Archive: 27 January 2005
90 articles found
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Acehnese kids get back to school
Acehnese kids get back to school Nani Afrida and Dedy Ardiansyah, The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh/Meulaboh As the sun rose over the devastated city of Banda Aceh on Wednesday morning, Maizul, a 40-year-old school teacher, was standing in front of a classroom at one of the city's schools. While standing, she looked at a group of students chatting on the school grounds, and suddenly her eyes filled with tears. "I am moved that they are so high-spirited," said Maizul as she wiped away her tears.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Foreign aid out in three months
Foreign aid out in three months I was totally disgusted to hear that the Indonesian government has ordered foreign military aid to pull out of Indonesia in three months from the day the tsunami struck. If it wasn't for foreign military aid, thousands of more people would have died from further injuries and infection. They were risking lives to help others there. To be ordered out is a huge insult.
Thu, 27 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.
Thu, 27 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).
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Councill's house moves demolished by critics
Councill's house moves demolished by critics Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Activists slammed city councillors on Wednesday for requesting a monthly housing allowance of Rp 12.5 million each, saying they had broken their own election vows to live modestly. Chairman of the Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency (Fitra) Arif Nur Alam said on Wednesday the councillors' housing allowance should not be made a top priority.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Govt unveils five-year development plans
Govt unveils five-year development plans Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The government has issued a regulation on the country's five-year development plans, with pledges made by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla during their presidential election campaigns being used as the basis for the plans. State Minister of National Development Planning Sri Mulyani Indrawati said Government Regulation No.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Fertilizer prices and farmers' woes
Fertilizer prices and farmers' woes Prijono Tjiptoherijanto, Jakarta Mubyarto's article (Kompas, Jan. 12) again reminds us of a basic farming problem yet to be resolved. The agronomics professor of Gadjah Mada University invites Indonesian economists to examine and review the idea of granting a form of subsidy to farmers for fertilizers.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Council backs ban on smoking
Council backs ban on smoking Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Members of the City Council welcomed on Wednesday moves to insert clauses banning smoking in enclosed public places in the draft bylaw on air pollution that they are currently deliberating. The spokesman for the council's administrative and legal affairs commission, Muhammad Arifin, said that a ban on smoking in enclosed public places should be included in the articles on indoor pollution.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Jamsostek to pay high interest rate for pension program
Jamsostek to pay high interest rate for pension program The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State social security company PT Jamsostek will meet its pledge to pay an interest rate of 8.5 percent on its pension funds this year after a good performance in 2004, the company's president director says. The rate, 2.5 percent higher than that offered by commercial banks, would be paid to about 24 million workers who contribute to the scheme, Jamsostek head Achmad Djunaidi said on Wednesday.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Correction
Correction In the article on US oil firm wins RI oil tender in page 10 of Wednesday's paper, we mistakenly refer to Galaxy Oil as a U.S.- based company. The company should have been referred to as Galaxy Energy International, an Italian/Japanese company specializing in petroleum products. We regret the error. -- Editor
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
1. Analysis (55) - 40 pts 7 cols 1line (1x45)
1. Analysis (55) - 40 pts 7 cols 1line (1x45) The 'price' of peace talks for troubled Aceh 2. Mulyani (40) - 48 pts 3cols 2lines (2x18) Govt unveils 5-year development plans 3. EU (45) - 36 pts 7 cols 1line (1x49) EU publishes guide book for handicrafts exporters 4. Rice (36) - 36 pts 3 cols 2lines (2x21) Confirmation of Rice by U.S. Senate seems certain 5. Aid (48) - 36 pts 4 cols 1line (1x30) Red Cross to end fund-raising --- 6. Photos --2 pieces
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Diarrhea and dengue outbreak worsen
Diarrhea and dengue outbreak worsen The Jakarta Post, Semarang/Kupang Two-year-old Aisyah Maulid lay quietly in a hospital bed, accompanied by her father, Mudai, and mother, Sri Mahmudah, as she was being treated at the Roemani hospital in Semarang for dengue fever. Mudai said on Wednesday that he took his daughter to the hospital four days earlier because of her high fever. "She was previously diagnosed with a lung ailment and sent home.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Refugees in Medan return to Aceh
Refugees in Medan return to Aceh Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post/Medan After staying for almost a month in a camp in Medan, Cnumuk, an Indonesian of Chinese ethnicity, was elated when he heard the news he could return to Aceh. The 58-year-old man has been determined to leave for his hometown in Banda Aceh -- along with other men in the camp -- as a volunteer.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Bali burns doctor named top Aussie
Bali burns doctor named top Aussie AUSTRALIA: The daughter of a Yorkshire miner who pioneered a revolutionary treatment for burns patients and used it successfully to treat victims of the Bali bomb blasts has been named Australian of the Year. Perth-based plastic surgeon Fiona Wood shot to prominence after the October 2002 blasts with her use of a spray-on skin to help dozens of critically burnt bomb victims to recover in a quarter of the time it would normally take.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
SBY seeks to boost defense spending
SBY seeks to boost defense spending Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta In a bid to create a strong and modern military, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is contemplating up to a five fold increase in defense spending to an "ideal level" of 3-5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) compared to the current 1 percent.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Sutradara Ginting to replace Panigoro
Sutradara Ginting to replace Panigoro JAKARTA: The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has accepted the recent resignation of Arifin Panigoro from the House of Representatives, and replaced him with Sutradara Ginting. The decision was made during a closed-door meeting of the party's central executive board, headed by party leader Megawati Soekarnoputri, on Tuesday.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/4/scene
JP/4/scene Iran gives US$1.5m in aid to Aceh JAKARTA; President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono received a check worth US$1.5 million for tsunami-ravaged Aceh from the government and people of Iran on Wednesday. "The check is a grant, not a loan that must be repaid," Iran's Minister of Social Welfare Hossien Sarifzadegan said after delivering the money to Susilo at the presidential office in Jakarta.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
PGN seeks guarantees for Sumatra project
PGN seeks guarantees for Sumatra project Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Pekanbaru State gas distributor Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) is seeking a guarantee from provincial and local governments to support its key pipeline project linking the Duri gas field in Riau to North Sumatra. In a meeting here with Riau Governor Rusli Zainal, PGN president director W.M.P. Simanjuntak said the guarantee was needed for investors to avoid unnecessary snags over land acquisitions and permits.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Greece contributes $60 million to tsunami victims
Greece contributes $60 million to tsunami victims The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The people and government of Greece have together raised around 46 million euros (US$60 million) in cash and goods for tsunami victims in Indonesia and other affected countries, the Greece Ambassador to Indonesia said in Jakarta. "After the Dec.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Migrant case puts govt in hot seat
Migrant case puts govt in hot seat MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The central government should do all it can to save an Indonesian migrant worker from the death penalty in Malaysia, says West Nusa Tenggara deputy governor Thamrin Rayes. Adi bin Asnawi, 25, a migrant worker from Kuripan subdistrict in the province, is being tried for allegedly murdering his Malaysian employer in 1996.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Acehnese pins hope on Helsinki talks
Acehnese pins hope on Helsinki talks Tony Hotland and Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh The Acehnese have long dreamed of peace and prosperity in their homeland, which has seen decades of conflict and, at the end of last year, tsunamis that left more than 166,000 people killed or missing and presumed dead.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Red Cross to end fund raising
Red Cross to end fund raising Sue Pleming, Reuters/Washington The Red Cross federation, the world's biggest humanitarian group, said on Tuesday its societies worldwide had raised enough money to help victims of the Asian tsunami and it would wind down fund raising. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies plans to announce its decision in Geneva on Wednesday, one month after the Dec.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Police do about-face on 'replica' arms
Police do about-face on 'replica' arms Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta After close to two months of denial and secrecy, Jakarta Police finally admitted on Wednesday that the 534 guns they seized at Tanjung Priok Port last Dec. 1 were real firearms, not replicas as they had previously claimed. They also announced that they had completed the dossiers of the suspects, who include an employee of the customs and excise office and the gun importer, who is the owner and director of PT GM.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Ministers off to Finland for talks
Ministers off to Finland for talks Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Three government ministers left Jakarta for Helsinki on Wednesday to meet Acehnese separatist leaders for peace talks, the first meeting between the two sides since talks broke down in May 2003.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Trials imminent for Depok councillors
Trials imminent for Depok councillors JAKARTA: The case files of 14 Depok councillor members have been completed and submitted to the prosecution, city police spcial crimes unit chief Sr. Comr. Edmon Ilyas said on Wednesday, adding that the trials are expected to start soon.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Susilo fails to register significant progress
Susilo fails to register significant progress M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Against a background of perhaps excessively high public expectations of sweeping change, the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been criticized by some analysts for failing to bring about significant progress in its first three months.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Taufik spearheads SGS run to quarterfinals
Taufik spearheads SGS run to quarterfinals Musthofid, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat was in a league of his own as he steered SGS Elektrik of Bandung to the quarterfinals of the National Badminton Mixed Team Championship at the Amongrogo Sports Hall here on Thursday. Taufik chalked up an easy 15-6, 15-2 victory over Kabul Widodo in 20 minutes in the men's singles as SGS crushed Pancing Yogyakarta 5-0 in Group A.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Ford Escape Hybrid, Chrysler 300 top in Detroit
Ford Escape Hybrid, Chrysler 300 top in Detroit The Jakarta Post, Jakarta This year saw the second hybrid vehicle in a row garner the top honors in the recently concluded 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. This year, Ford Escape Hybrid was named the best truck while last year it was Toyota's Prius that received the honor. As for the Ford Motor Company, it was a back-to-back honor in the truck category as last year its Ford F150 was named the best truck.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
'Flood mitigation is main priority'
'Flood mitigation is main priority' Floods have largely receded in Jakarta and people displaced by the floods have returned to their houses. Fear of further floods, however, remains as the city administration is still struggling to find solutions to the annual phenomenon. The Jakarta Post interviewed several residents on what they thought about the city administration's efforts to mitigate floods in the capital. Anton, 26, is a computer consultant for restaurants.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Priests call for a halt to sea turtle slaughter
Priests call for a halt to sea turtle slaughter I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post/Denpasar It clearly was not an ordinary day. The morning sun radiated a warm glow that softly embraced the spacious patch of plush green grass in front of the office of the local education agency in Renon. At the same time, a light drizzle wet the ground while a strong breeze set the nearly pine trees swaying gently.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Pension funds to invest in infrastructure
Pension funds to invest in infrastructure The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Members of the Association of Indonesian Pension Funds (ADPI) are considering investing some of their funds worth Rp 68 trillion (US$7.48 billion) for infrastructure projects this year, according to ADPI Chairman Satino. Satino said on Wednesday that the investment would be in the form of capital injections for companies that would be actively involved in such projects.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Adiguna's file being reviewed
Adiguna's file being reviewed Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The prosecutors are still looking over the case file of businessman Adiguna Sutowo, the sole suspect in the fatal shooting of a server at a Hilton Hotel bar on Jan. 1. Prosecutor Andi Herman said on Wednesday that his team would need "a few more days" to examine the case file, which was resubmitted by the police on Tuesday after being returned once to correct some errors made by the police.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/18/BIS
JP/18/BIS BIS art exhibition leads the way at gallery Muslima Hapsari Contributor/Jakarta A man in a black suit was standing in front of a painting in amazement. He still could not believe that the contemporary, 2.5 meter by 1.5 meter painting was made by one of his students at The British International School (BIS) Jakarta. The students can be proud of themselves and their successful art exhibition.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Manila releases RI terror suspects
Manila releases RI terror suspects MANADO, North Sulawesi: The Philippines government has released five North Sulawesi residents after a court acquitted them of terror charges due to lack of evidence. The five were arrested in Bualong, southern Philippines, two years ago for alleged involvement in terror activities and possession of explosives, and they were later detained and prosecuted in General Santos city. The General Santos District Court acquitted them of all charges on Jan.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
PT Insight clarifies
PT Insight clarifies We would like to thank you for attending our product launching of the i-Hajj Syariah Fund and writing about it in The Jakarta Post, on Jan. 19, titled First sharia-based mutual fund launched. However, we would like to correct some inaccuracies found in the article. The title: First sharia-based mutual fund launched. Our product is not the first sharia-based mutual fund.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Tangguh deal extension awaits SBY's approval
Tangguh deal extension awaits SBY's approval Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The construction of the Tangguh liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Papua has hit another snag, and is now awaiting President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's approval for the extension of a contract for a consortium led by British energy giant BP Plc. "BP cannot proceed with plant construction unless the government extends its contract to develop the gas field.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Seminar planned on Bali handicrafts
Seminar planned on Bali handicrafts The International Finance Cooperation Program for Eastern Indonesia SMEs (IFC-Pensa), together with the Indonesian Handicraft Association and Mitra Pengembangan Bisnis, will jointly hold a one-day seminar and workshop titled The Future of the Balinese Handicraft Industry, at Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel on Jan. 28.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Odyssey begins journey into uncharted territory
Odyssey begins journey into uncharted territory Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Refusing to waste any precious days, Japanese carmaker PT Honda Prospect Motor started business early in 2005 by introducing the Honda Odyssey multipurpose van (MPV) last Thursday at a time when most people, including car makers, are still planning what to do with their year.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
In the article on US oil firm wins RI oil tender in page 10 of
In the article on US oil firm wins RI oil tender in page 10 of Wednesday's paper, we mistakenly refer to Galaxy Oil as a U.S.- based company. The company should have been referred to as Galaxy Energy International, an Italian/Japanese company specializing in petroleum products. We regret the error. -- Editor
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Intel expects to double SMEs computer ownership
Intel expects to double SMEs computer ownership The Jakarta Post Jakarta Computer processor producer Intel Indonesia Corporation expects to see an increase in personal computer ownership among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the current third, to around half of the 42.5 million SMEs, in the next five years. "Considering last year's computer sales growth of 15 percent, that target is not impossible," Intel Indonesia Corp. country solutions manager Arya Sanjaya told The Jakarta Post.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Automotive industry to help promote road safety
Automotive industry to help promote road safety The Jakarta Post Jakarta The journey of Karyadi, a 31-year-old employee, to the office from his house in Ciputat, Banten, has been shorter these past four months, since he bought his own motorcycle. "It is a little bit more risky than taking the train," he said on Monday. Every work day, now, Karyadi rides his motorcycle, wearing the standard helmet and the jacket he got for free from the motorcycle dealer when purchasing his vehicle.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
done
done THE GIFT OF WATER: Water supply equipment producer PT Jebsen & Jessen Technology Indonesia president director Gorm Skjaerlund (left) shakes hands with Indonesian Association of Clean Water Companies (Perpamsi) head Ridwan Syahputera Musagani as association executive director Godman Ambarita (third from left), project manager P. Johar Wira (fourth left) and Jebsen & Jessen technicians look on.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Rip Curl assists tsunami survivors
Rip Curl assists tsunami survivors PT Ripindo or Rip Curl Indonesia, in cooperation with the organization Indonesian Development of Education and Permaculture (IDEP) and the Tsunami Relief Initiative-Bali Patok, Ubud, has established Rip Curl Indian Ocean Aid. Rip Curl Indonesia has donated Rp 213 million to tsunami survivors through the IDEP foundation, while Rip Curl Australia donated around Rp 143,500 million and Rp 200,000 million, directly managed by Robert Wilson from Rip Curl Indonesia.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Kobe tsunami confab
Kobe tsunami confab The developed world swung into action like never before during the just-ended five-day UN World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe. In the course of the Kobe conference, a special session discussed ways to fight tsunami. This led to the decision to build a tsunami early-warning system for the countries with Indian Ocean coastlines. The existing tsunami early-warning system for the Pacific Ocean will be expanded to cover the Caribbean.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Acehnese want foreign troops to stay
Acehnese want foreign troops to stay JAKARTA: Hundreds of Acehnese living in Jakarta staged a rally in front of the United Nations (UN) mission on Wednesday to show their support for the participation of foreign troops in the Aceh relief operation. The demonstrators said the foreign troops in Aceh had played an indispensable role in the relief operation as they were equipped with the sort of state-of-the-art equipment that was needed to help the tsunami victims, and were highly mobile.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Bali for Thursday, January 27, 2005
Where to go in Bali for Thursday, January 27, 2005 .TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions * Painting Rediscovering Indonesia by Agostino De Romanis from Italy, Rudana Museum and Fine Art Gallery, Jl. Cok Rai Pudak 44, Peliatan, Ubud, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Feb. 5. This exhibition is organized in collaboration with Honorary Consulate of Italy in Bali, and the Italian Institute of Culture in Jakarta.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
The 'price of peace talks for troubled Aceh
The 'price of peace talks for troubled Aceh Meidyatama Suryodiningrat and Tiarma Siboro, Jakarta The wheels of diplomacy and bureaucracy are notoriously slow. Apparently not so in the case of this weekend's peace talks between the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the government, in Helsinki. After talks broke down in 2003, the military, yet again, launched an extensive operation to wipe out GAM forces. Prior to the tsunamis, no resolution, ostensible or otherwise, was in sight.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Notice boards of hope and desperation in Banda Aceh
Notice boards of hope and desperation in Banda Aceh Santi Soekanto, Contributor/Aceh, santi-soekanto2001@yahoo.com "We are looking for M. Nizar Zainun, his wife, Setiawati, and their child, Aisyah. Please pray for their safety.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP2HEADINGTHURSDAY, 27-01-05:
JP2HEADINGTHURSDAY, 27-01-05: 1. SUSILO: 1 X 42 Susilo fails to register significant progress 2. GAM: 1 X 28 Ministers off to Finland for talks 3. YOUNG: 1 X 32 Premarital sex popular at home 4. GUN: 1 X 30 Police do about-face on 'replica' arms
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
1. Aceh (1x44)
1. Aceh (1x44) Govt reports progress on relief work in Aceh 2. TNI (1x34) Reshuffle not House's concern: TNI chief OR Reshuffle no concern of House: TNI chief 3. Police (2x23) 1-star general may be charged with bribery
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/4/heli
JP/4/heli Legislators endorse purchase of four Mi-17 choppers Kurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post/Jakarta House of Representatives Commission I for defense affairs has done a turnaround and will allow the government to go ahead with the purchase of four Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters worth US$21.6 million in total. However, the legislators demanded that individuals suspected of committing infractions in the procurement process be brought to court.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
119 infected with anthrax in Sleman
119 infected with anthrax in Sleman YOGYAKARTA: A total of 119 people, or seventy-five percent of the 159 people surveyed recently in Hargobinangun subdistrict, Sleman regency, were found to have been infected with anthrax, a health official said on Wednesday. But, Sleman health office director Sunartono said that the level of anthrax infections were still far from the danger level. Those affected had received medical treatment and all had recovered, said Sunartono.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Suspicion leads to arrogant image
Suspicion leads to arrogant image From Media Indonesia The presence of foreign troops in Aceh waters has remained a public debate. According to media reports, the thousands of soldiers are there to help Indonesia overcome the impact of tsunami that recently devastated much of Aceh. The question, however, is whether they are in Aceh only to give assistance, or perhaps they have other hidden aims.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Reshuffle not House's concern: TNI chief
Reshuffle not House's concern: TNI chief Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said on Wednesday that any decision on the reshuffling of the military leadership rested solely with the President.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP1/HEADING
JP1/HEADING 1. DEFENSE: 4 LINES, 10 COUNTS SBY seeks to boost defense spending 2. SCHOOL: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS Acehnese kids get back to school 4. COMMENT: 1 LINE, 32 COUNTS Aceh pins hopes on Helsinki talks
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
The process of molding national character
The process of molding national character Mochtar Buchori, Jakarta In an article titled Character Is Destiny (International Herald Tribune, Jan. 13, 2005, p.9), William Safire wrote that character is an essential element in the ensuring of long-running success. For any individual, any political group and any nation, real success can be achieved only through concerted efforts buttressed by character. Without character, all the other elements necessary for success will be rendered useless.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Banking industry welcomes central bank's new lending policy
Banking industry welcomes central bank's new lending policy Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Major players in the banking industry have welcomed Bank Indonesia's effort to speed up the sector's consolidation through a new policy on the injection of funds into other banks, but urge for more incentives.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Legislators still irked by VP circular
Legislators still irked by VP circular JAKARTA: Legislators from seven factions in the House of Representatives have demanded clarification from the government over a vice presidential office circular that criticized the national legislature. Hasto Kristiyanto of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) said on Wednesday that he and other legislators would submit the motion to House speaker Agung Laksono on Thursday.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
RI 'unprepared' for labor market competition
RI 'unprepared' for labor market competition The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian workers are unprepared for competition in regional labor markets among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, a business expert says. Prasetiya Mulya Business School Dean Sammy Kristamuljana told the first Indonesian Business Conference on Wednesday that on paper the concept of cross-border labor competition sounded great.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
'National Plus' schools require close monitoring
'National Plus' schools require close monitoring Debbie A. Lubis, Contributor, Jakarta The mushrooming of "National Plus" schools in big cities has demonstrated an increasing awareness of the importance of quality education. However, the government should also monitor such quality education, an expert said.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Intel expects to double SMEs computer ownership
Intel expects to double SMEs computer ownership The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Computer processor producer Intel Indonesia Corporation expects to see an increase in personal computer ownership among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the current third, to around half of the 42.5 million SMEs, in the next five years. "Considering last year's computer sales growth of 15 percent, that target is not impossible," Intel Indonesia Corp. country solutions manager Arya Sanjaya told The Jakarta Post.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Smoking and coffee, the Acehnese way
Smoking and coffee, the Acehnese way Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh A weary-eyed man sat inside his wet tent in the military complex in the Mata Ie area, Banda Aceh, as his daughter cuddled beside him. Smoke billowed from his thick cigarette while he sipped black coffee. Close by, several men sit about making almost similar gestures: smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee. "This feels good. It (smoking) somehow almost feels like eating, you know, and coffee is the drink.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Bus, taxi lane for toll road
Bus, taxi lane for toll road BEKASI: To ease the busy traffic along Pondok Gede Timur toll road, city toll road operator PT Jasa Marga plans to designate an exclusive lane for public transportation.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Jamsostek to pay high interest rate for pension program
Jamsostek to pay high interest rate for pension program The Jakarta Post Jakarta State social security company PT Jamsostek will meet its pledge to pay an interest rate of 8.5 percent on its pension funds this year after a good performance in 2004, the company's president director says. The rate, 2.5 percent higher than that offered by commercial banks, would be paid to about 24 million workers who contribute to the scheme, Jamsostek head Achmad Djunaidi said on Wednesday.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Transjakarta passengers, beware
Transjakarta passengers, beware From Kompas With my intended destination being the Dukuh Atas bus stop, I went by Transjakarta bus -- plying the Hayam Wuruk-Blok M route -- in the evening of Dec. 13, when the bus was packed with passengers. At the Bank Indonesia bus stop, a number of neatly dressed men got on the bus and crowded around the doors, blocking people's passage. I was suspicious because their hostile faces suggested that they were not office employees.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta to host heavy vehicle expo
Jakarta to host heavy vehicle expo JAKARTA: The Jakarta Fair will be the venue of an international commercial utility vehicle expo scheduled in October focusing on heavy vehicles as well as supporting industries. "We expect some 150 companies to participate and more than 80,000 visitors to the expo," project director Ralph Scheumann of PT Jakarta International Expo said in a media statement.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah Rates Jan. 26
Rupiah Rates Jan. 26 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,401.55 6,630.23 7,053.33 6,978.22 Brunei dollar 1 5,895.65 5,281.48 5,618.28 5,558.68 Canadian dollar 1 7,821.36 7,007.45 7,453.40 7,375.24 Swiss franc 1 8,098.36 7,256.10 7,717.35 7,636.94 Danish krone 1 1,684.41 1,508.83 1,605.17 1,588.03 Euro 1 12,534.39 11,232.89 11,944.68 11,822.45 Poundsterling 1 18,023.31 16,151.28 17,175.37 16,998.99 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,237.32 1,109.06 1,179.11 1,167.27...
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Transjakarta passengers, beware
Transjakarta passengers, beware From Kompas With my intended destination being the Dukuh Atas bus stop, I went by Transjakarta bus -- plying the Hayam Wuruk-Blok M route -- in the evening of Dec. 13, when the bus was packed with passengers. At the Bank Indonesia bus stop, a number of neatly dressed men got on the bus and crowded around the doors, blocking people's passage. I was suspicious because their hostile faces suggested that they were not office employees.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Govt reports progress on relief work in Aceh
Govt reports progress on relief work in Aceh Ruslan Sangadji and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh/Jakarta Emergency and relief work continues in Aceh barely a month after tsunamis hit the region, with corpses still being pulled out from under rubble and displaced people awaiting relocation. Data current on Tuesday showed that 99,031 bodies had been buried in Aceh, while 127,749 people are still missing.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
1-star general may be charged with bribery
1-star general may be charged with bribery Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Wednesday he would not rule out the possibility of pressing forward with bribery charges against Brig. Gen. Ismoko, which the police disciplinary commission said were not proven.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Papua govt to distribute "Madonna" to help fight HIV/AIDS
Papua govt to distribute "Madonna" to help fight HIV/AIDS Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post/Jayapura The Papua provincial government will soon distribute copies of a film on HIV/AIDS prevention to government offices and agencies throughout Papua, a senior government official says. "The copies of the film, which is produced by the Papua provincial administration, will be distributed in the near future to 22 regional governments in Papua and related government agencies.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Seven alleged rebels arrested in Papua
Seven alleged rebels arrested in Papua JAYAPURA, Papua: Papua police have arrested seven suspected Papuan rebels in the past five days in Tolikara regency, some 700 kilometers southwest of Jayapura, the Papuan capital. Acting spokesman for the Papua Provincial Police, Comr. Onny J. Lebelauw, said that the police had apprehended them after a "tip-off". Those arrested are alleged to have burned down houses and government facilities in the regency on Jan. 14.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Please drop your suspicious attitude
Please drop your suspicious attitude Certain readers of The Jakarta Post need to drop their suspicious attitude regarding the motives of the armies and NGOs that have arrived in the Acehnese province. Though the Indonesians I know from my time in Sumatra are invariably kind and open, a letter in your paper indicates malicious attitudes from at least one individual toward the considerable resources and manpower afforded to helping your unfortunate compatriots from the western countries.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Tsunamis call for 'jihad'
Tsunamis call for 'jihad' Zakiyuddin Baidhawy, Surakarta, Central Java A month has passed since the earthquake and tsunami that struck Asia, the worst affected country being Indonesia, specifically Aceh. This natural disaster has killed hundreds of thousands, while leaving millions homeless, devastated and at risk of disease. It is the worst natural disaster since 1883 when Krakatau volcano erupted in the Sunda Sea.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Nova/Lilyana double up for Korea Open wins
Nova/Lilyana double up for Korea Open wins Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Mixed doubles fifth seeds Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir of Indonesia carved out back-to-back wins on Wednesday for a place in the quarterfinals of the Noonnoppi Korea Open 2005. The shuttlers overcame unsteeded Hwang Ji-Man/Jun Woul-Sik of South Korea 15-5, 15-6 in the first round, and then came back from a game down to dispatch Carsten Mogensen/Rikke Olsen of Denmark 6-15, 15-11, 15-8 later in the afternoon.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Danamon selects bonds issue underwriters
Danamon selects bonds issue underwriters The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Danamon, the country's fifth-largest lender in terms of assets, has appointed Danareksa Sekuritas as one of the underwriters for its Rp 3 trillion (US$328 million) bond issue this year, a top executive of the firm says. Director Daniel Iskandar said on Wednesday that the rupiah- denominated bonds, which are scheduled to be issued in June, were also underwritten by HSBC Securities Indonesia and PT Trimegah Securindo Lestari.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Unsuitable aid
Unsuitable aid From Warta Kota On Dec. 27, 2004, I went to Indrapuri, Aceh Besar regency, from Iskandar Muda Airport and passed Lambaru, the site for mass burial. I spent my first week in Aceh looking for missing relatives. Up to the third day after the tsunami struck the area, there was no aid at all. We could see a lot of members of government agencies busy saving themselves.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Residents blamed for dengue fever outbreak
Residents blamed for dengue fever outbreak The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The number of dengue fever cases in the city has increased to 599 as of Wednesday, up 20 percent on Saturday's number of 477, a situation that has been blamed on low public awareness of the disease. City Health Agency spokesperson Efy Zelfino revealed that most of the patients were adults.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Iran gives US$1.5m in aid to Aceh
Iran gives US$1.5m in aid to Aceh JAKARTA; President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono received a check worth US$1.5 million for tsunami-ravaged Aceh from the government and people of Iran on Wednesday. "The check is a grant, not a loan that must be repaid," Iran's Minister of Social Welfare Hossien Sarifzadegan said after delivering the money to Susilo at the presidential office in Jakarta.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Challenges ahead for tsunami recovery
Challenges ahead for tsunami recovery The devastation caused by the Asian tsunami, which struck a month ago, was so severe it was difficult to imagine how the stricken communities could ever rebuild their lives. It is therefore good to see signs that the emergency phase of the huge international relief effort is already coming to an end. The United Nations has declared the operation a success.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Club plays tit-for-tat amid eligibility brouhaha
Club plays tit-for-tat amid eligibility brouhaha Musthofid, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta The club at the center of a player eligibility dispute at the National Badminton Championships here countered on Wednesday that officials were playing favorites in ignoring violations by other teams.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Appeal to Aceh separatists
Appeal to Aceh separatists From Tempo The Indonesian government faces a delicate and complex situation in handling post-tsunami problems in Aceh. While the government's official agency for natural disasters along with the help of volunteers are moving rubble and dead bodies, the problem posed by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) remains.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
GAM's 'support' for Aceh
GAM's 'support' for Aceh From Suara Karya The Free Aceh Movement (GAM) aims to break away from Indonesia through political means and armed rebellion, claiming to struggle for the aspirations and welfare of the Acehnese people. Meanwhile, GAM, in the name of its struggle, commits such crimes as intimidation, hostage-taking, terrorism, robbery and arson, mainly targeting the local people. So, which group of Acehnese does GAM fight for?
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Reality bites for deported RI workers
Reality bites for deported RI workers Rusman, The Jakarta Post/Samarinda Since his first night in the shelter for deported workers in Lingkas Ujung sports complex in Tarakan, East Kalimantan, two weeks ago, Aswin has thought of nothing but Malaysia. The 35-year-old man from Bandung, West Java, said he felt like he had been neglected by his own country, after being deported for failing to present the proper immigration documents. "We're cooped up here like chickens.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Compact BMW 1 Series to hit the road soon
Compact BMW 1 Series to hit the road soon The Jakarta Post, Jakarta German carmaker PT BMW Indonesia announced on Monday it will introduce its latest model the BMW 1 Series some time in the first half of this year, opening a new market in the premium compact car segment. While most BMW cars are saloons, the BMW 1 Series is a hatchback with strong sports design lines, which the company claims sets a new benchmark in its class representing the first compact sports hatch.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Legislators endorse purchase of four Mi-17 choppers
Legislators endorse purchase of four Mi-17 choppers Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta House of Representatives Commission I for defense affairs has done a turnaround and will allow the government to go ahead with the purchase of four Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters worth US$21.6 million in total. However, the legislators demanded that individuals suspected of committing infractions in the procurement process be brought to court.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, January 28, 2005
Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, January 28, 2005 Exhibitions * Charity Art Exhibition featuring ceramic art by Song Mi-rim, textile design art by Park Jungley and fine art by Chung Yong- jae at the Korea Association Hall, Korea Center, The South Korean Embassy, South Jakarta, Jan. 28 to Jan. 31. * Indonesia Good Design Exhibition, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said kav. S-3, South Jakarta (Tel. 5241069), Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Automotive players to promote safety
Automotive players to promote safety The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The journey of Karyadi, a 31-year-old employee, to the office from his house in Ciputat, Banten, has been shorter these past four months, since he bought his own motorcycle. "It is a little bit more risky than taking the train," he said on Monday. Every work day, now, Karyadi rides his motorcycle, wearing the standard helmet and the jacket he got for free from the motorcycle dealer when purchasing his vehicle.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
Still waiting for bold steps
Still waiting for bold steps There was little to talk about when the widely trumpeted first 100-day economic agenda of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's government ended. It is not even an exaggeration to say that the government miserably failed to capitalize on its strong political mandate to launch bold, if unpopular, measures to accelerate the process of regaining foreign investor confidence.
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 00:00 WIB
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Tsunami calls for true 'jihad' Zakiyuddin Baidhawy Surakarta, Central Java 2. Pro -- Can we insure against tsunamis? 1 x 30 Can we insure against tsunamis? Robert J. Shiller Project Syndicate 3. tJIPTO -- Fertilizer prices and farmers' headaches 1 x 30 Fertilizer prices and farmers' woes Prijono Tjiptoherijanto Jakarta