Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 17 June 2004

81 articles found

Bank Indonesia to set up credit information bureau

Bank Indonesia to set up credit information bureauTony Hotland, JakartaBank Indonesia (BI) is developing a credit information bureau to help the country's commercial banks obtain more comprehensive information about debtors and increase lending to the business sector.

Exam scores conversion could produce dilettantes

Exam scores conversion could produce dilettantesB. Herry-Priyono, Jakarta A recent sluggish Monday morning turned into a mental inferno as my cellular phone was barraged by a series of messages from acquaintances: the statistical conversion of the 2004 national final examination results had...

Strict penalties needed to boost House performance

Strict penalties needed to boost House performanceKurniawan Hari, JakartaThe House of Representatives must introduce stern penalties to its internal regulations to deter legislators from skipping meetings and deliberations of bills, governance activists said on Tuesday, as the current House session...

Lecturer assailants get one year

Lecturer assailants get one yearTheresia Sufa, BogorThe Cibinong District Court sentenced on Wednesday the two assailants of Reny Chandriachsja Suwarso, a Social and Political Studies lecturer at the University of Indonesia, to a year in prison and a probationary period of 15 months each.

1. MK: 2 LINES, 24 COUNTS

1. MK: 2 LINES, 24 COUNTS PNBK stripped of its only seat in the House 2. BALLOT: 2 LINES, 20 COUNTS Ballot printing wraps up, distribution almost over 3. PANWAS: 3 LINES, 14 COUNTS Campaigning breaches up in week two 4. MEGA: 2 LINES, 16 COUNTS KPU's ban threat on Mega up in the air 5.

Govt divides labor in Aceh recovery work

Govt divides labor in Aceh recovery workTiarma Siboro, JakartaThe government issued on Wednesday guidelines for the implementation of integrated operations in Aceh under a state of civil emergency, which restrict the governor's authority to power over local administrations.

Observers slam final exam formula

Observers slam final exam formulaThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Padang/KupangEducation observers say it is wrong to use the National Final Examinations (UAN) as a tool to calibrate the standard of national education and determine students' right to graduate.

Drug mule nabbed at airport

Drug mule nabbed at airportMulta Fidrus, TangerangA joint team of police and customs and excise officers foiled an attempt to smuggle a kilogram of shabu-shabu (crystal metamphetamine) onto a flight to Medan, North Sumatra, at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

'Kancil' to replace 'bajaj'

'Kancil' to replace 'bajaj'From Koran TempoThe Jakarta administration has issued a license for the operation of kancil, public transport vehicles that will replace three-wheeled bajaj. According to Governor Sutiyoso, bajaj are already old and noisy.

Fair organizers upbeat in spite of election

Fair organizers upbeat in spite of electionDamar Harsanto, JakartaThe 2004 Jakarta Fair is likely to be less festive than last year, with fewer exhibitors signing up for the event possibly because of increased uncertainly resulting of the presidential elections.

BP Migas to sign energy contracts next week

BP Migas to sign energy contracts next weekThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Oil and Gas Implementing Body (BP Migas) is scheduled to sign a number of energy contracts worth billions of dollars next week.Rachmat Sudibyo, the head of BP Migas said the contracts include a Memorandum of Understanding...

Mursidi, living witness to tragedy

Mursidi, living witness to tragedyFadli, Contributor/BatamThe Vietnamese refugee camp on Galang Island in Riau province may have many bitter tales to tell of the tragedy that befell countless victims of the conflict between two opposing ideologies at the peak of the Cold War.

Bus crew members support Amien Rais

Bus crew members support Amien Rais JAKARTA: Thousands of students from Muhammadiyah-run schools in Jakarta and hundreds of bus drivers and their assistants gathered on Wednesday at the East Jakarta headquarters of the Primajasa bus company, to declare their support for presidential candidate Amien...

Exclusivism and multiculturalism in Islamic society

Exclusivism and multiculturalism in Islamic societyAhmad Najib Burhani, Jakarta The issue of the implementation of sharia is not of much interest to Indonesian people, whether Muslims or non-Muslims. The April 5 legislative election results are the best proof of this statement.

Exam score conversion could produce dilettantes

Exam score conversion could produce dilettantesB. Herry-Priyono, Jakarta A recent sluggish Monday morning turned into a mental inferno as my cellular phone was barraged by a series of messages from acquaintances: The statistical conversion of the 2004 national final examination results had...

Sad songs mark Bagong's passing

Sad songs mark Bagong's passingSlamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post/Bantul, YogyakartaThe strains of the classical Javanese song Mega Mendung followed by the mournful Ayak-ayak Tlutur accompanied the solemn procession at the tranquil residence of seasoned choreographer Bagong Kussudiardjo in Kembaran...

Puskesmas fee to increase 7 fold

Puskesmas fee to increase 7 fold YOGYAKARTA: Yogyakarta Municipal Health Office plans to raise the administrative fee at community health centers (Puskesmas) in the city, in a bid to improve services to the public, an official said on Wednesday.

Papuans reach peace accord to end bloody tribal conflict

Papuans reach peace accord to end bloody tribal conflictNethy Dharma Somba, TimikaTwo conflicting tribes, the Damal and Nduga, in Papua province have agreed to end the bloody clashes that have killed two tribesmen on each side.

Jamaah Islamiyah exists in Indonesia, research reveals

Jamaah Islamiyah exists in Indonesia, research revealsSri Wahyuni, YogyakartaA study of terrorist network Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) has concluded that the network is an international one that includes Indonesia.

Toll project hangs in the balance

Toll project hangs in the balanceRendi A. Witular, Jakarta A giant toll road project stretching from the western tip of Java to the easternmost city on the island might not be completed as scheduled, as the Ministry of Finance seems reluctant to approve a pivotal loan facility for the project.

GIBT

GIBT ACADEMIC COOPERATION: Charles Sturt University (CSU) of Australia and Gandhi Institute of Business and Technology (GIBT), Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta, signed an academic agreement on June 13. Under the agreement signed by Director International of CSU Robert Cochrane and Chairman of GIBT...

Corruption rampant among councillors

Corruption rampant among councillorsAbdul Khalik, JakartaCorruption run amok seems to have become the order of the day within the country's legislatures as the list of criminal cases involving policy makers from all administrative levels grows at the rate of one new case per day, according to the...

Rupiah Rates June 16

Rupiah Rates June 16 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,887.98 6,186.94 6,572.42 6,502.27 Brunei dollar 1 5,774.01 5,188.56 5,509.49 5,453.01 Canadian dollar 1 7,229.13 6,495.65 6,897.94 6,826.72 Swiss franc 1 7,918.00 7,114.95 7,555.25 7,477.

BI interest rate slightly up for second time

BI interest rate slightly up for second timeTony Hotland and Dadan Wijaksana, JakartaThe interest rate on one-month Bank Indonesia SBI promissory notes slightly increased to 7.34 percent from 7.33 percent during its fortnightly auction on Wednesday.

Consumer group battles water giants over poor service

Consumer group battles water giants over poor serviceUrip Hudiono, JakartaThe Jakarta Water Consumers Community (Komparta) insisted that water firms PT Thames PAM Jaya (TPJ) and PT PAM Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja) be held legally responsible for any public losses caused by their poor service.

S'poreans rebuked for teen sex in RI

S'poreans rebuked for teen sex in RIAssociated Press, SingaporeA United Nation (UN) women's rights group is trying to stop Singapore men from seeking sex with underage prostitutes on Indonesia's nearby resort island of Batam, a newspaper reported on Wednesday.

BPK told to audit ink procurement

BPK told to audit ink procurement JAKARTA: The Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency (Fitra) called on the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) to audit the procurement of indelible ink used in the recent legislative election amid allegations of overpricing.

IOC to grant $1,000 scholarships

IOC to grant $1,000 scholarships JAKARTA: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) plans to give three-year US$1,000 scholarships to Indonesian athletes who show significant promise.The scholarships, which are part of a worldwide program, will be awarded from 2006 to 2008 when the Olympic Games...

New Honda City launched with similiar but more powerful engine

New Honda City launched with similiar but more powerful engineNovan Iman Santosa, JakartaJapanese carmaker PT Honda Prospect Motor (HPM) launched last Thursday a more powerful version of its New Honda City compact sedan at Semanggi Expo Hall, South Jakarta.

S'pore joins APEC business program

S'pore joins APEC business program SINGAPORE: Singapore has joined an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) program that cuts the red tape for business travellers seeking to work in the other member nations, the organization said on Wednesday.

BI tells Danamon to inject more funds

BI tells Danamon to inject more funds JAKARTA: Bank Indonesia (BI) demanded Bank Danamon shareholders to inject more funds into the bank to avoid violating the legal lending limit ruling after the bank acquired 75 percent shares of PT Adira Dinamika Multifinance.

Government told to rein in retail expansion

Government told to rein in retail expansionZakki P. Hakim, JakartaThe government must limit the number of modern retailers in urban areas to protect traditional markets and shops, according to a top official of PD Pasar Jaya, which operates traditional markets in Jakarta.

'It's impossible to count the fees watching TV'

'It's impossible to count the fees watching TV'The plan by TVRI to charge a monthly television fee has received a mixed reaction. Many people question the mechanism in collecting the fee as it will be attached to the electricity bill, the amount of which is based on usage.

3 heads

3 heads 1. MERCY -- 1 x 39 SLK 200, Viano hit Indonesia's roads 2. CITY -- New Honda City launched with similar but more powerful engine Carmakers turn to Hollywood for product placement

Police rescue 72 migrant workers

Police rescue 72 migrant workers TANGERANG: The Tangerang Police rescued on Wednesday morning 72 women who had "escaped" from migrant worker recruitment agency PT Anton Bintang Permai in Mahkota Mas shopping complex, Cikokol.

PDI-P presidential campaign team faces tough questions in Jakarta

PDI-P presidential campaign team faces tough questions in JakartaBambang Nurbianto, JakartaWednesday saw a rare, lively dialog during a campaign event held by presidential candidate Megawati Soekarnoputri's team from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

Tony Hotland

Tony Hotland JakartaBank Lippo aims to recover at least 50 percent of its foreclosed assets, valued at about Rp 2.3 trillion (US$245.2 million), the sales of which will be decided on June 29 during the publicly listed bank's shareholders meeting.

Ballot paper printing wraps up, national distribution almost over

Ballot paper printing wraps up, national distribution almost overM. Taufiqurrahman, JakartaThe General Elections Commission (KPU) has beaten the June 15 deadline to print 170 million ballot papers for the first round of the presidential election, with the 18 firms contracted to print the forms...

Kalla expelled from Riau college

Kalla expelled from Riau college PEKANBARU, Riau: Students at a state Islamic institute in Riau expelled vice presidential candidate Jusuf Kalla on Wednesday for being the running mate of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who has a military background.

Sweet as sugar

Sweet as sugar Ada gula ada semut literally means "where there is sugar, there are ants."The old proverb is an eminently appropriate way of describing sugar smuggling in Indonesia, which is dubbed as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

Campaign to target child prostitution

Campaign to target child prostitution BATAM, Riau: The Mitra Kesehatan Keluarga Foundation (YMKK) is scheduled to begin a campaign on July 1 against child prostitution on Batam.The campaign will be held in cooperation with the United Nation Development Fund for Women (Unifem), Batam's YMKK...

Our sorry state of education

Our sorry state of education Ever since its inception, controversy has bedeviled the government's system of evaluating the progress and learning achievements of students in Indonesian junior and senior high schools.

* Exam score conversion could produce dilettantes Page 2

* Exam score conversion could produce dilettantes Page 2 * Government declares end of dengue fever outbreak Page 4 * Poso girls speak out on abuse by officers Page 5 * Exclusivism and multiculturalism in Islamic society Page 7 * Internet, SMS help school admissions Page 8 * Shiite cleric signals...

JP/1/GAM

JP/1/GAMEfforts to bring GAM leaders to trial ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2001 September A government envoy meets with Swedish officials to ask the latter to take legal action against Hasan di Tiro and others for instigating armed rebellion in Aceh.

TV Program: Thursday, June 17, 2004

TV Program: Thursday, June 17, 2004 .TB.30" .90"TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi7:00 Children Show Pentas Ceria8:30 Music: Asyik-Asyik10:00 Talk Show: Wirausaha11:00 Singing Contest: Konteswara12:00 p.m.

Australian Airlines to mark first anniversary of direct flights to Bali

Australian Airlines to mark first anniversary of direct flights to BaliDewi Anggraeni, Contributor/MelbourneFor travellers, the news that Australian Airlines plans to celebrate the first anniversary of its direct flights to Denpasar at the end of this month immediately gives rise to gleeful hopes...

SLK 200, Viano hit Indonesia's roads

SLK 200, Viano hit Indonesia's roadsPrimastuti Handayani and Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, JakartaJakarta's poor roads and driving conditions have apparently not deterred sports car fans from purchasing one to complete their automotive collection.

Rebels' detention may be UN-based

Rebels' detention may be UN-basedFabiola Desy Unidjaja and Tiarma Siboro, JakartaThe detention of two Aceh rebel leaders in Sweden may have been based on a UN resolution requiring member states to take action against anyone that threatens the territorial integrity of states.

Mangrove suspects' dossiers submitted

Mangrove suspects' dossiers submitted JAKARTA: The dossiers of three suspects in a mangrove felling case were submitted to the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office early this week, Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Prasetyo said on Wednesday.

Valuair to fly to Jakarta

Valuair to fly to Jakarta JAKARTA: Indonesia has settled a landing rights dispute with Singapore's budget airline Valuair, allowing it to begin flights to Jakarta, an official said Wednesday."Indonesia's air regulators have granted landing rights to Valuair and they should be able to start their...

Foreign policy issues in presidential election

Foreign policy issues in presidential electionShafiah Fifi Muhibat, Jakarta As campaigns for the July 5 presidential election escalate, candidates fiercely compete for attention. Ideas have been raised, policies have been proposed, and promises have been made.

Light damage delays Wiranto visit

Light damage delays Wiranto visit JAYAPURA, Papua: The lights of the Sentani National Airport landing strip went out on Wednesday, forcing presidential candidate Wiranto and his running mate Solahuddin Wahid to delay a visit to the country's easternmost province.

Over 50,000 expats working illegally

Over 50,000 expats working illegally Many companies complain about the complicated, time-consuming procedures and corrupt officials that they have to face to obtain work permits for expatriates from the various government offices involved.

Three dead after deadly fire

Three dead after deadly fire MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Three residents burned to dead in a house on Jl. Andi Tonro in Makassar city on Tuesday night.They were brothers Ihsan and Syahrul Nur, and their grandmother Daeng Sugi.

IPB accepts

IPB accepts 856 new students BOGOR: The Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) will admit 856 new students for the 2004/2005 academic year through its regular selection process, an increase from the 803 students who were accepted the previous year.

Thousands of teachers continue strike against police brutality

Thousands of teachers continue strike against police brutalityHasrul, KendariSome 7,000 teachers continued their strike for a 10th day on Wednesday in Muna regency, Southeast Sulawesi, in protest against the alleged beating of a principal by a policeman.

Jamsostek won't cut investment in stocks

Jamsostek won't cut investment in stocksRendi A. Witular, Jakarta Despite huge losses in the country's stock market lately due to the unfavorable global economic environment, state-owned social security firm PT Jamsostek has said that it will not reduce its current allocation of investment in the...

[b]

Poso girls speak out on abuse by officers JP/5/TIMIKA2 x 29 Papuans reach peace accord to end bloody tribal conflict JP/5/strike2 x 31 Muna teachers continue strike against police brutality

Shafiah Fifi Muhibat

Shafiah Fifi Muhibat Jakarta2. Yale -- The war on terror yet to be won in Southeast Asia 2 x 30 The war on terrorism has yet to be won in Southeast Asia Zachary Abuza Yale Center for the Study of Globalization Boston

Freedom Bull Nationalist Party stripped of single seat in House

Freedom Bull Nationalist Party stripped of single seat in HouseMuninggar Sri Saraswati, JakartaThe Constitutional Court denied the Freedom Bull Nationalist Party (PNBK) a seat on Wednesday at the House of Representatives.

KPU's ban threat on Mega up in the air

KPU's ban threat on Mega up in the airThe status of a ban against the incumbent President Megawati Soekarnoputri and her running mate Hasyim Muzadi remains unclear, because as of Wednesday the General Elections Commission (KPU) said it had yet to meet with the provincial KPU (KPUD) that issued it...

RI Performing Arts Mart links artists to the world

RI Performing Arts Mart links artists to the worldWahyoe Boediwardhana, Nusa Dua, BaliIndonesian artistes were given an opportunity to showcase their work in the second Indonesian Performing Arts Mart (IPAM) at Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, Nusa Dua resort, and Arma Museum, Ubud, Gianyar, which ended on...

Woman or unbeliever for president?

Woman or unbeliever for president?From Media Indonesia Recent newspaper and TV reports have made me feel uncomfortable as a housewife and a Muslim to know that some clerics are still so narrow-minded that they view the gender issue in such a simplistic way.

Asia to lead recovery in commercial satellite launches: Arianespace

Asia to lead recovery in commercial satellite launches: ArianespaceAgence France-Presse, Singapore Asia will lead a global recovery in the commercial satellite market as the region's telecommunications giants scramble to have their own relay stations launched into orbit, European industry...

Poso girls speak out on abuse by officers

Poso girls speak out on abuse by officersRuslan Sangadji, Palu, Central SulawesiHundreds of local girls in Poso regency have experienced trauma and abuse after coming into contact with military and police officers deployed here from other areas of the country over the last four years.

PPATK, police sign agreement

PPATK, police sign agreement JAKARTA: In an effort to curb money laundering, the Financial Transaction and Report Analysis Center (PPATK) signed on Wednesday a memorandum of understanding on money laundering prevention and eradication with the National Police.

1. MART -- 1 x 52

1. MART -- 1 x 52 RI Performing Arts Mart links local artists to the world 2. AIR -- 2 x 38 Australian Airlines to mark first anniversary of direct flights to Bali

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, June 17, 2004

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, June 17, 2004.TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions* Painting The Alchemy of Asia by Pablo Gentile, at Gaya Fusion of Senses, Jl. Raya Sayan Ubud (Tel. 0361 979252), until July 20. * Photo: A Memory of Images by Gill Marais, at Ganesha Gallery, Four Season Resort Bali, Jimbaran...

Try offers himself middleman

Try offers himself middlemanEva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta Former chairman of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) Try Sutrisno has offered to mediate in a conflict between the association's regional chapters and the central board, a PBSI official said.

RI to hold workshop on rights mechanism

RI to hold workshop on rights mechanismThe Jakarta Post, JakartaIndonesia -- the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) -- and the Regional Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism will host a workshop to identify actions and steps toward the realization of an...

Hero to open more stores amid competition

Hero to open more stores amid competitionThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Publicly listed retailer PT Hero Supermarket said on Wednesday it planned to budget some Rp 200 billion (US$21 million) this year to open additional hypermarkets and stores in order to compete with other giant retailers.

Councillors nabbed for drugs

Councillors nabbed for drugs TANGERANG: The Tangerang Police arrested on Tuesday two members of the regental council on allegations that they used drugs at a hotel on Jl. Thamrin, Kebon Nanas.The councillors -- Achmad Moduto and Muhdiar -- both from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle...

House set to ratify Kyoto Protocol

House set to ratify Kyoto Protocol JAKARTA: After hearing from various sources, the House of Representatives and the government will begin discussing on Thursday a plan to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.Effendi Choirie, deputy chairman of House Commission I for foreign affairs, said on Wednesday State...

[b]Government declares end

Government declares end of dengue fever outbreak 2. DPRD (1 x 32)Corruption rampant among councillors3. House (3 x 16) Strict penalties needed to boost House performance4. Bagong ( 1 x 33 )Bagong Kussudiardjo dies, aged 75

Campaign rule breaches increase in second week

Campaign rule breaches increase in second weekM. Taufiqurrahman, JakartaIn the second week of the month-long presidential campaign, the Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) recorded an increase in the number of violations committed by all presidential candidates.

Zakii brings out the old Bali icons

Zakii brings out the old Bali iconsBambang Asrini Widjanarko, Contributor/JakartaBali has long attracted artists from all over the world and their stays -- fleeting or permanent -- have contributed to the development of the fine arts on the island.

Lecturers reluctant to do research

Lecturers reluctant to do research JAKARTA: The country's lack of a scientific culture has resulted in little research being done by universities, especially those in eastern Indonesia, a university rector said on Wednesday.

Megawati's daughter supports her mom

Megawati's daughter supports her mom BATAM, Riau: Puan Maharani, the daughter of presidential candidate Megawati Soekarnoputri, called on Muslim women here on Wednesday to support the presidential bid of Megawati, the only female candidate in the upcoming election.

Government declares end of dengue fever outbreak, lifts alert status

Government declares end of dengue fever outbreak, lifts alert statusSari P. Setiogi, JakartaThe government declared the dengue fever outbreak over and lifted the red alert status in 12 provinces, as the prevalence rate had decreased to a baseline level.

Mercedes-Benz opens collection shop

Mercedes-Benz opens collection shop JAKARTA: Instead of going to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Collection Shop at Changi Airport in Singapore, the German carmaker's die-hard fans can now expand their collections at a new shop opened on the ground floor of Pasaraya Grande in South Jakarta.

1. BATAM 1x30

1. BATAM 1x30 Mursidi, living witness to tragedy 2. BUSH 1x40Bush twins set to join U.S. election campaign 3. GUESS1 1x30Arnie back on screen as playboy4. GUESS2 1x30 Alanis Morissette gets engaged