Archive: 14 January 2005
92 articles found
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Workers at 13 airport plan massive strike on Jan. 21
Workers at 13 airport plan massive strike on Jan. 21 Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Airport workers in 13 cities are threatening to strike over the upcoming long weekend in protest against the government's attempt to take over the management of their old-age pension fund. State airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I labor union chairwoman Ice Yulinar told The Jakarta Post on Thursday that the workers had agreed to stage a massive protest from Jan. 18 to Jan.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
* Pertamina gets $310m in syndicated loans Page 2
* Pertamina gets $310m in syndicated loans Page 2 * Muhammadiyah says Ba'asyir nonviolent Page 4 * 'Serambi Indonesia' survives the tsunami Page 5 * RI-Australia ties: E. Timor to Aceh Page 7 * City fails to serve its domestic workers Page 8 * Agassi in doubt for Australian Open Page 9 * S. Korea sees North talks when Bush team set Page 11 * Semen Gresik workers threaten strike Page 13 * 'Sideways' leads in SAG Awards Page 17
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Ba'asyir nonviolent: Muhammadiyah chief
Ba'asyir nonviolent: Muhammadiyah chief The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An influential Muslim leader testified on Thursday at the South Jakarta District Court that he had not seen evidence of violent behavior by alleged spiritual leader of the Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) terror network, Abu Bakar Ba'asyir.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
RI shares end higher on rebound, debt relief plan
RI shares end higher on rebound, debt relief plan Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesian shares ended higher on Thursday on a rebound, boosted by news that international lenders have formally approved plans to offer debt relief to tsunami-hit nations, dealers said. The Paris Club of the world's wealthiest creditor nations Wednesday agreed to offer countries hit by the Dec. 26 tsunami a moratorium on debt repayments. `Indonesia is the country worst affected by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Civil servants fired for various reasons
Civil servants fired for various reasons INDRAMAYU, West Java: Four civil servants in Indramayu have been discharged dishonorably for indiscipline, corruption and abuse of power, a senior official said on Thursday. Two were teachers from state schools in the regency, one a staffer at Kertasemaya district administration and the other was a staffer at Indramayu health office, said Suherman, the head of the Indramayu Civil Servant Administrative Body.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Tsunami could increase poverty, but regional economies will recover: ADB
Tsunami could increase poverty, but regional economies will recover: ADB Hrvoje Hranjski, Associated Press, Manila Poverty could surge across tsunami-devastated southern Asia, but most of the stricken nations will suffer limited economic damage, the Asian Development Bank said on Thursday.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
KPUD member probed for assault
KPUD member probed for assault JAMBI: Jambi Police are investigating an alleged assault by a member of Jambi Elections Commission (KPUD), Abdul Rasyid. The case was reported to the police on Tuesday by Gripan, 30, a journalist with Corong Rakyat weekly tabloid, who claimed that Abdul Rasyid had assaulted him on Saturday. Rasyid told The Jakarta Post on Thursday that he was angry when Gripan extorted money from his wife, and then they engaged in a fight.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Beckham to make TV appeal on behalf of tsunami victims
Beckham to make TV appeal on behalf of tsunami victims LONDON: England captain and Real Madrid star David Beckham will make a worldwide television appeal on behalf of tsunami victims after being appointed as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador on Wednesday.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
My sympathy for Aceh
My sympathy for Aceh I wish to publish my poem, Tsunami. Unfortunately I have no other means whereby I can help my sisters and brothers, dead or alive, who suffered in the recent tsunami disaster in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province. Therefore my deepest sympathy can be best expressed through this poem from the heart. 'Tsunami' The sun was shining, birds were singing, people were smiling, and children playing.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
McCartney donates for tsunami victims
McCartney donates for tsunami victims LONDON: Paul McCartney and his wife Heather are donating US$1.9 million to help victims of the tsunami, the ex-Beatle's publicists said on Wednesday. They are giving the money to the International Rescue Committee U.K., an aid group that works with the New York-based IRC network, McCartney's press office said in a statement. The charity was "overwhelmed by this generous gesture," according to the statement.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Staying neutral in Aceh
Staying neutral in Aceh The core business of armies is war. But the deployment of military forces for disaster relief is often the most efficient use of the best available logistics expertise. Australian troops in Aceh's tsunami zone are on a humanitarian mission. It is important the Australian presence is not perceived otherwise. Australia's military and aid groups in Aceh are relying on Indonesia's armed forces for security.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/4/Scene5
JP/4/Scene5 Susilo, House to meet on Aceh issue JAKARTA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is slated to hold a consultative meeting with the House of Representatives on Monday, to discuss various issues of the ongoing relief operation in Aceh. In a letter sent to the House on Thursday from the state secretariat, the meeting will be at the House compound and the President will be accompanied by portfolio Cabinet ministers.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
SG workers threaten strike if govt hands company to Cemex
SG workers threaten strike if govt hands company to Cemex Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The labor union of state-controlled cement producer PT Semen Gresik (SG) will launch a massive strike if the government decides to hand over the company's Tuban, Java plants to Mexican cement giant Cemex SA. The decision is one of six options being discussed by the government to solve the ongoing contract dispute with the Mexican company over its investment in SG.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Relief in humanity
Relief in humanity Sin Chew Daily/Asia News Network, Selangor, Malaysia After the tsunami, we have seen the good and ugly sides of man. Of all the ugly incidents, the most distressful is none other than the reportedly unfair treatment of Aceh Chinese by the pribumis. When the news was first reported, indignation and dejection took over the passion of sympathy.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Survivors fear loss of traditions
Survivors fear loss of traditions The following is the second of three articles about Lampuuk, which was once a popular tourist destination about 20 kilometers west of Banda Aceh, but now has becomes a ghost town following the Dec. 26 quake and tsunami. The Jakarta Post's Nani Afrida has toured the area, interviewed survivors and prepared these articles.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Tsunami damage gives clues to climate peril, Annan says
Tsunami damage gives clues to climate peril, Annan says C. Bryson Hull, Reuters, Port Louis Damage done by Asia's tsunami gives a clearer idea of the danger climate change poses to small islands, which fear rising seas will submerge them as the world warms, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Thursday. Annan was speaking at a UN conference in Mauritius on the perils facing small islands, which has added lessons from the Dec.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Mangrove to be replanted along coast
Mangrove to be replanted along coast Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung Stunned by the impact of the deadly tsunami in Aceh, Minister of Forestry Malam Sambat Kaban is planning to reforest 600,000 hectares of depleted mangrove forest throughout the nation over the next five years. The program is aimed at mitigating destruction by tsunamis in coastal areas.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Team aims to speed up Munir's case
Team aims to speed up Munir's case JAKARTA: The fact-finding team formed to assist the police investigation into the death of rights activist Munir had its first coordinating meeting with the police at the National Police Headquarters on Thursday. The team, chaired by Brig. Gen. Marsudi Hanafi, consisted of 13 members of various backgrounds ranging from non-governmental organizations to government officials.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Councillor demands hospital for Ciputat
Councillor demands hospital for Ciputat TANGERANG: A member of the Tangerang regency council demanded on Thursday the local administration build a hospital in Ciputat to serve the needs of residents. "More than one million people living in Ciputat, Pamulang, Serpong, Pondok Aren and Ciasuk districts have long depended on public health centers," Tri Satria Santosa said on Thursday. "If the administration has no funds to build a hospital, it can cooperate with the private sector on the project.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Acehnese offered alternative therapies
Acehnese offered alternative therapies Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Aceh Abdussalam lay face down on one of five stretchers in a tent where several foreigners clad in yellow T-shirts helped people who had approached the Scientology volunteers in search of consolation.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Alertness to foreign aid
Alertness to foreign aid From Media Indonesia With the entry of foreign military forces to provide aid, it is appropriate for the government and the Indonesian Military (TNI) to remain alert to the possibility of the foreign side or the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) benefiting from the situation. If the foreign supplies sent to Aceh are not subject to prior inspection, some of them may contain arms for GAM. So, ways should be sought to prevent any harmful use of this opportunity.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Mosques stand alone amid Indonesia tsunami destruction, devout
Mosques stand alone amid Indonesia tsunami destruction, devout see divine help[ Eds: RETRANSMITTING to ADD photo numbers[ AP Photos XEH106, PDJ107, BM109-110[ By EDWARD HARRIS= Associated Press Writer= BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (AP) - Devout see divine help as mosques remain standing Edward Harris Associated Press/Banda Aceh The white Ulee Lheu mosque gleams defiantly on the tide line of the worst-hit stretch of Indonesia's devastated coast, nearly pristine despite a buffeting by last month's...
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Police nab two foreigners with 70 grams of heroin
Police nab two foreigners with 70 grams of heroin Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A joint team of the city police, immigration office and Jakarta Narcotics Agency arrested on Thursday two Nigerian citizens for possession of 70 grams of heroin. The two, identified as Franky Okolha and Abdul Prince, were arrested in their rented house in Kota Bambu, Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta. They are now undergoing intensive questioning at City Police Headquarters.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
BI closes down
BI closes down Bank Global After months of unsuccessful rescue efforts, Bank Indonesia (BI) decided late on Thursday to close down the ailing Bank Global. The central bank's deputy governor, Bun Bunan Hutapea, said the move had to be taken because the bank's financial condition did not show any signs of recovery. Bun Bunan blamed the situation on the bank's management and shareholders, calling them uncooperative in salvaging the bank.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
1. Analysis -- 1x40
1. Analysis -- 1x40 Caught between tragedy and propaganda 2. Nani ------ 1x27 Survivors fear loss of traditions 3. Soldier --- 2x22 TNI to send thousands more troops to Aceh 4. Airport --- 2x23 Workers at 13 airports plan massive strike on Jan. 21
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Tourists' role in tsunami recovery
Tourists' role in tsunami recovery It is easy to criticize the tourists at Phuket and other Indian Ocean resorts who went back to the beach a few days after the tsunami and lay in the sun within sight of the devastation. Those who ask these questions are themselves a comfortable distance from the disaster. The same sentiments are not being heard from residents of the damaged resorts or their governments.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Ryan leads at Ancol bowl center
Ryan leads at Ancol bowl center Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian men's bowler Ryan Lalisang put on an impressive performance to win all nine games to lead the US$75,000 Tournament of Champions at the Jaya Ancol Bowl Center on Thursday. Wendy Chai of Malaysia topped the women's division, which played an opening eight games on the day.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Tsunami recovery a long process: WB
Tsunami recovery a long process: WB P. Parameswaran, Agence France-Presse, Washington World Bank President James Wolfensohn said Wednesday it would take up to three months to draw up a detailed reconstruction plan for tsunami-hit nations, cautioning against rushing through with the massive effort. He said communities ravaged by the Dec.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
RI likely to extend BP contracts
RI likely to extend BP contracts JAKARTA: The Indonesian government will likely agree to extend contracts awarded to BP Plc (BP) to operate three gas blocks in West Papua until 2035, a government official said on Thursday. Iin Arifin Takhyan, director general of oil and gas at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, said the two sides were expected to sign an agreement in the near future.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Govt drops hotly anticipated emergency decree on smuggling
Govt drops hotly anticipated emergency decree on smuggling Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a surprise move, the government has scrapped plans to issue an emergency decree in lieu of law on smuggling, dashing hopes of an immediate campaign against the rampant practice. Minister of Trade Mari Elka Pangestu said the government backtracked on the plan because of the absence of reliable ground to justify the claim that smuggling was a national emergency.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
An US AV-8B Harrier jet crashed off the west coast of Sumatra,
An US AV-8B Harrier jet crashed off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia while on a training mission over international waters, but its pilot ejected safely, the U.S. Marine Corps said on Thursday. The jet, which crashed 45 miles off Sumatra, was from the USS Bonhomme Richard, a helicopter carrier that has been aiding tsunami relief efforts in Sumatra. "The pilot safely ejected from the aircraft and was successfully recovered by embarked Search and Rescue helicopter.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
French naval ships to arrive in Aceh with aid
French naval ships to arrive in Aceh with aid Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two French warships are scheduled to arrive on Friday in Aceh province to delivery humanitarian aid to the tsunami-battered town of Meulaboh, the French Embassy in Jakarta said on Thursday. The Jeanne d'Arc and the frigate George Leygues are part of the assistance pledged by the French government to Indonesia, the most country most effected by the tsunami on Dec.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
15 volunteers dispatched to Aceh
15 volunteers dispatched to Aceh KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Southeast Sulawesi government dispatched on Thursday 15 volunteers to the stricken province of Aceh. Bachrun Lewa, the chief of Southeast Sulawesi's Management Coordination Board, said the volunteers came from various professions and would help evacuate corpses and provide medical services. The volunteers would be in Aceh for a month, said Bachrun. -- JP
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
House team to spend $72,000 to supervise haj
House team to spend $72,000 to supervise haj Kurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Fourteen members of the House of Representatives will fly to Saudi Arabia for 10 days to supervise the management of Indonesia's haj pilgrimage at the cost of about Rp 670 million (US$72,000). The team will depart on Jan. 15 and return home on Jan. 25.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Total Oil to build 400 houses in Aceh
Total Oil to build 400 houses in Aceh JAKARTA: The local unit of French-based oil and gas firm Total Oil Indonesia will provide a total of 400 low-cost houses in Banda Aceh for the homeless survivors of the Dec. 26 tsunami. The company will purchase the houses from state-owned housing developer Perumnas. The two signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday, witnessed by Minister of Public Housing Jusuf Ansyari Thayib. Perumnas Herry A.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Scientologists, Jews, Quakers, Muslims offer solace
Scientologists, Jews, Quakers, Muslims offer solace Bill Tarrant, Reuters, Jakarta The Church of Scientology is applying its mind-over-matter healing techniques to injured tsunami survivors in Aceh. Jews and Quakers are sending humanitarian aid. Islamic groups are providing "spiritual guidance".
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta and floods
Jakarta and floods From Warta Kota It has been reported in the mass media that the Jakarta administration has allocated a lot of money to ensure that Jakarta will be flood-free and that well-made surveys have been presented before the city's community elders to ensure that the city's flood management project will gain the necessary support from the public.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Council rejects speech by Temanggung regent
Council rejects speech by Temanggung regent Suherdjoko and Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Temanggung, Central Java All but one of the Temanggung councillors rejected an accountability speech by Temanggung Regent Totok Ary Prabowo on Thursday, possibly foreshadowing his ouster. The Temanggung council now plans to launch an investigation over allegations of corruption and abuse of power by the regent, before they file a recommendation to the President to request Totok's dismissal.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
'One should be held responsible for one's actions'
'One should be held responsible for one's actions' The murder of waiter Yohannes "Rudy" Berchmans Haerudy Natong has outraged most Jakartans. The Jakarta Post asked some people about the incident. Wawan, 21, a student of Trisakti University in Grogol, West Jakarta. He lives in the Bintaro Jaya housing complex in Tangerang. The recent incident at the Hilton Hotel was horrifying. An innocent man was killed by a gun-toting man, whose name is widely known.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Teacher files unfair dismissal complaint
Teacher files unfair dismissal complaint JAKARTA: The former vice principal of city-run high school (SMU) 90, Hamidah, reported principal Djamilah to the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) on Thursday over her dismissal last year. Hamidah said she and two other vice principals, Muhaimin and Sumarto, were dismissed on Nov. 30 without warning or cause.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Use of Malaysia's airports
Use of Malaysia's airports I wish to refer to the letter from Martin, Medan, North Sumatra, which appeared in The Jakarta Post on Jan. 12. I would like to inform Martin and also the other readers of the Post that Malaysia has agreed to allow donor countries to use its airspace and airports as transit bases to send humanitarian aid for victims of the tsunami catastrophe in Aceh.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
'Serambi Indonesia' survives the tsunami
'Serambi Indonesia' survives the tsunami Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Aceh A small, dirty shop-house with no parking space in the Beurawe area of Banda Aceh has now become the place where Aceh's only daily, Serambi Indonesia, endeavors to rise from ashes. The newspapers's former office was badly damaged by the tsunami. At the front of the house there is a reception area that also serves to receive advertisements and reports of missing persons.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Indonesia's foreign minister said on Thursday he welcomed the
Indonesia's foreign minister said on Thursday he welcomed the presence of foreign troops in the country to help with tsunami relief efforts but criticized a local official who suggested those forces might stay for years. "I think that perhaps words expressed at the local level were not too appropriate," said Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda, speaking at a press conference in Berlin with his German counterpart Joschka Fischer. He added: "You can rest assured that we welcome even ...
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
A flood of compassion, pledges
A flood of compassion, pledges Amando Doronila, Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network, Manila The emergency summit of 21 nations in Jakarta last Thursday to coordinate aid to more than 1.5 million homeless people in 12 countries devastated by the Dec. 26 Indian Ocean tsunami unlocked more than US$4 billion in aid pledges from more than 50 countries, both rich and poor.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Muslim leader says Ba'asyir never advocates terror
Muslim leader says Ba'asyir never advocates terror The Jakarta Post Jakarta An influential Muslim leader testified on Thursday at the South Jakarta District Court that he had not seen evidence of violent behavior by alleged spiritual leader of the Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) terror network, Abu Bakar Ba'asyir.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Caught between tragedy and propaganda
Caught between tragedy and propaganda Emmy Fitri, Jakarta What is the role of the media in the devastation in Aceh? There is no doubt that the media has shown us the dramatic realities of the tragedy, prompting a global relief effort unseen since World War II. But when interests shift from humanitarian relief to politics, the media becomes an ideal vehicle for political-laden propaganda, such as the sort of items that are even now thrust before us.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Nurul fights for global justice
Nurul fights for global justice A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Actress and activist Nurul Arifin has just been named a Young Global Leader for her passionate efforts in campaigning for social equality. Nurul, a Bandung native, has worked with many non-governmental organizations in raising public awareness on HIV/AIDS and women's rights.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Pertamina seals $310m in syndicated loans
Pertamina seals $310m in syndicated loans The Jakarta Post , Jakarta State oil and gas company PT Pertamina has secured syndicated loans worth US$310 million from a group of global investors, including banks, to finance the development of its gas plants in South Sumatra. "Some 70 percent of the total loans are coming from the Mitsubishi Corporation consortium, which groups together, among other corporations, Mitsui & Co. and Sumitomo," Pertamina spokesman M.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
[b]
Muhammadiyah says Ba'asyir nonviolent 2. 2 x 24 Police arrest second suspect in Lippo case 3. 1 x 32 Lawmakers to spend $72,000 to monitor haj 4. 1 x 20 Council says no to regent
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Honda enjoys sales boom in RI
Honda enjoys sales boom in RI Primastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Three top Japanese carmakers surpassed sales target in Indonesia last year with Honda recording the highest growth of 215 percent from 21,650 units in 2003 to 46,500 units. Honda's total sales made up 9.6 percent of last year's total automotive market of 483,417 units. This year, the company has targeted to sell 53,000 units, or 10 percent of the total market of 530,000.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Police arrest second suspect in Lippo fraud case
Police arrest second suspect in Lippo fraud case Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police have arrested a second suspect in the latest banking fraud that centered on the issuance and selling of fake promissory notes from Lippo Bank. Director of the National Police fraud squad Brig. Gen. Andi Chaerudin told The Jakarta Post on Thursday that the police had arrested Anastasia, a former branch manager of Lippo Bank in Kebumen, Central Java.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Emergency schools open in camps
Emergency schools open in camps The Jakarta-based People's School Foundation has opened four emergency schools in four camps for displaced people in Keutapang and Gue Gajah in Banda Aceh, Lampeunurut in Aceh Besar, and on Simeuleu Isle. "We're preparing for the establishment of more schools in Meulaboh and Darul Islam areas," foundation executive Fauziah Rosad told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. The foundation has sent at least 100 volunteers to the shelters as teachers, she said.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Tsunami pushes Australia and Indonesia closer
Tsunami pushes Australia and Indonesia closer Reuters, Jakarta For decades the prospect of Australian troops landing in a rebellious Indonesian province was a prospect that could fill leaders in both Jakarta and Canberra with dread. But when Australia's HMAS Kanimbla arrived off the coast of Sumatra on Thursday on a mercy mission for the tsunami-stricken people of Aceh, it marked a milestone in improving ties between the long-wary neighbors.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
VW poised for stake in Proton: Report
VW poised for stake in Proton: Report FRANKFURT: German automotive concern Volkswagen is now poised for a possible buy-in at the Malaysian car group Proton in the wake of the pullout by Mitsubishi Corp., the daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) reported on Thursday. The paper noted that VW and Proton Holdings Bhd agreed in October 2004 to cooperate more closely.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Viewing religious rituals from cultural persperctive
Viewing religious rituals from cultural persperctive Kristian Tamtomo, Jakarta I would like to comment on the article titled Spiritual Materialism in the Haj Pilgrimage written by Dadi Darmadi (The Jakarta Post, Dec. 22). The article itself is well written and well argued. Yet, in my view, it fails to explain the reason why people are consumerist during their haj pilgrimage. This phenomena, I think, can be widened to include pilgrimages of other religions).
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Regents quizzed for alleged graft
Regents quizzed for alleged graft KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Kupang Police questioned on Thursday Kupang Regent Ibrahim Agustinus Medah and former Kupang's deputy secretary for development Christian Nehemia Dillak for the alleged embezzlement of Rp 828.4 million (US$92,044). The two officials were questioned for four hours in connection with the purchase of two fishing boats valued at Rp 828.4 million. Christian Nehemia Dillak is currently regent of Rote Ndao regency.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/2/Heads
JP/2/Heads 1. REAX: 2 LINES, 20 COUNTS U.S. says no restriction on Aceh relief efforts 2. TRAUMA: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS Scientologists offer alternative help 3. SIDEBAR: 1 LINE, 30 COUNTS Psychiatric hospital loses patients 4. YANI: 1 LINE, 36 COUNTS Pertamina seals $310m in syndicated loans 5. MONSANTO: 1 LINE, 40 COUNTS Harvest chief denies role in Monsanto scandal 6. ADIGUNA: 2 LINES, 22 OUNTS Adiguna probe complete, case to be filed Friday
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Displaced Acehnese live with their relatives
Displaced Acehnese live with their relatives A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Aceh Nini, 35, fought to break through the crowd of people attempting to board a large boat that would transport refugees to Banda Aceh. She failed to get through, but she wasn't discouraged. She intended to try again the next day. On way her back to her camp on a hill in Calang town, Aceh Jaya regency, she met a military police officer who she knew.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Psychiatric hospital loses patients
Psychiatric hospital loses patients Only 70 of 315 patients at the psychiatric hospital in the capital town of Banda Aceh stayed put, as hospital staff rushed to open the gate wide so that patients could flee when the tsunamis hit Aceh on Dec. 26. "However, we believe they are all alive and now sheltering in camps across town," said head of medical services at the hospital Kris Wardoyo on Thursday.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Lawmakers to spend $72,000 to monitor haj
Lawmakers to spend $72,000 to monitor haj Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Fourteen members of the House of Representatives will fly to Saudi Arabia for 10 days to supervise the management of Indonesia's haj pilgrimage at the cost of about Rp 670 million (US$72,000). The team will depart on Jan. 15 and return home on Jan. 25.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Harvest denies role in Monsanto scandal
Harvest denies role in Monsanto scandal Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Harvest International Indonesia president director Harvey Goldstein denied on Thursday that his company played any role in a bribery case involving U.S.-based Monsanto Co. and Indonesian state officials. After a meeting with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Goldstein said the Jakarta business consulting firm had nothing to do with the Monsanto bribery case. "No, never ...
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Death sought for cocaine smuggler
Death sought for cocaine smuggler Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Prosecutors at the Tangerang District Court demanded the death sentence for a cocaine smuggler holding a Brazilian passport. Prosecutor Rachmat Vidianto told the court on Wednesday that defendant Rodrigo Gularte, 32, a resident of SV Lage De Vedra 95 AP 501 Itacorubi, Sao Paulo, was proven guilty of smuggling six kilograms of cocaine through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport last July 31.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Two French naval ships carrying aid, choppers arrive in Aceh
Two French naval ships carrying aid, choppers arrive in Aceh Adianto P. Simamora The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Two French warships are scheduled to arrive on Friday in Aceh province to delivery humanitarian aid to the tsunami-battered town of Meulaboh, the French Embassy in Jakarta said on Thursday. The Jeanne d'Arc and the frigate George Leygues are part of the assistance pledged by the French government to Indonesia, the most country most effected by the tsunami on Dec.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Jones, Dupri postpone benefit single in wake of tsunami disaster
Jones, Dupri postpone benefit single in wake of tsunami disaster Eliott C. McLaughlin Associated Press/Atlanta Music producers Quincy Jones and Jermaine Dupri say the tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia has prompted them to postpone recording We Are the Future, an update of the 1985 benefit song We Are the World. "The timing is not right for us to record a song about the future when so many people have lost their lives," Dupri said in a statement Tuesday.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Krakatau Steel to up steel output
Krakatau Steel to up steel output JAKARTA: Indonesia's state-owned Krakatau Steel plans to increase its hot rolled coil steel plate production by one million tonnes a year by building new production facilities worth up to US$400 million, a report said on Thursday. "The construction of the new plant is to anticipate increases in demand expected to reach 4.2 million tonnes in 2013," Krakatau Steel spokesman Alfauzi Salam told the Sinar Harapan evening newspaper.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Susilo, House to meet on Aceh issue
Susilo, House to meet on Aceh issue JAKARTA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is slated to hold a consultative meeting with the House of Representatives on Monday, to discuss various issues of the ongoing relief operation in Aceh. In a letter sent to the House on Thursday from the state secretariat, the meeting will be at the House compound and the President will be accompanied by portfolio Cabinet ministers.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Evicted squatters move to riverbanks
Evicted squatters move to riverbanks The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Hundreds of squatters evicted from a three-hectare land owned by PT Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI) in Tanah Abang district, Central Jakarta have set up tents along the banks of West Flood Canal. Many evictees said they were forced to stay on the riverbank because they had no other place to live. Others said they would rent rooms close to Tanah Abang market where they worked.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
City administration fails to serve its domestic workers
City administration fails to serve its domestic workers Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city has been attempting to regulate relations between maids and their employers since the early 1990s, with the goal of providing protection to domestic workers. However, domestic workers remain largely unprotected by officials because the city administration has failed to enforce existing regulations due to problems at the implementation level.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Adiguna's case
Adiguna's case While our brothers and sisters in Aceh were experiencing a great calamity, some of us were indulging in convivial merrymaking at luxury hotels on New Year's Eve. After all, it is one's own right to fulfill his/her need for entertainment in spite of our solidarity for the people of Aceh. Adiguna Sutowo and his friends' attitude toward the cashier at the Hilton Hotel's Fluid Club on New Year's Eve has clearly shown the insolently arrogant behavior of high class society.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Loaded guns
Loaded guns Someone is clearly failing in their job when police sources admit that there could be up to 100,000 illegal firearms in Jakarta. There is something even more seriously wrong when supposedly sane gentlemen can so easily pull out guns and threaten and shoot people who pose absolutely no threat to their safety. Several cases in recent months have highlighted once again the emerging danger of the use of guns -- legal and illegal.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Adiguna probe complete, case to be filed Friday
Adiguna probe complete, case to be filed Friday Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police have wrapped up their investigation into the murder of waiter Yohannes Berchmans Haerudy Natong alias Rudy and will submit Adiguna Sutowo's case file to the prosecutor's office on Friday. "We will submit the case file tomorrow as we have sufficient evidence and witnesses to support our case against Adiguna," Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani said here on Thursday.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Remove anti-graft bottlenecks
Remove anti-graft bottlenecks From Koran Tempo Corruption in Indonesia has developed like a malignant tumor, hence its elimination requires strong determination on the part of all law enforcement agencies in order to deal with not only minor cases but also major graft practices. The government has issued a presidential instruction authorizing the Corruption Eradication Commission to take anti- graft measures, but many constraints have impeded the effort.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Man arrested for selling tsunami VCDs
Man arrested for selling tsunami VCDs THAILAND: Police in the tsunami-devastated Thai resort town of Phuket arrested a man on Thursday for selling video compact disks (VCDs) of the disaster. The killer waves on Dec. 26 killed about 5,300 people in Thailand, and left another 3,600 people missing. Survivors of the disaster have been enraged by reports that sidewalk vendors have been peddling VCDs of the tsunami for about 100 baht (US$2.58) each.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
80 percent aid channeled: BKS
80 percent aid channeled: BKS PEKANBARU, Riau: Riau Welfare Body (BKS) has sent thousands of boxes of food and beverages and used clothing to tsunami-hit areas of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. BKS head Tengku Faadil Jaafar said they had also dispatched dozens of volunteers and heavy machinery to the province. Eighty percent of the aid collected, including food, beverages and used clothing has already been sent to Aceh. The remainder will be sent to the area soon, said Faadil. -- JP
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Spain sends five planes with aid
Spain sends five planes with aid INDONESIA: Spain has sent five military aircraft -- two Hercules C-130 and three CN 235 -- with several tons of humanitarian aid, and medical and military personnel to Indonesia, the Spanish Embassy said in Jakarta. "Two Hercules C-130 have already landed (on Thursday) while three CN 235 are expected to arrive on early Friday.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Russian govt gives scholarship
Russian govt gives scholarship JAKARTA: The government of the Russian Federation announced on Thursday it was providing scholarships for Indonesian students to study in Russia. In a press release, the Russian Embassy said that 20 scholarships would be provided for students planning to take bachelor and master degrees, and another five scholarships for a doctorate.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
'CNBC' to hold high-profile economic forum in Indonesia
'CNBC' to hold high-profile economic forum in Indonesia The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Following its successful run last year, CNBC strategic forum will return to Indonesia on Jan. 24 to discuss the country's economic and investment policies, as well as action plans. The one-day event, titled, The New Indonesia 2005: Policy and Action, organized by CNBC Asia Pacific, is to feature President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie among the speakers.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Remove anti-graft bottlenecks
Remove anti-graft bottlenecks From Koran Tempo Corruption in Indonesia has developed like a malignant tumor, hence its elimination requires strong determination on the part of all law enforcement agencies in order to deal with not only minor cases but also major graft practices. The government has issued a presidential instruction authorizing the Corruption Eradication Commission to take anti- graft measures, but many constraints have impeded the effort.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Aid workers get shot at, none hurt
Aid workers get shot at, none hurt Ruslan Sangadji and Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Medan An unidentified group of people has fired shots at some 25 tsunami relief workers in Aceh, sparking security concerns among some volunteers and creating a further hindrance to aid distribution in the province, it was reported on Thursday. However, none of the volunteers -- from Muhammadiyah, the country's second largest Muslim organization -- were injured in the incident.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
RI-Australia ties: From East Timor to Aceh
RI-Australia ties: From East Timor to Aceh Rob Goodfellow, New South Wales, Australia On Sept. 16, 1999, in the aftermath of the East Timor crisis, Indonesia formally withdrew from their Security Treaty with Australia. This highly symbolic gesture marked a low point in bilateral relations.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Chinese investors commit to infrastructure projects
Chinese investors commit to infrastructure projects Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A number of investors from China have committed US$1.5 billion in various industry sectors ahead of next week's Infrastructure Summit, intended to lure massive fresh investment to the country.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
[b]
Rebuilding a new Aceh for Acehnese Bondan Winarno Jakarta 2. Rob -- RI-Australia relations: From East Timor to Aceh 1 x 30 RI-Australia ties: E. Timor to Aceh Rob Goodfellow New South Wales, Australia bilateral is one word. pls run spellcheck on this. thx 3. Inqui -- A flood of compassion 1 x 30 A flood of compassion, pledges Amando Doronila Philippine Daily Inquirer Asia News Network Manila 4. Sincu -- Sense of relief 1 x 21 Relief in humanity Sin Chew Daily Asia News Network Selangor, Malaysia
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Rebuilding a New Aceh for Acehnese
Rebuilding a New Aceh for Acehnese Bondan Winarno, Jakarta Now that the dust has settled and the tears dried, we are slowly recovering from our grief and have come to terms with the call to rebuild Aceh. But, just how must we do it? The meaning of the word rebuild or reconstruct itself must be agreed on first. It is not like rebuilding a fallen bridge when it was proven that the construction was faulty. It is about the creation of a New Aceh.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
UGM assists Aceh rehabilitation program
UGM assists Aceh rehabilitation program The Jakarta Post Yogyakarta In a bid to help rebuild Aceh following the devastating earthquake and tsunami, Yogyakarta's Gadjah Mada University (UGM) launched Aceh Bangkit program worth some Rp 500 billion (US$54.3 million) to Rp 600 billion.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Bogor seeks help against illegal mines
Bogor seeks help against illegal mines BOGOR: The Bogor regency mining agency has asked for help from public order officers to stop illegal sand mining in a number of villages. The head of the mining agency, Ridwan, said on Thursday a number of mine operators had ignored warnings to halt their illegal activities. "So we are asking for help from public order officers to stop these activities," he said.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Nine states offered debt relief
Nine states offered debt relief Agencies, Jakarta Wealthy creditor nations have offered to let nine tsunami-hit countries halt repayments on billions of dollars of debt, but only three said they planned to accept the Paris Club's proposal. Jean-Pierre Jouyet, chairman of the Paris Club of creditor nations, said in Paris that countries directly affected by the Dec. 26 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami could halt debt repayments if they wanted to.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
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.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Another day of chaos at Banda Aceh hospital
Another day of chaos at Banda Aceh hospital Emma Ross, Reuters, Banda Aceh Sawing through the door of an abandoned laboratory, scavenging for oxygen machines at the airport and crafting makeshift IV medicine bag hooks out of tent pegs. It's a day in the life of the most functional hospital in the community hardest hit by the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami, a place where patients lie on new white body bags because they are plentiful and easy to clean.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Understanding Aceh's misfortune
Understanding Aceh's misfortune From Media Indonesia The recent giant quake and the largest tsunami in history have caused human tragedy in Aceh, with a rising death toll, loss of wealth and devastation of resources. We all should understand that the misfortune is not a punishment by God as some people may have us believe. Unlike in the times of earlier prophets, followers of Prophet Muhammad who are sinful will be punished in the life hereafter.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Parents report principal for graft
Parents report principal for graft JAKARTA: The Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) reported on Thursday the principal of a city-run elementary school in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, for corruption. ICW executive Danang Widioko, accompanied by parents of seven students at SDN Percontohan IKIP Rawamangun, reported Sulastri to the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office. Danang said Sulastri failed to include a Rp 55,249,300 block grant from the city administration in the school's budgets in both 2004 and 2005.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
TNI to send thousands more troops to Aceh
TNI to send thousands more troops to Aceh Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Military (TNI) said on Thursday it would send thousands of more soldiers to tsunami-ravaged Aceh, with the initial focus on cleaning up debris. TNI Spokesman Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin did not disclose the time-frame of the troop deployment, but said that the move would bring the total number of troops to more than 45,000.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Luxury tax lifted on several goods
Luxury tax lifted on several goods The Ministry of Finance has declassified several beverages and cosmetics as luxury products, as they had become mainstream consumer products. The decision was driven by an agreement to streamline regional taxation system under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature. The revocation of the luxury tax, ranging from 10 to 75 percent, on the select products was made effective as of Jan.