Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 25 October 2005

82 articles found

Two held for duping girls into prostitution

Two held for duping girls into prostitutionAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe owner of a labor recruitment agency and its president director were arrested over the weekend for allegedly duping at least 58 Indonesian girls into prostitution in Japan.

KL seeking U.S. participation in Malacca Strait air patrol

KL seeking U.S. participation in Malacca Strait air patrolAgence France-Presse, Kuala LumpurMalaysia said on Monday that nations bordering the piracy-prone Strait of Malacca were seeking United States participation in air patrols, but that it would only play a supporting role.

BI raises inflation forecast to 14%

BI raises inflation forecast to 14%Bloomberg, JakartaThe central bank raised its inflation forecast for this year to 14 percent and may boost interest rates because of the government's more-than-expected fuel price increase, Bank Indonesia Governor Burhanuddin Abdullah said on Monday.

Ex-KPU officials stand trial

Ex-KPU officials stand trial JAKARTA: Two former General Elections Commission (KPU) personnel went on trial on Monday in a Rp 20 billion (nearly US$2 million) graft case.Chief prosecutor Endro Wasistomo told the Anticorruption Court that former KPU secretary-general Safder Yusacc and former head of...

1. Terror --- 3x15

1. Terror --- 3x15 Islamic groups told to consolidate to fight terrorism 2. TKI ----- 2x15 Two held for duping girls into prostitution 3. Cash ----- 2x16 Cash distribution a mistake: Experts 4. Military - 1x32 More military troops pulled out of Aceh 5. KPK ---- 2x12 KPK demands salary increase

Astra Agro's profit falls

Astra Agro's profit falls JAKARTA: PT Astra Agro Lestari, Indonesia's biggest publicly traded plantations company, said its nine-month profit fell 11 percent after palm-oil prices declined.Net income fell to Rp 589.1 billion (US$59 million), or Rp 374 a share, in the period ending on Sept.

JP/3/head

JP/3/head 1. Discourse -- 48 pts 7 cols 1line (1x49) Focus on positive aspects of what's happening in Indonesia 2. Toll -- 4 cols 2 lines (2x28)City govt offers investors six inner-city toll projects 3. Budget - 36 pts 3 cols 2lines (2x24)Govt unlikely to revise budget despite court ruling4.

'Pesantren' gets into green spirit

'Pesantren' gets into green spiritSlamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, YogyakartaThe latest bombings in Bali have put Islamic boarding schools, or pesantren, back in the spotlight, with many outside observers once again casting a wary eye on these schools as supposed breeding grounds for terrorists.

Mining sector attractive for investment, Susilo says

Mining sector attractive for investment, Susilo saysLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Pomalaa, Southeast SulawesiInvestors should not feel discouraged from entering the mining sector amid the current high global oil prices, which is pushing up production costs, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says.

Rupiah Rates Oct.24

Rupiah Rates Oct.24 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,902.26 7,153.90 7,565.93 7,490.19 Brunei dollar 1 6,235.18 5,643.79 5,969.81 5,909.09 Canadian dollar 1 8,917.85 8,070.99 8,538.29 8,450.38 Swiss franc 1 8,169.53 7,395.70 7,821.82 7,743.

Koizumi endangers future of East Asia Community

Koizumi endangers future of East Asia CommunityBegi Hersutanto, JakartaThe latest visit by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the Yasukuni war shrine on Monday once again sparked controversy in China and South Korea.

Cyclist Tonton gets one-month ban

Cyclist Tonton gets one-month ban JAKARTA: The Indonesian Cycling Association (ISSI) gave Tonton Suprapto a one-month suspension for testing positive for the banned stimulant ephedrine, which will allow the cyclist to participate in next month's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

UN body to conduct house-to-house search in Java for bird flu

UN body to conduct house-to-house search in Java for bird fluArijit Ghosh, Bloomberg/JakartaThe United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) plans to conduct house-to-house searches for sick fowl on certain parts of Java island in a bid to stop the spread of the avian influenza virus.

Bahorok flash flood still haunts residents two years on

Bahorok flash flood still haunts residents two years on Almost two years ago, on Nov. 2, a flash flood struck Bahorok district, Langkat regency in North Sumatra, killing at least 157 people, including six foreign tourists, and leaving 82 others missing.

RI maid charged with murder

RI maid charged with murder JAKARTA: Another Indonesian maid in Singapore is to stand trial for murder.Police arrested the maid, Barokah, 27, for killing her Singaporean employer, Wee Keng Wah, 75, in her apartment on Chai Chee Road last Wednesday following an argument.

Further tests for Australia-Indonesia ties

Further tests for Australia-Indonesia tiesMichael Danby, Melbourne In June I wrote in The Jakarta Post about the Schapelle Corby case and the risk that it would damage relations between Australia and Indonesia.

~ [b]Coal brings unique health problems because of a tendency to

~ Coal brings unique health problems because of a tendency to contain sulfur, mercury, arsenic, selenium and fluoride contaminants. ;JP;ANPAk..r.. JP/7/IGOR3 Igor O'Neill Jakarta Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Oct.

Mandiri to issue bonds in November

Mandiri to issue bonds in NovemberBank Mandiri, the nation's largest bank in terms of assets, is waiting for approval from the central bank to issue global bonds worth some US$300 million in the form of medium-term notes (MTNs).

Stock index falls to three-week low

Stock index falls to three-week lowBloomberg, JakartaKey stock index fell to a three-week low. PT Astra International led declines after the company said motorcycle sales slowed in September.Lenders such as PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia rose after PT Bank Niaga reported higher profit for the first nine...

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.

From busway system to monorail dream

From busway system to monorail dreamBurhanuddin Abe, Contributor, Jakarta With a population of about 8.5 million, Jakarta has become intensely crowded and increasingly mired in problems related to traffic congestion.

Train tickets 90 percent sold

Train tickets 90 percent sold BANDUNG: Ninety percent of tickets for business and executive trains heading to cities in Central and East Java in the last days before the Idul Fitri holiday had been sold 10 days ahead of the celebration day on Nov. 3, an official said on Monday.

Busway project end of line for many trees

Busway project end of line for many treesDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAs the city administration revs up the construction of busway corridors II and III to catch up with the operational target, the fate of over 1,500 trees along the routes seem to be a very distant concern.

Isuzu to control GM trucks

Isuzu to control GM trucks TOKYO: Isuzu Motors Ltd. and the U.S. auto giant General Motors Corp. have agreed for Isuzu to take full control of their joint commercial truck businesses in Australia, Isuzu Motors said on Monday.

JP/20/NYOMAN

JP/20/NYOMANEnvironmentally friendly innovatorIndra Harsaputra The Jakarta Post/SurabayaMany Indonesians are still stunned by the sharp increase in fuel prices that the government introduced on Oct. 1. I Nyoman Sutantra, chairman of the Institute for Research and Community Services of Surabaya...

Said's graft trial must continue: Court

Said's graft trial must continue: CourtThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Central Jakarta District Court rejected on Monday the defense pleas by lawyers of former religious minister Said Aqil Hussein Al-Munawwar and ruled that his corruption trial must go ahead.

TV Program: Wednesday, October 26, 2005

TV Program: Wednesday, October 26, 2005TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Koran Recital6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 Channel Dangdut8:30 Music: Asik-asik10:00 Showbiz11:00 News: Berita Nusantara11:30 Cultural Program: Rona Daerah1:00 p.m.

Security tightened for Idul Fitri

Security tightened for Idul FitriDamar Harsanto and Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaJakarta authorities on Monday said they would station bomb squads at 18 locations across the city to ensure that peace and order reigned during the Idul Fitri celebrations.

Elderly mom finds solace in prayer at Istiqlal mosque

Elderly mom finds solace in prayer at Istiqlal mosqueTantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIt was just after the breaking of the fast at Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta, and most of the congregation was still outside having their evening meal.

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.

Fighting on behalf of the poor

Fighting on behalf of the poorIndra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, SurabayaArchitect Johan Silas received a steady stream of congratulatory messages over his cell phone and by e-mail from relatives and colleagues at home and abroad, after he was conferred the Habitat Scroll of Honor 2005 by United...

South Korean foreign minister to visit Japan

South Korean foreign minister to visit JapanReuters, TokyoSouth Korea's foreign minister, who last week canceled a planned trip to Japan over Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to a Tokyo shrine for war dead, will visit this week after all, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

On death penalty

On death penalty In response to the letter Forgive convicted Australians (The Jakarta Post, Oct. 20) from a New Zealander, I would like to see the death penalty for drug pushers in Australia. It is well known that drug crimes in Asia bring the death penalty, so there is no excuse.

Rp100m offered for tip-offs on bombers

Rp100m offered for tip-offs on bombersEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police announced on Monday a reward of Rp 100 million (about US$10,000) for anyone with information about the identities of three suicide bombers who launched bomb attacks in Bali on Oct. 1.

Govt unlikely to revise budget despite court ruling

Govt unlikely to revise budget despite court rulingUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government is unlikely to submit a last-minute revision to the 2006 state budget to satisfy a Constitutional Court ruling on the allocation of money for education, with the draft budget already in final...

Thousands of textile workers fired

Thousands of textile workers firedAbout more 70,000 workers have been laid off since the government hiked fuel prices recently, Indonesian Textile Association chairman Benny Sutrisno said on Monday."The workers are from Bandung in West Java and Surakarta in Central Java.

ADS -- SPOTLIGHT -- Tuesday 25

ADS -- SPOTLIGHT -- Tuesday 25 MURI CERTIFICATE: ITC Kuningan Ambassador as sponsor and PT Imagiku as organizer recently received awards from the Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI) for breaking the record in making a replica of a mosque with the greatest amount of fruit. Measuring 4.9 meters by 2.

Why don't we learn from past mistakes

Why don't we learn from past mistakesFrom KompasDue to the fuel price hike by more than 100 percent the common people's life has become increasingly difficult. The prices of all basic commodities in the provinces are going up by about 25 to 40 percent.

RI-Spore jointly promote tourism

RI-Spore jointly promote tourism JAKARTA: Indonesia and Singapore are working together to boost tourism in both countries, by focusing on the resort island of Bali and using services from the city state's Singapore Airlines.

Two students die in road accident

Two students die in road accident JAKARTA: Two students died and another was seriously injured early on Sunday after a van they were riding in spun out on the Tangerang toll road, hitting the traffic barrier and rolling.Police have not yet revealed the three young men's names.

RI targets three titles in HK Open

RI targets three titles in HK OpenMoch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post/Jakarta National players are expected to capture the men's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles crowns at next week's US$250,000 Hong Kong Badminton Championship, although they may meet familiar foes in latter rounds.

Obituary

ObituaryFormer minister, Army general and diplomat Lt. Gen. (ret) Hidajat Martaatmadja died of natural causes on Monday aged 89 after four days of medical treatment.He was buried at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery later in the day in a military ceremony led by Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono.

More military troops pulled out of Aceh

More military troops pulled out of Aceh Agence France-Presse Banda AcehThe Indonesian Military (TNI) on Monday withdrew another 2,500 troops from Aceh as part of a peace pact aimed at ending a separatist conflict in the tsunami-hit province.

House factions oppose fuel hike policy

House factions oppose fuel hike policyRidwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, JakartaSeveral factions in the House of Representatives have urged the government to review its fuel price hike policy, which they said had created a huge burden for the majority of people in the country.

Direct cash distribution a mistake, experts say

Direct cash distribution a mistake, experts sayTb. Arie Rukmantara, Jakarta, The Jakarta PostDaliyem Kirno Notorejo of Yogyakarta, a 75-year-old widow, jumped into a river to her death last Saturday because of disappointment at her exclusion from the list of people entitled to government direct...

Air taxi: Solution to traffic congestion

Air taxi: Solution to traffic congestionArief T. Syam, Contributor, Jakarta The following data will show how acutely the public transportation system in Jakarta has been damaged today: in the past decade the number of motorized vehicles in Jakarta has grown by 6 percent annually.

Islamic groups told to consolidate to fight terrorism

Islamic groups told to consolidate to fight terrorismThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Yogyakarta/SurakartaMuslim groups in the country should consolidate to fight against terrorism and work to develop healthy religious behavior, instead of putting the blame on each other or on a Western threat, an Islamic...

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 24, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 24, 2005 _____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading volume _______________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades...

Mandala assists victim's families

Mandala assists victim's familiesApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta post, MedanCash assistance of Rp 300 million (US$30,000) each has started to be distributed in Medan to 119 families of crash victims living in North Sumatra and Aceh by PT Mandala Airlines on Monday.

Indonesia targets three titles in HK Open

Indonesia targets three titles in HK OpenMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta National players are expected to capture the men's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles crowns at next week's US$250,000 Hong Kong Badminton Championship, although they may meet familiar foes in later rounds.

'Family reunions worth the hassle'

'Family reunions worth the hassle'About 2.5 million Jakarta residents are expected to travel to their hometowns to celebrate the Idul Fitri holiday. This exodus, known as mudik, has become a tradition for people living in the capital, and many people spend much of their savings to make the trip.

Banten to build haj dormitory

Banten to build haj dormitory TANGERANG: After years of aborted planning, the Tangerang regency is to finally build a haj dormitory for Banten province in Bojong Nangka, Legok, about 15 kilometers south of the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

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.

Govt buys back Rp 2.45 trillion in bonds, plans another issue

Govt buys back Rp 2.45 trillion in bonds, plans another issueThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government bought back Rp 2.45 trillion (some US$245 million) worth of treasury bonds on Monday, ahead of a planned offering of some Rp 500 billion in bonds on Tuesday.

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.

General to faces hearing in fuel smuggling case

General to faces hearing in fuel smuggling caseEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaA police general admitted on Monday to having sought help from an senior officer for his golfing buddy, who complained about detention of ships carrying his logs during an operation against fuel smuggling in...

Dichotomy and corruption

Dichotomy and corruptionFrom Kompas An editorial analysis on Metro TV aired on Oct. 10 commented on the poor performance of the legislature. The legislators have not fought for the people's interests, but instead they have been preoccupied with taking care of their own interests.

1. Fuel (1x36)

1. Fuel (1x36) House factions oppose fuel hike policy 2. Police (2x22) General to face hearing in fuel smuggling case 3. Haji (2x18) Said's graft trial must continue: Court

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.

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.

KPK demands salary increase

KPK demands salary increaseThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) again demanded on Monday that the government raise the salaries of commission members to Rp 40 million (US$4,000) a month.

Proton shares dip on fears that talks with VW may fail

Proton shares dip on fears that talks with VW may failAssociated Press, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaShares of Malaysia's national car maker Proton fell 3.6 percent on Monday morning amid concerns that a proposed alliance with German auto giant Volkswagen AG may collapse, traders said.

More military troops pulled out of Aceh

More military troops pulled out of AcehAgence France-Presse, Banda AcehThe Indonesian Military (TNI) on Monday withdrew another 2,500 troops from Aceh as part of a peace pact aimed at ending a separatist conflict in the tsunami-hit province.

Alexandria ahead in Jababeka chess

Alexandria ahead in Jababeka chess JAKARTA: Georgian WGM Nana Alexandria retained a half point lead at the end of the sixth round of the US$7,000 Jababeka Women's International Chess Tournament on Monday.Alexandria, the only grand master in the 11-round event, defeated Russian Adelaida Z.

Bukit Lawang waits for tourists' return

Bukit Lawang waits for tourists' returnThe Jakarta Post, BahorokA group of foreign tourists were seen recently traveling around the Bukit Lawang tourist resort in North Sumatra in motorized pedicabs, enjoying all the sights the area has to offer.

Ericsson pledges to invest million in India

Ericsson pledges to invest million in IndiaAshok Bhattacharjee and Saikat Chatterjee, Bloomberg, New Delhi Ericsson AB, the world's biggest maker of wireless networks, will spend "several hundred million dollars" in India a year, an investment that will include building a research center in the...

Road work on bridge bursts water pipe

Road work on bridge bursts water pipe JAKARTA: British tap water company PT Thames PAM Jaya (TPJ) said on Monday that work on a bridge on Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan in East Jakarta by the City Public Works Agency had damaged one of its main pipes affecting water distribution to several areas in the...

checked -- JSR

checked -- JSR World voyagers find Indonesia the toughest challengeEvi Mariani The Jakarta Post/JakartaBriton Jason Lewis, 38, has been bicycling, rollerblading, boat- pedaling and paddling canoes intermittently for the last 11 years during his human-powered, round-the-world expedition.

75 million people in RI have no access to power

75 million people in RI have no access to powerThe Jakarta Post, JakartaWhile Jakarta is brilliantly lit up ahead of the Idul Fitri holiday, about 75 million people across the country, mostly living in rural areas, have no access to electricity.

TV Program: Wednesday, October 26, 2005

TV Program: Wednesday, October 26, 2005TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Koran Recital6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 Channel Dangdut8:30 Music: Asik-asik10:00 Showbiz11:00 News: Berita Nusantara11:30 Cultural Program: Rona Daerah1:00 p.m.

9m vehicles to crowd C. Java

9m vehicles to crowd C. Java SEMARANG: At least 9 million vehicles would drive down Central Java streets during the upcoming Idul Fitri holiday season, a police official said on Monday.Director of Central Java's Traffic Police, Sr. Comr.

Alexandria ahead

Alexandria ahead in Jababeka chess JAKARTA: Georgian WGM Nana Alexandria retained a half point lead at the end of the sixth round of the US$7,000 Jababeka Women's International Chess Tournament on Monday.Alexandria, the only grand master in the 11-round event, defeated Russian Adelaida Z.

SEAG athletes told to stay in Jakarta

SEAG athletes told to stay in Jakarta JAKARTA: National athletes in training for the 23rd Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) have been barred from joining the annual Idul Fitri exodus to hometowns.Head of daily affairs at the National Sports Council (KONI), Djoko Pramono, said on Monday athletes would...

No benefits from higher parking fees: Experts

No benefits from higher parking fees: ExpertsAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaExperts doubted on Monday whether raising parking fees would reduce the number of vehicles entering the capital and help solve traffic congestion here.

ASEAN to focus on 'integration' effort

ASEAN to focus on 'integration' effortMALAYSIA: Southeast Asian leaders will focus on boosting integration during their annual summit this December, instead of sensitive issues such as the violence in southern Thailand and the slow pace of democratization in Myanmar, Malaysia's foreign minister...

Indonesia and Israel: What now?

Indonesia and Israel: What now?Emanuel Shahaf, Jerusalem Now that the easy part, the first publicly acknowledged meeting between FM Hassan Wirayuda and his Israeli counterpart Silvan Shalom is behind us, we are looking ahead at the truly difficult part -- developing a relationship under...

City administration offers investors six inner-city toll road projects

City administration offers investors six inner-city toll road projectsRendi A. Witular and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe addition of an estimated 267 new cars a day to Jakarta's 7,634 kilometer-long web of city streets has prompted the government to approve the city administration's...

[b]

Further tests for Australia- Indonesia ties Michael Danby Melbourne2. Nation -- Strategy to protect critical infrastructure needed 1 x 30 Protecting Thailand's infrastructure By Kavi Chongkittavorn The Nation Publication Date : 2005-10-24 3.

Commission cautions Supreme Court

Commission cautions Supreme Court JAKARTA: The Judicial Commission said here on Monday it would soon send a letter to reprimand the Supreme Court over the former's recommendation against judges handling a dispute over the Depok mayoral election.

Aceh flood claims 28 lives, tens missing

Aceh flood claims 28 lives, tens missingAntara, Banda AcehThe death toll from flash floods in Semadam district in Southeast Aceh regency climbed to 28 on Monday and scores of others still missing following a mud slide that struck the area on Oct. 18.

House pursues extra Rp 10m in allowances

House pursues extra Rp 10m in allowancesRidwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe House of Representatives may claim it empathized with people who are facing increased economic hardship as prices for many goods rise, but almost all of its 550 members appeared to stick with their recent...

Good deeds during Ramadhan

Good deeds during Ramadhan It is amazing to see another hard-line Muslim group targeting shops and restaurants in Ramadhan. As I understand it, they are supposed to be fasting, and while they are fasting they are supposed to be doing good deeds.