Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 23 November 2005

92 articles found

Khalik/Govt urged to allow foreigners to own apartments

Govt urged to allow foreigners to own apartments Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A noted property analyst urged the government Wednesday to allow foreigners to buy and own apartments here in order boost property sales and economic activity in the country. Panangian Simanungkalit of the Center of Indonesian Property Studies (CIPS) argued that allowing foreigners to own apartments would benefit the country's economy.

Tangerang 'bans' liquor, prostitution

Tangerang 'bans' liquor, prostitution Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang The Tangerang Municipal Council has endorsed bylaws banning the sale of alcoholic drinks and prostitution, but activists doubt if local authorities will have the courage to actually implement the laws.

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RI jazz loses legendary bass-man JAKARTA: Indonesian jazz has lost a seasoned bass player, Perry Pattiselano, 55, (shown in framed photo) and his contemporaries mourned the passing of a "reliable, stable and consistent" musician and a good friend. Pattiselano was playing with Indonesian jazz vocalist Pinky and pianist "Sukat" Harjanto at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Amman, Jordan, when a bomb at the hotel exploded, killing him instantly.

Housewife fined for

Housewife fined for pimping for RI maid SINGAPORE: A Singaporean mother-of-three has been fined US$8,823 after pleading guilty to pimping for her Indonesian maid, court officials said on Tuesday. It is the first time that an employer in Singapore has been convicted of acting as a maid's pimp. The Min Yek, 35, admitted in court on Monday to asking Awunningsih, who arrived from Indonesia in April, to work as a prostitute and telling her she could provide clients.

Legislators off to study Cairo despite criticism

Legislators off to study Cairo despite criticism The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Sixteen legislators plan to leave for the Egyptian capital of Cairo for a "comparative study tour" on how the Egyptian parliament's ways and means committee works, causing critics to claim that the trip was only meant to exhaust remaining funds in the foreign trips budget. While it's not immediately clear how much money has been designated for this specific trip, which will start on Dec.

Incentives for infrastructure

Incentives for infrastructure President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, in Busan, South Korea, for the APEC summit over the weekend, took the opportunity at the international forum to invite investors to Indonesia's second Infrastructure Summit -- scheduled for mid-February in Jakarta. This time, however, the government seems better prepared to make it a success.

GAM hands over third lot of arms

GAM hands over third lot of arms Agence France-Presse, Banda Aceh, Aceh Former separatist fighters in Aceh province on Tuesday handed over more weapons for destruction as part of their historic peace pact with the government. The ex-rebels met their commitment to hand over 75 percent of their arsenal by the end of the third of four disarmament phases, the military said.

Key stock index gains; Energi Mega, Aneka Tambang advance

Key stock index gains; Energi Mega, Aneka Tambang advance Naila Firdausi, Bloomberg/Jakarta Indonesian stocks rose, with the key index posting its longest winning stretch in five months. Mining company PT Aneka Tambang climbed to the highest in more than three weeks after gold futures surged to an 18-year high. PT Energi Mega Persada advanced on optimism of higher earnings after the company said it plans to spend US$275 million developing three gas fields to boost output.

Highly leaded fuel still in use: Study

Highly leaded fuel still in use: Study Tb. Arie Rukmantara, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Cars in three out of 10 major cities surveyed in the country are still being supplied with leaded gasoline, which posses a threat to people's health and can stunt mental development, a report said.

On marrying Indonesian women

On marrying Indonesian women First of all, Keluarga Perkawinan Campuran Melalui Tangan Ibu (KPCMelati) would like to wish you and your distinguished readers celebrating Idul Fitri a Happy Idul Fitri 1426 H. Second, we would like to offer further clarification regarding: 1. Want to marry RI women? Pay Rp 500 m in deposit published in The Jakarta Post on Oct. 10. During a half-day seminar hosted by the Alida Center on Oct. 22 at the Gran Melia Hotel, this horrendous topic was clarified by Prof.

'India, China must avoid mutual paranoia'

'India, China must avoid mutual paranoia' Agence France-Presse, New Delhi India and China must avoid mutual paranoia and ending up in "opposing camps" if Asia is to take its place in the world, Singapore's former premier Lee Kuan Yew was on Tuesday quoted as saying. "Whether Asia will take its place in the world...depends on how both India and China work together as they rise and actively set out to avoid ending up in opposing camps," Singapore's founding father said in a lecture on Monday.

Social envy is growing

Social envy is growing From Kompas Poor people have become increasingly distressed and lead an even more difficult existence following the latest fuel price rise. Even before the fuel price hike, the majority already had difficulty in making a living. Kompas also reported in October that taxi drivers now have fewer passengers, while gasoline is more expensive and they spend a lot more on daily needs.

Panic as China cuts water to major city

Panic as China cuts water to major city Robert J. Saiget, Agence France-Presse/Beijing Panic spread through one of China's largest cities on Tuesday as residents hoarded water and food ahead of a four-day water stoppage due to fears that a chemical plant explosion had contaminated drinking supplies.

Housewife fined for

Housewife fined for pimping for RI maid SINGAPORE: A Singaporean mother-of-three has been fined US$8,823 after pleading guilty to pimping for her Indonesian maid, court officials said on Tuesday. It is the first time that an employer in Singapore has been convicted of acting as a maid's pimp. The Min Yek, 35, admitted in court on Monday to asking Awunningsih, who arrived from Indonesia in April, to work as a prostitute and telling her she could provide clients.

Ramos-Horta: A disgrace to Nobel values!

Ramos-Horta: A disgrace to Nobel values! Thang D. Nguyen, Jakarta In 1996, the Nobel Prize Committee awarded one half of the Nobel Peace Prize to Jose Ramos-Horta, who currently serves as East Timor's senior minister for foreign affairs and cooperation. The other half of the prize went to his fellow countryman, then East Timor Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, "for their work towards a just and peaceful solution to the conflict in East Timor".

Former Japan princess bids title formal farewell

Former Japan princess bids title formal farewell TOKYO, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Japanese princess becomes a commoner Japanese Emperor Akihito's only daughter formally relinquished her title as princess on Wednesday following her marriage the day before, but her father has promised she is welcome at the palace any time.

1. BOOK: 1 X 42

1. BOOK: 1 X 42 Was U.S. press in 'coma' during drive to Iraq war? 2. ANDUNG: 2 X 16 Andung's English query irks SBY in India 3. INDIA: 1 X 32 India's TVS to invest $80m in RI 4. WATER: 1 X 40 Panic as China cuts water to major city 5. SUSUL: 1 X 39 to be sent later

The world as seen through children's eyes

The world as seen through children's eyes Endy M.Bayuni, The Jakarta Post, Oslo It is said that children are people But people do not exist without a culture Children are people who belong to the future And they have the right to their own culture Their own art and history -- The International Museum of Children's Art Brackish water occupies the bottom half of the canvas. Floating are trees and tree trunks, cars of different colors and sizes, and debris.

Andung's English irks SBY in India

Andung's English irks SBY in India Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Bangalore, India President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono appeared irate -- perhaps the first time publicly since he was sworn in back in October 2004 -- upon hearing Minister of Industry Andung Nitimihardja's apparent question during a visit to Indian software giant Infosys Technologies Ltd. on Monday.

Navy plans exercises in Ambalat

Navy plans exercises in Ambalat Agence France-Presse, Jakarta The Indonesian Navy will hold massive naval exercises off the eastern coast of Borneo, including in waters disputed with neighboring Malaysia, a Navy spokesman said on Tuesday. The exercise, codenamed Armada Jaya XXY, will include a beach landing by marines in Sangata, just south of the border with Malaysia's Sabah state, and maneuvers in part of the Celebes Sea also claimed by Malaysia, Eastern Fleet Spokesman Lt. Col.

VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT: H.E. Xanana Gusmao, the President of

VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT: H.E. Xanana Gusmao, the President of Timor Leste and his delegation honored the hotel with their stay at Hotel Borobudur Jakarta. H. E. Xanana was in the Capital for a Bilateral Meeting with H.E. Mr. Widodo AS, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. Welcomed by Mr. Poul E Bitsch, General Manager (right), the President (left) and his entourage were given a very warm welcome on their arrival on the 18 November 2005.

;JP;CD;

;JP;CD; ANPAk..r.. Theology of tolerance in Islam JP/6/LILY Theology of tolerance in Islam Lily Zakiyah Munir Jombang, East Java In the last few years we have witnessed a series of terrorist acts perpetrated in the name of Islam. It is hard to believe that Indonesian Islam, which was traditionally respected for its tolerance and respect for diversity and plurality, has now become tarnished with various acts of heinous violence and intolerance.

Critics slam huge salary for 'underachieving' BRR

Critics slam huge salary for 'underachieving' BRR Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh Antigraft activists have criticized members of the Aceh and Nias Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency (BRR) as "overpaid and underachieving". "The salary of the BRR chairman is higher than the President's.

Suspension proposal illegal, Governor says

Suspension proposal illegal, Governor says Rusman, The Jakarta Post, Samarinda East Kalimantan Governor Suwarna Abdul Fatah has demanded that the provincial council revoke its decision to file a motion requesting his suspension for alleged graft with the President. Through his lawyer Arteria Dahlan the governor has also requested that the council's ethics committee determine whether the council's decision breached its code of ethics.

Firefighters kept busy in N. Jakarta

Firefighters kept busy in N. Jakarta JAKARTA: Fires erupted in the North Jakarta neighborhoods of Sunter and Cilincing on Tuesday morning. There were no fatalities reported in either fire. The first blaze began at about 5 a.m. in a house on Jl. Agung Perkasa in Sunter. Several minutes after firefighters extinguished the blaze, they were called to the densely populated Kalibaru subdistrict in Cilincing.

Noordin's wife may be released

Noordin's wife may be released MALANG, East Java: Munfiatun, the wife of most-wanted terrorist Noordin M. Top, might be released on parole from the Sukun Women's Penitentiary in Malang, East Java, the prison warden said. Warden Purwani said on Tuesday that a letter had been sent to the Bangil Prosecutor's Office to request that Munfiatun be released on parole.

Headings

Headings 1. TIMUR -- 3x14 Residents protest road access to Catholic school 2. TEACH -- 1x26 Teachers learn about quality 3. ACER -- 2x20 University plans to give away laptops to students 4. SPEAK -- 2x20 'Teacher quality is simply poor'

Burglars injure Australian woman

Burglars injure Australian woman DENPASAR: In what was apparently an attempted burglary gone wrong, two unidentified men assaulted and severely injured an Australian woman pre-dawn on Tuesday after they broke into her room at a hotel in Bali's popular resort area of Jimbaran. The woman was later identified as 45-year-old Julie McNally. She arrived in Bali on March 18, 2005, and was staying at the Jimbaran Hill Hotel. The attempted burglary took place at around 02.00 a.m.

Garasi gives subtle performance in revised 'Rain Repertoire'

Garasi gives subtle performance in revised 'Rain Repertoire' Evi Mariani The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A woman is watering flowers on her front porch, as if putting out a fire that soon will burn down her house. -- Gunawan Maryanto, in Rain Repertoire Any loyal, Teater Garasi audience will already know it is fruitless to try to comprehend the literal meaning of the 12-year-old Yogyakarta-based theater group's plays. The group has been around too long for fans to know that is a useless endeavor.

Cash bonuses await chess champions

Cash bonuses await chess champions JAKARTA: With team stalwart GM Utut Adianto missing from its lineup, the Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi) is offering bonuses to medal winners at the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Philippines. "Those who win a gold medal are entitled to bonuses of Rp 30 million," Percasi treasurer Mudda Madang was quoted as saying in a release. A silver medalist will get Rp 15 million and bronze medalist Rp 10 million.

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.

Bankruptcy case filed against BMC ata Jakarta commercial court

Bankruptcy case filed against BMC ata Jakarta commercial court JAKARTA: State-owned financing firm PT Bahana Pembinaan Usaha Indonesia (BPUI) has filed bankruptcy allegations against investment firm PT Bhinneka Multi Corporation (BMC) with the Central Jakarta Commercial Court. Bahana claims that BMC has failed to pay back its loans and thus should be declared bankrupt. According to Bahana, BMC's debt owed to it stands at Rp 235.7 billion (US$23.5 million).

Govt prepares regulations on wages

Govt prepares regulations on wages Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government will soon issue two regulations on remuneration for the formal sector and on industrial relations in the informal sector, a manpower official said on Tuesday.

Adaro hires JPMorgan, banks to sell $600m of bonds, loans

Adaro hires JPMorgan, banks to sell $600m of bonds, loans Denise Kee, Bloomberg/Singapore PT Adaro Indonesia, the country's largest coal producer, is trying to cut borrowing costs by selling bonds and taking new loans to repay a S$600 million deal signed three months ago, said two bankers involved in the financing. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. will underwrite a bond sale to raise as much S$350 million for Adaro, the bankers said.

Employees, students ticketed the most

Employees, students ticketed the most JAKARTA: In the first four days of a month-long traffic operation, officers have written 1,327 tickets, with the majority going to motorcyclists, the Jakarta Police's traffic division said on Tuesday. Police have ticketed 587 private sector workers, 312 students, 216 public transportation drivers, 114 informal sector workers and 13 civil servants. The violations range from not having proper vehicle documents to motorcyclists not wearing helmets.

JP/Editorial

JP/Editorial Incentives for infrastructure President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, in Busan, South Korea, for the APEC summit over the weekend, took the opportunity at the international forum to invite investors to Indonesia's second Infrastructure Summit -- scheduled for mid-February in Jakarta. This time, however, the government seems better prepared to make it a success.

Singapore housewife fined for pimping

Singapore housewife fined for pimping A housewife was fined for becoming a pimp for her Indonesian maid who was initially hired to look after her three children, news reports said on Tuesday. The Min Yek, 35, broached the idea of prostitution with Awunningsih, 24, one week after the maid started working, the district court heard.

West Irian Jaya says poll must go on

West Irian Jaya says poll must go on MANOKWARI, West Irian Jaya: The West Irian Council insisted on Monday that the province should be allowed to hold regional elections on Nov. 28 as planned, saying that there was no legal basis to postpone them. "No matter what happens, we will still hold the poll. There is no constitutional reason to postpone it," said Council Speaker Jimmy Idjie. Jimmy said that based on articles 148 and 149 of Government Regulation No.

Host team downs Indonesia

Host team downs Indonesia ANN The Philippine Inquirer/Manila The Philippines relied on brothers Ali, Frazier and Norton Alamara to down Indonesia 15-10 on Monday and draw first blood in the water polo competition of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games at the Trace Aquatics Center in Los Banos, south of Manila.

Reminding Jakartans of Indonesia's cultural richness

Reminding Jakartans of Indonesia's cultural richness Mario Koch, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As more and more Indonesians, particularly Jakartans, get swept up by globalization, they are drifting farther and farther away from their artistic and cultural roots.

'Foolish' residents

'Foolish' residents poison four tigers JAKARTA: The dwindling tiger population in Indonesia's jungle- clad Sumatra island has suffered another blow after residents "foolishly" poisoned four of the beasts, police said on Tuesday. One full-grown female tiger and its three cubs were poisoned last Sunday by residents in the remote village of Jorong Durian Jantung in West Sumatra province, said Yadi Prariyadi, police chief of Pariaman district which covers the village.

Philip Kotler Center for ASEAN Marketing launched

Philip Kotler Center for ASEAN Marketing launched MarkPlus&Co will host, in Jakarta today, two international gatherings -- the launch of the long waited non-profit marketing organization Philip Kotler Center for ASEAN Marketing and the inaugural opening of ASEAN Marketing Forum 2005. The ASEAN-based consulting company - founded by Asia's leading marketing strategist, Hermawan Kartajaya - will inaugurate the opening of the new marketing center at the ASEAN Secretariat.

Golkar set to decide stance on Cabinet

Golkar set to decide stance on Cabinet The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Golkar, the country's largest political party, will begin a national leadership meeting here on Wednesday to assess its current position in the government, including its seats in the Cabinet. The two-day meeting, to be officially opened by Golkar leader and Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Wednesday evening, comes ahead of an expected Cabinet reshuffle by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Chevron, Chubu sign LNG deal

Chevron, Chubu sign LNG deal SYDNEY: Chevron Australia announced on Tuesday it had signed a 25-year agreement to supply Japan's Chubu Electric Co with liquefied natural gas (LNG) in a deal the Australian government said was worth A$10 billion (US$07.35 billion). Chevron Australia said Tokyo Gas would receive 1.5 million tons of LNG annually from the Gorgon field off the Western Australia coast from 2010 under the heads of agreement signed Tuesday in Perth.

Athletics association inks apparel sponsorship

Athletics association inks apparel sponsorship Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The provision of high-quality sports apparel, particularly shoes, is expected to boost the campaign of national track and field athletes in the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Philippines. "Providing shoes for the track athletes is a more bit confusing than it is, for example, for badminton players.

Navy base to be upgraded

Navy base to be upgraded Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang Security concerns have prompted Navy Headquarters to upgrade a naval base in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara province, and raise its security status. The upgrade will enable the base to step up measures against illegal fishing and fuel smuggling in areas bordering Indonesia, Australia and East Timor, a military officer said on Tuesday.

Realized, approved investment on the rise, BKPM says

Realized, approved investment on the rise, BKPM says Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Investment in the country has remained strong despite rising inflation and interest rates, the latest data from the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) says. The BKPM said on Tuesday actual foreign direct investment (FDI) during January to October had more than doubled to US$8.55 billion in 785 projects, from $3.23 billion in 421 projects for the same period last year.

Workers to get meager salary rise

Workers to get meager salary rise SEMARANG, Central Java: Central Java Governor Mardiyanto has decided that the provincial government would raise the minimum wage by 16.32 percent on average by January next year, dashing workers' hope who had earlier demanded a 30 percent minimum wage increase.

Residents protest road access to Catholic school

Residents protest road access to Catholic school Multa Fidrus and Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang/Jakarta Although the road access to Sang Timur Catholic school in Karang Tengah, Tangerang regency, has again been blockaded by protesting local residents, students keep coming to school. As their cars cannot reach the school, parents have to drop off their children on the main road and let them to walk to school.

Teachers learn about quality

Teachers learn about quality Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Depok "When teachers take pride of what they do, then they are able to give the best to students," said M. Achmadi, principal of a state high school in Depok. As part of Sampoerna Foundation's School Quality Improvement Program (SQIP), teachers from State High School No. 3 Depok have undergone training sessions changing the way they view their role as educators, and the presentation of material they teach in school.

Commercial arbitration in Indonesia

Commercial arbitration in Indonesia Frans H. Winarta, Jakarta The battle to eradicate corruption is extremely difficult; it is like the battle to combat "evil". As a consequence, the government needs to address the problem seriously. Indonesia, as a developing country, has to learn from the experiences of other countries in effectively combating corruption. This is because other countries have clearly been able to reduce the incidence of corruption.

Treasurer of KPU on trial for receiving kickbacks

Treasurer of KPU on trial for receiving kickbacks The Jakarta Post, Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPU) treasurer M. Dentjik went on trial on Tuesday on charges of receiving kickbacks from companies that supplied materials for the 2004 elections. During the opening session of the trial, the defendant was also charged with bribing finance ministry officials and state auditors.

1st story checked -- JSR

1st story checked -- JSR Tony Prabowo to stage Calon Arang Composer Tony Prabowo and essayist Goenawan Mohammad are due to collaborate in a contemporary music concert at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) arts center. The event, scheduled for August 2006, is expected to include five compositions, including Pastoral and The King's Witch operettas.

Proton to launch new luxurious sedan to boost sales

Proton to launch new luxurious sedan to boost sales Eileen NG, Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Malaysia's national carmaker Proton will launch a new luxurious sedan - dubbed the Chancellor - next month that it hopes will help boost flagging sales, officials said.

1. Golkar -- 65 pts 2 cols 4lines (4x9)

1. Golkar -- 65 pts 2 cols 4lines (4x9) Golkar set to decide Cabinet stance 2. Terror -- 36 pts 4 col 1line (1x30) RI wages 'two-front war' on terrorism 3. Merkel -- 36 pts 4 col 1line (1x28) Trailblazer Merkel takes power 4. Liquor -- 32 pts 4 cols 1line (1x32) Tangerang 'bans' liquor, prostitution --- 5.

Delay sought in Chris John bout

Delay sought in Chris John bout JAKARTA: After two reschedulings, World Boxing Association featherweight champion Chris John is seeking another delay in his mandatory defense against Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico. Fight promoter HM Arsyad said on Tuesday he would seek a Feb. 4 bout next year, in Tenggarong, East Kalimantan, due to an injury to the Indonesian fighter. "I will notify the WBA about the date," Arsyad was quoted as saying by Antara news service.

Tolerance in Islam

Tolerance in Islam Lily Zakiyah Munir, Jombang, East Java In the last few years we have witnessed a series of terrorist acts perpetrated in the name of Islam. It is hard to believe that Indonesian Islam, which was traditionally respected for its tolerance and respect for diversity and plurality, has now become tarnished with various acts of heinous violence and intolerance. Peaceful coexistence of diverse faiths and beliefs is being challenged by radicalism.

Pertamina, Medco may build LNG plant

Pertamina, Medco may build LNG plant JAKARTA: State-run PT Pertamina said it's in talks with PT Medco Energi Internasional, Indonesia's biggest publicly traded oil company, to build a small-scale liquefied natural gas plant in the eastern part of Sulawesi island. The LNG plant will have a capacity of two million metric tons a year, Pertamina's Vice President Mustiko Saleh said on Tuesday.

Top detective tasked to probe terror in Poso

Top detective tasked to probe terror in Poso The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Police have assigned one of their top detectives to resolve the fresh terror attacks in Poso, Central Sulawesi, and help ensure stability in the conflict-prone area. Deputy chief of detectives Insp. Gen. Gorries Mere and several senior police officers from Jakarta arrived on Monday in the provincial capital of Palu and immediately held a closed-door meeting with Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen.

Batavia Air responds

Batavia Air responds With regard to the letter from Clement Weather to The Jakarta Post concerning an incident that took place at the airport in Batam, and a copy of which was delivered to Batavia Air for comment, we would like to clarify as follows. The following chronological details of the event were provided by our representative technician, who happened to be at the airport ticket sales counter in Batam. His report said: "On Nov.

1. BRR (2x24)

1. BRR (2x24) Critics slam huge salary for 'underachieving' BRR 2. Navy (1x27) Navy plans exercises in Ambalat 3. Aceh (1x27) GAM hands over third lot of arms 4. Wage (1x32) Govt prepares regulations on wages 5. Poso (4x12) Top detective tasked to probe terror in Poso

Myanmar stave off RI soccer team for draw

Myanmar stave off RI soccer team for draw The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The national soccer team was held to a goalless draw by Myanmar at the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Bacolod City on Tuesday, while the women's team was beaten by Thailand in Marikina City. The Games, the biennial regional multisport showcase, will officially open on Sunday, but some sports, including soccer, have started earlier.

Rupiah Rates Nov.22

Rupiah Rates Nov.22 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,764.80 7,024.03 7,433.60 7,355.00 Brunei dollar 1 6,205.88 5,616.66 5,941.18 5,881.32 Canadian dollar 1 8,917.25 8,068.60 8,536.89 8,448.80 Swiss franc 1 7,995.45 7,235.94 7,654.41 7,576.91 Danish krone 1 1,658.60 1,500.91 1,587.85 1,571.64 Euro 1 12,373.04 11,199.29 11,845.28 11,727.00 Poundsterling 1 18,112.24 16,391.62 17,339.68 17,164.00 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,360.85 1,231.38 1,302.81 1,289.41...

Mahathir says no to 'megaphone diplomacy'

Mahathir says no to 'megaphone diplomacy' THAILAND: Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad expressed hopes on Tuesday that Thailand and Malaysia would drop their "megaphone diplomacy" in dealing with the troubled southern region that defines their border.

TVS to invest $80m in RI motorbike plant

TVS to invest $80m in RI motorbike plant Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Bangalore, India India's leading motorcycle manufacturer, TVS Motor Company Ltd., reiterated its plan on Tuesday to invest around US$80 million in Indonesia to build a motorcycle manufacturing and assembly plant. After a breakfast meeting on Tuesday between visiting President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and several Indian businessmen, chairman of the Indonesian Business Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Mohamad S.

On marrying Indonesian women

On marrying Indonesian women First of all, Keluarga Perkawinan Campuran Melalui Tangan Ibu (KPCMelati) would like to wish you and your distinguished readers celebrating Idul Fitri a Happy Idul Fitri 1426 H. Second, we would like to offer further clarification regarding: 1. Want to marry RI women? Pay Rp 500 m in deposit published in The Jakarta Post on Oct. 10. During a half-day seminar hosted by the Alida Center on Oct. 22 at the Gran Melia Hotel, this horrendous topic was clarified by Prof.

Social envy is growing

Social envy is growing From Kompas Poor people have become increasingly distressed and lead an even more difficult existence following the latest fuel price rise. Even before the fuel price hike, the majority already had difficulty in making a living. Kompas also reported in October that taxi drivers now have fewer passengers, while gasoline is more expensive and they spend a lot more on daily needs.

Batavia Air: Water, water everywhere

Batavia Air: Water, water everywhere Just as the scandal about water being found in the tanks of a Batavia Air aircraft was unfolding, I found myself desperately trying to get tickets at Batam airport to return to Jakarta. Having found that no tickets were available with most of the airlines for flights that day, I continued walking on despondently to the last airline ticket offices.

Sex orgy scandal rocks religious regency of Cianjur

Sex orgy scandal rocks religious regency of Cianjur Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Pos, /Bandung Police are questioning several teachers and students believed to have been involved in an orgy at a Cianjur school that has stunned people in the regency. The police embarked on an investigation into the case after reports in local media on Sunday over the scandal, said Adj. Comr. Wardoli, Cianjur Police chief of detectives.

Consumer confidence index falls to 26-month low

Consumer confidence index falls to 26-month low Bank Indonesia's consumer confidence index fell last month to the lowest in more than two years after the government raised fuel prices on Oct. 1. An index measuring confidence dropped 13.1 points to 76.9 in October from 90.1 in September, according to the central bank survey of 4,350 households in 16 cities. That was the lowest since August 2003. An index number exceeding 100 indicates more optimists than pessimists.

Lippo records 47% income growth on lending expansion

Lippo records 47% income growth on lending expansion The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Publicly listed Bank Lippo, which was recently acquired by Malaysia's Khazanah Nasional Berhad, reported on Tuesday almost a 50 percent surge in income in the first nine months of the year. Lippo's unaudited net income increased by 47 percent to Rp 343.8 billion (about US$34.1 million) from Rp 233.6 billion in the same period last year.

JP/18/CHILE

JP/18/CHILE Bali, a major gateway for Chilean tourists, businesses Rita A. Widiadana The Jakarta Post/Sanur Only weeks before the Oct. 1, 2005 bombing tragedy in Kuta and Jimbaran, the Chilean government opened its honorary consulate office here in Bali. A sense of optimism still filled the atmosphere.

TV Program: Thursday, November 24, 2005

TV Program: Thursday, November 24, 2005 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon 8:30 Music 10:00 Talk Show: Wirausaha 11:00 News: Berita Nusantara 12:00 Talk Show: Gado-gado Plus 1:00 p.m.

National rugby team going places

National rugby team going places The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The national "White Rhinos" charge into rugby union history next week, becoming the first all-national team to play a series of matches in the Philippines. The matches, held as an exhibition during the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games from Nov. 27-Dec. 5, could lead to it becoming an official medal sport by 2007.

'Sound of Music' comes to Jakarta via Pelita Harapan

'Sound of Music' comes to Jakarta via Pelita Harapan Geoff Marriott, Contributor, Jakarta Sekolah Pelita Harapan, one of Jakarta's premier private schools, will present the timeless Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The Sound of Music, at Teater Tanah Airku, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah on Thursday, Nov. 24 through Saturday Nov. 26. Auditions for the show commenced in March, with many students competing for the coveted main parts.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov.22, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov.22, 2005 ____________________________________________________________________________ Share Close Change Trading volume _____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Waters 1,760 10 64,000 Adhi Karya 540 20 6,645,500 Adira Dinamika 1,450 -40 162,500 AGIS Tbk 80 0 0 Akbar Indo Makmur 200 0 0 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,540 0 1,315,000 Alakasa Industrindo 220 0 0 Alfa Retailindo Tbk...

RI loses two in a row in the pool

RI loses two in a row in the pool The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The national water polo team suffered its second straight loss in the pool on Tuesday, with victory snatched from its grasp in the last moments of its game against Vietnam. Indonesia, which had never lost to Vietnam in three previous matches in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, was tied 12-12 with 45 seconds remaining in Los Banos, Laguna, south of Manila.

JP/1/Blurb

JP/1/Blurb 1. Internet helps farmers reap more profits Page 5 2. National rugby team going places Page 9 3. WHO's 'war room' prepares for bird flu spread Page 17

PASI inks apparel sponsorship for SEA Games

PASI inks apparel sponsorship for SEA Games Musthofid The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The provision of high-quality sports apparel, particularly shoes, is expected to boost the campaign of national track and field athletes in the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Philippines. "Providing shoes for the track athletes is a more bit confusing than it is, for example, for badminton players.

Think Regional, Act Local!

Think Regional, Act Local! Hermawan Kartajaya Jakarta Southeast Asia region has grown so fast that it becomes one commercial market, also one market for investment. To support that, at the government level, member countries have set a vision of creating an ASEAN Community 2020, with three main pillars: ASEAN Security Community (ASC), ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).

RI wages 'two-front war' on terrorism

RI wages 'two-front war' on terrorism Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The police and Muslim leaders are waging a war against domestic terrorism on two fronts, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said here on Tuesday. The Vice President said the police were fighting on the physical front, while the ulema were battling on the ideological front. "There are two kinds of war against terrorists. The first is the physical war.

'Sound of Music' comes to Taman Mini via Pelita Harapan school

'Sound of Music' comes to Taman Mini via Pelita Harapan school Geoff Marriott Contributor/Jakarta Sekolah Pelita Harapan, one of Jakarta's premier private schools, will present the timeless Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The Sound of Music, at Teater Tanah Airku, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah on Thursday, Nov. 24 through Saturday Nov. 26. Auditions for the show commenced in March, with many students competing for the coveted main parts.

North Sumatra has fastest polio infection rate: WHO

North Sumatra has fastest polio infection rate: WHO Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan The World Health Organization (WHO) found that North Sumatra has the fastest polio infection rate in Indonesia, with three new cases being found since the second round of the national immunization campaign (PIN) on Sept. 27. A WHO consultant, David Bassett, said the latest polio case in the province was discovered in Labuhan Batu regency on Oct. 16.

Sharia banking grows by 40% in 2005

Sharia banking grows by 40% in 2005 The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite the current economic downturn amid rising inflation, the central bank remains optimistic that growth of sharia banking will remain robust. "Currently, growth has exceed the 2005 target of 40 percent," Bank Indonesia's sharia banking director Harisman said on the sidelines of the 6th International Conference on Islamic Economics and Finance on Tuesday.

University plans to give away laptops to students

University plans to give away laptops to students Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Computer company PT Acer Indonesia pledged on Tuesday to provide free laptops for 2,500 students enrolling at Bunda Mulia University (UBM) in Ancol, North Jakarta for the 2006 year. The firm would also provide hot-spot facilities in the campus to enable students to connect to the Internet and teach students about computer hardware.

National integrity

National integrity From Media Indonesia Political life in Indonesia today doesn't seem to be inspired by the spirit of unity our founding fathers upheld 77 years ago. This spirit of unity could be related to the STOVIA movement of (medical) students called Boedi Oetomo, which was considered pioneer of the national awakening. Today the government officials at all levels seem to have lost their sense of integrity. We do not know why.

AMM finds Thailand rifle

AMM finds Thailand rifle BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) has found a Thai military and police standard rifle among weapons and ammunition handed over by former rebel Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to the monitoring body. Nipat Thonglek, an AMM official from Thailand, commented that the find was surprising, but said the monitoring body would enquire into how the HK 33 rifle had got into rebel hands. The weapon hand-over was held on Tuesday in Takengon, Central Aceh regency.

'Teachers quality is simply poor'

'Teachers quality is simply poor' In recognition of their role in education, the government has designated Nov. 25 as the National Teacher's Day. But, do they deserve such recognition? The Jakarta Post interviewed two residents on their views about the quality of teachers in the capital. Yulian Effendi, 38, is an employee of a tutorial agency in Cibubur, East Jakarta. He lives with his wife and children in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta.

The world through children's eyes

The world through children's eyes Endy M.Bayuni The Jakarta Post/Oslo It is said that children are people But people do not exist without a culture Children are people who belong to the future And they have the right to their own culture Their own art and history -- The International Museum of Children's Art Brackish water occupies the bottom half of the canvas. Floating are trees and tree trunks, cars of different colors and sizes, and debris.

Ulema to publish books on jihad

Ulema to publish books on jihad JAKARTA: Chairman of the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Hasyim Muzadi urged Muslim organizations to publish books on the true concept of jihad (holy war) in Islam to counter militant ideas spread by terrorists.

Internet helps farmers reap more profits

Internet helps farmers reap more profits Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Bojonegoro Suhar, 28, a peanut farmer likes to show off the new cell phone he bought two months ago. He could afford to buy the cell phone after he reaped significant profit from his peanut farm using a management and production method based on knowledge Suhar obtained from the Internet.

Biofuel trading scheme awaits regulations

Biofuel trading scheme awaits regulations The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The full-scale development of biofuels could start sooner rather than later with a presidential instruction on trading systems currently being prepared, a ministry spokesman says. "Business people are now waiting for the trading regulations. We have completed the draft and it should be made official in the next couple of months," State Minister of Research and Technology Kusmayanto Kadiman said on Tuesday.