Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 31 January 2005

82 articles found

Human rights group criticizes latest TNI reshuffle

Human rights group criticizes latest TNI reshuffleTiarma Siboro, Jakarta The appointment of Army Special Forces (Kopassus) commander Maj. Gen. Sriyanto Muntrasan as the new commander of the high profile Siliwangi Military Command overseeing West Java drew strong criticism from a human rights group...

JP/18/BIS

JP/18/BISBIS art exhibition leads the way at galleryMuslima 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.

On Israeli aid

On Israeli aid I am a regular reader of The Jakarta Post. In the Jan. 25 edition I read a letter regarding aid from the Israeli government which I thought was a very narrow-minded view from someone I would expect is a university graduate.

Refugee camp children suffer from malnutrition, lack of varied agony

Refugee camp children suffer from malnutrition, lack of varied agonyBeth Gardiner, Associated Press/Lamreh, AcehIn a ramshackle refugee camp of destitute farmers and fishermen in Aceh, hunger is rare these days. But so are protein, vegetables and vitamins.

Clearing the tracks urgent

Clearing the tracks urgentFrom Warta KotaThe eviction of squatters from the land belonging to state railway company PTKA in Tanah Abang Bongkaran, Jakarta, now needs to be followed by the demolition of the shacks lining both sides of the railway tracks there to ensure public safety.

Papua govt to release 'Madonna' on HIV/AIDS

Papua govt to release 'Madonna' on HIV/AIDSNethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, JayapuraThe 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.

Some people prepared for floods, others not

Some people prepared for floods, others notThe Jakarta Post, JakartaWith the water level of the flood at 60 centimeters and still rising, Yuli decided it was time to leave her home in Cipinang Melayu, East Jakarta.

U.S. offers import duty cuts for Aceh goods

U.S. offers import duty cuts for Aceh goodsIn a gesture to help Aceh tsunami victims, the United States has offered a scheme to cut import duties on Acehnese products entering U.S. market, a senior official at the Ministry of Trade said."We had informal talks with the U.S.

Young men more concerned about their appearance

Young men more concerned about their appearanceSudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Many young men in major Indonesian cities, particularly Jakarta, are taking greater care of their appearance amid the growing metrosexual lifestyle in the country.

Strange nation

Strange nationFrom Koran Tempo Our country is indeed a strange nation. Some in the political elite have claimed that supposed foreign aid we are receiving is often just lip service as no money actually goes into the state's coffers.

Court reprimands Bapepam over Dairy Farm tender offer

Court reprimands Bapepam over Dairy Farm tender offerThe Jakarta Post JakartaThe Jakarta Administrative Court issued a warning letter on Jan. 27 to the Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam), reminding the agency it must comply with the court's suspension of a tender offer by the Dairy Farm...

* Golkar gears up for regional elections Page 2

* Golkar gears up for regional elections Page 2 * Govt claims support for disputed exam policy Page 4 * E. Java's mangrove forests in 'critical condition' Page 5 * Intellectual property laws still weak Page 6 * Owners of old vehicles keep them ticking over Page 8 * Scaled-down badminton makes...

Candra/Sigit advance to Korean final

Candra/Sigit advance to Korean finalThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Men's doubles veterans Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto served notice on Saturday that they will be a force to be reckoned with in 2005 by reaching the Korea Open badminton final.

Preventing natural and man-made disasters

Preventing natural and man-made disastersErik Friberg, Jakarta In addition to the crucial immediate relief and sustained reconstruction efforts following the tragic Dec. 26 quake and tsunami, public and policy attention has, importantly, also been immediately directed toward prevention: How can a...

Making money off the tsunami, from the black market to the

Making money off the tsunami, from the black market to the multinational[ AP Photos XSP123-126[ By JOCELYN GECKER= Associated Press Writer[ JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Making money off the tsunami, from black market to multinationalJocelyn Gecker Associated Press/JakartaFor those looking to make a...

More Aceh survivors need food: WFP

More Aceh survivors need food: WFPAgence France Presse, Jakarta The number of Indonesian tsunami survivors needing food aid could continue to increase as remote areas of Aceh province become accessible and more needy are found, the World Food Program said on Sunday.

Big banks book higher profit on lending, lower costs

Big banks book higher profit on lending, lower costsRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Central Asia (BCA) and state-owned Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) -- the nation's second and third-largest lenders respectively -- had low-cost funds and aggressive lending expansion to thank for their...

Musthofid

Musthofid The Jakarta Post/JakartaThe two schoolchildren, both aged 10, were the center of attention at Amongrogo sports hall as they played a modified version of badminton.As they darted around the reduced dimension court, including a lower net and child-friendly rackets, they were cheered on by...

Conjoined twins separated

Conjoined twins separatedA team of doctors prepares to operate on conjoined twins Dwipayanti and Dwipayani at the Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya.After nine hours of complicated surgery, the team of doctors finally separated the twins early on Sunday morning.

Police have met requirement in Adiguna case file: Prosecutor

Police have met requirement in Adiguna case file: ProsecutorAbdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/JakartaJakarta prosecutors say the police's case file against murder suspect Adiguna Sutowo now meets their requirements but they are still unsure whether there is enough evidence to press charges against him.

Government tries organic farming

Government tries organic farmingApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post/Karo, North SumatraThe government is planning to introduce chemical-free farming as a pilot project in the country's 15 provinces, including the tsunami-hit Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam to help revive its agricultural and horticultural...

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...

Jambi director to appeal in graft case

Jambi director to appeal in graft case JAMBI: Operational director of Jambi provincial administration company PT Jambi Indoguna International (JII), M. Sajuri, was sentenced to one year and six-months imprisonment and ordered to pay a Rp 10 million (US$1,111) fine by the Jambi court on Friday.

Djoko Santoso, ITB new rector

Djoko Santoso, ITB new rector BANDUNG: Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB)'s new rector, Djoko Santoso was officially installed at the institute's campus on Saturday.Djoko, who will serve a five-year term, replaced Kusmayanto Kadiman, who was appointed state minister for research and technology...

Laundry owners agree to wash dirty linen elsewhere

Laundry owners agree to wash dirty linen elsewhereThe Jakarta Post, JakartaOwners of polluting laundry plants in Sukabumi Selatan subdistrict, West Jakarta, are unperturbed by the City Council's threat to shut down their businesses.

TV Program: Monday, January 31, 2005

TV Program: Monday, January 31, 2005TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 Cartoon: Maya the Bee7:30 Children Show8:30 Music: Asyik Asyik10:00 Talk Show11:00 Singing Contest: Konteswara 1:00 p.m.

One-stop solutions to losing weight

One-stop solutions to losing weight T.Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta The young woman stood in front of the mirror and sighed: "Oh, I am fat. I am fat."You might be wondering just how fat she is - how much she really weighs.

Aceh pilgrims wait for familiar faces

Aceh pilgrims wait for familiar facesNani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh"Hajjah Salbiah ... Anyone picking her up?" shouted a member of a haj committee through a loudspeaker at Iskandar Muda Airport in Banda Aceh.

Pangolins seized in Malaysia

Pangolins seized in Malaysia MALAYSIA: Malaysian authorities have seized nearly 300 endangered pangolins that were being illegally smuggled into neighboring Thailand, news reports said on Sunday.Anti-smuggling enforcement officers found the live pangolins -- scaly anteaters -- worth about 17,640...

It's time to standardize bilingual education

It's time to standardize bilingual educationEric E. Hallett, Jakarta There has been a recent push by schools across Southeast Asia to extend their use of English in the classroom to include not only language instruction, but also subjects traditionally taught in their students' native or national...

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, January 31, 2005

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, January 31, 2005Exhibitions* Charity Art Exhibition featuring ceramic art by Song Mi-rim, textile design by Park Jungley and fine arts by Chung Yong-jae at the Korea Association Hall, Korea Center, South Korean Embassy, South Jakarta, until Jan.

Sigit, Candra edged out in Korea

Sigit, Candra edged out in KoreaAgencies, Incheon City, KoreaDanes Martin Lundgaard Hansen and Jens Eriksen had the measure of Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto in the Korea Open men's doubles final on Sunday, but the Indonesian veterans pushed them to the limit.

Indonesia's natural gas reserves increase

Indonesia's natural gas reserves increaseNatural gas reserves in Indonesia have risen by 7.45 trillion standard cubic feet (TCF), thanks to new reserves found in either new sites or existing fields, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has revealed.

Golkar machine gears up for regional elections

Golkar machine gears up for regional electionsMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAfter winning the largest number of seats in the House of Representatives in the 2004 legislative election, the Golkar Party is preparing its mammoth political machine to grab the lion's share of top...

Developers summoned over environmental destruction

Developers summoned over environmental destructionMulta Fidrus The Jakarta Post/TangerangThe Tangerang regency council is summoning two developers to answer allegations their coastal reclamation projects have irrevocably damaged the environment and destroyed the life of a fishing community.

Court reprimands Bapepam over Dairy Farm tender debacle

Court reprimands Bapepam over Dairy Farm tender debacleThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Jakarta Administrative Court issued a warning letter on Jan. 27 to the Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam), reminding the agency it must comply with the court's suspension of a tender offer by the Dairy Farm...

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".

WTO asks countries, businesses to reconsider travel warnings

WTO asks countries, businesses to reconsider travel warningsLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIndonesia along with the World Tourism Organization (WTO) will ask governments and business players worldwide to reconsider travel warnings issued on the country.

TV ads urge impulsive consumption

TV ads urge impulsive consumptionThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta"My son refused to go to school this morning because his father forgot to buy his favorite snacks," complained Nita, a 29-year- old mother.She said Naufal, her four-year-old son, saw a new biscuit advertised on television the night before.

Indonesia, Japan to start preliminary FTA talks

Indonesia, Japan to start preliminary FTA talksThe Jakarta Post, JakartaIndonesia and Japan are scheduled to hold a two-day meeting to discuss a possible bilateral trade agreement on Monday. The meeting will serve as the initial move before starting a formal rounds of negotiations, a senior...

Asia inches closer to tsunami warning plan

Asia inches closer to tsunami warning planSamantha Brown, Agence France-Presse/Phuket, ThailandIndian Ocean nations seeking to build an early warning system to prevent another tsunami tragedy agreed to move ahead with the scheme at the weekend in Thailand but face a slew of future debates.

Musthofid and Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

Musthofid and Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta After teetering on the brink of defeat in previous rounds, SGS Elektrik made short work of Suryanaga Gudang Garam in the final of the National Mixed Team Championships at Amongrogo sports hall here on Saturday.

Police have satisfied requirements in Adiguna case file

Police have satisfied requirements in Adiguna case fileAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaJakarta prosecutors say the police's case file against murder suspect Adiguna Sutowo now meets their requirements but they are still unsure whether there is enough evidence to press charges against him.

Farid recalls Wednesday's assault

Farid recalls Wednesday's assaultJAKARTA: Farid Faqih, the embattled antigraft activist, said on Sunday that when he was assaulted by eight to nine people on Wednesday, three or four of whom were Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel.One of the TNI personnel involved was Capt.

Free clinic for the poor opens

Free clinic for the poor opens BEKASI: A free clinic for the poor, the Gerai Sehat Bekasi, was opened by three organizations on Saturday at Jl. Chairil Anwar No. 35, Margahayu, East Bekasi.Clinic director Piprin B Yanuarso said it was hoped that the opening of the health center for the poor would...

PGN introduces new hybrid pipeline

PGN introduces new hybrid pipelineTo increase its competitiveness, state-owned natural gas distributor Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) is introducing a pipeline system called hybrid in its massive 493 kilometer gas pipeline projects across Sumatra, which allows the company to offer and distribute...

BUDIARTI JOESOEF

BUDIARTI JOESOEF Tangerang, Banten

E. Java's mangrove forests in critical condition

E. Java's mangrove forests in critical conditionIndra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, SurabayaMost coastal areas in East Java, similar to tsunami-hit coastal regions in Aceh and North Sumatra, are susceptible to disasters like tsunami, warns an official.

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".

From Koran Tempo

From Koran TempoThe large number of foreign troops providing relief aid in Aceh may open the opportunity for foreign intervention. Their role should therefore be minimized by strictly implementing the government's three-phase recovery policy.

Police, ministry team up in terror case

Police, ministry team up in terror caseJAKARTA: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced late on Saturday it would work with police to help them confirm the death of a wanted Indonesian terrorist in the Philippines.

Military presence in tsunami hit areas

Military presence in tsunami hit areas One month after the catastrophic Boxing Day tsunami that killed nearly 175,000 people in Indonesia, foreign and national militaries continue to be a major source of relief for many victims in the devastated province of Aceh.

New method to track fingerprints found

New method to track fingerprints foundSINGAPORE: A device that captures elusive fingerprints where current methods fail has been developed at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), researchers said on Saturday.

Ministry says people support contentious school test policy

Ministry says people support contentious school test policyHera Diani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIn a bid to tone down the criticism over the new version of the National Final Examinations (UAN), which was first done last year, the education ministry revealed on Sunday several surveys showing that...

AP Enterprise: Critics see potential for massive theft of

AP Enterprise: Critics see potential for massive theft of international reconstruction aid to Indonesia[ AP Photos XSP126- 128 of Jan. 21[ AP Graphic TSUNAMI LOGO[ By SLOBODAN LEKIC= Associated Press Writer= EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one of a series of special reports by AP correspondents marking one...

GAM's 'support' for Aceh

GAM's 'support' for AcehFrom Suara KaryaThe 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.

Aid fund control crucial

Aid fund control crucialFrom Koran TempoThe distrust in some circles over the utilization of aid funds for the reconstruction of post-tsunami Aceh and North Sumatra is inseparable from the short-term orientation of most Indonesian officials and the lack of supervision.

Penitentiary warden in police custody

Penitentiary warden in police custody AMBON: Warden of Waiheru penitentiary in Ambon, Tahir Slamat, has been detained by police for allegedly assisting the escape of gambling boss and drug dealer Hartono Tanaya.Three other penitentiary officials were also placed in Baguala Police detention center.

Wasted gas in Bekasi

Wasted gas in BekasiFrom TempoIt is impossible for state oil and gas company Pertamina not to raise the price of liquefied petroleum gas, while LPG consumers will have to buy it at a higher cost.Oddly, in Bekasi regency, West Java, gas has been wasted or burnt since 2003 at a daily value equivalent...

Reducing credit risks

Reducing credit risks Recalcitrant debtors will find it increasingly difficult to access loans from banks and other finance companies as Bank Indonesia has expanded its debtor information system. Bank Indonesia issued a new regulation last week issued that broadens the categories and types of...

BUDIARTI JOESOEF

BUDIARTI JOESOEF Tangerang, Banten

From Koran Tempo

From Koran TempoThe large number of foreign troops providing relief aid in Aceh may open the opportunity for foreign intervention. Their role should therefore be minimized by strictly implementing the government's three-phase recovery policy.

Aceh couple finally holds tsunami-delayed wedding

Aceh couple finally holds tsunami-delayed weddingTomi Soetjipto, Reuters, Banda Aceh In the first festivities in ravaged Banda Aceh since the Dec. 26 tsunami, an Acehnese couple threw a marriage reception on Sunday, finally celebrating a wedding that was interrupted by the killer waves.

'It is roadworthiness, not age that matters'

'It is roadworthiness, not age that matters'The City Council has proposed limiting the age of vehicles on city roads -- 10 years for buses and 15 years for private vehicles. A clause on a car's age has been included in the draft bylaw on air pollution, the final deliberation of which is scheduled...

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Some prepared for floods, others not Owners of old vehicles keep them ticking over Police have satisfied requirements in Adiguna case file: Prosecutor Developers summoned over environmental mess 'It is roadworthiness, not age that matters'

U.S. hospital ship sails on mission to aid Aceh victims

U.S. hospital ship sails on mission to aid Aceh victimsMartin Abbugao, Agence France-Presse/SingaporeA hulking U.S. Navy hospital ship, the USNS Mercy, will sail this week from Singapore to the Indonesian province of Aceh to help boost medical relief efforts for victims of the tsunami disaster.

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...

Accommodating thousands of children

Accommodating thousands of children From Republika Following the report in The Jakarta Post on Jan. 3 that there is fear about the future of the child survivors of the tsunami disaster in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, the central executive board of Hidayatullah would like to state as follows: 1.

Women a new

Women a new spending powerhouse SINGAPORE: Women travellers are expected to emerge as Asia's new spending powerhouse, a survey said on Saturday. The number of female travellers in the region is forecast to equal their male counterparts by 2011 and exceed them in the long run, according to...

Scaled down badminton showcased

Scaled down badminton showcasedMusthofid, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe two schoolchildren, both aged 10, were the center of attention at Amongrogo sports hall.As they darted around a reduced dimension court, including a lower net and child-friendly rackets, they were cheered on by spectators who...

Women a new spending powerhouse

Women a new spending powerhouseSINGAPORE: Women travellers are expected to emerge as Asia's new spending powerhouse, a survey said on Saturday.The number of female travellers in the region is forecast to equal their male counterparts by 2011 and exceed them in the long run, according to...

RI struggles to improve medical professionalism

RI struggles to improve medical professionalismHera Diani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe lives and images of nurses are romanticized (or even sexualized) on screen, as portrayed in television series like E.R. and Chicago Hope, or on countless big screen films.

Scooter enthusiasts raise funds for Aceh

Scooter enthusiasts raise funds for Aceh JAKARTA: In an effort to show solidarity and raise funds for the Acehnese tsunami victims, around 300 owners of vintage scooters from various clubs across the capital gathered on Saturday to display their scooters in front of Hotel Indonesia on Jl.

Focusing on the living among the dead

Focusing on the living among the deadCameron Bates, Contributor, Banda AcehYanti does not consider herself lucky to have survived first the earthquake and then the wall of water that wiped more than 70 percent of the town of Meulaboh, Aceh province, off the face of the planet.

Developers summoned over environmental mees

Developers summoned over environmental meesMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, TangerangThe Tangerang regency council is summoning two developers to answer allegations their coastal reclamation projects have irrevocably damaged the environment and destroyed the life of a fishing community.

Rio Tinto wraps up Kelian mine operation

Rio Tinto wraps up Kelian mine operationUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Balikpapan"Elephants die leaving nothing but their ivory tusks, tigers their shadowy stripes, men their reputation."London-based mining giant Rio Tinto perhaps had this local saying in mind when it prepared a comprehensive...

Fresh clash erupts in Ambon

Fresh clash erupts in AmbonAMBON, Maluku: A communal clash between two gangs of warring youths reignited in Central Maluku late on Saturday, leaving five buildings damaged and one totally destroyed.The youths from the Hitu Lama and Hitu Messing subdistricts have been feuding for months.

Intellectual property laws still weak

Intellectual property laws still weakGunawan Suryomurcito, Jakarta During his election campaign last year, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono promised to deliver a dose of 'shock therapy' to shake the country out of its pattern of corruption and legal ambiguity.

SBY lucky that people don't keep list

SBY lucky that people don't keep listFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaGobble ... gobble ... gobble ... is the onomatopoeic phrase often used in cartoon stories whenever characters eat their food in a hurry. It is also the sound a turkey makes.

Govt, GAM agree on more talks

Govt, GAM agree on more talksThe Jakarta Post, JakartaNegotiators from the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) wound up two days of talks in Helsinki on Saturday without a concrete result on how to end the decades-long war in Aceh, but pledged to meet again soon to seek a peace...

Transjakarta passengers, beware

Transjakarta passengers, bewareFrom KompasWith 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.

Aftershock jolts ravaged Aceh

Aftershock jolts ravaged AcehBANDA ACEH, Aceh: More aftershocks again rocked the city of Banda Aceh on Sunday morning.No fatalities or infrastructure damage was reported after the 5.7 magnitude earthquake that struck at 9.55 a.m and lasted for about a minute.