Archive: 23 June 2004
88 articles found
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Wiranto team short on money
Wiranto team short on money SURABAYA: A leader of Wiranto and running mate Salahuddin Wahid's campaign team in East Java said a lack of funds was hampering campaign efforts in the province. Ridwan Hasyim, the deputy chairman of Wiranto's campaign team in East Java, said his team submitted a proposal for Rp 50 billion in funds to organize campaigning in the province, but the money never materialized.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
'We need a governor with clear vision'
'We need a governor with clear vision' Jakarta's official 477th anniversary on Tuesday was marked with performances at City Hall as well as a light show at the National Monument (Monas) nearby. Despite the celebration, many issues still need to be addressed by the city administration. The Jakarta Post talked to some residents on their expectations regarding the future of the capital. Kiki, 31, is a freelancer in a graphic design agency.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Campaigners take breaks; save energy for final round
Campaigners take breaks; save energy for final round Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta The members of the five presidential campaign teams are taking it easy during the fourth round of the campaign in Jakarta, saving their energies for the final round from June 27 to July 1.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Scholars and their choices
Scholars and their choices The chairman of the second largest Muslim organization Muhammadiyah, Achmad Sjafii Maarif, has said Muslim scholars must not enter politics and should maintain their independence. Speaking at the national coordination meeting of the Association of Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI) in Semarang, Central Java, recently, Sjafii warned politics was divisive and could destroy the spirit of brotherhood among the citizens.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
1 x 38
1 x 38 Bureaucracy hampers W. Java graft probe JP/5/GULA 1 x 42 Job losses loom as sugar firm faces closure JP/5/rape 1 x 36 Director accused of raping teen maid JP/5/HOSTAGE 3 x 18 Angry workers take executives hostage in Samarinda
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta anniversary date must be changed: Historian
Jakarta anniversary date must be changed: Historian The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A prominent Betawi -- or native Jakartan -- observer, Ridwan Saidi, said on Tuesday that Jakarta's anniversary, which has been celebrated every June 22 since 1958, must be changed. "The commemoration on June 22 is wrong. How can we commemorate the day that Fatahillah attacked Jakarta as the city's day of birth?" he said.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Controversial article in tax law dropped
Controversial article in tax law dropped The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has finally revoked a controversial article in a draft revision to the country's tax legislation, which gives the tax office greater powers to detain violators, following protests from government agencies and business leaders.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Police declare 65,000 tons of PTPN X's sugar illegal
Police declare 65,000 tons of PTPN X's sugar illegal Abdul Khalik, Jakarta At least 65,000 tons of imported sugar owned by state plantation firm PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) X was declared illegal on Tuesday, paving the way for prosecution of those involved in case. National Police chief of detectives Comr. Gen. Suyitno Landung Sudjono said that according to ministerial decree No. 643, PTPN's license to import sugar had expired on April 30.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
RI, East Timor set to sign border agreement at AMM next week
RI, East Timor set to sign border agreement at AMM next week Adianto P. Simamora, Jakarta In a major breakthrough in their embryonic relationship, Indonesia and its former province East Timor are set to ink a preliminary border agreement at an upcoming ministerial meeting of southeast Asian nations in Jakarta, an official at the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste (East Timor) said.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Medco output may surge 18% after acquisition
Medco output may surge 18% after acquisition The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Publicly listed energy company PT Medco Energi Internasional expects its oil and gas output to soar by 18 percent after acquiring a majority stake in Australia-based Novus Petroleum Ltd. In a press statement on Tuesday, Medco said that by taking into account Novus' production, the company expected its oil and gas production to increase this year to 33 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBOE) from 28 MMBOE last year.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Former governors tell administration to improve services
Former governors tell administration to improve services Damar Harsanto, Jakarta Former Jakarta governors called on the city administration to improve services in the capital on Tuesday by reducing red tape, cutting paperwork, enforcing discipline and developing infrastructure. Surjadi Soedirdja, who served as governor from 1992 to 1997, said that a thorough improvement in services was needed to make Jakarta a competitive service city in the region.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
RI, Malaysia to hold joint exercises
RI, Malaysia to hold joint exercises ENPASAR, Bali: The Indonesian and Malaysian military agreed on Tuesday to hold joint exercises in the Malacca Strait to counter piracy and threats of terrorism there. Spokesman for the Indonesian Military Lt. Col. Ahmad Yani Basuki said the two neighboring countries were serious in tackling security issues in the strait. The Indonesian delegation was led by Maj. Gen. Adam Damiri, while the Malaysian counterpart was led by Brig. Gen.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Manado bureaucracy to be streamlined
Manado bureaucracy to be streamlined MANADO, North Sulawesi: At least 796 officials at the North Sulawesi provincial administration will lose their positions by February 2005, when Government Decree No. 8/2003 takes effect. The decree deals with the streamlining of the bureaucracy at various levels of government, including the provincial level. D.J.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Earthquake jolts Bengkulu
Earthquake jolts Bengkulu BENGKULU: An earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale jolted Bengkulu province on Tuesday morning, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. The head of the Kapahyang geophysical station, Armien Pamimin, said on Tuesday the epicenter of the quake was located at 5.08 degrees south latitude and 101.39 degrees east longitude.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Angry workers take executives hostage in Samarinda
Angry workers take executives hostage in Samarinda Rusman, Samarinda After striking for two weeks, workers at two plywood firms in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, raised the stakes on Tuesday, taking two of the companies' executives hostage. "We had to take them hostage because they are the only executives who have direct contact with the companies' owner in Hong Kong," said Benny Patty, the coordinator of the striking workers.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Schools and education first
Schools and education first From Republika Over the past few years, a lot of school buildings have collapsed, been demolished to make way commercial developments or fallen into disrepair. Such conditions will adversely affect the interest of both students and teachers in the education process. This situation shows that the country is being left behind in the education field, especially compared to Malaysia, which in the past even invited Indonesian teachers to come and work in that country.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
KL unveils new plan for Malacca
KL unveils new plan for Malacca Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on Tuesday said it would place soldiers on islands in the pirate-infested Malacca Straits to beef up security against potential pirate and terror attacks on ships. Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said some 10 army personnel have already been deployed on two islands -- Perak and Kedah -- in the past two months but did not elaborate.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Part 1 of 2: Real military reform depends on civilians
Part 1 of 2: Real military reform depends on civilians Juwono Sudarsono, London Six years after "the cessation of office" by President Soeharto on May 21, 1998, the Indonesian Military (TNI) remains the most powerful instrument of governance that has the ability to keep the country together. Despite the plethora of political reforms launched by presidents B.J.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
David E. Sumual
David E. Sumual Jakarta 2. Pro -- Islam's electoral divide 1 x 45 Nurturing democracy in Muslim-majority countries By Alfred Stepan Project Syndicate 3. Asia -- An effort to connect civil society in Asia and Europe 1 x 30 Linking Asia-Europe civil societies Kavi Chongkittavorn The Nation Asia News Network Bangkok
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Police declare 65,000 tons of PTPN X's sugar illegal
Police declare 65,000 tons of PTPN X's sugar illegal Abdul Khalik Jakarta At least 65,000 tons of imported sugar owned by state plantation firm PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) X was declared illegal on Tuesday, paving the way for prosecution of those involved in case. National Police chief of detectives Comr. Gen. Suyitno Landung Sudjono said that according to ministerial decree No. 643, PTPN's license to import sugar had expired on April 30.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
'The road to substantive democracy will remain rocky and full
'The road to substantive democracy will remain rocky and full of glitches until Indonesia quadruples its GDP per capita and the size of its middle class.' ;JP; ANPAk..r..
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Hotels, malls to get info screens
Hotels, malls to get info screens Good news for visitors to Jakarta, as well as local people, who often experience trouble in obtaining information about places of interest and attractions in the capital, as they will soon be able to access information on the city using touch-screen information displays located in upscale hotels and malls. "We have installed the displays.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
RI may lower LNG price for Korean buyer
RI may lower LNG price for Korean buyer Fitri Wulandari, Jakarta The Oil and Gas Upstream Regulatory Agency (BP Migas) signaled on Tuesday that Indonesia was ready to sell its liquefied natural gas (LNG) at a discounted price to maintain customer loyalty amid tougher competition in the market. BP Migas head Rachmat Sudibyo said Indonesia might offer a discount of up to 40 percent to South Korean firm Korea Gas Corp. (Kogas), should the firm agreed to extend its contract for another 20 years.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Old Jakarta at present
Old Jakarta at present As the capital city, Jakarta has seen many changes and has lived through many development plans. Many historical sites and buildings have been replaced by business premises. This year, Jakarta celebrates its 477th anniversary. This is the third of a six-part series on old city landmarks. Hotel Des Indes was the grandest hotel in Batavia and the entire Netherlands Indies, hosting social functions for the elite Batavian society.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
House criticized over justice selection
House criticized over justice selection Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta Activists questioned on Tuesday the integrity and capability of the 14 appointed Supreme Court justices, and criticized the House for selecting them hastily in a process that lacked transparency. Activists Bambang Widjojanto and Asep Rahmat Fajar suggested that President Megawati Soekarnoputri postpone the approval of the justices, pending the establishment of the planned judicial commission.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Pitung's home to be tourism area
Pitung's home to be tourism area JAKARTA: The North Jakarta administration plans to convert Marunda Pulau fishing village into a tourist area with adjacent low-cost apartments. Spokesman for the municipality, Asep Rohyani, said on Monday that a prominent community figure, Atit, had urged the administration not to evict the fishermen in the area for the conversion. The people consider their village a historical site.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
High oil prices a manageable risk for Asia, says ADB
High oil prices a manageable risk for Asia, says ADB Agence France-Presse, Manila Sharp increases in oil prices in recent months pose a risk, although a manageable one, for Asian economies as long as governments use the right policies, the Asian Development Bank said Tuesday. "Asia remains particularly vulnerable to an oil shock because of its high dependence on oil imports," said the report by ADB economist Park Cyn-Young.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Pluit protester denies role as provocateur
Pluit protester denies role as provocateur Urip Hudiono, Jakarta Defendant Niu Fatourus, alias Alay, a former tenant of a low-cost apartment in Pluit, challenged a witness' testimony that he had led a mob to damage the apartment manager's office during the eviction of tenants in February. At a hearing on Tuesday at the North Jakarta District Court, witness Rahmat Fulan, a security guard working for apartment operator PT Jakarta Propertindo, testified that Alay was involved in a fight on Feb.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Candidates promote unrealistic promises: Study
Candidates promote unrealistic promises: Study Tiarma Siboro Jakarta Non-governmental organization The Institute for Democracy Studies (LKaDe) criticized on Tuesday presidential and vice presidential candidates for the unrealistic promises they have made during nearly three weeks of public campaigning.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
RI to send children to physics tourney
RI to send children to physics tourney JAKARTA: Indonesia will send a high school physics research team to Brisbane, Australia, to compete in the International Young Physicist Tournament (IYPT) between June 24 to July 1, 2004. It will be the second consecutive time for Indonesia to send its delegates, which will consist of five students from the country's high schools.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Supreme Court probes 3 judges
Supreme Court probes 3 judges JAKARTA: The Supreme Court has set up a team to investigate three Makassar high court judges who reduced the jail term of an official convicted of stealing state money allocated for East Timorese refugees in the province. Justice Abdurrahman Saleh, who heads the court's monitoring division, said the team would comprise Justice Artidjo Alkostar, Justice Ida Bagus Ngurah Adnyana and an assistant.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
BSD lacks vision
BSD lacks vision From Kompas The Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) development in Tangerang has now taken a direction that is quite different from the original plan. The development attracted a lot of buyers at first because of its concept of being a new city characterized by good quality parks -- a city that was intended to develop as a mid-sized city and alternative to the congested metropolis that is Jakarta.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
BCA, Danamon may bid for Permata
BCA, Danamon may bid for Permata Rendi A. Witular, Jakarta Bank Central Asia (BCA) and Bank Danamon, the country's largest and second largest privately owned banks said they are still studying the possibility of entering the tender process for a controlling stake in Bank Permata. BCA president Johan Emir Setijoso said that they were still doing a feasibility study to determine whether their investment would be worthwhile.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Nine nominees pass test for graft court
Nine nominees pass test for graft court Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta The Supreme Court is expected to approve nine candidates that were selected by a screening process to sit on the ad hoc corruption tribunal, which will be set up later this year. "We have selected nine candidates and submitted their names to the Supreme Court for approval. The court will submit the names to the President," said Moegiharjo, the director of the Supreme Court's criminal division, on Tuesday.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Hasyim given apology deadline
Hasyim given apology deadline JAKARTA: A senior Nadhlatul Ulama (NU) cleric gave Hasyim Muzadi, the running mate of Megawati Soekarnoputri, seven days to publicly apologize for using images of NU founder Hasyim Asy'ari in his campaign posters. Yusuf Hasyim, the head of the Tebu Ireng Islamic boarding school in Jombang, East Java, as well as the son of Hasyim Asy'ari, said he would file a lawsuit against Hasyim if he failed to apologize by the deadline.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Supertanker sale illegal, senior official asserts
Supertanker sale illegal, senior official asserts Fitri Wulandari and Tony Hotland, Jakarta The sale of two giant tankers owned by state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina has violated at least one government regulation as the tankers were sold without a prior asset evaluation process by key ministries, according to a senior official. Director General of Financial Institutions Darmin Nasution said that based on government regulation No.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
ASEAN agrees to empower regional security option
ASEAN agrees to empower regional security option Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is to commence building a regional security community, and while member countries agreed to set a new benchmark for the cooperation, the road ahead may prove bumpy.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
*Chechens seize ministry, 46 killed Page 2
*Chechens seize ministry, 46 killed Page 2 *House criticized over justice selection Page 4 *Bureaucracy hampers W. Java graft probe Page 5 *Real military reform depends on civilians Page 6 *Former governors tell administration to improve Page 8 *Iran to prosecute British sailors Page 9 *France hopes to put on 'A' game Page 12 *RI may lower LNG price for Korean buyer Page 13 *Rooney, England's latest teen sensation Page 20
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Police halt probe into Ribena case
Police halt probe into Ribena case SURABAYA: Police in Surabaya halted their investigation into Ribena beverages after laboratory tests found no poisonous substances in the currant-flavored beverage, according to East Surabaya Police chief of detectives Adj. Comr. Sudibyo.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Confused in Bandung
Confused in Bandung From Koran Tempo Bandung, the capital of West Java, was formerly known as the Paris of Java. Today, it is no longer so beautiful because of its complex city plan and muddled public transportation system. As a student from Jakarta, I was confused when I first arrived in Bandung. I went to a destination by public minivan and for my return trip, I had to take another means of public transport. The routes used by the two were also different.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Utut holds Akopian in first game
Utut holds Akopian in first game The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Grand Master (GM) Utut Adianto, the only Indonesian representative in the world chess championships now underway in Tripoli, Libya, had to be content with a draw with GM Vladimir Akopian in the first game of the second round on Monday. Playing with black pieces, Utut pressed ahead with his attacking game.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Amien dealt blow by wandering ally
Amien dealt blow by wandering ally SURAKARTA, Central Java: Presidential candidate Amien Rais expressed disappointment on Tuesday that Fuad Bawazier, a longtime ally, had apparently jumped ship to back Wiranto in the presidential election. "Some friends are working for the campaigns of other presidential candidates, but it is their right to do so," said Amien, apparently referring to Bawazier, who is a member of Amien's National Mandate Party (PAN).
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
RP cellphone market to hit 30m this year
RP cellphone market to hit 30m this year MANILA: The number of mobile telephones in the Philippines is expected to hit 30 million by the end of this year, Alcatel president Philippe Germond said Tuesday. Germond, head of the French telecoms giant, said the Philippine market could become one of the major contributors to his company's growth in the Asia-Pacific region, adding that Alcatel would double its business in the region in the next three years.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Baby among 14 killed in Lampung bus crash
Baby among 14 killed in Lampung bus crash Oyos Saroso H.N., Bandarlampung Police personnel in East Lampung regency were hunting down a driver of a passenger bus, who was held responsible for a deadly accident on Monday night in Hargomulyo village, a top police officer said on Tuesday. Adj. Sr. Comr. Anjar Dewanto, the chief of East Lampung police precinct, claimed that his investigators had already identified the driver, who was estimated to have fled east in the direction of Merak port.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Malaria outbreak called extraordinary emergency
Malaria outbreak called extraordinary emergency Dewi Santoso, Jakarta The government is still struggling to contain a malaria outbreak in three provinces where an extraordinary emergency was declared last week. Last Wednesday the government declared a state of high alert in West Java, Riau and Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam after malaria claimed 12 lives and affected 1,281 others there.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Flights disrupted due to haze
Flights disrupted due to haze Puji Santoso, Pekanbaru A number of flights were diverted or delayed on Tuesday as thick haze from forest and farmland fires covered Pekanbaru city in Riau province and parts of the Malaysian peninsula. Officials said at least eight planes were unable to land at Pekanbaru's Sultan Syarif Kasim Airport, while another flight could not take off due to poor visibility. Visibility was only 300 meters at around 6 a.m.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Navy impounds tanker, fishing boats
Navy impounds tanker, fishing boats SURABAYA: The Navy impounded a tanker and 12 fishing boats for various violations during a one-month nationwide operation code- named Trisila. The spokesman for the Eastern Indonesian Fleet Command, Lt. Col. Guntur Wahyudi, said on Tuesday the 292 deadweight ton tanker was impounded in the waters off Selaru island in the Arafuru Sea after transshipping fuel oil without the necessary documents. "The tanker was later escorted to the Tual naval base," he said.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah Rates June 22
Rupiah Rates June 22 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,834.75 6,141.09 6,522.14 6,453.52 Brunei dollar 1 5,754.46 5,170.43 5,491.26 5,433.48 Canadian dollar 1 7,265.26 6,526.90 6,932.95 6,858.96 Swiss franc 1 7,944.81 7,140.34 7,581.42 7,503.61 Danish krone 1 1,614.77 1,451.49 1,540.91 1,525.33 Euro 1 12,005.66 10,786.31 11,453.67 11,335.07 Poundsterling 1 18,133.23 16,297.88 17,303.84 17,127.05 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,270.00 1,141.63 1,211.92 1,199.71...
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Shuttlers begin play in Jakarta Open
Shuttlers begin play in Jakarta Open The 18th Yonex Sunrise Jakarta Open 2004 badminton championship, featuring about 1,000 players from 74 clubs in Indonesia and four foreign countries, began here on Tuesday. The six-day championship at the Asia-Africa Badminton Hall in South Jakarta features Under-14, U-16 and U-19 divisions, as well as an open class, with a total of Rp 30 million (US$3,200) in prizes on offer. The visiting teams come from Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and Switzerland.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
'The road to substantive democracy will remain rocky and full
'The road to substantive democracy will remain rocky and full of glitches until Indonesia quadruples its GDP per capita and the size of its middle class.' ;JP; ANPAk..r..
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Shuttlers begin play
Shuttlers begin play in Jakarta Open The 18th Yonex Sunrise Jakarta Open 2004 badminton championship, featuring about 1,000 players from 74 clubs in Indonesia and four foreign countries, began here on Tuesday. The six-day championship at the Asia-Africa Badminton Hall in South Jakarta features Under-14, U-16 and U-19 divisions, as well as an open class, with a total of Rp 30 million (US$3,200) in prizes on offer. The visiting teams come from Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and Switzerland.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Campaigners take a break; save energy for final round
Campaigners take a break; save energy for final round Bambang Nurbianto Jakarta The members of the five presidential campaign teams are taking it easy during the fourth round of the campaign in Jakarta, saving their energies for the final round from June 27 to July 1.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Chairul's PBSI post may end July 17
Chairul's PBSI post may end July 17 Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta Chairul Tanjung's rein at the helm of the country's badminton governing body, the PBSI, looks set to come to an abrupt end next month now that an extraordinary meeting has been scheduled for July 17. A working group representing restless provincial chapters had previously hoped the meeting would be held on June 28.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
S. Korean hostage in Iraq wins more time
S. Korean hostage in Iraq wins more time Mussab al-Khairalla, Reuters/Baghdad Militants threatening to behead a South Korean hostage in Iraq unless Seoul withdraws its troops have agreed to allow more time for talks on his fate, an Iraqi mediator told Reuters on Tuesday. Jama'at al-Tawhid and Jihad, suspected of links to al-Qaeda, initially set a Monday night deadline in a videotape which showed Kim Sun-il pleading for his life.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
164 TNI abuses in Aceh being probed
164 TNI abuses in Aceh being probed BANDA ACEH, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam: The military police have been investigating 164 violations allegedly involving soldiers during the year of martial law in the province. Aceh Military Police Commander Lt. Col. C.M. Bakir said on Tuesday six officers had been found guilty and dismissed from the Military. Bakir said the errant soldiers were court-martialled, rather than prosecuted in a public court, although their offenses affected civilians.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Nymex to set up Singapore base
Nymex to set up Singapore base SINGAPORE: The New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) plans to set up a bourse in Singapore with a local partner as part of its plan to forge closer relationships in the Asia-Pacific region, its president said. Robert Collins Jr. said Nymex hoped the new exchange, which would offer crude and oil product futures contracts, would be up and running "sometime in 2005".
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
KPU retracts controversial ads
KPU retracts controversial ads M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta Responding to public criticism, the General Elections Commission (KPU) said on Tuesday it had withdrawn newspaper ads that were perceived as benefiting the incumbent president. The public ads were meant to educate people on how to pierce a ballot paper correctly. In the ads, a vote is considered valid if the symbols of two females or a female and a male are pierced, while all examples of invalid votes bore the silhouettes of two men.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Malaysia announces new security measures for Malacca Straits
Malaysia announces new security measures for Malacca Straits Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on Tuesday said it would place soldiers on islands in the pirate-infested Malacca Straits to beef up security against potential pirate and terror attacks on ships. Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said some 10 army personnel have already been deployed on two islands -- Perak and Kedah -- in the past two months but did not elaborate.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Television license
Television license From Koran Tempo I was disappointed to learn that PT TVRI (state television) was planning to reinstitute the TV license fee for the owners of television sets. In this regard, I would like to know whether TVRI is a social foundation or a state-owned limited liability company. I believe this company must be managed by more professional people to ensure that TVRI can compete with other television stations. SOEWARDJONO R. Tangerang, Banten
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Students must pass drug test: Rector
Students must pass drug test: Rector KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Haluoleo University unveiled a new policy on Tuesday that will require new students to take a drug test before being formally admitted to the university. Under the new policy, new students who fail the drug test will not be allowed to take their place at the university, even though they have already passed the entrance exam.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
2,370 new students arrive at IPB campus
2,370 new students arrive at IPB campus BOGOR: Around 2,370 high school graduates arrived at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) campus on Tuesday. The IPB admissions committee chairman Asep Mulyana said that the institute had distributed registration forms to around 1,500 high schools nationwide in February and some 8,201 students responded. Of the 8,201 applicants, around 2,370 were accepted.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Bureaucracy hampers W. Java graft probe
Bureaucracy hampers W. Java graft probe The Jakarta Post, Cirebon/Bandung/Makassar A senior prosecutor of the West Java Prosecutor's Office asserted on Tuesday that the office was serious about investigating a Rp 25 billion (US$ 2.6 million) graft case allegedly involving 100 provincial councillors.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Scholars asked to be fair in campaign
Scholars asked to be fair in campaign A. Junaidi, Jakarta Political analysts involved in presidential campaign teams run the risk of damaging their own credibility if they fail to uphold the values of scientific ethics and objective analysis. "It's their right to be members of campaign teams, but they should remain objective and adhere to their ethics, or the public will not trust them any longer," sociologist Imam B. Prasodjo of the University of Indonesia said.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Ladia Galaska road project to go ahead despite criminal allegations
Ladia Galaska road project to go ahead despite criminal allegations P.C. Naommy, Jakarta The government-sponsored Ladia Galaska trans-Aceh road project is moving forward despite allegations of criminal intent from environmentalists, an ongoing police investigation and a pending court ruling. "We consider the project illegal because it was started without the required Amdal.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
U.S., Thailand to start free trade talks, clouded by various concerns
U.S., Thailand to start free trade talks, clouded by various concerns Daniel Lovering, Associated Press, Bangkok, Thailand For more than a decade, Thailand has concocted low-cost generic drugs at a government laboratory to produce treatments for AIDS patients. But a planned free trade agreement with the United States could effectively block Thailand from making affordable copies of the drugs developed by U.S. companies in the future, leaving as many as 35,000 patients to pay the ultimate price.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Philippines to host UN council meet
Philippines to host UN council meet UNITED NATIONS: The Philippines foreign minister was set to host a special UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday on the role of civil society in helping to build peace in nations devastated by war. Foreign Minister Delia Domingo-Albert said she would chair the session, focussing on the topic chosen by the Philippines in its role as council president for the month of June.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
41 Tangerang legislators grilled over another mass corruption case
41 Tangerang legislators grilled over another mass corruption case Multa Fidrus, Tangerang The Tangerang Police will summon 41 councillors over their alleged involvement in the misuse of Rp 3.3 billion (US$354,838) of the regency's community development funds. "We will question them this week," police detective chief Adj. Comr. Asep Adi Saputra said on Monday. He said the police would investigate the case in response to media reports, although no official report had been filed.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Tentacles of corruption
Tentacles of corruption If only that handful of officials at Pertamina had been honest about the whole thing from the start, the state-owned oil company most likely would not have found itself entangled in the increasingly confounding maze of lies and falsehoods that it now must unravel. But old habits die hard. As most of us must know by now, the Pertamina tanker scandal began innocently enough.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah Rates June 22
Rupiah Rates June 22 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,834.75 6,141.09 6,522.14 6,453.52 Brunei dollar 1 5,754.46 5,170.43 5,491.26 5,433.48 Canadian dollar 1 7,265.26 6,526.90 6,932.95 6,858.96 Swiss franc 1 7,944.81 7,140.34 7,581.42 7,503.61 Danish krone 1 1,614.77 1,451.49 1,540.91 1,525.33 Euro 1 12,005.66 10,786.31 11,453.67 11,335.07 Poundsterling 1 18,133.23 16,297.88 17,303.84 17,127.05 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,270.00 1,141.63 1,211.92 1,199.71...
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
;AFP;
;AFP; ANPAf..r.. ADB-oil-Asia High oil prices a manageable risk for Asia: ADB JP/16/ADB High oil prices a manageable risk for Asia: ADB Agence France-Presse Manila Sharp increases in oil prices in recent months pose a risk, although a manageable one, for Asian economies as long as governments use the right policies, the Asian Development Bank said Tuesday.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Thailand eyes key post at UN
Thailand eyes key post at UN THAILAND: Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra used the Third Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) ministerial meeting in China on Tuesday to push for the nomination of his foreign minister as the next United Nations secretary general. Speaking to delegates representing 22 Asian countries in the Chinese city of Qingdao, Thaksin said it was time for an Asian to take the post currently held by Kofi Annan.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
TV Program: Wednesday, June 23, 2004
TV Program: Wednesday, June 23, 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 Showbiz 11:00 Singing Contest: Konteswara 12:00 p.m.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Hyundai workers endorse strike
Hyundai workers endorse strike SEOUL: Workers at South Korea's leading carmaker, Hyundai Motor, voted on Tuesday to endorse a strike proposed by union leaders demanding higher wages, officials said. The proposed strike won 75 percent of 38,337 union members who cast ballots on Tuesday, the union said. The union, however, gave no timetable for its action, saying it could resume talks with Hyundai, the world's seventh largest auto company.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Presidential candidates make unrealistic promises: NGO
Presidential candidates make unrealistic promises: NGO Tiarma Siboro, Jakarta Non-governmental organization The Institute for Democracy Studies (LKaDe) criticized on Tuesday presidential and vice presidential candidates for the unrealistic promises they have made during nearly three weeks of public campaigning.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Jobs loses loom as sugar firm faces closure
Jobs loses loom as sugar firm faces closure Nana Rukmana, Cirebon The Ministry of Forestry plans to reclaim 13,113 hectares of sugarcane plantations in forest reserves in Majalengka and Indramayu regencies in West Java, threatening to leave at least 21,844 families without a means of livelihood.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Anwar OKs Temasek to bid for Permata
Anwar OKs Temasek to bid for Permata Tony Hotland, Jakarta Bank Indonesia deputy senior governor Anwar Nasution has said that he sees no reason why Temasek Holdings should not be allowed to bid for a majority stake in Bank Permata. "Why not (let Temasek acquire the bank) if they make a better bid than the other investors. What's important is how to fix our banking situation," he told reporters after a meeting with lawmakers on the 2005 draft state budget on Tuesday.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia needs new development strategy
Indonesia needs new development strategy David E. Sumual, Jakarta In the past one-month, many economic discussions have focused on two major external risks facing the Indonesian economy, namely the possibility of aggressive interest rate hikes by the Fed and the impact of higher oil prices on the government budget.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Residents must be alert for dengue
Residents must be alert for dengue BOGOR: The Bogor Health Agency has called on residents to remain alert for dengue fever at least until August, although the peak of the current outbreak had passed. Speaking on the sidelines of a seminar on the prevention of the disease at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) on Tuesday, health agency head Triwandha Elan particularly warned Tanah Sereal residents to remain alert as the district has always had a high incidence of the disease.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Inkud 'authorized' to import sugar
Inkud 'authorized' to import sugar Zakki P. Hakim and Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Association of Village Cooperatives (Inkud), which has been under scrutiny for its alleged involvement in sugar smuggling, insisted on Tuesday that it had imported sugar after getting the go-ahead from Minister of Industry and Trade Rini MS Soewandi.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Director accused of raping teen maid
Director accused of raping teen maid Yemris Fointuna, Kupang After the disturbing Nirmala Bonat case, an Indonesian maid who was brutally abused in Malaysia recently, another worker, also from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has become a victim of sexual violence. Yeskial Natonis, 32, the director of the overseas labor recruitment agency PT Pra, was arrested by police in the NTT capital of Kupang for allegedly raping an 18-year-old maid from South Central Timor regency. Kupang Police chief Adj. Sr.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
House close to ratifying Kyoto Protocol
House close to ratifying Kyoto Protocol Moch. N. Kurniawan, Jakarta House of Representatives Commission I has no objections to a government proposal to ratify the Kyoto Protocol as part of the country's commitment to helping reduce global warming. In a hearing with the Office of the State Minister for the Environment, Commission I, which handles environmental issues, agreed to the Kyoto Protocol Ratification bill the government submitted for deliberation.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Tangerang MUI issues 10 edicts
Tangerang MUI issues 10 edicts Multa Fidrus, Tangerang The Tangerang regency branch of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) has issued 10 fatwas aimed at improving the work of the local administration, the police, the Banten provincial administration and even the central government. "As a religious institution, the MUI has a moral responsibility to give advice to the executive, legislature and judiciary," Rasna Dahlan, the regency MUI general secretary told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Govt revokes 22 special haj licenses
Govt revokes 22 special haj licenses JAKARTA: The government has revoked the licenses granted to 22 special haj pilgrimage organizers over the past few years, a minister said on Tuesday. Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agil Husein Al Munawar said five travel agents' operations were frozen by the government this year due to various violations. Said said action against the remaining organizers would follow. -- Antara
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
EXPO briefs (advertisement) -- For June 23, 2004 (Wednesday)
EXPO briefs (advertisement) -- For June 23, 2004 (Wednesday) Cost Reduction the ABC Way Naresh Makhijani MSID, CMC, MBA, PGDMSM, B.Sc., a professional strategy and management consultant with 17 years of international experience in Europe and Asia and over 300 workshops, will present an overview, "Cost Reduction in the New Economy: The ABC Way", in an interactive workshop in Jakarta on July 21, 2004.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Terrorist label clouds RP peace talk
Terrorist label clouds RP peace talk Agencies, Oslo The Philippines government and communist rebels met for new peace talks on Tuesday with disputes over prisoners and a U.S. "terrorist" label for the insurgents clouding efforts to end a 35-year-old conflict. Negotiators said the talks in an Oslo hotel, the third this year and first since Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo won re-election on May 10, were unlikely to make big breakthroughs.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Anti-Americanism in Europe 'alarming'
Anti-Americanism in Europe 'alarming' The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Anti-American sentiment has been spreading like wildfire around the world, particularly in Europe, which is alarming, a U.S.- based scholar said in Jakarta on Tuesday. Meredith Woo-Cumings, professor of Political Science at the University of Michigan, said U.S. President George W. Bush administration's unilateralism and decision to go war in Iraq had helped the spread of anti-American sentiment around the world.
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. ANALYST: 36 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 32
1. ANALYST: 36 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 32 Scholars asked to be fair in campaign 2. ADS: 48 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 24 Campaigners take breaks; save energy for final round 3. KPU: 28 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 27 KPU retracts controversial ads 4. LKD: 32 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 24 Presidential candidates make unrealistic promises: NGO
Wed, 23 Jun 2004, 00:00 WIB
Indosat to pay 48% of profit as dividend
Indosat to pay 48% of profit as dividend Tony Hotland, Jakarta Telecommunications company PT Indonesian Satellite Corporation (Indosat) announced on Tuesday that it would allocate nearly half of its 2003 net profit as dividend. The publicly listed company will give 48 percent of last year's Rp 1.57 trillion (about US$167 million) in net profit as dividends to investors (approximately Rp 145.5 per share).