Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 20 July 2004

79 articles found

U.S.-Australian defense accord invites danger

U.S.-Australian defense accord invites dangerBegi Hersutanto, Jakarta The United States and Australia have recently agreed to cooperate in developing defensive missiles. The agreement was signed by both countries to integrate their military capabilities and includes missile testing and field...

Gusmao criticizes jail term for Abilio

Gusmao criticizes jail term for AbilioAgencies, Dili East Timor's president said on Monday that Indonesian security forces were responsible for the violence that swept his country in 1999 - not the territory's last governor, who began serving a jail term in Indonesia over the weekend.

PKS: Finally triumphant

PKS: Finally triumphantFrom RepublikaAs a member of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), I, and other party members, were happy to learn of the party's decision to support Amien and Siswono in the presidential election.

Police arrest tribal leaders

Police arrest tribal leaders JAYAPURA, Papua: The police arrested on Monday eight tribal leaders for their suspected role in the latest clashes between two tribes in nearby Timika district.Mimika Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr.

Bekasi is against school levies

Bekasi is against school levies BEKASI: Head of the Bekasi Education Agency Asmari, asserted that his office would take stern measures against headmasters who imposed levies for school development on parents.

National Police dismiss doctor's assessment of Nurdin Halid

National Police dismiss doctor's assessment of Nurdin HalidAbdul Khalik, Jakarta A senior Police investigator rebuffed on Monday a medical consultant to the National Police who claimed Nurdin Halid was fit enough to be interrogated as a suspect.

'Bule' surcharge?

'Bule' surcharge? On June 30 my daughter had two wisdom teeth extracted at RS International Bintaro. The whole procedure took less than 15 minutes. The bill for this was an astonishing Rp 3 million plus Rp 78,000 for medical equipment. My wife called Dr.

Govt hopeful Permata sold off by end of December

Govt hopeful Permata sold off by end of DecemberThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government said on Monday it would meet investors starting next week to gauge sentiment towards Bank Permata, which it plans to have sold off by the third week of December.

Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, July 20, 2004

Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, July 20, 2004 Performances* Vocal Recital by Ivan Yohan and Gittinant Chinsamran, CCF (French Cultural Center), Jl. Purnawarman 32 (Tel. 022 4212417), 7:30 p.m., July 21. * Poetry Reading, Teater Terbuka Balai Pengelolaan Taman Budaya, Jl. Bukit Dago Selatan No.

Suu Kyi fails to attend Martyrs' Day ceremony

Suu Kyi fails to attend Martyrs' Day ceremonyAgence France-Presse, Yangon Detained democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi was missing on Monday from a ceremony marking her father's assassination 57 years ago as her party launched a stinging attack on the country's military-run regime.

Absences 'threaten laws' legitimacy'

Absences 'threaten laws' legitimacy'A. Junaidi, Jakarta The poor attendance of legislators at plenary sessions of the House of Representatives could reduce the legitimacy of the laws they passed, a constitutional expert said on Monday.

S'pore's MobileOne profits rise 26.4%

S'pore's MobileOne profits rise 26.4% SINGAPORE: Singapore's second largest mobile phone company, MobileOne, said Monday net profits in the second quarter rose 26.4 percent year-on-year, mainly due to its international call service operations.MobileOne's second quarter profits were S$39.

Sampoerna cigarette sales up 14% amid stable prices

Sampoerna cigarette sales up 14% amid stable pricesThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Publicly listed PT H.M. Sampoerna, the country's third-largest cigarette producer in terms of market share, said that its first half cigarette sales rose by 14.

Confidence in Asia Pacific buoyant

Confidence in Asia Pacific buoyant SINGAPORE: Consumer confidence in the Asia Pacific region remains buoyant despite fears that high oil prices and geopolitical uncertainties will slow economic growth, a MasterCard survey showed on Monday.

Eight Supreme Court officials take oaths

Eight Supreme Court officials take oathsFabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta Two deputies and six divisional heads of the Supreme Court took their oaths of office on Monday in a ceremony witnessed by President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Chief Justice Bagir Manan.

Parents brace for first day of school

Parents brace for first day of schoolDamar Harsanto, Jakarta It's school time again on Monday after almost one-month's holiday, time for traffic congestion in the morning and early afternoon around popular schools located on busy streets.

House of Representatives to discuss military bill

House of Representatives to discuss military billKurniawan Hari, Jakarta The House of Representatives (DPR) is planning to start discussing the revised bill on the Indonesian Military (TNI) during the recess period that will end on Aug. 14.

Allow money politics

Allow money politicsFrom Bisnis IndonesiaOn July 5, eligible Indonesians exercised their right to vote for their next president and vice president. If you asked who was the winner of the presidential election, the answer would be the media.

RI bourse ends lower on profit-taking

RI bourse ends lower on profit-takingDow Jones, Jakarta Indonesian shares ended lower Monday led by profit-taking in select banking blue chips amid renewed worries that the central bank may further raise interest rates to defend the rupiah, dealers said.

Slogan introduced with 'Abang-None'

Slogan introduced with 'Abang-None'Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta The announcement of Abang (Mister) and None (Miss) Jakarta 2004 on Sunday night differed from pageants of previous years, as it coincided with the launching of a new slogan for the city, "Enjoy Jakarta.

Jakarta, KL, S'pore navies to coordinate Malacca patrol

Jakarta, KL, S'pore navies to coordinate Malacca patrolThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Batam The navies of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are to launch on Tuesday a coordinated patrol of the Strait of Malacca in an attempt to stamp out pirate attacks along the 600 kilometer stretch of water between...

Indian giant eyes Maspion stake

Indian giant eyes Maspion stakeThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta India's Jindal Organization has expressed formal interest in acquiring a majority stake in Indonesian steel producer PT Maspion Stainless Steel Indonesia (MSSI), a subsidiary of Surabaya-based conglomerate Maspion Group.

Investment bill to be rushed in for quick deliberation

Investment bill to be rushed in for quick deliberationFitri Wulandari, Jakarta The government will soon submit a new investment bill to the House of Representatives and push for approval before legislators' terms end in September.

Japan, Malaysia resume trade talks

Japan, Malaysia resume trade talks TOKYO: Japan and Malaysia began a fourth round of talks on a free trade agreement (FTA) here on Monday, the Japanese trade ministry said.During the talks, due to last three days, the two countries are to propose a list of goods, services and investment to be...

3-year reunion for Mega and Gus Dur

3-year reunion for Mega and Gus DurFabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta For three years, former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid has not made any attempt to mend his relationship with Megawati Soekarnoputri after she replaced her as president in July 2001.

Coronation date set for Paku Buwono XIII

Coronation date set for Paku Buwono XIII SURAKARTA, Central Java: Prince Hangabehi will be inaugurated as the new sultan of Surakarta on Sept. 10, succeeding his father, Paku Buwono XII, who died last month.

Motive unclear for politician's death

Motive unclear for politician's death BONDOWOSO, East Java: Police said on Monday they had questioned around 40 witnesses over last week's murder of a politician, his wife and son in the East Java town, Bondowoso.However, no suspects were named as the police had yet to discover any fingerprints.

Govt to resettle fire victims

Govt to resettle fire victims JAKARTA: Central Jakarta Mayor Hosea Petra Lumbun offered alternative sites for low-cost apartments to resettle hundreds of residents of Kebon Melati, whose houses were gutted by fire last week.

Experts blame pollution of sea on lax management

Experts blame pollution of sea on lax managementP.C. Naommy and Theresia Sufa, Jakarta/Bogor Environmentalists fear further devastating consequences of lax waste management on marine and coastal areas nationwide, in the wake of the deaths of thousands of fish in Jakarta Bay earlier this year.

KPU, IDI defend

KPU, IDI defendSari P. Setiogi, Jakarta The General Elections Commission (KPU) defended on Monday its decision to disqualify half-blind Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid from the July 5 presidential election, saying that the Muslim cleric was in poor health.

President strips Puteh of authorities

President strips Puteh of authoritiesFabiola Desy Unidjaja and Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Banda Aceh President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is often criticized for her ineptness in handling corruption cases, has taken a surprisingly quick decision to remove Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam...

;JP;DAN;

;JP;DAN; ANPAf..r.. Rupiah-conversion-ratesRupiah Rates July 19 JP/13/ConverRupiah Rates July 19 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp Australian dollar 1 6,894.14 6,155.74 6,559.34 6,490.31Brunei dollar 1 5,525.48 4,935.58 5,257.15 5,203.84Canadian dollar 1 7,178.

11% of Acehnese fail to vote

11% of Acehnese fail to vote BANDA ACEH, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam: Only 11 percent of the 2,205,078 registered voters in restive Aceh, or 290,512 people, were unable to exercise their right to vote in the July 5 presidential election.

RI aikido group holds first 'gasshuku'

RI aikido group holds first 'gasshuku' JAKARTA: The fledgling Indonesian Aikido Institute (IAI) held at the weekend a one-day gasshuku, or mass training, in Ciloto, Bogor, involving 61 members from 11 dojos, according to a statement released on Sunday.

Education is for the rich

Education is for the richFrom Koran Tempo When delivering an election campaign address in Saburai Square, Bandar Lampung, on June 28, vice presidential candidate Jusuf Kalla promised to provide more financial assistance to schoolchildren of poor parents. "Poor students will enjoy free education.

First Pacific may invest in Philippine toll road

First Pacific may invest in Philippine toll road First Pacific Co., owner of the world's largest instant noodle-maker, said it may invest 5 billion peso (US$89 million) in a toll road that runs south of the Philippine capital of Manila.

Sugar trade must be improved: KPPU

Sugar trade must be improved: KPPUThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) has urged the government to revise quickly the regulations on sugar trading as the existing ones have the potential to create unfair competition and trigger the formation of a cartel.

SMP 56 defiant on first day back

SMP 56 defiant on first day backDamar Harsanto, Jakarta At least 40 new students of junior high school SMP 56 in Melawai, South Jakarta, attended a solemn ceremony to mark the first day of the school year, still wearing their red-and-white elementary school uniforms.

*Police dismiss doctor's assessment of Nurdin Page 2

*Police dismiss doctor's assessment of Nurdin Page 2 *KPU to hold videoconference to collect data Page 4 *14 missing after "Amami" capsizes in Banda sea Page 5 *Support of House vital for economic management Page 6 *SMP 56 defiant on first day back Page 8 *Hamilton overcomes Els in playoff to win...

One dead in Tegal train-car crash

One dead in Tegal train-car crash TEGAL, Central Java: At least one person was killed and another seriously wounded when their vehicle was hit by an executive train in the town, police said on Monday.Tegal Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Brata Mandala said the accident occurred at around 9:30 p.m.

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Support of House vital for economic management Umar Juoro Jakarta2. Salmi -- The end of loyalty and Indonesia's last man 2 X 30 Reform ushers in new sense of realism among Indonesian voters Hanys Salmi Kuala Lumpur

Religious leaders condemn attacks, urge restraint

Religious leaders condemn attacks, urge restraintThe Jakarta Post, Palu Central Sulawesi remained calm on Monday, a day after masked gunmen killed a Christian minister in Palu, as Christian and Muslim leaders condemned the attack and urged their laity to shun revenge.

Prosecutors still preparing charges against Ba'asyir

Prosecutors still preparing charges against Ba'asyirAbdul Khalik, Jakarta The Attorney General's Office is still preparing charges against Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir and hopes to bring him to court within a month, an official says.

Bloomberg

Bloomberg Bangkok Thailand, the world's biggest rice exporter, will raise the prices of rice it will buy from farmers by as much as 19 percent this year to boost their earnings and raise the commodity's domestic price, said Commerce Minister Wattana Muangsook.

Koizumi plans to seek U.S. 'consideration' for Jenkins

Koizumi plans to seek U.S. 'consideration' for JenkinsIsabel Reynolds, Reuters/Tokyo Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said on Monday he plans to seek special consideration from Washington for an accused U.S. Army deserter who married a Japanese woman during their long stay in North Korea.

KPU to count via videoconference

KPU to count via videoconferenceThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Semarang/Yogyakarta Fearing that many provincial elections commissions (KPUD) will fail to meet the July 20 deadline for submitting the manual vote counting results, the General Elections Commission (KPU) said on Monday it would collect the...

Tony Hotland

Tony Hotland JakartaThe government announced on Monday that it would not honor about Rp 153.75 billion (about US$17 million) in accounts in the closed-down banks Bank Dagang Bali (BDB) and Bank Asiatic because they fell in the "non-guaranteed" category.

Indonesia looks for three golds in Athens Olympics

Indonesia looks for three golds in Athens OlympicsMoch. N. Kurniawan, Jakarta The National Sports Council (KONI) will send 39 athletes to the Athens Olympics in the hope of winning at least three gold medals, according to a top KONI official.

1. HDI: 48 pt, 2 cols, 3 x 10

1. HDI: 48 pt, 2 cols, 3 x 10 RI democracy needs more investment: UN 2. SCHOOL: 32 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 32 Parents brace for first day of school 3. PUTEH: 32 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 16 President strips Puteh of duties 4. GUSDUR: 36 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 28 3-year reunion for Mega, Gus Dur 5.

Hog cholera spreads in Mimika, killing thousands of pigs

Hog cholera spreads in Mimika, killing thousands of pigsNethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura Classical swine fever, also known as "hog cholera", has affected thousands of domestic pigs since April in Mimika regency, Papua, killing at least 8,700.

Corruption courts await decrees

Corruption courts await decrees JAKARTA: Chief Justice Bagir Manan said on Monday the Supreme Court was waiting for two presidential decrees that would establish a special court to hear corruption cases.

*Police dismiss doctor's assessment of Nurdin Page 2

*Police dismiss doctor's assessment of Nurdin Page 2 *KPU to hold videoconference to collect data Page 4 *'Amami' capsizes in Banda Sea, 14 missing Page 5 *Support of House vital for economic management Page 6 *SMP 56 defiant on first day back to school Page 8 *Hamilton overcomes Els in playoff to...

Wallet left at Electronic City

Wallet left at Electronic City I left my wallet at Electronic City in Jakarta, on July 8. I was delighted to find that my wallet (complete with credit and ATM cards and other vital contents) was found and kept by their Customer Service that same night.

S. Asian foes aim to give peace bid new impetus

S. Asian foes aim to give peace bid new impetusReuters, Islamabad India's foreign minister arrived in Pakistan on Monday to push forward a fledgling peace process between the South Asian rivals by building trust in the flashpoint region of Kashmir.

Kubu tribe marginalized on their own soil

Kubu tribe marginalized on their own soilJon Afrizal, Jambi About 1,300 people from the Kubu tribe living in Bukit Duabelas National Park, Jambi, are being marginalized as a result of serious damage to the protected forest.

Enriched biscuits

Enriched biscuitsCorrection In the story titled Enriched biscuits for 300,000 pupils on this page in Monday's edition, the quote by TNT Indonesia director Colin Moran in the second last paragraph should have read "... we can help between 200 and 300 new children...

UN report urges more funds for democracy

UN report urges more funds for democracyM. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta Indonesia will need to spend about Rp 108 trillion (US$12.13 billion) on human development if it wants to perpetuate its fledgling democracy, a United Nations (UN) report says.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 19, 2004 Shares Close Change Volume Astra Agro Lestari 2,200 -25 588,500 Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Asuransi Bina Dana 430 0 0 Andhi Chandra 485 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 975 25 231,500 Adhi Karya 325 -10 3,368,000 Adira Dinamika...

Soldier's killers face up to 8 years

Soldier's killers face up to 8 years DENPASAR, Bali: Prosecutors demanded that the Denpasar District Court sentence three men to seven and eight years' imprisonment over the death of soldier I Gusti Ketut Suardika from the local 163 Wirasatya Military Command.

Candidates to file complaints to court over election results

Candidates to file complaints to court over election resultsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Surabaya The campaign teams of two presidential and vice presidential candidates are set to file complaints with the Constitutional Court over the results of the July 5 polls.

Reform ushers in new sence of realism among Indonesian voters

Reform ushers in new sence of realism among Indonesian votersHanys Salmi, Contributor, Kuala Lumpur The above title may remind many of Francis Fukuyama's best seller The End of History and the Last Man, in which he proposed the hypothesis that western liberal democracy would prevail as the final...

Abdullah secures position as UMNO's undisputed leader

Abdullah secures position as UMNO's undisputed leaderEileen Ng, Agence France-Presse/Kuala Lumpur Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has secured his position as Malaysia's undisputed leader by winning the ruling party presidency, brushing aside a surprise challenge from a veteran...

Part 2 of 2

Part 2 of 2 The ASEAN model of economic integration Romeo A. Reyes Jakarta2. Pro -- Welcome to the era of incompetence 1 x 45 What will happen to real global interest rates J. Bradford DeLong Project Syndicate3. Begi -- The U.S.-Australia defense cooperation invites danger 2 x 21 U.S.

East Timor's president criticizes jail term for ex-governor over

East Timor's president criticizes jail term for ex-governor over 1999 violenceGuido Guilliart Associated Press/DiliEast Timor's president said on Monday that Indonesian security forces were responsible for the violence that swept his country in 1999 - not the territory's last governor, who began...

Support of House vital for economic management

Support of House vital for economic managementUmar Juoro, Jakarta The results of the first round of the presidential election shows that candidate popularity is much more important than political party support. In fact, personality is almost as important as substance.

PSIS takes 2-1 win over Persik

PSIS takes 2-1 win over Persik SEMARANG, East Java: Abdoulaye Djibril earned PSIS Semarang on Sunday a 2-1 win over Persik Kediri in the 86th minute of their Indonesian league match at Jatidiri Stadium here.

Tenant tried for illegal occupancy

Tenant tried for illegal occupancyUrip Hudiono, Jakarta A tenant standing trial on charges of illegally occupying a Pluit low-cost apartment was being victimized because of his role in an earlier protest against a rent-hike, his defense team said.

Part 2 of 2

Part 2 of 2The ASEAN model of economic integrationRomeo A. Reyes, Jakarta It is now evident but not yet widely recognized that economic integration is the key to enhance competitiveness of Southeast Asian countries.

14 missing after 'Amami' capsizes in Banda Sea

14 missing after 'Amami' capsizes in Banda SeaHasrul and Azis Tunny, Kendari/Ambon Twelve crew members and two passengers of the cargo ship, the Amami, are still missing after it sank on Friday in the Banda Sea off Southeast Sulawesi province.

Govt refuses to honor some accounts

Govt refuses to honor some accountsTony Hotland, Jakarta The government announced on Monday that it would not honor about Rp 153.75 billion (about US$17 million) in accounts in the closed-down banks Bank Dagang Bali (BDB) and Bank Asiatic because they fell in the "non-guaranteed" category.

RI, Egypt hold consultations

RI, Egypt hold consultations INDONESIA: Senior officials from Indonesia and Egypt met in Bali on Monday to boost the bilateral relations between the two countries.The Egyptian delegation led by Mahmoud Karem, Assistant to the Egyptian Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs and Makarim Wibisono,...

Thousands of fish die after power trouble

Thousands of fish die after power trouble PEKANBARU, Riau: At least 10 tons of fish in karamba (baskets in a stream for raising fish) in Kampar River died after the water level in the river dropped sharply from Saturday to Sunday.

Another Nunukan?

Another Nunukan? News of the planned deportation of Indonesian workers from Malaysia brings to mind those pitiful images again -- men and women fleeing the neighboring country to escape arrest, detention and caning.

RP completes pullout from Iraq

RP completes pullout from IraqStuart Grudgings, Reuters/Manila The last group of Philippine humanitarian troops to leave Iraq arrived in Kuwait on Monday, after the government gave in to militants holding a Filipino hostage, straining its alliance with Washington.

Prosecution seeks two years for 'Tempo' chief editor

Prosecution seeks two years for 'Tempo' chief editorLeony Aurora, Jakarta Prosecutors requested on Monday that Tempo chief editor Bambang Harymurti be sentenced to two years in jail for provoking social unrest and defaming businessman Tomy Winata.

TV Program: Tuesday, July 20, 2004

TV Program: Tuesday, July 20, 2004TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:30 Pop Music8:30 Music: Asyik Asyik 10:00 Talk Show: Agribiz11:00 Singing Contest: Konteswara 12:00 p.m.

Jaksa to jive with art fest

Jaksa to jive with art fest JAKARTA: The Central Jakarta municipal administration is to open the Jl. Jaksa Street Art Festival next week in commemoration of the capital's 477th anniversary that fell on June 22.

2 x 25

2 x 25 14 missing after 'Amami' capsizes in Banda Sea JP/5/KUBU2 x 26 Kubu tribe marginalized on their own land JP/5/Zaytun1 x 38 Revote planned for July 25 at Al-Zaytun JP/5/BABI3 x 19 Hog cholera spreads in Mimika, killing thousands of pigs

Revote planned for July 25 at Al-Zaytun

Revote planned for July 25 at Al-ZaytunYuli Tri Suwarni and Nana Rukmana, Bandung/Indramayu The West Java elections commission (KPUD) has decided to hold a revote at Al-Zaytun on July 25, following allegations of vote- rigging at the Islamic boarding school during the presidential election.