Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 28 August 2004

87 articles found

BI to use repos as monetary tool

BI to use repos as monetary tool Dow Jones, Jakarta Bank Indonesia Governor Burhanuddin Abdullah said on Friday that the central bank will soon use government bond repurchase agreements (repos) as one of its open market operation tools. He also reiterated that the central bank is keeping a tightening bias on monetary policy amid mounting inflationary pressures. "The new instrument will add to the number of monetary tools that we can use to stabilize the money market," Burhanuddin told reporters.

2 heads

2 heads 1. SCHOOL -- 2 x School operates in rundown state 2. ARTIST -- 2 x 35 Malaysia, Yogyakarta artists foster ties with workshops, discussions

Expectations soar for 'Princess of Mount Ledang'

Expectations soar for 'Princess of Mount Ledang' Sean Young, Associated Press/Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia For weeks, the nationwide frenzy of anticipation for Princess of Mount Ledang -- Malaysia's most expensive movie ever -- has been inescapable. Mammoth street billboards proclaim the coming of this Malay- language epic based on centuries-old local folklore about a beautiful princess who spurns the love of a tyrannical sultan. The theme song reigns on radio charts.

Irma returns to her true love

Irma returns to her true love Carla Bianpoen, Contributor/Jakarta When Irma left painting, her first love, to excel in the world of fashion she may not have thought she would ultimately come back to it. But the 30 paintings on display from Aug. 30 at Paulinart Art Space and Studio here, show her love has never died. Portraits of Javanese women with their fine transparent kebaya (Javanese traditional women's blouses) fill a great number of Irma's canvases.

'Tempo' reports mayor over false info

'Tempo' reports mayor over false info Chief editor of Tempo Bambang Harymurti gave on Friday a statement to Jakarta Police investigators in connection with an earlier report on Central Jakarta Mayor Hosea Petra Lumbun, whom he accused of giving false information in a libel case against the weekly.

U.S. soldiers avoid Bali

U.S. soldiers avoid Bali KUTA, Bali: A senior Bali businessman called on Friday for the U.S. military not to discourage its soldiers from holidaying on the resort island of Bali. Lie Djin Sin, the owner of Putri Duyung Hotel in Seminyak, Kuta, said soldiers no longer came to the island following the Bali bombing two years ago that killed more than 200 people, mostly foreign tourists.

Sports programs and entertainment

Sports programs and entertainment A week ago, four Indonesian shuttlers made history in the Athens Olympics by winning medals, but only a few Indonesians watched them struggling for glory. Only on Wednesday were the majority of Indonesians able watch gold medalist Taufik Hidayat playing - although just the recorded highlights - on Trans-TV in Lepas Malam program hosted by Farhan.

More expensive passports

More expensive passports From Kompas When I applied for a new passport at the immigration office of East Jakarta on June 29, I came to know for the first time how corruption is deeply ingrained in public offices. I decided not to use the services of an agent in order to reduce the cost. When I returned the next day to have my photo and fingerprints taken, I was charged Rp 175,000 while the fee stated on the counter was Rp 110,000.

RI not serious about FTA with U.S.: USAID

RI not serious about FTA with U.S.: USAID Zakki P. Hakim The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The United States perceived Indonesia as half-hearted in its commitment to establishing a free-trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries, thus leaving the talks in limbo, an official of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) said on Friday.

Reinventing college orientation programs

Reinventing college orientation programs Ardimas Sasdi, Jakarta With the start of a new academic year less than a week away, colleges and universities are bracing themselves for freshman orientation. Campuses are replete with decorations, pamphlets, bunting and banners to welcome new students. For their part, student boards have laid out plans for the great annual event, which usually lasts a week.

Festival to hold comic-making class

Festival to hold comic-making class JAKARTA: The Indonesian Comics Society will hold a comic- making workshop on Saturday at the Comics Festival at Mal Ciputra in Grogol, West Jakarta. The Comics Festival will run from Aug. 28 to Sept. 12. During the three-day workshop, experienced comic-strip artists will guide participants in making a finished strip of their own from scratch.

Dropouts ready to carve out a life

Dropouts ready to carve out a life Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The crowd of visitors is encouraging to sculptor Yono on his debut in a national-level exhibition that has sent him to Jakarta for the first time in his life. Yono and his colleagues are showing a collection of stone statues of Buddha during the Education, Youth and Sports expo at the Jakarta Convention Center. The exhibition will run until Sunday.

Australian govt briefs Indonesia over missile plan

Australian govt briefs Indonesia over missile plan The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A day after the government expressed its concern over Australia's plan to boost its offensive capability, Canberra briefed Jakarta on Friday, regarding its plan to purchase long-range cruise missiles. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Marty Natalegawa welcomed Australia's initiative to directly explain the reasons behind the plan, saying the move would help avoid misunderstandings between the two countries.

[b]Jakarta Square Jazz

Jakarta Square Jazz to be on regularly JAKARTA: Jurnal IndonesianManagers, an organization to accommodate the needs of managers to communicate and interact, will stage a Jakarta Square Jazz performance on Sept. 1, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at The Plaza Semanggi, Central Jakarta. Starting in October, the event will be on biweekly every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and be aired live at Trijaya FM radio station.

JP/4/Kpu

JP/4/Kpu Many councillors may lose seats over fake diplomas M. Taufiqurrahman The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Numerous newly elected councillors across Indonesia could lose their seats after the General Elections Commission (KPU) ordered local commissions to take swift action against councillors who used false school diplomas. According to data from the Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu), there were at least 405 councillors implicated in false diploma cases across Indonesia.

The absurdity of

The absurdity of our 'exit tax' The departure tax does not apply for non-residents of Indonesia. Indonesians with a foreign stay permit (e.g. students) did not have to pay the exit tax when it was first introduced, if they only took one trip home and when back abroad during any given 12-month period. There was no time limit to their length of stay in Indonesia during that one year. Then this was changed without notice to the public.

English difficult to master for many locals

English difficult to master for many locals Tony Ryanto, Contributor/Jakarta Travelling in Paris in the late 1970s, an Indonesian journalist friend boarded a taxi and felt very lucky because the driver told him he was one of just three who could communicate in English.

Mass axing faces Texmaco

Mass axing faces Texmaco Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta More than 60,000 workers of the Texmaco Group may lose their jobs following the government's refusal to reschedule its huge debts. The Central Committee for the Settlement of Labor Disputes (P4P) revealed on Friday that about 4,000 workers of three companies under the group had demanded that the P4P order the Texmaco management to dismiss them and provide severance pay and other compensation according to labor regulations.

My personal experience in working on the election

My personal experience in working on the election Jardine "Dinia" Wall, Los Angeles After its first round of direct presidential elections in July, Indonesian democracy is toughened, but not battle-weary. The Indonesian people have taken the opportunity given to them by failing authoritarianism to transform their society into a democracy.

Rp 6m salary officially OK'd

Rp 6m salary officially OK'd BEKASI: Bekasi City Council Committee confirmed on Friday that each councillor would receive a Rp 6 million (US$652) monthly salary, amid a previous demand that they be paid double that. Acting council chairman Achmad Saichu said the decision was made in line with Ministry of Home Affairs circular No. 161/2004, which stipulates that each councillor will get Rp 6 million including allowances.

KPK to open wealth reports to public

KPK to open wealth reports to public JAKARTA: The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said on Friday it would allow public access to information about the wealth of state officials in a bid to promote transparency. KPK chairman Taufikurrahman Ruki said earlier the KPK could no longer inform the public about state officials' wealth due to a lack of legislations. He claimed that Law No.

The choice between Megawati and Susilo

The choice between Megawati and Susilo Peter Milne Jakarta 2. Begi --The U.S.-Singapore defense accord invites danger to the region 1 X 45 U.S.-Singapore defense accord invites danger Begi Hersutanto Jakarta 3.

Jakarta won't agree to compromise on Myanmar issue in upcoming ASEM

Jakarta won't agree to compromise on Myanmar issue in upcoming ASEM Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Indonesia brushed aside a compromise solution to the problem of Myanmar's participation in the upcoming Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Hanoi in October, though both Indonesia and the European Union (EU) have agreed that the summit must go ahead as scheduled.

300,000 people living in camps

300,000 people living in camps JAKARTA: Approximately 300,000 people are living in refugee camps across the country, a senior minister says, adding that the government hopes to repatriate all of them by October. Minister of Social Affairs Bachtiar Chamsyah said on Friday the majority of the refugees were in Maluku and North Maluku.

Another Komnas team sent to Manggarai

Another Komnas team sent to Manggarai KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) is sending another team to Manggarai to continue its investigation into shootings in which five villagers in the area were killed by police, an official said on Friday. The first team was sent in April to investigate the incident in Colol subdistrict.

Artists paint fine portrait of city

Artists paint fine portrait of city Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Dabbing his paintbrush back and forth, Warso Sugriwo gives a life of color to a pencil sketch of a couple on a new canvas -- all the while glancing at his guide, a photograph clipped on the top- left side of the frame. The photograph comes from a married couple about to commemorate their 25th wedding anniversary.

Amien, Wiranto vow neutrality, abstention in September runoff

Amien, Wiranto vow neutrality, abstention in September runoff Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Two former presidential candidates have elected not to support either Megawati Soekarnoputri or Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in the Sept. 20 election runoff, but did encourage supporters to vote in the upcoming poll.

Where to go in Yogyakarta: Saturday, August 28, 2004

Where to go in Yogyakarta: Saturday, August 28, 2004 Exhibitions * Fine Arts Gareng - Petruk (Tribute to Tatang S), by Bambang 'Toko' Wicaksono, the Gallery of Kedai Kebun Forum Restaurant, Jl. Tirtodipuran No. 3 (0274 376114), until Sept. 22. * Fine Arts exhibition and performances Lintang Desa by Moelyono, and people from Kebonsari village, at Rumah Seni Cemeti, Jl. D.I. Panjaitan No. 41 (Tel. 0274 371015), until Aug. 31. * Painting Guyon Maton by Yogi Setyawan, Bentara Budaya Yogyakarta, Jl.

No suspects in 'fraud' case

No suspects in 'fraud' case Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Police now have no suspects in a bizarre case involving a former Jakarta city council chairman, a businesswoman and an alleged "fraud" worth Rp 1 billion (US$112,359). Former Jakarta City Council chairman Agung Imam Sumanto failed to show up for questioning at the Jakarta Police headquarters on Friday in connection with the allegations of fraud, despite police saying he was now only a witness, not a suspect, in the case.

Police deny allegations they put markups on Aceh projects

Police deny allegations they put markups on Aceh projects Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The police denied on Friday charges leveled by a joint monitory team that they embezzled billions of rupiah from material procurement and construction projects in Aceh while the province was under martial law. "We found no markups in the projects. We have submitted the results of our investigation to the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs and the KPK," National Police chief Gen.

Local cricketers set

Local cricketers set to begin on Sunday JAKARTA : The new season of the Jakarta Cricket Association (JCA) cricket league is due to commence on Sunday, with six of the ten cricket teams in action. Defending champion ISCI cricket club will be seeking to make JCA history by becoming the first team to win the championship three years in succession.

TV Today: Saturday, August 28, 2004

TV Today: Saturday, August 28, 2004 TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Children Show: Pentas Ceria 7:30 Religious Teachings 8:00 Talk Show: Sehat Ala Hembing 9:00 Religious Teachings 10:00 Talk Show 11:30 Battle of Wits 1:00 p.m.

Top int'l banks vie for 51% Permata stake

Top int'l banks vie for 51% Permata stake Rendi A. Witular , The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Leading international banks are competing in a tender to acquire a controlling stake in Bank Permata, the country's seventh largest bank in terms of assets, in what may be the government's last sale of a majority stake in a local bank. British banks Barclays Bank Plc.

Melia does beef, health food promo

Melia does beef, health food promo YOGYAKARTA: In a bid to help promote healthy lifestyles in the community, five star-rated Melia Purosani hotel on Jl. Suryotomo is offering a "healthy food menu" during the month of September at its Ching San restaurant. A vast variety of Stir Fried Australian beef dishes prepared in a relatively healthy manner, the hotel's public relations manager Atik Damarjati said.

RI not serious about FTA with U.S., says USAID

RI not serious about FTA with U.S., says USAID Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The United States perceived Indonesia as half-hearted in its commitment to establishing a free-trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries, thus leaving the talks in limbo, an official of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) said on Friday.

1. DISCOURSE: 36 PT, 7 cols, 1 x 49

1. DISCOURSE: 36 PT, 7 cols, 1 x 49 NU/PKB support essential for runoff win: Lecturer 2. PAN: 48 pt, 3 cols, 3 x 18 Amien, Wiranto vow neutrality, abstention in September runoff 3. COALITION: 32 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 33 Coalition to go all out to support Mega 4. PRD: 30 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 27 Activist's jail death protested 5. ART: 30 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 27 Arts, music to grace capital

Local cricketers set to begin on Sunday

Local cricketers set to begin on Sunday JAKARTA : The new season of the Jakarta Cricket Association (JCA) cricket league is due to commence on Sunday, with six of the ten cricket teams in action. Defending champion ISCI cricket club will be seeking to make JCA history by becoming the first team to win the championship three years in succession.

Body of Fahmi Ahmad yet to be repatriated

Body of Fahmi Ahmad yet to be repatriated JAKARTA: Almost one week after he was killed, the government has yet to repatriate the body of Indonesian engineer Fahmi Ahmad, who was killed in an ambush in Mosul, northern Iraq, last Sunday. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Marty Natalegawa said on Friday the government was still trying to arrange to bring Fahmi's body home.

NGOs vow to unravel corruption in KPU

NGOs vow to unravel corruption in KPU JAKARTA: A coalition of non-governmental organizations said on Friday it would press ahead with its drive to unravel the corruption allegations plaguing the General Elections Commission (KPU), despite a threat from the commission to file a defamation lawsuit against the group.

Pertamina's move over Cepu block sparks debate

Pertamina's move over Cepu block sparks debate Johannes Simbolon, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta State oil and gas company Pertamina's decision to operate the Cepu block on its own rather than as a joint venture with American energy giant ExxonMobil has raised questions about whether the move is in the best interest of the nation.

Fire injures eight, guts 28 showrooms

Fire injures eight, guts 28 showrooms JAKARTA: Eight people were injured when a fire gutted 28 showrooms on Thursday evening in Penggilingan, Cakung district, East Jakarta. Cakung Police said on Friday they suspected the fire was caused by a compressor that exploded in a meatball soup kiosk owned by Tatat. No fatalities were reported, and material losses have yet to be estimated. Seven fire trucks were deployed to put out the fire.

Prawn promotion at Jogjakarta Plaza

Prawn promotion at Jogjakarta Plaza YOGYAKARTA: Prawn lovers in the city are being spoiled with vast array of prawn-based dishes at the Jogjakarta Plaza hotel on Jl. Gejayan, Complex Colombo here as the Prime Plaza chain hotel is offering a special Prawn Promotion program for August and September 2004. Offered for Rp 75,000 net per person at the hotel's semi-bar Colombo Pool Terrace daily, the promotion has a wide selection of prawns cooked in a variety of ways.

Merpati rues privatization delay

Merpati rues privatization delay Rendi A. Witular and Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta State-owned carrier PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines said it regretted the government's decision to delay the privatization of the airline, which it warned could leave Merpati behind its competitors amid growing competition in the industry.

Nurdin sent to hospital again

Nurdin sent to hospital again JP/4/question Nurdin rehospitalized Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Lawmaker Nurdin Halid, a suspect in a sugar smuggling case, was readmitted to the Soekamto Police Hospital in East Jakarta on Thursday night after police doctors declared him too ill to undergo questioning. National Police Director of Economic Crimes Brig. Gen.

Merpati offers discount fares

Merpati offers discount fares JAKARTA: As part of its 42nd anniversary celebrations, PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines will offer seats for Rp 42,000 (US$4.50) on all of its domestic flights and $42 on international flights from Sept. 1 to Oct. 12. Merpati will only offer five of these specially priced seats per flight. The special fares exclude departure and airport taxes, and are limited to economy class tickets.

Private colleges on the brink of collapse

Private colleges 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.

Minister Bot's visit

Minister Bot's visit The visit to Jakarta by a foreign minister from a country with which Indonesia maintains relations is, of course, not an unusual event.

CORRECTION:

CORRECTION: In the interview with Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot on this page in the edition of Aug.

NU/PKB support essential for runoff win: Lecturer

NU/PKB support essential for runoff win: Lecturer Political coalitions with several parties, including the Golkar Party and the United Development Party (PPP), may not be enough for presidential candidate Megawati Soekarnoputri and her running mate Hasyim Muzadi to win the Sept. 20 election. An intensified approach toward the largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and its political offshoot, the National Awakening Party (PKB), is also needed.

[b]My personal experience in

My personal experience in working on the election Jardine "Dinia" Wall Los Angeles 2. Simon -- Dealing with textbooks in schools 2 x 30 Textbooks for schools, problems of price but also poor quality Simon Marcus Gower Jakarta

Models to strut their stuff on stinky river

Models to strut their stuff on stinky river Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Sutiyoso's administration will give riverbank squatters a taste of the good life on Sunday, when models are set to grace a floating catwalk on Angke River in North Jakarta, as part of a campaign to clean up the city's rivers. The "Enjoy Jakarta's Clean Rivers" event will feature 30 models in Betawi (native Jakartan) attire sadariah.

Art, music to grace capital

Art, music to grace capital Artists from several countries will be in Jakarta for the triennial Arts Summit, to entertain lovers of contemporary music, dance and theater for an entire month. Painters and other artists are also scheduled to join local artists in exhibitions throughout the event. Running from Sept. 11 to Oct. 10, Art Summit Indonesia 2004 will also include a three-day seminar hosted by playwright Putu Wijaya, which will discuss, among other issues, cultural collaborations.

Nurdin Halid hospitalized, again

Nurdin Halid hospitalized, again Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Lawmaker Nurdin Halid, a suspect in a sugar smuggling case, was readmitted to the Soekamto Police Hospital in East Jakarta on Thursday night after police doctors declared him too ill to undergo questioning. National Police Director of Economic Crimes Brig. Gen.

Two poll commission officials in Central Java dismissed

Two poll commission officials in Central Java dismissed Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post/Semarang The General Elections Commission (KPU) has dismissed two of its members in Central Java for breaching the institution's code of ethics, a local poll official announced on Friday. The two fired members were Sarilan M. Ali of the Karanganyar regental election commission and Yudhia Patria of the Purbalingga regental poll commission.

Top global banks battle to acquire Permata

Top global banks battle to acquire Permata Rendi A. Witular The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Leading international banks are competing in a tender to acquire a controlling stake in Bank Permata, the country's seventh largest bank in terms of assets. British banks Barclays Bank Plc.

Taufik's group hit in multiple collision

Taufik's group hit in multiple collision MEDAN, North Sumatra: Four cars belonging to presidential husband Taufiq Kiemas' traveling entourage were in a multiple collision on Friday, leaving some drivers and passengers with minor injuries. The collision occurred when a driver of a sedan in the group suddenly braked to avoid a pedicab on a crossroads. Three cars behind the sedan were unable to stop in time, leaving some in the cars slightly injured.

Military court to fall under Supreme Court

Military court to fall under Supreme Court Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The administration and supervision of the military court is to be transferred to the Supreme Court on Sept. 1 in accordance with Law No. 4/2004 on judicial power, which reinstates a one-roof judicial system. However, it remains unclear whether the move will enable a criminal court to try military personnel.

Bank Permata's sale

Bank Permata's sale Investors have warmly welcomed the Indonesian government's plan to sell Bank Permata to private investors. As such, a number of banks and pension fund institutions have been scrambling to form consortia to buy 51 percent of Bank Permata's assets. On the side of Indonesian banks, Bank Mandiri has been trying to forge a consortium with Bank Buana; Bank BRI is trying to partner with the worker's social insurance fund PT Jamsostek and the Pension Fund to buy Permata.

Bot's visit strengthens bilateral ties

Bot's visit strengthens bilateral ties Ivy Susanti, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot's three-day visit to Indonesia, which ended on Friday, has opened a new chapter in the relations between Jakarta and its former colonial master. Putting the past aside, the two countries agreed to push their bilateral relationship to new heights. As a first step, The Netherlands extended its full support to Indonesia's fight against terrorism.

Indonesia not yet independent

Indonesia not yet independent From Koran Tempo Aug. 17 is a special date for Indonesians, because on that date in 1945, the country declared its freedom. The question worth raising in this context is: Are we really free? We need to examine what we have gained after 59 years of freedom. The Indonesian standard dictionary defines the word merdeka (free) as independent of slavery, colonization, bondage and so forth.

Grand Mercure offers new facilities

Grand Mercure offers new facilities YOGYAKARTA: Following its grand opening this year, the Grand Mercure Phoenix Yogyakarta hotel on Jl. Jend. Sudirman is offering a 30 percent discount for its massage services at its new spa facilities, Srikandi Spa, during the soft opening of the new spa until the end of September.

Pelindo offered shares in port dispute

Pelindo offered shares in port dispute Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Caught in the middle of a tug-of-war between the city administration and the central government over the development of New Port, Governor Sutiyoso has invited state port operator Pelindo II for a discussion and is offering the company shares in the new project. "This is not a power contest.

The choice between Megawati and Susilo

The choice between Megawati and Susilo Peter Milne Jakarta That there is little to choose between the two remaining presidential candidates is the argument expressed by Wimar Witoelar in a piece entitled Susilo, Megawati: Too close to call a winner, which appeared in The Jakarta Post earlier this week. In so arguing, Wimar touches on some important concerns, reminding us of the unfortunate reality that democracy does not necessarily guarantee progressive leaders or good governance.

Marines dismissed over deadly raid

Marines dismissed over deadly raid Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung Lt. Col. Bambang Sutrisno, who had just been installed on Tuesday as the Piabung Marine Corps commander in Lampung province, was dismissed from his post on Friday following a raid by marines on a village concert that killed one and injured at least six others. Six marines -- First Sgt. Sudiarto, First Pvt. Adi Rohano, First Pvt. Ujang Supriyatna, Chief Sgt. Eko Suroyo, Second Pvt. Jeremy Purba and Second Pvt.

* Megawati, Susilo 'must be smart' courting NU/PKB Page 2

* Megawati, Susilo 'must be smart' courting NU/PKB Page 2 * Sukarno's daughters to bury hatchet ahead of polls Page 4 * Kampar councillors installed amid student protest Page 5 * School textbooks -- price and quality problems Page 6 * Ex-council chief in no-show over fraud case Page 8 * Australia tries to sooth RI over missile plan Page 9 * Pavin leads Buick by three strokes Page 10 * Pertamina provokes debate over Cepu operations Page 13 * Sony aiming higher after Athens Olympics Page 20

Jakarta as art center

Jakarta as art center From Koran Tempo As a city grows larger, art and culture become one of the facets of life in the metropolis. Along with the construction of shopping centers in Jakarta, the maintenance of its art facilities and the building of new facilities will make its image complete. Jakarta particularly needs a music hall with specially designed acoustics, seating and stage arrangement for concerts.

School operates in rundown state

School operates in rundown state Singgir Kartana, Contributor/Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta Yogyakarta has long been famous as a city of education, a city where thousands from across the country and from abroad study, thanks to the wide choice of fields of study as well as comprehensive teaching and learning facilities. However, not all the schools here have adequate facilities, especially those located in the more remote parts of the province.

New Kampar councillors installed

New Kampar councillors installed Puji Santoso, The Jakarta Post/Pekanbaru A student protest marred the induction of 45 councillors at the Kampar regental council on Friday. In the noisy protest, hundreds of students demanded the councillors step up the fight against corruption and prevent the reinstatement of Kampar Regent Jefri Noer.

1. PERMATA: 2 LINES 20 COUNTS

1. PERMATA: 2 LINES 20 COUNTS Int'l banks vie for majority Permata stake 2. TEXMACO: 1 LINE, 24 COUNTS Mass axing faces Texmaco 3. FASHION: 2 LINES, 18 COUNTS Models to strut their stuff on stinky river 4. OLYM: 1 LINE, 28 COUNTS Golden oldies take center stage

Election debate not a must

Election debate not a must From Suara Karya The controversy over the need to arrange a public debate between presidential and vice presidential candidates as part of the campaign for the upcoming election runoff should not disrupt the second-round election and create a strained atmosphere.

Rupiah ends at 8-week low on dollar demand

Rupiah ends at 8-week low on dollar demand The rupiah closed at an eight-week low on Friday on rising dollar demand from local companies to pay offshore obligations at the end of the month. The dollar closed at Rp 9,320, up from its close of 9,290 Thursday and its highest closing level since June 30, when it ended at 9,395. A correction in the dollar against most Asian currencies, however, slowed down its rise versus the rupiah, dealers said.

KPU gets tough over fake diploma

KPU gets tough over fake diploma M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Numerous newly elected councillors across Indonesia could lose their seats after the General Elections Commission (KPU) ordered local commissions to take swift action against councillors who used false school diplomas. According to data from the Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu), there were at least 405 councillors implicated in false diploma cases across Indonesia.

Sony aiming higher after Athens

Sony aiming higher after Athens Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Sony was beside himself, laying on the floor in exultation after winning. His left hand covered his face as he struggled to hold back tears. Moments later he rose to his feet, clinching his teeth in sheer happiness before shaking hands with his vanquished opponent, Boonsak Polsana of Thailand. As the TV camera panned the stands, a handful of red and white flags were seen waving as spectators cheered him on.

How to resolve political stalemate

How to resolve political stalemate As preparations for the final stage of the first direct presidential election progress, the nation is witnessing a rare and tragic political spectacle -- almost a democratic anomaly -- in which one democratic group is confronting another: A party coalition group against the so-termed people's democracy group. This suggests that a political stalemate could develop to the detriment of national development, toward the end.

TNI to dispatch soldiers to W. Sumba

TNI to dispatch soldiers to W. Sumba KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Wirasakti Military Command will dispatch about 100 soldiers to help police return order to West Sumba, a senior officer said on Friday. East Nusa Tenggara chief Col. Moeswarno Moesanip said the soldiers would be sent immediately following a rise in the number of robberies and murders in the regency during the past few weeks. The dispatch of the soldiers was at the request of West Sumba regency government, Moeswarno said.

Protesters, Police clash in Bogor

Protesters, Police clash in Bogor BOGOR: Around 1,500 Klapanunggal residents and Bogor Police clashed on Friday at the Bogor Council during the swearing-in ceremony of the regency's councillors. The residents were staging a protest, demanding that the new councillors annul the operating permit issued by the administration for the dump in Bojong village, Klapanunggal district.

Mandiri to issue eurobonds

Mandiri to issue eurobonds The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Mandiri, the country's largest bank in terms of assets, plans to issue eurobonds in October or November this year to help finance part of its maturing dollar-denominated debts, the bank's vice president director said. I Wayan Pugeg said on Friday the bank was likely to issue as much as US$150 million in eurobonds to refinance some of its maturing offshore debts amounting to between $300 million and $400 million this year.

Activist's jail death protested

Activist's jail death protested Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post/Semarang Some 25 activists from the Front for Poor People's Struggle (FPRM) staged a protest in front of a government office here on Friday, questioning the government on the recent death of prodemocracy activist Churzaini, alias Saddam Hussein, in his prison cell recently.

Police stand by Buyat Bay test results

Police stand by Buyat Bay test results Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Friday the police were sticking to their laboratory test results, which showed that Buyat Bay in Minahasa, North Sulawesi, was contaminated with heavy metals, despite a complaint from PT Newmont Minahasa Raya.

Textbooks for schools, problems of price but also poor quality

Textbooks for schools, problems of price but also poor quality Simon Marcus Gower, Jakarta Nobody would question the importance and great value of books to the processes and tasks of learning and "becoming an educated person". Undoubtedly one of the most difficult and unfortunate of challenges for many people in Indonesia is the cost of books and, in many instances, the availability of good quality books.

Life's burdens get harder to bear

Life's burdens get harder to bear From Suara Karya Ever since the reform movement started a few years ago, people on low and middle incomes have remained in the grip of poverty and continue to live hard lives. As unemployment continues to rise, people find the struggle to survive tougher from day to day. Such marginalized people have to compete even harder for their daily needs because their numbers keep on growing.

Educating nurses

Educating nurses I refer to your article on your website on Aug. 19 entitled Labor exporter speaks out on abuse. We would like to clarify that the School of Nursing (Fakultas Perawat) at the University of Indonesia (UI) should not be termed "Nursing Academy" as was written. The School of Nursing at UI has had a full bachelor's degree program since 1985 and master's programs since 1999.

Sukarno's daughters to bury hatchet ahead of runoff

Sukarno's daughters to bury hatchet ahead of runoff Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Three daughters of founding president Sukarno look set to bury their hatchets for a family reunion ahead of the election runoff, which will see the eldest among the siblings, Megawati Soekarnoputri, square off against her former aide Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Javan gibbons face extinction, illegal loggers blamed

Javan gibbons face extinction, illegal loggers blamed Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post/Sukabumi Five groups of the endangered Javan silvery gibbon (Hylobates moloch), or Owa Jawa, have disappeared from the 100-hectare (ha) Kabandungan Forest, a lush corridor that connects Mount Salak and Mount Halimun in Sukabumi, West Java, a park official said. "Illegal loggers have nearly cut down the entire corridor ...

Gunungkidul residents 'itching' for rain as lake is only source of water

Gunungkidul residents 'itching' for rain as lake is only source of water Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post/Gunungkidul Hundreds of residents of Gunungkidul regency, Yogyakarta province, are suffering from skin diseases thought to have been brought on by the dry season. The dry season, which began in the regency several months ago, has caused severe water shortages, especially in Panggang and Purwosari districts, leading to an outbreak of skin diseases in the regency.

Malaysia, Yogyakarta artists foster ties with workshops, discussions

Malaysia, Yogyakarta artists foster ties with workshops, discussions The public will have the opportunity to view the works of Yogyakartan and visiting Malaysian artists in two exhibitions, following a week of workshops and discussions between the two groups. The works will first be displayed at the residence of Maestro Djoko Pekik in Sembungan village, Kasihan, Bantul, from Aug. 29, and will move to the Pitoe Gallery on Jl. Prawirotaman in Yogyakarta starting Sept. 2.

Coalition to go all out to support Mega

Coalition to go all out to support Mega Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Leaders of the so-termed national coalition of four major parties held their first plenary meeting on Friday, to consolidate their rank and file and draw up a strategy to help the Megawati Soekarnoputri-Hasyim Muzadi ticket win the runoff.