Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 29 July 2004

77 articles found

Papua's division illegitimate: Experts

Papua's division illegitimate: ExpertsRidwan Max Sijabat and A. Junaidi JakartaExperts told the Constitutional Court on Wednesday that Law No. 45/1999 on the formation of West Irian Jaya and Central Irian Jaya provinces was no longer valid following the enactment of Law No.

PABBSI must clarify int'l affiliation

PABBSI must clarify int'l affiliationEva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta The troubled Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding Association (PABBSI) has been given until the end of July to clarify its international affiliation or the National Sports Council (KONI) will proceed with its plan to...

Artworks aim at nation's leaders, Javanese way

Artworks aim at nation's leaders, Javanese wayIvy Susanti, JakartaLook at the sky, God creates perfection Look at the mountains, God creates beauty Look at the seas, God creates miracles Look at the president and vice presidential aspirants, Oh my God!The four-line satirical verse from Muhammad...

Rupiah Rates

Rupiah Rates July 28 Banknote rates Selling BuyingAustralian dollar 1 6,728.38 6,023.28 Brunei dollar 1 5,566.77 4,984.06 Canadian dollar 1 7,196.61 6,443.66 Swiss franc 1 7,530.20 6,743.24 Danish krone 1 1,558.45 1,395.00 Euro 1 11,585.53 10,373.67 Poundsterling 1 17,518.94 15,689.

Reply to Shane Barter

Reply to Shane Barter My response to Shane Barter's article Swedish court's acquittal of Hassan:Much discussion of the issue of Aceh is indeed driven by a lack of clear thinking, as noted by Shane Barter here on July 26.

Farmers face imminent crop failures in Lampung

Farmers face imminent crop failures in LampungOyos Saroso H.N., Bandarlampung The effects of the dry season and a plague of rodents have sparked fears among farmers that harvest failures affecting thousands of hectares of crops across Lampung province are imminent.

1 head

1 head 1. AWARD -- 1 x 45 Exhibit aims at nation's leaders, Javanese way Artworks aim at nation's leaders, Javanese way

WTO threatens RI's rural poor

WTO threatens RI's rural poorAileen Kwa, Geneva The draft framework which the World Trade Organization (WTO) issued on July 16 is a threat to the poor in Indonesia, especially those already struggling to scrape a livelihood together.

U.S. pours in more local autonomy aid

U.S. pours in more local autonomy aid JAKARTA: The United States and Indonesian government signed on Wednesday an agreement that will provide an additional US$12.65 million for Indonesia to build a strong, decentralized system of governance.The U.S.

Governor's spending proposals draw flak

Governor's spending proposals draw flakOyos Saroso, Bandarlampung Activists from non-governmental organizations (NGO)s in Lampung criticized the Lampung provincial government on Wednesday for proposing additional spending on the purchase of 15 luxury cars at a total cost of Rp 4.

U.S. govt opens American Corner

U.S. govt opens American CornerYOGYAKARTA: The American Embassy opened on Wednesday an "American Corner" in the library of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Bulaksumur.It provides access to current information about the United States through books, magazines, the Internet, CD-ROMs, DVDs and an online...

Are we hunting for sea pirates or robbers?

Are we hunting for sea pirates or robbers?Hanys Salmi, Kuala Lumpur When Adm. Thomas B. Fargo presented to Congress his argument on the need to secure sea lanes in Southeast Asia, the message that reached Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta was rather alarming.

Papua's division illegitimate: Experts

Papua's division illegitimate: ExpertsRidwan Max Sijabat and A. Junaidi JakartaExperts told the Constitutional Court on Wednesday that Law No. 45/1999 on the formation of West Irian Jaya and Central Irian Jaya provinces was no longer valid following the enactment of Law No.

Stock Exchange

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 28, 2004: Trading Shares Close Change volume Astra Agro Lestari 2,250 75 4,423,000 Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Asuransi Bina Dana 430 0 0 Andhi Chandra 485 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,800 0 0 Adhi Karya 330 -5 9,262,000 Adira...

JP/5/GAJAH

JP/5/GAJAHAncient elephant bones discovered in NganjukIndra Harsaputra NganjukFossilized bones that researchers say belonged to an ancient elephant (Stegodon trigonocephalus) have been discovered in Nganjuk regency, East Java.

Evictees told it's time to vacate Komnas premises

Evictees told it's time to vacate Komnas premisesEvi Mariani, Jakarta After living behind the office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) on Jl. Latuharhari in Central Jakarta for 10 months, hundreds of people who were forcibly evicted from their homes were told on Wednesday to...

The World Bank Clarifies

The World Bank Clarifies In the July 22 edition of The Jakarta Post, your correspondents write I "dismissed" a demand for debt relief saying "that under no circumstances did Indonesia deserve such debt relief". Under no circumstances, would I make such a statement.

3 x 12

3 x 12 Papua split unlawful, say experts JP/4/demand1 x 42 Lawyers want Ba'asyir freed after court ruling 1 x 26 RI names envoy to East Timor JP/4/NARKOBA2 x 30 Injecting drug users mostly educated people, says survey

Funds sought to bring workers home

Funds sought to bring workers homeRidwan Max Sijabat,Jakarta While it seeks the funds to repatriate an estimated 600,000 illegal workers from Malaysia, the government has asked Kuala Lumpur to delay the deportation of the Indonesians until after the presidential election runoff in September.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, July 29, 2004

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, July 29, 2004.TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions* Pusaka Budaya Nusantara II-- Royal Heritage Exhibition Ksirnawa building first floor, Taman Budaya (Art Center), Jl. Nusa Indah, Denpasar, until Aug. 7. * Drawing Installation by made wianta, Gaya Fusion of Senses, Jl.

Mega, Susilo relying on media campaign to win

Mega, Susilo relying on media campaign to winThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The campaign teams of Megawati Soekarnoputri and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono say they will rely on media and door-to-door campaigns to win the runoff on Sept. 20.

Bank Indonesia: Hunting for mice!

Bank Indonesia: Hunting for mice!John Le, Jakarta From the viewpoint of the regulators, there are the good banks, and there are the bad banks. The latest Bank Indonesia's (BI) effort of going after the bad ones, especially the bad foreign banks that have been speculating on the Indonesian rupiah...

KPU bomb suspect still unidentified

KPU bomb suspect still unidentified JAKARTA: The police remain unable to sketch the face of the person alleged to have perpetrated a minor explosion at the General Elections Commission (KPU) head office on Monday."Witnesses saw a man enter a rest room on that day.

Lawyers want Ba'asyir freed after court ruling

Lawyers want Ba'asyir freed after court rulingAbdul Khalik, Jakarta Lawyers representing Bali bombing and Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) suspect Abu Bakar Ba'asyir demanded on Wednesday their client's immediate release, as his detention had been based on Antiterrorism Law No.

Asian states to tackle human trafficking

Asian states to tackle human traffickingAgence France-Presse BangkokSenior officials from China and five Southeast Asian nations gathered in the Thai capital Wednesday to thrash out a new framework for fighting human trafficking in the region.

Universitas Bina Nusantara offers international program for

Universitas Bina Nusantara offers international program for bright students Jakarta is not Perth or Melbourne. But the capital of Indonesia has a linkage with the two Australian cities - at least, in the field of education, as developed by Universitas Bina Nusantara (UBiNus).

Monkey business the norm at Sangeh

Monkey business the norm at SangehJagadhita, Contributor, Denpasar Sangeh, a nutmeg forest located 30 kilometers north of Denpasar, is a unique tourist attraction in Bali thanks to the hundreds of monkeys that roam around the 14-hectare forest. The apes are tame and they are not afraid of people.

Nobel peace laureate Shirin Ebadi (left) talks to Muhammadiyah

Nobel peace laureate Shirin Ebadi (left) talks to Muhammadiyah leader Syafii Maarif at a seminar on Islam. The seminar titled "Islam and Universal Values: Islam's Contribution to the Construction of a Pluralistic World" was held in Jakarta early this year.

Bomb hoax delays campaign team

Bomb hoax delays campaign team SURABAYA: A bomb hoax inflicted a one-hour delay on the flight carrying members of the campaign team of presidential candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Wednesday.Juanda airport officials asked passengers, including Lt. Gen.

Disappointed in Pangandaran

Disappointed in PangandaranFrom KompasSome time ago, I went to Pangandaran beach with some friends. Unfortunately, the trip was spoiled by the bad conduct of a motorized vessel provider. We were told that for Rp 20,000 per person we could tour the Pangandaran waters, and for another Rp 10,000 we...

Thai Airways' venture may boost profit

Thai Airways' venture may boost profitBloomberg Bali Thai Airways International Pcl, which earns 80 percent of its revenue flying to destinations outside Thailand, said its business of running airports can contribute at least 13 percent to its profit in a decade.

RI says ASEM summit will go ahead despite row

RI says ASEM summit will go ahead despite rowAgence France-Presse JakartaIndonesia expressed confidence on Wednesday the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) scheduled for October in Vietnam would go ahead despite a dispute about Myanmar's participation.

NGOs are not enemy of mining firms: Newmont

NGOs are not enemy of mining firms: Newmont Environmental activists have claimed that PT Newmont Minahasa Raya, a subsidiary of U.S. mining giant Newmont Mining Corporation, has contaminated Buyat bay, North Sulawesi, with its tailings, causing the spread of a disease resembling the one that...

GM's dealerships open

GM's dealerships open in Bandung, SemarangJAKARTA: PT General Motors Indonesia (GMI) announced last Thursday that it has opened two new Chevrolet dealerships in Bandung and Semarang to further strengthen its customer service outside the Greater Jakarta area.

BCA net profit up 47.29% in first-half

BCA net profit up 47.29% in first-halfRendi A. Witular, Jakarta Publicly listed Bank Central Asia (BCA), the nation's second largest bank in terms of assets, announced on Wednesday a 47.29 percent increase in first-half net profit as compared to the same period last year, mostly on the reduced cost...

Councillor grilled over murder

Councillor grilled over murderLAHAT, South Sumatra: Police personnel are questioning a 47-year- old councillor at the Lahat regental council in connection with the murder of Sidit, 50, a resident of Babatan subdistrict.

PASI expects athletes to break own marks

PASI expects athletes to break own marksEva C. Komandjaja and Moch. N. Kurniawan, Jakarta Given the tough competition at the Olympics, the Indonesian Amateur Athletics Association (PASI) is encouraging its athletes to seek to break their personal marks instead of hoping for medals in Athens.

Panin's profit jumps in 1st half

Panin's profit jumps in 1st half JAKARTA: A significant boost in net interest income has lifted Bank Panin's pre-tax profit by 52 percent in the first half of this year from the same period last year to Rp 335 billion (about US$38 million), the bank said on Wednesday.

When piracy becomes terrorism in the strait

When piracy becomes terrorism in the straitBantarto Bandoro, Jakarta The fear that the Malacca Strait, with its high level of maritime piracy, would jeopardize the security of bordering states -- Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore -- as well as the international trade route has been allayed, at...

Owners perish in Semarang store fire

Owners perish in Semarang store fireSuherdjoko, Semarang A textile shop caught fire early on Wednesday in Semarang, Central Java, leaving the elderly shop owner Theng Han and his wife Karlina dead.At least 14 workers at the shop on Jl.

TV Program: Thursday, July 29, 2004

TV Program: Thursday, July 29, 2004 .TB.30" .90"TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi7:00 Children Show Pentas Ceria7:30 Music10:00 Talk Show: Wirausaha11:00 Singing Contest: Konteswara12:00 p.m. Documentary1:00 News: Berita Siang1:30 Talk Show3:00 English News Service3:30 Zooming4:00 Music5:30...

Sept. runoff a second test for RI

Sept. runoff a second test for RIThe Straits Times Asia News Network Singapore Indonesians now know the incumbent, Megawati Soekarnoputri, and retired general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will go into a second-round ballot in September to decide who shall be their first directly elected president.

Around Rp 144.2b in assets lost to fire every year

Around Rp 144.2b in assets lost to fire every yearBambang Nurbianto, Jakarta The increasing incidence of fires in the last three years has caused victims to suffer an average of Rp 144.2 billion (US$16 million) in material losses.

Reuters

Reuters Bangkok Southeast Asian birdflu experts met in Thailand on Wednesday to work out how to prevent a second wave of the virus, which has already killed millions of chickens and 24 people, from continuing its march across the region.

Oil giant may pull out of Timor project

Oil giant may pull out of Timor projectAgence France-Presse SydneyAustralian oil giant Woodside Petroleum warned on Wednesday that it may abandon its multi-billion dollar Timor Sea oil and gas project in a move that would threaten the economy of East Timor, one of the world's most impoverished...

2. Kwa -- WTO threatens Indonesia's rural poor

2. Kwa -- WTO threatens Indonesia's rural poor 1 x 30 WTO threatens RI's rural poor Aileen Kwa Geneva

Councillors to face defamation trial

Councillors to face defamation trialBENGKULU: Police investigators are compiling case files on two local councillors who have been accused of defaming Bengkulu Mayor Chalik Effendi.Bengkulu chief of detectives First. Insp.

RI names envoy to East Timor

RI names envoy to East TimorFabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri is set to install a senior State Intelligence Agency (BIN) official on Thursday as the first Indonesian ambassador to East Timor.Deputy BIN chief for intelligence analysis Ahmed D.

Abstention mars democracy

Abstention mars democracyFrom Koran Tempo The rising number of people, currently estimated at 34 percent, refusing to exercise their right to vote in the presidential election, or the golput group as they are locally called, is a political phenomenon worthy of note.

Life much harder now for 'bajaj' drivers

Life much harder now for 'bajaj' driversAfter transporting Jakartans for nearly 30 years, the days of bajaj (three-wheeled motorized vehicles) are numbered. The city administration will phase out the Indian-made bajaj in favor of locally made kancil (four-wheeled motorized vehicles).

Appointment of Konsuil questioned

Appointment of Konsuil questionedLeony Aurora , Jakarta Consumer organizations are questioning the responsibilities and the appointment of a national committee that will inspect the installation of low-voltage electricity facilities, starting next month.

Asia and terrorism

Asia and terrorism It is by now well known that Asia harbors some of the world's most dangerous terrorists. In two nations especially -- the sprawling and adjacent archipelagos of Indonesia and the Philippines -- the terrorist threat is a political issue.

Pregnancy tests urged for migrants

Pregnancy tests urged for migrantsMulta Fidrus, Tangerang Indonesian migrant worker activist Normawati has proposed to the government and migrant workers recruitment agencies to make it mandatory for workers to use contraceptives and to take a urine test in an effort to minimize the number of women...

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, July 29, 2004

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, July 29, 2004.TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions* Drawing Installation by made wianta, Gaya Fusion of Senses, Jl. Raya Sayan, Ubud (Tel. 0361 979253), until Aug. 15. * Painting Kata-kata by I Wayan Sila, at Maya Ubud Resort and Spa, until Aug. 20.

10 fishermen reported missing off Central Java

10 fishermen reported missing off Central JavaNana Rukmana, Brebes At least 10 fishermen were reported missing on Wednesday by their families from Sawojajar village, Wanasrai district, Brebes regency, Central Java, after they went to sea two months ago but failed to return home.

State coming back with vengeance, the media warned

State coming back with vengeance, the media warnedEndy M. Bayuni, Jakarta Anyone who thinks that the press in Indonesia is enjoying unlimited freedom, without state control, could not be more mistaken. Fourteen defamation suits against the press over the past year attest to the return of a new,...

Papua split unlawful, say experts

Papua split unlawful, say expertsRidwan Max Sijabat and A. Junaidi, Jakarta Experts told the Constitutional Court on Wednesday that Law No. 45/1999 on the formation of West Irian Jaya and Central Irian Jaya provinces was no longer valid following the enactment of Law No.

Ancient pachyderm unearthed

Ancient pachyderm unearthedIndra Harsaputra, Nganjuk Fossilized bones that researchers say belonged to an ancient elephant (Stegodon trigonocephalus) have been discovered in Nganjuk regency, East Java."The fossils are now being examined at a laboratory," Trowulan Ancient Heritage Preservation...

JAKARTA: In observance of the country's 59th Independence Day

JAKARTA: In observance of the country's 59th Independence Day on Aug. 17, the National Brotherhood Foundation is to organize a national symposium on reform and Indonesia's future.Chairman of the symposium's organizing committee Marzuki Darusman said here on Tuesday the national meeting on Aug.

Ads boss charged with corruption

Ads boss charged with corruption JAKARTA: Prosecutors have charged the director of an advertising company with corruption over a work agreement with state-owned timber company PT Perhutani, which caused the state to lose some Rp 1.97 billion (US$218,888).

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

1. NEWMONT: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18NGOs are not enemy of mining companies: Newmont 2. FUND: 36 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 28Uncertainty hits campaign law 3. BUYAT: 32 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 22Buyat bay polluted by harmful chemicals: Reports4. LION: 32 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 32Lion plans to sell stake to public5.

[b]SE Asia urged

SE Asia urged to unite against bird flu outbreak 2. 1 x 35Thai Airways' venture may boost profit 3. 1 x 54Ga-ga over Google, but experts fear company overpriced

PT Coca-Cola clarifies

PT Coca-Cola clarifies Following the article in The Jakarta Post titled Hospital, firms accused of polluting rivers publish on July 26, we learned that PT Coca-Cola was mentioned as one of the 12 companies allegedly responsible for the Kalimalang River pollution in Bekasi.

Asia has seen best of growth upturn

Asia has seen best of growth upturnReuters Singapore Asia's economic upturn has put down solid roots, with analysts maintaining forecasts for robust growth in 2004, although activity is expected to moderate next year, the latest Reuters poll of the region's economies shows.

Rp 142m raised for poor schoolchildren

Rp 142m raised for poor schoolchildren JAKARTA: Over 1,000 people who took part in a recent global charity event managed to raise Rp 142 million (US$15,106) to help poor schoolchildren in Indonesia, organizers announced on Wednesday.

Firms face problems in availing of textile quotas

Firms face problems in availing of textile quotasZakki P. Hakim, Jakarta The Indonesian Garment Producers Association (APGI) urged textile and garment makers who have not utilized their export quotas for the U.S. market to let other firms utilize them in a bid to push exports.

Lion plans to sell stake to public

Lion plans to sell stake to publicTony Hotland, Jakarta Domestic budget airline PT Lion Mentari Airline plans to offer its shares to the public through an initial public offering (IPO) some time next year as part of its expansion plans.

Nissan Serena back in town with more features

Nissan Serena back in town with more featuresNovan Iman Santosa JakartaAutomobile enthusiasts surely remember a smart multipurpose van (MPV) during the late 1990s that looked like it was one step ahead of everything else on the market, without much competition to face.

Injecting drug users mostly educated, survey reveals

Injecting drug users mostly educated, survey revealsDewi Santoso, Jakarta More than 70 percent of injecting drug users (IDU) are young adults, aged between 15 years and 29 years old, a survey says.Conducted by the Center for Harm Reduction, the recent survey also revealed that more than 60 percent...

Rethinking tuition fees

Rethinking tuition fees During the recent new school year, we read two interesting but converse reports. The first was news about an outstanding achievement of five Indonesian students at the International Physics Olympiad in South Korea.

Uncertainty hits campaign law

Uncertainty hits campaign lawKurniawan Hari, Jakarta Auditors are at a loss of how to classify one source of campaign funds of one of the five presidential candidates in the July 5 election, says the elections commission.

Drivers suffer from lack of passengers

Drivers suffer from lack of passengers JAKARTA: Public bus and public minivan drivers plying routes from Pasar Minggu have been cutting short their journeys due to a lack of passengers.Bus drivers put the blame for the lack of passengers on an excessive number of public transportation vehicles...

Buyat Bay polluted by harmful chemicals: Reports

Buyat Bay polluted by harmful chemicals: ReportsAbdul Khalik, Jakarta Three days after State Minister of the Environment Nabiel Makarim declared the level of mercury in Buyat Bay at a safe level, a group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) submitted to National Police Headquarters on Wednesday...

Kalibukbuk: 17th century Buddhist site in Bali

Kalibukbuk: 17th century Buddhist site in BaliAlit Kertarahardja, Contributor/Singaraja Buleleng is located in an open area in the northern part of Bali. It has a flat beach with gentle waves, making it easily accessible to people from other places.

Kalibata Mall gets bomb threat

Kalibata Mall gets bomb threat JAKARTA: A day after a minor explosion at the General Elections Commission (KPU) building, Kalibata Mall in South Jakarta received an anonymous bomb threat on Tuesday evening.At 7:30 p.m.

*State coming back with a vengeance, media warned Page 2

*State coming back with a vengeance, media warned Page 2 *Papua split unlawful, say experts Page 4 *Governor's spending proposals draw flak Page 5 *Are we hunting for sea pirates or robbers? Page 6 *Life much harder for 'bajaj' drivers Page 8 *PASI expects athletes to break own records Page 10 *New...

1st state Christian institute opens

1st state Christian institute opens PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agil Hussein Al-Munawwar inaugurated the country's first state Christian institute here on Wednesday.