Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 26 May 2004

77 articles found

TV Program: Wednesday, May 26, 2004

TV Program: Wednesday, May 26, 2004 .TB.30" 1.00" TVRI .TB.30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Children Show 7:30 Music 8:30 Music: Asyik-Asyik 10:00 Talk Show 11:00 Singing Contest: Konteswara 12:00 p.m.

S. Korea doubles trade surplus forecast

S. Korea doubles trade surplus forecast SEOUL: South Korea has doubled its forecast for this year's trade surplus to US$20 billion to reflect stronger-than-expected exports, the commerce, industry and energy ministry said on Tuesday. The ministry raised its forecast for 2004 exports to $240 billion from the $218 billion projected earlier, and for imports to $220 billion from $208 billion.

Election supervisory body supports Gus Dur's move

Election supervisory body supports Gus Dur's move M. Taufiqurrahman and Dewi Santoso, Jakarta The General Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) threatened on Tuesday to bring the dispute between Abdurrahman 'Gus Dur' Wahid and the General Elections Commission (KPU) to the courts if the commission failed to take action to resolve the problem. Committee chairman Komaruddin Hidayat said KPU Ruling No.

Concern over small businesses

Concern over small businesses From Suara Karya State railway company PT KAI does not side with the "little people" running small businesses just to keep body and soul together. The company's repressive measures against street and sidewalk vendors along the route taken by electric trains from Jakarta to Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi are highly regrettable. As PT KAI actually wants these vendors to rent stalls, it can in fact use a more elegant manner in dealing with them.

Indonesian democracy or 'demo-crazy'?

Indonesian democracy or 'demo-crazy'? Ziad Salim, Mataram/West Nusa Tenggara Comments on the prospect of democracy in Indonesia range from the most optimistic (look at the free and peaceful legislative election) to less so or even pessimistic (look at the cynical post-election maneuverings of the party leaders, loud protestation of election results, daily street demonstration against practically everything, etc).

Domestic waste pollution killed the fish: Nabiel

Domestic waste pollution killed the fish: Nabiel Sari P. Setiogi, Jakarta Contrary to what Governor Sutiyoso earlier claimed -- that the death of fish and clams in Jakarta Bay in the past month was a natural phenomenon -- a state official revealed on Tuesday the cause as marine pollution related to domestic waste. "Domestic waste in Jakarta contains a high level of phosphates and nitrogen.

Tourist arrivals in Malaysia double

Tourist arrivals in Malaysia double KUALA LUMPUR: Tourist arrivals in Malaysia in April more than doubled from the same month last year, backed by a strong recovery in visitors from neighboring Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia, government statistics showed on Tuesday. Arrivals rose to 1.27 million in April from just 459,372 last year, when the industry was battered by the double whammy of the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the Iraq war.

Strange bedfellows won't have synergy

Strange bedfellows won't have synergy From Media Indonesia In their search for political allies, our presidential candidates have not described their political platforms and programs for the advancement of the country. This gives an impression the political elite only seek to gain power, status and money. The would-be leaders' missions are actually of prime importance as points of reference when any pair of them is later elected to lead the nation.

Malaysia cracks down on software piracy amid fear of WTO blacklist

Malaysia cracks down on software piracy amid fear of WTO blacklist Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on Tuesday launched a nationwide crackdown on companies using illegal or unlicensed software amid fears growing piracy could lead the country to be blacklisted by the World Trade Organization (WTO).

RI progress to development goals

RI progress to development goals Romeo A. Reyes, Jakarta The national development planning agency, BAPPENAS, has just launched Indonesia's Progress Report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It was symbolically handed over by the Chairman of BAPPENAS and State Minister for Development Planning, Kwik Kian Gie, to the Special UN Ambassador for the MDGs, Erna Witoelar, and to the UN Resident Coordinator, Bo Asplund.

Rupiah fall only temporary: Govt

Rupiah fall only temporary: Govt The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The rupiah fell to a 19-month low on Tuesday as economic and political uncertainties created jitters among companies, which lately have been heavy buyers of dollars. But Minister of Finance Boediono said the rupiah's fall was only temporary as the large current account deficit in the U.S. would eventually push the American greenback lower. "In my opinion, this is only a short-lived trend.

1. PERTAMINA: 2 LINES, 20 COUNTS

1. PERTAMINA: 2 LINES, 20 COUNTS Fuel subsidy could triple to Rp 40 trillion 2. NAJAF: 1 LINE, 25 COUNTS Holiest Shiite shrine takes hit 3. AMNESTY: 2 LINES, 28 COUNTS U.S.-led terror war 'bereft of principle' 4. NIRMALA: 1 LINE, 56 COUNTS -- Government, labor suppliers unable to monitor workers overseas story being done

Laos, Malaysia agree to relax visa rules

Laos, Malaysia agree to relax visa rules THAILAND: Laos and Malaysia have agreed to allow Malaysians to enter Laos without a visa, strengthening ties between the two Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, Radio Vientiane said on Tuesday.

Voters want security and growth: Eep

Voters want security and growth: Eep Moch. N. Kurniawan, Jakarta Voters in the upcoming presidential election are likely to vote for candidates who can ensure security and economic growth, a noted political analyst says. Eep Saefullah Fattah of the University of Indonesia told an international seminar on Tuesday that with such preferences, candidates with military backgrounds stood a better chance of winning the country's first direct presidential election.

Firms offer high end health cover

Firms offer high end health cover JAKARTA: Expacare, a global provider of medical insurance, announced on Tuesday its partnership with Global Assistance & Healthcare and PT Asuransi Dayin Mitra to provide a healthcare insurance solution, Mediksure, in Indonesia. Mediksure, which is offered to both Indonesian citizens and expatriates, enables policyholders to obtain high-quality medical treatment in most hospitals in the world.

Prosecutors seek death sentence for Gunawan

Prosecutors seek death sentence for Gunawan Urip Hudiono, Jakarta State prosecutors are seeking to sentence defendant Gunawan Santoso to death for masterminding the murder of PT Arena Sarana Bakti (Asaba) director, Boedyharto Angsono, and his bodyguard, Edi Siyep, in July last year.

People demand dismissal of regent

People demand dismissal of regent BEKASI: Around 1,000 people staged a protest in front of Bekasi Council on Monday, demanding the dismissal of Regent Saleh Manaf and Deputy Regent Solihin Sari. "The people of Bekasi demand that the council immediately dismiss the regent and deputy regent and hold another regental election," said Bahar E. Haryana, one of the protesters, as quoted by Tempointeraktif.

Japan to host first ever international tournament

Japan to host first ever international tournament The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Four ICC East Asia-Pacific countries -- Fiji, Indonesia, Japan and Tonga -- will compete in the ICC East Asia-Pacific Cricket Challenge 2004 event. The winner will compete with another EAP nation, Papua New Guinea, together with a further six countries from other ICC Development Program regions (Asia, Europe, Africa and America) at the ICC World Cup Qualifying Series event in Malaysia in February 2005.

JP/5/FOCUS

JP/5/FOCUS Councillor jailed over fake diploma BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: The Tanjungkarang High Court endorsed on Tuesday a verdict by a lower court that sentenced councillor Dwi Sutarno to 10 months in jail with a probation period of 20 months, for forging a school diploma. Sutarno, from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), was elected a councillor on the Lampung municipality council, after the April 5 general election.

* KPU may be paying too much for ballot papers Page 2

* KPU may be paying too much for ballot papers Page 2 * Voters want 'security, growth' Page 4 * Applications to work in Malaysia fall in NTT Page 5 * Indonesian democracy -- or is it 'demo-crazy'? Page 6 * Domestic waste pollution killed the fish: Nabiel Page 8 * Prince helps Pistons to defeat Pacers Page 9 * President Bush vows to stay course in Iraq Page 12 * Rupiah fall only temporary: Govt Page 13 * Cochlear implants work best from infancy Page 17

Gold mining in Batang Gadis opposed

Gold mining in Batang Gadis opposed Apriadi Gunawan, Medan The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) has demanded that the government stop gold mining in the Batang Gadis National Park, Mandailing Natal regency here, saying that it would damage the environment in the area. Mining firm PT Sorikmas Mining (PT SM) was granted a license to mine gold in parts of the national park in 1998, and the company has been exploring the area since then.

Over 3,000 jobs offered in fair

Over 3,000 jobs offered in fair JAKARTA: More than 3,000 jobs will be up for grabs from the 42 companies participating in the 2004 National Job Fair to be held at the Jakarta Fair Ground on May 27 and May 28, a government official says. The manpower ministry's Director-General for Domestic Labor Placement Kirnadi said on Tuesday that the fair should be a win- win situation.

Anaheim will offer more than badminton at 2005 c'ships

Anaheim will offer more than badminton at 2005 c'ships Novan Iman Santosa, Jakarta When people think of American sports, football, baseball, basketball or ice hockey might come to mind, while it would probably not occur to most to include badminton on the list. The United States, in fact, has in the past notched up some impressive achievements in badminton, becoming the world's first three-time winners of the women's team Uber Cup championship in the 1950s.

Armed pirates abduct five Thai fishermen

Armed pirates abduct five Thai fishermen MALAYSIA: Pirates armed with assault rifles abducted five Thai fishermen from their boat in the Strait of Malacca and are demanding ransoms for their release, police said on Tuesday. About 20 pirates rammed their speedboat into the trawler then stormed aboard, destroying its communications equipment and threatened the crew of about 30 men in the attack last Thursday in Malaysian waters near Penang island.

Africa Day in Jakarta brings honor and pride

Africa Day in Jakarta brings honor and pride The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In an effort to revive the spirit of Bandung and Afro-Asian solidarity, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda and two of his predecessors, Ali Alatas and Alwi Shihab, attended on Wednesday a ceremony to mark the 41st anniversary of Africa Day in Jakarta.

'Grand plan or just more bogus projects?'

'Grand plan or just more bogus projects?' The city administration has announced plans to construct a monorail and expand the busway system. However, there are doubts that these efforts will be enough to ease the capital's chronic traffic congestion. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their opinion on the matter. Ramlan, 35, works at state-owned electricity company PLN's branch office on Jl. Sisingamangaraja in South Jakarta.

Former East Timor refugees camp in Denpasar

Former East Timor refugees camp in Denpasar Wahyoe Boediwardhana Denpasar Around 300 former refugees of Balinese descent stayed overnight in tents at Niti Mandala square in front of the Bali governor's office on Tuesday, demanding compensation for their property abandoned in 1999 when East Timor broke away from Indonesia.

Bomb kills 1 in Ambon while 2 others defused

Bomb kills 1 in Ambon while 2 others defused Oktovianus Pinontoan and Abdul Khalik, Ambon/Jakarta Attempts to apparently provoke further fighting between Muslims and Christians in Ambon, Maluku, continued on Tuesday as a bomb exploded outside a market, killing one and injuring 12 others. The religious and community leaders of Maluku signed a 2002 peace deal that ended years of conflict, but that is being put to another test.

Govt to renovate old mosque

Govt to renovate old mosque BEKASI: The local administration will provide Rp 18 billion (some US$2 million) to renovate and enlarge the Al-Barkah Mosque located on Jl. Pramuka, which dates back to 1908. The mosque will get an elevated entrance hall that should help prevent pedestrian traffic from backing up onto the road in front of the mosque, Bekasi Mayor Akhmad Zurfaih told Antara on Tuesday. The renovation work is expected to begin in early June. --Antara

Applications to work in KL fall in NTT

Applications to work in KL fall in NTT Yemris Fointuna, Kupang The abuse of Indonesian maid Nirmala Bonat has had a negative impact on local people in her home province, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), seeking similar jobs in Malaysia. Labor recruitment agency PT Bina Rizki Kurnia, which dispatched Nirmala to Malaysia on June 24 last year, confirmed on Tuesday a decrease in the number of local residents wanting to go to the neighboring country to work.

Police to name suspects of Sunter fatal accident

Police to name suspects of Sunter fatal accident Evi Mariani, Jakarta After an hours-long evacuation process, a rescue team comprising volunteers and members of the North Jakarta Fire Department uncovered the bodies of five construction workers on Tuesday, under the debris of a collapsed furniture showroom on Jl. Danau Agung Jaya, Sunter Agung, North Jakarta. Four other workers died at the hospital due to their injuries.

Hong Kong minister lures RI firms to issue bonds

Hong Kong minister lures RI firms to issue bonds Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Frederick S. Ma paid a two-day visit to Indonesia this week as part of his tour of Southeast Asia to discuss economic issues and to promote the bond market. He met with Minister of Finance Boediono, chairman of the Capital Market Supervisory Board (Bapepam) Herwidayatmo and members of the business community.

Man digs for treasure after dream, hits gold

Man digs for treasure after dream, hits gold Theresia Sufa, Bogor A resident of Hulu Rawa, Bantarsari village in Rancabungur found 10 bars of gold after digging a hole in his kitchen last Thursday, each bears the picture of former president Sukarno. Bogor Police have seized one of the gold bars to value it. Saepudin, who is known as a soothsayer, claimed he heard a voice in his dream on Wednesday night, which told him to dig a hole under his kitchen.

Former East Timor refugees camp in Bali

Former East Timor refugees camp in Bali Wahyoe Boediwardhana, Denpasar Around 300 former refugees of Balinese descent stayed overnight in tents at Niti Mandala square in front of the Bali governor's office on Tuesday, demanding compensation for their property abandoned in 1999 when East Timor broke away from Indonesia. Protest coordinator Komang Sakrana Budi, 33, said most of those who had migrated to East Timor in 1982 wished to be compensated to the tune of Rp 50 million (US$6,000) per family.

Independent medical council proposed

Independent medical council proposed Dewi Santoso, Jakarta The country's medical association and legislators agreed in a hearing on Tuesday that a medical council to be established under a health bill should be independent in order to protect public interests.

ISL aims to improve softball showing

ISL aims to improve softball showing Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta The Indonesian Softball League will open its inaugural season on Friday, with the sport's governing body hoping the league will help the national team improve its showing at international tournaments. Six men's amateur teams, all based in Java, will take part in the inaugural season, with the opening games to be held at the Bung Karno Baseball Stadium in Jakarta.

IAI plans 'green' accounting standard

IAI plans 'green' accounting standard Zakki P. Hakim, Jakarta The Office of the State Minister for the Environment signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Tuesday with the Association of Indonesian Accountants (IAI) for a collaborative effort to establish a new accounting standard that would enable financial statements to also reflect the level of environmental responsibility of companies.

Complacency: Indonesia's democratic deficit

Complacency: Indonesia's democratic deficit Adam Tyson, Toronto As the Republic of Indonesia prepares for its first direct presidential elections since independence was achieved, many observers are putting the electoral system and the various candidates firmly under the microscope.

Only fair to be humane to maids

Only fair to be humane to maids Wong Chun Wai, The Star, Asia News Network, Selangor, Malaysia Malaysians who read the front-page news of abused Indonesian maid Nirmala Bonet must have been outraged. She was severely bruised and scalded in what has been described as the worst abuse case. Pictures of the 19-year-old maid with ugly bruises all over her body were shocking. Many of us must have asked how such an act of mindless violence could happen in Malaysia.

Ancol to sell 15 percent of shares via IPO

Ancol to sell 15 percent of shares via IPO Tony Hotland, Jakarta Recreation park operator PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol (PJA) will sell up to 15 percent of its shares through an initial public offering (IPO) in June, hoping to raise up to Rp 150 billion (US$16.66 million) to help finance expansion programs. "We will sell about 127 million shares, but we haven't decided on the exact price per share yet.

Govt cancels Rp 3.5t bond issue

Govt cancels Rp 3.5t bond issue Rendi A. Witular, Jakarta The government failed on Tuesday to issue bonds seen as crucial to help finance the current state budget amid rising economic uncertainty as a result of the falling rupiah. The Ministry of Finance was scheduled to issue Rp 3.5 trillion (US$388.46 million) worth of bonds, but it decided to cancel the issue because investors demanded overly high yields.

Children hospitalized for drinking Ribena

Children hospitalized for drinking Ribena Indra Harsaputra, Surabaya Around 40 students of public elementary school SDN Barata Jaya I in the country's second biggest city, Surabaya, East Java, had to be hospitalized with suspected food poisoning shortly after drinking a beverage on Tuesday. The local police chief of detectives Adj. Comr.

JP/19/CAFE

JP/19/CAFE Sobo Cafe performs, organically Tarko Sudiarno Yogyakarta Stay healthy in style is the motto of Sobo Cafe, which is located across Puro Pakualaman, Yogyakarta, the palace residence of the Paku Alam royal family. Although the cafe is just two weeks old, it has already had the honor to entertain the family of Yogyakarta Sultan Hamengku Buwono X and scores of ambassadors and ministers. Culinary expert William Wongso has also dropped by to sample Sobo's specialties.

Two die in road accident

Two die in road accident JAKARTA: Two bus passengers died and five others were injured in an accident at kilometer 50 of the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road in Klari, Karawang, West Java, early on Tuesday morning. The bodies of Gianto, 31, a resident of Merluang district, Jambi province, and his four-year-old son Nofian were brought to the Cikampek Hospital.

[b]

Complacency: Indonesia's democratic deficit Adam Tyson Toronto 2. Romeo -- Indonesia's progress towards the Millennium Development Goals 1 x 30 RI progress to development goals Romeo A. Reyes Jakarta

JP/9/Cricket

JP/9/Cricket Japan to host first ever international tournament The Jakarta Post Jakarta Four ICC East Asia-Pacific countries -- Fiji, Indonesia, Japan and Tonga -- will compete in the ICC East Asia-Pacific Cricket Challenge 2004 event, The winner will compete with another EAP nation, Papua New Guinea, together with a further six countries from other ICC Development Program regions (Asia, Europe, Africa and America) at the ICC World Cup Qualifying Series event in Malaysia in February 2005.

Police officers take over IAIN rector's office after clash

Police officers take over IAIN rector's office after clash Slamet Susanto, Yogyakarta Police officers took over on Tuesday the rector's office of the Sunan Kalijaga State Institute for Islamic Studies (IAIN Sunan Kalijaga), which had been occupied by IAIN students for eight days. The office was taken over by the police a day after a clash between students and security guards in the office that left 12 students and three guards injured.

Foreign investors eye Sunda Kelapa harbor

Foreign investors eye Sunda Kelapa harbor Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta Numerous foreign businesspeople have expressed interest in investing in and managing potential tourist attractions in northern Jakarta, but first want the city administration to demonstrate its commitment to infrastructure development.

JP/5/IAIN

JP/5/IAIN Police take over IAIN rector's office Slamet Susanto Yogyakarta Police officers took over on Tuesday the rector's office of the Sunan Kalijaga State Institute for Islamic Studies (IAIN Sunan Kalijaga), which had been occupied by IAIN students for eight days. The office was taken over by the police a day after a clash between students and security guards in the office that left 12 students and three guards injured.

Fuel subsidy could triple to Rp 40 trillion

Fuel subsidy could triple to Rp 40 trillion Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government fuel subsidy this year may nearly triple to around Rp 40 trillion (about US$4.35 billion) due to soaring oil prices, the state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina said on Tuesday. They also said it would worsen the state budget deficit and had already put heavy pressure on Pertamina's cash flow.

Printers paid well for ballot papers

Printers paid well for ballot papers Moch. N. Kurniawan, Jakarta Several firms that won the tender to print ballot papers for the April 5 legislative election have said that they earned large profits from the printing job, raising concerns that the General Elections Commission (KPU) may have overpaid for the work. The firms said they were able to print the ballot papers for between Rp 150 (US 1.6 cents) and Rp 180 per paper in six colors, far below the price set by the KPU at Rp 275.

Wiranto case unlikely to be sent to Interpol

Wiranto case unlikely to be sent to Interpol EAST TIMOR: East Timor's top prosecutor said on Tuesday it would not be in his country's interest to forward to Interpol an arrest warrant for Indonesian presidential candidate Gen. (ret) Wiranto. "As an institution of the state, whatever I'm doing has to correspond with the policies of the state," prosecutor-general Longuinhos Monteiro told AFP.

No minister asks for leave for presidential campaign

No minister asks for leave for presidential campaign Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta With just one week to go before the campaign period starts none of the Cabinet ministers, who plan to campaign for presidential candidates, have officially requested leave. The State Secretariat was still waiting for the letters on Tuesday evening, so that the office could schedule the ministers' days off.

[i]Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Secretary for Financial

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Frederick S. Ma paid a two-day visit to Indonesia this week as part of his tour of Southeast Asia to discuss economic issues and to promote the bond market. He met with Minister of Finance Boediono, chairman of the Capital Market Supervisory Board (Bapepam) Herwidayatmo and members of the business community.

Prudential seeks out-of-court settlement

Prudential seeks out-of-court settlement Insurance firm PT Prudential Life Assurance said it was seeking an out-of-court settlement with a former insurance agent, Lee Bong Siong, to resolve a controversial bankruptcy case filed by the latter. Prudential president Charlie E. Oropeza said that despite lodging an appeal with the Supreme Court over the bankruptcy ruling, the company had always been willing to settle its contract dispute with Siong out of court.

Stakeholders told to fight poverty

Stakeholders told to fight poverty P.C. Naommy, Jakarta Lack of seriousness, coordination and integrated cooperation among stakeholders has hindered efforts to eradicate poverty in the country. "The government should involve more private sector companies and non-governmental organizations to take part in poverty eradication efforts," said M. Rizal Ismail, deputy of the task force responsible for extending working and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Pondok Indah shops have permits

Pondok Indah shops have permits Leony Aurora, Jakarta Entrepreneurs who use residential buildings as commercial and business premises in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, assert that they have obtained permits from various agencies of the city administration.

Police, KPK probe corruption cases involving Puteh

Police, KPK probe corruption cases involving Puteh Abdul Khalik and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta The National Police and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) separately announced on Tuesday they would investigate corruption cases in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) that allegedly involve Governor Abdullah Puteh.

Solahuddin Wahid clarifies

Solahuddin Wahid clarifies Having read the news report on page one of The Jakarta Post on May 21, under the title of Wiranto clear of rights abuse: Solahuddin, I, as the resource person for this news report, have my objections, particularly to paragraph three of the report, which reads: "It is now up to them to decide.

1. PERTAMINA: 2 LINES, 20 COUNTS

1. PERTAMINA: 2 LINES, 20 COUNTS Fuel subsidy could triple to Rp 40 trillion 2. NAJAF: 1 LINE, 25 COUNTS Holiest Shiite shrine takes hit 3. AMNESTY: 2 LINES, 28 COUNTS U.S.-led war on terrorism bereft of principle: Amnesty 4. NIRMALA: 1 LINE, 56 COUNTS -- Cases of abuse Indonesian workers expected to continue

Still hope for justice

Still hope for justice More than a week has passed since the Padang District Court sentenced 43 members of West Sumatra's 55-strong provincial legislature to prison for corruption, besides ordering the guilty legislators to return the embezzled money in full and pay more than a Rp 100 hundred million each in fines. The case involved the embezzlement of insurance premiums, housing allowances, cellular phone credits and other allowances allocated to council members in the 2002 budget.

Councillor jailed over fake diploma

Councillor jailed over fake diploma BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: The Tanjungkarang High Court endorsed on Tuesday a verdict by a lower court that sentenced councillor Dwi Sutarno to 10 months in jail with a probation period of 20 months, for forging a school diploma. Sutarno, from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), was elected a councillor on the Lampung municipality council, after the April 5 general election.

Padang councillors to be tried soon

Padang councillors to be tried soon PADANG, West Sumatra: Ten of a total 45 Padang councillors charged with graft will go on trial soon, after officials at Padang Prosecutor's Office handed over on Tuesday dossiers on the 10 to Padang District Court. The 45 councillors were charged with misusing Rp 10.4 billion in Padang municipality budget funds between 2001 and 2002. Padang Prosecutor's Office chief Muharnis said the office would complete the dossiers on other suspects in the case soon. -- JP

Astra ups stake in Astra Agro

Astra ups stake in Astra Agro JAKARTA: Automotive giant PT Astra International has spent around Rp 34.6 billion (US$3.8 million) on 15.97 million shares in its plantation subsidiary PT Astra Agro Lestari, at a price of Rp 2,166 per share. In a report to the Jakarta Stock Exchange on Tuesday, Astra said that the purchase would increase the company's overall stake in Astra Agro to 992.20 million shares, or 65 percent, from 976.23 million (63 percent). -- JP

Headings for page 8

Headings for page 8 1. IKAN -- 48pt Bodoni Bold 4/2 (2x24) Domestic waste pollution killed the fish: Nabiel 2. HOUSE -- 36pt Bodoni Bold 4/1 (1x28) Pondok Indah shops have permits 3. ASABA -- 28pt Bodoni Bold 2/2 (2x20) Prosecutors seek capital punishment for Gunawan 4. GOLD -- 28pt Bodoni Bold 4/1 (1x40) Man digs for treasure after dream, hits gold 5.

More funds needed for interns: KPKI

More funds needed for interns: KPKI JAKARTA: The Indonesian Medical Education Committee (KPKI) demanded the government on Tuesday to allocate more funds for doctors while they are doing their internships. The KPKI said that currently the government allocated just Rp 6 million (US$666.67) per intern each year for training, while the training program actually costs around Rp 38 million per person per year. Each year, Indonesia has around 3,000 fresh medical graduates who must do an internship.

Soenarno named acting transportation minister

Soenarno named acting transportation minister JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri appointed on Tuesday Minister of Settlements and Regional Infrastructure Soenarno as the acting minister of transportation to replace Agum Gumelar. Soenarno's appointment was announced by State Secretary Bambang Kesowo on Tuesday. On Monday, President Megawati Soekarnoputri accepted the resignation of Agum, who has decided to run as Hamzah Haz's running mate in the July 5 presidential election. --Antara

KPK tells public not to expect too much

KPK tells public not to expect too much Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta Like Rome not being built in a day, it will take the nation a long time to see high-profile corruptors sent to jail despite the establishment of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Commission chairman Taufiequrrahman Ruki said on Tuesday it was too much to expect his six-month-old institution to satisfy public demands in the near future as it was still struggling to organize its own internal affairs.

1. TNI: 55 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 20

1. TNI: 55 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 20 Another bomb kills 1 in Ambon, 2 others defused 2. CAMPAIGN: 40 pt, 2 cols, 3 x 13 KPU rules on campaign agenda, five zones 3. BOND: 36 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 27 Govt cancels Rp 3.5t bond issue 4. MEDICAL: 30 pt, 5 cols, 1 x 36 Medical council may be independent

Cases of abuse of Indonesian workers expected to continue

Cases of abuse of Indonesian workers expected to continue Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta The violence against Indonesian workers employed as maids overseas could increase in the future because of the absence of an effective mechanism to monitor their condition, according to experts on the subject. Both the government and labor agencies conceded here on Tuesday that they had found it difficult to monitor the condition of Indonesian workers employed in the informal sector for numerous reasons.

TV Program: Wednesday, May 26, 2004

TV Program: Wednesday, May 26, 2004 .TB.30" 1.00" TVRI .TB.30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Children Show 7:30 Music 8:30 Music: Asyik-Asyik 10:00 Talk Show 11:00 Singing Contest: Konteswara 12:00 p.m.

KPU rules on campaign zones and agenda

KPU rules on campaign zones and agenda M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta After a lengthy scramble between the presidential candidates' campaign teams over the most rewarding venues and dates, the General Elections Commission (KPU) completed on Tuesday a campaign schedule in which the country is divided into five campaign zones.

HONG KONG (AP): A Hong Kong woman pleaded innocent to charges

HONG KONG (AP): A Hong Kong woman pleaded innocent to charges that she repeatedly punched and slapped an Indonesian maid, an official and a newspaper said on Friday.

Yogya organic cafe opens doors

Yogya organic cafe opens doors Tarko Sudiarno, Yogyakarta Stay healthy in style is the motto of Sobo Cafe, which is located across Puro Pakualaman, Yogyakarta, the palace residence of the Paku Alam royal family. Although the cafe is just two weeks old, it has already had the honor to entertain the family of Yogyakarta Sultan Hamengkubuwono X and scores of ambassadors and ministers. Culinary expert William Wongso has also dropped by to sample Sobo's specialties.

Susilo to choose Cabinet this week

Susilo to choose Cabinet this week JAKARTA: Presidential front-runner Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is expected to unveil a tentative cabinet after he returns from a minor haj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, a party official said. Subur Budhisantoso, leader of the Democratic Party, who nominated Susilo for the presidential race, told reporters on Tuesday that the appointment of cabinet members was one of the tasks given to Susilo.

JP/9/Cricket

JP/9/Cricket Japan to host first ever International tournament The Jakarta Post Jakarta Four ICC East Asia-Pacific countries - Fiji, Indonesia, Japan and Tonga - will compete in the ICC East Asia-Pacific Cricket Challenge 2004 event, with the winner joining another EAP nation, Papua New Guinea, together with a further six countries from other ICC Development Program regions (Asia, Europe, Africa and America) at the ICC World Cup Qualifying Series event in Malaysia in February 2005.

New salary system proposed

New salary system proposed Tony Hotland, Jakarta A Washington D.C.-based organization has proposed to regional administrations a new remuneration system for their staff in a bid to improve their performance in providing services to the public. The International City/County Management Association, through its Building Institutions for Good Governance (BIGG) program in Indonesia, held on Tuesday its fourth national conference. It was attended by mayors and regents from 31 cities and regencies.