Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 17 September 2004

77 articles found

In symbolic gesture, OPEC to increase production target by 1m

In symbolic gesture, OPEC to increase production target by 1m barrels later this year Matt Moore, Associated Press, Vienna OPEC defended its decision to increase its oil production target by 1 million barrels a day later this year, despite criticism that the move was more symbolic than significant given the cartel has been exceeding the new quota since the beginning of the year.

Political elites' maneuvers

Political elites' maneuvers From Bali Post It is quite interesting to witness how political leaders are maneuvering through the so-called national coalition and coalition with the people, and the employment of various tricks and psywars in order to achieve their goals -- serving their interests and holding power. And the winner of the contest will be determined at the second round of the presidential and vice presidential election runoff on Sept. 20.

ASEM Summit must not fail: KL

ASEM Summit must not fail: KL MALAYSIA: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will not object a lower-level Myanmar delegation to the Asia-Europe (ASEM) summit in Vietnam because it does not want it to fail, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said on Thursday. He was commenting on a remark by Thailand's Foreign Minister, Surakiart Sathirathai, who said on Wednesday that ASEAN would be satisfied if Myanmar sent Foreign Minister Win Aung.

Susilo-Kalla pairing gets reformist backing

Susilo-Kalla pairing gets reformist backing Tiarma Siboro and Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A number of national figures, grouped in the newly launched Cultural Movement for Reform, signed a declaration on Thursday to support the Susilo-Kalla ticket in the upcoming presidential runoff. The figures, mostly reform-minded politicians, declared their support for the emergence of a new national leader committed to total reform in all fields.

Fire kills mother, four children

Fire kills mother, four children Puji Santoso, The Jakarta Post/Pekanbaru A 30-year-old mother and her four children were killed early Thursday when a fire razed their home in Siak regency, Riau province, residents and police said. The victims were Yanti, Wela, 11, Agustina, 9, Ridho, 4, and Rio, eight months. Yanti's husband Sandi Sahrono, known as Yeyen, 35, survived the tragedy. The fire started at around 00:30 a.m., allegedly from a kerosene lamp.

Haze returns to Pekanbaru

Haze returns to Pekanbaru PEKANBARU, Riau: Haze returned on Thursday to the skies of Pekanbaru, raising concern over new breathing problems spreading in the city. Pekanbaru Deputy Mayor Erwandy Saleh said that the quality of the air in the city was poor. Pekanbaru Meteorological and Geophysics Agency recorded on Thursday the haze density at 120 particulate matters per 10 micron, considerably higher than the minimum threshold of 100 particulate matters per 10 micron.

Govt, expert at odds over impact of Cepu contract

Govt, expert at odds over impact of Cepu contract The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government sees no problem with Pertamina's decision not to extend ExxonMobil's contract on the Cepu block, but an expert warned on Thursday that the decision would further hurt the country's investment climate.

Embassy bombing will affect FDI

Embassy bombing will affect FDI The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Amid reports of a continuing slump in foreign direct investment (FDI), Indonesia is in for even gloomier prospects after the recent Australian Embassy bomb attack, according to Indonesian-Australian Business Council chairman Noke Kiroyan. While refusing to release specific data, Noke said on Thursday that the bomb blast had discouraged some Australian investors -- who had earlier intended to invest here.

Govt, expert at odds over impact of Cepu contract

Govt, expert at odds over impact of Cepu contract The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government sees no problem with Pertamina's decision not to extend ExxonMobil's contract on the Cepu block, but an expert warned on Thursday that the decision would further hurt the country's investment climate.

Umar Juoro

Umar Juoro Jakarta 2. Bando -- The pace of ASEM 2 x 30 ASEM moves at a snail's pace to achieve concrete progress Bantarto Bandoro Jakarta

Nationalist sentiment in business judgment

Nationalist sentiment in business judgment Umar Juoro, Jakarta The strong criticism of several politicians, domestic bankers and observers over the decision of the Ministry of Finance and the State Assets Management Company (PPA) to drop large domestic state banks from the second stage of bidding for Bank Permata seems to have been characterized by a strong nationalistic sentiment. Furthermore, the critics urged the minister of finance to give preferential treatment to domestic bidders.

BII to acquire motorcycle financing firm WOM

BII to acquire motorcycle financing firm WOM The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a bid to cope with the growing competition in the country's banking sector, publicly listed Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII) plans to acquire a controlling stake in motorcycle financing firm PT Wahana Ottomitra Multiartha (WOM). BII president director Henry Ho said the bank had completed the signing of a conditional sales and purchase agreement (CSPA) with WOM, and planned to purchase a 75 percent stake in the company.

ASEM moves at a snail's pace to achieve concrete progress

ASEM moves at a snail's pace to achieve concrete progress Bantarto Bandoro, Jakarta The fifth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit will be held from Oct. 8 to Oct. 9 in Hanoi, and almost all member countries have confirmed their participation. The meeting will also see the admittance of 13 new members, including 10 new European Union countries and Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

* Marriott bombing accomplice gets 12 years Page 2

* Marriott bombing accomplice gets 12 years Page 2 * Panwaslu clears quiz of electioneering, demands its halt Page 4 * Fire kills mother, 4 children Page 5 * Nationalist sentiment in business judgment Page 6 * Antidrug joint operation unable to arrest any suspects Page 8 * Roma bloodshed clouds Bayer slaying of Real Page 9 * China Communists meet as succession rumors abound Page 11 * BI to seek IMF help in monitoring banks Page 13 * Filmmaker Zhang plans 'Flying Daggers' sortie Page 17

Police arrest eight over embassy bombing

Police arrest eight over embassy bombing The Jakarta Post Jakarta/Surabaya/Madiun Police announced on Thursday that they had arrested at least eight people allegedly linked to last week's deadly blast outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, which killed 10 people and injured over 180 others. National Police chief of detectives Comr. Suyitno Landung Sudjono confirmed the arrests of only seven suspects in East Java, while a police source said another one was nabbed in Jakarta.

Basic-needs approach

Basic-needs approach There were few new policies revealed during the two separate question-and-answer sessions held with presidential candidates Megawati Soekarnoputri and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and a panel of four economists on Wednesday evening. The quality of these forums was nevertheless improved as both candidates took a basic-needs approach to the complex economic problems the country faces, and the thought processes evident at the meeting were down to earth.

32 teams to take part in BNI Cup

32 teams to take part in BNI Cup JAKARTA: Thirty-two teams from state enterprises, government offices and private firms confirmed on Thursday they would take part in the two-day tennis BNI Cup starting on Saturday. The tournament, which will provide a total of Rp 43 million (US$4,500) in cash prizes, will be a team competition. Each match will consist of one singles and two doubles matches.

Russia, RI sign info agreement

Russia, RI sign info agreement JAKARTA: Russia and Indonesia signed a bilateral agreement on mutual protection of classified information here on Thursday. Representing the Russian government was first deputy director of the Russian Federal Security Service Sergei Smirnov, while director general of procurement at the defense ministry Aklani Masa signed the agreement on behalf the Indonesian government.

Driver killed in quarrel

Driver killed in quarrel JAKARTA: JP, a driver's assistant on a public bus plying the Kampung Melayu-Senen route, was arrested by the police for stabbing driver Robert Situngkir to death early on Thursday. The police said that both JP and Situngkir had been involved in a dispute at the Kampung Melayu bus terminal in East Jakarta over the division of their daily takings. JP had thought that Situngkir had been unfair to him and asked for more money. They both then started fighting.

Judges overseeing the 'Tempo' case

Judges overseeing the 'Tempo' case Soeripto The criminal libel prosecution against the journalists of Tempo magazine is the first high-profile case presided over by Judge Soeripto since he was appointed to the Central Jakarta District Court last year. Born Nov. 5, 1954, in the Central Java town of Klaten, Soeripto started his career in 1981 after graduating from the law school at Yogyakarta's prestigious Gadjah Mada University.

91 foreigners rounded up, 5 arrested

91 foreigners rounded up, 5 arrested Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta An joint antidrug operation between the Jakarta Police, Jakarta Provincial Narcotics Agency (BNP), Jakarta Immigration Office and the city administration was unsuccessful in arresting foreign drugs suspects on Thursday. Instead, the officers detained five foreigners for being unable to produce their passports.

1. FDI: 1 x 28

1. FDI: 1 x 28 Embassy bombing will affect FDI 2. Rupiah (4 x 7) Rupiah up on hopes of smooth election 3: Cepu (1 x 34) Govt, expert at odds over Cepu impact

Antam shuts down production unit

Antam shuts down production unit State-owned mining company PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) announced on Thursday that it had temporarily closed down its ferronickel factory for a scheduled maintenance, causing the company's production to decline by 10 percent this year. Antam said in a statement that the maintenance work, which was scheduled to take place once every eight years, would take around four months to complete at a cost of US$15 million.

Rupiah up on hopes of smooth election

Rupiah up on hopes of smooth election Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The rupiah closed at a fresh nine-week high on Thursday as investors are increasingly confident that the upcoming presidential election will run smoothly. The U.S. dollar ended lower at Rp 9,010 compared to 9,110 on Wednesday. Thursday marked the lowest close for the dollar since late July 20, when it ended at 8,975.

Army of secret informers needed

Army of secret informers needed The Sept. 9 bomb explosion in front of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, could have been prevented if the police and the intelligence services, had an army of secret informers, who are well-paid and full-time, not doing the job as a pastime or amateurs. Their search for suspect characters by mingling with all levels of the population should be a 24-hour and well-coordinated duty.

Maternal mortality rate down, observers say more work needed

Maternal mortality rate down, observers say more work needed Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta While the current trend of maternal mortality rate (MMR) shows a decreasing pattern, it may be difficult for Indonesia to achieve the target of MMR of around 125 per 100,000 births set by the United Nations' Millenium Development Goals, an expert says.

No. Year District Defendant Plaintiff Damages/Sentence Notes

No. Year District Defendant Plaintiff Damages/Sentence Notes Court 1. June 2003 C. Jakarta PT Tempo Tomy Winata Rp 120 billion Tempo wins civil case Inti Media (US$14.6 million) based on Taufik statement saying that Tomy owned entertainment spots 2. 2003 C. Jakarta PT Tempo Tomy Winata Rp 200 billion Tempo lose, has to pay Inti Media damages of Rp 500 million, high court overturned the ruling in favor of Tempo 3. March 2003 C.

Spy planes to patrol Australia

Spy planes to patrol Australia Michelle Nichols, Reuters/Wentworth, Australia Unmanned spy planes will patrol Australia's remote offshore oil and gas resources and rail networks will have extra security under new campaign pledges made on Thursday ahead of the Oct. 9 election.

Puma new partner of Ferrari F1 team

Puma new partner of Ferrari F1 team JAKARTA: Sports apparel maker Puma AG and Ferrari Spa have announced a multiyear contract that will take effect next year, according to a media release here on Thursday. Under the contract, Puma will become the official licensee of replica and fan merchandise for Ferrari, as well as the supplier of Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, which has secured this season's world driver's title as well as the world constructor's championship.

Antiterror efforts must go on

Antiterror efforts must go on From Koran Tempo No country in the world is now free from the challenge and threat of global terrorism, but ironically Indonesia, as a frequent target of terrorist acts, has deprived itself of a legal mechanism to seize and punish the culprits. With the annulment of Law No.

Protesters demand speedy graft probe

Protesters demand speedy graft probe BANDUNG: Some 500 people staged a protest on Thursday in front of the West Java Prosecutor's Office, demanding the prosecutors to speed up investigations into a Rp 33.4 billion (US$3.6 million) graft, allegedly committed by the West Java councillors.

Tangerang worried on drug abuse at school

Tangerang worried on drug abuse at school Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post/Tangerang The Tangerang municipal administration is concerned about the apparent rise in drug use at high school level and fears it is connected with drugs smuggled through the area's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Deputy Mayor Deddy Safei said on Wednesday there were strong indications drug abuse had widened among students at junior and senior high schools.

Over 100 get suspected 'food poisoning' in Batam

Over 100 get suspected 'food poisoning' in Batam Fadli, The Jakarta Post/Batam Over 100 employees of a contact lens factory in Batam were admitted to hospital on Thursday, allegedly for food poisoning. Deputy director of Batam Authority Hospital Afdalun A. Hakim confirmed the hospital was treating 55 employees, most of whom were dehydrated after vomiting uncontrollably. Other patients were treated at Casa Medical Center and Batam Industrial Park Medical Center.

RI needs borrowing strategy

RI needs borrowing strategy Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The government must establish a "country borrowing strategy" and improve the distribution mechanism of foreign loans to regional administrations to ensure the efficient and effective use of the loans in the future.

'Too bad victims were Indonesians'

'Too bad victims were Indonesians' The police are searching for the perpetrators of last week's bombing at the Australian Embassy in Kuningan, South Jakarta, which killed at least nine people and injured more than 180 others. The police have said many of the suspects in this bombing also are suspected of involvement in the Bali bombings in 2002 and the Marriott Hotel attack in 2003. The Jakarta Post asked some residents for their opinion on the issue.

Walking on eggshells at Hanoi meet

Walking on eggshells at Hanoi meet Pravit Rojanaphruk, The Nation, Asia News Network, Bangkok True to one of the slogans in the competition for readers of Vietnam's Economic Times newspaper to describe the country, last week's Fifth Asia-Europe People's Forum (ASEM V) held in Hanoi, was "beyond expectations". It began with the timing of the three-day meeting of more than 500 participants, including at least 150 from various NGOs and people's organizations throughout Asia and Europe.

Bomb hoax scatters Manggala Wanabakti

Bomb hoax scatters Manggala Wanabakti JAKARTA: Tenants of the Manggala Wanabakti office complex in Central Jakarta hurriedly exited the buildings after a bomb threat was received at about 11 a.m. on Thursday. Neither the complex management nor the police revealed how they message was conveyed, and declared later that no bomb had been found.

Mega's supporters defy law, run wild in streets

Mega's supporters defy law, run wild in streets The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bandung/Mataram Thousands of supporters of President Megawati Soekarnoputri hit the streets of the capital on Thursday, ignoring strict rulings issued by the General Elections Commission (KPU) that ban outdoor campaigning.

BI to seek IMF help in monitoring banks

BI to seek IMF help in monitoring banks Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The central bank is currently making preparations to join an International Monetary Fund and World Bank-sponsored program to monitor the country's banking sector. Bank Indonesia head of financial systems stability Muliaman Hadad said the program would help Bank Indonesia detect problems in the banking industry before they turned into crises.

Govt urged to go all out for extradition treaty with S'pore

Govt urged to go all out for extradition treaty with S'pore Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Indonesian legislators renewed their calls for the government to expedite efforts to establish a long-awaited extradition treaty with Singapore. The appeal surfaced during a hearing between members of the House Commission I for defense, information, foreign and political affairs with Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda on Thursday.

JW Marriott bombing accomplice gets gets 12 years

JW Marriott bombing accomplice gets gets 12 years Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The South Jakarta District Court has found defendant Ismail, alias Muhammad Ikhwan alias Agus, guilty of involvement in the JW Marriott Hotel bomb attack on Aug. 5, 2003, and sentenced him to 12 years imprisonment. Reading out the verdict, presiding judge I Wayan Rena said on Thursday that Ismail had violated Article 6 of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law No. 1/2002 on terrorism.

Broadcasting guidelines

Broadcasting guidelines From Bisnis Indonesia On Aug. 30, the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) launched its broadcasting standards and guidelines. The KPI is an independent state institution, with the obligation to arrange matters pertaining to broadcasting. The standards and guidelines stipulate do's and don'ts in the process of developing a program, and the content of television and radio programs.

Spincity offers sport and relaxation

Spincity offers sport and relaxation A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The newly opened Spincity recreation center, at e.x. (Entertainment Xnter) next to Plaza Indonesia, Jl. Thamrin, Central Jakarta, is a pleasant gathering spot for people who want to enjoy quality time with family or have fun with friends.

;JP;REN;

;JP;REN; ANPAf..r.. Rupiah-conversion-rates Rupiah Rates Sept. 16 JP/13/Conver Rupiah Rates Sept.

Activists on trial for 'defaming President'

Activists on trial for 'defaming President' Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post/Makassar The Makassar District Court began hearing on Thursday the case of six student and labor activists charged with insulting President Megawati Soekarnoputri during a protest in April.

Toyota may build Malaysian plant

Toyota may build Malaysian plant KUALA LUMPUR: Japanese auto giant Toyota Motor Corp. is planning to build an assembly plant in a Malaysian town bordering Thailand as part of its expansion plans, a report said on Thursday. Syed Razak Syed Zain, chief minister of northern Kedah state, was quoted by the New Straits Times as saying that Toyota was negotiating a deal with the state government to build the plant on a 900-hectare site in Bukit Kayu Hitam.

'Tempo' editor gets a year

'Tempo' editor gets a year Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Central Jakarta District Court found Tempo weekly guilty on Thursday of publishing false material and libel, and sentenced chief editor Bambang Harymurti to a suspended one-year jail term. The court, however, acquitted the journalists who wrote the article in question.

TV Today: Friday, September 17, 2004

TV Today: Friday, September 17, 2004 .TB.30" .90" TVRI .tb .30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:30 Health 8:30 Music: Asik-Asik 10:30 Religious Teachings 12:30 p.m. Music 1:00 News: Berita Siang 2:00 Music 3:00 English News Service 4:30 Talk Show: Dialog Pemilu 5:00 Children Drama 6:00 Talk Show: Edukasi Pemilu 6:30 Talk Show: Obrolan Wong Cilik 7:00 News: Berita Nasional 7:30 Talk Show: Gotong Royong 9:00 News: Dunia Dalam Berita 9:30 Talk Show 10:30 Sports TPI 5:30 a.m.

World pool champ battles Indonesians in exhibition

World pool champ battles Indonesians in exhibition The Jakarta Post, Jakarta World pool champion Alex Pagulayan of Canada promised to give his best in his exhibition matches against a number of Indonesia's top billiard players scheduled to run from Sept. 16 to Sept. 20. "Every time I play I always try to give my best. I'm not going to fool around or whatever," Pagulayan said during a press conference at The Plaza Semanggi Gillians billiard center here on Thursday.

Candidates promise to improve education

Candidates promise to improve education Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The two presidential candidates wrapped up the three-day dialog with a similar pledge of improving the poor state of education. With a lower audience turnout, the program ran beyond the General Elections Commission's expected time limit as it had to cancel the signing of a mutual agreement between the two candidates to uphold a peaceful election runoff.

[b]...solutions to the present problem of electricity supply in

...solutions to the present problem of electricity supply in Indonesia, not the Law No. 20/2002.

Cimanggis bomb case files go to court

Cimanggis bomb case files go to court Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post/Bogor Depok prosecutors submitted on Thursday case files on nine Cimanggis bomb suspects to the Cibinong District Court. "We are now waiting for the court to set the trial date," the head of the criminal cases division at the prosecutor's office, Tony Spontano, said. The nine suspects are charged with storing and assembling bombs in a house on Jl. Bakti ABRI in Sukamaju Baru subdistrict, Cimanggis, Depok municipality.

City Council vote to be private

City Council vote to be private Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta In compliance with an existing standing order, the City Council will sit in closed-door session on Friday morning to elect its new speaker for the 2004-2009 term, despite suggestions by some members that a more transparent process be adopted. "Personally, I would prefer a public session to ensure fairness.

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

1. MARRIOTT: 48 pt, 7 cols, 1 x 42 JW Marriott bombing accomplice gets 12 years 2. CAMPAIGN MEGA: 36 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 21 Mega's supporters defy law, run wild in streets 3. CAMPAIGN SBY: 36 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 21 Susilo-Kalla pairing gets reformist backing 4. SUSUL: 28 pt, 1 cols, 3 x 9 RI needs borrowing strategy 5. JUDGES: 28 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 32 Judges overseeing the 'Tempo' case

KPU officials fired for vote mark-up

KPU officials fired for vote mark-up DONGGALA, Central Sulawesi: Central Sulawesi General Election Commission (KPU) has fired the chief of Donggala Municipality KPU Abdullah Malabang and his four subordinates for vote markup in the July 5 legislative election. Dharma Sallata Putra, a member of Central Sulawesi KPU, said that the decision followed the recent verdict by the local district court, found the five officials guilty for marking up votes in the legislative election.

'Blow to democracy'

'Blow to democracy' Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta International and domestic observers lambasted on Thursday the guilty verdict against Tempo magazine's chief editor Bambang Harymurti and called it a setback for the country's press freedom and democracy. The chief editor of leading daily Kompas, Suryopratomo, said he feared the defamation verdict and one-year sentence would set bad precedent for criminalization of the press.

Dissenting Golkar leaders ignore order

Dissenting Golkar leaders ignore order Kurniawan Hari and Luh Putu Trisna Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta/Mataram Golkar politicians suspended from the party for refusing to back Megawati Soekarnoputri in Monday's presidential election runoff, continued on Thursday in their activities in support of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Top seed Myskina tumbles, Angie rolls on in Bali

Top seed Myskina tumbles, Angie rolls on in Bali Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post/Nusa Dua, Bali Top seed Anastasia Myskina was dealt a cruel blow while Angelique "Angie" Widjaja rolled on to the quarterfinals of the Wismilak International Tennis Tournament here on Thursday. French Open champion Myskina of Russia became the latest seeded player to exit the tournament after she lost to Maria Elena Camerin of Italy 3-6, 6-1, 2-6 in the second round of the US$225,000 tournament.

The surprise release of leading Malaysian opposition figure

The surprise release of leading Malaysian opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim from jail two weeks ago led to intense speculation about whether he would become active in politics again. The world got its answer yesterday, when Malaysias highest court denied Anwars petition to have a corruption case against him reopened, thus virtually guaranteeing he will not play a leadership role of any kind.

Commerce Asset sells $110m bonds

Commerce Asset sells $110m bonds KUALA LUMPUR: Commerce Asset-Holding Bhd., Malaysia's No. 2 lender by assets, sold US$110 million of bonds convertible into its own shares. The Kuala Lumpur-based lender sold five-year bonds, paying zero percent interest, according to Bloomberg data. The bonds are exchangeable into stock of Commerce Asset at 6.03 ringgit a share, a 30 percent premium to the bank's closing stock price on Wednesday.

JP/5/FOCUS

JP/5/FOCUS Protesters demand speedy graft probe BANDUNG: Some 500 people staged a protest on Thursday in front of the West Java Prosecutor's Office, demanding the prosecutors to speed up investigations into a Rp 33.4 billion (US$3.6 million) graft, allegedly committed by the West Java councillors.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) Sept. 16, 2004:

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) Sept. 16, 2004: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Astra Agro Lestari 2,650 25 6,537,000 Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Asuransi Bina Dana 450 0 0 Andhi Chandra 465 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 3,000 0 0 Adhi Karya 445 5 11,204,500 Adira Dinamika 2,575 -50 218,500 GT Petrochem 330 0 295,000 Asuransi...

Persecution, not prosecution

Persecution, not prosecution The spring of hope, and the winter of despair. These are the mixed emotions that enunciate the prevailing paradox of our present society. On the eve of the high mark of our young democracy, the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday sentenced Tempo chief editor Bambang Harymurti to one year in jail for libel against well-connected businessman Tomy Winata.

Basic-needs approach

Basic-needs approach There were few new policies revealed during the two separate question-and-answer sessions held with presidential candidates Megawati Soekarnoputri and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and a panel of four economists on Wednesday evening. The quality of these forums was nevertheless improved as both candidates took a basic-needs approach to the complex economic problems the country faces, and the thought processes evident at the meeting were down to earth.

Police arrest eight over embassy bombing

Police arrest eight over embassy bombing The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Surabaya/Madiun The National Police announced on Thursday that they had arrested at least eight people allegedly linked to last week's deadly blast outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, which killed 10 people and injured over 180 others. National Police chief of detectives Comr. Suyitno Landung Sudjono confirmed the arrests of only seven suspects in East Java, while a police source said another one was nabbed in Jakarta.

Computerized vote-counting to stay

Computerized vote-counting to stay JAKARTA: The General Elections Commission (KPU) will maintain computerized vote counting for the election runoff, despite the opposition from the House of Representatives. A KPU official tasked with organizing the computerized vote counting Chusnul Mar'iyah said on Thursday a new software for vote-counting in the runoff had been installed and staff to enter data in remote regions had been dispatched. "In the afternoon of Sept.

The ideal president

The ideal president From Suara Karya The choice of the next president in the upcoming election runoff should be based on realistic considerations, with emphasis on the candidate's honesty, courage and the will to sacrifice time, energy and even wealth. The next president should live in modesty, launch a national prudence campaign and impose high taxes on luxury cars.

Bringing to justice Malaysian terrorists

Bringing to justice Malaysian terrorists New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur The latest terrorist attack in Indonesia is yet another reminder of how real is the threat of terrorism in the region. Despite the gains made by the Indonesian authorities against militant groups since the Bali blasts of October 2002, the suicide bombings have continued, and there are worrying signs that more can be expected.

Logging firm threatens to sue Greenpeace

Logging firm threatens to sue Greenpeace Deutsche Presse Agentur/Kuala Lumpur A Malaysian logging company has threatened to sue Greenpeace over a report slamming its alleged corrupt and destructive activities in the region, the environmental group said on Thursday.

Foreseeing the end of blanket bank guarantee

Foreseeing the end of blanket bank guarantee Fajar Hidayat, Jakarta Starting in February 2007, the government's blanket guarantee on bank deposits and claims will phase out and be replaced with a deposit insurance scheme with a maximum coverage of Rp 100 million (US$10,750) per account. The scheme will be run by a Deposit Insurance Agency, to be established under a bill approved by the House of Representatives late last month.

Netherlands pledges 1.5m euro for polls

Netherlands pledges 1.5m euro for polls JAKARTA: The Dutch government promised on Thursday to donate 1.5 million euro (US$1.7 million) for the upcoming presidential runoff on Sept. 20. The Netherlands, which now sits as the president of the European Union, had earlier awarded 6 million euro to the General Elections Commission (KPU) to organize the previous elections in April and July.

Controversial quiz ordered shut

Controversial quiz ordered shut The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Indramayu/Jayapura While not declaring a controversial quiz a violation of campaign regulations, the Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) demanded its halt on Thursday.

ADS SPOTLIGHT -- FRIDAY

ADS SPOTLIGHT -- FRIDAY JP/16/O00 Hotel Borobudur Jakarta ENJOY JAKARTA: Hotel Borobudur Jakarta hosted a seminar on the role of the Jakarta branch of the Indonesian Association of Hotels and Restaurants (PHRI) in supporting the Enjoy Jakarta campaign on Sept. 16. Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso (third from right), PHRI executives and the general manager of Hotel Borobudur Jakarta, Mr Poul E. Bitsch (third from left) pose for a picture after the official opening of the seminar.

OPEC to increase production target by 1m barrels

OPEC to increase production target by 1m barrels Matt Moore, Associated Press, Vienna OPEC defended its decision to increase its oil production target by 1 million barrels a day later this year, despite criticism that the move was more symbolic than significant given the cartel has been exceeding the new quota since the beginning of the year. Indonesia's Purnomo Yusgiantoro, OPEC's president, said the decision, which was a consensus of the 11 members of the cartel, will take effect Nov. 1.

JP/5/POWER

JP/5/POWER Conserve energy: Best solution for power crisis at the moment Riza Mulyadi, Antara/Padang Many people have blamed nature for the prolonged electricity crisis in West Sumatra. This is a sensible conclusion. A drop in rainfall in the province has inevitably reduced water levels in lakes Singkarak and Maninjau, as well as Batang Agam River. This in turn has meant that turbines at some hydroelectric power stations in the province have been unable to operate at maximum capacity.

1. BI (1x39)

1. BI (1x39) BI to seek IMF help in monitoring banks 2. Bank (4x14) BII to acquire motorcycle financing firm WOM 3. Antam (1x30) Antam shuts down production unit

DPD office building inaugurated

DPD office building inaugurated JAKARTA: People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker Amien Rais inaugurated on Thursday the office building of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) members. The four-story building is located next to the House of Representatives building, with a corridor connecting them. Some spaces of the new building have also be allocated for the offices of the Assembly's staff members, who have to move as their rooms will be occupied by new House members.