Archive: 14 October 2005
91 articles found
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 16:37 WIB
Broadening the tax base
The Jakarta Post/Editorial Broadening the tax base We should give credit where credit is due. The tax directorate general, though still perceived to be one of the most corrupt public institutions in Indonesia, deserves our commendation for its concerted campaign to broaden the tax base through income tax collections. As of early this year, a mere 1.5 percent of our 220 million population had personal tax numbers.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Two Koreas trade volume to reach $1b
Two Koreas trade volume to reach $1b SEOUL: Trade volume between the divided Koreas is expected to reach a record US$1 billion this year, a South Korean official said on Thursday. In the January to September period, trade between North and South Korea totaled US$789 million, up 60.1 percent from the same period last year, said Vice Minister Rhee Bong-jo of the Unification Ministry. That's already better than the current all-time high for annual trade of US$724 million set in 2003.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Biosecurity, vaccine screenings prioritized for avian flu
Biosecurity, vaccine screenings prioritized for avian flu Anissa S. Febrina, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Ministry of Agriculture is prioritizing increased biosecurity and vaccinations over mass culling programs in a bid to prevent an avian flu outbreak. "We will check our current stock of locally made vaccines because substandard ones could actually spread the virus and worsen the situation," ministry director of animal health Sjamsul Bahri said on Thursday.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Bird flu no deterrent to tourists, agency says
Bird flu no deterrent to tourists, agency says Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Tourism Agency announced on Tuesday the number of foreign and domestic tourists to the capital has continued to rise despite concerns over terrorist attacks and reports of bird flu. Agency head Yusuf Effendi Pohan said that even after the first confirmed human death from bird flu in Jakarta in May and the Oct. 1 Bali bombings, Jakarta continued to experience growth in its tourist numbers.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
On wildlife trading
On wildlife trading I am terribly shocked to learn that the illegal wildlife trade in Indonesia is a Rp 9 trillion a year business. This is a great irony considering that Indonesia at present still has to shoulder a huge foreign debt. The government must deal with these cases more seriously, and ensure law enforcement is systematically carried out. Or we will have to face the extinction of many wild species, a great loss to our next generations.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Megawati arrives in North Korea
Megawati arrives in North Korea SOUTH KOREA: Former Indonesian president Megawati Soekarnoputri arrived in North Korea on Thursday to participate in celebrations honoring the 60th anniversary of the founding of the communist nation's ruling party, North Korea's official media reported. Megawati was met by North Korean officials upon her arrival, the country's state-run Korean Central News Agency said in a brief report.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Give ex-militants jobs to help curtail terrorism: Think tank
Give ex-militants jobs to help curtail terrorism: Think tank Chris Brummitt, Associated Press/Jakarta Indonesia should provide training and jobs for militants formerly involved in religious conflicts to prevent them joining up with extremists and launching terror strikes, a report by an international think tank said on Thursday.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Foreign firms rankle in Lampung
Foreign firms rankle in Lampung Antara, Bandarlampung Local businesspeople are complaining about the number of foreign firms opening up in Lampung, resulting in stiff competition that they claim is forcing them out of business. Businesspeople voiced concern at a meeting on foreign trade between 100 local businessmen and government officials in Bandarlampung city recently. One businessman questioned the government policy of allowing foreign firms to enter the country's regions.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/20/guess
JP/20/guess checked --JSR Former IBRA chief gets doctorate JAKARTA: Former Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) chief I Putu Gede Ary Suta achieved one of his goals in life when he received on Tuesday a doctorate in strategic management from the University of Indonesia's school of economics. "Being a doctor has been a long-time dream, as I had virtually no chance of continue my studies due to my career.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Local ad agencies seek protection
Local ad agencies seek protection Anissa S. Febrina, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While other sectors are opening up on the back of globalization, the domestic advertising industry seems to be unprepared to compete with its foreign counterparts. Seeing lower fees and a smaller share of the domestic advertising business, local agencies are seeking regulations from the Ministry and Telecommunications to protect local agencies.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
BCA thugs
BCA thugs On Saturday, Oct.8 at 9 a.m., two men in BCA uniforms came to my house at Jl. Dupa A8/No14, Bogor Baru, looking for a man named Akmad Soleh, saying he had defaulted on a car loan. They were rude and threatening and refused to leave despite my maid, my wife and I explaining that we are the current tenants of this house and we don't know Akmad Soleh. These men keep calling my house and have frightened my maid and disturbed my family. Why does BCA employ thugs like this?
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
1. Flood -- 48 pts 5 cols 1line (1x30)
1. Flood -- 48 pts 5 cols 1line (1x30) Deforestation doesn't trigger floods, says UN report 2. Downer - 36 pts 3 cols 2line (2x24) Downer asks SBY not to cut Ba'asyir's, bombers' sentences 3. SBY -- 36 pts 2 cols 2line (2x14) NGOs slam Susilo for weak rights policies 4. Motor -- 36 pts 5 cols 1line (1x35) More Jakartans shift to motorcycles --- 5. Photos and oddworld
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
RI gold prospect too small: Newmont
RI gold prospect too small: Newmont SYDNEY: The Martabe gold prospect in Indonesia could be too small for Denver-based Newmont Mining Corp. to develop, the company's Australian managing director Paul Dowd said. Drilling results on the advanced exploration project in northern Sumatra indicate potential for three million ounces of gold disseminated over several deposits, he told Dow Jones Newswires.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/5/FIRM
JP/5/FIRM Foreign firms threaten local business Antara Bandarlampung Local businesspeople are complaining about the number of foreign firms opening up in Lampung, resulting in stiff competition that they claim is forcing them out of business. Businesspeople voiced concern at a meeting on foreign trade between 100 local businessmen and government officials in Bandarlampung city recently. One businessman questioned the government policy of allowing foreign firms to enter the country's regions.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Power thieves cost state US$1m a year
Power thieves cost state US$1m a year CIREBON, West Java: Electricity theft in Cirebon is costing the state Rp 10.8 billion (US$1.08 million) a year, an official with state electricity company PT PLN Cirebon says. People stole power in several ways, including tampering with electricity meters, the official, Sulistyo, said. The company had deployed trained staff to investigate the thefts in the regency and bring the perpetrators to justice, he said. -- JP
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
More motorists shift to motorcycles
More motorists shift to motorcycles Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As a civil servant at the office of the Ministry of Tourism in Central Jakarta, Cecep, 32, who lives with his family in a small house in Ciputat, Tangerang, decided he needed a motorcycle to reduce his monthly expenses. "I can't afford bus fares because I have to change buses three times to get to my office," he told The Jakarta Post.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
S. Korea donates bird flu kits
S. Korea donates bird flu kits JAKARTA: South Korea has donated rapid diagnostic kits at a total value of US$250,000 to Indonesia to diagnose avian influenza in birds, the South Korean Embassy said in Jakarta. "The South Korean company Standard Diagnostics Inc. has donated the Avian Influenza Ag Kit (for 9,000 tests) and H5 Avian Influenza Kit (for 7,500 tests) to the Indonesian government," the embassy said in a press release sent to The Jakarta Post.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
RI tourism facing tough task in the future
RI tourism facing tough task in the future Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Despite a full year of preparation, Indonesia's most prestigious annual tourism event held here at the Jogja Expo Center (JEC) failed to attract more international buyers compared to the previous year.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
MR Kambu, the architect of Persipura's famous victory
MR Kambu, the architect of Persipura's famous victory Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura, Papua Persipura Jayapura and Menase Robert Kambu are considered one and the same by supporters, mentioned in the same breath when discussing the latest exploits of the soccer team. The chairman and manager of the team nicknamed the "black pearls" is credited with taking the Indonesian League also-ran and making them contenders -- and then champions.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Muslim nations need to 'unite against extremists'
Muslim nations need to 'unite against extremists' Associated Press, Jakarta This month's suicide bombings on Indonesia's Bali island are a reminder that Muslim nations must unite against extremists "who are distorting the teachings of Islam," Jordan's King Abdullah II said. He made the remark during a visit to Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation. Militants have launched several attacks in Indonesia and Jordan in recent years.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
President to go on 'safari' during Ramadhan
President to go on 'safari' during Ramadhan Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Recovering from his flu, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is set to go on tour across the archipelago during the rest of the fasting month in a throwback to the Ramadhan 'safaris' of the New Order period. Susilo's trip will start in the densely populated area of Cilincing, North Jakarta, on Friday.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Treasurer testifies against Taufiq Kamil in graft case
Treasurer testifies against Taufiq Kamil in graft case The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A government official admitted to having disbursed a big part of haj trust funds for various irrelevant purposes upon orders from his superiors at the Ministry of Religious Affairs between 2001 and 2004.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
The mystification of the unitary state of Indonesia
The mystification of the unitary state of Indonesia Riwanto Tirtosudarmo, Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono attended the commemoration of "Pancasila Sanctity" Day on Oct. 1, a practice that was scrapped by former president Abdurrahman Wahid.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Victims of Boeing crashes join forces
Victims of Boeing crashes join forces Representatives of the families of those who perished in Boeing plane accidents worldwide join hands during a media conference held in Medan, North Sumatra province. At the event on Thursday evening, they agreed to establish an international association of relatives of aircraft accident victims.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Tsunami medical aid still in Medan hospital
Tsunami medical aid still in Medan hospital Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency in Medan found on Thursday that medical supplies meant for tsunami victims at Pirngadi Hospital, that came from a US nongovernmental group Project Hope, were partly being used to treat regular patients.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Search for chopper bears no fruit
Search for chopper bears no fruit JAYAPURA, Papua: A seven-aircraft search and rescue team Thursday continued its hunt for an Air Force helicopter that went missing the day before with four people on board without results. One of the three helicopters in the team belonging to a Catholic mission landed in Lereh village in the Sentani area but local residents said they had seen and heard nothing on Wednesday.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Bride deposit draws scorn
Bride deposit draws scorn Hera Diani and Muninggar Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A woman called up The Jakarta Post the other day in a panic after reading a Post article on the proposal for the government to require expatriate men to deposit some Rp 500 million (about US$50,000) before marrying an Indonesian woman. "My sister's fiance is Dutch. And he said even if he had the money, he'd be better off investing it in a business," said the woman.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct.13, 2005
Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct.13, 2005 ____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading volume _____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Waters 1,780 110 12,500 Adhi Karya 550 -10 237,000 Adira Dinamika 2,000 200 32,500 AGIS Tbk 80 0 0 Akbar Indo Makmur 195 -5 95,000 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,520 50 1,877,500 Alakasa Industrindo 165 0 0 Alfa...
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Ex-Unocal CEO says CNOOC almost won
Ex-Unocal CEO says CNOOC almost won Gary Gentile, Associated Press, Los Angeles The former CEO of Unocal Corp. said the U.S. energy company would have agreed to be acquired by the Chinese state-owned oil and gas company CNOOC Ltd., despite fierce political opposition, if the Chinese side had raised its bid in August. "Our board wouldn't have backed away, former Unocal chief executive Charles R.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Jakartans warned of possible dengue outbreak
Jakartans warned of possible dengue outbreak City residents have been warned of a possible dengue fever outbreak this year during the transitional period between the dry and wet sessions, when dengue is normally at its most prevalent. "Although the data from the hospitals does not show any increase in the number of dengue fever cases so far, we need to be alert," Jakarta Health Agency spokeswoman Zelvino told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Haze engulfs Banjarmasin
Haze engulfs Banjarmasin BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Thick haze again blanketed the South Kalimantan capital of Banjarmasin on Thursday morning but gradually lifted in the afternoon. Despite the pollution, many motorists in the city were not wearing masks to protect their lungs and eyes. The smog is believed to come from illegal land clearing operations in the Barito Kuala and Pulang Pisau regencies in Central Kalimantan. -- Antara
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/18/RASH
JP/18/RASH 'Rashomon', a Japanese play with Malay adaptation Oyos Saroso H.N. The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung A robbery occurred on the road to Yamashina town. The victims were a martial arts fighter, Rustam, and his wife, Maesaroh. News about this robbery, which was followed by a murder, spread far and wife rapidly. Mat Tholibun bin Samiun was arrested. He, Maesaroh and the soul of Rustam made statements about the robbery and murder.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
'Wayang Beber' another dying art
'Wayang Beber' another dying art Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Wayang beber, or storytelling with a scroll of pictures, is a dying art in the country. Not only it is rarely performed but the scrolls themselves have also become a rarity. It is believed that, today, the scrolls can only be found in two places: in Gelaran village, Karangmojo sub-district, Gunungkidul regency, Yogyakarta and in the East Java town of Pacitan.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Mining companies in RI view Newmont as test case
Mining companies in RI view Newmont as test case James Attwood, Dow Jones/Sydney Despite a string of terrorist attacks against western interests in Indonesia, foreign mining operators and prospective investors in the country are more concerned about legal uncertainties than security risks, industry participants said on Wednesday.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Portrait of a young man documentarian
Portrait of a young man documentarian M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta For a 19-year old, Ratrikala Bhre Aditya has a keen eye for social observation. "On the way here, I met a proud-looking security guard. I think it would be interesting to shoot a film based on his life -- someone who works for a pittance but sees on a daily basis luxury cars going past, which he can only dream of," Bhre told The Jakarta Post in an interview at a shopping mall in South Jakarta.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
TV Today: Saturday, October 15, 2005
TV Today: Saturday, October 15, 2005 TVRI .tb .30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Koran Recital 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:30 Religious Teachings 8:00 Talk Show: Hembing 8:30 Bugar 10:30 Children Drama 11:00 News: Berita Nusantara 11:30 Oto Screen 12:00 Sports 1:00 p.m.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Thai-Malaysian relations
Thai-Malaysian relations The downturn in Thai-Malaysian relations can be reversed by less belligerence and more dialogue. The worsening relations between the Thai and Malaysian governments is bad news for both countries. The deterioration of the two nations once-cherished neighborly ties has reached a new low point, with leaders no longer even on speaking terms.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta to build more low-cost apartments
Jakarta to build more low-cost apartments JAKARTA: The Jakarta administration is set to build some 2,040 low-cost apartments in 2006, Suratman, the head of the planning division at the Jakarta Housing Agency, said on Wednesday. He was quoted by the city's official online news portal Beritajakarta.com as saying that the construction of the low-cost apartments was aimed at creating a better urban environment and to provide decent housing for Jakartans.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Profile of Goethe-Institut Jakarta
Profile of Goethe-Institut Jakarta Established: 1961 Network: One of the Federal Republic of Germany's global cultural institutes named as regional institute for Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Background: Through the network, the Goethe-Institut plays an important role in providing access to language and German culture all over the world. It promotes a wider knowledge of the German language abroad and fosters cultural cooperation with other countries. Director: Dr. Peter J.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah Rates Oct. 13
Rupiah Rates Oct. 13 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,979.94 7,228.28 7,642.88 7,565.30 Brunei dollar 1 6,276.57 5,684.43 6,011.45 5,949.47 Canadian dollar 1 9,074.61 8,217.42 8,691.31 8,600.56 Swiss franc 1 8,240.31 7,463.38 7,892.25 7,811.36 Danish krone 1 1,707.47 1,546.09 1,635.34 1,618.18 Euro 1 12,743.24 11,539.63 12,204.98 12,077.67 Poundsterling 1 18,572.74 16,820.72 17,788.24 17,604.99 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,370.16 1,241.22 1,312.29 1,299.09...
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
1. Labor (2x18)
1. Labor (2x18) Workers feel the pinch post fuel price hike 2. TError (2x24) Poor team work blamed for inability to stop attacks 3. Dau (2x27) Treasurer testifies against Taufiq Kamil in graft case 4. Corby (1x25) Corby immovable on innocence 5. Cutline (1x27) Victims of crashes join forces
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
World-class filmmakers to lecture at JiFFest
World-class filmmakers to lecture at JiFFest Faced with a short supply of quality screenplays in the domestic film industry, the Jakarta International Film Festival (JiFFest) is planning to organize workshops in script writing. Participants for the workshop, slated for Dec. 10 and Dec. 18 will benefit from lectures given by top-notch scriptwriters like David Howard and Graeme Isaacs.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Sumarecon to sell 5% to buy land
Sumarecon to sell 5% to buy land JAKARTA: PT Sumarecon Agung, which builds shopping centers and apartments in Indonesia, plans to raise Rp 72.6 billion (US$7.2 million) selling a 5 percent stake to fund the purchase of 20 hectares of land in the capital Jakarta. Sumarecon plans to sell 93.7 million new shares at Rp 775 each to a company called Valence Asset Ltd., based in the British Virgin Islands, the company said in a prospectus published in the Investor Daily Indonesia newspaper on Thursday.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/18/GARDAN
JP/18/GARDAN Theater group sets up 'story exchange' in mall Sri Wahyuni The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta "Which one would you like to buy? If you want to hear my whole story as a political prisoner, I suggest that you choose those four photographs," an old man in his late 60s said as he approached a couple visiting Galeria Mall here recently.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
CTS awards for hotels launched
CTS awards for hotels launched YOGYAKARTA: In cooperation with other stakeholders in the community, Gadjah Mada University's Center for Tourism Studies (CTS) launched here recently the "Friend of the Community" (FoC) label for hotels and other hospitality outlets.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
After the attacks in Bali, can we still live with our modern Myths?
After the attacks in Bali, can we still live with our modern Myths? Farish A. Noor, Berlin Writing against the current of popular opinion these days is an unceasing struggle against the current of stale cliches and platitudes. Immediately after the recent bombings on the Indonesian island of Bali the familiar refrains were heard: "destruction of the paradise island", "loss of a tourist haven", etc, etc.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Correction: In the article [i]Businesspeople concerned by govt
Correction: In the article Businesspeople concerned by govt economic performance published on Thursday, we misquoted Stanley Lee as saying ".... (the tax officials) are just trying to blackmail taxpayers...". Mr. Lee responds: "Our factory has been in operation for 30 years in Jakarta and we are facing problems with tax regulations concerning the bonded zone. We have been advised that because of conflicting interpretations, we have been penalized and must pay Rp 2.6 billion.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Downer asks SBY not to cut Ba'asyir's, bombers' sentences
Downer asks SBY not to cut Ba'asyir's, bombers' sentences Eva C. Komandjadja and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer met President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and several ministers here on Thursday, reiterating his appeal for Indonesia not to cut the jail terms of radical Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir and those convicted of the Bali bombings.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Corby immovable on innocence
Corby immovable on innocence Agencies, Denpasar, Bali Convicted Australian drug smuggler Schapelle Corby was devastated by an Indonesian court's decision to shave five years from her 20-year prison sentence, saying she should not have to spend even one day in jail, her lawyer said on Thursday. The Bali High Court this week upheld a lower court's guilty verdict, but reduced Corby's sentence, saying she did not benefit directly from her wrongdoing.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Court 'pimping RI woman'
Court 'pimping RI woman' What a great story Want to marry RI woman? Pay Rp 500m in deposit was, when it appeared in the Oct. 10 edition of The Jakarta Post. While they can't even deal with the multitude of cases of corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) in the country, now the Supreme Court has the bright idea that they will control who people marry.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
GAM leaders should return home
GAM leaders should return home From Republika The head of the Aceh Monitoring Mission, Pieter Feith, has called on leaders of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) who live in Sweden and elsewhere to return to Aceh because it is now safe. I completely agree with Feith because there is no reason for those leaders to delay their return after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between GAM and the Indonesian government.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Rice price skyrockets
Rice price skyrockets YOGYAKARTA: The fuel price hikes have affected the price of rice in Yogyakarta, with the staple rising from Rp 2,900 a kilogram two weeks ago to around Rp 4,300 now. In order stabilize the price, the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) Yogyakarta operations would soon conduct market operations, chief Agusdin Faridh said.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
No extra copies of the post
No extra copies of the post In the week after the Bali bombings, I found it difficult, not to say impossible, to find a copy of The Jakarta Post in the country. Why not double the production when the need to be informed is in high demand after a disaster like this? I was in Kuta since the events and found the Post sold out or was simply not delivered to major selling points such as airport shops. Being back in Jakarta a copy of the Post can't even be found at Gramedia or QB books.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
KL to issue cards to foreign workers
KL to issue cards to foreign workers MALAYSIA: Malaysia will issue biometric identity cards to foreign workers by the end of the year as part of efforts to crack down on illegal migrant workers, local media said on Thursday. Under the 30 million ringgit (US$8 million) system, the cards will be issued to construction, manufacturing, agricultural and restaurant workers, said Home Affairs Minister Azmi Khalid.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Sinopec in talks with foreign partners on potential ventures
Sinopec in talks with foreign partners on potential ventures Loretta Ng and Stephen Voss, Bloomberg/Hong Kong/London China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (Sinopec), the country's largest oil refiner, said it's in talks regarding potential ventures with foreign companies including BP Plc, which wants a greater share of the industry as Chinese economy surges.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/5/FIRM
JP/5/FIRM Foreign firms threaten local business Antara Bandarlampung Local businesspeople are complaining about the number of foreign firms opening up in Lampung, resulting in stiff competition that they claim is forcing them out of business. Businesspeople voiced concern at a meeting on foreign trade between 100 local businessmen and government officials in Bandarlampung city recently. One businessman questioned the government policy of allowing foreign firms to enter the country's regions.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
1. Riwan -- The mystification of NKRI
1. Riwan -- The mystification of NKRI 3 x 15 The mystification of the unitary state of Indonesia Riwanto Tirtosudarmo Jakarta 2. Yale -- Turkey and the European Tent 1 x 38 Turkey set to enter the European Tent Shada Islam Yale Center for the Study of Globalization Brussels 3. Syria -- Syrian regime is fighting for survival 1 x 30 Syrian regime fights for survival Simon Tisdall Guardian News Service London
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
4 headings for page 19 -- entertainment
4 headings for page 19 -- entertainment 1. BURANA -- 1 x 39 'Carmina Burana' gets full Monty at GKJ 2. PUSAN -- 1 x 42 Indonesian films feature strongly at Pusan 3. FILM -- 1 x 44 World-class filmmakers to lecture at JiFFest 4. SUSUL -- 1 x 51 'Fox' cancels 'The Simple Life' with Hilton, Richie
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
PLN disconnects power at hotel, factory over illegal connections
PLN disconnects power at hotel, factory over illegal connections The Jakarta Post Jakarta A joint team from state electricity firm PLN and the National Police disconnected the electricity on Thursday at the Beverly Hill hotel and spa on Jl. Ladan 1 in Kota, West Jakarta, and temporarily disconnected the power supply to a chemical factory on Jl. Raya Serang in Tangerang for alleged illegal connections.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Poor team work blamed for inability to stop attacks
Poor team work blamed for inability to stop attacks Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Defense and intelligence analysts are ruing poor team work among intelligence units and unpopular government policies for a string of terrorist attacks that have rocked the country over the last three years.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
SEA Games squad gets Rp 5 billion
SEA Games squad gets Rp 5 billion JAKARTA: The Office of the State Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs donated Rp 5 billion (US$500,000) on Thursday to assist the national contingent to the Southeast (SEA) Asian Games next month. State minister Adhyaksa Dault said the funds were allocated by the deputy of sports development. "The fund is moral support to Indonesian athletes so that they will do their best in reaching their optimum results," he was quoted as saying by Antara. -- JP
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Local officials to be probe for graft
Local officials to be probe for graft JAKARTA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono granted on Thursday permission for the police to question a regent and a deputy regent in two separate graft cases, and a legislator in a slander case. Presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng said that written permission was given to the clear way for the police to investigate the officials.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
SGU aims to transfer high technology
SGU aims to transfer high technology Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the first international university in the country, the Swiss German University (SGU) was established with a mission: to transfer high technology from these developed countries to Indonesian in order to boost its economy. Unlike other private universities, it's not all about profit at SGU.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Urban planners not keen on idea to move govt offices
Urban planners not keen on idea to move govt offices Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post,Jakarta Urban planning experts expressed doubts that the idea proposed by Jakarta Regional Representative Council (DPD) member Sarwono Kusumaatmadja to relocate government offices to areas outside the city would be an effective solution to urban woes here. "The problem is that the administration has no clear and comprehensive scenario on the future of the city after the relocation.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Stock index has biggest drop in three week
Stock index has biggest drop in three week Naila Firdausi, Bloomberg/Jakarta Indonesia's key stock index had its biggest drop in three weeks. PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) and PT Unilever Indonesia led declines after the rupiah weakened for a fourth day, raising concerns of higher import and debt costs. "A weaker rupiah makes investing in Indonesian assets unattractive," said Kennyarso Soejatman, who helps manage about US$60 million at First State Investments Indonesia in Jakarta.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Political turmoil 'primary risk' to RP
Political turmoil 'primary risk' to RP Agence France-Presse, Manila Protracted political uncertainty is the "primary risk" facing the Philippine economy, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned on Thursday. The fund also identified "soaring oil prices ... (and) adverse developments in international capital markets" as other potential threats to the country's economic growth.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Police 'aware' smaller bomb attacks in horizon
Police 'aware' smaller bomb attacks in horizon Jim Gomez, Associated Press/Manila Indonesian police had evidence suggesting that militants may resort to smaller suicide attacks rather than powerful truck bombs before the deadly Oct. 1 Bali bombings, a U.S. terrorism expert said on Thursday.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Coca-Cola Amatil shares drop on forecast rising costs
Coca-Cola Amatil shares drop on forecast rising costs Robert Fenner, Bloomberg, Sydney Shares of Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd., Asia's biggest Coke bottler, had their largest slump in five months on concern costs of fuel, aluminum, sugar and plastic bottles are rising faster than expected.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Injured Afrina out of SEA Games
Injured Afrina out of SEA Games JAKARTA: A leg injury suffered at a recent event in Turkey has put leading artistic gymnast Afrina Siahaan out of contention for next month's 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. "Afrina has undergone surgery and will be absent from the SEA Games next month," Asep Sulaeman was quoted by Antara as saying on Thursday. Afrina, 23, won three golds at the 2004 National Games for North Sumatra and was a silver medalist on the uneven bars in the 2003 SEA Games.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Workers feel the pinch post fuel price hike
Workers feel the pinch post fuel price hike Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta For his work at a shoe company in Tangerang, Banten province, Parluhutan Simbolon is paid Rp 1.3 million (US$103) a month, a wage he once considered decent. But since the government raised fuel prices on Oct. 1, it has been a struggle to make ends meet as the prices of basic goods have also increased.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
When judges insist they are only answerable to God
When judges insist they are only answerable to God Kornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta People in the rather slummy neighborhood units were a little envious seeing Miswan opening an impressive, official-looking envelope. They thought the security guard in a housing complex near their area might have received another Rp 300,000 worth of fuel compensation assistance from the government. He was the only person to receive such a letter in this neighborhood. Proudly he opened the envelope.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
On wildlife trading
On wildlife trading I am terribly shocked to learn that the illegal wildlife trade in Indonesia is a Rp 9 trillion a year business. This is a great irony considering that Indonesia at present still has to shoulder a huge foreign debt. The government must deal with these cases more seriously, and ensure law enforcement is systematically carried out. Or we will have to face the extinction of many wild species, a great loss to our next generations.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Terrorist attacks: Preparing for the unimaginable
Terrorist attacks: Preparing for the unimaginable Michael Richardson, Singapore Barely 24 hours before suicide bombers struck in Bali early this month killing and injuring dozens of Indonesians and foreigners, Australian and Singaporean military specialists ended an exercise designed to cope with an even more terrifying prospect -- a terrorist attack using chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear weapons.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Excelcom excluded from JSX calculation
Excelcom excluded from JSX calculation JAKARTA: The Jakarta Stock Exchange has excluded cellular operator PT Excelcomindo Pratama from the bourse's main index calculation due to small number of the company's shares held by the public, a senior bourse official said on Thursday. "We decided to exclude Excelcom from the main index calculation as it has a very small free float," JSX President Erry Firmansyah told Dow Jones Newswires.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
PLN cuts illegal power rigs in city
PLN cuts illegal power rigs in city The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A joint team from state electricity firm PLN and the National Police disconnected the electricity on Thursday at the Beverly Hill hotel and spa on Jl. Ladan 1 in Kota, West Jakarta, and temporarily disconnected the power supply to a chemical factory on Jl. Raya Serang in Tangerang for alleged illegal connections.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
'All we can do is tighten our belts'
'All we can do is tighten our belts' Recent fuel price rises have led to increases in the prices of other services and commodities, which has considerably reduced people's purchasing power. The Jakarta Post asked residents how they are making ends meet. Nur Arifin, 35, is a Blue Bird taxi driver from the Pondok Cabe pool in East Jakarta.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
NGOs slam Susilo for weak rights policies
NGOs slam Susilo for weak rights policies Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Top human rights groups slammed the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday for failing to protect human rights during its first year in office.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Ministry to hold spare parts expo
Ministry to hold spare parts expo JAKARTA: In a bid to boost the development of the automotive and electronic parts manufacturing industry, the Ministry of Industry will hold a two-day exhibition starting from Oct. 17 in the Bidakara complex, South Jakarta.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Armenian FM visits Jakarta
Armenian FM visits Jakarta JAKARTA: Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vardan Oskanyan visited Indonesia to hold a bilateral meeting with his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirayuda in Jakarta, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. This is the first visit of a high-level Armenian delegation to Indonesia.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian films feature strongly at Pusan
Indonesian films feature strongly at Pusan Paolo Bertolin, Contributor, Pusan, South Korea Claiming to be the leader among Asian film events, Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) opened on Oct 6. Taking curtain-raiser honors was Three Times by Taiwanese master filmmaker Hou Hsiao-hsien, a mesmerizing depiction of three romances played by the same actors, Shu Qi and Chang Chen, against the backdrop of different epochs in Taiwan's troubled history.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Traditional markets may disrupt Lebaran journeys
Traditional markets may disrupt Lebaran journeys Nana Rukmana The Jakarta Post/Cirebon Travelers taking the northern coastal route to reach their hometowns for the upcoming Lebaran holidays might face bad traffic jams along the way caused by traditional markets spilling out onto roadways. The traditional markets -- which are all located along the main route connecting Jakarta, West Java and Central Java -- have started to show increasing activity on Thursday.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Teenager cleared of bird flu dies
Teenager cleared of bird flu dies JAKARTA: A teenager released from hospital earlier this month after being told she had not contracted the deadly bird flu virus has died, a medical official said on Thursday. "The woman had tested negative and was declared not infected with avian flu and was accordingly released from hospital on Oct. 4," said Sardikin Giriputro, the deputy director of Jakarta's Sulianti Saroso hospital.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Illegal logging remains widespread in Lampung
Illegal logging remains widespread in Lampung Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung Two drivers calmly gave themselves up to the police when they were apprehended in Bandarlampung recently with trucks laden with meranti and kruing timber. They had their reasons to be calm. Held only for one night as witnesses, they were released the next morning with the trucks, which continued their trips to the port of Bakauheni for the ferry crossing to Java.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Boyolali residents fight to survive amid drought
Boyolali residents fight to survive amid drought Blontank Poer, The Jakarta Post, Boyolali Clean water remains a luxury for many people in the country, including residents of Tegalsari hamlet in Boyolali, Central Java. The hamlet is located near a dam and traversed by two rivers, but the dam and the rivers have dried up since the dry season arrived two months ago. Artesian wells would relieve the water shortages, but residents here are too poor to afford wells.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Hyatt, Novotel gets new GMs
Hyatt, Novotel gets new GMs YOGYAKARTA: The five-star Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta hotel and four-star Novotel Yogyakarta have new general managers. Makassar-born Rizal Ruriko Kasim was installed as the new GM of the Hyatt Regency hotel by the president of the Hyatt International Cooperation, Bern Chorengel, earlier last moth. Previously French-born Fabrice Mini was installed as Novotel Yogyakarta's new GM.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Police said on Thursday they had made two more arrests in
Police said on Thursday they had made two more arrests in connection with this month's suicide bombings in Bali, a day after an angry crowd stormed the island's main jail to demand speedy executions for those convicted for the 2002 blasts. It was not clear whether those arrested on Wednesday in Banten province on the island of Java were believed to have been directly involved in the attacks on the crowded restaurants on Oct. 1, which killed 20 people plus the three bombers.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Tax office's move sparks unease
Tax office's move sparks unease Rendi A. Witular and Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As if its efforts to make new taxpayers comply with their obligation is not enough, the Directorate General of Taxation is introducing punitive measures for any incorrect information given by taxpayers.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Oz to give $10m to fight bird flu
Oz to give $10m to fight bird flu JAKARTA: Visiting Australia foreign minister Alexander Downer announced on Thursday his government would disburse another A$10 million (about US$7.5 million) to help Indonesia fight bird flu. "This funding will help Indonesia improve its response to a potential outbreak in key areas such as detection, diagnosis and containment of the virus, public awareness-raising and information sharing," he said in a statement.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Unable or unwilling?
Unable or unwilling? Sidney Jones, the Jakarta-based South East Asia project director for International Crisis Group, had two months before the 2002 Bali bombings, released a meticulously researched, and prescient report on the danger posed by Jamaah Islamyah (JI) now widely believed to have masterminded those attacks (TIME, Oct. 10 edition). Few paid heed at that time. And then there were the other bombs, like the one in front of Australian Embassy and those on Oct. 1 back in Bali.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
Police make new arrests in Bali probe
Police make new arrests in Bali probe The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police said on Thursday they had made two more arrests in connection with this month's suicide bombings in Bali, a day after an angry crowd stormed the island's main jail to demand speedy executions for those convicted for the 2002 blasts.
Fri, 14 Oct 2005, 00:00 WIB
BLURB FOR OCTOBER 14, 2005:
BLURB FOR OCTOBER 14, 2005: A. Victims of Boeing crashes join forces Page 8 B. Boyolali residents fight to survive amid drought Page 5 C. 'Wayang Beber' another dying art Page 18