Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 14 September 2004

80 articles found

Massage therapists battle stereotype to do business

Massage therapists battle stereotype to do businessFadli, The Jakarta Post/Batam Many people are prepared to travel halfway across Jakarta, battling heavy traffic for an hour's massage with a skilled therapist, and, finally, the chance to relax.

Table

TableIndonesia's Real Gross Domestic Product Growth Rates, 1993-2003Year GDP rate (%) ---- -------- 1993 7.3 1994 7.5 1995 8.2 1996 8.0 1997 4.5 1998 -13.1 1999 0.8 2000 4.8 2001 3.3 2002 3.7 2003 4.1Source: Central Statistics Agency

JP/5/PIJAT

JP/5/PIJATMassage business thrives in BatamFadli The Jakarta Post/BatamMany people are prepared to travel halfway across Jakarta, battling heavy traffic for an hour's massage with a skilled therapist, and, finally, the chance to relax.

Clean-up fraud

Clean-up fraudFrom Warta KotaIn connection with the claim by certain parties -- Indonesia Asri, Jakarta Asri and the Indonesia-Australia Action Committee (IACT) -- that the Clean Up Indonesia/Indonesia Bersih program is part of their activities, I must clarify the matter as follows.

36 drug suspects nabbed in operation

36 drug suspects nabbed in operation TANGERANG: Tangerang Police have arrested 36 suspected drug users and traffickers during a month-long operation from Aug. 10 to Sept. 12 in both Tangerang regency and Tangerang municipality."They will be charged under Law No. 22/1997 on drugs and Law No.

1. BLAST: 1 LINE, 30 COUNTS

1. BLAST: 1 LINE, 30 COUNTS Mega declares RI on full alert 2. ART: 1 LINE, 33 COUNTS 'Self Rites': An ode to women 3. DIALOG: 2 LINES, 16 COUNTS Presidential hopefuls prepare for dialog 4. TENNIS: 1 LINE, 48 COUNTS Federer, Kuznetsova emerge as U.S. Open champions

Islam and inter-religion ties

Islam and inter-religion tiesMujiburrahman, Paris Over the past two decades, debates and controversies have abounded among Indonesian Muslims on the interpretations of Islamic theological and legal doctrines on interreligious relations.

Egon erupts again, spews black smoke

Egon erupts again, spews black smokeKUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Mount Egon in Sikka regency, East Nusa Tenggara province, again spewed black smoke and ash some 2,500 meters into the air on Monday.It was the third eruption after the last Thursday's eruption, which forced thousands of people living...

Facts behind 'Supersemar' buried with 'Pak' Jusuf

Facts behind 'Supersemar' buried with 'Pak' Jusuf Former minister of defense/Armed Forces commander Gen. (ret) Muhammad Jusuf passed away last Wednesday. There are several points to be noted about his death.

Govt says tourism industry continues to grow

Govt says tourism industry continues to grow Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post/Natuna, Riau Islands The government acknowledged that the bomb blast outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta could discourage foreign visitors from coming to the country, but the nation's tourism industry could still grow...

Directive to report to RT chiefs ignored

Directive to report to RT chiefs ignoredBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta "A visitor staying for over 24 hours must report to the neighborhood unit (RT) chief," read notices posted all over the city. However, many residents simply turn the other cheek.

Tony Hotland

Tony Hotland The Jakarta Post/Natuna, Riau Islands The government acknowledged that the bomb blast outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta could discourage foreign visitors from coming to the country, but the nation's tourism industry could still grow this year supported by domestic tourists.

'Overlooked' Sutrisno proves his world prowess

'Overlooked' Sutrisno proves his world prowessMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Palembang Sutrisno is again the world's most powerful lifter in his class -- at least among his peers. His success at the National Games (PON) in setting a new unofficial world record last week, breaking his old...

Acehnese wrap up victorious run

Acehnese wrap up victorious runMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Palembang The Acehnese weightlifting squad rounded off their competition with an impressive performance, setting new National Games records in their haul of two golds here on Monday.

Observers tell military must to return to the barracks

Observers tell military must to return to the barracksRidwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The rejection by several political parties and non-governmental organizations of the contentious bill on the Indonesian Military (TNI) is a reflection of the public's hatred of military personnel's...

Ayu fails in the first hurdle at Wismilak tennis tourney

Ayu fails in the first hurdle at Wismilak tennis tourneyWahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post/Nusa Dua, Bali Ayu Fani Damayanti of Indonesia failed to overcome her first hurdle at the Wismilak International Tennis Tournament, after she lost 6-3, 6-1 to world's 39th-ranked Gisela Dulko of Argentina...

Security guards on the frontline poorly paid

Security guards on the frontline poorly paidUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Thursday's bomb blast in front of the Australian Embassy on Jl. Rasuna Said, Kuningan, South Jakarta, killed nine people, one of whom was an embassy security guard.

For today's cameras, digital is more than a catchphrase

For today's cameras, digital is more than a catchphraseBurhanuddin Abe, Contributor, Jakarta It was not too long ago when many people thought "semiconductor" and "microchip" were a part-time orchestra conductor and extremely small snacks.

Terror on agenda at lawmakers forum

Terror on agenda at lawmakers forumCAMBODIA: Cambodia urged fellow Southeast Asian nations on Monday to cooperate in the fight against terrorism at a meeting here of lawmakers from across the region.Cambodian national assembly president Prince Norodom Ranariddh urged members to share information at...

Dili seeks Manila's support for ARF bid

Dili seeks Manila's support for ARF bidEAST TIMOR: East Timor's Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta will seek support for his impoverished country's bid to join a major regional security forum during a forthcoming trip to Manila, his office said on Monday.

Lawyers to defend NGOs

Lawyers to defend NGOs JAKARTA: Over 70 lawyers have pledged to defend a coalition of five non-governmental organizations that has been reported to the police by the General Elections Commission (KPU) for defamation.

Bill on domestic violence draws praise

Bill on domestic violence draws praiseKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The House of Representatives is scheduled to pass the bill on domestic violence on Tuesday, although women activists say it is not strong enough to serve as a deterrent, as it does not set minimum penalties for...

Munir 'deserves posthumous award'

Munir 'deserves posthumous award' MALANG, East Java: Constitutional Court president Jimly Asshidiqqie has called on the government to present an award posthumously to human rights campaigner Munir.Munir had contributed greatly to the promotion of human rights and democracy in the country, Jimly...

Russian envoy calls for joint fight against terror

Russian envoy calls for joint fight against terrorThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia and Russia, the latest victims of terrorist attacks, must join hands with the international community to fight terrorism, a Russian diplomat said on Monday in Jakarta.

TNI to withdraw troops from Poso

TNI to withdraw troops from Poso PALU, Southeast Sulawesi: The Indonesian Military (TNI) will withdraw some 1,000 soldiers from Poso by the end of this year, a local military commander said on Monday."The troops will be withdrawn after the Sept.

Haze subsides in Jambi province, while hotel industry claims losses

Haze subsides in Jambi province, while hotel industry claims lossesJon Afrizal, The Jakarta Post/Jambi The haze that covered Jambi province for about a week has subsided following rain on Sunday night, an official said on Monday.

Starting Tuesday: Half-cocked campaign, half-baked candidates

Starting Tuesday: Half-cocked campaign, half-baked candidatesEndy M. Bayuni, Chief Editor, The Jakarta Post The presidential "dialog" planned for the two candidates this week is proving something of an anticlimax to the entire electoral process: It is the only canvassing activity the two candidates...

Shanties to be wrecked for railway track

Shanties to be wrecked for railway track JAKARTA: Around 600 shanties built alongside the railway track in Kebon Melati and Kebon Kacang subdistricts, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, will be demolished after the second phase of the presidential election on Sept.

Australia to move Jakarta Embassy following bombing

Australia to move Jakarta Embassy following bombingThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Australia plans to move its Jakarta embassy after the current building was targeted by a deadly suicide bomb attack last week, foreign minister Alexander Downer said on Monday.

Medal Tally

Medal Tally The medal table on closing day of the 16th National Games (PON) in Palembang on Monday:1 Jakarta 144 107 113 364 2 E. Java 79 79 103 261 3 W. Java 75 67 84 226 4 E. Java 54 55 61 170 5 S. Sumatra 29 41 41 111 6 Jambi 26 26 14 66 7 Lampung 22 17 17 56 8 Papua 22 13 18 53 9 E.

Australia's Labor wins debate but trend weakens

Australia's Labor wins debate but trend weakens Agencies CanberraThe Labor opposition's lead over Australia's conservative government weakened in a poll trend released on Monday but Labor leader Mark Latham took heart from his clear win in the only debate set before the Oct. 9 election.

Theatrical effects highlighted visual works

Theatrical effects highlighted visual worksEmmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Will the Indonesian Art Summit 2004 be the peak of the creative process for visual artists, since this year marks their first participation in the one-month long festival?Art critic Mamannoor said this was a lingering...

OPEC seen keeping current output ceiling

OPEC seen keeping current output ceilingDow Jones Manama, Bahrain The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) would most likely decide to maintain its current production ceiling of 26 million barrels a day when it next meets on Wednesday in Vienna, the weekly Middle East Economic...

Fire burns through Ciremai forest

Fire burns through Ciremai forestKUNINGAN, West Java: Fire burned through on Monday hundreds of hectares of pine forest on the slopes of Mount Ciremai spanning Mandirancang and Cilimus districts in Kuningan regency, West Java. No fatalities have been reported in the incident.

Six-year old boy murdered in cold blood

Six-year old boy murdered in cold bloodEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta "He was our only child. He loved pigeons," Saiful Bahri, 36, talked on Monday about his son, Rivaldi Bahri or Aldi, six, who was found dead in the canteen of SMU 16 state high school in Palmerah, West Jakarta, on Sunday at...

Candidates, teams gear up for Sept. 20 election runoff

Candidates, teams gear up for Sept. 20 election runoffThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Presidential candidates and their campaign teams made use of the extended holiday to solicit grassroots support ahead of the runoff, which will take place in a week.

Honest leaders to solve crisis

Honest leaders to solve crisisFrom Koran TempoThough some groups of people say there is no longer an economic crisis in the country, but honest leaders are still hard to find because this nation's moral crisis continues unabated.

Egon erupts again, spews black smoke

Egon erupts again, spews black smokeKUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Mount Egon in Sikka regency, East Nusa Tenggara province, again spewed black smoke and ash some 2,500 meters into the air on Monday.It was the third eruption after the last Thursday's eruption, which forced thousands of people living...

Meaning of coalition

Meaning of coalitionFrom Koran TempoThe term "coalition" is becoming more popular as the presidential runoff nears, with the two candidates canvassing support through power-sharing political alliances, which is very legitimate in politics.

Komatsu equipment sales to rise

Komatsu equipment sales to riseRendi A. Witular, Bogor Publicly listed PT Komatsu Indonesia, a unit of Japanese heavy-equipment producer Komatsu Ltd, forecast sales of its construction equipment to soar by at least 78 percent this year on higher demand from mining, logging and agricultural...

Two fathers of 5-year-old Jakarta blast victim keep bedside vigil

Two fathers of 5-year-old Jakarta blast victim keep bedside vigilAnsley Ng Associated Press Singapore A five-year-old girl critically wounded in the Australian Embassy bombing in Indonesia remained under heavy sedation Monday as her two fathers kept a bedside vigil, an embassy official said.

Factions race for chairmanship

Factions race for chairmanshipDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Nine factions at the City Council have been polarized into two groups in the race for its chairmanship, with the election scheduled for Sept. 17.

Jakarta nets two golds in basketball

Jakarta nets two golds in basketballMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Palembang The Jakarta men's and women's basketball teams both won golds at the 16th National Games after defeating on Sunday East Java and West Java, respectively.

ANZ Panin debt collectors' threats

ANZ Panin debt collectors' threatsFrom Media IndonesiaMy father and another relative have received improper treatment including rude remarks and threats from an ANZ Panin debt collector who calls himself Alex Lebang for the last few years, because the relative owes Rp 1.

Southeast Asia and U.S. have to adjust to China's power

Southeast Asia and U.S. have to adjust to China's powerMarvin Ott, Yale Center for the Study of Globalization, Washington "Let him who tied the bell on the tiger take it off -- whoever started the trouble should end it.

House, govt drop FTZ bill deliberation

House, govt drop FTZ bill deliberationThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives and the government have decided to halt the month-long deliberation of a bill on free trade zone (FTZ) status for Batam Island after both sides fail to come up with a compromise on several key articles.

Australia's Labor wins debate but trend weakens

Australia's Labor wins debate but trend weakensAgencies CanberraThe Labor opposition's lead over Australia's conservative government weakened in a poll trend released on Monday but Labor leader Mark Latham took heart from his clear win in the only debate set before the Oct. 9 election.

Presidential hopefuls prepare for dialog

Presidential hopefuls prepare for dialogM. Taufiqurrahman and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Both presidential candidates contesting the Sept. 20 runoff are doing their best to prepare for the General Elections Commission (KPU)-sponsored dialog which starts on Tuesday.

Jakarta back on top of national sporting gala

Jakarta back on top of national sporting galaMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Palembang Jakarta reclaimed the National Games crown after finishing ahead of other provinces competing in the 16th Games -- which is held quadrennially -- here on Monday.

Human rights campaigner Munir laid to rest in his home town

Human rights campaigner Munir laid to rest in his home townID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post/Batu Not far from the intersection, at No. 169 Jl. Diponegoro in Batu, Malang, East Java, on Saturday, a green tent was erected and hundreds of wreaths laid out to honor human rights campaigner Munir.

No panic reaction

No panic reaction Although the financial market in Jakarta did not panic after Thursday's bomb attack near the Australian embassy compound, it is no longer business as usual in so far as the market's perception of Indonesia's country risk is concerned.

Party threats

Party threatsFrom Koran TempoThe Central Java regional board of the United Development Party (PPP) has threatened to dismiss members who fail to support Megawati Soekarnoputri and Hasyim Muzadi in the presidential runoff (Tempo Interaktif, Aug. 23).

I was tricked into working as a sex worker, girl says

I was tricked into working as a sex worker, girl saysSlamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta The hopes of Tas (not her real name) of getting a decent job were shattered after she ended up in a karaoke bar on Batam island.

Next U.S. envoy wants peace for Aceh

Next U.S. envoy wants peace for AcehFabiola Desy Unidjaja , The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The United States ambassador-designate to Indonesia B. Lynn Pascoe said that encouraging and facilitating the peace process in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam would be among his priorities during his tenure in Indonesia.

Father injured, but baby boy born to victims of Thursday's explosion

Father injured, but baby boy born to victims of Thursday's explosionLeony Aurora , The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Lila, 23, gave birth a week earlier than expected due to the trauma of the Australian Embassy bomb blast and was surprised to find out that the newborn baby was a boy.

JP/18/PASIR

JP/18/PASIRPeople turn unfriendly as sand quarrying rampantSand quarrying endangers riverine villagers Indra Harsaputra The Jakarta Post/Surabaya Bambang, a resident of Mlirip hamlet in the East Java town of Mojokerto, can only sit still watching how sand quarrying machines are operated in Brantas...

Govt needs 40,000 medical workers

Govt needs 40,000 medical workers BATANG, Central Java: The government will include about 40,000 medical workers among the 200,000 new state employees to be recruited this year, Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi said on Monday.

More families turn to digital home entertainment

More families turn to digital home entertainmentSudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Digital audiovisual equipment, such as Plasma and LCD TVs, or digital TV projectors, have gradually become must-have household appliances for well-to-do families.

Lucrative prizes for the terrorists' head

Lucrative prizes for the terrorists' headKornelius Purba, Jakarta Dr. Azahari and others suspected of terrorism have stayed a step ahead of the police for two years. So, why haven't the police asked for the public's help to apprehend them? It's a very serious matter for Indonesia and the...

Man arrested for selling dubious oil

Man arrested for selling dubious oil TANGERANG: Tangerang Police arrested and questioned a man on Monday for selling what he claimed to be lubricant oil, but what turned out to be some other kind of substance, at his automobile workshop on Jl.

Armani buys RI textiles, 'why don't we?'

Armani buys RI textiles, 'why don't we?'Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post/Purwakarta Most people would be curious to know why an Armani suit costs US$2,500. Roy Soetanto is not wrong in claiming that his top-quality yarns contribute to the high price tag, as U.S.

Jakarta blast child may be paralyzed - doctors

Jakarta blast child may be paralyzed - doctors Reuters SingaporeA 5-year-old Australian girl, fighting for her life after suffering critical injuries in a bomb blast in Indonesia, could be permanently paralyzed on her right side when she emerges from sedation on Monday, doctors said.

Marriot victims take leading role

Marriot victims take leading roleLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Forum Lima Delapan (F58), an organization of several Marriott bombing victims and their families, is urging the government to set specific terms for free medical treatment promised for victims of last week's blast in Kuningan.

* Young blast victim in coma amid custody battle Page 2

* Young blast victim in coma amid custody battle Page 2 * Concerts, hotel bookings canceled due to blast Page 4 * Bali bombing 'abettor' acquitted of all charges Page 5 * Lucrative prizes for terrorists' heads Page 6 * Security guards face meager pay amid post-blast risks Page 8 * Hostility toward...

House to endorse solicitor bill

House to endorse solicitor bill JAKARTA: The House of Representatives is expected to endorse on Tuesday a bill on solicitors, a legislator says.M. Akil Mochtar, a legislator deliberating the solicitor bill, confirmed on Monday the House had completed deliberations on the bill, which spells out the...

Medalist Destesa dreams of turning pro

Medalist Destesa dreams of turning pro Destesa Moniaga, who won a gold medal for Jakarta in his National Games (PON) debut, is now looking ahead at next year's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games before turning pro.

Rupiah to stabilize, stocks to soar further, say analysts

Rupiah to stabilize, stocks to soar further, say analystsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The rupiah, having weathered a huge shock last week following the latest bomb attack in the country, is likely to move within a narrow range this week with pressures slowly dwindling, analysts said on Sunday.

'Helpless victims in an evil game'

'Helpless victims in an evil game' The bomb that exploded outside the Australian Embassy on Jl. Rasuna Said, Kuningan, South Jakarta last Thursday, killed nine Indonesians and injured 182 others. The terror attack also scared many Jakartans, just when a sense of security had been restored after...

Principals charged 'illegal' fees: Agency

Principals charged 'illegal' fees: Agency JAKARTA: Twelve junior high school principals were found to have charged extra fees aside from those that had been set between school boards and parents, an official of the Jakarta Education Agency said on Monday.

Religion and politics

Religion and politicsFrom RepublikaSome members of the political elite still insist on "the separation of religion from politics", which puts religious aspirations in politics in the same position as during the over 30-year rule of the New Order regime.

1. INSIGHT: 48 PT, 7 COLS, 1 X 42

1. INSIGHT: 48 PT, 7 COLS, 1 X 42 Half-cocked campaign, half-baked candidates 2. BOMB: 36 pt, 2 cols, 4 x 14 Marriott attack police manual sheds light on Kuningan bombing 3. LILA: 32 pt, 2 cols, 2 x 16 Newborn gives hope to victims of blast 4.

Untad study finds Palu Bay polluted

Untad study finds Palu Bay pollutedPALU, Central Sulawesi: The level of heavy metals in Palu Bay has surpassed tolerable standards following the unchecked, daily dumping of liquid waste by local residents, an environmental study has found.

AOP to acquire more parts makers

AOP to acquire more parts makersRendi A. Witular, Bogor Automotive component producer PT Astra Otoparts (AOP) plans to focus on expanding its domestic business next year by acquiring smaller component companies and factories, and increasing output, the company's senior official said.

Mega declares RI on full alert

Mega declares RI on full alertFabiola Desy Unidjaja and Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Police claimed on Monday to have come a step closer to locating the perpetrators of Thursday's bombing outside the Australian Embassy here, while President Megawati Soekarnoputri declared the country...

Bali bombing 'abettor' acquitted of all charges

Bali bombing 'abettor' acquitted of all chargesRuslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post/Palu The Supreme Court has upheld a full acquittal issued by a high court for a suspected abettor in the Bali bombing case, the defense's legal counsel said on Monday.

Police manual sheds light on bombing

Police manual sheds light on bombingDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Thirteen months and four days after a bomb exploded on the driveway of the JW Marriott Hotel in the Mega Kuningan business district, South Jakarta, another bomb rocked the capital in front of the Australian Embassy on Jl.

Young Jakarta blast victim in coma amid custody battle

Young Jakarta blast victim in coma amid custody battle Bernice Han Agence France-Presse/SingaporeA five-year-old girl wounded in last week's Jakarta bombing which killed her Indonesian mother was still in a coma on Monday amid a custody battle between two men claiming to be her father.

RP plans new major airport

RP plans new major airportMANILA: Philippine airport authorities said Saturday they will develop a former U.S. airbase north of Manila into a major international gateway at the cost of at least two billion pesos (US$35.6 million).

Tony Hotland

Tony Hotland The Jakarta Post/Natuna, Riau Islands The government acknowledged that the bomb blast outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta could discourage foreign visitors from coming to the country, but the nation's tourism industry could still grow this year supported by domestic tourists.

Temasek ups stake in Neptune

Temasek ups stake in NeptuneSINGAPORE: The Singapore government's investment arm, Temasek Holdings, has upped its stake in Neptune Orient Lines, days before the close of Temasek's offer to take over the shipping line.Temasek said it has increased its stake in NOL to 35.6 percent from 32.33 percent.