Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 12 July 2004

64 articles found

Indonesia's elections

Indonesia's elections Indonesia is the world's third largest democracy, and yesterday some 140 million people went to the polls in the country's first direct presidential election. Since the ousting of President Soeharto six years ago, Indonesia has known little but turbulence: The welcome...

1. TNI: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18

1. TNI: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 Candidates blasted over poor plans to reform military 2. ROBOT: 36 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 28 ITS team wins 6th robot contest 3. PAPUA: 32 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 33 RI reaffirms sovereignty over Papua 4. CABINET: 28 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 35 House agrees to revamp ministries

The merging of giants

The merging of giantsRodney Louis Vincent, Contributor, Jakarta Draft and Lowe are two companies at large, which over the years, have expanded into markets such as North and South America, Europe, the U.K. and Asia Pacific.

Doubt lingers on transport council credibility

Doubt lingers on transport council credibilityBambang Nurbianto JakartaUrban planning and transportation experts expressed pessimism over the expected role of the City Transportation Council (DTK) to resolve the city's acute transportation problems because it has no power to intervene in the city's...

Kite festival colors Jakarta skies

Kite festival colors Jakarta skiesUrip Hudiono, Jakarta A dream-like scene unfolded across an open sky: A yellow goldfish swam past a rainbow-colored phoenix as a man on a bicycle pedaled his way through a line-up of cartoon figures, including Winnie the Pooh and Doraemon.

Vendors face eviction for busway project

Vendors face eviction for busway project JAKARTA: More than 500 street vendors in Central Jakarta will be evicted to make way for the second and third busway corridors stretching from Pulogadung in East Jakarta to Kalideres in West Jakarta, via the National Monument.

Singapore beefs up its energy facility to keep the lights on

Singapore beefs up its energy facility to keep the lights onMartin Abbugao, Agence France-Presse, Singapore Singapore will beef up its gas pipelines and is considering a liquefied natural gas facility as it moves to reduce vulnerability to disruptions of energy piped in from Indonesia and Malaysia.

Today's game: Satisfy, delight and surprise

Today's game: Satisfy, delight and surpriseBurhanuddin Abe, Contributor, Jakarta Indonesia's first-ever presidential election consisted of many elements similar to those used in marketing communications.

Fixed-wireless won't slow down GSM

Fixed-wireless won't slow down GSMTony Hotland, Jakarta The rapid expansion of fixed-wireless services will not have any significant impact on the growth of the Global Service for Mobile Communications (GSM) industry, telecommunications players say.

Despite nasysayers, IT Still breathes fresh air

Despite nasysayers, IT Still breathes fresh airZatni Arbi, Columnist, Jakarta "IT doesn't matter." That is the title of a Harvard Business Review article that spurred a lot of discussion in the industry.It was published more than a year ago.

Three die while cleaning well

Three die while cleaning well TANGERANG: Three workers at a chicken slaughterhouse in Suradita village, Cisauk district, Tangerang regency, died after apparently being overcome by poisonous gases in a well.

A desert island ?

A desert island ? The year 2004 is a special one for Indonesians as this country has had two national events that will determine its future, notably the legislative election and the country's first- ever direct presidential election. Those elections were held on April 5 and July 5, respectively.

China getting edgy over U.S. Pacific buildup

China getting edgy over U.S. Pacific buildupRobert J. Saiget, Agence France-Presse, Beijing China is getting edgy over a new U.S. military strategy aimed at projecting force around the globe and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice's visit last week was an attempt to calm Beijing down,...

'RI embassy to Myanmar tapped'

'RI embassy to Myanmar tapped' JAKARTA: Legislator Djoko Susilo said on Sunday that the Indonesian embassy in Yangoon, Myanmar, was bugged by Myanmar's military junta.Djoko, of House Commission I, said an investigation conducted in June showed that the junta had tapped Indonesian diplomats'...

Benny Moerdani hospitalized

Benny Moerdani hospitalized JAKARTA: Former Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. (ret) L.B. Moerdani, 74, has been hospitalized for heart problems at Gatot Subroto Army hospital since last Thursday.According to an official at the hospital, Benny's condition was deteriorating.

Councillors to summon regent over reclamation

Councillors to summon regent over reclamationMulta Fidrus, Tangerang Tangerang regency councillors will summon Regent Ismet Iskandar and officials from two companies involved in land reclamation projects near Dadap beach in Kosambi district.

'Who told them to come anyway?

'Who told them to come anyway? In stark contrast to the modern metropolis, more than 100,000 neglected poor families have made the eroding riverbanks or small spaces beneath overpasses or bridges their home.

Indonesia advances to Fed Cup's World Group

Indonesia advances to Fed Cup's World GroupMoch. N. Kurniawan, Jakarta Indonesia wrapped up a 4-1 victory in a playoff on Sunday to ensure a place in the 16-nation World Group of the Fed Cup women's team tennis championship.

Calls rise for Puteh arrest warrant

Calls rise for Puteh arrest warrantTiarma Siboro, Jakarta Two prominent legal experts urged on Sunday the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to issue an arrest warrant against Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh, who had twice ignored the commission's summons.

KPU told to rehire KPPS members

KPU told to rehire KPPS membersMuninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta Many members of Polling Station Working Committees (KPPS) intimidated and coerced voters to pick for certain candidates in the country's first ever direct presidential election on July 5, a non-governmental organization says.

Bird flu is endemic to Asia: FAO

Bird flu is endemic to Asia: FAOBloomberg, SingaporeNew outbreaks of bird flu in China, Thailand and Vietnam show that the virus, which can spread to humans, is ``still endemic'' to the region, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Saturday.

Investor confidence to soar on successful election

Investor confidence to soar on successful electionHanys Salmi, Kuala Lumpur Assuming that Indonesia's presidential election proceeds peacefully up to the conclusion of the second round in September, by any logical calculation, the domestic investment climate will improve on a sudden rise in...

* RI sovereignty over Papua legitimate, govt says Page 2

* RI sovereignty over Papua legitimate, govt says Page 2 * Rights campaigners reiterate call to end death penalty Page 4 * Rp 10 billion vanishes from Donggala budget Page 5 * Trade policies can help curb terrorism Page 7 * Developer yet to clear way for wholesale center Page 8 * Coceres opens...

Bringing young players onto the international stage

Bringing young players onto the international stage The Milo Junior Indonesia Open (MJIO) has successfully catapulted many young Indonesian shuttlers into important world badminton championships since it was first held in 2001.

Bali overrun by domestic tourists

Bali overrun by domestic tourists DENPASAR, Bali: Tourists, mostly Indonesian students and their families, have packed tourist resorts in the resort island of Bali since last month, when this year's holiday season began.

MILO takes part in maintaining Indonesia's badminton supremacy

MILO takes part in maintaining Indonesia's badminton supremacy PT Nestle Indonesia, producer of healthy food drink Nestle MILO, is helping to create young and promising badminton players by sponsoring junior badminton championships.

Poor women household heads struggle to survive

Poor women household heads struggle to surviveYuli Tri Suwarni, Bandung, West Java Nani, 25, from Cilandesan village, Subang regency, has lost hope. Her beloved husband, Zidan, has died.Nani is still a month into pregnancy, while her daughter, Fitri, is now three.

Indonesia to ratify bio-tech protocol

Indonesia to ratify bio-tech protocolKurniawan Hari, Jakarta Farmers in South Sulawesi had to destroy five hectares of cotton plantations in September 2001 after discovering that the genetically modified cotton was not as productive as scientists and businesspeople had claimed.

Truck crashes into party, kills 17

Truck crashes into party, kills 17Suherdjoko, Semarang A joyous Sunday afternoon wedding reception turned into a horrifying tragedy after a truck slid backwards down a hill and crashed into the house in Ambarawa, Central Java, where it was being held, killing 17 people and injuring 12 others.

Illegal logging

Illegal logging Once again The Jakarta Post has admirably brought to its readers' attention the seriousness of unchecked illegal logging in the country.After eight super years in Indonesia, I am returning home to England with much appreciation for Indonesian culture, customs and manners.

Rp 10b vanishes from Donggala budget

Rp 10b vanishes from Donggala budgetRuslan Sangadji, Donggala, Central Sulawesi A top government official here has said that the Donggala Supervisory Board is investigating corruption allegations involving Rp 10 billion (US$1.1 million) that implicate former Donggala regent Nabi Bidja.

Rp 350b to be spent on education

Rp 350b to be spent on education PEKANBARU, Riau: Bengkalis regental government has earmarked a staggering Rp 350 billion (US$ 36.8 million) budget this year for education, a top government official said here on Saturday.

Megawati 'neglecting affairs of state'

Megawati 'neglecting affairs of state'Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta An expert accused President Megawati Soekarnoputri and her ministers on Sunday of neglecting their state duties over short- termed political gains, saying that many problems needed urgent solutions.

Manila rebuffs Filipino's captors in Iraq

Manila rebuffs Filipino's captors in Iraq Alistair Lyon Reuters/BaghdadA Filipino hostage in Iraq slipped into graver peril on Sunday after Manila rejected his captors' demands for an early withdrawal of Filipino troops.

PABBSI names seven lifters for Olympics

PABBSI names seven lifters for OlympicsEva C. Komandjaja Jakarta The Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding Association (PABBSI) revealed on Saturday the names of the seven weightlifters who will take part in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

(Spotlight advertisement -- For July 12)

(Spotlight advertisement -- For July 12) GUESTS OF THE MONTH: Hotel Borobudur Jakarta was honored to host the United States-based Carter Center's election monitoring team, led by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, during its visit to Indonesia from July 2 through July 7.

Women victimized in Aceh

Women victimized in Aceh BANDA ACEH: More than 14,000 Acehnese women have fallen victim to the armed conflict since 2001, Aceh deputy governor Azwar Abubakar said.Recently opening a psychological rehabilitation program for women traumatized by the hostilities, Abubakar expressed hope they would...

Young shuttlers to join Milo tournament

Young shuttlers to join Milo tournamentSudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta At least 600 promising badminton players from 12 countries are expected to take part in the fourth Milo Junior Indonesia Open that will be held in July in Medan, North Sumatra.

'Death sentence won't stop drug dealers'

'Death sentence won't stop drug dealers'Abdul Khalik, Jakarta Human rights campaigners have reiterated their call for end to the death penalty, which they say has proven ineffective in deterring drug dealers and is against the basic human right to live.

Local govt to shut cooperatives

Local govt to shut cooperatives KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The Southeast Sulawesi provincial government is planning to shut down hundreds of cooperatives in the province due to their lack of activity.

To vote or not to vote: Turnout in the 204 general elections

To vote or not to vote: Turnout in the 204 general electionsMuhammad Qodari, Jakarta During the presidential election a few days ago, we witnessed something that we had never seen previously. In a number of polling stations across the country, the polling station committees put on lucky draws for...

Accused U.S. army deserter wants family to remain together

Accused U.S. army deserter wants family to remain togetherAgencies, Jakarta/Raleigh, North Carolina Two days after an emotional reunion with his Japanese wife, an American army sergeant who fled to North Korea 40 years ago said he wants the family to remain together but has yet to say where they...

Xenophobia, a dangerous road

Xenophobia, a dangerous road The public accusation that foreigners have been meddling in the presidential election, which was widely reported in the Indonesian-language media on Friday, is not substantiated by facts, but has still sparked controversy because it was made by a senior Cabinet...

Indonesia reaffirms sovereignty over Papua

Indonesia reaffirms sovereignty over PapuaFabiola Desy Unidjaja and Netty Dharma Somba, Jakarta, Jayapura The Indonesian government has brushed aside any questions about the legitimacy of the 1964 UN-sponsored self-determination vote in Papua, saying current standards should not be applied to past...

JP/5/FOCUS

JP/5/FOCUSBali overrun by domestic touristsDENPASAR, Bali: Tourists, mostly Indonesian students and their families, have packed tourist resorts in the resort island of Bali since last month, when this year's holiday season began.

Developer yet to clear way for wholesale center

Developer yet to clear way for wholesale centerLeony Aurora JakartaCity developer PT Jakarta Realty confirmed it was in the process of acquiring the necessary permits to build a wholesale shopping center at a site that was formerly part of the Melati dam in Kebon Kacang, Central Jakarta.

Today's game: Satisfy, delight and surprise

Today's game: Satisfy, delight and surpriseBurhanuddin Abe, Contributor, Jakarta Indonesia's first-ever presidential election consisted of many elements similar to those used in marketing communications.

Pertamina to boost unleaded gas supply

Pertamina to boost unleaded gas supplyFitri Wulandari, Jakarta State oil and gas firm Pertamina will be able to supply unleaded gasoline to the entire country in 2006 as part of the implementation of the government's Blue Sky project to scrap leaded gasoline, a company official said over the...

JP/17/VISHNU

JP/17/VISHNU'Friendster' bridges six degrees of separation onlineVishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor/vmahmud@yahoo.com Friends of mine have been pestering me for months to join this new internet-based social networking system called Friendster (www.friendster.com).

Tourism bouncing back in country: Minister

Tourism bouncing back in country: MinisterSyofiardi Bachyul Jb, Padang, West Sumatra A top government official said on Saturday that tourism in the country had returned to normal after being hit hard by a series of terrorist attacks, including the Bali and Marriott bombings in 2002 and 2003...

Kyoto Protocol back on the boil?

Kyoto Protocol back on the boil? The recent signing by Indonesia of the Kyoto Protocol is an important step forward in exploring new concepts of how the world's energy options can be better managed.An excellent grasp of the formula involved in proceeding with the Kyoto Protocol was summed up...

APP hopes to reach full debt restructuring agreement soon

APP hopes to reach full debt restructuring agreement soonThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Asia Pulp & Paper Co. (APP) hopes that its recent proposal to the U.S. market authority will help settle differences with foreign creditors, a condition that should help reach a full debt restructuring agreement for...

ITS team wins 6th robot contest

ITS team wins 6th robot contestEvi Mariani, Jakarta The 10th November Institute of Technology Polytechnic (PENS-ITS), Surabaya, won on Sunday its sixth Indonesian Robot Competition at the University of Indonesia in Depok, South Jakarta.

House agrees to revamp ministries

House agrees to revamp ministriesKurniawan Hari, Jakarta Despite the government's opposition, the House of Representatives' Committee deliberating the cabinet ministry bill has agreed the next cabinet would comprise at least 19 ministries with supporting offices in the regions.

Eradication of terrorism

Eradication of terrorismFrom Koran TempoPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri reaffirmed Indonesia's rejection of terrorism at the 43rd annual session of the Asian- African Legal Consultative Organization in Nusa Dua, Bali, some time ago.

Doubt surrounds new council

Doubt surrounds new councilBambang Nurbianto, Jakarta Urban planning and transportation experts expressed pessimism over the expected role of the City Transportation Council (DTK) to resolve the city's acute transportation problems because it has no power to intervene in the city's policies.

Candidates blasted over poor military reform plans

Candidates blasted over poor military reform plansM. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta Presidential candidates have been criticized for not coming up with viable plans on how to reform the politically powerful Indonesian Military (TNI).

Public order officers to undergo drugs test

Public order officers to undergo drugs test JAKARTA: Over 500 public order officers in Central Jakarta will be required to take a drug test at City Hall on Tuesday."We want to make sure public order officers are not using drugs because their job requires them to work at nights," said Sulaiman...

2. 1 x 36

2. 1 x 36 Govt expects to reclaim BNI assets abroad 3. 2 x 16 RI to ratify bio-tech protocol 4. 2 x 30 KPU told to rehire KPPS

Limited gains for stocks seen this week amid good sentiment

Limited gains for stocks seen this week amid good sentimentThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Having risen by 2.2 percent last week, the Jakarta stock composite index is likely to extend its upward trend this week amid continuing positive sentiment but at limited range, as the market awaits for new leads.

Two murder suspects recaptured

Two murder suspects recapturedFadli, Batam, Riau Islands Two of nine escaped prisoners were recaptured on Saturday after fleeing from a detention center at the Batam District Court on Thursday. One of them was shot in the leg, while the other surrendered to the local prosecutor's office.Comr.

Developer yet to clear way for market

Developer yet to clear way for marketLeony Aurora, Jakarta City developer PT Jakarta Realty confirmed it was in the process of acquiring the necessary permits to build a wholesale shopping center at a site that was formerly part of the Melati dam in Kebon Kacang, Central Jakarta.

Govt plans to reclaim BNI assets abroad

Govt plans to reclaim BNI assets abroadAbdul Khalik, Jakarta After a fiasco lasting almost seven months, government agencies will soon begin a concerted effort to recover assets of Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) amounting to Rp 1.3 trillion (US125 billion), being laundered overseas.

Winning customers' hearts through quality services

Winning customers' hearts through quality servicesRudijanto, Contributor, Jakarta Developing excellent service that gives customers real peace of mind is a big challenge for a highly competitive businesses, as such a marketing approach can be counterproductive.