Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 21 October 2005

94 articles found

Tupai/Kalla Denies Planning To Run For President

Kalla Denies Planning To Run For PresidentBy: Roy Tupai | Category: Politics PARAS http://laksamana.net/read.php?gid=110 October, 20 2005 @ 04:03 amWith President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono receiving generally positive assessments of his first year in office, Vice President Jusuf Kalla has...

Australia-Indonesia relations lack leadership

Australia-Indonesia relations lack leadershipDuncan Graham, Contributor, SurabayaThe Australian government has failed to provide serious leadership in improving relations with Indonesia, according to Dr. David Hill, professor of Southeast Asian Studies at Western Australia's Murdoch University.

PLN to shut down several plants

PLN to shut down several plantsLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaState power firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara plans to shut down several of their major power plants in Java and lower supply by some 4,000 megawatts (MW) for the five days surrounding the Idul Fitri holidays, in accordance with...

JP/17/PUASA

JP/17/PUASA40 years of breaking the fast at Medan's grand mosque Apriadi Gunawan The Jakarta Post/Medan Zamilah was panting as she hurried, bowl in hand, to a side yard at Medan's Al Mahsum Grand Mosque.

Manpower office to hold job fair

Manpower office to hold job fairSURABAYA, East Java: With high unemployment rates in East Java, the provincial manpower office will hold a job fair on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25, a senior official said on Thursday.

Malls go all out for Ramadhan and Idul Fitri

Malls go all out for Ramadhan and Idul FitriTantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe fasting month of Ramadhan and Idul Fitri are always festive moments in the capital with many shopping malls and department stores organizing special promotions and events.

Mariana Renata picky after 'Janji Joni'

Mariana Renata picky after 'Janji Joni'JAKARTA: Soap ad star Mariana Renata, who also starred in Janji Joni (Joni's promise) has learned to become more selective in taking roles offered to her."I turned some down. I don't think I have enough acting knowledge.

Monthly rental rates continue upward trend

Monthly rental rates continue upward trend The average asking gross rent of mid-up leased apartment units continued to climb upwards in the second quarter of this year, partly due to the increase in the oil price in the first three months.

JP/17/ACEH

JP/17/ACEHTraditional spicy porridge now a rare Ramadhan treatNani Afrida The Jakarta Post/Aceh BesarRamadhan is special for the Acehnese, ninety-eight percent of whom are Muslims. In some of the remote villages of Aceh Besar regency, the villagers usually break their fast with Ie Bu Pedaih (a...

SBY still tight-lipped on Cabinet reshuffle

SBY still tight-lipped on Cabinet reshuffleThe Jakarta Post, JakartaYesterday marked exactly one year since President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono officially took office on Oct. 20, 2004. However, no special events were arranged to celebrate his first year in power as sporadic protests against the...

Three Bali bombers refuse to seek clemency

Three Bali bombers refuse to seek clemencyAgencies, JakartaThree militants on death row for their roles in the 2002 Bali bombings have refused to request presidential pardons, a prosecutor said on Thursday, as public calls mounted for their immediate execution.

East Nusa Tenggara a hit in Venezuela

East Nusa Tenggara a hit in VenezuelaJAKARTA: The traditional clothes of East Nusa Tenggara have found quite a few fans in Venezuela, and the province hopes to increase cooperation with the country in the trade and tourism sectors, provincial spokesman Umbu Saga Anakaka said.

Taxi firm tightens control after violent robbery

Taxi firm tightens control after violent robberyDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaWould-be passengers have to be careful when taking a taxi, even if it belongs to a reputable company.City police have arrested a Blue Bird taxi driver, identified as Supriyadi, 45, for plotting with friends to...

Lack of incentives discourage firms from going public

Lack of incentives discourage firms from going publicRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaLack of fiscal incentives and unfavorable capital market regulations have been blamed for the sluggish growth in the number of companies willing to sell their shares to the public by listing themselves...

Ramayana's 9-month sales rise

Ramayana's 9-month sales riseNaila Firdausi, Bloomberg/Jakarta PT Ramayana Lestari Sentosa, Indonesia's second-largest retailer, said its nine-month sales rose 16 percent as it opened more stores and demand increased in the mining areas of the country.Sales in the period ended Sept. 30 rose to Rp 2.

Apartments offer friendly living too

Apartments offer friendly living tooT. Sima Gunawan Contributor/Jakarta A baby usually brings joy to the parents and makes the house warm. As for Maya Carpenter, a resident of Four Seasons Apartments in Jakarta, having a baby also means having new friends.

1. DISCOURSE: 1 X 42

1. DISCOURSE: 1 X 42 Public involvement crucial in fight against terror 2. FPI: 1 X 34 Militant slapped with vandalism charges 3. MUI: 3 X 18 Government won't restrict Islamic schools: Kalla 4. KPK: 2 X 24 Finance ministry officials charged with graft

Said's trial must proceed: Prosecutors

Said's trial must proceed: Prosecutors JAKARTA: Prosecutors demanded on Thursday that the Central Jakarta District Court reject defense pleas presented by lawyers for former religious minister Said Aqil Hussein Al-Munawwar currently on trial on graft charges.

Police raid car wash-cum-karaoke bar

Police raid car wash-cum-karaoke bar BEKASI: Police have arrested five employees of a karaoke bar disguised as a car wash and garage on Jl. Kalimalang, Bekasi Barat, late on Wednesday.The police revealed on Thursday that the owner, who violated the bylaw on tourism that bans the opening of certain...

Bird flu flares again in Asia

Bird flu flares again in AsiaPanarat Thepgumpanat, Reuters/BangkokBird flu has killed a 48-year-old man in Thailand, the country's first human death in a year, officials said on Thursday, as the deadly H5N1 virus that has now hit Europe reared its head again in east and southeast Asia.

Death toll in Aceh flood rises to 16

Death toll in Aceh flood rises to 16Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda AcehThe death toll from flash floods in Southeast Aceh regency climbed to 16 on Thursday while seven people are still missing.The flash floods, which happened on Tuesday night, were the worst this year in term of fatalities...

ASEAN engagement the right step

ASEAN engagement the right stepAlexander C. Chandra, Jakarta The recent Regional Conference on Civil Society Engagement in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was a step forward towards the process of democratization and openness in ASEAN.

Batam's ferry operation on strike

Batam's ferry operation on strikeFadli, The Jakarta Post, BatamAt least 1,000 passengers were stranded at Sekupang domestic port and Telago Punggur port in Batam, Riau Islands following a ferry operators' decision to stop services on Thursday.

Rental rates continue upward trend

Rental rates continue upward trend The average asking gross rent of mid-up leased apartment units continued to climb upwards in the second quarter of this year, partly due to the increase in the oil price in the first three months.

Team probes local election funds

Team probes local election funds JAKARTA: The government has set up an integrated team to investigate possible misuse of funds earmarked for regional direct elections, a senior official said on Thursday.

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.

Yogyakartans turn to coal briquettes

Yogyakartans turn to coal briquettesSlamet Susanto The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta Today's high fuel prices are no longer a source of stress for Agus Sumarwoto as two months ago the catering entrepreneur turned to coal briquettes.

Lepers seek better lives in Ramadhan

Lepers seek better lives in RamadhanMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, TangerangThe holy month of Ramadhan is a time for giving, which some people take advantage of by looking for easy money, begging on the street.

Palu raises taxi fares

Palu raises taxi faresPALU, Central Sulawesi: Responding to demands by local taxi operators, the Palu city administration announced on Thursday it had raised taxi fares by 25 percent.The flag fall was raised from Rp 3,000 to Rp 4,000, and the charge per kilometer went up from Rp 1,500 to Rp 2,250.

ICW reports graft case in 'TVRI'

ICW reports graft case in 'TVRI'The Jakarta Post, JakartaIndonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) reported state-run television TVRI on Thursday to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in connection with allegations of markups that reportedly cost the taxpayer some Rp 7.2 billion (US$720,000).

SEA Games titleholder Sony sets sights on silver this time

SEA Games titleholder Sony sets sights on silver this timeMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) hopes men's singles titleholder Sony Dwi Kuncoro can at least reach this year's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games final after returning from an injury...

Free Tadjil at Ardjuna Boutique

Free Tadjil at Ardjuna BoutiqueBANDUNG: Throughout the month of Ramadhan, The Ardjuna Boutique Hotel & Spa is providing free tadjil (sweet dishes) daily for all guests who are staying or wish to break their fast at this hotel.

1. Educat -- 4x9

1. Educat -- 4x9 Observers doubtful of education budget hike 2. Terror --- 1x25 Antiterror raids raise hackles 3. Taxi ----- 1x35 Taxi firm tightens control after violent robbery 4. SBY ---- 4x10 SBY still tight-lipped on Cabinet reshuffle

Yogyakarta residents turn to coal briquettes for fuel

Yogyakarta residents turn to coal briquettes for fuelSlamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, YogyakartaToday's high fuel prices are no longer a source of stress for Agus Sumarwoto as two months ago the catering entrepreneur turned to coal briquettes.

More low-cost apartments to be built

More low-cost apartments to be builtDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe city administration is planning to require developers that have not fulfilled their obligations to construct public and social facilities to build low-cost apartments for the poor instead.

P.8

P.81. Omnico -- 4 x 12 Omnico quits monorail consortium, says Sutiyoso 2. Housing -- 1 x 32 More low-cost apartments to be built 3. JAI -- 1 x 30 JAI sues Bogor administration 4. Speak -- 1 x 40 'The current Cabinet has vested interests' -- The Jakarta Post

Unilever Indonesia says profit margins to fall on oil

Unilever Indonesia says profit margins to fall on oilSoraya Permatasari, Bloomberg/Jakarta PT Unilever Indonesia, the local unit of Unilever NV, the world's biggest producer of shampoo and detergents, said profit margins may shrink for the first time in four years because higher energy prices are...

'The current Cabinet has vested interests'

'The current Cabinet has vested interests'The latest polls indicate that while President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla, or SBY and JK, remain popular with voters, they have lost some of their shine since being catapulted into office last year.

Antiterror raids raise hackles

Antiterror raids raise hacklesTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, JakartaLarge-scale raids to find those responsible for the latest Bali bombings have caused unease among some sections of the public, and those who feel they have been unfairly treated have been urged to file complaints against the...

Up to 1 million workers may face layoff, says minister

Up to 1 million workers may face layoff, says ministerThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe economic hardship faced by businesses, in particular due to the recent fuel prices hike, may result in up to 1 million workers losing their jobs by the end of the year, a minister says.

First lawsuit filed over Mandala crash with Chicago court

First lawsuit filed over Mandala crash with Chicago courtApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, MedanA lawyer from the Nolan Law Group announced on Thursday it had filed a lawsuit in a Chicago court over the Sept. 5 Mandala plane crash in Medan.On Oct.

Rising BI rates slow down lending growth

Rising BI rates slow down lending growthUrip Hudiono and Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaSigns of a possible economic slowdown due to the recent rise in interest rates are only now becoming more apparent, with the country's banking industry likely to miss their lending targets for this...

JAI sues Bogor administration

JAI sues Bogor administrationTheresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, BogorBogor authorities received on Thursday a lawsuit from the Ahmadiyah Indonesia Congregation (JAI) due to the closure of its mosques and the prohibition of its activities across the regency.

P.9

P.9 1. Mall -- 3 x 18 Malls go all out for Ramadhan and Idul Fitri 2. Buses -- 1 x 32 City readies 6,500 buses for exodus 3. Leprosy -- 1 x 32 Lepers seek better lives in Ramadhan 4. Miskin -- 1 x 28 Mobile post office attacked

Papua's integration into RI final: Dutch lawmaker

Papua's integration into RI final: Dutch lawmakerRidwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, JakartaA Dutch parliamentarian called on the international community to stop questioning the status of Papua as the territory's incorporation into Indonesia under the United Nations-sanctioned 1969 Act of Free...

Mobile post office attacked

Mobile post office attackedTheresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, BogorBraving the heat and rain, thousands of destitute residents of 11 villages in Leuwiliang district, Bogor, had been gathering in the soccer field since dawn on Wednesday.

Finance ministry officials charged with graft

Finance ministry officials charged with graftThe Jakarta Post, JakartaProsecutors demanded an 18-month jail sentence for two senior officials of the Ministry of Finance over their alleged involvement in a graft case at the General Elections Commission (KPU).

Four injured in fuel protest

Four injured in fuel protest SURABAYA, East Java: Four students suffered light injuries after a clash with the police during the latest protests in Surabaya on Thursday as they were expressing staunch opposition to the government's recent move to raise fuel prices.

Four sports get reprieve for SEAG

Four sports get reprieve for SEAGMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Sports Council (KONI) will send athletes in four sports deemed unlikely to medal in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, despite an earlier declaration that only those with strong prospects would leave for the...

TV Today: Saturday, October 22, 2005

TV Today: Saturday, October 22, 2005 TVRI .tb .30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Koran Recital6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:30 Religious Teachings8:00 Talk Show: Hembing8:30 Bugar10:30 Children Drama11:00 News: Berita Nusantara11:30 Oto Screen12:00 Sports1:00 p.m.

Kampung Sampireun: Jewel in the Garut crown

Kampung Sampireun: Jewel in the Garut crown If you do decide to take a trip down Garut way, then don't miss out on a stay at Kampung Sampireun -- for my money simply one of the best resorts in Indonesia.

Yogyakartans turn to coal

Yogyakartans turn to coal briquettes for fuel Page 5 Quake zone rebuilding only after assessment Page 11 Hidden delights of Garut now within easy reach of Jakarta Page 18

Scroll of Honor for Jakarta

Scroll of Honor for Jakarta We refer to the article Activists slam habitat award for Jakarta, published in The Jakarta Post on Oct. 4. The city of Jakarta is a megacity with more than 10 million inhabitants. About 20 percent, or two million, are living in kampongs or slums.

More apartment units enter the market

More apartment units enter the market Business optimism remains strong in Jakarta's strata-titled apartment market, stimulating the development of new projects during the past three months.Colliers International Indonesia (CII) property consulting company reported that there were an additional...

JP/20/MORITZ

JP/20/MORITZFormer sportsman still has competitive edgeMario Koch The Jakarta Post/JakartaAfter 10 successful years, German Moritz Kleine-Brockhoff, 37, turned his back on playing professional basketball to become a journalist in Southeast Asia.

Inquisition in Indonesia

Inquisition in Indonesia Civilians rampaging like wild elephants in the jungle, trampling on the rights of the people; making kangaroo court judgments on what people can think or say or do; condemning the populace if they don't conform to narrow self-righteous mind think; issuing dictums, or fatwas...

SE Asia to build law enforcement network

SE Asia to build law enforcement networkAssociated Press, BangkokSoutheast Asian countries are expected to establish the world's largest law enforcement network to fight cross-border smuggling of endangered animals, an official said on Thursday.

Govt won't restrict Islamic schools: Kalla

Govt won't restrict Islamic schools: KallaRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaVice President Jusuf Kalla denied reports that the government would restrict the activities of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) as part of the fight against terrorism, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) said on...

;JP;HDN;

;JP;HDN; ANPAa..r.. Education-budget-increaseJP/1/EDUCATION Urip Hudiono and Hera Diani The Jakarta Post/Jakarta----------------------------------------------- Budget allocation Percentage for education to central government expenditures (in Rp trillion) (%)...

Workers want court to disburse salaries

Workers want court to disburse salaries JAKARTA: Dozens of workers of security service provider Securicor staged a rally in front of the South Jakarta District Court on Thursday morning, asking the court to disburse their two-month salaries.

British Council's educational display

British Council's educational displayBANDUNG: The British Council has organized an exhibition and seminar on postgraduate education in Britain. This event is useful for students or professionals in Indonesia interested in continuing their studies in the UK, in order to obtain complete information...

AirAsia, Ramayana among best firms

AirAsia, Ramayana among best firmsAgence France-Presse, SingaporeMalaysian budget carrier AirAsia, Singapore water treatment firm Hyflux, Philippine fastfood giant Jollibee and India's Satyam Computer are among Asia's best for companies with annual revenues under US$1 billion, Forbes Asia magazine...

Supreme Court

Supreme Court trading RI women? We refer to the news item Want to marry RI woman? Pay Rp 500m in deposit (The Jakarta Post, Oct. 10, page 2).We are outraged and disturbed when reading the subject article.

What's wrong with reviving the 'Koter'

What's wrong with reviving the 'Koter'Ardimas Sasdi, Jakarta The military can breathe a sigh of relief for now, with no major protests against the stealthy reactivation of the dormant Indonesian Military (TNI) Koter territorial command. But the silence will unlikely last for long.

JP/20/GUESS

JP/20/GUESSIkang given humanitarian positionJAKARTA: Rocker-cum-businessman Ikang Fawzi says he is excited to be named ambassador of the humanitarian group Indonesia Red Crescent (BSMI)."When it was first offered to me, I was delighted to accept it.

Top U.S. image-builder pays a visit

Top U.S. image-builder pays a visitThe United States' new public relations chief hopes to boost ties with the world's most populous Muslim nation during a three-day visit that kicked off on Thursday, officials said.Undersecretary of State Karen Hughes, a longtime confidante of President George W.

Pressure grows for Bali special autonomy status

Pressure grows for Bali special autonomy statusI Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, DenpasarAmid public anger in Bali over the latest terrorist attacks on the island, a number of senior local politicians and intellectuals have launched a campaign to push for special autonomy.

Indonesian officials "covered up and then neglected" an epidemic

Indonesian officials "covered up and then neglected" an epidemic of avian influenza in poultry for two years, allowing it to spread among flocks and then to people, the Washington Post reported on Thursday.

U.S. senators worried over domestic child labor

U.S. senators worried over domestic child laborThe Jakarta Post, JakartaFifteen U.S. senators from the Republican and Democrat Parties have written to Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Fahmi Idris this week, conveying their concerns over child domestic labor in Indonesia.

RI, Hungary pave way for cooperation

RI, Hungary pave way for cooperationJAKARTA: Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda and Hungarian Minister of Informatics and Communications Kalman Kovacs signed on Oct. 17 the Protocol of the First Session of the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation to pave the way for...

Let police do the job

Let police do the job It might have been pure coincidence, but ahead of the first anniversary of our President's term, the police finally started to arrest civilians walking about with firearms and other weapons.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct.20, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct.20, 2005 ____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading volume _____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Waters...

Public involvement crucial in fight against terror

Public involvement crucial in fight against terror Following the second bomb attack on Bali in under three years, the government plans to amend the current antiterror law, which is considered ineffective in stamping out terrorism.

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.

20% budget allocation for schools? 'Not likely'

20% budget allocation for schools? 'Not likely'Urip Hudiono and Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaWhile welcoming the Constitutional Court's ruling that obliges the government to increase the education budget, education observers raised doubts that the ruling would take effect in 2006, while the...

Enlightening films for Ngabuburit

Enlightening films for NgabuburitBANDUNG: Ngabuburit is the Sundanese tradition of engaging in an activity to pass the last few hours before the breaking of the fast. The Common Room cine fan club on Jl.

East Timor refugees left out in cash aid

East Timor refugees left out in cash aidThe Jakarta Post, Kupang, SemarangWhile many poor families have started to receive cash aid from the government, more than 1,000 poor refugee families in Kupang are missing out.

Bird flu cases in family creates new concern

Bird flu cases in family creates new concernAgencies, JakartaDoctors said on Thursday they suspected a father and son have contracted bird flu in a case that prompted the minister of health to warn of the possibility of human-to-human transmission of the virus.

Militant slapped with vandalism charges

Militant slapped with vandalism chargesBlontank Poer, The Jakarta Post, SukoharjoPolice officers declared the leader of a Muslim militant group a suspect on Thursday, three days after he led a mob attack on restaurants selling alcoholic drinks.

Gross Rent for Two-Bedroom Apartment

Gross Rent for Two-Bedroom Apartment Jakarta, 2Q 2005Apartment Type Target Market/Location Rental Rate/month Size Range Leased Middle - Up $2,400 -$3,550 63-180 Middle - Low $700 - $2,000 Serviced CBD $1,500 - $2,700 93-140 Non CBD $1,300 - $1,700Source: Colliers International Indonesia, Research...

Apartments offer friendly living too

Apartments offer friendly living tooT. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta A baby usually brings joy to the parents and makes the house warm. As for Maya Carpenter, a resident of Four Seasons Apartments in Jakarta, having a baby also means having new friends.

Poetic guardian of Kalimantan Meratus Dayak tradition

Poetic guardian of Kalimantan Meratus Dayak traditionOyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, JakartaWearing a black pullover, blue vest and black hat, the gentleman was very modest in appearance.With graying hair and moustache, he had a firm expression on his face.

Retailers to use Microsoft software

Retailers to use Microsoft software JAKARTA: Some 72 retail companies under the Indonesian Retailers Association (Aprindo) signed a memorandum of understanding with software company PT Microsoft Indonesia on Thursday for the application of legal software in their business.

Firewood a hot seller as kerosene hard to buy

Firewood a hot seller as kerosene hard to buyAntara, KediriSince fuel prices went up on Oct. 1, pricing kerosene out of the reach of many poor people, more residents of Kediri regency, East Java, have been using firewood for their cooking needs.

Omnico quits monorail consortium, Sutiyoso says

Omnico quits monorail consortium, Sutiyoso saysThe Jakarta Post, JakartaIn another blow to the country's hopes of attracting foreign investment to the infrastructure sector, Governor Sutiyoso has announced the withdrawal of Omnico Singapore Pte. Ltd.

U.S. backs tougher antiterror law

U.S. backs tougher antiterror law JAKARTA: The United States administration has supported the Indonesian government's plan to establish a tougher antiterror body and counterterrorism legislations, but said it has no intention to intervene in the process.

1. Amrozi (1x36)

1. Amrozi (1x36) Bali bombers refuse to seek clemency 2. Flu (2x24) Bird flu cases in family creates new concern 3. TVRI (2x24) ICW reports Rp 7.2b graft case in 'TVRI' to KPK 4. Papua (2x24) Papua's integration into RI final: Dutch lawmaker 5.

Garut's attractions now within easy reach

Garut's attractions now within easy reachJames Boyd, Contributor, Jakarta The new Cipularang expressway linking Jakarta to Bandung has opened up a whole new universe of weekend getaways to the south and east of Bandung that were previously beyond the reach of all but the most determined of weekend...

Cured lepers seek better living in Ramadhan

Cured lepers seek better living in RamadhanMulta Fidrus The Jakarta Post/TangerangThe holy month of Ramadhan is a time for giving, which some people take advantage of by looking for easy money, begging on the street.

City readies 6,500 buses for exodus

City readies 6,500 buses for exodusBambang Nurbianto and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Jakarta administration has prepared a total of 6,566 buses to anticipate the surge in the number of people leaving the city to celebrate Idul Fitri in their hometowns.

Stock index drops; Unilever falls

Stock index drops; Unilever fallsBloomberg, JakartaThe stock index fell for a second day on Thursday. PT Unilever Indonesia had its biggest drop in a month after saying profit margins may shrink because higher energy prices are driving up costs.

Chinese demand for commodities set to rise again: Analysts

Chinese demand for commodities set to rise again: AnalystsBenjamin Morgan, Agence France-Presse/ShanghaiAfter showing some signs of easing, global demand for raw materials is set to rise again with electricity and real estate projects expected to keep the wheels of China's surging economy humming,...

Forgive convicted Australians

Forgive convicted Australians Indonesia should have mercy on the nine Australians arrested for attempting to traffic heroin from Bali to Australia.These young people have made a mistake in their lives and now they face the consequences of their deed. However, these young lives should be spared.

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

Anthropologists uncover jawbone of another ancient "Hobbit" on Indonesian islandJoseph B. Verrengia Associated Press/DenverScientists 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.