Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 11 January 2005

85 articles found

Lesser graft must be unveiled

Lesser graft must be unveiled From Koran Tempo The disclosure of alleged corruption in the purchase of Scorpion tanks means considerable progress in the unveiling of cases that were formerly seen as untouchable, but the flow of funds in such cases should also be traced. If the funds as commission went to the accounts of state agencies, there is no need to examine the people concerned because whoever negotiated or closed the business deal becomes irrelevant.

Relief post criticized over cash donations in N. Sumatra

Relief post criticized over cash donations in N. Sumatra Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan Acehnese refugees currently in camps in Medan, North Sumatra, have begun to complain about the lack of aid for them, despite all the donations that have been pouring in from around the world. Shinta, who is at the Aceh Sepakat refugee camp, did not have the courage to speak up when the officials from the emergency relief center prevented a donor from giving money directly to the refugees.

Activists welcome 'green bylaw'

Activists welcome 'green bylaw' Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Most clean air campaigns in Jakarta and other cities across the country focus on how to reduce vehicular emissions that are a major contributor to the hazardous pollutants that foul the air in urban areas.

Driving in Jakarta

Driving in Jakarta Regarding The Jakarta Post's article --Driving in Jakarta to slow to snail's pace by 2020 on Dec. 17 -- I take the liberty to send my opinion as follows: The cheap partial solution to traffic in Jakarta is to enforce the "intersection blocking rule". This violation must be treated the same as running a red light or a stop sign. This rule states a vehicle may not enter the intersection unless the space in front is sufficient to make sure the intersection is not blocked.

Hassan calls for more debt relief on visit to London

Hassan calls for more debt relief on visit to London Peter Walker, Agence France-Presse/London Indonesia's foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda, on a visit to London, called on Monday for more debt relief for his tsunami- devastated country to ensure the disaster did not derail other national priorities.

Rehabilitation Aceh's soil

Rehabilitation Aceh's soil Fahmuddin Agus, Bogor Beyond the tragedy of the tsunami disaster in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, North Sumatra, and other parts of Asia, there is hope for recovery. National and international aid are pouring into the devastated areas, and most survivors, despite their grief, will begin their lives anew within a few months.

Guns give feeling of security, claim owners

Guns give feeling of security, claim owners Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It was minutes before midnight one Monday in August last year, when Ferdiansyah, 38, an owner of several dress and apparel shops in Mangga Dua, Central Jakarta, was driving along Jl. Suprapto on his way home to Cibubur in East Jakarta. "When I got near the traffic light at the end of the street, suddenly I heard an explosion and my car swerved. I stopped by the road side and checked what had happened.

Alternative energy for electricity

Alternative energy for electricity From Bisnis Indonesia The high world oil price will certainly raise the cost of power production by state electricity company (PLN), whose cost components are 25 percent composed of fuel oil. Therefore, PLN should adopt a new policy to replace fuel in its power production with any of the other alternatives available in Indonesia. In 1989, I handled a research project on alternative energy production technology.

RI hopes for debt payment suspension by Paris Club

RI hopes for debt payment suspension by Paris Club Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia hopes to get at least a two-year suspension for the payments of its foreign debts, with the largest part expected from Japan.

Paris Club generosity is for the Acehnese

Paris Club generosity is for the Acehnese Kornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A former finance minister once described negotiations with the Paris Club as a humiliating experience -- humbly begging for debt mercy in front of 19 sullen faces representing rich creditor nations.

Rights body assigns 7 officials

Rights body assigns 7 officials JAYAPURA, Papua: Head of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara, appointed seven representatives for Papua province here on Monday. The seven new members who will serve a three-year term from 2005 to 2008, are Reverend Freddy Toam, Friets Ramandey, Abina Wasanggai, Albert Rumbekwan, Sandra Mambrasar, Juhari and Yance Waropen. The commission will be funded from the provincial and state budgets. Abdul Hakim said Law No.

House resumes session, bickering ensues

House resumes session, bickering ensues M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After accomplishing almost nothing in its first session, the House of Representatives got its second session off to a bumpy start on Monday, indicating that the road ahead may be a troubled one for the House. The plenary session to open the second session was barely over when a verbal scuffle broke out between House Speaker Agung Laksono and legislators upset by his decision to conclude the meeting early.

Cricket's tsunami charity raises $11m

Cricket's tsunami charity raises $11m Robert Smith, Agence France-Presse/Melbourne, Australia World cricket opened its collective hearts and wallets to the victims of the Asian tsunami with a massive A$14.6 million ($11 million) raised from its one-day charity match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday.

Despite adversity, refugees determined

Despite adversity, refugees determined Dedy Ardiansyah, Contributor, Medan An 18-year-old girl is sitting alone on a mat, tidying up a heap of clothes in front of her and then folding them all over again. Evi is one of the many people who are suffering from depression following the tsunami that ravaging Banda Aceh on Dec. 26. When somebody asks her a question, the dark-skinned girl will only laugh. Even if she replies, the words she mutters are unintelligible, only to be followed by smiles.

Corporate giving to tsunami victims rivaled only by post-9/11 donations

Corporate giving to tsunami victims rivaled only by post-9/11 donations Associated Press, New York U.S. companies have donated more than US$180 million in cash and products to assist victims of the tsunami that ravaged South Asia two weeks ago -- an outpouring some philanthropy experts say may eventually exceed corporate giving tied to the 2001 terrorist attacks. The list is topped by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc.'s gift of $10 million in cash and $25 million worth of its products.

10 hurt in U.S. chopper crash

10 hurt in U.S. chopper crash The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh A U.S. Seahawk helicopter crashed in a paddy field here on Monday, causing a slight hindrance to efforts to help stranded tsunami victims across Aceh province. United States military and Indonesian officials said all 10 sailors on board the chopper were injured in the accident that occurred at around 7:40 a.m. near the Banda Aceh airport. The ill-fated helicopter was trying to land near the main tsunami relief airport.

Beauty queens help relief agencies

Beauty queens help relief agencies Ian Timberlake, Agence France-Presse/Banda Aceh, Indonesia It's not easy to look beautiful in this tsunami-leveled city, where the wind still brings the stench of dead bodies, dust fills the air and debris remains piled up beside the roads. But that hasn't stopped three Malaysian beauty pageant queens, who are in Banda Aceh to work as volunteer translators for the international relief agencies that are helping the victims of the Dec.

President's official car park?

President's official car park? From Kompas On Nov. 15, I parked my car outside of Klub Bimasena (health/sports center) in South Jakarta, near the gate of the club, which shares the same complex with Hotel Dharmawangsa. When I left my car near the entrance, club security men told me to move my car to the parking lot at the rear of the building, because the car park near the gate was reserved for the president, vice president and ambassadors.

108 C. Java officials resign en masse

108 C. Java officials resign en masse Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Temanggung At least 108 officials from the Temanggung regency administration in Central Java resigned on Monday, after they cited an inability to carry out their duties because they could not work with Temanggung Regent Totok Ary Prabowo, due to his "arrogance". The walkout began on Saturday, when 16 officials, including the regency's secretary Setio Aji and heads of five divisions, submitted their resignations.

Short overpass in Roxy for busway

Short overpass in Roxy for busway The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta administration has dropped its plan to construct a 2.2-kilometer overpass worth Rp 200 billion in Roxy, West Jakarta. Instead, it will start the construction of a shorter overpass of 300 meters at the site, beginning this April. "We have decided to drop the plan to build a longer overpass since it is not feasible and too costly.

Guns obtained for self-protection: legal gun owners

Guns obtained for self-protection: legal gun owners Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/Jakarta It was minutes before midnight one Monday in August last year, when Ferdiansyah, 38, an owner of several dress and apparel shops in Mangga Dua, Central Jakarta, was driving along Jl. Suprapto on his way home to Cibubur in East Jakarta. "When I got near the traffic light at the end of the street, suddenly I heard an explosion and my car swerved. I stopped by the road side and checked what had happened.

On early warning system

On early warning system Referring to Frank Richardson's letter Incompetence the real killer (The Jakarta Post, Jan. 6), I would like to make following points. Some experts believe that an early warning system which would be activated when a tsunami formed, would be too late anyway, with panic being just as bad. He has the answer in his closing comments as to why an early warning would probably be ignored.

UN chief ends Asian tsunami tour

UN chief ends Asian tsunami tour Amal Jayasinghe, Agence France-Presse/Male United Nations chief Kofi Annan wrapped up his tour of tsunami- battered countries on Monday urging the international community to look beyond casualty figures and stump up with a billion dollars immediately to help survivors.

Nurul in Forum of Young Global Leaders

Nurul in Forum of Young Global Leaders GENEVA: Nurul Arifin from Indonesia has been nominated to and has agreed to join the Forum of Young Global Leaders. Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab today released the names of the first 237 young leaders who have been selected and have accepted to take part in The Forum of Young Global Leaders, working in close cooperation with the World Economic Forum.

TV Program: Tuesday, January 11, 2005

TV Program: Tuesday, January 11, 2005 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon: Maya the Bee 8:30 Music: Asik-asik 10:00 Talk Show: Agribiz 11:00 Singing Contest: Konteswara 12:00 p.m.

Foreign help sought to pressure GAM

Foreign help sought to pressure GAM Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono met on Monday with six foreign ambassadors and asked if they could help pressure the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) leaders living overseas not to interfere with the ongoing humanitarian relief efforts in Aceh. In the snap meeting, the President said that the Indonesian government wanted to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing Aceh war.

1. DISCOURSE: 1 LINE, 49 COUNTS

1. DISCOURSE: 1 LINE, 49 COUNTS TNI calls on GAM to join forces to help rebuild Aceh 2. ADIGUNA: 3 LINES, 15 COUNTs Police examine gun fingerprints in Adiguna case 3. GUN: 2 LINES, 21 COUNTS Guns give feeling of security, claim owners 4. TRAUMA: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS Govt acts to offer trauma counseling 5. SUSUL: 4 LINES, 10 COUNTS

Tsunami may accelerate Maldives' dilemma: Relocate or perish

Tsunami may accelerate Maldives' dilemma: Relocate or perish Andrew Torchia, Associated Press/Maldives Shopkeeper Mohammed Ibrahim stands among the ruins of his once- idyllic island home and explains why he wants to leave forever. "I love this place -- it's my homeland. But I don't want to face this again," says Ibrahim, whose village on remote Kandolhudhoo island was one of hundreds on this archipelago nation devastated by the Dec. 26 tsunamis.

Bring order to streets

Bring order to streets From Kompas Several governments have come to power following the end of the New Order in 1998, but none of their programs have included bringing order to our roads, which should be part of the present government's 100-day drive. Order and discipline on roads reflect an adherence to the law, which will prompt foreign investors to operate in Indonesia and thus help improve the economy, while saving fuel and time.

1. Comment -- 1x40

1. Comment -- 1x40 Paris Club generosity is for the Acehnese 2. Debt ----- 3x16 RI hopes for debt payment suspension by Paris Club 3. Susull --- 1x32 to come lateRRRR 4. GAM ------ 1x28 Foreign help sought to pressure GAM or 5. Cutline ---- 1x30 SBY gives two weeks to clean up Aceh

The 'global village' unites in adversity

The 'global village' unites in adversity Vishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, Jakarta, vmahmud@yahoo.com The shock of the tragic loss of life in the Southeast Asian region from the Dec. 26 tsunami continues to reverberate around the world. People from all walks of life have dug deep into their pockets to donate money and equipment for the ravaged areas, as have major corporations.

Police examine gun fingerprints in Adiguna case

Police examine gun fingerprints in Adiguna case Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police are examining the fingerprints on the gun allegedly used by murder suspect Adiguna Sutowo to shoot Yohannes Berchmans Haerudy Natong, or Rudy, a waiter at the Hilton Hotel in Central Jakarta. National Police spokesman Insp. Gen.

Fair fuel price policy suggested

Fair fuel price policy suggested From Koran Tempo With the planned fuel price increase shortly, I would like to suggest a fair fuel price policy by following the principle of price differentials. Higher fuel prices should be paid for the comfort of excessive fuel consumption by the high income group, whereas low income people should not bear the burden of fuel price increase.

Tomang underpass opens on Tuesday

Tomang underpass opens on Tuesday JAKARTA: The City Transportation Agency announced on Monday that it would open the Tomang underpass in West Jakarta to the public on Tuesday. "Motorists are advised to keep their eyes open for newly installed traffic signs there and to heed directions of duty officers around the site," agency head Rustam Effendi Sidabutar said in a statement. The agency will open one lane of the underpass for traffic from the west, or Tangerang, heading to Harmoni between 6 a.m.

Philippine army fights Moro rebels, talks intact

Philippine army fights Moro rebels, talks intact Manny Mogato, Reuters/Manila Heavy fighting between Philippine troops and Muslim rebels on Monday left at least 19 soldiers and guerrillas dead, breaking a 17-month truce just weeks before peace talks hosted by Malaysia were due to restart.

Exhausted Taufik gives Korea Open a miss

Exhausted Taufik gives Korea Open a miss Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After his disappointing performance at the Copenhagen Masters in December, Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat has begged off playing in the six-star Noonnoppi Korea Open later this month, citing the need to rest.

* Police examine fingerprints on gun in Adiguna case Page 2

* Police examine fingerprints on gun in Adiguna case Page 2 * House resumes session, bickering ensues Page 4 * How Arabs are denied democracy, rights Page 7 * Eight years sought for terror suspects Page 8 * Appleby rallies to secure successful defense Page 9 * RP army fights Moro rebels, talks intact Page 11 * Local businesses urged to be more active Page 13 * Feminist icon Greer joins 'Celebrity Big Brother' Page 20

Students seek out friends

Students seek out friends Ruslan Sangadji and Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh "Amidst the horizon, your faces come across ... In the night of silence, the memory of us remains". Lines of a poem titled Longing written by a student were highlighted on a student billboard of State High School I Aceh Besar, which is still strewn with debris. No school staff or students were seen in the area on Monday.

Antam has high hopes for gold production

Antam has high hopes for gold production The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State mining firm PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) has forecast its gold production to increase by 6.6 percent this year, following the full operation of its gold mine after being disrupted by fire. The publicly listed company also projected ferronickel production to soar higher by 33.3 percent this year after it completed the maintenance of its ferronickel factory, which has been closed since September.

1 X 39

1 X 39 House resumes session, bickering ensues JP/4/puteh 2 x 26 Court decides to continue Puteh's corruption trial JP/4/OJEK 2 x 28 Tsunami means a fortune for 'ojek' drivers in Banda Aceh JP/4/PNS 1 x 30 108 C. Java officials resign en masse Trouble 2 x 27 Relief post criticized over cash donations in N. Sumatra

Helping the tsunami victims

Helping the tsunami victims George W. Bush, Washington D.C. Americans join those across the globe in mourning the tens of thousands of lives, many of them children, who were lost in the recent violent tsunamis from Thailand to the Horn of Africa. Across America, the American flag flew at half-staff last week in honor of the victims of this catastrophic event.

Civilians should not own guns

Civilians should not own guns With some 800 people in the city registered as gun owners, the murder of trainee waiter Yohannes Berchmans Haerudy Natong, alias Rudy, at the Hilton Hotel in Central Jakarta has reignited discussion about the issue of civilians possessing firearms. The Jakarta Post asked some residents for their opinion. Susilo, 30, a resident of Serpong subdistrict in Tangerang, works as a shop attendant in Mangga Dua commercial district, North Jakarta.

No more brokers for military equipment

No more brokers for military equipment From Bisnis Indonesia Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto has said the TNI has no objection to the one-stop system of defense equipment buying under the Ministry of Defense and suggested the procurement involve no brokers or third parties. The TNI commander's statement gives the impression that there has been confusion about the purchase of military equipment due to the involvement of brokers.

Done

Done SPOT LIGHT -- Hotel Borobudur ( January 11/2004) ISO CERTIFICATION: Hotel Borobudur Jakarta has successfully retained its 9001:2000 certification for the quality management system for hotel accommodation and related supporting services, after being audited by TUV Rheinland, which awarded the ISO certificate a year ago.

BI launches two new banknotes

BI launches two new banknotes Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday witnessed the official launching at the State Palace of two new banknotes with face values of Rp 100,000 (US$11) and Rp 20,000. The issuance of the new notes by Bank Indonesia is expected to help the government curb the distribution of counterfeit money.

Tsunami's silver lining

Tsunami's silver lining Two weeks after the colossal Indian Ocean tsunami struck 14 countries, including Indonesia's province of Aceh, massive aid work is going on in the province. Troops and civilian aid workers, local and foreign, are working around the clock to reduce the suffering of the Acehnese. More than 110,000 Acehnese perished in the catastrophe out of 155,000 in the region. The scene on the ground in Aceh today would have been unimaginable before disaster struck on Dec. 26.

Govt acts to offer trauma counseling

Govt acts to offer trauma counseling Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Ministry of Health will set up a team to deal with adverse psychological effects suffered by survivors of the disastrous tsunami that has leveled parts of Aceh and North Sumatra provinces, claiming more than 100,000 lives.

Thailand bids to build warning center

Thailand bids to build warning center THAILAND: Thailand will this month put in a bid to become a regional surveillance center for the Indian Ocean area in the aftermath of the Dec. 26 tsunami disaster that killed more than 156,000 people, a senior Thai official said on Monday. Thailand will put itself forward to host a regional disaster surveillance center at a ministerial meeting in Bangkok later this month.

Sustainability from ruin

Sustainability from ruin Emil Salim, Jakarta Two weeks after the tsunami hit, the devastation it left behind in Aceh is comparable to that in Europe and Japan after World War II. Factories, roads, offices, schools, hospitals and private residences have all been wiped out. Stories of husbands having lost their loved ones as they were carried away by the huge waves in front of their eyes are commonplace. The worst hit are the traditional fishermen of Aceh.

Tsunami means a fortune for 'ojek' drivers in Banda Aceh

Tsunami means a fortune for 'ojek' drivers in Banda Aceh Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh The earthquake and tidal waves that hit Aceh and North Sumatra have not only brought relief workers, donors and the press from all over the world to the northern tip of the island, but also an opportunity for the Acehnese, who lost their homes and belongings, in the devastating calamity to find new sources of income. "I lost my motorized becak (three-wheeled pedicab) ...

FACTBOX-Military aid to tsunami-hit nations

FACTBOX-Military aid to tsunami-hit nations LONDON, Jan 9 (Reuters) - The following is a list of some of the military help pledged by governments to help the Indian Ocean nations hit by the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami, compiled by Reuters bureaux: AUSTRALIA -- Australia has sent 350 soldiers to Indonesia along with four Iroquois helicopters.

TNI calls on GAM to join forces to help rebuild Aceh

TNI calls on GAM to join forces to help rebuild Aceh Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto shared his assessments on Monday with a group of journalists including The Jakarta Post's Riyadi Suparno, about the military's current and future role in the war-torn province of Aceh. This is an excerpt from the conversation: Question: What is the overall role of the TNI in the humanitarian operation in Aceh right now?

Managing donations

Managing donations It may be worthwhile to examine the effects of the tsunami tragedy that hit Aceh province on Dec. 26 on the government, or rather on the administration under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla, and its political ramifications.

Australians can be rightly proud of their government's generous

Australians can be rightly proud of their government's generous commitment to Indonesia's recovery from the tsunami. This is a new level of co-operation and goodwill between Australia and its closest neighbor. It also demonstrates how far relations between the two have improved in a very short time.

8 years sought for terror suspects

8 years sought for terror suspects Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor Prosecutors asked on Monday that four men being tried separately at the Cibinong District Court in West Java be sentenced to eight years in prison for allegedly assembling homemade bombs intended for terrorist attacks. Prosecutor Lukman Rumaedi said one of the defendant, Oman Rachman, was involved in preparations for terrorist attacks from December 2003 until March 2004.

Local businesses urged to be more active

Local businesses urged to be more active Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Local businesses here need to get more involved in the making of national trade rules and regulations in order to help create a pro-business environment and improve the business climate, says the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). ICC's secretary general Maria Livanos Cattaui told a press conference on Monday that local businesses here had not played a significant role in devising policy and regulations.

StanChart donates Rp 10b for Aceh

StanChart donates Rp 10b for Aceh The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) is offering Rp 10 billion (about US$1 million) in grants to help finance relief efforts and reconstruction work in tsunami-affected Aceh and North Sumatra. The money, which was symbolically handed over on Monday to Bank Indonesia, is part of $5 million the London-based bank has pledged for relief and reconstruction activities in countries affected by the recent tsunami.

Lion aborts take-off after flat tire

Lion aborts take-off after flat tire KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: A Lion Air MD-82 jetliner with Flight No. LI 789 aborted take-off early on Monday at Wolter Monginsidi Airport, Kendari in Southeast Sulawesi, due to a flat tire. The aircraft was bound for Makassar en route to Jakarta with 155 passengers on board, including six children and two infants and eight flight crew, said head of the airport, Zainuddin CM.

Most people with HIV abuse drugs

Most people with HIV abuse drugs JAKARTA: The City Commission for AIDS Control (KPAD) revealed on Monday that around 62 percent of the 25,293 AIDS/HIV patients in the city are drug abusers who use hypodermic needles. KPAD secretary Syafi'i Dahlan told the City Council's Commission E for health, education, and people's welfare that his office was powerless to curb HIV spread as long as the city failed to curb the distribution of narcotics in society.

NGOs want probe on Jambi governor

NGOs want probe on Jambi governor JAMBI: A number of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) called on Monday for the Jambi Prosecutor's Office to seriously probe the alleged graft case involving Zulkifli Nurdin, the former governor of Jambi province during the 1999-2004 period. The total amount of funds, Rp 120 billion (US$13.3 million), was derived from the state and provincial budgets for a number of development projects in the province.

Alternative energy for electricity

Alternative energy for electricity From Bisnis Indonesia The high world oil price will certainly raise the cost of power production by state electricity company (PLN), whose cost components are 25 percent composed of fuel oil. Therefore, PLN should adopt a new policy to replace fuel in its power production with any of the other alternatives available in Indonesia. In 1989, I handled a research project on alternative energy production technology.

Agro Lestari to pay off Rp 550b debt

Agro Lestari to pay off Rp 550b debt JAKARTA: Indonesia's number one crude palm oil (CPO) producer PT Astra Agro Lestari has set aside Rp 550 billion (US$59.14 million) of its internal funds to pay for the principle and interest on its bonds due in March. In a statement sent to the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX), the publicly-listed company said the funds were taken from about Rp 900 billion it had available from last year's revenue.

S'pore, RI ministers to discuss tourism

S'pore, RI ministers to discuss tourism Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong is making a two-day visit to Jakarta to discuss ways of restoring the confidence of international tourists in the tsunami-ravaged region, the Singapore government said on Monday. Yeo is meeting with Indonesia's Minister for Transportation Hatta Radjasa and State Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik through Tuesday.

Aceh, I weep for you

Aceh, I weep for you From Koran Tempo I can still recall clearly the time when I performed my ritual Friday prayer at Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh with Nurcholish Madjid as the preacher that particular day. Taking part in the communal prayer was also the Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh, now on trial for corruption.

Court decides to continue Puteh's corruption trial

Court decides to continue Puteh's corruption trial The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A court here ruled on Monday that the corruption trial of suspended Aceh governor Abdullah Puteh would proceed, dismissing his appeal for temporary release to visit his homeland, which was devastated by the recent tsunami. A panel of three judges at the Anticorruption Court rejected the arguments presented by Puteh's team of lawyers that the indictment against their client was vague and incomplete.

JSX suspends trade of Barito's shares

JSX suspends trade of Barito's shares JAKARTA: The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) halted trading in shares of the country's leading wood-based product manufacturer, PT Barito Pacific Timber, pending the payment of interest on its bonds amounting to Rp 33 billion (US$3.55 million) The bourse said in a statement issued on Monday that Barito had not paid the fourth payment of interest on the bonds it had issued in 2002 to its representative, PT Kustodian Sentral Efek Indonesia.

Bring order to streets

Bring order to streets From Kompas Several governments have come to power following the end of the New Order in 1998, but none of their programs have included bringing order to our roads, which should be part of the present government's 100-day drive. Order and discipline on roads reflect an adherence to the law, which will prompt foreign investors to operate in Indonesia and thus help improve the economy, while saving fuel and time.

One case of measles confirmed in Aceh

One case of measles confirmed in Aceh Agencies, Jakarta/Meulaboh A single case of measles has been confirmed in a young survivor of Indonesia's tsunami disaster, a spokesman for Unicef said on Monday. The UN children's agency is in the midst of a campaign to vaccinate 600,000 people in the devastated regions of Sumatra island against the disease, which can be deadly to children if not treated, said Unicef Indonesia spokesman John Budd.

[b]

Sustainability from ruin Emil Salim Jakarta 2. Agus -- The Tsunami aftermath: Agricultural land rehabilitation 1 x 30 Rehabilitating Aceh's soil Fahmuddin Agus Bogor 3. Bush -- Helping the tsunami victims 1 x 30 note: pls make sure byline reads '_the_ President of...' thx. Helping the tsunami victims George W. Bush Washington D.C. The writer is the President of the United States of America.

Fauzul caught between uncle and savior

Fauzul caught between uncle and savior Fauzul Kabir clings to his uncle, Sofyan. This five-year old child has become the center of a dispute between Sofyan and his neighbor Saudah who found and saved him. Fauzul's father Marzuki and mother Ayu, and his younger brother all disappeared with the tsunami, along with most of their neighbors at a village by the sea just west of Lhok Nga, Aceh.

Festive and rowdy TV programs

Festive and rowdy TV programs On Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. Metro TV aired a video of the tsunami in action which was recorded by a family member of the Aceh Police chief who also perished in the disaster. The family video, which showed the moments after the earthquake and those leading to the actual disaster, couldn't have described better how powerful and lethal the waves were. It was terrifying enough for the viewers to watch the forceful wall of water crashing into everything that was in its path.

RI banks on gold at Islamic games

RI banks on gold at Islamic games Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Sports officials expect gold in at least three of the four events the country will participate in at the first Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh in April. Represented by 27 athletes registered in the Indonesia Awakens (IA) development program, Indonesia will take part in tae kwon do (eight athletes), weightlifting (eight), karate (six) and tennis (five).

Computers outsmart humans in chess battle

Computers outsmart humans in chess battle Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It was touted as a battle of "man vs machine", with some of the country's best chess players pitting their mental smarts against hi-tech computer programs. And as expected, the computers came out on top on Monday. The matches, also to be held on Tuesday, pitted the quartet against computerized chess programs -- Shredder8, Junior8, Fritz8 and Chessmaster9000.

Envoys present credentials

Envoys present credentials JAKARTA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono received on Monday the letters of credential of newly appointed ambassadors to Indonesia from Algeria and Zimbabwe in a state ceremony at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. The letters were presented by Algerian Ambassador to Indonesia Hamza Yahia-Cherif and Zimbabwean Ambassador to Indonesia Alice Mageza, marking the official start of their duties in the country.

Komatsu Indonesia almost doubles sales

Komatsu Indonesia almost doubles sales JAKARTA: PT Komatsu Indonesia, a unit of Japan's Komatsu Ltd., said sales in the nine months ending Dec. 31 had risen 97 percent from a year earlier. Komatsu Indonesia's sales rose to Rp 1.1 trillion (US$118 million) from Rp 558.3 billion, the Jakarta-based company said in an e-mailed statement. It sold 1,005 units of heavy equipment in that period, 76 percent more than a year earlier.

Shares end down, led by profit-taking in Telkom

Shares end down, led by profit-taking in Telkom Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesian shares ended lower on Monday led by profit-taking in Telekomunikasi Indonesia and many bank blue chips after the main index hit a record high in the previous session, dealers said. They said overall sentiment was weak, hit by renewed fears that the central bank will raise interest rates to combat inflation stemming from higher fuel prices.

Stock prices at the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 10, 2005:

Stock prices at the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 10, 2005: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abdi Bangsa Tbk 225 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 2,350 0 77,000 Adhi Karya 720 -30 9,773,500 Adira Dinamika 2,700 0 50,000 AGIS Tbk 100 0 25,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 145 -5 46,500 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,130 -10 1,118,500 Alakasa Industrindo 165...

Astra net profit in 2004 could increase 10 percent

Astra net profit in 2004 could increase 10 percent Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Publicly listed automotive company PT Astra International's 2004 net profit is likely to increase by at least 10 percent on the back of higher sales of its automotive products and a gain from the sale of key assets. "Our consolidated profit in 2004 may increase by at least 10 percent. We are still finalizing the figure," said Astra finance director John Slack on Monday. Astra recorded a profit of Rp 4.

Health center fees to double

Health center fees to double Multa Firdaus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang The Tangerang administration is seeking to double medical fees at public health centers (Puskesmas) in the regency from Rp 2,000 to Rp 4,000. Tangerang Regent Ismet Iskandar said when submitting revisions to 13 bylaws, including Bylaw No 1/2001 on health, to the regency council on Monday that the decision to increase health fees was final and would cause no extra burden to the public.

1. School (50) - 42 pts 6 cols 1line (1x24)

1. School (50) - 42 pts 6 cols 1line (1x24) Schools reopen in Aceh or Students search for friends 2. Crash (40) - 48 pts 4cols 1line (1x24) 10 hurt in U.S. chopper crash 3. Palestine (45) - 36 pts 2 cols 2line (2x20) Abbas wins election, challenges await 4. Measle (26) - 28 pts 1 col 4line (4x10) One case of measles confirmed in Aceh --- 5. Photos -- 2 pieces plus graphic

Alternative energy for electricity

Alternative energy for electricity From Bisnis Indonesia The high world oil price will certainly raise the cost of power production by state electricity company (PLN), whose cost components are 25 percent composed of fuel oil. Therefore, PLN should adopt a new policy to replace fuel in its power production with any of the other alternatives available in Indonesia. In 1989, I handled a research project on alternative energy production technology.

6 months on, monorail route still up in the air

6 months on, monorail route still up in the air Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Uncertainty still shrouds the US$650 million monorail project, though its been half a year since the first pylon for it was sunk into the median strip of Jl. Asia-Afrika in Central Jakarta. One thing that has not been settled, for example, is whether the monorail will run by the Bung Karno Sports Complex.

Corruption and democracy

Corruption and democracy From Koran Tempo President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono declared Dec. 9 Anticorruption Day for the purpose of waging a war against corruption. On several occasions he even said he would direct the corruption eradication movement himself. Indonesia belongs to the group of most corrupt countries, occupying top place on Transparency International's corruption list. This has been due to the lack of serious attempts to fight corruption, with no punishments imposed in major cases.

SBY gives two weeks to clean up Aceh

SBY gives two weeks to clean up Aceh The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh The Indonesia Military (TNI) and body retrievers sped up work on Monday following an instruction from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to expedite the cleaning up of Aceh from rubble and flotsam. Two excavators and several dump trucks clean Setuy River, which cuts across Jl. Teuku Umar (see photo) and flows through the capital of Banda Aceh.

FPI members go on trial

FPI members go on trial JAKARTA: The South Jakarta District Court on Monday tried two members of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) -- Riyan Fahriza and Eka Jaya -- for vandalizing night-spots in Kemang, South Jakarta during the fasting month of Ramadhan last year. Prosecutor Agnes Triani said that the two men vandalized the Stardeli Cafe on Oct. 22 after forcing open a rolling door.