Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 19 January 2005

79 articles found

Investors urge govt to fix legal uncertainty, corruption

Investors urge govt to fix legal uncertainty, corruptionFabiola Desy Unidjaja and Rendi A. Witular The Jakarta Post/JakartaDespite assurances from the President, Vice President and other top government officials that their money was safe here, some investors at the Infrastructure Summit on Tuesday...

'I hope there will be more corridors'

'I hope there will be more corridors' At least 13 million people have used the busway since it was launched in mid-January 2004. The Jakarta Post asked some residents whether they appreciate the busway, which stretches between Blok M in South Jakarta and Kota in West Jakarta.

*Local government corruption runs rampant: ICW Page 2

*Local government corruption runs rampant: ICW Page 2 *VP office circular annoys House Page 4 *Regional direct elections to move ahead Page 5 *RI's recovery without governance reform? Page 6 *700 contract dengue in Jakarta, two die Page 8 *Growing drug furor overshadows action in Melbourne Page 10...

Government pledges annulment of bothersome local regulations

Government pledges annulment of bothersome local regulationsRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The central government pledged on Tuesday to immediately revoke inappropriate regulations issued by local administrations that have increased the cost of doing business in the country and created...

First sharia-based mutual fund launched

First sharia-based mutual fund launchedThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Asset management and financial services firm PT Insight Investments Management introduced on Monday Indonesia's first sharia-based fund management service in Indonesia called the i- Hajj Syariah Fund.

Police officer probed for murder

Police officer probed for murder JAMBI, Jambi: Jambi Police have been questioning since Monday a middle-ranking police officer identified only as GBD alias Masheri for alleged murder.Jambi Police chief Comr.

Forestry ministry to begin repairing Aceh's mangrove forests

Forestry ministry to begin repairing Aceh's mangrove forestsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Ministry of Forestry says it will soon start the rehabilitation of tsunami-damaged mangrove forests in the coastal areas of Aceh and North Sumatra as part of a five-year plan to ensure the recovery of mangrove...

FAO to focus on providing relief aid in coastal areas

FAO to focus on providing relief aid in coastal areasHera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced on Tuesday that it would focus on resuscitating the livelihoods and socioeconomic activities of fishermen affected by the recent...

NU ready to provide shelter to 20,000 Acehnese orphans

NU ready to provide shelter to 20,000 Acehnese orphansTiarma Siboro and Nana Rukmana, Jakarta/Cirebon Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country's largest Muslim organization, urged the government on Tuesday to revoke its ban on Acehnese children affected by the recent tsunami leaving the province.

Prevention is better than construction

Prevention is better than construction Following the devastating earthquake-triggered tsunamis that occurred on Dec. 26 and claimed well over 100,000 lives and unaccounted for material losses in Aceh and part of north Sumatra province, people will probably ask what the government can do in the...

Investors urged to play role in ensuring security

Investors urged to play role in ensuring securityFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Defense Juwono Soedarsono urged the corporate sector to share the responsibility of providing stable security conditions in the country by ensuring the welfare of their employees as well as...

Governor approves graft investigation

Governor approves graft investigation KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Governor Piet Tallo has finally approved the police's investigation of 18 NTT council members who have been charged with involvement in corruption.The letter of approval was signed by the governor on Jan.

Indonesian Lost About 30,000 Hectares of Farm Land

Indonesian Lost About 30,000 Hectares of Farm Land Bloomberg/Jakarta Indonesia lost about 30,000 hectares (74,000 acres) of agricultural land in the Dec. 26 tsunami, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Director General Jacques Diouf said at a briefing in the capital, Jakarta.

1. ICW (45) - 48 pts 3 cols 3lines (3x15)

1. ICW (45) - 48 pts 3 cols 3lines (3x15) Local government corruption running rampant, says ICW 2. DPR (40) - 36 pts 4cols 1lines (1x28) New body for Aceh rebuilding planned 3. CGI (40) - 36 pts 4 cols 1line (1x28) WB cautions RI on use of CGI funds 4.

TV Program: Thursday, January 20, 2005

TV Program: Thursday, January 20, 2005 .TB.30" .90"TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 Cartoon: Maya the Bee8:00 Cartoon: Hero Classics8:30 Music: Asyik-Asyik10:00 Talk Show: Wirausaha11:00 Sport Documentary 12:00 p.m.

WB cautions RI on use of CGI funds

WB cautions RI on use of CGI fundsUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With Indonesia's economy steadily improving, pledges from donors grouped in the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) could be used for longer-term development needs, rather than just for budgetary purposes, the World Bank...

Around 700 people get dengue, two die since December

Around 700 people get dengue, two die since DecemberAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta At least two people have died and 692 others rushed to hospitals due to dengue fever since December 2004, a city health official says.

Indonesia's tsunami-ruined men mull migrating in search of jobs,

Indonesia's tsunami-ruined men mull migrating in search of jobs, new life[ Eds: ///Recaps pvs///[ AP Photos XSP101-103[ By EDWARD HARRIS= Associated Press Writer= BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (AP) - Menfolk mull migrating in search of jobs, new lifeEdward Harris Associated Press/Banda AcehSiffudin beached...

Residents told to brace for floods

Residents told to brace for floodsDamar Harsanto and Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bogor The city administration has warned residents to remain vigilant for floods amid heavy rain in Jakarta since Monday evening.

Vice presidential office circular annoys House

Vice presidential office circular annoys HouseKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A vice presidential office circular criticizing recent hearings between the government and the House of Representatives has received a strong reaction from legislators, who said it could harm relations between...

SOEs seek partners in infrastructure projects: Minister

SOEs seek partners in infrastructure projects: MinisterZakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned enterprises are ready to become investors' strategic partners and have already contributed one-fifth of the total funds needed for infrastructure projects in the country during the next five...

Court throws out lawsuit against KPK

Court throws out lawsuit against KPK JAKARTA: The Central Jakarta Court on Tuesday rejected a lawsuit by two suspects in a Rp 8 billion (US$869,565) corruption case against the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) over the legality of their detention and investigation.

KPK continues Monsanto probe

KPK continues Monsanto probe JAKARTA: The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will question Michael Villareal, former vice president of Harvest International consulting company, and a number of Indonesian government officials in connection with the bribery scandal involving U.S.

Guineans nabbed for cheating

Guineans nabbed for cheating JAKARTA: City police arrested on Tuesday two Guinea citizens for allegedly tricking businessman Heru Purnama of US$114,000 into believing that he could multiply his dollars using their equipment.

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Around 700 people get dengue, two die since December 2. Polusi: 36 pt 3/2 2 X 22 Residents seek closure of polluting companies 3. Refugee: 36 pt 3/2 2 X 20 Displaced Acehnese fight uncertainty

After the tsunami

After the tsunamiThe unprecedented generosity in response to Asia's tsunami has reflected the sense that this is a different sort of tragedy.The success of the relief effort, by contrast, is bound to depend on the competence of governments.

New body for Aceh rebuilding planned

New body for Aceh rebuilding plannedKurniawan Hari and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government said on Tuesday it would set up a special board tasked with undertaking the reconstruction work in disaster-hit Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and North Sumatra provinces.

Thailand's tsunami-hit Phuket island offers gory souvenirs

Thailand's tsunami-hit Phuket island offers gory souvenirs by Eileen Ng = (PICTURES) = PHUKET, Thailand, Jan 18 (AFP) - Thailand's tsunami-hit Phuket island offers gory souvenirsEileen Ng Agence France-Presse/PhuketA macabre souvenir industry is emerging on Thailand's resort island of Phuket, with...

Advanced technology not yet lifesaving

Advanced technology not yet lifesaving Roger McDaniel, in his letter On early warning system (The Jakarta Post, Jan. 11) has a very good point with regard to why warnings or natural signs of a tsunami might be ignored.

RI's recovery without governance reform?

RI's recovery without governance reform?HS Dillon and SR Tabor, Jakarta This morning, representatives of countries and institutions comprising the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI), which have been with Indonesia through thick and thin will be convening in Jakarta.

President promises support for gas industry

President promises support for gas industryLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite the challenges faced by Indonesia's natural gas industry, the sector still had good prospects amid declining oil output here and should be attractive with the support of the government and investors, says...

No more suspicions

No more suspicionsFrom Koran TempoThe recent earthquake and tsunami that devastated Aceh and claimed hundreds of thousands of human lives have aroused great national concern and deep international sympathy, shown by many countries that have provided aid to relieve the victims' suffering.

Seizing the momentum

Seizing the momentum It was really good move on the part of the government to send a special team led by Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda to Europe last week to follow up the initiatives by the governments of Germany, France, Italy and Britain, on debt moratorium to help Indonesia cope with the Dec.

Residents seek closure of polluting companies

Residents seek closure of polluting companiesBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Furious residents of Sukabumi Selatan subdistrict in West Jakarta demanded on Tuesday that the City Council close down dozens of laundry companies that have allegedly caused serious pollution in their areas.

Figo to help Indonesian tsunami survivor

Figo to help Indonesian tsunami survivor Real Madrid's Portuguese star Luis Figo wants to help a seven- year-old tsunami victim who was rescued in Indonesia over the weekend wearing a Portugal team jersey after spending three weeks alone."It is an incredible story.

PLN Batam proposes $140m loan to ICBC

PLN Batam proposes $140m loan to ICBCFadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam, Riau Islands The Batam office of state-owned electricity company, PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), has proposed a US$140 million loan to the Industrial Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) to finance the construction of its two 50...

Malaysian GDP growth may slow to 5.7%, MIER says

Malaysian GDP growth may slow to 5.7%, MIER says Bloomberg JakartaMalaysia's economic growth may slow to 5.7 percent this year from an estimated 7.2 percent in 2004, the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research said, as overseas demand for the nation's electronics falters.

Consolidation of state funds

Consolidation of state fundsFrom Media IndonesiaAs a member of the House of Representatives Commission VI representing the National Awakening Party faction, I would like to express my views regarding State Minister of State Enterprises Sugiharto's plan to place the partnership and environment...

Two councillors probed for graft

Two councillors probed for graft SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: East Kalimantan Prosecutor's Office is probing the wealth of two former leading councillors in the province who are facing corruption charges.

3 x 17

3 x 17 Vice presidential office circular annoys House JP/4/FAO2 x 26 FAO to focus on providing relief aid in coastal areas JP/4/EDUCATION2 x 26 Govt launches partnership program for high schools 2 x 27 NU ready to provide shelter to 20,000 Acehnese orphans JP/4/4Summit1 x 40 Industrial relations...

Govt launches partnership program for high schools

Govt launches partnership program for high schoolsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has launched a revamp of a partnership program between senior high schools in an endeavor to improve the quality of education and bridge the widening gap in standards between Java and the rest of the country.

RP legislator opposes Myanmar

RP legislator opposes Myanmar PHILIPPINES: A senior Philippine legislator urged the government on Tuesday to oppose Myanmar's chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2006.Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, chairman of the Senate's foreign relations committee, said...

Regional direct elections to move ahead

Regional direct elections to move aheadThe Jakarta Post, Padang/Indramayu/Riau Islands/Jambi The direct election of regional heads should go ahead as planned, although funding issues and the absence of clear guidelines are still problems that need attention.

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".

BII stake sale raises Rp1.35 trillion

BII stake sale raises Rp1.35 trillionBloomberg, Jakarta The government raised about Rp 1.35 trillion (US$147 million) from the sale of 15.25 percent stake in Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII), the country's sixth-largest lender, the asset- sale agency said.The government received demand for 2.

Local government corruption running rampant, says ICW

Local government corruption running rampant, says ICWM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Corruption is widespread throughout the country's 32 provinces, with the tsunami-devastated Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province being among the worst offenders, an anticorruption watchdog has revealed.

`Meunasah' play strategic role in the life of Acehnese

`Meunasah' play strategic role in the life of AcehneseRuslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Aceh The off-white, two-story building looks conspicuous in the Peunyerat neighborhood in western Banda Aceh.

Indonesia's appointment to UN rights body welcomed

Indonesia's appointment to UN rights body welcomedAdianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Several human rights campaigners welcomed on Tuesday the appointment of Indonesia's Makarim Wibisono as a new chairman of the UN Human Rights Commission and asked the government to soon take action to...

RI still has major problems in industrial relations

RI still has major problems in industrial relations Ridwan Max Sijabat The Jakarta Post/JakartaDespite a strong legal basis, Indonesia is still facing major hurdles in developing harmonious industrial relations between employers and workers, says a government official.

Germans open hearts, wallets to tsunami victims

Germans open hearts, wallets to tsunami victimsAgencies, Berlin/Jakarta In just three weeks, the German public has donated a record 400 million euros (US$522 million) in aid for victims of the Asian tsunamis, making Germany on Monday the most generous country worldwide in helping the Indian Ocean...

Open, green space continues to shrink

Open, green space continues to shrink JAKARTA: Environmentalist Ahmad "Puput" Safrudin blasted the Jakarta administration's policy to allow aggressive conversion of open and green space in the city into building premises, citing that the disappearance of the space contributed to the worsening air...

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan.18, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan.18, 2005 _____________________________________________________________________________ Share Close Change Trading Volume _____________________________________________________________________________Abdi Bangsa Tbk 240 5 60,000 Ades...

Indonesia reschedules LNG shipment

Indonesia reschedules LNG shipmentLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia is to delay the shipment of 51 cargoes of liquefied natural gas to buyers in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan this year, says a top executive of the state oil and gas firm, PT Pertamina.

Golf's Asian Tour sets tsunami benefit

Golf's Asian Tour sets tsunami benefit SINGAPORE: Stars of golf's Asian Tour will play a charity tournament later this month to raise money for victims of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated much of the region, tour organizers said on Tuesday.

Scientists get to work on early warning system

Scientists get to work on early warning systemAgencies, Kobe, Japan More than 150 countries got to work on Tuesday on drafting a global action plan to save lives during disasters, with the United Nations saying the effort needed to be quicker and better funded in the wake of the Asian tsunamis.

Funds pledged for RP SEAG athletes

Funds pledged for RP SEAG athletesAssociated Press, Manila Philippine companies led by food and beverage giant San Miguel Corp. pledged at least 120 million pesos (US$2.14 million, euro1.6 million) to fund training for Filipino athletes in the Southeast Asian Games late this year, President Gloria...

Tsunami-hit Asia appeals to hesitant tourists to return

Tsunami-hit Asia appeals to hesitant tourists to returnChristopher Bodeen, Associated Press, Singapore Tsunami-wracked Asia has a new appeal to would-be helpers: Take a vacation."If you have not planned a visit, please consider booking a trip.

Indonesia baby-selling ring broken up

Indonesia baby-selling ring broken up Malaysian police said on Tuesday they had arrested nine people in a baby-selling case reportedly involving 27 Indonesian infants over the last six months.A police spokeswoman said five Indonesians were among the nine arrested, who included two elderly women...

Learning to be mindful and vigilant

Learning to be mindful and vigilantBenny Susetyo Pr, Jakarta The recent catastrophe in Aceh and Nias is possibly the peak of misfortune in the history of Indonesia. It is indeed the destiny we have to accept with resignation and fortitude.

Acehnese refugee struggles with uncertainty in Jakarta

Acehnese refugee struggles with uncertainty in JakartaThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The woman wept in the middle of a mattress on the floor of a well-furnished room as she described how she saved the lives of her four children when the tsunami struck Aceh on Dec. 26.

Some Aceh survivors still not getting full access to disaster aid

Some Aceh survivors still not getting full access to disaster aidM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Many survivors in tsunami-devastated Aceh are still out of reach of humanitarian assistance, although international and domestic aid continues to pour into the area, a senior UN official...

Industrial relations face major problems

Industrial relations face major problemsRidwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite a strong legal basis, Indonesia is still facing major hurdles in developing harmonious industrial relations between employers and workers, says a government official.

RI to hold conference on tsunami early warning system

RI to hold conference on tsunami early warning systemVeeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia -- a country that has suffered more than 115,000 deaths in the Dec. 26 disaster -- will host an international conference primarily focused on a tsunami early warning system in close...

Actor Tora Sudiro goes with the flow

Actor Tora Sudiro goes with the flowBruce Emond, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta For Tora Sudiro, getting from point A of the entrance of a South Jakarta cafe to point B of his waiting table means making a few pitstops along the way.

TV Today: Friday, January 21, 2005

TV Today: Friday, January 21, 2005 .TB.30" .90"TVRI .tb .30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 Ied Prayers8:30 Music: Asik-Asik 10:30 Religious Teachings1:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang1:30 Documentary2:00 Music3:00 English News Service4:30 Documentary5:00 Cartoon:...

See sincerity in foreign help

See sincerity in foreign helpV.K. Chin, The Star/Asia News Network, Selangor, Malaysia Indonesia's clarification that there is no fixed date for foreign military personnel involved in relief work in Aceh to leave its soil following the Dec.

NGOs reject journalist games

NGOs reject journalist games PEKANBARU, Riau: A group of four non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have rejected the Riau provincial administration's plan to host a sporting event for journalists between Feb. 8 to Feb. 14, saying it would burden the Riau people.

Livestock sold here without document

Livestock sold here without document JAKARTA: Most sales of livestock here ahead of Idul Adha (Day of Sacrifice) are illegal, said an official of the City Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Agency on Tuesday.

Amid devastation, news of hope -- a son is born

Amid devastation, news of hope -- a son is bornIrwan Firdaus, Associated Press/Banda Aceh, Aceh I've seen many tragedies in Indonesia, from the slayings of 1,500 people in East Timor in 1999 by Indonesian troops to battles between Christians and Muslims that killed nearly 10,000 in the Maluku...

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RI's recovery without governance reform? HS Dillon and SR Tabor Jakarta2. Ben -- Be mindful and vigilant 1 x 30 Learning to be mindful and vigilant Benny Susetyo Pr Jakarta

No more suspicions

No more suspicionsFrom Koran TempoThe recent earthquake and tsunami that devastated Aceh and claimed hundreds of thousands of human lives have aroused great national concern and deep international sympathy, shown by many countries that have provided aid to relieve the victims' suffering.

New security fears rattle aid effort in Indonesia's Aceh

New security fears rattle aid effort in Indonesia's Aceh by Karl Malakunas = (PICTURES) = ATTENTION - RECASTS, INSERTS World Bank assessment, WFP assessment /// BANDA ACEH, Indonesia, Jan 18 (AFP) - New security fears jarred aid efforts in tsunami-hit Indonesia Tuesday while officials gave up...

Shuttlers getting cold feet about weather forecast for Korea Open

Shuttlers getting cold feet about weather forecast for Korea OpenMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With the six-star Noonnoppi Korea Open set to begin next week, local shuttlers are worried that the wintry weather in Incheon City may adversely affect their performances.

'We never know when our time is up'

'We never know when our time is up'Ruslan Sangadji, Banda Aceh, Aceh Usually addressed as Ibu Ina, Inayah Sa'adudin, the wife of the former North Aceh regent, has her own story about coping with the earthquake and the tsunami that recently hit Aceh.

N. Sumatra plantations produce generations of poor workers

N. Sumatra plantations produce generations of poor workersRidwan Max Sijabat The Jakarta Post/Pematang Siantar, North SumatraNorth Sumatra has long been known for its large oil palm, cocoa and rubber plantations, but they have contributed little to the local people's welfare over the centuries.

Workers demand governor's resignation

Workers demand governor's resignation BATAM, Riau Islands: Some 5,000 workers on Batam staged another protest on Tuesday, demanding Riau Islands acting governor Ismeth Abdullah's resignation over his failure to improve workers' welfare.

'Soccer players need to be more disciplined'

'Soccer players need to be more disciplined'In five short months, Indonesia coach Peter Withe steered his team to a Tiger Cup final berth. The team finished second best on Sunday in Singapore, Withe tells The Jakarta Post's Moch. N. Kurniawan that all is not lost for the future.

Govt told to remedy legal uncertainties

Govt told to remedy legal uncertaintiesFabiola Desy Unidjaja and Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite assurances from the President, Vice President and other top government officials that their money was safe here, some investors at the Infrastructure Summit on Tuesday remained...

French firm plans to develop railroads in Aceh, Surabaya

French firm plans to develop railroads in Aceh, SurabayaRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the government has been concentrating on further developing the rail network on Java, French rail company SNCF International plans to restore the network connecting Banda Aceh and Medan, as well...