Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 28 October 2005

109 articles found

Australian Embassy Travel Advice 28 October 2005

From: Consular_Office@dfat.gov.au Subject: TRAVEL ADVICE 28 OCTOBER 2005 Sender: Ann.Clark@dfat.gov.au Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2005 14:59:14 +0700 This advice was issued on 28 October 2005 It supersedes advice issued 19 October 2005 This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information on health issues. The overall level of the advice has not changed. Australians are advised to defer non-essential travel to Indonesia.

Antigraft team raids Supreme Court

Antigraft team raids Supreme Court Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators broke into the rooms of Chief Justice Bagir Manan and two other justices hearing the appeal case of businessman Probosutedjo on Thursday, seizing a number of documents. The search occurred only almost one month after a bribe was allegedly offered to the justices in exchange for Probosutedjo's acquittal.

Ketep Pass offers volcano-based tourism

Ketep Pass offers volcano-based tourism Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Magelang Few people actually get to watch a live volcano erupt, which, from a safe distance away, is an amazing experience. At Ketep Pass -- a relatively new resort located in Ketep, Sawangan, here, some 35 kilometers south of the regental capital, Magelang -- this exciting spectacle can be experienced from some 1,200 meters above sea level.

Lamenting lack of govt support for innovators

Lamenting lack of govt support for innovators Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung The increase in the price of kerosene on Oct. 1 has been a boon for K. Fuji Agus. The price, almost double what it was previously, has forced housewives, restaurants and food vendors to think of saving fuel, leading to frequent phone calls to his office on the outskirts of Bandung from various cities to order the energy-saving stoves he created in 2000.

Uncompetitive tax regime

Uncompetitive tax regime Never have tax issues aroused so much attention as the three tax bills the government proposed to the House of Representatives last month. Even though the House has yet to start deliberations on the draft legislation, the general public -- including foreign businesspeople -- has expressed grave concerns over several new provisions. The keen public interest and much greater concern are quite rational.

Business on hold amid uncertainty

Business on hold amid uncertainty Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Developers and contractors in Depok are putting their businesses on hold due to uncertainty over who won the recent mayoral election. Depok Young Entrepreneurs Association (Hipmi Depok) chairman Edi Sitorus said that many businesspeople there, particularly contractors and developers, had postponed projects as they were worried that the next mayor, whoever he might be, could issue policies that would hurt their interests.

Diarrhea leaves five dead

Diarrhea leaves five dead M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon Five Maluku residents have died and 80 others have been admitted to a medical clinic since an outbreak of diarrheal diseases was detected in the remote Serawaru area, Southeast Maluku regency, on Oct. 18. The regency has declared a civil emergency in the three subdistricts where the outbreak is centered. Eighty patients are being treated at the Serawaru community health center for dehydration.

MRP members election opposed

MRP members election opposed Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura A prominent Papua opposition figure on Thursday rejected elections for the Papuan People's Council (MRP), as the head of the council's election committee flew to Jakarta to hand over the names of MRP members to be installed on the council to the central government. Tom Beanal, the chairman of the Papuan Customary Council (DAP), said the election was unfair as the government had interfered in the process.

Former boxer Pical gets sevent-month jail term

Former boxer Pical gets sevent-month jail term The West Jakarta District Court sentenced former world boxing champion Ellyas Pical to seven months in jail on Thursday for possessing three ecstasy tablets. Pical, who was the IBF super flyweight champion between 1985 and 1989, was arrested in July for selling ecstasy to undercover detectives in Miles discotheque in West Jakarta where he worked as a bouncer.

Indonesia's meat treat feat

Indonesia's meat treat feat Duncan Graham, Contributor, Surabaya To set the scene, let us turn to a better wordsmith and the opening of Macbeth, minus the toothless crones and blasted heath. In their place, Javanese maidens and a leafy street in suburban Surabaya. Across the road, a small orphanage. Next to that an Islamic kindergarten. Adjacent are ordinary middle-class houses. And in one, a meat-processing factory.

Lack of coordination slows Aceh rebuilding: Study

Lack of coordination slows Aceh rebuilding: Study The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Poor coordination has been blamed for the slow rehabilitation and reconstruction process in tsunami-struck Aceh, particularly in the areas of housing and economic recovery, a study reveals.

Final bombings victim buried in home town

Final bombings victim buried in home town The sleepy Australian west coast town of Busselton was burying its second victim in three years of terrorism on the distant island of Bali. High school student and budding football star Brendan Fitzgerald, 16, was to be buried on Thursday in a coffin painted in the colors of his local Australian Rules Football team in the final funeral of the four Australians killed by suicide bombings on the Indonesian tourist island on Oct. 1.

checked --JSR

checked --JSR Photo caption A JP/Evi Mariani Voyagers Chris Tipper (left) and Jason Lewis at a guesthouse in Central Jakarta, after finishing half of the Indonesian leg from Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara to West Java, one part of their human-powered, round-the-world expedition.

Councillors' salaries

Councillors' salaries Amid news of elderly people dying after queuing up for Rp 100,000 in aid, it is astonishing to hear that Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso has reportedly doubled city councillors' monthly salaries to Rp 50 million, in addition to their housing allowances and luxury cars ( The Jakarta Post, Oct. 24). Beyond comprehension is that the councillors will receive Rp 1.5 million for every "public meeting" attended and "city visit" conducted.

Don't cry Bali

Don't cry Bali Glan Iswara Christchurch, New Zealand "Why did they bomb Bali? Why Bali?" For the tourism-reliant Balinese these questions are significant. For example, a taxi driver who usually waits for passengers at Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, sadly said: "After the bombs in October 2002, tourism in Bali was quiet.

Ismoko detained over BNI bribe case

Ismoko detained over BNI bribe case Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A one-star police general, who had been in charge of a major bank corruption probe, was officially detained here on Thursday as a suspect for his alleged role in a bribery case linked to the high-profile lending scam involving Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI). The arrest warrant for Brig. Gen. Samuel Ismoko was issued on Thursday, said Insp. Gen.

Timely delivery of 'Post'

Timely delivery of 'Post' For exactly six years (1999-2005) I have been subscribing to The Jakarta Post. Then I paid Rp 45,000 a month. The time of delivery ranged from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (Bali time), at the time of our coffee break. But things have changed. Now, six years later the subscription rate is Rp 110,000/month. Sadly, the time of delivery changed also. For quite some time the Post has no longer been a "midmorninger" but has been demoted to a "midafternooner".

EMP eyes Rp 3.78t from rights offer

EMP eyes Rp 3.78t from rights offer JAKARTA: PT Energi Mega Persada, Indonesia's second-largest publicly traded oil and gas producer, said it plans to raise Rp 3.78 trillion (US$377 million) selling stock to shareholders and use the proceeds to buy a company and develop its oil and gas fields. Energi Mega plans to sell 4.9 billion new shares, it said in a filing to the Jakarta Stock Exchange today. The company will offer 15 new shares for every 29 stocks held by shareholders, the filing said.

SBY joins world leaders's network to reform UN

SBY joins world leaders's network to reform UN Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has agreed to join the so- called "Leader's Network in Support of UN Reform" initiated by Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson to push for effective action to reform the United Nations. Presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said on Thursday that the President's response reveals Indonesia's commitment to support efforts to reform the international body.

Bank Danamon loans, profit up

Bank Danamon loans, profit up The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Publicly listed Bank Danamon announced on Wednesday an 8.5 percent increase in its unaudited nine-month net profit, thanks to rapid expansion in lending, particularly consumer lending. The country's fifth-largest bank by assets booked an after-tax profit of Rp 1.89 trillion as of September 2005, as compared to the Rp 1.75 trillion it posted in the same period last year.

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. Colliers International Indonesia (CII) property consulting company reported the average monthly rent of mid-up leased apartment units for two-bedroom increased to US$18 per sq m from $17 per sq m.

Police to quizz house member

Police to quizz house member Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Police are to summon Trimedya Panjaitan, a House of Representatives member from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), as a witness in the murder of his secretary, Nung Yuningsih, 35, alias Nungky. City police chief, Insp. Gen. Firman Gani, said on Thursday that Trimedya would be questioned about when he had last had any form of contact with Nungky.

Oyos Saroso H.N.

Oyos Saroso H.N. The Jakarta Pot/Bandarlampung The fishing village of Kuala Penet, situated at the estuary of Way Kambas National Park in Lampung, might be just a small dot on the map, but for environmentalists it is notorious as the center of illegal logging in southern Sumatra.

Naming GAM rebels 'won't endanger them'

Naming GAM rebels 'won't endanger them' Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government insisted on Thursday that the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) should submit the names of its 3,000 former fighters as part of their integration process into society after a peace deal to end 29 years of separatist fighting.

1. Cats and dogs rain on pet care center Page 6

1. Cats and dogs rain on pet care center Page 6 2. Grand Indonesia, a new shopping experience 17 3. Watch Mount Merapi erupt live at Ketep Pass Theater Page 19

Indonesia's key stock index rises

Indonesia's key stock index rises Naila Firdausi, Bloomberg/Jakarta Indonesia's benchmark stock index advanced for a second day. PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa jumped to a two-month high after its nine-month profit almost tripled on higher sales and narrower currency losses. The Jakarta Composite Index added 1.52, or 0.1 percent, to 1063.70 at the 4 p.m. local time close. The benchmark earlier rose as much as 0.4 percent and fell 0.04 percent.

Political courage needed to fight terrorism

Political courage needed to fight terrorism Ridarson Galingging, Jakarta The Indonesian government has welcomed the Australian initiative to assist Indonesia in amending its Antiterror Law. Why did the government feel an urgent need to welcome our neighbor's help in reforming the country's antiterror legislation? The Oct.

Stok prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 27, 2005

Stok prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 27, 2005 ________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading volume __________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Waters 1,820 -30 7,500 Adhi Karya 540 0 231,000 Adira Dinamika 2,000 0 0 AGIS Tbk 85 -10 1,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 200 0 10,000 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,540 0 272,500 Alakasa Industrindo 165 0 0 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 1,660 0...

Good deeds during Ramadhan

Good deeds during Ramadhan ? It is amazing to see that recently another hardliner Muslim group targeting shops and restaurants during this Ramadhan period. ? As I understand that they are supposed to be fasting and when they are fasting they are supposed to do good deeds during this season. ? Anyway, Indonesia -- as it promotes democracy and will abolish corruption -- failed to act in allowing those people to do what they have done.

Tsunami victims protest land demarcation

Tsunami victims protest land demarcation Around one hundred people affected by the Dec. 26 tsunami in Aceh staged a protest on Thursday against the state land agency's (BPN) plan to handle the demarcation of their land. The protesters from 24 villages in Aceh Besar and Banda Aceh were led by Wardah Hafidz, who represented Uplink Indonesia, a non-governmental organization. They arrived at the BPN office at around 10 a.m. in motorized pedicabs and on motorcycles.

RI assigns consul for Jamaica

RI assigns consul for Jamaica NEW YORK: The Indonesian government has appointed the director of the Jamaican Port Authority, Noel Arthur Anthony Hylton, as Indonesian honorary consul for Jamaica, Antara news agency reported on Thursday.

Illegal logging still rife in Way Kambas park

Illegal logging still rife in Way Kambas park Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung The fishing village of Kuala Penet, situated at the estuary of Way Kambas National Park in Lampung, might be just a small dot on the map, but for environmentalists it is notorious as the center of illegal logging in southern Sumatra.

New oil exploration a must: Association

New oil exploration a must: Association Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Malang, East Java At the current pace of production, and without new exploration, Indonesia's existing productive oil wells -- which account for some 25 percent of the country's estimated total reserves -- will run dry in the next 22 years, says the Indonesian Association of Geologists. Indonesia produces about 1.1 million barrels of oil per day, mostly coming from wells located in Sumatra, Kalimantan and West Java.

No impact on sales in RI: Yamaha

No impact on sales in RI: Yamaha Tetsuya Komatsu and Naoko Fujimura, Bloomberg, Tokyo Yamaha Motor Co. President Takashi Kajikawa comments on the company's sales in Japan and Indonesia. He also spoke about Yamaha's plan to develop less-polluting motorcycles.

Depok wage lower than Jakarta's

Depok wage lower than Jakarta's JAKARTA: Chairman of the Depok chapter of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) Inu Kertapati said that the minimum wage in Depok could not be equal to that of Jakarta because of the economic differences between the two cities. "Living expenses in Depok and Jakarta are very different, Jakarta of course is much more expensive," he was quoted by Antara as saying on Thursday.

Car bomb blast injures one in Palu

Car bomb blast injures one in Palu A small bomb exploded on a minibus in Central Sulawesi province on Thursday, injuring one person, police said. Maj. Sambas Kurniawan, a local police chief, said it was not immediately clear who was behind the early afternoon blast, which occurred in a region that for years has been plagued by sectarian violence.

Police turn to people to counter terrorism

Police turn to people to counter terrorism Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta City police have distributed at least 100,000 leaflets bearing the faces of suspected terrorists across the capital as part of efforts to engage the public in the fight against terrorism. They have also met with community and neighborhood heads in the city to discuss ways to secure their areas from possible terror attacks and robberies around the Idul Fitri celebrations.

Krivec wins Jababeka women's chess tourney

Krivec wins Jababeka women's chess tourney Musthofid The Jakarta Post/Jakarta WIM Jana Krivec of Slovenia came out on top over Georgian veteran WGM Nana Alexandria to win the Jababeka Women's International Chess Tournament on Thursday. Krivec added half a point for a total tally of nine points after she drew with local young star WFM Irene Kharisma in 22 moves, the only game ending in a draw on the final day of the 11- round, US$7,000 tournament.

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. It is clear that many challenges remain ahead, but the city has made significant improvements.

Good deeds during Ramadhan

Good deeds during Ramadhan ? It is amazing to see that recently another hardliner Muslim group targeting shops and restaurants during this Ramadhan period. ? As I understand that they are supposed to be fasting and when they are fasting they are supposed to do good deeds during this season. ? Anyway, Indonesia -- as it promotes democracy and will abolish corruption -- failed to act in allowing those people to do what they have done.

Dipasena signs $240m loan agreement

Dipasena signs $240m loan agreement JAKARTA: PT. Dipasena Citra Darmaja, an Indonesian shrimp farmer, today signed a loan agreement worth US$240 million with its creditor PT Recapital Advisors, the government's asset-sale agency said.

Development causing Lampung hills to shrink

Development causing Lampung hills to shrink Oyos Saroso H.N. The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung Apart from its magnificent beaches and bays, in the past Bandarlampung city was also known for its hills. But not any more. These days most of the hills are in a sorry state, not only because of rock quarrying by residents, but also due to large-scale excavations by companies to meet the demands of housing developers. Part of the material is also used for reclamation projects.

Jakartans rushing to mental hospitals

Jakartans rushing to mental hospitals JAKARTA: The number of mentally ill people in Jakarta has risen dramatically over the past month, so much so that four government mental institutions in Jakarta were overwhelmed, Tempo Interaktif reported on Thursday. "This month alone we have admitted 118 mentally ill people, today eight more were admitted," Bambang Sugeng, head of the city's Mental Guidance Social Welfare Agency, said.

Is Indonesia ready

Is Indonesia ready for single currency? Wouldn't life be much easier if the prices of basic necessities were the same as before the monetary crisis? Wouldn't it be nice to have money in the bank for unexpected expenses like healthcare? These things would all be possible if Indonesia had sound economic and social policies. After several years of trial and error, Indonesia is slowly getting back on its feet.

Siloam HealthCare Group

Siloam HealthCare Group World-class medical care at affordable rates Why do many Indonesians go to Singapore, Australia or other overseas countries for routine medical tests or treatment? The answer to this question is simple, these countries are thought to offer better doctors and better hospitals. The trend towards using overseas medical services has, however, continued to decline in recent years thanks to the improvement in the medical services and healthcare offered by Indonesian hospitals.

'Mudik' takes us out from routine'

'Mudik' takes us out from routine' It is estimated that more than 2.5 million residents will travel home from the city for the Idul Fitri holiday. The Jakarta Post interviewed two Jakartans about their plans for this year. Jamen, 20, works as a nanny in Rawabunga subdistrict, Jatinegara, East Jakarta: This is my first time going home and of course that is very exciting for me. After a full year of tough work, it is time for me to relax by taking a week off and enjoying my wages.

Govt puzzled over bird flu, cats probed

Govt puzzled over bird flu, cats probed Bhimanto Suwastoyo, Agence France-Presse/Jakarta Indonesia's human bird flu outbreak is puzzling experts because several victims do not work or live around poultry, prompting an investigation into whether other animal hosts, perhaps cats, are to blame for the disease's spread.

Nearly extinct orchids found in resort area

Nearly extinct orchids found in resort area Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor A team of scientists comprising researchers from the National Institute of Sciences (LIPI) and the Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) in Bogor have found a surviving group of a nearly extinct orchid species endemic to Java. Around 50 of the terrestrial orchids (Paphiopedilum javanicum) were found growing in the vicinity of Telaga Warna lake, a popular resort area, in Puncak.

Straight from the middle ages

Straight from the middle ages Recently there have been a lot of discussions about the citizenship bill and the "deposit" for Indonesian women who want to marry foreigners. Please don't let any reactionary forces implement rules that are similar to many in the middle ages. Indonesia is a modern, pluralist and democratic society, and this should be further boosted and strengthened. I don't think that a more liberal handling of mixed marriages would make people less loyal to their country.

checked -- JSR

checked -- JSR Cultural Heritage exhibition sees few visitors Evi Mariani The Jakarta Post/Jakarta On a typical Wednesday morning at the National Museum, fewer than 10 people were seen strolling around the three-month Shared Cultural Heritage exhibition, which is displaying hundreds of ethnographic and archeological artifacts of the highest importance to Indonesia. Since it was opened by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Aug.

Furniture workers wait for bonuses

Furniture workers wait for bonuses Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon Some 20,000 workers in Cirebon regency's rattan industry will have a somber Idul Fitri, with many not getting their annual bonuses due to worsening business conditions. On Thursday, the workers, who usually received their Idul Fitri allowances two weeks before the day, had still not seen their money. "Until now, we still haven't got our annual bonus payment.

Business slows after fuel prices hike

Business slows after fuel prices hike Apriadi Gunawan The Jakarta Post/Medan A shop owner, Asmah, jumped up from her seat upon seeing a customer walking past her clothing store in Petisah market in Medan. "What do you want to buy? Please have a look," she exclaimed to the potential customer while hurriedly showing her the latest collection of Arabic-style clothing that many Muslims enjoy wearing during the holidays. The customer, Arniwati Azhar, took the bait and started checking out the store.

Less-is-more philosophy would do our lawmakers good

Less-is-more philosophy would do our lawmakers good Benget Simbolon Tnb., Jakarta "Nemo dat quod non habet" is a Latin saying that means nobody can give what they do not have. Although it is a Latin saying, people here will easily understand that a person needs to first have money before they can give it to others. But unfortunately, the meaning of the saying seems to have escaped our legislators at the House of Representatives (DPR).

CNOOC may cut stake: Report

CNOOC may cut stake: Report BEIJING: The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) is willing to ask the government to reduce its majority stake in the company to remove a political obstacle to overseas acquisitions, a report said on Thursday. CNOOC chief executive Fu Chengyu said a cut in the government's holding would help address claims that CNOOC was an instrument of government energy policy rather than a commercial company, the Financial Times said.

Decentralization and Youth Pledge

Decentralization and Youth Pledge Sunny Tanuwidjaja, Dekalb, Illinois Seventy years ago, all regional representatives throughout Indonesia gathered in Batavia (now Jakarta) to affirm their unity in the Sumpah Pemuda (Youth Pledge). Satu tanah air -- tanah air Indonesia; satu bangsa -- bangsa Indonesia, dan satu bahasa -- Bahasa Indonesia (To be one nation -- the Indonesian nation; one people -- the Indonesian people, and to have one language -- the Indonesian language was their oath.

Grand Indonesia offers new shopping experience

Grand Indonesia offers new shopping experience Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta "Build it and they will come" said the character that Kevin Costner played in the 1989 movie Field of Dreams, a quote which also seems to be the byword for the management of PT Grand Indonesia, which is constructing a 7-hectare hotel-apartment- shopping mall-office complex in the city center. But in times of economic downturn like these, and with many other malls under construction, will they really come?

Ambassador makes first visit to Bali

Ambassador makes first visit to Bali JAKARTA: Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Yutaka Iimura has been serving in Indonesia for more than three years, but his first official visit to Bali was not until this week.

M'sia to woo regional carriers to new budget terminal: Report

M'sia to woo regional carriers to new budget terminal: Report Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia will woo regional budget carriers to a new low-cost terminal that will be launched next year, although AirAsia is expected to be the main user, reports said on Thursday.

Water pollution

Water pollution One of the critical problems in Indonesia is water pollution. It has become a big issue since all people rely on water. Hopefully, we can find a way to solve this problem. Every action has consequences. As has been observed, there are many actions that can lead to water pollution, such as the dumping of household and industrial waste and the use of rivers by people as toilets or places to wash.

Ba'asyir to get sentence remission

Ba'asyir to get sentence remission Defying Australia's request, the Indonesian government confirmed on Thursday that Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir would have his jail term cut in observance of the Idul Fitri Islamic holiday next week.

Is Indonesia ready

Is Indonesia ready for single currency? Wouldn't life be much easier if the prices of basic necessities were the same as before the monetary crisis? Wouldn't it be nice to have money in the bank for unexpected expenses like healthcare? These things would all be possible if Indonesia had sound economic and social policies. After several years of trial and error, Indonesia is slowly getting back on its feet.

Tsunami survivors feel forgotten

Tsunami survivors feel forgotten Ridwan Max Sijabat The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Ten months after the devastating tsunami that claimed more than 210,000 human lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of others last December, the public living in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam is still in trouble. More than 500,000 survivors are still living camps and temporary barracks in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar, Aceh Jaya and West Aceh.

[b]

Political courage needed to fight terrorism Ridarson Galingging Jakarta 2. State -- It's a dog's life sans freedom 2 x 30 China's robust economic growth: It's a dog's life sans freedom N.D. Batra The Statesman Asia News Network/Calcutta 3. New -- Asia on its own against flu pandemic 2 x 21 Asia fights on its own against flu pandemic Michael Vatikiotis New Straits Times Kuala Lumpur

SBY calls for unity in energy crisis

SBY calls for unity in energy crisis The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono invited leading political and public figures to the State Palace on Thursday for prayers with a message, to forge a united front to face the current energy crisis. "I beg for your patience, understanding and support so that we can weather this crisis," the President said in a brief off-the- cuff speech before the prayers.

H. Widayat Museum appoints strong management team

H. Widayat Museum appoints strong management team Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Magelang Museums, especially here in Indonesia, are often dusty and neglected. They also lack funding, are sometimes mismanaged and their collections are often badly displayed, regardless of their intrinsic value. That does not seem to be the case with H Widayat Museum on Jl. Letnan Tukiyat 32, Mungkid, Magelang, which announced its new management team very recently.

checked -- JSR

checked -- JSR World voyagers find Indonesia the toughest challenge Evi Mariani The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Briton 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. Lewis, accompanied by different partners, has crossed vast oceans -- the Atlantic and Pacific -- with a pedal-powered boat, Moksha, which has a speed of 1.5 knots -- about walking pace.

Authorities can't find runway lamps

Authorities can't find runway lamps Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang While airport runway lights are crucial to passenger safety, it has taken about three weeks for the authorities at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to discover that some 160 bulbs from the Terminal I runway had been stolen. One ton of steel wire was also missing, an airport official said. "The theft of the runway guiding lamps and the wire took place some time after Sept. 27 ...

Indonesia seeks Hungarian vaccine

Indonesia seeks Hungarian vaccine Indonesia is interested in producing a Hungarian prototype human bird flu vaccine amid fears of outbreaks of the deadly virus in dozens of countries. Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said here on Thursday that Indonesia was exploring the possibility of getting a license to locally produce the Hungarian prototype human bird flu vaccine.

1. PROBO: 4 X 10

1. PROBO: 4 X 10 Antigraft team raids Supreme Court 2. BUDGET: 1 X 36 Higher spending added to budget draft 3. SCHIPOL: 1 X 45 Dutch prison fire kills 11 illegal immigrants 4. ISMOKO: 1 X 32 Gen. Ismoko arrested for BNI bribery 5. CUTLINE: 1 X 38 Tsunami victims protest land demarcation

People-profile-FujiAgus

People-profile-FujiAgus JP/20/FUJI Lamenting lack of govt support for innovators Yuli Tri Suwarni The Jakarta Post/Bandung The increase in the price of kerosene on Oct. 1 has been a boon for K. Fuji Agus. The price, almost double what it was previously, has forced housewives, restaurants and food vendors to think of saving fuel, leading to frequent phone calls to his office on the outskirts of Bandung from various cities to order the energy-saving stoves he created in 2000.

SBY's 1.8 million hectare disaster?

SBY's 1.8 million hectare disaster? We all remember Soeharto's disastrous 1 million hectare sawah (rice field) project in Central Kalimantan, the consequences of which still affect the province. Will President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) attach his name to an even bigger ecological, sociological, climatic and financial disaster and scandal with the 1.8 million hectare palm oil plantations project in the center of Kalimantan?

Govt launches emission reductions commission

Govt launches emission reductions commission Tb. Arie Rukmantara, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government launched on Thursday the National Commission on the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), a new national authority that will promote projects to help reduce the nation's air pollution and its contribution to the world's greenhouse gasses. The commission will validate private companies that are interested in selling their reduction emission programs to developed countries.

Hassan to attend South Summit Dialog

Hassan to attend South Summit Dialog JAKARTA: Indonesia says it is confident that it will get the support of the Pacific countries for its territorial jurisdiction over Papua province during the South Summit Dialog at the 36th Pacific Island Forum in Papua New Guinea later this week. Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirajuda said here on Thursday that he would meet his counterparts from the Pacific nations during the dialog, at which Indonesia is considered a partner.

Development causing Lampung hills to shrink

Development causing Lampung hills to shrink Oyos Saroso H.N. The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung Apart from its magnificent beaches and bays, in the past Bandarlampung city was also known for its hills. But not any more. These days most of the hills are in a sorry state, not only because of rock quarrying by residents, but also due to large-scale excavations by companies to meet the demands of housing developers. Part of the material is also used for reclamation projects.

100 members of Palu sect surrender to police

100 members of Palu sect surrender to police Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu About 100 followers of a shadowy sect surrendered to police on Thursday as heavily armed officers combed their neighborhoods in a mountainous Palu area in search of the sect leader, called Mahdi. The followers, including a woman believed to be the sect leader's wife, went on Thursday to Central Sulawesi Police Headquarters in Palu city.

"Build it and they will come" said the character that Kevin

"Build it and they will come" said the character that Kevin Costner played in the 1989 movie Field of Dreams, a quote which also seems to be the byword for the management of PT Grand Indonesia, which is constructing a 7-hectare hotel-apartment- shopping mall-office complex in the city center. But in times of economic downturn like these, and with many other malls under construction, will they really come? Grand Indonesia managing director Frans H. Lazaro thinks so.

Water pollution

Water pollution One of the critical problems in Indonesia is water pollution. It has become a big issue since all people rely on water. Hopefully, we can find a way to solve this problem. Every action has consequences. As has been observed, there are many actions that can lead to water pollution, such as the dumping of household and industrial waste and the use of rivers by people as toilets or places to wash.

Emergency aid for holidaymakers

Emergency aid for holidaymakers JAKARTA: State-owned insurance company PT Jamsostek and publicly listed pharmaceutical company PT Kimia Farma have set up integrated medical posts in 42 cities and towns across Java and Sumatra to provide emergency aid for holidaymakers. The 42 integrated health posts, stationed from Padang in West Sumatra to Banyuwangi in East Java, will open 12 hours a day from 7:00 a.m. until 19:00 p.m. three days before and two days after Idul Fitri.

Shopping malls quiet ahead of Idul Fitri holiday

Shopping malls quiet ahead of Idul Fitri holiday Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang One week before the Idul Fitri holiday, shopping centers in Tangerang appear to be unusually quiet for the time of year. "Even if there are visitors, they just come for window shopping and leave without buying anything," Herawati, an attendant in a clothing store in the Bintaro Plaza, told The Jakarta Post.

Mercedes C- and E-Class come with more powerful power trains

Mercedes C- and E-Class come with more powerful power trains Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Sentul, West Java With higher fuel prices, many motorists are looking for cars with better fuel efficiency while at the some time expecting the same level of performance or even better. In this vein, PT DaimlerChrysler Indonesia announced last Thursday that it was using a new power train: the M272 V6 engine equipped with seven-speed 7G-TRONIC transmission for its C and E class sedans.

Cats, dogs rain on pet care center

Cats, dogs rain on pet care center Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang As pet owners leave for their hometowns or go on holiday over Idul Fitri, business has gone barking mad at the Griya Satwa Lestari pet care center and clinic in the Central Java town of Semarang. "We only have 28 enclosures, but people have already left 38 dogs and five cats with us. We started to turn down those wanting to leave their pets with us two days ago," Maya, one of the center's staff, told The Jakarta Post.

TV Today: Saturday, October 29, 2005

TV Today: Saturday, October 29, 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.

1. Madi ----- 1x40

1. Madi ----- 1x40 100 members of Palu sect surrender to police 2. BRR ------ 2x22 Lack of coordination slows Aceh rebuilding: Study 3. Security - 2x16 Police turn to people to counter terrorism 4. Aceh ----- 1x26 Naming GAM rebels 'won't endanger them'

Hughes intends to convey critical remarks from Asia trip to

Hughes intends to convey critical remarks from Asia trip to President Bush Audrey McAvoy Associated Press/Honolulu The Bush administration's international public relations chief said she will report back to President George W. Bush on the critical remarks she heard in Indonesia and Malaysia about the United States and its invasion of Iraq.

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.

Development causing Lampung hills to shrink

Development causing Lampung hills to shrink Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung Apart from its magnificent beaches and bays, in the past Bandarlampung city was also known for its hills. But not any more. These days most of the hills are in a sorry state, not only because of rock quarrying by residents, but also due to large-scale excavations by companies to meet the demands of housing developers. Part of the material is also used for reclamation projects.

U.S. issues fresh warning on Indonesian security

U.S. issues fresh warning on Indonesian security Jerry Norton, Reuters/Jakarta The United States has issued a fresh warning to Americans to avoid non-essential travel to Indonesia, calling bombings that killed 23 people in Bali on Oct. 1 "a reminder that terrorists remain active". Indonesian police meanwhile said they were stepping up anti- terrorism measures for the country's biggest festival next week. The U.S.

Since the beginning, the nation has been fragile

Since the beginning, the nation has been fragile J. Soedjati Djiwandono, Jakarta "What experience and history teach is this -- that people and governments never have learned anything from history, or acted on principles deduced from it" (Georg Wilhelm Hegel, quoted in G.B. Shaw's The Revolutionist's Handbook). Today, 77 years ago, on Oct.

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. How dare the Indonesian Supreme Court view Indonesian women as objects and treats them as a commodity!

Krivec takes Jababeka women's chess tourney, Irene finishes third

Krivec takes Jababeka women's chess tourney, Irene finishes third Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta WIM Jana Krivec of Slovenia came out on top over Georgian veteran WGM Nana Alexandria to win the Jababeka Women's International Chess Tournament on Thursday. Krivec added half a point for a total tally of nine points after she drew with local young star WFM Irene Kharisma in 22 moves, the only game ending in a draw on the final day of the 11- round, US$7,000 tournament.

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 (religious instruction), demanding that all must obey or face their wrath. This is identical to the Inquisition of the Dark Ages and the suppression of free thought by communist regimes.

Semen Gresik almost doubles net profit on high sales

Semen Gresik almost doubles net profit on high sales The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Higher sales and production have helped Indonesia's largest cement producer, PT Semen Gresik (SG), to a 91 percent increase within the first nine months of the year in its unaudited financial report. The state-owned company said its net profit in this year's first three quarters increased to Rp 706 billion (US$70.74 million) from Rp 369 billion in the corresponding period last year.

Integrated post set up for travellers

Integrated post set up for travellers DENPASAR, Bali: Anticipating a huge number of holiday travellers, Denpasar transportation office established on Thursday an integrated post to provide services for them. The post is located in Ubung Bus Terminal in the city, said Denpasar Transportation Office chief IGN Winaya. The post will open for 24 hours a day, a week before and a week after the Idul Fitri holiday, he said.

Since the Youth Pledge of 1928, the nation has remained fragile

Since the Youth Pledge of 1928, the nation has remained fragile JP/3/INSIGHT Since the Youth Pledge of 1928, the nation has remained fragile J. Soedjati Djiwandono Jakarta "What experience and history teach is this -- that people and governments never have learned anything from history, or acted on principles deduced from it" (Georg Wilhelm Hegel, quoted in G.B. Shaw's The Revolutionist's Handbook). Today, 77 years ago, on Oct.

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.

SBY's 1.8 million hectare disaster?

SBY's 1.8 million hectare disaster? We all remember Soeharto's disastrous 1 million hectare sawah (rice field) project in Central Kalimantan, the consequences of which still affect the province. Will President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) attach his name to an even bigger ecological, sociological, climatic and financial disaster and scandal with the 1.8 million hectare palm oil plantations project in the center of Kalimantan?

Jakarta braces for annual floods

Jakarta braces for annual floods Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As part of an early warning system, telemetric devices have been installed at monitoring posts along the Ciliwung and Cisadane rivers, but officials still warned on Thursday that little could be done to prevent floods in the capital.

U.S. issues new warning on Indonesian security

U.S. issues new warning on Indonesian security Agencies Jakarta The United States has issued a fresh warning to Americans to avoid non-essential travel to Indonesia, calling bombs that killed 23 people in Bali on Oct. 1 "a reminder that terrorists remain active". The National Police, meanwhile, said they were stepping up counterterrorism measures for Idul Fitri next week. The U.S. warning, e-mailed on Thursday to U.S.

Govt eyes Rp 20t from state firms

Govt eyes Rp 20t from state firms Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is optimistic that it will be able to raise proceeds from state enterprises by close to double the amount it collected this year, on the back of higher economic growth and operational restructuring.

Hughes intends to report criticism to Bush

Hughes intends to report criticism to Bush Audrey McAvoy, Associated Press/Honolulu The Bush administration's international public relations chief said she will report back to President George W. Bush on the critical remarks she heard in Indonesia and Malaysia about the United States and its invasion of Iraq. But Karen Hughes said people in predominantly Muslim Asian nations also agreed that the United States needs to support Iraq so it can build a stable and democratic nation.

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. God forgives humans for our sins and mistakes, and I think the Indonesian judiciary needs to bear this in mind.

~ [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. 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.

Jakarta braces for annual floods

Jakarta braces for annual floods Damar Harsanto The Jakarta Post/Jakarta As part of an early warning system, telemetric devices have been installed at monitoring posts along the Ciliwung and Cisadane rivers, but officials still warned on Thursday that little could be done to prevent floods in the capital.

Women's tennis team gets challenger tryout

Women's tennis team gets challenger tryout JAKARTA: National women's tennis players will play an international challenger tournament here as a final tryout before next month's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. The US$25,000 hardcourt tournament, organized by the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) with financial support from the National Sports Council, will feature all national players except Romana Tedjakusuma. The California-based player is currently on tour in the U.S.

CITY CIRCLE

CITY CIRCLE ;JP;CD; ANPAv..r.. Photo-Binus-students Photo caption JP/ Photo caption A Courtesy Bina Nusantara School In time for the Idul Fitri celebrations, children from the Bina Nusantara (Binus) elementary school present food parcels to students from Grogol Selatan State Elementary School 12, West Jakarta. A total of 224 students received parcels on Thursday. Binus adopted the Grogol school as its sister school early this month. ;JP; ANPAv..r..

checked -- JSR

checked -- JSR World voyagers find Indonesia the toughest challenge Evi Mariani The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Briton 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. Lewis, accompanied by different partners, has crossed vast oceans -- the Atlantic and Pacific -- with a pedal-powered boat, Moksha, which has a speed of 1.5 knots -- about walking pace.

JP/3/head

JP/3/head 1. INSIGHT -- 48 pts 7 cols 1line (1x42) Since the beginning, the nation has been fragile 2. BASEBALL: 1 X 30 White Sox sweep World Series 3. SBY: 1 X 30 SBY calls for unity in energy crisis 4. GERALD: 2 X 20 Final bombing victim buried in home town 5. BOMB: 2 X 20 Car bomb blast injures person in Palu

House approves higher proposed spending

House approves higher proposed spending Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representative's Budget Committee finally approved on Thursday the basic assumptions for the 2006 state budget, accommodating the government's last-minute proposal of higher spending to stimulate economic growth of 6.2 percent.

Bali port to get security gate

Bali port to get security gate DENPASAR, Bali: Police have said they would install a security gate at Gilimanuk Port on the resort island of Bali to prevent explosives or dangerous materials from entering the province, which has twice been attacked by terrorists. The presence of the security gate at the port connecting Bali and Java would be crucial in relation to the exodus of Idul Fitri travelers, Bali Police spokesman Sr. Comr. A.S. Reniban said.