Archive: 22 January 2005
81 articles found
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Thousands line up for free meat at Istiqlal Mosque
Thousands line up for free meat at Istiqlal Mosque The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Over 3,000 people, mostly from the lower income bracket, lined up at the Istiqlal Mosque, Central Jakarta, to get their share of sacrificial meat during the Idul Adha celebration on Friday. Idul Adha is the Islamic holy day that commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham)'s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismael, to Allah.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Graft suspects being questioned
Graft suspects being questioned SAMARINDA: Two suspects in an alleged graft case involving the East Kalimantan Provincial Council's operational budget worth Rp 85 billion (US$9.4 million) were again being questioned at the local prosecutor's office on Thursday. The suspects were Soekardi Jarwo Putro, former speaker of East Kalimantan Provincial Council in 1999-2004, and Khairul Fuad, the deputy speaker of the council at the same time. Khairul now still holds the same position on the council.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Won drops, Asian currencies poised for weekly gain
Won drops, Asian currencies poised for weekly gain Bloomberg, Singapore South Korea's won fell for the second day on speculation the central bank will sell it to protect the earnings of exporters after an official said that the currency rose "too fast." The won's 0.5 percent gain against the dollar this weak threatens to erode the competitiveness of companies such as Hyundai Motor Co., the nation's biggest automaker.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Fairy-tale run ends for Mirza
Fairy-tale run ends for Mirza Sania Mirza arrived at the Australian Open last week with little fanfare and modest ambitions. On Friday, she left as a star in her homeland and with the praise of Serena Williams. Mirza, capitalizing on a wild-card entry, became the first Indian woman to make the third round of a Grand Slam tournament when she beat Hungarian Petra Mandula on Wednesday.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Mirza's fairy-tale run ends
Mirza's fairy-tale run ends Sania Mirza arrived at the Australian Open last week with little fanfare and modest ambitions. On Friday, she left as a star in her homeland and with the praise of Serena Williams. Mirza, capitalizing on a wild-card entry, became the first Indian woman to make the third round of a Grand Slam tournament when she beat Hungarian Petra Mandula on Wednesday.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
President favors out-of-court settlement for media disputes
President favors out-of-court settlement for media disputes Muninggar Sri Saraswati The Jakarta Post/Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has reiterated his support for press freedom, promising that the government would settle disputes with the media out of court. Communications and information minister Sofyan Djalil said on Thursday that the President was committed to supporting the development of a free and professional media as it was a major part of democracy.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Total to spend $1 billion in Indonesia this year
Total to spend $1 billion in Indonesia this year Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Oil and gas giant Total E&P Indonesia plans to spend US$1 billion this year to boost production and make up for declining output from other producers that supply PT Badak NGL in Bontang, one of the nation's two liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Consolidation of state funds
Consolidation of state funds From Media Indonesia As 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 development fund (PKBL) or the small-scale businesses and cooperatives fund (PUKK) under the control of PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM).
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Flood victims in Lampung starting to fall sick
Flood victims in Lampung starting to fall sick Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung Five days after floods inundated many parts of Lampung, the number of people affected by the disaster is on the rise, while some of them have started to fall ill. The flood has affected five regencies -- Tulangbawang, Lampung Utara, Lampung Timur, Lampung Tengah and Way Kanan as of Thursday.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Looting of logistics in Aceh
Looting of logistics in Aceh From Koran Tempo In a discussion with Asmara Diah Saputra on Jan. 7, Radio 68H focused attention on the looting of logistics sent to Aceh to help tsunami victims. Asmara drew attention to the cruelty of members of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM), despite measures taken by the Indonesian Military to prevent the relief aid from being stolen by GAM members, and to chase as well as catch the looters.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Mercy Corps. get refugees going
Mercy Corps. get refugees going Tony Hotland The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh While many survivors in the tsunami-battered province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam are either sleeping inside makeshift shelters or waiting for others' mercy for their daily needs, a handful of others are practicing the maxim "no pain no gain" by working with Mercy Corps.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Tunas Finance targets profit increase of 70 percent in 2005
Tunas Finance targets profit increase of 70 percent in 2005 The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Betting on continued robust demand, PT Tunas Financindo Sarana (Tunas Finance), an automotive financing company under PT Tunas Ridean, is targeting an increase in net profit of almost 70 percent for this year.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Dragon fruit has good prospects for growers
Dragon fruit has good prospects for growers Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta The term "dragon fruit" (Hylocereus undatus), or buah naga as it is known locally, probably still sounds strange to many Indonesian ears. Yet, those who know exactly their health benefits and can afford to buy them, too, will not hesitate to seek them out, which explains why demand for this particular commodity is on the increase.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
*Analysts see serious rift between Susilo and Kalla Page 2
*Analysts see serious rift between Susilo and Kalla Page 2 *Legal action against media 'only last resort' Page 4 *Zainoel Abidin run by concerned doctors Page 5 *Truly religious people reject fanaticism Page 7 *Thousands line up for meat at Istiqlal Page 8 *Rockets soar past Magic, Mavericks beat Clippers Page 9 *Palestinian police deployed across Gaza Page 11 *Donors urge RI to seriously combat corruption Page 13 *Dragon fruit has good prospects for growers Page 17
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Managing Aceh relief and reconstruction
Managing Aceh relief and reconstruction As the initial horror of the tsunami catastrophe recedes and emergency aid flows into the most affected areas, commentators are raising doubts over the management of the billions of dollars committed for relief and the reconstruction of Aceh. Urip Hudiono (The Jakarta Post, Business, Jan.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Susilo-Kalla rivalry may hamper road to effective governance
Susilo-Kalla rivalry may hamper road to effective governance M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A rift between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his deputy, Jusuf Kalla, has reached a critical stage and if not kept in check could hamper the way to effective governance, analysts say. Political analyst Indra J.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Angkasa Pura to settle tax arrears
Angkasa Pura to settle tax arrears TANGERANG: The operator of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, PT Angkasa Pura (AP) II, has promised to settle arrears in advertisement taxes since 2002, worth Rp 2 billion (US$220,000) to Tangerang municipality. In a meeting with Mayor Wahidin Halim early this week, the company's commercial and business development director Tulus Pranowo said AP was fully aware of its rights and obligations.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
'High-cost economy' curbs better pays
'High-cost economy' curbs better pays Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Employers, labor unions and the government have agreed to eliminate the high-cost economy in an endeavor to help repair the investment climate and improve workers' welfare.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Shares in Santos up after RI oil find
Shares in Santos up after RI oil find SYDNEY: Shares in Australian oil producer Santos Ltd. rose on Friday after it reported the biggest oil strike in its 50-year history off Indonesia. Santos said its Jeruk well, in waters about 42 kilometers off the Indonesian city of Surabaya, had exceeded initial expectations and would yield more 170 million barrels of oil, worth about A$5.3 billion (US$4.0 billion) at current prices.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
ITS develops oil study
ITS develops oil study SURABAYA: The geophysics laboratory at Surabaya's Sepuluh November Technology Institute (ITS) will be turned into an oil and gas study center before making it into a study program in two to three years time. "The reason for (turning the laboratory) into a study program is because the gas and oil potential in East Java has not been fully exploited," said the institute's rector Mohammad Nuh.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
City plans to insure parked cars on streets
City plans to insure parked cars on streets The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city administration plans to insure all vehicles parked on street shoulders with the potential compensation reaching up to Rp 200 million (US$22,222), an official says. The deputy chief of city parking operator BP Parkir, Bambang Rahmanto, said on Wednesday that many insurance companies had expressed a readiness to become partners of the administration.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Why is God angry? Acehnese speak up
Why is God angry? Acehnese speak up The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh The devastating earthquake and tsunamis that killed over 166,000 people and displaced another half a million in Aceh have not shaken the faith of the people, who are known for their strong devotion to Islam. Most do not ask why God picked Aceh upon which to unleash His wrath. They agree that God the omnipotent was angry, but they lay the blame elsewhere -- some on themselves.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
1. ANALYSIS: 1 LINE, 49 COUNTS
1. ANALYSIS: 1 LINE, 49 COUNTS Bush gives himself wide latitude with 'war on tyranny' 2. MENA: 3 LINES, 15 COUNTS Pilgrims perform devil-stoning ritual in Mena 3. WOMEN: 1 LINE, 40 counts Relief operations 'must know women's needs' 4. EURO: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS 45b euro set for RI infrastructure
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Busway causes congestion
Busway causes congestion From Kompas Traffic congestion in Jakarta has again increased with the construction of the second busway corridor. Private car owners do not even use the first busway corridor. On the other hand, as the busway reduces the number of lanes for other road users, it not only worsens traffic conditions but also causes difficulty to other motorists who want to make a U- turn. The three-in-one traffic rule imposed in busway areas also causes jams on surrounding roads.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Surya reaches out to tsunami victims
Surya reaches out to tsunami victims M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Despite the severity of the monstrous tsunami that washed away large parts of Aceh and North Sumatra, it was business as usual for most private television stations here.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
BIN accuses foreigners of spying agenda in Aceh
BIN accuses foreigners of spying agenda in Aceh Kurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post/Jakarta State Intelligence Agency (BIN) head Syamsir Siregar has called on the government to be alert to possible spying from foreign forces deployed in tsunami-devastated Aceh for relief aid operations. However, the government should not necessarily overreact the suspicions, he told a hearing with the House of Representatives' Commission I for defense and intelligence affairs in Jakarta on Thursday.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Shares end at record high on economic hopes
Shares end at record high on economic hopes Dow Jones, Jakarta The Indonesian stock market ended at a record high on Thursday on expectations that a meeting of international lenders, the Consultative Group on Indonesia, would produce positive results later that day, dealers said.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Curbing Indonesia's army
Curbing Indonesia's army The scale of the tsunami disaster and continuing health risks in Indonesia's Aceh Province are almost beyond comprehension. Unfortunately, Indonesia's politically powerful army is not used to putting humanitarianism first. Imbued with a reflexively nationalist ideology and obsessed with a counterinsurgency campaign against armed Aceh separatist groups, army leaders persuaded government officials to restrict foreign aid workers to the province's two main cities.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
BIN accuses foreigners of spying agenda in Aceh
BIN accuses foreigners of spying agenda in Aceh Kurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post/Jakarta State Intelligence Agency (BIN) head Syamsir Siregar has called on the government to be alert to possible spying from foreign forces deployed in tsunami-devastated Aceh for relief aid operations. However, the government should not necessarily overreact the suspicions, he told a hearing with the House of Representatives' Commission I for defense and intelligence affairs in Jakarta on Thursday.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
White cockatoo population dwindling
White cockatoo population dwindling Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post/Surabaya The population of White Cockatoo (Cacatua alba) in North Maluku is dwindling due to uncontrolled poaching. More than 500 of them are traded in Jakarta and other places annually, say an environmental group.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
PEAC Jakarta unit launched to boost SME financing access
PEAC Jakarta unit launched to boost SME financing access The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In an effort to help develop and empower small-to medium- sized enterprises (SMEs), a Jakarta unit of an agency designed to promote SMEs's access to financing was launched on Thursday. The launch of the agency, named Promoting Enterprise Access to Credit (PEAC), followed the setting up of a similar agency in Surabaya in December.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
1. IDUL: 1 x 25
1. IDUL: 1 x 25 Idul Adha brings temporary relief 2. CGI: 2 X 12 Group pledges $2.8b to RI for this year 3. FLOOD: 4 X 9 Flooding recedes, vigilance urged 4. REAX: 1 X 22 Bush speech welcomed; worries some
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Group pledges $2.8b for RI for this year
Group pledges $2.8b for RI for this year Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Impressed with the government's medium-term development plan for sustaining and improving the economy, the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) pledged on Thursday to provide US$2.8 billion in loans and grants for this year's state budget.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Foreign troops could leave tsunami zone in a month: UN
Foreign troops could leave tsunami zone in a month: UN Agence France-Presse, Bangkok Most foreign troops operating in tsunami-devastated areas, such as Indonesia's Aceh province, could be home in a month, the UN head of tsunami coordination efforts Margareta Wahlstrom said on Friday. As relief operations shifted from emergency airlifts to regular land and sea deliveries, the need for foreign troops was rapidly diminishing, Wahlstrom told reporters.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/4/PRESS
JP/4/PRESS 1 x 45 Legal action against media 'only last resort' 1 x 33 BIN accuses foreigners of spying JP/4/BAASYIR 2 x 26 Bali bomber says he had no links with cleric Ba'asyir JP/4/4labor 'High-cost economy' curbs better pay
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Tsunami VCD sells well
Tsunami VCD sells well BATAM, Riau Islands: Tragic scenes of the tsunami disaster aired on television are now available on VCD and have became a bestseller for traders in Batam. Priced between Rp 10,000 (US$1.1) and Rp 20,000 each, traders said on Friday that more and more people were looking for the VCD. A sidewalk trader in Tanjung Pantun market said the VCD had hit the market on Jan. 15, and he had been supplied with 30 copies every three days. "Now only five copies remain," he said.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Adiguna's case file returned to police investigators
Adiguna's case file returned to police investigators The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city prosecutor's office returned the case file of suspected killer Adiguna Sutowo to the Jakarta Police on Thursday as the documentation of evidence in the file was insufficient. The police had filed the report on the fatal shooting of Yohannes Berchmans Haerudy Natong alias Rudy -- at the Fluid Bar in the Hilton Hotel in Central Jakarta early on New Year's day -- with the prosecutor's office a week ago.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
A day to grieve, to hope
A day to grieve, to hope Ruslan Sangadji and Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh Today's menu: kare daging (beef or mutton curry). In the huge army tent inside the TVRI compound in Banda Aceh, within the 12-square meter area designated as their quarters, Mardiati and 12 members of her family feast on meat, rice, chips and syrup. Meat is being served for the first time since the magnitude-9 earthquake and tsunamis destroyed their homes in Lamtemen Timur village on Dec. 26.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
1. Rift (45) - 48 pts 3 cols 3lines (3x18)
1. Rift (45) - 48 pts 3 cols 3lines (3x18) Susilo-Kalla rivalry may hamper road to effective governance 2. Sermon (40) - 36 pts 4cols 1lines (1x30) Aceh dominates Idul Adha sermons 3. Cabinet (40) - 36 pts 4 cols 1line (1x30) SBY to confirm role of presidential aides 4. Speak (65) - 36 pts 5 cols 1line (1x38) Why is God angry? Acehnese speak up --- 5. Photos --2 pieces, odd
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Malaysian entrepreneur turns waste to wealth
Malaysian entrepreneur turns waste to wealth Jason Cheah, Asia News Network/The Star Originally from Kampar, Perak, Olivia Lum worked her way though college and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the National University of Singapore. Shortly after graduation she accepted a job with a multinational corporation in Singapore. Lum, the chief executive officer of Hyflux, a groundbreaking water treatment company in Singapore, which she founded 15 years ago.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
New Indo-Pakistan tension puzzles analysts
New Indo-Pakistan tension puzzles analysts Elizabeth Roche, Agence France-Presse/New Delhi Two nights of mortars crashing into Indian Kashmir from Pakistan have Indian analysts puzzled over Pakistani intentions and the implications for a tentative peace process between the nuclear- armed nations.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Saudi to donate US$130m for Aceh
Saudi to donate US$130m for Aceh JAKARTA: The government and citizens of Saudi Arabia have pledged US$130 million for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Aceh following the devastating earthquake and tsunami on Dec. 26. Syeikh Abdulrahman As-Suwailem, who heads the Saudi Arabia Red Crescent, told reporters on Thursday that his government wanted an involvement in building a number of mosques, schools, community health centers, hospitals and orphanages.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Are rising foreign buyouts a national threat?
Are rising foreign buyouts a national threat? Jasper S. Kim, The Korea Herald/Asia News Network, Seoul A clear pattern has emerged recently of foreigners taking increasingly larger positions in Korean assets, such as KOSPI shares, domestic banks and local real estate. But are such foreign buyouts on balance a threat to the republic?
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Christian aid shows pulpit's shifting power
Christian aid shows pulpit's shifting power Brian Murphy, Associated Press/Ladong, Aceh The Americans in matching T-shirts were hugged as heroes when they arrived one afternoon with clean water and medical care. But how the help got there was something the tsunami survivors could scarcely comprehend: the forces of faith, fund-raising and globe-trotting volunteerism that have opened a stream of private Christian aid to one of the most religiously conservative corners of Muslim Indonesia.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
;JP;DAN;
;JP;DAN; ANPAf..r.. Rupiah-conversion-rates Rupiah Rates Jan. 20 JP/13/Conver Rupiah Rates Jan. 20 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp Australian dollar 1 7,345.38 6,581.68 6,999.84 6,927.08 Brunei dollar 1 5,908.17 5,292.75 5,630.24 5,570.51 Canadian dollar 1 7,854.00 7,037.34 7,484.54 7,406.65 Swiss franc 1 8,141.56 7,294.88 7,758.56 7,677.71 Danish krone 1 1,687.59 1,511.94 1,608.20 1,591.28 Euro 1 12,556.92 11,251.49 11,966.22 11,841.96 Poundsterling 1 18,067.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
RP military warns JI planning attacks
RP military warns JI planning attacks PHILIPPINES: The Philippine military warned on Friday that the regional Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) group was planning to launch fresh attacks in the country with the help of local Muslim separatist rebels. According to an intelligence report, at least 15 members of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have been identified as the local contacts of 33 JI militants still operating in the southern region of Mindanao.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Better coordination among agencies vital
Better coordination among agencies vital Floods have claimed two lives and forced over 20,000 residents to flee their homes for temporary shelters. The Jakarta Post talked to city residents on the administration's efforts to stave off the annual disaster. Bimo, 33, is an employee of a private hospital on Jl. Salemba, Central Jakarta. He resides in Ciomas housing estate in Bogor, West Java, with his wife and two children.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
The rebuilding of Aceh
The rebuilding of Aceh The last thing the Acehnese will want to do is sit around and do nothing. They will need building materials, tools, nails, claw hammers, pumps, pipes, corrugated sheeting, portable generators, fuel and whatever else is required -- and they want that now. Activity will help take their minds off the many terrible losses, and the rebuilding will give everyone a new and much needed sense of direction.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
TNI kills 120 GAM members
TNI kills 120 GAM members BANDA ACEH: The Indonesia Military (TNI) killed 120 members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in a series of gunfights during the past two weeks, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu said on Thursday. "In the past two weeks, we were forced to kill 120 GAM members and confiscate their weapons," he said during a visit to Banda Aceh.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Idul Adha brings relief, albeit temporary
Idul Adha brings relief, albeit temporary Ruslan Sangadji and Tony Hotland The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh Today's menu: kare daging (beef or mutton curry). In the huge army tent located inside the TVRI compound in Banda Aceh, within the 12-square meter area designated as their quarters, 44-year-old Mardiati and 12 members of her family feast on meat, rice, chips and syrup.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Bali bomber says he had no links with cleric Ba'asyir
Bali bomber says he had no links with cleric Ba'asyir The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Ali Imron, who is serving a life sentence for the 2002 Bali bombings, testified in the trial of Abu Bakar Ba'asyir on Thursday that the cleric had not influenced his actions in carrying out the attack. His testimony posed another setback for prosecutors in trying to link Ba'asyir, 66, with the Bali bombings and the 2003 bombing of JW Marriott Hotel, which were both blamed on Jamaah Islamiyah.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
The Indian Ocean tsunami caused US$675 million in damage to
The Indian Ocean tsunami caused US$675 million in damage to Indonesia's environment by battering coral reefs and mangroves and washing away farm land, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said on Friday. The figure was the first full estimate of economic losses to the environment for any country hit by the Dec. 26 tsunami, UNEP spokesman Nick Nuttall said. A wider UNEP report will be issued next month at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
BIN accuses foreigners of spying agenda in Aceh
BIN accuses foreigners of spying agenda in Aceh Kurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post/Jakarta State Intelligence Agency (BIN) head Syamsir Siregar has called on the government to be alert to possible spying from foreign forces deployed in tsunami-devastated Aceh for relief aid operations. However, the government should not necessarily overreact the suspicions, he told a hearing with the House of Representatives' Commission I for defense and intelligence affairs in Jakarta on Thursday.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Rebuilding Aceh's economy, encouraging investment
Rebuilding Aceh's economy, encouraging investment Michael Vatikiotis, New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur People are more worried about the future of their children's education, jobs and basic services. Now that the immediate task of emergency relief in Aceh is almost over, it's time to start thinking ahead about ways to develop Aceh's shattered economy and encourage investment.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
RI urged to seriously combat corruption
RI urged to seriously combat corruption Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Foreign creditors grouped in the Consultative Group for Indonesia (CGI) have reiterated their calls for the government to intensify measures to fight corruption and curb illegal logging, in a bid to restore their confidence in the country. The call was made during the last day of the two-day CGI meeting here on Thursday, with creditors pledging to hand over a total of US$3.4 billion in new loans and grants.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
N. Sumatra plantations produce generations of poor workers
N. Sumatra plantations produce generations of poor workers Ridwan Max Sijabat The Jakarta Post/Pematang Siantar, North Sumatra North 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. Bedjo Kirnadi, a 47-year-old worker of state-owned PT Perkebunan Nusantara IV (PTPN IV), raised his eyebrows when asked what changes he had seen during his 24 years at the palm oil plantation.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Papuans against W. Irian Jaya poll
Papuans against W. Irian Jaya poll Ridwan Max Sidjabat and Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta/Jayapura Papua's provincial leaders have expressed concern over a rumor that the central government will include West Irian Jaya province on the list of more than 95 regions that will hold direct elections of regional heads this year. The inclusion will apparently be ruled in a government regulation set to be issued in the near future.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/5/BATAM
JP/5/BATAM Acehnese migrants see better future on their own soil Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam, Riau Islands While many Aceh tsunami survivors were scared to return to their homes for fear of aftershocks and more tsunami, not a few Acehnese living outside the province were instead planning to go back, hoping to fill the void for trades that are now badly needed there. Many trades are now in very high demand in Aceh as a result of the tsunami tragedy that took more than 115,000 lives.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Rp 551b needed to restore Nabire
Rp 551b needed to restore Nabire JAYAPURA: The town of Nabire, which was devastated by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake on Nov. 26, 2004, needed at least Rp 551 billion to rebuild. The central government initially allocated Rp 59 billion from emergency funds to rebuild and restore infrastructure, public and government buildings, places of worship and residences.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Stock prices at the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 20, 2005: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 250 10 205,000 Ades Alfindo Tbk 2,325 -25 399,500 Adhi Karya 880 10 18,555,000 Adira Dinamika 2,800 0 0 AGIS Tbk 95 0 1,198,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 165 15 290,000 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,130 0 1,217,000 Alakasa Industrindo...
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Wider sidewalks for Kelapa Gading
Wider sidewalks for Kelapa Gading JAKARTA: Upmarket housing estate Kelapa Gading is to get a new look this year following the preparation of a plan to construct wider sidewalks for pedestrians. "We want to emulate the success of similar sidewalk-widening projects along Jl. MH Thamrin and Jl. Jend. Sudirman in Central Jakarta by constructing wider sidewalks for pedestrians here," Jakarta's governor, Sutiyoso, told reporters.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Kebumen roofing tiles a precarious source of income
Kebumen roofing tiles a precarious source of income Singgir Kartana, Contributor/Kebumen Kebumen has long been known as the center of the roofing tile industry with thousands of small, medium and large businesses in the regency. Yet, the business is not as lucrative as it appears. Problems ranging from a decline in business orders to environmental damage have been shadowing it for the last few years. There has been a significant drop in business orders.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Living with dengue
Living with dengue Dengue hemorrhagic fever, that treacherous mosquito-borne disease that comes with little warning to torment the unsuspecting, is with us again. Or so Jakarta's city health office warns us. It is easy enough to sneer at the warnings issued by health officials about the dengue scourge. After all, many warnings that have come from the bureaucracy have been either off the mark or too late in coming to be of much help.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Aceh dominates Idul Adha sermons
Aceh dominates Idul Adha sermons The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Clerics called on Muslims throughout the country observing the Islamic Day of Sacrifice on Friday to extend their sympathy to victims affected by the killer tsunamis that devastated Aceh and North Sumatra. In their Idul Adha sermons, the preachers asked Muslim worshipers to join prayers for those who perished in the Dec. 26 calamity and to pray for the wellbeing of survivors living in desperate conditions.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
City says it plans to insure cars parked on streets
City says it plans to insure cars parked on streets The Jakarta Post Jakarta The city administration plans to insure all vehicles parked on street shoulders with the potential compensation reaching up to Rp 200 million (US$22,222), an official says. The deputy chief of city parking operator BP Parkir, Bambang Rahmanto, said on Wednesday that many insurance companies had expressed a readiness to become partners of the administration.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
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.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Displaced Aceh women turn to hobby of traditional embroidery
Displaced Aceh women turn to hobby of traditional embroidery Martin Abbugao, Agence France-Presse/Cot Selamat, Aceh Since moving into a crowded tent that has been her home for the past three weeks, tsunami victim Ratna remains haunted by the giant waves that suddenly swept away her home and family. But Ratna and about 50 other women from her obliterated neighborhood hope to exorcise the demons by turning to their hobby before the calamity struck -- doing traditional embroidery.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Sleman to send help to Aceh regularly
Sleman to send help to Aceh regularly YOGYAKARTA: In a bid to maintain the network and coordination it has built up in carrying out voluntary work in tsunami-hit Banda Aceh, Sleman will be sending volunteers to Aceh every 10 days, on two-week assignments. "There will be an overlap when an earlier team of volunteers can meet with the following one to coordinate on what the next team needs to do," Sleman Regent Ibu Subiyanto said on Wednesday.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Sharp to invest $9.3 million in 2005
Sharp to invest $9.3 million in 2005 The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a bid to boost its market share in the country, electronic producer PT Sharp Yasonta Indonesia (Sharp Indonesia) -- an affiliation of the Japan-based Sharp Corporation -- plans to invest US$9.3 million this year. Company president Kenji Okunaka said on Thursday that the amount was part of the total $2.15 billion the firm would invest worldwide.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Panigoro family to acquire Medco shares
Panigoro family to acquire Medco shares Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Panigoro family plans to buy a 59.9 percent stake in publicly listed oil and gas firm PT Medco Energi International and once again become the majority shareholder after founding the company 25 years ago. The acquisition will cost US$400 million, Medco's president director Hilmi Panigoro said after attending a session at the IndoGas conference here on Thursday.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Legal action against media 'only last resort'
Legal action against media 'only last resort' Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has reiterated his support for press freedom, promising that the government would settle disputes with the media out of court. Communications and information minister Sofyan Djalil said on Thursday that the President was committed to supporting the development of a free and professional media as it was a major part of democracy.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Stock prices at the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 20, 2005: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 250 10 205,000 Ades Alfindo Tbk 2,325 -25 399,500 Adhi Karya 880 10 18,555,000 Adira Dinamika 2,800 0 0 AGIS Tbk 95 0 1,198,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 165 15 290,000 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,130 0 1,217,000 Alakasa Industrindo...
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Foreigners could be spying: BIN head
Foreigners could be spying: BIN head Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta State Intelligence Agency (BIN) head Syamsir Siregar has called on the government to be alert to possible spying from foreign forces deployed in tsunami-devastated Aceh for relief aid operations. However, the government should not necessarily overreact the suspicions, he told a hearing with the House of Representatives' Commission I for defense and intelligence affairs in Jakarta on Thursday.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Roses are not always red for painter Mrinalini Singh
Roses are not always red for painter Mrinalini Singh Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Constant moving and exposure to a variety of cultures have enabled her to absorb universal values. But Mrinalini Singh, an army brat and diplomat's wife, still seeks more to nurture her spirit. Through her paintings and sculptures, Mrinalini explores the beauty of flowers and brings out the meaning of visual beauty.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Official warns of flood-borne diseases
Official warns of flood-borne diseases JAKARTA: Jakarta residents have been advised to be on the alert for flood-borne diseases, including leptospirosis, which is transmitted through rat urine. "Aside from diarrhea, residents must be wary of leptospirosis since the floodwaters could contain the leptospirosis bacteria," a senior official with the Central Jakarta health office, Maryana, was quoted as saying by Beritajakarta.com.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Power trouble in Kepulauan Seribu
Power trouble in Kepulauan Seribu From Warta Kota The power supply on Kepulauan Seribu, off the coast of Jakarta, has been disrupted since the island group was designated a regency, causing anxiety to local consumers and thus harming public interests. Before it became a regency, electricity to the island group was supplied 12 hours daily from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. After it became a regency, it was allocated an official power supply of 23 hours daily, but this increase has not materialized fully.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Susilo to confirm role of presidential aides
Susilo to confirm role of presidential aides Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is set to issue a decree on Monday to reorganize the state secretariat in an apparent move to formally accommodate his aides and those of his deputy, who helped them win the presidency last September.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
45b euro set for Indonesia infrastructure
45b euro set for Indonesia infrastructure Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta European private sector and financial institutions have allocated some 45 billion euros (US$58.5 billion) to be invested in infrastructure projects in Indonesia.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Singapore withdraws three helicopters
Singapore withdraws three helicopters MEDAN: The Singapore government has withdrawn three Seahawk helicopters from the national coordination post in Polonia, Medan, while 965 troops in Meulaboh and Banda Aceh are set to return to their home country. Coordinator of foreign aircraft assisting tsunami victims in Aceh and North Sumatra, Air Marshall Ganjar Wiranegara, said on Friday that Singapore was the first country to withdraw from Polonia.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Zainoel Abidin run by concerned doctors
Zainoel Abidin run by concerned doctors Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh In the pediatrics unit, Belgian and Spanish are spoken besides Bahasa Indonesia. Over in the surgery unit it's English with an Australian accent and German. In the high care unit, it's Singlish with a hint of Malay. Elsewhere in Zainoel Abidin General Hospital, they speak French, Chinese, and even Vietnamese.
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Flooding recedes, vigilance urged
Flooding recedes, vigilance urged Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Floods that have inundated many areas across Jakarta during the past few days receded on Friday, but city authorities are calling for vigilance for the duration of the rainy season. Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso said the joint task force in charge of helping flood victims would not be disbanded until the flood threat was over.