Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 27 August 2004

68 articles found

Yogi paints comic situations with serious meaning

Yogi paints comic situations with serious meaning Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta A serious message can sometimes be conveyed in a light manner. Though they appear to be humorous and comical, paintings by Yogi Setyawan actually have a deeper meaning. Through the deformed, funny characters in his paintings, the 30-year-old artist skillfully portrays irony, captured from his daily activities, friends' experiences and what is happening in the community.

On Sumbawa

On Sumbawa In your Aug. 20 edition you reported an earthquake that, quote, "jolted the resort island of Sumbawa Besar (...). Sumbawa Besar is located some 79 kilometers south of Bali". * Sumbawa Besar is not an island. It is the capital of the westernmost regency of Sumbawa island. * Sumbawa is not a resort island at all. * The nearest land south of Bali is Antarctica. An atlas might be of great help when referring to any geographical site to support your article. FRANS HUNEKER Ubud, Bali

Bot takes 'sensitive', global stance on RI-Dutch ties

Bot takes 'sensitive', global stance on RI-Dutch ties The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Visiting Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Rudolf Bot met with President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda on Thursday. Taking time off from his busy schedule while in Jakarta, Bot spoke with Suara Pembaruan, Kompas and The Jakarta Post at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Central Jakarta.

Elderly short of secure retirement

Elderly short of secure retirement Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Many people look forward to their retirement as a time when, after years of careful management, they can do the things they always wanted to, but could never quite afford. Eva A.J. Sabdono, a well-organized 60-year-old woman, ran her own catering business until nine years ago. Together with her husband, Eva had developed an attitude toward money that would ensure the couple were financially secure in retirement.

* Astra to launch Kijang Innova next week Page 3

* Astra to launch Kijang Innova next week Page 3 * Labor crisis: dismissals, outsourcing 'inevitable' Page 4 * Private colleges in Yogyakarta on the brink of collapse Page 5 * Mistrust between Indonesia and Australia Page 7 * Jakartans start to face tap water shortages Page 8 * RI concerned over Australia's cruise missile plan Page 9 * BMW Open last chance to make Ryder team Page 10 * ADB warns of increasing inequality in Asia Page 16 * Semsar Siahaan fights for human rights through art Page 17

JP/5/FOCUS

JP/5/FOCUS Bad weather keeps fishermen at home CIREBON, West Java: Gale-force winds and bad weather at sea have prevented thousands of fishermen in Gebang Mekar subdistrict, Cirebon regency, from going out to sea. Some fishermen, however, have braved the elements, though their catches are far below normal. Casnadi, a fisherman, said the transition period between the dry and rainy seasons was often a bad time for fishermen.

Sampoerna offers more scholarships

Sampoerna offers more scholarships JAKARTA: The Sampoerna Foundation is now offering scholarships to study in Australia following the signing of an agreement with the International Education Network of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta on Thursday. Under the accord, the foundation will provide scholarships worth A$92,000 (Rp 600 million) each to two Indonesians to take up post-graduate studies at Australia's leading universities beginning 2005.

RI polls say democracy a heady brew

RI polls say democracy a heady brew Thang D. Nguyen, The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore As Indonesia celebrates its 59th anniversary of independence last week, it is appropriate to reflect on the democratic progress it has achieved thus far. Considering how young democracy is in Indonesia since the end of the Soeharto era and how long it has taken others to build a democratic nation, the presidential election this year is certainly an exemplary one.

ASEM meeting will go ahead despite row: Bot

ASEM meeting will go ahead despite row: Bot Adianto P. Simamora The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Visiting Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot expressed confidence that the upcoming Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) scheduled for October in Hanoi would go ahead despite the controversy over the participation of Myanmar. Speaking at a joint press conference after a bilateral meeting with his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirayuda in Jakarta on Thursday, Bot said the Hanoi summit would take place.

KPU ready for local poll after July 2005

KPU ready for local poll after July 2005 JAKARTA: Due to technical constraints, the General Elections Commission (KPU) will be ready to organize direct polls for governor, mayor and regent only after July next year, a commission member says.

New council reps eye chairmanship

New council reps eye chairmanship Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Only a day after being sworn into office, new councillors are vying for the City Council chairmanship. Two names -- Ahmad Heryawan of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and Abdul Muthalib Shihab of the Democratic Party are considered the strongest contenders. PKS and the Democratic Party are the two factions with the most seats on the council with 18 and 16 seats respectively.

Lack of clean water hits Jambi

Lack of clean water hits Jambi JAMBI, Jambi: The dry season has dropped water debit in Batanghari River to two cubic meters per second from the normal six cubic meters per second, reducing the water supply at state- run tap water company PT Tirta Mayang in Jambi municipality. Yusnidar, the head of administrative affairs at the company, said a lack of rain over the past few weeks had left the company unable to deliver potable water to over 4,000 residents in five districts in Jambi municipality.

Newmont questions police's Buyat Bay mercury tests

Newmont questions police's Buyat Bay mercury tests Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta PT Newmont Minahasa Raya questioned on Thursday the laboratory test results from the police on water and fish tissue samples from Buyat Bay, North Sulawesi, which were inconsistent with tests run by other institutions.

Fires kill seven, leave hundreds homeless

Fires kill seven, leave hundreds homeless Suherdjoko and Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post/Semarang/Makassar Fires destroyed dozens of houses in Semarang and Makassar on Thursday, killing seven people and leaving hundreds of others homeless.

RP drops charges against MILF rebels

RP drops charges against MILF rebels PHILIPPINES: The Philippine government has dropped criminal charges against 185 Moro separatist guerrillas blamed for the bombing of an airport and wharf that killed 38 in the south last year, the military said on Thursday. The Justice Department dismissed the case against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels last week in a bid to speed up peace talks, the military said.

Govt mulls transferring gas to Aceh

Govt mulls transferring gas to Aceh Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is considering taking liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Bontang LNG plant in East Kalimantan to cover the export commitments of Arun LNG plant in Aceh for the next three years to resolve the lingering natural gas shortage suffered by fertilizer firms in Aceh.

Betawi chef adds zest to native dish

Betawi chef adds zest to native dish Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Nasun's pecak is richer, nuttier and arguably more delicious than the original Betawi (native Jakartan) dish. "I have modified it and used my own recipe for the sauce," he said on Thursday. True Betawi pecak, according to the 71-year-old man, is baked fish in a light sauce flavored with sauteed ginger, onion and chili.

Drive on to curb trafficking of women

Drive on to curb trafficking of women JAKARTA: The government, U.S Embassy and several local and foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) launched here on Thursday a campaign against the trafficking of women and children by distributing hundreds of thousands of comics as well as millions of leaflets across the country.

Bank Jabar begins Rp 1t bond issue

Bank Jabar begins Rp 1t bond issue The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Jabar kicked off on Thursday the book-building process for its two tranche Rp 1 trillion (US$107.75 million) bond issue. Bank Jabar president director Umar Sjarifuddin indicated the coupon for the A series bond would be between 11.75 percent and 12.25 percent, while the B series would be between 12.25 percent and 12.75 percent.

Unregulated construction

Unregulated construction We would like to ask the honorable Jakarta Governor, Jakarta councillors, city planning officials, environment activists, and developers to pay close attention to the following crucial but sensible matter. The many new construction projects currently taking place around Jakarta worry us, mothers with children who need green open space for recreation. When we want to take our kids to a park or a playground, we always run out of ideas on where to take them.

Moviegoers to reserve

Moviegoers to reserve tickets via SMS, phone JAKARTA: Good news for moviegoers. From Sept. 4, long queues at cineplex 21 may be a thing of the past as tickets can now be purchased via premium call or short messaging service (SMS). Moviegoers only need dial 2121 to book a seat and obtain a movie identity number. They can also enjoy other facilities at cafes, restaurants, hotels and beauty salons involved in the program, also known as "MovId".

Ex-councillor named suspect of Rp 1b fraud case

Ex-councillor named suspect of Rp 1b fraud case Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Jakarta Police named former City Council chairman Agung Imam Sumanto a suspect on Thursday for swindling Rp 1 billion (US$108,696) from four business partners. The police are scheduled to question Agung on Friday, who was elected as a councillor from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) for the 1999-2004 period.

Time to stop climbing trees

Time to stop climbing trees From Kompas Tree climbing contests in Jakarta to celebrate Independence Day on Aug. 17 have always used the trunks of pinang (areca palm) trees measuring seven meters in length with a diameter of 20 centimeters. It takes over five years for the tree to grow to this size. In July every year, the trees are cut and their trunks sold on sidewalks around town, including in the Manggarai area of South Jakarta, to people preparing for the Independence Day commemorations.

U.S. public diplomacy in the Muslim world

U.S. public diplomacy in the Muslim world Muhamad Ali, Jakarta This is a constructive criticism of how, until recently, U.S. foreign policy and public diplomacy have failed to win the hearts and minds of the Muslim world. U.S. politicians and diplomats, generally, have done nothing of significance that they should have been doing since September 11, 2001. Instead, they have contributed to the increased sense of threat of U.S. hegemony among 1.2 billion people in the Muslim world.

Officials' salaries to be halved

Officials' salaries to be halved BEKASI: Each new Bekasi councillor will receive only Rp 6 million (US$652) in monthly salary, half of the Rp 12 million that councillors in the previous tenure received. "Government Regulation No. 110/2000 stipulates that each councillor will be paid a salary of Rp 6 million per month," Bekasi Mayor Akhmad Zurfaih said on Thursday.

From Media Indonesia

From Media Indonesia Independence is indeed the right of every nation; therefore, colonialism must be wiped out from the face of the world because it does not support humanity nor justice. Indonesia has been independent for 59 years now, but one question lingers: Are we really independent? Education is commercialized today, and this is tantamount to a new form of colonialism perpetrated by our fellow citizens, with the result that many poor children cannot afford to go to school.

On garbage handling

On garbage handling From Koran Tempo The Clean Up Indonesia campaign was kicked off by a cleanup around the Gelora Bung Karno sports stadium in Jakarta on Aug. 8. Australian Ambassador David Ritchie participated in the event, but no government officials were to be seen. The garbage issue should be seriously tackled. President Megawati Soekarnoputri once expressed her shame when she compared Jakarta with Shanghai.

[b]U.S. public diplomacy

U.S. public diplomacy in the Muslim world Muhamad Ali Jakarta 2. Pro -- Democratic alliances 2 x 30 U.S. democratic alliances key to restoration of lost 'soft' power Joseph S. Nye Project Syndicate

Jakartan water runs dry

Jakartan water runs dry Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Amid the dry season, people living in some districts in the northern part of Jakarta have started to complain about the water supply from water operators in the city. Ibu Hatma, who lives in Penjaringan, complained how she often opened the water faucet at her house and nothing came out of it. The faucet could only produce a slight hiss of air, occasionally coughing up a few spurts of murky water.

JP/13/Stock

JP/13/Stock RI shares end higher as blue chips rebound Dow Jones Jakarta Indonesian shares ended higher on Thursday on a rebound in many blue chips, helped by gains in most Asian markets, dealers said. "It's a mild rebound, however," said a trader with Paramitra Securities. He added that security concerns ahead of the presidential runoff in September discouraged investors from taking strong buying positions. The Jakarta Stock Exchange Composite ended up 3.538 points, or 0.5 percent, at 735.254.

Democracy and foreign interests

Democracy and foreign interests From Bisnis Indonesia The Indonesian Military (TNI) bill does not lead to a TNI that conforms to principles of democracy, according to observers from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. To my knowledge, the principles of democracy in Indonesia have not yet been established. No descriptions have ever been made of the type of democracy suitable to Indonesia. Democracy remains one of the global issues used by liberal nations to liberalize the world.

1. DISCOURSE: 48 pt, 7 cols, 1 x 42

1. DISCOURSE: 48 pt, 7 cols, 1 x 42 Bot takes 'sensitive', global stance on RI-Dutch ties 2. MARINES: 36 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 21 Marines raid music show, kills one in Lampung 3. PROBES: 32 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 32 Police wants Probest director for fraud 4. TERROR: 30 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 36 Police unleash first antiterror squad

Bad weather keeps fishermen at home

Bad weather keeps fishermen at home CIREBON, West Java: Gale-force winds and bad weather at sea have prevented thousands of fishermen in Gebang Mekar subdistrict, Cirebon regency, from going out to sea. Some fishermen, however, have braved the elements, though their catches are far below normal. Casnadi, a fisherman, said the transition period between the dry and rainy seasons was often a bad time for fishermen.

Mistrust between Indonesia and Australia

Mistrust between Indonesia and Australia The media's view of Australia-RI relations Santi W.E. Soekanto, Jakarta Australians regard Indonesia as the country's greatest security threat, far outranking other nations in the region, a new study in Australia revealed on Wednesday Aug. 25, 2004. Released by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), it said fewer Australians now saw an external security threat than at any time in the past 30 years.

Local up in arms over lake reclamation project

Local up in arms over lake reclamation project Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post/Tangerang Residents of two housing complexes in Pondok Benda, Pamulang district, here, have expressed their opposition to the reclamation of Tujuh Muara lake, which is located near the complexes, for fear of floods and drought. "When we bought our homes here several years ago, the lake served as a catchment.

Athens sends message of Olympic truce: Ambassador

Athens sends message of Olympic truce: Ambassador Musthofid and Anjaiah Veeramalah, Jakarta After more than a century since it staged the first modern Olympics in 1896, Athens is again hosting the biggest global multi-event sporting showcase at present. Greece gave birth also to the ancient Olympics, which can be traced back to 776 BC, and Greeks see the return of the Olympics to their soil as affirmation of their place in creating the world's greatest athletic showpiece.

RI asks clarification over Australia's new cruise missile plan

RI asks clarification over Australia's new cruise missile plan Agencies, Jakarta Indonesia expressed on Thursday its concern over neighboring Australia's plan to beef up its offensive capability by acquiring long-range cruise missiles able to hit targets up to 400 kilometers away.

Marines raid music show, kills one in Lampung

Marines raid music show, kills one in Lampung Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung One person was killed and several others injured when a truckload of marines launched a lightening raid on a concert to celebrate Independence Day in Lampung province, villagers said on Thursday. The trigger behind the attack, which took place at around 9 p.m. on Wednesday in Gebang village, South Lampung regency, remained unclear.

New blood, new hope

New blood, new hope As many as 75 new Jakarta councillors were sworn in on Wednesday -- mostly new faces -- with the largest faction, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), occupying 18 seats. The Democratic Party holds 16 seats, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) 11 seats, Golkar seven, and the United Development Party (PPP) and National Mandate Party (PAN) six seats each.

Outsourcing inevitable: Employers

Outsourcing inevitable: Employers Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The poor climate for business in the country meant labor dismissals, outsourcing and the recruitment of contract-based workers were inevitable and were expected to increase the future, employers say.

Shares up as blue chips rebound

Shares up as blue chips rebound Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesian shares ended higher on Thursday on a rebound in many blue chips, helped by gains in most Asian markets, dealers said. "It's a mild rebound, however," said a trader with Paramitra Securities. He added that security concerns ahead of the presidential runoff in September discouraged investors from taking strong buying positions. The Jakarta Stock Exchange Composite ended up 3.538 points, or 0.5 percent, at 735.254.

'TV critics should push for change'

'TV critics should push for change' Ten private TV stations and state TVRI have been criticized for abandoning education and information broadcasting and focusing more on entertainment. In observance of the anniversary of TVRI and some private TV channels on Aug. 24, The Jakarta Post asked some residents their opinion on TV programs currently being aired. Hadi Sunaryo, 36, works for a management consulting firm on Jl. Thamrin, Central Jakarta.

Astra to unveil new Toyota model

Astra to unveil new Toyota model Rendi A. Witular , Jakarta Automotive assembler and distributor PT Astra International said it would launch a new generation of its popular Toyota Kijang van called Toyota Innova next week, saying the new multipurpose vehicle (MPV) is expected to further strengthen the company's dominance in the domestic car market. "We plan to launch Innova in the first week of September.

JP/5/COLLEGE

JP/5/COLLEGE Private colleges in Yogyakarta on the brink of collapse Slamet Susanto The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta Hundreds of private higher learning institutions in Yogyakarta, considered by many as the nation's education center, are on the brink of collapse due to a lack of students. The shortage of students has reduced revenues at the institutions, and they are having difficulties covering operational costs.

Police unleash first antiterror squad

Police unleash first antiterror squad Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Jakarta Police inaugurated on Thursday a 75-member antiterror detachment, called Den88, which is the country's first such squad. The ceremony at city police headquarters was marked with the enactment of a hostage-rescue situation and the disposal of a mock car bomb.

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, August 27, 2004

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, August 27, 2004 Exhibitions * Sculpture Membaca Konvensi, by 28 sculptors at Edwin Gallery, Jl. Kemang Raya 21, South Jakarta (Tel. 7194721, 71790049), until Aug. 29. * Korean Art Exhibition featuring 90 pieces of Korean ceramics and 15 oil paintings by Maestro Kim So-sun, 30 pieces of Hangul calligraphy by Maestro In Shik-shon, 20 pieces of Susek, 15 pieces of Hanbok, at National Museum, Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No. 12, Central Jakarta, until Aug. 29.

Probest director wanted for fraud

Probest director wanted for fraud Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Jakarta Police are seeking Burhan Sofian, president director of investment management company PT Probest Internasional Indonesia over a US$4.2 million fraud case, filed by a Bahrain citizen, Osama Fathala. "We have issued an arrest warrant for him and we have also sent a request to the immigration office to prevent him from leaving the country," city police detectives chief Sr. Comr. Mathius Salempang said on Thursday.

Mega launches human rights action plan

Mega launches human rights action plan Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri launched on Thursday a national action plan on human rights in a bid to improve the country's record on the issue. Under the action plan set out in presidential decree No. 40/2004, regional administrations are to set up human rights committees, which would disseminate information and educate bureaucrats and professional groups about human rights.

Death sentence sought for smuggler

Death sentence sought for smuggler TANGERANG: Prosecutors demanded on Thursday that Tangerang District Court sentence Daniel Enemou -- a 28-year-old Nigerian citizen -- to death, and fine him Rp 50 million (US$5,435) for smuggling 1,150 grams of heroin into the country from Pakistan in January. Prosecutor Eben Silalahi said the defendant was proven guilty of violating Articles 82 and 78 of Law No. 22/1997 on drugs, as he had carried the heroin through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Jan.

Rupiah Rates Aug.26

Rupiah Rates Aug.26 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,907.82 6,197.83 6,587.48 6,517.94 Brunei dollar 1 5,718.79 5,131.65 5,453.59 5,396.70 Canadian dollar 1 7,498.47 6,730.99 7,150.74 7,078.64 Swiss franc 1 7,688.68 6,900.61 7,332.13 7,257.03 Danish krone 1 1,591.15 1,427.46 1,517.36 1,501.19 Euro 1 11,830.24 10,617.44 11,281.62 11,165.83 Poundsterling 1 17,574.03 15,774.53 16,759.05 16,589.28 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,255.21 1,126.92 1,197.00 1,185.13...

74 GAM inmates sent to West Java

74 GAM inmates sent to West Java Nani Afrida and Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh/Bandung Seventy-four convicted Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatists arrived on Thursday afternoon in Bandung amid tight security. The 74-inmates, including four former GAM negotiators, were flown from Banda Aceh in the morning aboard an Army Hercules aircraft and reached Husein Sastranegara Air Force Base in Bandung at 1 p.m.

Olympic champ urges welfare for pro athletes

Olympic champ urges welfare for pro athletes Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Indonesia's Olympic gold medalist shuttler Taufik Hidayat appealed to the government to guarantee welfare for high- achieving athletes when they retired. "I believe the government should pay more attention to the welfare of former athletes. Many of them have been overlooked and have no clear future," Taufik told reporters after meeting President Megawati Soekarnoputri at the State Palace on Thursday.

RP proposes $16.2b budget for 2005

RP proposes $16.2b budget for 2005 MANILA: President Gloria Arroyo has asked the Philippine legislature to pass a 907.6 billion-peso (US$16.2 billion) national government budget for 2005, the presidential palace said on Thursday.

Rupiah Rates Aug.26

Rupiah Rates Aug.26 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 6,907.82 6,197.83 6,587.48 6,517.94 Brunei dollar 1 5,718.79 5,131.65 5,453.59 5,396.70 Canadian dollar 1 7,498.47 6,730.99 7,150.74 7,078.64 Swiss franc 1 7,688.68 6,900.61 7,332.13 7,257.03 Danish krone 1 1,591.15 1,427.46 1,517.36 1,501.19 Euro 1 11,830.24 10,617.44 11,281.62 11,165.83 Poundsterling 1 17,574.03 15,774.53 16,759.05 16,589.28 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,255.21 1,126.92 1,197.00 1,185.13...

TV Today: Friday, August 27, 2004

TV Today: Friday, August 27, 2004 .TB.30" .90" TVRI .tb .30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Children Show: Pentas Ceria 8:30 Music: Asik-Asik 10:30 Religious Teachings 12:30 p.m. Music 1:00 News: Berita Siang 1:30 Pesona Flora 2:00 Music 3:00 English News Service 4:30 Pak Odor's Show 5:00 Children Drama 6:00 TV Drama 7:00 News: Berita Nasional 7:30 Music 8:00 Variety Show 9:00 News: Dunia Dalam Berita 9:30 Music 10:30 Live Show TPI 5:30 a.m.

OPEC expects oil prices to fall to $30 per barrel

OPEC expects oil prices to fall to $30 per barrel The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) expects to see a fall in global oil prices to as much as US$30 per barrel, its president Purnomo Yusgiantoro said here on Thursday. "Oil prices have retreated, but we want them to fall to about $30 per barrel. That would be good enough," said Purnomo, who is also the Indonesian minister of energy and mineral resources.

Govt mulls declaring 19 national heroes

Govt mulls declaring 19 national heroes JAKARTA: The Ministry of Social Affairs has nominated at least 19 people to be declared national heroes. "There are at least 19 names of candidates for national hero, who will receive the title on national heroes day on Nov. 10," Ministry of Social Affairs Bachtiar Chamsyah said on Thursday. Among the listed names were Depati Amir from Bangka Belitung, Raja Ali Haji from Riau, KH Nur Ali from Bekasi, Greater Jakarta and Ripah Ali from Central Java.

* Astra to launch Kijang Innova next week Page 3

* Astra to launch Kijang Innova next week Page 3 * Labor crisis: dismissals, outsourcing 'inevitable' Page 4 * Panwaslu clears police in another poll bias case Page 5 * Mistrust between Indonesia and Australia Page 7 * Jakartans start to face tap water shortages Page 8 * RI concerned over Australia's cruise missile plan Page 9 * BMW Open last chance to make Ryder team Page 10 * ADB warns of increasing inequality in Asia Page 16 * Semsar Siahaan fights for human rights through art Page 17

House, govt spar over TNI regional role

House, govt spar over TNI regional role Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The debate over the military's territorial role looks to dominate the deliberation of the Indonesian Military (TNI) bill, which commenced on Thursday. The United Development Party (PPP), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Crescent Star Party (PBB) factions in the House of Representatives oppose the presence of military institutions down to the district level, citing the trauma of the New Order regime.

Four injured in Senen brawl

Four injured in Senen brawl JAKARTA: Four people were injured and at least 14 homes were damaged in a brawl between residents and an unidentified group of people guarding a plot of at the finance ministry housing complex in Senen, Central Jakarta. The ministry planned to clear the land to make way for the construction of twin towers there, but the residents, who have been living in the area since 1996, refused to leave. The injured were taken to nearby Gatot Subroto Army Hospital.

Susilo and Kalla win PKS's support

Susilo and Kalla win PKS's support Tiarma Siboro and Fabiola Desi Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Muslim-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) officially endorsed presidential candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his running mate Jusuf Kalla on Thursday, asking party members and sympathizers to vote for the pair in the Sept. 20 runoff.

Covering fragile co-existence of Australia-Indonesia

Covering fragile co-existence of Australia-Indonesia Mistrust between Indonesia and Australia Santi W.E. Soekanto Jakarta 2. yale -- Let us have more babies please 1 X 45 When countries want more babies from citizens Joseph Chamie Yale Center for the Study of Globalization New York 3. Thang -- Indonesian polls show democracy a heady brew 1 x 30 Indonesian polls show democracy a brew RI polls say democracy a heady brew Thang D. Nguyen The Straits Times Asia News Network Singapore

JSX needs transparency, law enforcement: TSE

JSX needs transparency, law enforcement: TSE Rendi A. Witular, Jakarta The Indonesian stock market needs to boost transparency and law enforcement in a bid to entice more investors and encourage more firms to list their shares on the bourse, a visiting top official of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) said.

Car wash business thrives in Medan

Car wash business thrives in Medan The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Want to really wash your car? Head to Medan. Unlike in other regions in the country where cars are still being cleaned manually, the automated car wash business in the North Sumatra city is starting to take off. Despite the need for large amounts of start-up capital, there is a surge of local entrepreneurs investing in the business.

Panwaslu clears police in another poll bias case

Panwaslu clears police in another poll bias case Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post/Medan The North Sumatra Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) said on Thursday -- after questioning only two of some 40 students witnesses -- that it would discontinue its investigation of the Medan Police over charges of partiality ahead of the election.

Diarrhea outbreak strikes NTT

Diarrhea outbreak strikes NTT KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: a diarrhea outbreak has struck at least two regencies in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province, affecting hundreds of people, many of them infants. No fatalities have been reported. Herman, the head of Kupang regency's health office, blamed on Thursday a lack of clean water for the outbreak. In Alor regency, Alor Hospital director Yoseph Usen Aman said 47 people had been treated at the hospital for diarrhea, 33 of them infants. -- JP

2 x 28

2 x 28 Panwaslu clears police in another poll bias case JP/5/INMATE 2 x 27 74 GAM inmates sent to West Java JP/5/CUCI 1 x 34 Car wash business thrives in Medan

Delay oath-taking of 51 legislators: NGOs

Delay oath-taking of 51 legislators: NGOs JAKARTA: A coalition of non-governmental organizations demanded on Thursday that the General Elections Commission (KPU) delay the installation of 51 legislators implicated in graft cases, pending the final verdict on their cases.