Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 1 October 2005

69 articles found

Murdoch buys 20 percent stake in 'ANTV'

Murdoch buys 20 percent stake in 'ANTV' Chris Brummitt, Associated Press, Jakarta Rupert Murdoch's Asian broadcaster will take a 20 percent stake in the Indonesian television network ANTV, officials announced on Friday, tapping into the country's competitive but expanding broadcasting market.

WTO steals limelight as ASEAN thrashes out accords

WTO steals limelight as ASEAN thrashes out accords Luke Hunt, Agence France-Presse, Vientiane Some 16 regional countries wrapped-up a three day conference here on Friday, pledging to promote global trade when the WTO meets in Hong Kong later this year, to reduce poverty and combat record oil prices. The talks were designed by the 10-nation Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to further its own free trade agenda.

Establishment of Papuan council runs into more problems

Establishment of Papuan council runs into more problems Netty Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Jayapura The ongoing formation of Papuan People's Assembly (MRP) has drawn strong opposition from Papuan tribal leaders and churchmen, who feel disappointed with what they say are the central government's confusing policies in the resource-rich province.

Rupiah Rates Sept.30

Rupiah Rates Sept.30 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 8,240.46 7,475.22 7,898.95 7,816.60 Brunei dollar 1 6,403.27 5,807.48 6,137.90 6,072.70 Canadian dollar 1 9,229.06 8,371.74 8,846.58 8,754.05 Swiss franc 1 8,364.28 7,588.77 8,017.64 7,935.33 Danish krone 1 1,745.55 1,583.31 1,673.21 1,655.61 Euro 1 13,023.89 11,815.16 12,484.14 12,354.74 Poundsterling 1 19,050.46 17,282.28 18,260.95 18,071.52 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,393.54 1,264.55 1,335.79 1,322.30...

JP/4/ago

JP/4/ago Graft probes giving CEOs, governors restless nights: AGO The Jakarta Post Jakarta Intensive media coverage of the current crackdown on corruption in state institutions has created nervousness among many top executives of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and regional administrations as they worry about becoming the next to be investigated.

Freedom Guard to protect minority groups from terror

Freedom Guard to protect minority groups from terror Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia's founding fathers declared that this country would embrace various cultures, ethnic groups, religions and beliefs, however such idealism is fast disappearing and freedom to enjoy this diversity has become endangered, with minority groups often suffering from violence and terror.

To support farmers

To support farmers by real actions I refer to the article by Benget Simbolon in The Jakarta Post on Sept. 28 entitled Give farmers the attention they deserve, and would like to comment as follows. My father is a farmer in a village named Urung Panei, Simalungun. Luckily, he does not have to rent land; he owns the land. As we know, there are many farmers who do not own any land, they have to rent it or simply become laborers for land owners.

1. Parpol (2x18)

1. Parpol (2x18) How parties picked legislators in 2004 2. AGO (1x30) Graft probes make CEOs nervous 3. PKI1(1x30) Past atrocities still create fear 4. PKI2 (1x38) PKI killings leave many questions unanswered

Medco Energi buys oil firm for $30m

Medco Energi buys oil firm for $30m SINGAPORE: PT Medco Energi Internasional, Indonesia's largest publicly traded oil company, said it bought for US$29.7 million a local company that holds exploration and production rights in South Kalimantan. Medco Far East Ltd. acquired Perkasa Equatorial Sembakung Ltd. on Sept. 23, Medco said in an e-mailed statement on Friday. Perkasa Equatorial is a unit of Synergy Petroleum Ltd., a Mauritius-registered company, it said.

Fuel prices leap 126.6 percent

Fuel prices leap 126.6 percent Rendi A. Witular and Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government rang in October with a very steep fuel price hike -- by an average of 126.6 percent -- amid a relatively minor clash, sporadic protests and long lines at gas stations. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie announced that the price of premium (subsidized) gasoline is now Rp 4,500 (44 U.S.

Visit to Besakih Temple

Visit to Besakih Temple On Sept. 3, I tried to visit Besakih Temple in Bali. Having paid Rp 15,000 to enter with a car, I was stopped at the gate and told that a local guide is mandatory. I don't believe it is, but I was willing to pay. They said it was a donation and I offered Rp 50,000, which I believe was generous. They refused me entry for under US$50. There was a tourist police officer standing next to us, having a good laugh.

1. FUEL: 1 X 30

1. FUEL: 1 X 30 2. PROTEST: 2 X 21 Nationwide fuel hike protests lose steam 3. ANTV: 2 X 24 Rupert Murdoch to purchase 20 percent stake in 'ANTV'

Two TNI officers, one cop nabbed in drug party

Two TNI officers, one cop nabbed in drug party Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Two TNI soldiers, one police officer and a civil servant in the Jakarta administration were arrested on Friday for crystal methamphetamine possession and use in a private party at the Dusit Hotel in Mangga Dua, West Jakarta. Adj. First Lt. Nur Ali of South Jakarta Military Command, First Sergeant Ohan from East Jakarta Military Command, First Brig.

The cultural dimension of disasters

The cultural dimension of disasters Koen Meyers Jakarta The earthquake and tsunami of Dec. 26, 2004 has caused more than two hundred thousand victims and evoked a tremendous impact on the livelihood systems of coastal communities in the region, i.e. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, South India, Thailand and the Maldives. The warning regarding the disaster came too late or not at all for many coastal communities.

Community police

Community police The police's separation from the Indonesian Military (TNI) began when the People's Consultative Assembly issued Decree No. 7/2000, which came into effect in 2001. In 2002, Law No. 2/2002 was issued to strengthen the separation. According to articles four and five of the law, the police have a role to play in maintaining security and public order, upholding and enforcing the law, and guarding and protecting the people by respecting human rights.

[b] The transition back to the nagari system requires

The transition back to the nagari system requires preconditioning and proactive measures. ;JP;CD; ANPAk..r..

How political parties selected their legislators in 2004

How political parties selected their legislators in 2004 elections Harry Bhaskara The Jakarta Post Jakarta Rather than "ladies and gentlemen", a provincial candidate for the House of Representatives once addressed an audience "Bapak dua dan ibu dua (father two and mother two)." The candidate, an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver who was reading a prepared speech, should have said "Bapak-bapak dan ibu- ibu" instead of saying "dua" for the figure "2" after each of the words "Bapak" and "ibu" -- under...

WOMF opens in Sarajevo

WOMF opens in Sarajevo SARAJEVO: The first World Oriental Music Festival (WOMF) opened on Thursday in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo, bringing together musicians from 14 countries on three continents. Ethno-pop music artists from Algeria, Bahrain, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Montenegro, Tunisia and United Arab Emirates are competing for the best song.

Police press charges against 'hoarders'

Police press charges against 'hoarders' Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta City police are filing criminal charges against owners of several gasoline stations here for deliberately stopping their operations amid the fuel rush ahead of the price hike announcement. City police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani said on Friday that he had ordered all precinct and subprecinct chiefs in the Greater Jakarta area to complete case files against gas station owners hoarding fuel.

Low-income residents to receive training

Low-income residents to receive training BOGOR: As many as 244 low-income people in Bogor municipality are undergoing training in various skills in order to help them improve their standard of living. Municipality spokesman Zaenal Arifin said on Friday that the residents came from 34 subdistricts and were trained in skills including sewing, hairdressing, shoemaking, printing, carpentry and electronic repairs.

Telkom plans to spend Rp 3t to buy back

Telkom plans to spend Rp 3t to buy back Naila Firdausi and Soraya Permatasari, Bloomberg, Jakarta PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, the nation's biggest phone company, plans to spend as much as Rp 3 trillion (US$$294 million) to buy back American depositary receipts traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The company is considering withdrawing all its shares from the exchange, President Arwin Rasyid said at a seminar in Jakarta.

Places of death

Places of death for animals The bird markets of Jakarta, Surabaya and elsewhere in Indonesia are infamous throughout the world. Here, some of the world's most precious and endangered animals (the very heritage of the children of Indonesia) are sold in the open, despite the fact that they are supposed to be protected by both Indonesian and international law. In the past, only animal lives were involved.

PKI killings leave many questions unanswered

PKI killings leave many questions unanswered ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Blitar How many people were killed in the violence after the aborted Sept. 30, 1965, coup blamed on the Indonesian Communist Party? The actual number of those massacred is unclear, despite a series of investigations into the incidents, both domestic and foreign.

JP/19/PADANG

JP/19/PADANG 'Fussy' Aussie fires Padang passions Duncan Graham Contributor/Surabaya About 15 years ago, Western Australian textile artist Megan Kirwan-Ward thought it was time she refined, updated and formalized her skills. She already had a degree in English literature, but wanted qualifications in art. By chance, Elsa King, her lecturer at Perth's Edith Cowan University, was developing professional relationships with batik artists in Yogyakarta.

ASEAN approves anti-bird flu plan, creates fund

ASEAN approves anti-bird flu plan, creates fund Joeal Calupitan and Dolly Aglay, Reuters, Tagaytay, Philippines, Southeast Asian nations vowed on Friday to curb bird flu in the next three years as the United Nations warned the virus could mutate and kill up to 150 million people. The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) also pledged US$2 million for a regional fund to curb animal diseases, including avian influenza.

PDAM to produce distilled water

PDAM to produce distilled water Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, The Jakarta Post, Padang In an effort to improve its service, the Padang tap water company is planning to produce distilled water for hotels, offices and upmarket housing estates, a state company official has said. "We are making the plans now and we expect the project will materialize by the end of next year," said Azhar Latif, the president director of the tap water firm.

Car-free day on Sunday

Car-free day on Sunday JAKARTA: In a bid to reduce the use of private vehicles, the city administration and several environmental organizations will launch the annual Car-free Day drive. During the campaign, the usually busy strip of Jl. Sudirman and Jl. M. H. Thamrin will be closed to motorized vehicles from 6 a.m. through 5 p.m. on Sunday. The public is encouraged to use non-motorized vehicles.

JP/18/BOX

JP/18/BOX Ubud resort blends classical and modern design concepts When the Bali-based Arte Architect and Associates was commissioned to design Puri Wulandari Hotel and Resort in the upscale area of Ubud, the basic concept was to incorporate classical Balinese architectural elements with modern styles. "We are trying to re-interpret and rework the tradition into the newest forms of architectural idioms. We respect the tradition while at the same time warmly embrace modernity.

East is east and west is west, the twin shall never meet

East is east and west is west, the twin shall never meet JP/19/NSO East is east and West is west: Never the twain shall meet M. Taufiqurrahman The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A classical concert must be the least likely event at which to find Balinese gamelan and the traditional dance that accompanies it. However, this is what transpired on Thursday at Balai Sarbini, The Plaza Semanggi, South Jakarta, during a performance by the Jakarta-based Nusantara Symphony Orchestra (NSO).

Indonesia bodybuilders on warm-up outings before SEA Games

Indonesia bodybuilders on warm-up outings before SEA Games Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian bodybuilders will try out in two events before heading to Manila for the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), according an official of the Indonesian Bodybuilding Federation (FBI). FBI will send five athletes to the Asian Championship, which will be held from Oct. 4 to Oct. 8 in South Korea. The five are M.

Share end up on muted protests

Share end up on muted protests Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesian shares ended higher on Friday on a combination of investor relief that protests over a pending fuel price hike were muted, and routine end-quarter window dressing by fund managers, dealers said. The Jakarta Stock Exchange's Composite Index ended up 2.95 percent, or 30.9 points, at 1079.275. Gainers led decliners 137 to 17 with 43 stocks unchanged.

Tanimbar woven cloth is back

Tanimbar woven cloth is back As security returns to normal in Maluku after years of bloody sectarian violence, there has slowly been a business revival as companies reopen their doors. This revival has included the Tanimbar cloth weaving industry, which was devastated by the conflict. Fien Masela, the owner of a Tanimbar weaving company, shared her experiences in building up her business with The Jakarta Post's Azis Tunny.

Why are private

Why are private schools marginalized? From Kompas The Jakarta administration lacks concern about condition of private schools. This is evident from the fact that during the last two academic years the administration did not grant subsidies to the private elementary and junior high schools. On the other hand, starting from January 2006, it will provide an additional grant for state elementary schools of Rp 50,000 per pupil per month and for junior high schools, Rp 41.600 per pupil per month.

[b]

Challenges in reviving traditional governance Ranny Emilia and Mochamad Indrawan Jakarta 2. Obrien -- Operators ringing the changes 1 x 30 Operators ringing the changes David O'Brien Jakarta

What ratification of rights covenants implies

What ratification of rights covenants implies Implications of ratification of UN Conventions on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to states (selected). The state must: 1. Ensure that all individuals can enjoy the rights recognized in the Covenant, regardless of their race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status 2.

1. Bazaar -- 3 x 18

1. Bazaar -- 3 x 18 City organizes cheap bazaars for poor residents 2. Korem -- 2 x 24 TNI, cop, civil servant nabbed in drug party 3. Speaks -- 1 x 36 'The govt relies too much on the media'

Past atrocities still create fear

Past atrocities still create fear ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Blitar Traveling along the unpaved road in Lorejo in the South Blitar area seemed endless. Limestone rocks covering the two-kilometer road made it difficult for vehicles to traverse the four-meter wide road, not to mention the potholes, 10 to 20 centimeters deep, along the road that at times severely rocked the vehicle. After about 30 minutes traveling down this road, it suddenly ends in front of the No.

JP/1/HOUR

JP/1/HOUR Attack by rival group kills two MEDAN, North Sumatra: Hundreds of angry residents attacked and killed an Army officer and a civilian on Friday at an oil palm plantation in Langkat regency, North Sumatra. The attack left two other people injured. The attack happened when the four people were riding a car past the plantation. Suddenly, it was intercepted by hundreds of people and forced to stop by the crowd, who threw molotov cocktails and stones at it.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept.30, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Sept.30, 2005 __________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading volume ___________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,500 50 3,000 Adhi Karya 550 10 5,250,000 Adira Dinamika 2,100 0 0 AGIS Tbk 85 5 3,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 220 30 46,500 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,350 20 373,500 Alakasa Industrindo 165 0 0 Alfa Retailindo...

Honda invests $140m to expand RI operations

Honda invests $140m to expand RI operations Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Cikarang, West Java Motorcycle producer PT Astra Honda Motor (AHM), a local unit of Japan's third largest automaker Honda Motor Co., expanded its Indonesian operations by investing US$140 million in its third motorcycle plant in Bekasi.

House may drop interpellation

House may drop interpellation JAKARTA: The House of Representatives canceled on Friday the discussion on the interpellation of the President after 11 of its 20 initiators withdrew support for the demanded inquiry into President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's move to chair Cabinet meetings via a video linkup from New York earlier this month. The House's standing orders require at least 13 signatures to file an interpellation.

Setting up a cooperative

Setting up a cooperative In June 2002, the employees of STIE Bisnis Indonesia agreed to set up a cooperative under the name Almatama. Having completed all the required documents, we registered the establishment with the Cooperative Office at Jl. MT Haryono, South Jakarta. However, the head of the Cooperative Office said that to legalize the cooperative the documents had to be signed by the Jakarta governor, because Jakarta is an autonomous region.

Disco closed during Ramadhan

Disco closed during Ramadhan PONTIANAK, Central Kalimantan: In an effort to show respect for Muslims who are fasting, the Pontianak government has banned discotheques from operating during Ramadhan. Through a decree signed by Pontianak Mayor Buchary Abdurrahman, the city government has also prohibited city residents from using firecrackers during Ramadhan between October 2 and November 3. Karaoke lounges and cafes are still allowed to open, although the operations will be restricted between 8 p.

German stays loyal to Kupang locals

German stays loyal to Kupang locals Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang Modest in appearance, polite and open in his attitude as well as fluent in Indonesian, Dr Claus Jurgen Dauselt was born in Munich, Germany, on Jan. 13, 1955. He also speaks a little Dawan, the language of West Timor. He graduated in 1985 in engineering at Munich University, specializing in development management.

JP/18/MASSAG

JP/18/MASSAG (Jun's corrections entered 23/9) AIDS agency turns to massage for income, employment opportunity I Wayan Juniartha The Jakarta Post/Denpasar A strained neck did not prevent Dudy Rohadi, the coordinator of Matahati's After Care Program, from personally directing his staff to clean and spruce up the three-story building on that clear Saturday morning. "I have to get the building ready for the soft opening or the boss will chew my head off," he grimaced.

If GAM is entitled to rehabilitation, why not PKI?

If GAM is entitled to rehabilitation, why not PKI? Ribka Tjiptaning Proletariyati is the writer of a book entitled Aku Bangga Jadi Anak PKI (I'm proud to be a daughter of the Indonesian Communist Party, or PKI). She is a politician of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and now heads the House of Representatives Commission IX on health and manpower.

JP/7/NEW

JP/7/NEW Amy Chew, New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur Armed with sticks and stones, hundreds of Indonesian Muslim extremists descended on the Ahmadiyah, a small peaceful Muslim group in Bogor, West Java, in July. The attackers set fire to the women's dormitory and knocked down a gate fronting the Ahmadiyah complex as its followers looked on helplessly. Some 300 policemen were on guard but failed to prevent the attack.

City organizes bazaars for poor residents

City organizes bazaars for poor residents Damar Harsanto The Jakarta Post/Jakarta As part of efforts to ease the impact of the fuel price hikes, the Jakarta administration held the country's first-ever "basic commodities" bazaar for poor residents at the National Monument (Monas) park on Friday. The bazaar, which will also be held in other areas across the country, was officiated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Plumbing the depths

Plumbing the depths In this modern era of multiple deaths from lung cancer and heart disease attributable to cigarette smoking, the ethics surrounding advertising by some of the strongest pillars of the Indonesian economy are becoming more and more questionable.

Feeling insecure

Feeling insecure From Kompas The Mandala Airlines airplane tragedy in September in Medan, North Sumatra, has added to the list of deaths during the administration of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla. Death is a great event. But death as a result of somebody's negligence or human error is murder. The absence of the feeling of safety in the society can only mean postponement of death. There is no guarantee of safety while we are traveling.

House ratifies covenants ahead of recess

House ratifies covenants ahead of recess Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The elimination of all forms of restrictions on freedom of expression, threats to religious freedom, forced labor and discrimination in the workplace are new tasks for the government after the House of Representatives finally ratified on Friday two long-awaited United Nations covenants.

Questioning the regulation on houses of worship

Questioning the regulation on houses of worship Hairus Salim, Jakarta A number of houses of worship in West Java were reported to have been forcibly closed several weeks ago by a group of hard- liners. This incident promptly triggered protests by those whose religious freedoms had been infringed. They blamed the government for allowing -- and thus apparently justifying -- the pressure against and eventual shutdown of their temporary churches.

UBM, Monash offer twin programs

UBM, Monash offer twin programs JAKARTA: The Bunda Mulia University (UMB) signed an agreement with Australia's Monash University on Friday to offer twin programs in information technology. Under the agreement, UMB information technology students would continue their studies at any of Monash University's campuses -- located in Australia, Malaysia, United Kingdom and South Africa -- after completing four semesters here.

Nationwide fuel hike protests lose steam

Nationwide fuel hike protests lose steam The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Hours prior to the announcement of the new fuel prices on Friday night, protests against the much-criticized policy amounted to little, with a massive rally pledged in the capital failing to materialize. Demonstrations continued in many cities and towns across Indonesia, but were unable to draw the huge numbers of protesters as had been expected by many. In addition, the rallies were generally free of serious violence.

Operators ringing the changes

Operators ringing the changes David O'Brien Jakarta The telecommunications market has been the first major infrastructure business in Indonesia to experience significant change. Although market participants continue to argue about access arrangements and interconnection pricing the results cannot be argued against. Prior to deregulation the country had eight million wireline subscribers and a lengthy waiting list.

Govt gets $151m loan from ADB for road projects

Govt gets $151m loan from ADB for road projects The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved US$151 million in loans to Indonesia to help fund road rehabilitation projects in Sumatra and Kalimantan. In a media statement released on Friday, the Bank said the fund would be spent to rehabilitate a total of 1,300 kilometers of roads and repair -- either widen or replace altogether -- about 40 bridges.

Setting up a cooperative

Setting up a cooperative In June 2002, the employees of STIE Bisnis Indonesia agreed to set up a cooperative under the name Almatama. Having completed all the required documents, we registered the establishment with the Cooperative Office at Jl. MT Haryono, South Jakarta. However, the head of the Cooperative Office said that to legalize the cooperative the documents had to be signed by the Jakarta governor, because Jakarta is an autonomous region.

BLURB FOR SATURDAY OCT.1, 05:

BLURB FOR SATURDAY OCT.1, 05: 1. Suicide car bomber strikes Iraq vegetable market Page 12 2. Honda invests $140 million to expand RI operations Page 13 3. Denise Jannah finds Indonesian spirituality stimulating Page 18

Fuel shortage deters domestic tourists

Fuel shortage deters domestic tourists Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Fuel scarcities and increasing street protests had discouraged domestic tourists from visiting Yogyakarta over the past week, a number of travel agents said on Friday. However, they added that the fuel crisis had not affected the number of overseas tourists visiting the city. "In the past week, no domestic tourists booked our services to travel to tourist attractions in Yogyakarta.

BRR inaugurates new houses in Aceh

BRR inaugurates new houses in Aceh BANDA ACEH: Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency for Aceh and Nias (BRR) chairman Kuntoro Mangkusubroto officially opened a scheme of 45 new houses for tsunami survivors on Friday. "Sixty houses will be built in the Lamnyong area, Syiah Kuala subdistrict, Banda Aceh, by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Forty five of these have been completed," Kuntoro said. The Dec.

Pictures that speak 1000 words

Pictures that speak 1000 words The Jakarta Post has once again shown its journalistic savvy by featuring two contrasting pictures on the front page of the Sept. 28 edition. These pictures speak a thousand words.

City organizes cheap bazaars for poor residents

City organizes cheap bazaars for poor residents Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As part of efforts to ease the impact of the fuel price hikes, the Jakarta administration held the country's first-ever "basic commodities" bazaar for poor residents at the National Monument (Monas) park on Friday. The bazaar, which will also be held in other areas across the country, was officiated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

TNI, cop, civil servant nabbed for drug party

TNI, cop, civil servant nabbed for drug party Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two TNI soldiers, one police officer and a civil servant in the Jakarta administration were arrested on Friday for crystal methamphetamine possession and use in a private party at the Dusit Hotel in Mangga Dua, West Jakarta. Adj. First Lt. Nur Ali of South Jakarta Military Command, First Sergeant Ohan from East Jakarta Military Command, First Brig.

Poultry industry losses Rp 700b so far this year

Poultry industry losses Rp 700b so far this year Fitri Wulandari, Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesia's poultry industry has suffered losses of up to Rp 700 billion (US$68 million) due to a drop in sales of poultry products since the first bird flu-related human death in the country in July, an industry official said on Friday.

Intelligence role crucial

Intelligence role crucial From Kompas Intelligence is a determining factor in anticipating security problems. It serves as a preventive measure against disturbances, unlike the fire brigade which acts whenever there is a fire taking place. Intelligence must be able to anticipate, predict and draw an analysis and ultimately make the right decisions to thwart catastrophe.

Govt to sell 8% of BRI stakes

Govt to sell 8% of BRI stakes JAKARTA: The government plans to sell as much as 8 percent of PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia, the country's fourth-largest lender by assets, aiming to raise funds to plug the budget deficit. "We want to retain a 51 percent ownership in the lender," State Minister of State Enterprises Sugiharto told reporters in his office in Jakarta on Friday. PT Danareksa has been appointed the adviser for the sale, Sugiharto said. -- Bloomberg

Aborted PKI coup fades from memory

Aborted PKI coup fades from memory BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Fewer and fewer people in Banjarmasin mourned on Friday the deaths of Army generals that occurred during the aborted coup of the now defunct Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) on Sept. 30 forty years ago.

Govt has relied too much on the media

Govt has relied too much on the media Avian influenza has caused fear across the country, with very few people having any real understanding about how to protect themselves against exposure to the virus. The Jakarta Post asked two doctors about whether the government had done enough to contain the disease. Satriadi Harsono, 25, is a doctor working for a private hospital in Tangerang, Banten. He lives in Karawaci, Tangerang.

City transportation fares to go up

City transportation fares to go up Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Land Transportation Owners Association Jakarta branch (Organda DKI) is giving the city administration one week to raise public transport fares after the government hiked fuel prices. It also said that it would go on massive strike should the city administration fail to meet its demand on schedule. "We won't be able to shoulder ballooning costs due to the fuel price hike since our business is still in the doldrums.