Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 2 June 2004

75 articles found

Meet the Megawati campaign strategists

Meet the Megawati campaign strategists Tiarma Siboro and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta Public relations, party supporters and minorities are among the issues being focused on by three campaign teams working for the Megawati-Hasyim ticket.

Rupiah Rates June 1

Rupiah Rates June 1 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,971.16 6,253.17 6,647.18 6,576.92 Brunei dollar 1 5,744.78 5,155.20 5,477.80 5,422.10 Canadian dollar 1 7,158.87 6,422.76 6,826.18 6,755.29 Swiss franc 1 7,787.79 6,988.36 7,425.86 7,350.18 Danish krone 1 1,600.98 1,436.86 1,526.57 1,511.25 Euro 1 11,909.39 10,686.78 11,355.92 11,240.07 Poundsterling 1 17,904.62 16,067.44 17,072.53 16,899.30 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,253.38 1,124.94 1,195.13 1,183.18...

Kuningan to propose bill on conservation

Kuningan to propose bill on conservation KUNINGAN, West Java: Kuningan regency administration is planning to propose a bill on conservation and mountain climbing on Mount Ciremai. Kuningan deputy regent Aan Suharso said that the bill was being written and would be deliberated immediately with the Kuningan Regency Council. The bill is aimed at prohibiting any illegal logging, and secondly, regulating permits for mountain climbers and nature lovers. -- JP

We don't live in cowboy country

We don't live in cowboy country Last Wednesday's fatal shooting of prosecutor Ferry Silalahi of the Central Sulawesi Prosecutors' Office came as a big blow to us. It is not the first time a member of the judiciary has been shot dead by irresponsible people. Ferry's murder has further blackened the climate of the country's judicial system. A biased court and flawed judiciary has become the status quo.

House debates autonomy laws

House debates autonomy laws Kurniawan Hari, Jakarta Lawmakers agreed to accept the government-sponsored bill revising the local autonomy laws as their main reference point when they began deliberating amendments to the laws on Tuesday. The addition of the government's bill is likely to prolong the debate because the government's draft is more comprehensive than the revision prepared by the House of Representatives (DPR), which only focuses on the direct election of regional government heads.

House criticizes mining regulation

House criticizes mining regulation JAKARTA: House of Representatives Commission VIII on the environment criticized on Tuesday government regulation in lieu of law No. 1/2004 on mining in protected forests. The commission said the regulation would only worsen the environmental damage to protected forests. The regulation, issued on March 11 while the House was in recess, allowed 13 mining companies to resume their operations in protected forests.

Medco plans rights issue, bonds this year

Medco plans rights issue, bonds this year Dow Jones, Jakarta Oil and gas producer PT Medco Energi Internasional said on Tuesday said it planned to issue rights shares to increase its capital and to reduce its debt to equity ratio. "If it is possible, we will issue the new shares later this year," Medco President Hilmi Panigoro told reporters. He didn't provide other details, but said the company plans to reduce its debt-to-equity ratio to less than 1.0 from 1.75.

Govt proposes further changes to health bill

Govt proposes further changes to health bill Dewi Santoso, Jakarta The debate over the deliberation of the medical practice bill looks set to drag on, as the government has proposed a disciplinary committee to provide better protection for both doctors and patients. The bill, sponsored by the House of Representatives, recommends a disciplinary court to ensure the obligations of patients and doctors are fulfilled, and their rights protected.

Accepting with resignation

Accepting with resignation From Media Indonesia The Javanese word legowo has become popular following the failure of former president Abdurrahman " Gus Dur" Wahid to satisfy the health requirements for standing in the presidential election. Used by both Javanese and non-Javanese people, this word is often misinterpreted. Legowo means accepting something unpleasant in a sincere manner and with resignation.

On top of Wiranto's platform: More jobs, revenue

On top of Wiranto's platform: More jobs, revenue Zakki P. Hakim, Jakarta Retired general Wiranto promises to establish macroeconomic stability, in addition to creating more jobs, boosting the nation's revenue and more fairly distributing that revenue if he were elected. Other priorities for an administration led by him would be to create economic justice and boost the nation's competitiveness by mastering science and technology, according to his economic platform.

RP hopes for next president by June 30

RP hopes for next president by June 30 Manny Mogato, Reuters, Manila After a week of rancorous debate, Philippine lawmakers cracked open more ballot boxes on Tuesday and said they should be able to declare the next president at least a week before the government must dissolve on June 30.

Rupiah, stocks fall as election campaign starts

Rupiah, stocks fall as election campaign starts Dow Jones, Jakarta The rupiah fell to a 26-month closing low on concerns over the heating up of the political climate during the presidential election campaign, which kicked off on Tuesday. The local unit closed at Rp 9,380 per U.S. dollar, down from its close on Monday at Rp 9,275. It's the lowest closing level since April 25, 2002, when it ended at Rp 9,385.

Nicklaus backs Asian stars mission

Nicklaus backs Asian stars mission KUALA LUMPUR: Jack Nicklaus is backing Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and Zhang Lianwei of China to fly the flag for Asian golf when they make a rare foray in the United States this week on the US PGA Tour. Both players have been invited to play in The Memorial event hosted by Nicklaus and will be looking to eclipse the likes Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Vijay Singh.

Five missing as cargo ship sinks in Sumbawa waters

Five missing as cargo ship sinks in Sumbawa waters The Jakarta Post, Mataram/Kupang/Surabaya A rescue team was searching on Tuesday for at least five people still missing after a cargo ship capsized in the waters off the eastern island of Sumbawa in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province. Fourteen victims survived the accident that occurred on Friday in bad weather, rescuers in the NTB capital of Mataram said on Tuesday. The KM Atmoro I capsized at about 8 p.m. near Moyo island.

BCA gets custodian license in futures

BCA gets custodian license in futures Zakki P. Hakim, Jakarta The Commodity Futures Trading Supervisory Board (Bappebti) issued on Tuesday a license for Bank Central Asia (BCA) to operate as a custodian bank in futures trading. Bappebti chairman Ardiansyah Parman told reporters that BCA is the second custodian bank in the industry after Bank Niaga. "Traders from across the country will now have better access as BCA has a wide network across the country," Ardiansyah said.

Widening marine contamination

Widening marine contamination From Koran Tempo Following the pollution of the Jakarta Bay, now the waters of Tangerang have also been contaminated, leaving a great number of fish dead on the coast. Therefore, the relevant government institutions, such as the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and the Office of the State Minister of the Environment, must make serious and concerted efforts to deal with this contamination as otherwise more marine creatures will die.

Garuda, other Asian airlines hike airfares

Garuda, other Asian airlines hike airfares Associated Press, Jakarta/Singapore/Hong Kong Several major airlines in Asia have decided to raise airfares following climbing crude oil prices. Indonesia's national flag carrier Garuda on Tuesday hiked airfares to Australia and New Zealand by A$15 (US$11) and NZ$12 ($7.50) respectively. "We had to it because fuel costs are 25-30 percent of our operation costs," said Garuda's spokesman Pudjobroto, adding the two routes are the company's most profitable.

Police officers in hot seat over TV reality show

Police officers in hot seat over TV reality show Evi Mariani, Jakarta The Jakarta Police Professional Ethics Board has decided to make a formal recommendation to Chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara requesting him to dismiss First Insp. Sunarjo, the head of a unit based in Kebon Jeruk, over the latter's involvement in a crude Candid Camera-like show aired by RCTI on May 26. The board also recommended that Kebon Jeruk Police deputy chief Adj. Comr. Hermino be transferred out.

Amien Rais vows not to engage in mudslinging

Amien Rais vows not to engage in mudslinging A. Junaidi, Jakarta Amien Rais and his running mate Siswono Yudhohusodo could easily resort to mudslinging with their rivals, especially those associated with "militarism" -- retired generals Wiranto and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. But the campaign team led by an executive of Amien's National Mandate Party (PAN) says those issues will be deliberately avoided.

Exports rise in April

Exports rise in April Exports increased in April by 2.7 percent from the previous month as increasing demand for non-oil and gas commodities offset a decline in oil and gas exports, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported on Tuesday. In its monthly report, the BPS said that exports in April stood at US$5.21 billion, up from the $5.06 billion posted in March -- supported by a 3.9 percent rise in non-oil and gas exports.

Rupiah Rates June 1

Rupiah Rates June 1 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,971.16 6,253.17 6,647.18 6,576.92 Brunei dollar 1 5,744.78 5,155.20 5,477.80 5,422.10 Canadian dollar 1 7,158.87 6,422.76 6,826.18 6,755.29 Swiss franc 1 7,787.79 6,988.36 7,425.86 7,350.18 Danish krone 1 1,600.98 1,436.86 1,526.57 1,511.25 Euro 1 11,909.39 10,686.78 11,355.92 11,240.07 Poundsterling 1 17,904.62 16,067.44 17,072.53 16,899.30 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,253.38 1,124.94 1,195.13 1,183.18...

Police on full alert during election

Police on full alert during election JAYAPURA, Papua: A senior police officer in Papua reported on Tuesday that police would be on full alert during the presidential election this year, amid threats from the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM). Sr. Comr. Max D.

On reviving 'keroncong' music

On reviving 'keroncong' music As a reader of The Jakarta Post, I appreciate and am grateful to the editorial staff for translating and divulging Marah Kamrin's letter published in the Warta Kota daily regarding the fading away of traditional keroncong music (the Post, May 29). During the Dutch colonial era, keroncong music was regarded as unique for its rhythm, melody and lyrics composed in Malay.

No sign of terrorist attacks: Da'i

No sign of terrorist attacks: Da'i Abdul Khalik, Jakarta Police have not yet discovered any indication of possible terrorist attacks during the country's direct presidential election scheduled for July 5, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar says.

People told to take care of the elderly

People told to take care of the elderly JAKARTA: To mark World Elderly Day on Tuesday, the government encouraged citizens to take care of their parents at home instead of putting them in nursing homes. "In honor of our culture, I call on younger people to let their aging parents live with them," said Minister of Social Affairs Bachtiar when introducing the Three Generations Under One Roof campaign.

'Pancasila keeps country united'

'Pancasila keeps country united' JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri led a celebration of the 59th anniversary of the Pancasila on Tuesday, calling on young people to remain true to the principles of the ideology. Speaking to some 2,000 supporters of her Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Megawati said Pancasila kept the country united. "Pancasila binds together people from different races and religions in Indonesia," Megawati said.

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'Direct' elections a casting of collective votes Thomas Hidya Tjaya Jakarta 2. Dani -- Selective enforcement of labor regulations reduces job opportunities 2 x 30 Selective enforcement of labor rules cuts job opportunities Daniel Kingsley Jakarta

Dogs and cats off the streets

Dogs and cats off the streets JAKARTA: To prevent a possible rabies breakout, the North Jakarta animal husbandry and veterinary agency has been busy rounding up stray cats and dogs. The agency's director, Sugiman, was quoted by beritajakarta.com on Monday as saying that the effort was being made as his agency occasionally received reports of people being bitten by rabid dogs, although there had been no significant rise in the number of rabies victims.

Public sports centers in poor condition

Public sports centers in poor condition JAKARTA: People in West Jakarta apparently prefer private sector sports centers to the ones provided by the city as the equipment in public sports centers is generally in poor shape. The sound system at the Cengkareng district public sports center, for example, is barely audible, said residents. In addition, its lighting system, essential for badminton and volley ball games, is seriously inadequate.

Packages of silicone cause commotion at the airport

Packages of silicone cause commotion at the airport Evi Mariani and P.C. Naommy, Jakarta Three packages at the center of a bomb scare at the Soekarno Hatta International Airport on Tuesday turned out to contain a harmless substance, police said. The scare began when the packages, part of the baggage of a Garuda airlines domestic passenger, went through an airport X-ray machine. Airport staff suspected the packages, which were packed with a fine grainy substance, contained bomb chemicals.

1. Rupiah (1x47)

1. Rupiah (1x47) Rupiah, stocks fall as election campaign starts 2. BPS (3x13) May inflation creates new worries 3. BCA (4x10) BCA gets custodian license in futures 4. BI (2x30) Bankers want 'market-friendly' deputy governor for BI 5. MIGAs (1x38) Regions demands payment of oil revenue

Damning accusations dog Wiranto's bid

Damning accusations dog Wiranto's bid Tiarma Siboro and Abdul Khalik, Jakarta The challenges to Wiranto's presidential bid have taken another twist after his former aide in the Indonesian Military (TNI) Maj. Gen. (ret) Kivlan Zein revealed that the Golkar Party candidate had a key role in the deployment of civilian guards during national assembly meeting in November 1998.

No Garuda team for complimentary ads

No Garuda team for complimentary ads A proposal has been circulating from the "Team for Publication of ISO 9001: 2000 Garuda Indonesia" complete with contact people and phone/fax numbers, offering joint complimentary ads for the Garuda award. Regarding this matter, we would like to clarify that PT Garuda Indonesia has not formed such a team or appointed any firm to act as coordinator of the activity. Nor has Garuda sought the participation of its working partners.

RI U-20s hold India to draw

RI U-20s hold India to draw Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta The Indonesian Under-20 team held the Indian national team to a 1-1 draw in a friendly match at the Bung Karno Stadium here on Tuesday afternoon. Defender Ahmad Zaelani forced India's goalkeeper Prasanta Dora to collect the ball from his net, putting the hosts in front after 27 minutes.

Release of terror suspects delayed

Release of terror suspects delayed Irvan NR, Palu The Central Sulawesi Prosecutor's Office has postponed the planned release of three people acquitted by a provincial high court of terrorism charges. However, the reason behind the postponement is still unclear. Officials at Maesa Penitentiary in Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi, refused to talk to journalists on the planned release, which was supposed to occur late on Monday.

Seized bombs and weapons destroyed

Seized bombs and weapons destroyed POSO, Central Sulawesi: Police in the Central Sulawesi regency of Poso destroyed on Tuesday more than 2,000 rifles, guns, homemade bombs and ammunition that the police discovered during door-to-door searches in the area in the past 10 months. The weapons and bombs were burned and thrown out to the sea in a ceremony held at Samudra Port in Poso city, attended by Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Taufik Ridha.

Poverty-reduction strategy

Poverty-reduction strategy The Indonesian delegation to the World Bank-sponsored international conference on poverty reduction in Shanghai last week should be able to bring home a great deal of knowledge and information to help improve the country's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), which is currently in the final stage of preparation.

Two students get Rp 900m for schooling

Two students get Rp 900m for schooling JAYAPURA, Papua: The Papua provincial government allocated last year a staggering Rp 900 million for two students who were completing their studies at an aviation school in New Zealand. John Safkaur, the head of the social welfare section at the provincial administration, claimed that the financial aid was aimed at encouraging young Papuans to study aviation, which was seen as an important field considering that Papua is a mountainous region.

Selective enforcement of labor rules cuts job opportunities

Selective enforcement of labor rules cuts job opportunities Daniel Kingsley, Jakarta Indonesia's recently promulgated labor regulations have created a discerning attitude in the private sector towards export-oriented sectors. Informal research shows that foreign and domestic stakeholders are not optimistic about maintaining current investment and new investment given the effect these laws are having on production costs and delivery schedules.

Candidates choose not to reveal their donors

Candidates choose not to reveal their donors M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta All presidential candidates have submitted bank accounts to the General Elections Commission (KPU) but none of them have revealed their lists of campaign donors, the commission said on Tuesday. KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti said all had missed the May 31 deadline for submitting their full financial reports, which must include a list of campaign donors. Law No.

U.S. set to up Asian maritime security

U.S. set to up Asian maritime security Richard Hubbard, Reuters, Singapore Washington will seek to win over skeptical Southeast Asia to U.S. plans for increased security in the area's busy shipping lanes when Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visits Asia this week, analysts said. Widely reported comments by a U.S. admiral in March that U.S.

1. PLATFORM: 1 LINES, 35 COUNTS

1. PLATFORM: 1 LINES, 35 COUNTS Wiranto promises more jobs, revenue 2. MEGA: 1 LINE, 30 COUNTS The Megawati campaign strategists 3. AMIEN: 2 LINES, 28 COUNTS Amien's campaign manager vows not to engage in mudslinging 4. KPU: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS Candidates decline to reveal donors

Students get look at research life

Students get look at research life BOGOR: Cosmetics company PT L'Oreal Indonesia and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) hosted on Tuesday a study tour of LIPI's biotechnology research center in Bogor for high school students. Twenty-five students from five Jakarta high schools were selected to take part in the tour through an essay competition. The students were required to write essays explaining why scientific research is important for resource-rich countries like Indonesia.

Government to expel American researcher

Government to expel American researcher The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government ordered on Tuesday International Crisis Group (ICG) researcher Sidney Jones to leave the country immediately, citing a work permit violation. A letter signed by head of the South Jakarta office of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights Arwin Adityawarman dated June 1 says the office revokes Jones' stay permit and orders her immediate exit from the country.

In March, searchers found a missing ship that was reported

In March, searchers found a missing ship that was reported missing in the Banda Sea off Southeast Sulawesi province and rescued all 52 people aboard, including eight crew members. The KM Untung Jaya, which also carried tons of freight, sank in bad weather when it was sailing from Taliabo port in North Maluku to Wangi-Wangi.

KL company to buy stake in Jawa Power

KL company to buy stake in Jawa Power KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian power company YTL Power International Bhd has announced a move to buy a 35-per-cent stake in an Indonesian power plant for US$139.4 million, news reports said Tuesday. YTL Power will buy the stake in PT Jawa Power from PT Bumipertiwi after the Indonesian company buys the shares from Powergen, which is part of the German utility giant E.ON.

Vision of tomorrow, today

Vision of tomorrow, today R.A. Kartini is a heroine of Indonesian history. She fought for women's emancipation long before the country became independent. Her vision of women's emancipation was so powerful, it has become a reality, as can be seen in the current leadership. Is this an accident? Vision and leadership are complementary, intertwined and difficult to separate. Today, we hear people mention the word vision too often, because we are in the midst of a presidential election.

Good corporate governance and culture: Indonesia's challenge

Good corporate governance and culture: Indonesia's challenge Eric Hallett, Jakarta There has been much recent debate over how universal the policies of good corporate governance are across cultures (transparency and disclosure, ethical decision-making, shareholder rights, proper risk management, appropriate executive remuneration, stakeholder interests, etc.).

No paper

No paper In observance of the Buddhist Day of Enlightenment and in line with government instruction, The Jakarta Post will not be published on Thursday (June 3). The Post will reappear on Friday (June 4). -- Publisher

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 1, 2004

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 1, 2004 _________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume __________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 925 0 0 Adhi Karya 350 -10 6,486,000 Adira Dinamika 2,475 0 0 AGIS Tbk 100 0 100,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 75 0 0 Alakasa Industrindo 135 0 0 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 950 0 0 Alter Abadi Tbk 35 0 0 Alumindo Light...

Fillipino workers face deportation

Fillipino workers face deportation MANILA: Some 9,000 Filipinos working illegally in South Korea failed to take advantage of an amnesty program and now face deportation, the Philippine Foreign Secretary Delia Albert said on Tuesday. She said 32,000 other Filipinos had made use of the amnesty last year under which illegal aliens were allowed to voluntarily return home then apply for a work permit to let them legally return and work in South Korea.

Regions demands payment of oil revenue

Regions demands payment of oil revenue Fitri Wulandari, Jakarta The country's oil and gas producing regions demanded on Tuesday that the central government disburse their share of oil and gas revenue totaling Rp 2.73 trillion (US$294.66 million). The regions also rejected a proposal to share the burden of the fuel subsidy with the central government, arguing that it was the central government's responsibility. "We need the (oil and gas) revenue to finance our development programs.

Batu Hijau copper-gold mine (PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara) in Sumbawa

Batu Hijau copper-gold mine (PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara) in Sumbawa has been awarded a Green PROPER rating by the State Ministry for the Environment in March. PTNNT was one of only 8 companies nationally to achieve this high rating.

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U.S. in Iraq: The moral high ground? Patrick Guntensperger Jakarta 2. ICRC -- 1 x 30 Humanity in fight against terror Jakob Kellenberger Geneva 3. PRO2 -- The march to barbarism 1 x 30 Checking the march to barbarism Jeffrey D. Sachs Project Syndicate 4. Yomi -- Attacks in Saudi Arabia part of global problem 1 X 23 Saudi attacks a global issue The Daily Yomiuri Asia News Network Tokyo

Bankers want 'market-friendly' deputy governor for BI

Bankers want 'market-friendly' deputy governor for BI Tony Hotland, Jakarta Bankers expressed expectations on Tuesday that the next senior deputy governor of Bank Indonesia (BI) should be "market friendly" and possesses good knowledge about banking, monetary issues and independence. Chairman of the Association of State Banks (Himbara) Rudjito said the position should be filled by someone who could be accepted by the financial market to collaborate with BI Governor Burhanuddin Abdullah.

Japanese Ambassador

Japanese Ambassador Correction: The name of the Japanese Ambassador, whose picture appeared in Page 4 of The Jakarta Post May 31 edition, is Yutaka Iimura. We regret the error. Editor

'RRI' director denies corruption allegations

'RRI' director denies corruption allegations JAKARTA: The director of state-funded radio station RRI, Suryanta Saleh, denied on Tuesday allegations his office had misused state funds in procuring broadcast equipment. He said the Supreme Audit Agency had launched a probe into the alleged Rp 40 billion (US$4.4 million) scandal. "The investigation will take time because the team has to inspect some RRI offices in the regions," Suryanta told legislators here on Tuesday.

Presidential election

Presidential election From Media Indonesia Five pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates will contest the presidential election on July 5. It is estimated that more people will vote in the presidential election than voted in the legislative election. Each pair of candidates and their campaign teams will certainly try to win over as many voters as possible.

Smuggled goods sell well in Belawan

Smuggled goods sell well in Belawan Apriadi Gunawan, Medan A range of cheap merchandise, allegedly smuggled from Malaysia and Singapore, can be found on sale openly at Belawan Port, some 20 kilometers from the North Sumatra capital of Medan. The contraband include dolls, remote-control cars, CD and VCD players, vases, decorative lamps, perfumes, shoes and clothing. Business is bustling in areas along Jl. Simalungun and others, where it has been going on for years.

Bird smuggling hard to curb: NGO

Bird smuggling hard to curb: NGO Theresia Sufa, Bogor A wildlife watchdog has revealed that bird smuggling is the second largest crime in the country after drug trafficking in terms of the number of cases. Executive of the Bogor-based Network Development Birdlife Indonesia Yusup Cahyadin told The Jakarta Post on Monday the most popular birds are cockatoos and parrots, which are smuggled overseas from Tobelo Halmahera district, North Maluku.

May inflation creates new worries

May inflation creates new worries Dadan Wijaksana, Jakarta Prices increased faster in May than in April due to the weakening rupiah and higher telephone charges, giving rise to concerns about inflation that could force the central bank to start raising interest rates. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported on Tuesday that inflation in May rose by 6.47 percent from the same month last year, stronger than the year-on-year inflation rate of 5.29 percent in April.

Busway feeder service failure admitted

Busway feeder service failure admitted Bambang Nurbianto and Damar Harsanto, Jakarta The TransJakarta Busway management admits that it has failed to provide feeder services for the 12.9-kilometer busway corridor from Blok M, South Jakarta, to Kota, West Jakarta. Management head Irzal Djamal said on Tuesday that eight bus operators did not provide an adequate number of feeder services, as specified in an agreement signed between them earlier.

Children try iron-rich diet to prevent anemia

Children try iron-rich diet to prevent anemia Leony Aurora, Jakarta For Sri, a third grader at public elementary school 2 on Kelapa island in the Thousand Islands, nothing compares to eating freshly caught fried fish cooked by her mother. "I like pomfret fish best," she said while watching her friends going one by one to the front of the classroom to get their blood checked.

Maligo springs start to dry up due to rampant illegal logging

Maligo springs start to dry up due to rampant illegal logging Irvan NR, Palu The Maligo springs in Madale subdistrict, Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, are on the verge of drying up due to rampant logging in the area. The facts on the ground show that the water flowing through Madale and the two adjacent subdistricts of Lawanga and Tegalrejo, which residents greatly depend on for their everyday needs, has drastically declined.

We don't live in

We don't live in cowboy country Last Wednesday's fatal shooting of prosecutor Ferry Silalahi of the Central Sulawesi Prosecutors' Office came as a big blow to us. It is not the first time a member of the judiciary has been shot dead by irresponsible people. Ferry's murder has further blackened the climate of the country's judicial system. A biased court and flawed judiciary has become the status quo.

Activist wants probe into alleged graft

Activist wants probe into alleged graft BANDA ACEH, Aceh: A local activist demanded on Tuesday that prosecutors immediately investigate an alleged markup in the renovation of Aceh provincial secretary's official residence at the cost of Rp 1.4 billion (US$ 155,555). Rufriadi, the coordinator of Judicial Watch, said that the money came from the Aceh state budget of 2002 and 2003.

Widening marine contamination

Widening marine contamination From Koran Tempo Following the pollution of the Jakarta Bay, now the waters of Tangerang have also been contaminated, leaving a great number of fish dead on the coast. Therefore, the relevant government institutions, such as the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and the Office of the State Minister of the Environment, must make serious and concerted efforts to deal with this contamination as otherwise more marine creatures will die.

Mitsubishi sales drop 56.3% in May

Mitsubishi sales drop 56.3% in May TOKYO: Sales of new Mitsubishi vehicles in May plunged to less than a half the year-before level, apparently hit by defect cover-up scandals at the group, a dealers' association said on Tuesday. Mitsubishi Motors sold a total of 4,213 new vehicles in May, down 56.3 percent from a year earlier, according to the latest data from the Japan Automobile Dealers Association.

Journalists survive boat mishap

Journalists survive boat mishap A boat carrying a group of journalists and environmental activists sank on Tuesday morning at around 11 a.m. after it hit coral reefs off East Kalimantan. The accident took place half an hour after the ship left the Derawan islands port for Sangalaki island in East Kalimantan.

[b] At Koba Tin, friendly means

At Koba Tin, friendly means genuine care for community and environment Positioning itself as a friendly mining company, PT Koba Tin genuinely implements all the nuances of the slogan in its operations and has been since day one. Sharing with and giving back to the community colors not only Koba Tin's philosophy, but is actually translated in its daily activities. Hence, being a good corporate citizen for Koba Tin is a natural.

Oil giants struggle to offset rising crude prices

Oil giants struggle to offset rising crude prices Glenn McKenzie, Associated Press, Lagos, Nigeria Leading oil exporters outside the Middle East have pledged to boost production to offset soaring world prices - but it could be months or years before Top 10 giants Russia, Nigeria and Mexico really manage to open their taps. In all three countries, building projects to clear pipeline bottlenecks or boost production capacity are still works in progress, or not yet out of the talking stage.

Amien's brother loses bid for DPD seat

Amien's brother loses bid for DPD seat Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta As presidential candidate Amien Rais started his campaign on Tuesday, his brother, Dahlan, was removed from his projected seat on the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) in Central Java. The Constitutional Court ruled that Dahlan's opponent, cleric Achmad Chalwani, deserved a seat on the council in the dispute.

2005 budget assumptions agreed

2005 budget assumptions agreed Dadan Wijaksana, Jakarta The House of Representatives budget commission and the government have agreed on key assumptions for the draft 2005 state budget, which envisages a smaller deficit and higher economic growth. Abdullah Zainie, chairman of the commission, said on Tuesday that the deficit for next year had been penciled in at 0.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), lower than this year's target of 1.2 percent.

Javanese farming entrepreneurs on Batam

Javanese farming entrepreneurs on Batam Fadli, Batam Mardi, 35, and his wife Sutiyem, 28, from Banjarnegara regency, Central Java province, arrived four years ago on Batam in search of work in the special industrial zone island. They were not seeking jobs in electronic goods assembling plants as many other Javanese do, but to grow vegetables for household consumption.

Candidates float ideas in rally

Candidates float ideas in rally The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Thousands of people lined up along Jl. M.H. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman on Tuesday to watch the floats go by as the first day of a month-long presidential campaign began. The people, mostly activists who support one of the candidates, waved flags when their favorite candidate's floats went by.