Archive: 30 August 2004
52 articles found
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Lao Nam Theun dam project on global tour to convince opponents
Lao Nam Theun dam project on global tour to convince opponents Didier Lauras, Agence France-Presse, Hanoi A long-delayed plan to build a gigantic dam in Laos comes under international scrutiny this week as the World Bank is hosting a series of consultations in a bid to win over a host of opponents of the controversial project. The first stop will be on Tuesday in Thailand, which has already signed a US$5billion contract to buy electricity produced by the Nam Theun II dam for 25 years.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Political signposts to gauge new RI govt
Political signposts to gauge new RI govt Meidyatama Suryodiningrat, Jakarta Welcome to the presidential elections, Indonesian style. In less than a month, either incumbent Megawati Soekarnoputri or her former chief security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will be Indonesia's first directly elected president.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
JP/5/BRIDGE
JP/5/BRIDGE 3 x 19 Subang bridge repaired ahead of schedule JP/5/METAL 1 x 44 Cirebon kitchenware industry in trouble
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
More fires, hot spots on Kalimantan
More fires, hot spots on Kalimantan Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Forest fires and hot spots were spreading at an alarming rate across Indonesian Borneo, at a rate of over a hundred a day over the last week, a senior official from the Office of the State Ministry of Environment said on Sunday.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Fire guts oldest hotel in Padang
Fire guts oldest hotel in Padang PADANG, North Sumatra: A fire gutted the oldest hotel in the provincial capital of Padang on Saturday night, destroying at least 80 of its rooms along with seven shophouses. No casualties or injuries were reported as guests had been evacuated before the fire spread to the Machudum's Hotel located on Jl. Haligoo, about 100 meters from Padang City Hall. The fire started at about 9:50 p.m.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Fishermen offered new apartments 'next year'
Fishermen offered new apartments 'next year' The Jakarta Post, Jakarta North Jakarta mayor Effendi Anas said the evicted fishermen from Kali Adem in Muara Angke, North Jakarta, would be able to move into new low-cost apartments provided by the Jakarta administration next year. "The construction of the apartments will be finished in November. New tenants could stay there early next year," Effendi told Governor Sutiyoso on Sunday during the latter's visit to the construction site.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. Textile (1x43)
1. Textile (1x43) RI textiles 'risk tariff barriers' in U.S. 2. Phone (2x22) Experts see room for cheaper cell phone calls 3. Fuel (1x30)) Aging oil fields 'a concern'
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Profits attract foreign banks to Permata
Profits attract foreign banks to Permata Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A combination of the banking sector's great potential for growth and hefty earnings obtained from government bonds held by recapitalized banks are seen as the main factors behind the huge interest shown by investors competing for a majority stake in Bank Permata.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Aging oil fields 'a concern'
Aging oil fields 'a concern' Stella Farrington, Dow Jones/London Falling oil output from aging fields, once insignificant compared with global production, has become large enough to impact world supply and may help explain the constant tightness in the oil market this year, according to analysts. Oil production is now in decline in at least 18 major producing countries including the U.S., U.K.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
The absurdity of our 'exit tax'
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.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Customers kept in dark about water disruptions
Customers kept in dark about water disruptions Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Water consumers in the city have long been complaining about a perceived lack of effort on the part of the city water utilities in preventing water supply disruptions, or at least in giving prior warning of such disruptions.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Thai Airways buys Airbus superjumbos
Thai Airways buys Airbus superjumbos TOULOUSE: Thai Airways has purchased eight aircraft from the European aviation manufacturer Airbus, including six A380 superjumbos, Airbus announced on Friday. The doubledecker A380s, which can seat 550 passengers, are scheduled to be delivered in 2008 and 2009 and destined to operate on major trunk routes from Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport to destinations in Europe.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia to join Kendo ASEAN tournament
Indonesia to join Kendo ASEAN tournament Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Sixteen Indonesian kendoka from the All-Indonesia Kendo Federation (AIKF) will compete in the seventh ASEAN Kendo tournament in Kuala Lumpur on Sept. 4 and Sept. 5. The kendoka -- two third dan, five second dan and nine first dan students -- will fight in individual and group events in the tournament.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Athens Olympics awaken Asia
Athens Olympics awaken Asia Agence France-Presse, Athens A record-breaking medal haul confirmed Asia's emergence as the sporting world's rising superpower, Olympic chief Jacques Rogge declared Sunday. A powerful display from China, a resurgent campaign from Japan and strong showings from other nations such as South Korea and Thailand ensured that Athens will be remembered as the Asian games, Rogge said. South Korea took eight golds, Thailand won three, Taiwan won two golds and Indonesia got one.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Riau to set up Women's Center
Riau to set up Women's Center PEKANBARu, Riau: Women grouped in several organizations in Riau plan to establish a center to help settle problems arising in the province. "God willing, Women's Center will be set up in October," local activist Septina Primawati Rusli said after a dialog with female members of legislative councils in Riau on Sunday. She said the planned establishment of the center was inspired by growing concern over the fate of uneducated women in the province.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Bridge repaired ahead of schedule
Bridge repaired ahead of schedule Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post/Subang Repairs to a collapsed bridge in Subang, West Java, have been completed early, but an official says more work in the area is urgent to prevent similar accidents in the future. Purnomo, the head of the Ministry of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure's Cipunagara Bridge Repair Project, said the work to the bridge was completed 15 days earlier than the 45-day deadline. "The repairs were completed on Friday.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia textiles 'risk tariff barriers' in U.S.
Indonesia textiles 'risk tariff barriers' in U.S. Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Indonesia risks losing competition in the U.S. textile and clothing market after the abolition of the quota system on Jan. 1 next year, as the country should pay higher import duties for the commodity than other suppliers to enter the U.S. market, an expert said. Once the quota system is lifted, tariffs would become the main factor determining access to the U.S. market, said William E.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
*RI needs to formulate country policy for WTO: Khor Page 2
*RI needs to formulate country policy for WTO: Khor Page 2 *Police stand by Buyat Bay test results Page 4 *Yogyakarta lawmakers to stand trial over graft chargesPage 5 *The choice between Megawati and Susilo Page 7 *Customers kept in dark about water disruptions Page 8 *Pro-Kremlin man set to win Chechen presidential electionPage 9 *Thai fighter Manus outfoxes Cuban Johnson to win gold Page 12 *RI textiles 'risk tariff barriers' in U.S. Page 13 *Lynne Cheney tones down her role Page 20
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
JP/5/FOCUS
JP/5/FOCUS 12 Betheleme attackers get prison terms PALU, Central Sulawesi: Twelve out of 13 defendants were sentenced to jail terms on Saturday for taking part in a deadly attack on a neighboring village in Central Sulawesi, last year. The Palu District Court handed down the sentences, ranging between two to four years in prison, to 12 villagers whom it found had attacked villagers in Betheleme in October, killing two, injuring two others and damaging some 35 houses in the area.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Enthusiasts flock to Betawi food festival
Enthusiasts flock to Betawi food festival Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta "Wow, these look really lekker," a middle-aged woman uttered enthusiastically, while looking at nasi ulam and the side dishes served on a long table at the Heritage Food in Heritage City 2004 on Sunday. Lekker is the Dutch word for tasty or delicious. On another table were some rarely seen fruits like breadfruit and gembili (a variety of potato), all served for free.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
More tourists come to S'pore
More tourists come to S'pore SINGAPORE: Visitor arrivals in Singapore hit a record high of 802,283 in July, up 48 percent from last year on robust travel volumes from China and other Asian countries, the tourism board said. The numbers showed the city-state is on track to hit its target of welcoming 7.6 million travellers and earning S$8.7 billion (US$5.1 billion) from tourism this year, the board said in a statement late on Friday.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Over 400 scholars will discuss Southeast Asia at EUROSEAS
Over 400 scholars will discuss Southeast Asia at EUROSEAS Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Over 400 scholars from all over the world will gather in the French capital from Sept. 1 to Sept. 4 to discuss Southeast Asia, Singapore's Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), one of the organizers said.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Amnesty granted if victims forgive: House
Amnesty granted if victims forgive: House Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Lawmakers have criticized a stipulation in the bill on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which allows it to recommend the granting of a presidential pardon for human rights abusers, despite the fact that they have not been forgiven by their victims. The legislators said that human rights violators should only be pardoned by the president after they and their victims forgive one another.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Mega awards wrong trophies four times
Mega awards wrong trophies four times PEKANBARU: President Megawati Soekarnoputri handed over the wrong trophy to winning students in the third national science olympiad four times on Saturday.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Gen. Benny dies, laid to rest
Gen. Benny dies, laid to rest Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post A true intelligence officer to the end, L.B. Moerdani left this world discreetly in the wee hours of Sunday morning, and a few hours later, one of the most feared and respected generals was buried at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta. Gen. (ret) Leonardus Benyamin "Benny" Moerdani, former Armed Forces (ABRI) chief, passed away at 1:15 a.m.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
S'pore aims to become center for Islamic banking
S'pore aims to become center for Islamic banking Singapore is launching a drive to become a center for Islamic financial services as part of attempts to strengthen ties with the Middle East, former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong says. Islamic law forbids the charging of interest. Islamic banking conforms to this guideline, and appeals to Muslims who don't want to deal with Western-style institutions.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
TV Program: Monday, August 30, 2004
TV Program: Monday, August 30, 2004 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Children Show: Pentas Ceria 8:30 Music: Asyik Asyik 11:00 Singing Contest: Konteswara 11:30 Doing Business 12:00 p.m. Documentary 1:00 News: Berita Siang 3:00 English News Service 4:00 Children Drama 7:00 News: Berita Nasional 8:00 TV Drama 9:00 News: Dunia Dalam Berita 9:30 Jazz 10:30 Music 11:00 Talk Show: Mimbar Indonesia TPI 5:30 a.m.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Yogya lawmakers to stand trial over graft charges
Yogya lawmakers to stand trial over graft charges The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta/Padang/Mataram Three Yogyakarta councillors will go on trial for allegedly misusing Rp 1.4 billion (US$148,936) of public money meant for councillors' life insurance schemes, while six reelected others already convicted of graft have been installed in Padang. The Yogyakarta Prosecutor's Office handed over the dossiers of three councillors implicated in the case to the Yogyakarta District Court on Saturday.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Cirebon kitchenware industry in truble
Cirebon kitchenware industry in truble Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post/Cirebon Kitchenware producers in Cirebon regency, West Java province, have been facing a severe shortage of raw material in the form of aluminum scrap over the past few months ago, leaving the industry in disarray. If the problem persists for another few weeks, the metal industry in Cirebon would close down and hundreds of workers lose their livelihoods.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Panwaslu says candidates stage disguised campaigns
Panwaslu says candidates stage disguised campaigns M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The General Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) said on Sunday that scores of sporting activities organized by presidential candidates' campaign teams were a subtle form of campaigning outside the designated schedule.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
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.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Indonesians struggle to master English
Indonesians struggle to master English Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta While English is taught at most elementary school, some parents try to give their children a head start by encouraging them to master the basics -- numbers, familiar objects and the like -- before enrolling them in international kindergartens. For the majority of students though, learning English is a tough task, and one that they readily complain about. "Er... I learned English, yes, but I don't feel confident.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
River festival attracts huge crowd
River festival attracts huge crowd Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Oarsmen carefully paddled through Kali Angke, North Jakarta, one of the most polluted rivers in the city, as thousands of onlookers applauded and laughed as some of the inexperienced rowers got into a bit of trouble. "Look, those oarsmen seem too hesitant to row their boats. Perhaps they fear that the stinky river water will splash into their faces," said Rinto, a resident of Pluit in North Jakarta.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
1. DISCOURSE: 48 pt, 7 cols, 1 x 49
1. DISCOURSE: 48 pt, 7 cols, 1 x 49 RI needs to formulate country policy for WTO: Khor 2. COALITION: 48 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 24 Coalitions only benefit the elite: Analysts 3. OTDA: 32 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 33 Regions needed to consult govt on bylaws 4. FOOD: 30 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 36 Enthusiasts flock to Betawi food festival
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Buy movie tickets via SMS, phone
Buy movie 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". For further information see http://www.21.cineplex.com. -- Antara
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Govt to bulid alternative toll road
Govt to bulid alternative toll road Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post/Tangerang In order to ease the congestion on the Jakarta-Merak toll road, the Tangerang Regency administration is planning a Rp 2 trillion (US$217.39 million) alternative toll road.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
KPU must regulate media campaigning
KPU must regulate media campaigning JAKARTA: Independent media watchdogs called on the General Elections Commission (KPU) on Sunday to immediately draw up a clear-cut regulation that would sanction campaigning in the media ahead of the Sept. 20 election runoff. The Institute for the Study of the Free Flow of Information (ISAI) and the Media Coalition for Free and Fair Elections said that the absence or tardy formulation of such a regulation would cause a serious problem to the media.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Chickens die from mysterious plague
Chickens die from mysterious plague Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta Farmers in Yogyakarta's Sleman regency have complained over the weekend that thousands of their chicken have died due to an unidentified disease in the past few days. Apart from inflicting millions of rupiah in losses on farmers in the region, the outbreak of the mysterious viral disease, has discouraged them from breeding.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
We see great potential in Indonesia travel market: Valuair CEO
We see great potential in Indonesia travel market: Valuair CEO The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Singapore-based airline Valuair launched its second service to Jakarta recently at a time when the airline industry in the region faces surging fuel costs and cut-throat competition that threaten bottom-lines. The airline now has two aircraft and also flies to Hong Kong and Bangkok.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Getting back on track
Getting back on track Even though, so far, little more is known than a well meant officially stated intention, the reported decision revealed by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) over the weekend to "soon" give the public access to its findings on the personal wealth of state officials is a move in the right direction.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Eliminate hazing
Eliminate hazing From Media Indonesia Initiation rites or hazing began here during the Dutch colonial times, when the colonial administration needed to train students to deal with their enemies. Now that Indonesia is undergoing reform, a movement that began in 1998, hazing, in which senior students generally mentally and physically torment new students, is still practiced. Unfortunately, in some cases, this practice has claimed several lives.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta Square Jazz to be on regularly
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.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Fahmi's remains to arrive on Tuesday
Fahmi's remains to arrive on Tuesday JAKARTA: The body of Indonesian national Fahmi Ahmad, who was killed in an ambush in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on August 22, is expected to arrive at Soekarno-Hatta airport at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Fahmi's body has arrived in Damascus from where it will be flown to Jakarta by Gulf Air, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yuri Thamrin said.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Regions asked to consult Jakarta on bylaws
Regions asked to consult Jakarta on bylaws Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Lawmakers deliberating revisions to Law No. 22/1999 on regional government have agreed to require all regional administrations to consult the central government before issuing a bylaw to avoid inconsistency with existing laws and regulations. "We are trying to regulate relations between the central government and regional administrations.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
RI to open a center on E. Asian studies
RI to open a center on E. Asian studies JAKARTA: Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda will inaugurate the Center for East Asian Cooperation Studies (CEACoS) in Jakarta on Monday. To mark the launching of the center, the ministry has organized a one-day seminar on the "Prospects and Challenges in Developing the East Asian Economic Community: The Choices of Policy" at the foreign ministry's Nusantara room on Monday morning.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
The choice between Susilo and Megawati
The choice between Susilo and Megawati 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.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
RI to open a center on E. Asian studies
RI to open a center on E. Asian studies JAKARTA: Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda will inaugurate the Center for East Asian Cooperation Studies (CEACoS) in Jakarta on Monday. To mark the launching of the center, the ministry has organized a one-day seminar on the "Prospects and Challenges in Developing the East Asian Economic Community: The Choices of Policy" at the foreign ministry's Nusantara room on Monday morning.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Coalitions only benefit the elite, analysts say
Coalitions only benefit the elite, analysts say Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Coalitions of parties to help presidential candidates win the September election runoff would not benefit the nation as a whole but instead serve largely the interests of the political elite, analysts said on Sunday.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Experts see room for cheaper cell phone calls
Experts see room for cheaper cell phone calls Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Good news for cellular phone consumers: while current calling charges are already low by international standards, they are likely to continue to drop in the future, experts say. And the ongoing price war being waged by cell phone operators that has resulted in the lower charges, is making the industry one of the most competitive in the country, experts say.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
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.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
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.
Mon, 30 Aug 2004, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia needs to formulate country policy for WTO: Khor
Indonesia needs to formulate country policy for WTO: Khor The World Trade Organization (WTO) general council agreed, early this month in Geneva, on the "July Package" that set a framework for the Doha Round, which had been in trouble since the collapse of the ministerial meeting in Cancun, Mexico about a year ago. Third World Network (TWN) director Martin Khor, who was on a three-day visit to Indonesia last week, spoke with The Jakarta Post's Zakki P.