed that the weapons belonged to his deceased father. But he was unable to produce permits for them.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Candidates to spend billions in election
Candidates to spend billions in election Slamet Susanto and M. Taufiqurrahman, Yogyakarta/Jakarta Presidential candidates are set to spend billions of rupiah in the one-month campaign period slated to begin on June 1, seeking financing from supporters and the business community, with some willing to empty their own pockets. Running mates Amien Rais and Siswono Yudhohusodo of the National Mandate Party (PAN) have estimated that they need some Rp 160 billion (US$17.7 million) to fund the campaign.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
No more rights activists?
No more rights activists? From Koran Tempo Human rights activists are apparently nowhere to be found anymore, while rights violators are not held accountable for their actions. Why is the struggle to uphold human rights suffering such a setback now? In the early 1990s, a lot of rights activists emerged, such as the late HJC Princen, who was director of a human rights defense institute and fought to uphold human rights in the face of suppression by the authorities.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Vote for whom?
Vote for whom? It is already clear that six pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates will compete in the July 5 election -- Megawati Soekarnoputri-Hasyim Muzadi, Wiranto-Solahuddin Wahid, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono-Jusuf Kalla, Amien Rais-Siswono Yudohusodo, Hamzah Haz-Agum Gumelar, and Abdurrahman Wahid-Marwah Daud Ibrahim. The question is, why should we vote for them? One or two of them have begun promoting themselves in the mass media.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. PKB: 1 LINE, 30 COUNTS
1. PKB: 1 LINE, 30 COUNTS PKB leaks parties' past political deal 2. INDIA: 2 LINS, 14 COUNTS Singh vows to foster reform and peace 3. SOLAHUDIN: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS Wiranto clear of rights abuse: Solahuddin 4. SOEHARTO: 1 LINE, 28 COUNTS Soeharto still beyond the law
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Independent candidates may contest local elections
Independent candidates may contest local elections Kurniawan Hari, Jakarta Independent candidates may soon be allowed to contest local elections to choose governors, regents, or mayors, according to proposed revisions to autonomy laws. The revised draft of Law No. 22 on the regional administration also proposes direct elections for governors, regents, or mayors.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Bulog wants more money for controversial program
Bulog wants more money for controversial program Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Commodity regulator, the State Logistics Agency (Bulog), has proposed a higher budget next year to provide a greater amount of inexpensive rice for tens of millions of poor families nationwide. Bulog chairman Widjanarko Puspoyo said that the agency wanted to increase the amount to Rp 5.61 trillion (US$623 million) in 2005 to distribute around 2.2 million tons of rice to low-income households.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
KL needs more Indonesian workers
KL needs more Indonesian workers BANDUNG: The Malaysian state of Selangor needs about one million more workers from Indonesia for its construction and domestic service sectors due to a housing boom there. Selangor Governor Mohamad Khir Bin Toyo said on the sidelines of the Tourism Selangor Road Show here that the current one million Indonesian workers in the state were not sufficient, and an additional one million were required. "We need healthy and strong workers from Indonesia.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah Rates May 19
Rupiah Rates May 19 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,599.60 5,901.75 6,284.02 6,217.11 Brunei dollar 1 5,529.73 4,945.69 5,265.30 5,209.97 Canadian dollar 1 6,858.65 6,135.61 6,530.67 6,463.47 Swiss franc 1 7,418.52 6,636.79 7,063.78 6,991.43 Danish krone 1 1,530.58 1,368.62 1,457.39 1,441.75 Euro 1 11,384.70 10,183.94 10,840.29 10,728.12 Poundsterling 1 16,842.50 15,068.14 16,037.11 15,873.31 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,220.11 1,091.60 1,161.76 1,149.93...
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto's legal journey
Soeharto's legal journey May 21, 1998: Soeharto steps down Sept. 25, 1998: Soeharto authorizes prosecutors to search for his alleged overseas deposits and assets Nov. 22, 1998: Soeharto hands over his seven tax-free charity foundations to the state Dec. 2, 1998: President B.J. Habibie issues an instruction to investigate Soeharto's wealth Dec. 9, 1998: Soeharto is questioned for the first time, reportedly for four hours Jan.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
New oil and gas law enhances income sharing
New oil and gas law enhances income sharing Untung Suryanto, Surabaya It was very interesting to read the opinion piece by T.N. Mahmud, a former CEO of Arco Indonesia, in The Jakarta Post on May 5. His comments and proposals indeed represent the opinions of a highly regarded oilman who spent years in the oil and gas industry in Indonesia and who probably has seen the final draft of the long-awaited RPP Hulu (Upstream Implementation Guideline) for Law No. 22/2001 on oil and gas.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Air Asia to increase flights from Bandung
Air Asia to increase flights from Bandung BANDUNG: Malaysia's Air Asia plans to increase flights from Kuala Lumpur to Bandung, West Java, to meet rising demands for more planes serving the route. Air Asia Country Manager Nasser Abu Kasim said his company would provide two flights every day between Kuala Lumpur and Bandung starting in July. "Since the flight was launched on April 12, we have flown around 2,500 passengers from Bandung to Kuala Lumpur.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Soeharto still beyond the law
Soeharto still beyond the law Kurniawan Hari, Jakarta The country will mark on Friday the sixth anniversary of president Soeharto's resignation -- and the failure to bring him to court for his alleged involvement in a number of graft cases. Legal observers say the whole nation is responsible for the inability of the country's legal system to touch Soeharto.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Govt plans to write off farmers' bad debts
Govt plans to write off farmers' bad debts The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government plans to write off some Rp 5.7 trillion (US$633 million)-worth of bad debts owed by farmers, according to Minister of Finance Boediono. He said the amount was part of a total Rp 7.89 trillion in bad debts owed by farmers. The debt was part of a special credit facility, KUT, channeled by the government to farmers between 1995 and 2000. The interest on the credit is subsidized by the government.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Police committee orders detention of 18 officers over Flores shooting
Police committee orders detention of 18 officers over Flores shooting Yemris Fointuna Kupang A police disciplinary committee in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, ordered 18 officers to be detained on Thursday for only six days for their role in a shooting incident last March on Flores island that killed six people. However, the committee exonerated another low-ranking officer of all charges over the shooting in Manggarai regency, Flores.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Residents attack officials' homes
Residents attack officials' homes TANGERANG: Hundreds of residents attacked on Thursday the houses of Lontar village officials, who they accused of taking bribes to allow offshore sand mining to resume in the area. The houses of village head Sanusi, village representative body (BPD) chairman Animan and the chairman of Indonesian Fishermen's Union (HNSI) were damaged by the residents. The occupants managed to escape through back entrances and no one was injured.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Applying the three Cs
Applying the three Cs While observing recent political events leading up to the most democratic event ever to be held, the upcoming presidential election, we could evaluate political aspirants through all kinds of management theories, from the very basic, applying local principles or the proven and sophisticated theories adapted from developed countries. Some concepts are still applicable such as the 3Cs: Commitment, consistency and consequentiality.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
HIV/AIDS ctivists icollaborate with police
HIV/AIDS ctivists icollaborate with police Dewi Santoso, Jakarta Activists introduced a harm reduction program to police on Wednesday to avoid misperceptions that could prompt police personnel to arrest HIV/AIDS activists in the field. The harm reduction program is a scheme that provides injecting drug users (IDUs) with alternatives in the form of either methadone treatment or clean disposable needles.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
City to construct new busway corridors in June
City to construct new busway corridors in June Damar Harsanto, Jakarta The Jakarta administration will start in June the construction of facilities for two new busway corridors from Kalideres bus terminal in West Jakarta to the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta and from Monas to Pulogadung bus terminal in East Jakarta.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
RI maid burnt in worst abuse case in Malaysia
RI maid burnt in worst abuse case in Malaysia Agence France-Presse Kuala Lumpur A 19-year-old Indonesian maid was repeatedly burnt with an iron and scalded with boiling water by a wealthy Malaysian housewife in the worst case of abuse ever seen in the country, reports said on Thursday. All the major newspapers carried front page pictures showing shocking pictures of Nirmala Bonet's beaten face and horrifically scarred back and chest after she was rescued by police from five months of beatings.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Militias to join TNI course after martial law
Militias to join TNI course after martial law Tiarma Siboro and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta More than 100 Acehnese claiming to be local people and members of various anti-separatist movements met with officials of the Ministry of Defense here on Wednesday as part of what seemed to be a government-sponsored week-long course on national defense.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Researcher urges food testing
Researcher urges food testing JAKARTA: A researcher underlined the need for clinical trials of all food and beverage products before they are put on the market. "The results of clinical trials on humans should be announced for all products, and this should also apply to traditional products," a researcher at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Umar A. Jennie, said.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. AUTONOMY: 48 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12
1. AUTONOMY: 48 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 12 Independent candidates may contest local elections 2. FUND: 36 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 28 PDI-P, Golkar quarrel over anti-Wiranto rally 3. CAMPAIGN: 28 pt, 1 cols, 4 x 9 Candidates to spend billions in campaign 4. BUS: 32 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 25 City to construct new busway corridors in June 5. KL: 30 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 18 RI maid burnt in worst abuse case in Malaysia
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Public participation up, women marginalized: Study
Public participation up, women marginalized: Study A. Junaidi, Jakarta While public participation in the fight for good governance has increased in the current regional autonomy era, the role of women in public affairs remains marginalized, research by The Asia Foundation (TAF) says.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
National leaders united to save country from collapse
National leaders united to save country from collapse M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta Over 100 key national figures, including state officials from the New Order administration, called on the nation to take necessary measures to "save" the country, which they said was on the brink of collapse. They said the commemoration of National Awakening Day, on May 20, was the right moment to begin rebuilding.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia makes steady economic recovery
Indonesia makes steady economic recovery Boediono, Jeju Island, South Korea Among countries in this region, Indonesia has been hit by the 1997 crisis hardest and longest. In the past three years or so, however, the country has been slowly but steadily pulling itself out of the crisis. The year 2003 represented another step on the road to recovery.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Poor Jakartans say free health care still denied them
Poor Jakartans say free health care still denied them Leony Aurora, Jakarta More than 40 percent of poor Jakartans, whose health care services are supposed to be covered by the government, claim they still have to pay part of their hospital medical bills. A recent survey by the Indonesian Health Consumer Empowerment Foundation (YPKKI) showed that 91 out of 211 inpatients had to pay for medicine, administrative fees, surgery and laboratory tests.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Banks to help Indonesians work obroad
Banks to help Indonesians work obroad Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta Frustrated by complicated problems in labor export, Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea has sought the support of several private and state-owned banks to provide credit schemes for Indonesians working overseas. "The bank credit, ranging from Rp 10 million (US$1,149) to Rp 30 million, would cover recruitment and training fees, necessary documents and plane tickets.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
NGO blasts shrimp farming
NGO blasts shrimp farming Agence France-Presse London The explosive growth of shrimp farming in developing nations, many in Asia, has caused a "shocking environmental crisis" of deforestation and pollution, a campaign group charged on Wednesday. A report by the London-based Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) highlighted what it called "a truly shocking catalog of environmental damage" in shrimp-farming nations, also found in Central America and, to a lesser extent, Africa.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
PDI-P, Golkar quarrel over anti-Wiranto rally
PDI-P, Golkar quarrel over anti-Wiranto rally Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta The renewed rivalry between the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and its old nemesis the Golkar Party has taken on a new twist with Golkar leaders accusing PDI-P of funding a negative campaign against its presidential candidate Gen. (ret) Wiranto.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
BPOM told to audit drug sales
BPOM told to audit drug sales JAKARTA: The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) should have all data reported by pharmaceutical companies and distributors audited, which is the only way to control the illegal distribution of drugs, an observer says. BPOM now demands that all pharmaceutical companies and distributors submit quarterly production and distribution reports.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Irene leads RI against S'pore in chess meet
Irene leads RI against S'pore in chess meet The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Irene Kharisma, who finished ninth in the girls' U-12 category at the 2003 World Chess Championships, will lead Indonesia's youth team in a three-way chess matchup against Singapore starting on Saturday. Irene will be paired against To Li Cheng, the 2003 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) girls' U-12 champion.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Aceh to have 10 additional police precincts this year
Aceh to have 10 additional police precincts this year P.C. Naommy, Jakarta The National Police will establish 10 new precincts in the restive province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) to improve security following the imposition of a state of civil emergency. "Currently, there are only 10 precincts for 20 municipalities and towns in Aceh. That's why we have already made preparations for 10 new precincts in the province," National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Chen avoids showdown with China
Chen avoids showdown with China Agencies Taipei/Jakarta/Beijing Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian ruled out any immediate steps toward independence as he began a fresh four-year term, calling for better ties with China in remarks aimed at placating his giant communist neighbor and key ally the United States. Chen, 53, vowed in his inauguration speech to press ahead with contentious plans to adopt a new constitution in 2008, which Beijing views as tantamount to a declaration of independence.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Medco Q1 profit falls 54 percent
Medco Q1 profit falls 54 percent JAKARTA: PT Medco Energi International, Indonesia's largest publicly traded oil company, said first-quarter profit fell 54 percent on higher costs. Net income fell to US$13 million, or 0.4 cent a share, in the three months ended March 31, from $28.2 million, or 0.9 cent, a year earlier, the Jakarta-based company said in a statement. Sales rose 5 percent to $111.2 million from $106.3 million.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Pythons released to kill rats
Pythons released to kill rats YOGYAKARTA: Sleman Regent Ibnu Subiyanto has released at least 100 pythons in rice fields in Argomulyo village, Cangkringan subdistrict, in an effort to fight a rat plague there. Pythons have proven effective in controlling the rising population of rats in farmland in Yogyakarta, he said, calling on farmers to no longer kill the snakes when they found them in their paddy fields. "Let's treat the snakes as our friends.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
The parrot and Soeharto's loyalists
The parrot and Soeharto's loyalists Kornelius Purba, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post purba@thejakartapost.com When Soeharto celebrated his 77th birthday on June 8, 1998 -- or just 18 days after he decided to end his 32-year rule -- a reporter of The Jakarta Post wrongly concluded in his article on that day that only a parrot still recognized his leadership.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Convicts grilled over Ba'asyir
Convicts grilled over Ba'asyir Evi Mariani and P.C. Naommy, Jakarta Police have questioned all convicts in the Bali bombing in connection with terrorism charges leveled at Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir. National Police antiterrorist division head Brig. Gen. Pranowo confirmed that the police had been questioning the convicts in relation to terrorist activities allegedly involving Ba'asyir.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
* Independent candidates may contest local elections Page 2
* Independent candidates may contest local elections Page 2 * Banks to help Indonesians work overseas Page 4 * Acehnese join nationalism defense course Page 5 * Legislative elections and Indonesia's future Page 6 * Underground cyber community demands hacker's release Page 8 * Wolves advance to Western Conference finals Page 10 * Gloria Arroyo's lead narrows Page 11 * OPEC may approve Saudi plan to boost quotas Page 14 * EU vows to promote film industry Page 17
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
S&P raises Indosat, Telkom ratings
S&P raises Indosat, Telkom ratings JAKARTA: PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom), the country's biggest telephone company, and rival PT Indonesian Satellite Corp. (Indosat) had their credit rating outlook raised to positive from stable by Standard & Poor's (S&P), which cited improving economic stability. The upgrade came after S&P raised the nation's rating outlook earlier this month, citing an improvement in Indonesia's fiscal performance and ability to reduce debt-servicing costs.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
3 x 15
3 x 15 Public roles up, but women still marginalized: Study JP/8/baasyi2 1 x 27 Convicts grilled over Ba'asyir JP/4/4Jacob 1 x 37 Banks to help Indonesians work abroad JP/4/HARM 1 x 35 AIDS activists collaborate with police JP/04/AWAKE 2 x 25 National leaders unite to save country from collapse
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Fishermen protest pollution in sea
Fishermen protest pollution in sea JAKARTA: Fishermen in Cilincing, North Jakarta, demanded the city administration close factories located on the northern coast, which they said were polluting the sea with unprocessed waste. In a protest at City Hall on Wednesday, the fishermen said the factories should be prosecuted. Thousands of fish, clams, shrimp and oysters have been found dead in past weeks on beaches on Ancol, Kamal and the Thousand Islands.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
1 x 43
1 x 43 Militias to join TNI course after martial law JP/4/aceh 2 x 26 Aceh to have 10 additional police precincts this year 2 x 33 Community-based national park to curb illegal logging in Sumatra JP/5/MEDAN 2 x 27 Sierra Leone citizen gets death for drug dealing 1 x 42 Trading of smuggled clothes lucrative in Sikka
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Sofyan Tan, doctor who works for education
Sofyan Tan, doctor who works for education Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta PostMedan He is probably one of a few graduates, among the millions that hold a degree in medicine, who has veered away from the noble profession of general practitioner. 45-years-old Sofyan Tan still restores people to good condition, but he prefers to combat social ills rather than physical ailments. Few are aware that Sofyan is the founder of the popular Perguruan Iskandar Muda (Iskandar Muda School) in Medan.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Borobudur to host Waisak event
Borobudur to host Waisak event JAKARTA: The Indonesian Buddhist Association (Walubi) will celebrate Waisak, the birth of Buddha Sidharta Gautama, at Borobudur Temple in Central Java on June 3. The organizing committee said the event at Borobudur would be attended by Minister of Religious Affair Said Agil Hussein Al- Munawwar.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Legislative elections and Indonesia's future
Legislative elections and Indonesia's future Jusuf Wanandi, Jakarta What is the impact of the 2004 legislative elections on Indonesia's two most important assets, a maturing democracy and moderate Islam? A maturing democracy is not only democracy as a formality, such as having elections regularly or having political parties, but also having values and substance.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
JP/5/focus
JP/5/focus KPUD members to be fired MANADO, North Sulawesi: The province's Regional General Elections Commission (KPUD) will hold a plenary meeting this week to replace a number of members in the regencies, who are guilty of taking bribes and manipulating votes. KPUD chairman Donald Rumokoy did not, however, reveal the names of the suspects, saying the replacements were ordered by the central commission in Jakarta to assess the commission's performance.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Siswono to focus on SMEs, agroindustry
Siswono to focus on SMEs, agroindustry Zakki P. Hakim, Jakarta Siswono Yudohusodo, the running mate of presidential candidate Amien Rais, said on Wednesday "their" administration would focus on the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), should they emerge the winner in July's polls. Siswono, who is also the chairman of the National Indonesian Farmers Organization (HKTI), said the empowerment of SMEs was a sustainable solution to the lingering economic crisis.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Wiranto clear of rights abuses: Solahuddin
Wiranto clear of rights abuses: Solahuddin Abdul Khalik, Jakarta Vice presidential candidate Solahuddin Wahid defended his running mate Wiranto on Wednesday, saying the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) had no proof the retired Army general had committed any human rights violations.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Community-based national park to curb illegal logging in Sumatra
Community-based national park to curb illegal logging in Sumatra The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri is scheduled on Friday to inaugurate the Batang Gadis National Park, Mandailing Natal regency, North Sumatra, a model community-based park that exemplifies the government's efforts to curb illegal logging.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Monopoly of haj business 'must end'
Monopoly of haj business 'must end' JAKARTA: The Association of Haj Travel Agency Owners has demanded the revision of Law No. 17/1999 on the haj, which gives the Ministry of Religious Affairs the sole authority to organize the pilgrimage. "Because of this policy, collusion regarding the haj quota and other aspects of the haj business are easily found," association chairman Mahfud Djaelani said on Thursday. He said the organization of the pilgrimage should be transparent to the public. --Antara.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
PKB leaks parties' past political deal
PKB leaks parties' past political deal The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Discontent with a regulation detrimental to the comeback bid of its presidential candidate Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, the National Awakening Party (PKB) disclosed a backroom deal made among parties that would allow him to run for the top job.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Four get 10-year jail term for storing bomb materials
Four get 10-year jail term for storing bomb materials Suherdjoko, Semarang Four men accused of storing bomb-making materials were each sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Semarang District Court on Wednesday.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
KPU's next challenge
KPU's next challenge So far, six pairs of presidential and vice presidential hopefuls are to compete in the July 5 election, barring a possible change when the General Elections Commission (KPU) finalizes the lineup next week. The public are focusing again on the commission, which faces another enormous task -- to prepare for the first direct presidential election in the nation's history.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Alleged KPU hacker gets web support
Alleged KPU hacker gets web support Evi Mariani, Jakarta A simple "Free Dani Movement" message greets the visitors to the newly created website www.kecoak.or.id. The website (its name means cockroach) created by members of the cyber community, is the forum for Internet users to vote on whether to free alleged hacker Dani Firmansyah.
Fri, 21 May 2004, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian maid burnt in worst abuse case in Malaysia: report
Indonesian maid burnt in worst abuse case in Malaysia: report Agence France-Presse Kuala Lumpur A 19-year-old Indonesian maid was repeatedly burnt with an iron and scalded with boiling water by a wealthy Malaysian housewife in the worst case of abuse ever seen in the country, reports said on Thursday.