Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 17 October 2005

68 articles found

Is the govt still committed to this country's reform?

Is the govt still committed to this country's reform? Jakarta Post, 17 Oct 2005 Benget Simbolon Tnb. Jakarta Is the government still committed to this country's reform? Is the reform continuing on the right track? Or is it backtracking? Such questions surfaced following the government's green-light to the Indonesian military (TNI) allowing the revival of its territorial function; regional commands notorious for their human rights abuses during the authoritarian administration of Soeharto.

How Aceh weathers the worst for a better future

How Aceh weathers the worst for a better future Javier Solana, The Straits Times, Asia News Network/Singapore Late last year, the Indonesian province of Aceh bore the brunt of an Indian Ocean tsunami that killed nearly 150,000 people, left half a million homeless and destroyed livelihoods and infrastructure.

Corruption remains main concern for Finnish investors

Corruption remains main concern for Finnish investors Trade and investment ties between Indonesia and Finland have grown rapidly over recent years after a period of stagnation following the Asian financial crisis in 1998. Although two-way trade between the countries remains relatively small, both governments have agreed to boost trade and investment activities in the near future. To learn more about the two nations' economic ties, The Jakarta Post's Rendi A.

PAN asks govt to stop cash aid

PAN asks govt to stop cash aid JAKARTA: The National Mandate Party (PAN) has suggested that the government stop paying out cash assistance to the poor after six months, calling the scheme "not educational". "I have talked to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and in principle he agreed that the scheme was a temporary measure," PAN leader Soetrisno Bachir said on Sunday.

Big bonus for councillors not proper, observers say

Big bonus for councillors not proper, observers say Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Elected city councillors are displaying insensitivity during hard times, urban observers have said, citing a new gubernatorial ruling approving a double or even triple increase in councillors' incomes.

Kalimantan orangutan on brink of extinction

Kalimantan orangutan on brink of extinction Rusman The Jakarta Post/Samarinda Suparlan was shocked when he saw the state of his banana plantation. Trees were lying on the ground and bananas were strewn about everywhere. The farmer assumed the perpetrators were pigs, so he was stunned to find an orangutan trapped in a net he set up near the plantation. He could not bring himself to kill the orangutan, so he released him.

Sumatra highway in bad repair

Sumatra highway in bad repair PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: A main road connecting two provincial capitals on Sumatra island is severely damaged, sparking concern that it will disrupt travel during the Idul Fitri holiday in early November. The road was heavily potholed in Musi Banyuasin regency between Palembang, the capital of South Sumatra, and Jambi, the capital of Jambi province.

Mumbai couple turns street snack into big business

Mumbai couple turns street snack into big business Associated Press, Bombay, India A young Bombay couple have taken the city's most popular snack -- the lowly potato patty -- and transformed it into a fast-growing business. Their model is none other than the world's fast-food king - McDonald's.

Suspected bird flu patient dies

Suspected bird flu patient dies JAKARTA: A 56-year-old suspected bird flu patient died on Friday in Sulianti Saroso Hospital in Sunter, North Jakarta. The patient had been treated at the hospital since Oct. 11 for a severe cough, acute respiratory problems and a high temperature, all symptoms of bird flu. The patient, a resident of Jl. Karet in Pasar Baru Timur, Central Jakarta, was transferred from city-owned Tarakan Hospital in Central Jakarta.

All major cellular phone operators in the country have tried out 3G

All major cellular phone operators in the country have tried out 3G Zatni Arbi, contributor, zatni@cbn.net.id XL, Indonesia's third largest GSM cellular operator with about 5.8 million subscribers, made a splash just before the start of the fasting month. It became the third Indonesian operator to launch a 3G trial run, following Telkomsel in June and Indosat in August. The launch event in Jakarta was attended by Minister of Communications and Information Sofyan Djalil.

Assessing your vulnerability through Pure Hacking

Assessing your vulnerability through Pure Hacking Vishnu K. Mahmud, vmahmud@yahoo.com Recently a Rp 1.95 billion Indonesian website was hacked by protesters complaining about the fuel price hikes, in what appears to be a simple vulnerability exploit. This act of cyber sabotage could bring into question the viability of an organization's information technology practices, if not the company's data security as a whole.

Rainy season comes, dengue cases up

Rainy season comes, dengue cases up Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the rainy season about to start, an increasing number of dengue fever patients are crowding a number of city hospitals, which have had to provide extra beds and treat the patients in the corridors. The Jakarta Health Agency warned on Sunday that with the arrive of the rainy season, the number of dengue patients would continue to rise across the city in the coming weeks.

1. Commentary -- 48 pts 7 cols 1line (1x45)

1. Commentary -- 48 pts 7 cols 1line (1x45) Understanding fuel subsidy cuts 'a piece of cake' 2. Bribe -- 36 pts 3 cols 2 lines (2x24) Probo's case highlights corrupt system: Experts 3. Susul -- 36 pts 3 cols 2lines (2x24) Romania culls fowl while Europe braces for bird flu 4. Walhi -- 36 pts 4 cols 1line (1x32) Walhi told to focus on human resources --- 5. Photos and oddworld

U.S. official in RI to discuss bird flu

U.S. official in RI to discuss bird flu The top U.S. health official will discuss ways to identify and contain bird flu outbreaks with Indonesian leaders on Monday, although he acknowledged that the chances of halting a pandemic if the virus mutates into a more dangerous form are "not good." U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt arrived in Jakarta Sunday for a two-day visit, following stops in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

1. ANALYSIS: 1 X 45

1. ANALYSIS: 1 X 45 Strong political mandate, weak economic performance 2. RACE: 2 X 18 Alonso wins to seal title for Renault 3. MEGA: 4 X 10 N. Korean leader meets ex-president Megawati 4. MILITARY: 2 X 32 Unites States needs strong military presence in Asia: Study 5. HUGHES: 1 X 40 Top U.S. imagemaker to visit RI and Malaysia

Walhi told to focus on human resources

Walhi told to focus on human resources Tb. Arie Rukmantara, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) needs to be internally strengthened if it wants to cope with increasingly sophisticated environmental problems, observers say. Former environment minister Sonny Keraf said on the sidelines of Walhi's 25th anniversary celebration in Jakarta on Saturday that during the past three or four years, the quality and the quantity of Walhi's work had been in decline.

The pain of the Balinese

The pain of the Balinese The front page story in the Oct. 13 edition of The Jakarta Post was one of pain. The pain of the normally peaceful Balinese, with their natural disposition to tolerance and their warm spirit so many of us have had the pleasure of experiencing, is clear and their desire for the process of justice to be completed as laid down by the law entirely understandable. My own country, which has just suffered the horror of terrorists, abandoned the death penalty many years ago.

Anthropologists uncover jawbone of another ancient "Hobbit" on Indonesian island

Anthropologists uncover jawbone of another ancient "Hobbit" on Indonesian island Joseph B. Verrengia Associated Press/Denver Scientists digging in a remote Indonesian cave have uncovered a jaw bone that they say adds more evidence that a tiny prehistoric Hobbit-like species once existed. The jaw is from the ninth individual believed to have lived as recently as 12,000 years ago. The bones are in a wet cave on the island of Flores in the eastern limb of the Indonesian archipelago, near Australia.

Where's the transparency in fare increases?

Where's the transparency in fare increases? David O'Brien, Jakarta The process of passing through fuel prices to consumer end products, particularly public transport fares seems particularly secretive. The process seemed to occur with an ambit claim from operators, a subsequent assessment by a private panel and a final fait accompli. There is no allowance made for public hearings or publication of how the fares are determined.

Navy apprehends overloaded barge

Navy apprehends overloaded barge Navy patrol ship KRI Kakap-811 has apprehended a tugboat Putra Taliabu and a barge Nelly 22 for carrying 5,000 cubic meters of white teak wood without the proper documentation, a Navy official said on Saturday. The tugboat and the barge were apprehended -- along with their cargo, captain and crew of 11 -- in Sulawesi waters, near Selayar Strait in South Sulawesi, on Thursday evening and were then taken to the Navy port in Makassar.

Malaysian minister to quit: Paper

Malaysian minister to quit: Paper MALAYSIA: Malaysia's Federal Territories Minister Isa Samad plans to resign since the ruling party has rejected his appeal against a suspension on charges of vote-buying, a newspaper reported on Sunday. Isa, 56, will submit a resignation letter to the government's chief secretary on Monday, the Sunday Times reported, citing unnamed political sources. The letter will state the resignation is effective Oct. 15, it said. An aide to the minister refused comment.

Clarification and Balinese anger

Clarification and Balinese anger Regarding the current issue about the execution of the three men convicted for their roles in the 2002 Bali bombings, I think the authorities have not properly explained why these prisoners haven't yet been executed. The repeated calls for execution reached their climax after the second Bali attacks took place on Oct. 1. Massive protests have increased. What the people want is actually very simple, namely an explanation of this issue and then an execution.

Broadening the tax base

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 personal income tax base. As of early this year, a mere 1.5 percent of our 220 million population had personal tax numbers.

Businesses brace for costlier credit

Businesses brace for costlier credit The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Already struggling with higher fuel costs, businesses in the country may soon have to cope with pricier debts as well, while consumers may want to reconsider unnecessary credit spending, with economists predicting a continued rise in interest rates.

Bantul monitors 'Idul Fitri' bonus

Bantul monitors 'Idul Fitri' bonus BANTUL, Yogyakarta: Bantul regental administration has set up a monitoring team to ensure all companies provide their workers with the Idul Fitri bonus, an official said on Friday. "The team comprises 60 people, consisting of officials from the manpower office and representatives from the All-Indonesia Workers Union and Association of Indonesia Businessmen," said the head of Bantul's Manpower Office, Ahmad Djuhdi.

Strong political mandate, weak economic performance

Strong political mandate, weak economic performance Vincent Lingga, Jakarta Judged against the strong political mandate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono obtained in last September's presidential election, Indonesia's economic performance during the first year of his administration has been quite disappointing.

City set to convert 32 gas stations into public parks

City set to convert 32 gas stations into public parks The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta administration has decided not to extend the permits for six of the 32 gas stations occupying land designated as green areas in the capital. "We will start turning six gas stations into parks next year," said Jakarta Parks Agency head Sarwo Handhayani during a hearing with City Council Commission D for development and transportation affairs.

E-mail list involves young professionals in travel, adventure and charitable acts

E-mail list involves young professionals in travel, adventure and charitable acts A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It's a rare view, or an event. A group of young Jakartan professionals were busy packaging various kinds of foodstuffs in plastic bags, wiping away the sweat from their brows with the backs of their hands.

Understanding fuel subsidy cuts 'a piece of cake'

Understanding fuel subsidy cuts 'a piece of cake' Endy M. Bayuni, Jakarta More than two weeks after the stiff hikes in domestic fuel prices, many people still don't get the government's rationale for slashing the fuel subsidies, at least, this would appear to be the case if their continued opposition to the increases are anything to go by. Perhaps an analogy with a piece of cake would help improve their understanding of the issue. Imagine a family of 10 having to share a cake.

A. Rainy season arrives, dengue cases up Page 8

A. Rainy season arrives, dengue cases up Page 8 B. Sulawesi Expo brings RI arts to Tokyo Page 19 C. Vaidisova upsets Petrova in Thai Open final Page 23

Saudi govt to launch charity drive in Aceh

Saudi govt to launch charity drive in Aceh JAKARTA: The government of Saudi Arabia will launch a US$160,000 charity relief campaign for the survivors of the tsunami in Aceh, the Saudi embassy's charge d'affaires ad interim, Abdullah Mohammad Al-Ghamdi, said. "Under the campaign, the Saudi government will implement a breaking of the fast program for Muslims in Aceh province during the holy month of Ramadhan this year," Al-Ghamdi said in a press release sent to The Jakarta Post.

Singapore property lures big buyers

Singapore property lures big buyers Bernice Han, Agence France-Presse/Singapore Singapore's tallest condominium project will only be ready in 2009 at the earliest but that has not stopped Asian buyers from joining the rush for one of the most prestigious addresses in town. At least 30 percent of the buyers at the soft launch of Tower 2 of the Sail at Marina Bay were from the region, especially China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan and India, according to developer City Developments Limited (CDL).

Indonesia furniture exports stagnant

Indonesia furniture exports stagnant Anissa S. Febrina, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The furniture industry saw its exports stay flat and production capacity decline in the first half of the year, with the trend set to continue into next year unless the government speeds up measures to address the high-cost economy, an association says.

Blessings and misfortunes

Blessings and misfortunes From Kompas In the beginning I was quite optimistic about the change to a national leader who was directly elected by the people, and sure that Indonesia would be able to solve its multi-dimensional crises -- economic stagnation, moral decadence and all sorts of other irregularities.

TV Program: Tuesday, October 18, 2005

TV Program: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Channel Dangdut 8:30 Music: Asik-asik 11:00 News: Berita Nusantara 1:00 p.m.

Imposing green taxes on oil fuel

Imposing green taxes on oil fuel Aziz, Munich Vice President Jusuf Kalla once told reporters that imposing taxes on oil products, to follow what other countries were doing, was not feasible in Indonesia because the government considered oil products "strategic", not commercial. The Vice President perhaps must have been joking. Those countries that impose taxes on oil fuel consumption were doing it precisely because oil fuel to them is a strategic product.

Rebels' disarmament extended

Rebels' disarmament extended The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The second phase of disarmament in Aceh has been extended as the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) has not yet handed over the target number of weapons needed to be surrendered under the peace deal. GAM has handed in 182 acceptable weapons during the past three days and, with 32 more them still under scrutiny, the former rebel group was still short of the 232 arms the must be handed over in each of four disarmament phases.

Probo's case highlights corrupt system: Experts

Probo's case highlights corrupt system: Experts Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Businessman Probosutedjo's admission that he gave money to his lawyer to bribe judges handling his graft case, and a similar move by a lawyer of suspended Aceh governor Abdullah Puteh a few months ago, highlight the country's corrupt and weak judicial system, experts say.

Fish or kerosene? Women share tough choices

Fish or kerosene? Women share tough choices Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Every day Santi is faced with the question of whether to buy a piece of fish for dinner, or kerosene with which to cook it. "We want to eat, but we can't, not when the price of fish at the market is the same as the price of kerosene" at about Rp 2,000 a liter, the single mother from Bojong Gede, Bogor, said in a talk show on Saturday.

Top U.S. imagemaker to visit RI and Malaysia

Top U.S. imagemaker to visit RI and Malaysia Agence France-Presse, Washington Karen Hughes, a close confidante of President George W. Bush and the State Department's top imagemaker, will visit Indonesia and Malaysia next week (this week) after her recent Middle East tour, she said on Friday. Hughes, undersecretary of state for public diplomacy, announced her Asian swing at a seminar here and said missions to Latin America and Europe were in the works. "I'm headed on another listening trip.

Sutanto's move to clean up police questionable: Watchdog

Sutanto's move to clean up police questionable: Watchdog The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Police has yet to demonstrate its full support for the drive against corruption as none of the graft and bribery cases involving its officers have been handed over to the Attorney General's Office, a police watchdog says. Indonesian Police Watch (IPW) executive director Neta S.

Pawnshop gives Lampung people holiday cheer

Pawnshop gives Lampung people holiday cheer Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung Carrying a simple handbag and wearing only flip flops on her feet, a woman enters state run pawnshop PT Pegadaian in Bandarlampung, Lampung. A man follows, carrying a television set, neatly wrapped in a red tablecloth. Pawnshop staff examined the 21-inch television that Maryani, 50, purchased just last year for Rp 1.2 million (US$120).

JP/2/Jan

JP/2/Jan Top UN official slams slow reconstruction work in Aceh Nani Afrida The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh Reconstruction projects in tsunami-devastated Aceh have been too slow over the past 10 months, leading to popular frustration, a top UN official said on Sunday. The sluggish pace of the projects was due to poor coordination among aid groups, lack of infrastructure, such as roads and ports, and the remoteness of Aceh, said Jan Egeland, the UN's chief emergency relief coordinator.

Aceh local parties may be kept out of polls

Aceh local parties may be kept out of polls Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is drafting a bill on the Aceh administration, which may dash the hopes of former Aceh rebels to contest posts in the regional administration under their own regional party.

Rice 'out of reach' for Pauan residents in remote villages

Rice 'out of reach' for Pauan residents in remote villages Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura Don't ask people in Papua's remote areas how rice tastes, because for them, rice is a luxury: both expensive and rare. "We maybe only eat rice once a month, that is, if someone gives it to us, because we can't afford to buy it," said Steven Enembe, 23, from Muhimbut village, some 750 km southwest of Papua's capital of Jayapura.

Top UN official slams slow reconstruction work in Aceh

Top UN official slams slow reconstruction work in Aceh Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh Reconstruction projects in tsunami-devastated Aceh have been too slow over the past 10 months, leading to popular frustration, a top UN official said on Sunday. The sluggish pace of the projects was due to poor coordination among aid groups, lack of infrastructure, such as roads and ports, and the remoteness of Aceh, said Jan Egeland, the UN's chief emergency relief coordinator.

United States needs strong military presence in Asia: Study

United States needs strong military presence in Asia: Study P. Parameswaran, Agence France-Presse/Washington The United States can ill afford cutbacks in military capabilities in Asia, warns a report on regional military needs as Washington plans to reduce dependence on bases and troops overseas. The report by 14 experts assesses how Asian states are modernizing their military programs in response to China's rise as a regional power, counterterrorism, changes in U.S.

Sulawesi Expo makes RI arts known in Tokyo

Sulawesi Expo makes RI arts known in Tokyo Yusrianti Y. Pontodjaf, Contributor, Tokyo, Japan The Indonesian Cultural House (GBI), an independent institution in Tokyo, has often hosted exhibitions featuring paintings and cultural items from various regions in Indonesia. GBI is an independent institute set up by Japanese journalist Seiichi Okawa in 1998. This time, the exhibition held at GBI Tokyo from Sept. 17 to Dec.

2 headings for page 19 -- potpourri

2 headings for page 19 -- potpourri 1. EXPO -- 1 x 42 Sulawesi Expo makes RI arts known in Tokyo 2. ASIAN -- 2 x 41 Three exhibits offer different ideas on color, design from ancient Asian garments

RI woman dies after truck hits plane ramp

RI woman dies after truck hits plane ramp SRI LANKA: An Indonesian woman passenger was killed and six others injured on Sunday after a truck slammed into an airplane exit ramp at the island's only international airport, a spokesman said. The passengers were on vehicle-mounted ramp disembarking from a Sri Lankan airlines flight when an airport truck crashed into it, sending the victims flying, Sri Lankan airlines spokesman Chandana de Silva said.

Asia flu fight 'key' to defeating virus

Asia flu fight 'key' to defeating virus Darren Schuettler, Reuters/Hanoi Building up Southeast Asia's defenses against bird flu could take a decade but fighting the virus at its source would be cheaper and more effective to stop a human pandemic, a top animal health official said.

page 9 1. GAS -- 3x18 City set to convert 32 gas stations into public parks 2. SME -- 2x30 Software, multimedia companies to help train SMEs in Cikarang 3. FARE -- 1x34 City mulls revising new bus fares 4. MELULU -- 2x30 E-mail list involves young professionals in travel, adventure and charitable acts

'The country is just the same as before'

'The country is just the same as before' The country's first directly elected administration, that of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla, often referred to by their initials SBY-JK, will have been in power for one year next Oct. 20. The Jakarta Post asked some Jakarta people what successes the government has recorded and what must be done to solve the country's political and economy problems. Nelly, 28, is a secretary at a dairy plant in Tangerang.

Software, multimedia companies to help train SMEs in Cikarang

Software, multimedia companies to help train SMEs in Cikarang Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta To help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) compete in the era of globalization, software giant Microsoft, multimedia company Indosat Mega Media and President University will work together to provide information technology training to hundreds of SMEs.

JP/6/Watch

JP/6/Watch High-end watches - a lucrative business By Susanna Tjokro s_tjokro@yahoo.com "It's a status symbol, just like a vehicle. However, while you can't bring your car into the meeting room, you certainly can wear your watch in a business meeting," says my former boss about her Rolex. Several watch brands, such as Rolex and Patek Philippe, are incredibly famous and are considered status symbols, such that many people wish -- or dream -- to have one.

Igor O'Neill

Igor O'Neill Jakarta Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Oct. 7 announced the government's plan to spend Rp 150 billion (US$15 million) to buy 10 million coal stoves as a part of the government efforts to diversify energy resources and to reduce the costly subsidy for kerosene.

Wildlife groups urge unified force to save Borneo's orangutans

Wildlife groups urge unified force to save Borneo's orangutans Sebastien Blanc Agence France Presse/Pontianak Leading environmental and wildlife agencies called Friday for a united effort to protect the habitats of Borneo's orangutans whose survival is threatened by mass deforestation.

RI, Finnish embassy to hold workshop

RI, Finnish embassy to hold workshop JAKARTA: The Office of the State Minister for Research and Technology and the Embassy of Finland will jointly organize a workshop on the "Knowledge-Based Economy" this week in Jakarta, the Finnish embassy announced. "The workshop will be held on Thursday.

N. Korean leader meets ex-Indonesian president Megawati

N. Korean leader meets ex-Indonesian president Megawati North Korean leader Kim Jong-il held talks with former Indonesian president Megawati Soekarnoputri, who was in Pyongyang for celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the nation's ruling communist party, official media said. Kim "had a cordial and friendly talk" with Megawati on Friday, the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a brief report. It did not say what they discussed.

Police told to act on missing journo

Police told to act on missing journo The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Press Council and the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) have urged the police to quickly investigate and solve a case of alleged violence against a Medan-based journalist who disappeared almost two months ago after running stories on irregularities in a local election.

Deterrence note effective in fighting terrorism

Deterrence note effective in fighting terrorism Awan Wibowo Laksono Poesoro, Jakarta As Bali started picking up speed in the healing of its economy from the 2002 bombings that killed 202 people, another battery of bomb attacks were launched on the island. The recent attacks took 23 lives, and reminds us that terrorism is a grave problem in Indonesia. Once renowned for the hospitality of its peoples, Indonesia has experienced an upswing in terrorism these past years.

Bogor worries over cash aid

Bogor worries over cash aid BOGOR: Anticipating problems in the distribution of cash aid for the poor to help them cope with higher fuel prices, Bogor Regent Agus Utara Effendi told officials to watch out for middlemen who might try and take a cut of the money as commission. "If any of the recipients do not receive the full Rp 300,000 in cash aid on Monday, the public should immediately report it to the police," the regent said on Friday.

City mulls revising new bus fares

City mulls revising new bus fares Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Amid strong opposition from bus operators over the increase in public bus fares here, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso has said his administration will consider revising the new fares. "If the councillors are willing to revise the ruling, I will go with it since they represent the residents," Sutiyoso said over the weekend. He recounted that the new fares had also been approved by the councillors.

Solutions sought for decline in orangutan population

Solutions sought for decline in orangutan population Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government says a comprehensive assessment process is underway on the plight of the orangutan due to mass deforestation, but it will avoid scaring off foreign investors.

Thousands of timber workers laid off

Thousands of timber workers laid off JAMBI, Jambi: Almost 2,000 timber workers have been laid off in Jambi during the past few weeks because of slow business there, with workers complaining their severance pay was illegally low. Among those laid off were 1,300 former workers of PT NPP, which operated in Muarojambi regency, Jambi province.

Mexico donates ambulances for Aceh

Mexico donates ambulances for Aceh JAKARTA: The people of Mexico have donated 20 ambulance to be operated in tsunami-hit Aceh and the island of Nias. The ambulances were handed over in a ceremony here on Saturday attended among others by Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi A. Shihab, Mexican Ambassador for Indonesia Pedro Gonzales Rubio Chancez, Indonesian Ambassador for Mexico Ahwil Luthan, and representatives from Aceh and Nias.

Govt moves against high-cost economy

Govt moves against high-cost economy TANGERANG: To facilitate business growth in the regency, the local council revoked on Saturday Bylaw No. 14/2004 on permits for freight unloading and loading. Achmad Kurtubi Su'ud, the head of the council's Commission C for legal affairs, said the decision was in line with the central government's policy to eliminate bylaws that result in a high- cost economy.

Foreigners and immigration rights

Foreigners and immigration rights I just want to say a word on the subject of immigration and the problems encountered by foreign spouses. I too had to smuggle my child out of Indonesia, and my ex-husband reported him as being kidnapped. The consulate in the U.S. got in touch with me, and fortunately, I had my son on an American passport, so my ex- husband was unable to do anything.