Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 7 May 2004

74 articles found

Vendor on hunger strike in Riau

Vendor on hunger strike in Riau PEKANBARU, Riau: A 23-year-old man went into the fifth day of his hunger strike on Thursday, a protest against the renovation of the Senapelan traditional market here, which would result in the eviction of vendors. Rinaldi, the hunger striker, had to be hooked to an intravenous drip feed as his health was deteriorating.

Another Marriott bombing suspect tried

Another Marriott bombing suspect tried JAKARTA: Another alleged member of Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist network went on trial on Thursday for the deadly hotel bombing in Jakarta and faces death if convicted under an antiterrorism law. Prosecutors accused Masrizal alias Ali Umar alias Mas'ud alias Tohir of surveying several possible targets before picking the US-franchised Marriott hotel as a high-profile and easy target. The blast at the JW Marriott Hotel on Aug.

4 x 12

4 x 12 Poso PAN chairman detained in arms case JP/5/PONDS 1 x 45 Lampung govt to mediate in mangrove land dispute JP/5/makasar 1 x 34 Four officers punished over attack

M'sia to cut intake of foreign workers

M'sia to cut intake of foreign workers MALAYSIA: Malaysia plans to tighten rules for hiring foreign labor because there is an oversupply of migrant workers in the country, reports said on Thursday. Human Resources Minister Fong Chan Onn was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper that Malaysia needed more than a million foreign workers but there were currently 1.2 million registered with the ministry, excluding illegal immigrants.

Unveiling Rama in Indonesia

Unveiling Rama in Indonesia Ivy Susanti, Jakarta From the Indian soil where he originated, prince Rama "traveled" across the oceans for 20 centuries, and made his way into the heart and mind of Indonesians. His life story, as recorded in Ramayana by Indian poet Valmiki around the seventh century BC, has undergone many transformations over the years.

Wiranto, Susilo should speak out about the past

Wiranto, Susilo should speak out about the past Aboeprijadi Santoso, Amsterdam Two former generals both have a strong chance of becoming the nation's new leader, even if they have blood on their hands. The rise of these generals-turned-party-leaders, however, rests on the shaky assumption that military leaders are more capable of providing stability than civilian leaders.

Key witness in Pekanbaru bombing under tight guard

Key witness in Pekanbaru bombing under tight guard The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A critically ill man, who police believe may be a key witness in Tuesday's Pekanbaru bombing, was heavily guarded in hospital on Thursday and was visited by a U.S. FBI investigator and high- ranking police officials. The witness, Irwanto, 24, is being treated at Ibnu Sina Islam Hospital in the Riau capital of Pekanbaru. He was still unconscious on Thursday.

Muslim-based parties mull forging of coalition

Muslim-based parties mull forging of coalition Tiarma Siboro, Jakarta Two Muslim-based political parties are toying with the idea of pairing up for the presidential election, a move that could further narrow down the running mate choices for Golkar's presidential candidate Wiranto, says a party leader.

City hall to regulate converted homes

City hall to regulate converted homes Damar Harsanto, Jakarta With more residential buildings being used as commercial and business spaces, the Jakarta administration will form a special team to regulate these buildings. "Whether the building owners like it or not, the administration will soon be regulating them," Governor Sutiyoso said at City Hall on Thursday. The special team will include at least 102 officers representing different agencies in the administration.

Al-Qaeda, JI fund terror in RP: Report

Al-Qaeda, JI fund terror in RP: Report Jim Gomez, The Associated Press, Manila Al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah terror suspects in U.S. custody have told interrogators they financed operations in the Philippines through a money trail that has been uncovered with the recent arrest of a local militant, officials said Thursday.

1 STOCK: 2 LINES, 21 COUNTS

1 STOCK: 2 LINES, 21 COUNTS Jakarta stock market slumps amid panic selling 2. MEGA: 1 LINE, 30 COUNTS Mega-Hasyim set for presidential race 3. THOMAS: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS Thomas, Uber start amid tight security 4. HAMBALI: 2 LINES, 16 COUNTS Al-Qaida, JI fund terror in RP: Report

Previous Thomas and Uber Cup winners

Previous Thomas and Uber Cup winners JAKARTA, May 6 (AFP) - Following are the previous winners of the Thomas and Uber Cups, the men's and women's badminton world team championships which get underway here Friday: Thomas Cup (men) 1949 - Malaysia 1952 - Malaysia 1955 - Malaysia 1958 - Indonesia 1961 - Indonesia 1964 - Indonesia 1967 - Malaysia 1970 - Indonesia 1973 - Indonesia 1976 - Indonesia 1979 - Indonesia 1982 - China 1984 - Indonesia 1986 - China 1988 - China 1990 - China 1992 - Malaysia...

Constitutional Commission ends term

Constitutional Commission ends term Kurniawan Hari, Jakarta The Constitutional Commission marked the end of its seven-month existence on Thursday by submitting a white paper and draft amendments of the Constitution to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) working commission. The document was accepted by Assembly speaker Amien Rais during a plenary meeting. Commission chairman Sri Soemantri said he hoped the next MPR would appreciate the hard work of the 31-strong commission.

Quick to comment, loath to explain

Quick to comment, loath to explain From Koran Tempo In general, Indonesians are rich and poor. It means that on the one hand, they are rich in comments, so that even those ignorant on particular issues still offer their opinions, as can be seen on television. On the other hand, Indonesians are poor in asking questions and giving explanations. They are reluctant to query, while they make a lot of fuss when things are clarified. Anyway, they belong to the nation.

'Safety awareness governs seat belt use'

'Safety awareness governs seat belt use' A total of 235 drivers were ticketed by the city police on the first day of the enforcement of seat belt use on Wednesday. The long-delayed regulation, which was supposed to take effect in 1998, requires drivers and front seat passengers to wear seat belts. Violators could be fined up to Rp 1 million (US$115.6) or jailed for a month. The Jakarta Post talked to some residents on the issue. Evy Zelfino, 45, is an official with the city administration.

Prudential case and foreign confidence

Prudential case and foreign confidence From Media Indonesia Reports on the recent commercial court decision to declare Prudential insurance company bankrupt has aroused concern due to the various oddities involved. The first question is how an insurance firm with assets worth well over a trillion rupiah could be declared bankrupt after a dispute over an unpaid consulting fee of just over 3 billion rupiah.

Message from Dutch Ambassador:

Message from Dutch Ambassador: The EU and Indonesia: Partners in development It is a great honor for me to send a message to the Indonesian people on behalf of the Presidency of the European Union on the occasion of Europe Day. In Indonesia, the Netherlands has the EU Presidency for one year and a half, between January 2004 and June 2005. This is because apart from its own Presidency the Netherlands takes over from Ireland and Luxembourg, countries that have no embassies in Indonesia.

Message from the Ambassador/Head of the Delegation of the

Message from the Ambassador/Head of the Delegation of the European Commission, HE Sabato Della Monica Enlargement will further strengthen EU's relationship with RI Today, the European Union celebrates Europe Day. It was on May 9, 1950, in the aftermath of the Second World War, that the French foreign minister Robert Schumann made history by announcing a plan to control the forces of war and instead create a Europe in which countries were economically and politically linked.

Air France, KLM detail plans

Air France, KLM detail plans Laurence Frost, Associated Press, Paris Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced plans Wednesday to juggle their destination networks and join up their frequent flyer programs as they merge to create the world's biggest airline group by sales. Promising improved services for passengers and cost savings for shareholders, the carriers said each airline would boost its strongest routes.

President urges improved planning to fight floods

President urges improved planning to fight floods Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri urged for stricter spatial planning in Jakarta and its buffer towns to avoid further natural disasters, such as floods and landslides. Speaking at the inauguration of several water pumps in the capital on Thursday, the President suggested that spatial planning be detailed in a blueprint that would bind all the involved parties.

Three arrested over crane collapse

Three arrested over crane collapse Evi Mariani, Jakarta Police have arrested three managers of a construction firm for criminal negligence after a crane collapsed in the Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD) in South Jakarta on Monday, killing three workers and injuring three others. "Our suspects are J, the equipment manager; BU, the site manager; and R, the supervisor (of the construction work)," Jakarta Police chief of detectives Sr. Comr. Mathius Salempang said on Thursday.

Berlinale: A gauge of climate for RI film

Berlinale: A gauge of climate for RI film Paul F. Agusta, Contributor/pfa0109@yahoo.com A lively discussion on the Berlinale at the Goethe Haus cultural center in Menteng recently turned the spotlight on efforts to put Indonesia on the world cinema map through participation in international festivals and workshops.

EU provides new markets for RI products

EU provides new markets for RI products Theresia Sufa and Veeramalla Anjaiah, Bogor, West Java Head of the European Community (EC) delegation to Indonesia Sabato Della Monica, said on Thursday Indonesia would benefit from the extension of the European Union (EU). Monica said the presence of 10 new EU members would create wider market opportunities for Indonesian products.

Bill bans ministers from moonlighting

Bill bans ministers from moonlighting Kurniawan Hari, Jakarta Anyone appointed minister in the next Cabinet will not be allowed to also hold a top position in a political party, social organizations, foundations or private companies, according to a draft law. The draft, submitted last March by a group of 30 legislators from various factions, also bans Cabinet ministers from taking any position in organizations funded by the state.

RI's maternal death 'the highest'

RI's maternal death 'the highest' P.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The maternal mortality rate in Indonesia has reached 373 per 100,000 births, the highest in Southeast Asia. Chairman of the Indonesian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (POGI) Suryono said on Wednesday that the lack of awareness about reproductive health in society and inadequate provisions in the law were behind the high number of maternal deaths. "Law No.

KPU speeds up election preparations

KPU speeds up election preparations Moch.N. Kurniawan, Jakarta The General Elections Commission (KPU) has moved forward its schedule for the screening of presidential and vice presidential candidates in order to speed up the printing and the distribution of ballot papers for the July 5 presidential election.

Temasek to sell stake in CIAS

Temasek to sell stake in CIAS SINGAPORE: The Singapore government's investment arm, Temasek Holdings, said on Thursday it was selling its 78.4 percent stake in a ground handling and in-flight catering company based at Changi Airport. Temasek said in a statement the sale of its stake in Changi International Airport Services Pte. Ltd. (CIAS) was part of a "continuous review of its investment portfolio" which calls for divestment of interests in non-strategic sectors of the economy.

Briefing no-show to result in penalties

Briefing no-show to result in penalties JAKARTA: The International Badminton Federation will penalize athletes who refuse to attend a scheduled media conference, an IBF official said here on Thursday. IBF spokesman Keith Hawthorne said disciplinary action could be taken against such players according to regulations. Penalties are determined on a case-by-case basis. The most common punishment is probation, which could end in an athlete being permanently banned. -JP

Hasyim prefers Mega to Wiranto

Hasyim prefers Mega to Wiranto Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Tiarma Siboro, Jakarta After weeks of frantic searching for a running mate for the presidential election, President Megawati Soekarnoputri of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) finally picked Hasyim Muzadi of the Nahdlatul Ulama Muslim organization on Thursday. While her choice had been widely expected, critics were nevertheless skeptical about the pair's chances in the July 5 election.

Auditors find no markup in elevator purchase

Auditors find no markup in elevator purchase Damar Harsanto, Jakarta There were no irregularities in the procurement of a new elevator for the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta, the Jakarta Audit Agency said on Thursday. On Wednesday, eight Jakarta councillors called on the agency to perform an audit following allegations there had been a markup in the price of the elevator by the Jakarta Culture and Museum Agency.

GAM's mass graves and NGOs

GAM's mass graves and NGOs From Suara Karya Military forces stationed in Aceh have succeeded in unearthing mass graves believed to be buried victims of atrocities committed by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in a steep valley in Syamtalira Bayu, North Aceh. This finding, based on local people's information, serves as important evidence for consideration by citizens who are concerned about the value of truth and honesty.

Gus Dur-Bagir talk not scheduled yet

Gus Dur-Bagir talk not scheduled yet JAKARTA: The Supreme Court has not made any schedule this week for a meeting between former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid and Chief Justice Bagir Manan despite the former's claim that he would meet the judge to talk about his judicial review over health requirements for presidential and vice presidential candidates. Bagir is expected to arrive from the Netherlands on Friday afternoon and has no schedule to meet Gus Dur.

Singaporean files extortion compalint

Singaporean files extortion compalint Multa Fidrus, Tangerang At least four immigration officers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport could face sanctions after a Singaporean woman filed a complaint accusing them of attempted extortion. The head of immigration at the airport, Guntoro Hermanuadi, confirmed on Thursday that a complaint had been filed against a number of officers. "I will take stern measures against those officers after I question them.

New haze shrouds Malaysian skies

New haze shrouds Malaysian skies MALAYSIA: Malaysian skies on Thursday were shrouded in a smoky haze due to increased open burning activities as well as higher levels of vehicle emission, environmental officials said. The haze is expected to linger in several states, including the capital Kuala Lumpur, for months to come despite daily showers, said a spokesperson in the Department of Environment.

Four officers punished over attack

Four officers punished over attack Andi Hajramurni, Makassar A police disciplinary committee here on Thursday ordered four officers detained for 21 days for their roles in the recent attack on the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) campus in Makassar, South Sulawesi. The four -- First Brig. Nur Hasyim, 28, First Brig. Umar Zulkarnaen, 24, Second Brig. Otniel Saldy Penik, 25, and Second Brig. Rahmat Hidayat, 26 -- were also demoted in rank.

TV Today: Friday, May 7, 2004

TV Today: Friday, May 7, 2004 .TB.30" .90" TVRI .tb .30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 6:30 Talk Show: Saran dan Pendapat 7:00 Children Show: Pentas Ceria 8:30 Music: Asik-Asik 10:30 Religious Teachings 12:30 p.m.

Poso PAN chairman detained in arms case

Poso PAN chairman detained in arms case Ruslan Sangadji, Palu National Mandate Party (PAN) Poso head Luky Lasahido was arrested by police after illegal firearms, bullets and other weapons were found at his house, police said on Thursday. Luky, who was elected as a House of Representatives member for PAN in the April 5 legislative poll, is being detained at the Poso Police office.

[b]Wiranto, Susilo

Wiranto, Susilo should speak out about the past Aboeprijadi Santoso Amsterdam 2. UN -- Oil for Food -- a view from the UN 2 x 30 Investigating abuses within the oil-for-food program in Iraq If the author is, as stated at the end, the director of communications in the office of the UN secretary-general, why is he described below as being in Jakarta? Also, note use of lower case in previous sentence, which should also be used in credit at end.

S'pore's shipping lanes highlight maritime terrorist threat

S'pore's shipping lanes highlight maritime terrorist threat Karl Malakunas, Agence France-Presse, Singapore The silhouettes of hunched over figures on two wooden fishing boats are barely visible as a Singapore navy patrol sails past less than 200 meters away off the island-nation's southern coast.

AGM to discuss IBF HQ relocation

AGM to discuss IBF HQ relocation JAKARTA: The possibility of relocating the International Badminton Federation's head office to Singapore will be discussed at the IBF's annual general meeting, which will be held concurrently with the Thomas and Uber Cups, an IBF official said here on Thursday. "We are lobbying intensively to have that plan realized," IBF executive board member Punch Gunalan of Malaysia said, adding that there had been progress on the plan.

RI Uber coaches throwing in the towel against China

RI Uber coaches throwing in the towel against China Eva C. Komandjaja and Zakki P. Hakim, Jakarta Former champion Indonesia, which is seeded only tenth among 12 teams in the women's team badminton championship, the Uber Cup, is up against China on Friday but the host's managers say it will concentrate more on its next match against the Netherlands.

More parties file complaints with court

More parties file complaints with court JAKARTA: More political parties and candidates of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) filed complaints with the Constitutional Court on Thursday over the results of the legislative election announced by the General Elections Commission (KPU) on Wednesday. By 6 p.m.

Artist's guitars stolen, sold cheap

Artist's guitars stolen, sold cheap JAKARTA: Five thieves were arrested by the police for breaking into the house of guitarist Benny Panjaitan of Panbers group in Karawaci, Tangerang, and stealing four guitars late April. Two of them were arrested earlier this week.

Denmark expected to beat England in Thomas Cup

Denmark expected to beat England in Thomas Cup Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta European badminton giant Denmark is upbeat about its encounter with England at the Bung Karno Indoor Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on the initial day of the Thomas Cup championship on Friday. Denmark has not won a singles title in the Thomas Cup since the event was first staged in 1949, but managed to reach the final a total of six times.

Prosecutors seeks one year for academic assault

Prosecutors seeks one year for academic assault Theresia Sufa, Bogor Prosecutors asked the Cibinong District Court on Wednesday to sentence two brothers, both researchers at the University of Indonesia, to a year in prison for assaulting a lecturer and students at the university.

Rupiah Rates May 6

Rupiah Rates May 6 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,715.36 5,979.67 6,381.02 6,313.78 Brunei dollar 1 5,442.96 4,847.10 5,171.96 5,117.93 Canadian dollar 1 6,696.09 5,963.54 6,362.71 6,296.76 Swiss franc 1 7,192.45 6,406.86 6,834.35 6,764.84 Danish krone 1 1,499.08 1,334.67 1,424.44 1,409.25 Euro 1 11,152.49 9,935.03 10,597.23 10,490.15 Poundsterling 1 16,458.86 14,663.31 15,639.42 15,482.62 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,176.87 1,048.63 1,118.28 1,107.22...

Aqua sets modest growth target due to higher cost

Aqua sets modest growth target due to higher cost Tony Hotland, Jakarta Drinking water company PT Aqua Golden Mississippi has set a conservative growth target for 2004 despite a supportive ministerial decree due to higher projected operational costs. Aqua's president Willy Sidharta said on Thursday that the company was relying on a regulation issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in November last year to boost the sales of its five-gallon container, a major contributor to total sales.

* Oil prices hit fresh 13-year highs at $40 Page 3

* Oil prices hit fresh 13-year highs at $40 Page 3 * Decree on HIV/AIDS prevention at workplace issued Page 4 * Lampung govt to mediate in mangrove land dispute Page 5 * Wiranto, Susilo should speak out about the past Page 7 * Angry locals blockade Bantar Gebang dump again Page 8 * Thai PM seeks to mend ties with Muslim south Page 9 * Woods tries to get back on track at Wachovia Page 11 * Danareksa lays out merger plan Page 13 * Unveiling Ramayana in Indonesia Page 20

MPR mulls forming council of ethics

MPR mulls forming council of ethics JAKARTA: The People's Consultative Assembly will discuss this month the possibility of establishing an ad hoc council of ethics to judge ethical violations committed by lawmakers. Rambe Kamarulzaman, who is in charge of discussing the Assembly's internal regulations, said on Thursday that details of the council would be set out in the Assembly's internal regulations.

KL to tighten rules for foreign workers

KL to tighten rules for foreign workers Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia plans to tighten rules for hiring foreign labour because there is an oversupply of migrant workers in the country, reports said on Thursday. Human Resources Minister Fong Chan Onn was quoted as saying by the Star that Malaysia needed one million foreign workers but there were currently 1.2 million registered with the ministry, excluding illegal immigrants.

JP/2/RIAU

JP/2/RIAU Key witness in Pekanbaru bombing under tight guard The Jakarta Post Jakarta A critically ill man, who police believe may be a key witness in Tuesday's Pekanbaru bombing, was heavily guarded in hospital on Thursday and was visited by a U.S. FBI investigator and high- ranking police officers. The witness, Irwanto, 24, is being treated at Ibnu Sina Islam Hospital in the Riau capital of Pekanbaru. He was still unconscious on Thursday.

SEA slo-pitch event to start on Friday

SEA slo-pitch event to start on Friday JAKARTA: Organizers of the Southeast Asia slo-pitch tournament said on Thursday the game's 21st series would begin on Friday. "There are 14 teams participating in the event, which will last until Sunday at the Bung Karno Baseball Stadium in Central Jakarta," organizing committee spokesman Hendy told The Jakarta Post. "Apart from Indonesian teams, there are also representatives from Chinese Taipei, Singapore and Thailand," he said.

Cash for local shuttlers

Cash for local shuttlers JAKARTA: State Minister of State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi promised on Thursday to give early bonuses to all Indonesian shuttlers playing in the Thomas and Uber Cups, hoping that it would encourage them to win the trophies. The bonuses will amount to Rp 75 million (US$8,823).

RI, M'sian universities sign cooperation deal

RI, M'sian universities sign cooperation deal MEDAN, North Sumatra: The Tjut Nyak Dien University in North Sumatra province has signed a cooperation agreement with Malaysia's Universitas Utara Malaysia (UUM) to enhance the quality of university staff. "The cooperation covers an exchange program for lecturers and students," Tjut Nyak Dien University acting rector Abu Bakar Karim said on Thursday. The memorandum of understanding was signed recently in Kedah, Malaysia, he said. --Antara

2. 2 x 24

2. 2 x 24 Govt issues decree on HIV/AIDS prevention in the workplace 3 Constitutional Commission ends term 'RI's maternal deaths highest'

National peacekeeping force needed to prevent new clashes in Ambon

National peacekeeping force needed to prevent new clashes in Ambon Yayan GH Mulyana, Bogor, West Java The recent recurrence of bloody Muslim-Christian battles in Ambon indicates that the Malino peace pact, which brought almost all the parties concerned together to agree to truce three years ago, requires additional measures to ensure a durable peace in the region.

Fired police chief teaches us about responsibility

Fired police chief teaches us about responsibility Kornelius Purba, Jakarta Ins. Gen. Jusuf Manggabarani, who was dismissed as South Sulawesi Police chief last week following brutal police treatment of student demonstrators in Makassar, expressed a very rare and brave reaction about the fate he ought to face as a consequence of the police ferocity. "I am a man and a leader. I am ready to take responsibility for the negligence shown by my subordinates ...

Curug market renovation halted

Curug market renovation halted TANGERANG: Renovation work at Curug market has been halted by private developer PT Bangun Prima Sarana because the traders refused to pay the down payment for their kiosks. "Since the renovation began in January, there's not much progress in the construction work," complained Subarda, a 45-year-old trader.

Govt issues decree on HIV/AIDS prevention in the workplace

Govt issues decree on HIV/AIDS prevention in the workplace A. Junaidi, Jakarta Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea issued on Thursday a decree on HIV/AIDS prevention and control in the workplace, which bans employers from discriminating against workers with the virus. However, the decree's effectiveness is questionable because it fails to spell out the punishment for those who ignore the regulation.

Standard army and police weapons used in Ambon: NGO

Standard army and police weapons used in Ambon: NGO The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Ambon A grassroots reconciliation movement offered on Thursday more facts that could shed light on the true identity of the snipers blamed for fueling fresh violence in Ambon, Maluku, which has so far killed 38 people.

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.

Expert call on city to regulate water firms

Expert call on city to regulate water firms Urip Hudiono, Jakarta An expert witness told the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday that the city administration must regulate private water companies to ensure they provide quality service to the public. "The administration must ensure that the current water rates indeed match the companies' service," public utilities and water resource expert Sri Bintang Pamungkas said in his testimony.

Obituary

Obituary Slamet Susanto, Yogyakarta Former religious affairs minister and prominent Islamic thinker Mukti Ali was buried on Thursday at Sunan Kalijaga State Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN) cemetery in Yogyakarta. Thousands of people, including Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agil Hussein Al-Munawar -- who represented the government, attended the burial ceremony led by IAIN rector Ismail Lubis. Mukti died at 83 years of age on Wednesday at around 5:30 p.m.

Danareksa lays out merger plan to boost role

Danareksa lays out merger plan to boost role Rendi A. Witular, Jakarta State-owned investment company PT Danareksa has revealed its plan to merge with a bank or an investment firm in order to become a major player in the country's capital markets, which are currently dominated by foreign players.

Badminton feast opens in Jakarta

Badminton feast opens in Jakarta The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Thomas and Uber Cups kicked off here on Friday with Indonesia's women taking on defending champion China in an seemingly unlikely bid by the host to regain the trophy it last won in 1996. However, there was good news for the championships when the IBF appearing to accede to the demands of TV stations not having rights to broadcast the events that they be allowed to broadcast more of the games.

'Oliver Twist' to be put on by school

'Oliver Twist' to be put on by school JAKARTA: The Charles Dickens classic Oliver Twist will be brought to the stage by students at the Gandhi Memorial International School on May 7 and May 8 at 6 p.m. at the school's auditorium in Ancol, North Jakarta. Proceeds from the two-act play, which tells the story of the hardships faced by the dispossessed and those on the outside of "polite" society, will go to benefit underprivileged children in the capital. -- JP

Thai premier seeks to mend ties with Muslim South

Thai premier seeks to mend ties with Muslim South Agencies, Hat Yai, Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Thursday met with families of some of the Muslim rebels who died in last week's clashes, as he began a visit to the south under tight security. After flying into the main southern city of Hat Yai under heavy guard, he drove to Saba Yoi district in Songkhla province, where 19 young Muslim men who all played on the same football team were among 108 rebels shot dead.

S'pore banker fights with Temasek

S'pore banker fights with Temasek SINGAPORE: Singapore's richest banker, Wee Cho Yaw, faces a fight to retain control of United Overseas Bank (UOB) after powerful state investment arm Temasek Holdings launched a surprise bid for a large stake in part of his business empire, analysts said on Thursday.

Panic selling routs JSX

Panic selling routs JSX Rendi A. Witular, Jakarta The Jakarta stock market sank further on Thursday for the sixth straight session on panic selling due to a combination of negative domestic and regional issues, offsetting the record gains made last month. The Jakarta Composite Index fell by 1.57 percent or 11.965 points to 746.117 with 1.52 billion shares worth Rp 1.21 trillion (US$139 million) changing hands.

78 students get scholarships

78 students get scholarships JAKARTA: Seventy-eight needy students from the elementary school to the university level in Palmerah, West Jakarta, have received academic scholarships from Bina Nusantara University. University rector Theresia Widia Soerjaningsih said on Thursday the students, selected from some 300 applicants who live near the university's campus in West Jakarta, all performed above average in school.

Lampung govt to mediate in mangrove land dispute

Lampung govt to mediate in mangrove land dispute Oyos Saroso H.N., Bandarlampung The Lampung provincial government is planning to hold negotiations in the near future to mediate between large commercial shrimp concessionaires and local residents who claim the government had no right to dole out their ancestral mangrove land. Besides mediating, the negotiations are also aimed at providing solutions for the increasingly widespread deforestation in the mangrove areas.

SOEs urged to fix tainted image

SOEs urged to fix tainted image The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned companies, long perceived as prone to corruption, have been asked to intensify attempts to help eradicate graft to restore the image of the firms and reduce the loss of state funds. State Minister of State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi acknowledged on Wednesday, that with their trillions of rupiah worth of assets, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have often become the cash cow's of corrupt individuals.

Norwegian team visits Constitutional Court

Norwegian team visits Constitutional Court JAKARTA: A delegation from the Norwegian government paid a visit to the Constitutional Court on Thursday to learn more about the newly established institution. During the visit, Constitutional Court chief Jimly Asshidiqie and Prof. Jan Helgesen, the legal adviser of the Norwegian foreign affairs ministry who led the delegation, agreed to work together in the future.

Protesters press for ouster of regent

Protesters press for ouster of regent BANYUWANGI, East Java: Members of the Forum to Safeguard Banyuwangi (FPB) political group threatened on Thursday to mobilize its members for a major protest, should the local legislative council refuse to convene a plenary session soon to oust Regent Samsul Hadi. "If there is no such plenary session on Friday, we will occupy the regent's office on Monday," FPB coordinator Thoriq said.