Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 9 November 2005

80 articles found

Greenlees/Young Indonesian executives fight a business culture of corruption

Young Indonesian executives fight a business culture of corruption By Donald Greenlees, International Herald Tribune WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2005 JAKARTA Take a money-losing newspaper, an organ of conservative Islam, and put it in the hands of Erick Tohir, a 35-year-old entrepreneur in a hurry to create a media empire. The result is an impressive business revival. Within five years, sales of the newspaper, Republika, rose by 70 percent in a highly competitive media market.

JP/7/IGOR3

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.

Mysticism in religious propagation counterproductive

Mysticism in religious propagation counterproductive Hikmat Sanusi, Tangerang One of the biggest controversies in Indonesia's infotainment industry during the holy month of Ramadhan this year was the bewildering mixture of mysticism and Islamic dakwah (propagation) in numerous sinetron, or TV soap operas. So much so that it was often difficult to make a distinction between religious teachings and the teaching of mysticism.

Dealing with peace in Aceh one step at a time

Dealing with peace in Aceh one step at a time Free Aceh Movement (GAM) spokesman Bahtiar Abdullah lived in exile in Sweden for 23 years before finally returned to Aceh last month following the peace agreement signed between Indonesia and GAM. In an interview with The Jakarta Post's Nani Afrida in Banda Aceh, Bahtiar shared his views about the future of the province. The following is an excerpt of the interview. Question: What is your plan after your return to Aceh?

'Probosutedjo could be cleared of bribery'

'Probosutedjo could be cleared of bribery' Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Businessman Probosutedjo could be cleared of bribery charges despite his confession to having paid bribes totaling Rp 16 billion (US$1.6 million) to get an acquittal, according to a law expert.

Poso beheadings perpetrators 'caught by Army'

Poso beheadings perpetrators 'caught by Army' Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta South Sulawesi Police chief Insp. Gen. Oegroseno has been tightlipped over rumors that security authorities there have arrested a group of five men responsible for the recent beheadings of three Christian school girls in conflict-prone Poso.

Scalpers rampant at airport

Scalpers rampant at airport TANGERANG: Ticket scalpers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport became more daring on the fourth day following Idul Fitri by offering tickets right in front of airport security officers. An airplane passenger, Jumano Kalarra, complained that scalpers had followed him to the restroom. "They tried to force me to buy even at the entrance of the toilets, so I shouted so that people would come and stare, only then they left me alone," he said 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.

GAM preparing gun handover

GAM preparing gun handover BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The Free Aceh Movement (GAM) has named five locations where it will turn over a third batch of weapons to foreign monitors as part of the peace agreement signed in August. The Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) expects to receive and destroy 210 arms from the former rebels in Aceh Jaya, West Aceh, Nagan Raya, Southwest Aceh and South Aceh regencies between Nov. 14 and Nov.

1. Reshuffle - 4x10

1. Reshuffle - 4x10 SBY's allies seek more seats in the Cabinet 2. Avian ----- 2x21 Jakarta teenager with bird flu symptoms dies 3. Poso ----- 3x13 Poso beheadings perpetrators 'caught by Army' 4. Papua ----- 1x32 Papua's removal from U.S. bill 'welcome'

Sidewalk vendors back in business

Sidewalk vendors back in business JAKARTA: Sidewalk vendors in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, were seen back in business on Tuesday after being evicted on the eve of Idul Fitri, Antara reported on Tuesday. "I'm going to try to set up shop here again, because I don't know where to move to," Asnawi, 38, a children's clothing vendor on Jl. Kebon Jati sidewalk said. She said that instead of selling on the sidewalk as she used to, Asnawi now sells her wares on a mobile clothes rack.

1999 The U.S. imposes a full embargo against Indonesia,

1999 The U.S. imposes a full embargo against Indonesia, banning the export of military equipment to Jakarta and training of its military 2003 In a wake of the global war on terror, the U.S. revives in stages the military ties with Indonesia by reopening training and courses for Indonesian officers. 2004 Washington eases the embargo after the Dec. 26 tsunami.

Titi Kamal misses playing in movies

Titi Kamal misses playing in movies JAKARTA: Having played in a number of TV soap opera, actress Titi Kamal, who soared to fame after costarring in popular teen flick Ada Apa Dengan Cinta, said she missed playing in movies. Her role as Maura, a friend of Cinta played by famous Dian Sastrowardoyo, has now made her one of the most sought-after young actresses amid the boom in Indonesian movies.

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.

'Forbes' may publish Indonesian edition

'Forbes' may publish Indonesian edition Forbes magazine, an American business and financial magazine founded in 1917 by BC Forbes, is exploring the possibility of publishing an Indonesian-language edition here. Malcolm Stevenson "Steve" Forbes Jr., Forbes editor-in-chief, president and chief executive officer of its publisher, Forbes Inc., said on Tuesday that he saw no reasons for the magazine not to expand into Indonesia.

Notes: *the splinter group of PKB

Notes: *the splinter group of PKB number of ministers: 35 Source: The Jakarta Post

Malaysian embassy on alert after threat

Malaysian embassy on alert after threat Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta Police increased security around the Malaysian Embassy on Jl. Rasuna Said in South Jakarta after an unidentified caller threatened late on Monday to blow up the embassy. Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. I Ketut Untung Yoga Ana said on Tuesday addition officers had been deployed to guard the embassy.

MRP elects speaker

MRP elects speaker Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura The former rector of the Jaya Timur School of Theology and Philosophy, Agustinus Alua, was elected on Tuesday as the speaker of the Papuan People's Assembly (MRP), a newly established body viewed as crucial to the bringing of justice to the resource-rich but impoverished province. Twenty-seven members of the 42-member MRP voted for Agus, who represents the various religious groups in the province.

Investing in Indonesia

Investing in Indonesia The latest fiasco regarding the possible requirement for male foreigners to put up US$50,000 for marrying an Indonesian woman, is, like so many have commented, totally ridiculous. Even the government acknowledges that the current marriage law is woefully inadequate but instead of fixing the "bad" law, it is pondering coming up with a "patch" which really doesn't address the inherent problems that exist in the current law.

TV Program: Thursday, November 10, 2005

TV Program: Thursday, November 10, 2005 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 5:00 a.m. Koran Recital 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon 8:30 Music 10:00 Talk Show 11:00 News: Berita Nusantara 1:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang 2:30 Channel Dangdut 3:00 English News Service 4:30 Documentary 7:00 News: Berita Nasional 7:30 Sitcom 8:00 Country Road 9:00 News: Dunia Dalam Berita 9:30 Talk Show: Berantas Korupsi 10:30 Talk Show: Pemuda Indonesia TPI 5:30 a.m.

RI woman and Rp 500 m

RI woman and Rp 500 m It is very interesting to read the articles in The Jakarta Post about this trial-and-error plan. We, Indonesians, are always making "breakthroughs", which is actually positive in the sense that a rule is made to fit our own culture. Women are not commodities, so that even their freedom is tradable. This is not our culture. Is this one of the prospective businesses to tackle the multi-dimensional crisis in our country? Please mate, no. SEVERIN MEO GOA Adelaide, Australia

How free is Indonesian press?

How free is Indonesian press? Ong Hock Chuan, Jakarta The 2005 Worldwide Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters without Borders late last week, is puzzling. Why is the press in Indonesia less free than its counterparts in Timor Leste and Cambodia; and why is Indonesia only two notches up from Thailand, whose government is going all out to curb the freedom of the press?

Navy orders local stealth ships

Navy orders local stealth ships SURABAYA: The November 10 Institute of Technology (ITS) and state shipbuilder PT PAL are due to start the construction of two radar-evading corvettes for the Navy. ITS rector Mohammad Nuh said a memorandum of understanding on the joint project would be inked during the 45th anniversary of the institute on Thursday.

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.

Experts scramble to contain bird flu

Experts scramble to contain bird flu Richard Ingham, Agence France-Presse/Geneva Experts in human and veterinary health met here on Tuesday to plan action for containing the spread of bird flu as the perilous poultry disease claimed a further life in Vietnam and inflicted a suspected sixth fatality in Indonesia.

The forsaken renaissance of Islam

The forsaken renaissance of Islam Mahathir bin Mohamad, Project Syndicate Children often play a game where they sit in a circle. One whispers something to his neighbor, who then whispers that information to the next child, and so on, around the circle. By the time the last child whispers the information to the first, it is totally different from what was originally said. Something like that seems to have happened within Islam.

Asia Pacific leaders to issue statement on WTO, says official

Asia Pacific leaders to issue statement on WTO, says official Agence France-Presse, Singapore Asia Pacific leaders meeting in South Korea this month are expected to issue a statement aimed at pushing forward floundering global trade talks, an official said on Tuesday.

Jakarta teenager with bird flu symptoms dies

Jakarta teenager with bird flu symptoms dies Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A 16-year-old girl admitted to the Agung Hospital in Manggarai, South Jakarta last Sunday with bird flu symptoms died on Tuesday morning. Heru Sundaru, one of the doctors who treated Siti Sarah, said the high-school student died of complications due to high fever, acute pneumonia and a rapid drop in lymphocyte cells. "She died of acute pneumonia.

Consumers likely to pay lower interconnection charges next year

Consumers likely to pay lower interconnection charges next year Anissa S. Febrina The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Trying to keep his phone bill as low as possible, Fajar, a 25- year-old police officer stationed in Semarang, Central Java, has to subscribe to two different cellular service providers. "My girlfriend (in Jakarta) uses Telkomsel and I have to pay more whenever I call her using my first number (provided by a different operator)," he said. So he subscribed to Telkomsel too, for love ...

Indonesian waters remain a threat

Indonesian waters remain a threat Piracy declined in the first nine months of 2005, though Indonesia remained a global black spot and Somali waters re- emerged as an area where shipping is seriously threatened, an ocean crime watchdog said on Tuesday.

SBY too slow in responding to reshuffle issue: Analyst

SBY too slow in responding to reshuffle issue: Analyst Ridwan Max Sijabat The Jakarta Post/Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is being criticized for moving too slowly in deciding on a much-awaited Cabinet reshuffle, which the public considers crucial to help cope with the country's economic difficulties. "The President is very slow in responding to public demand for a Cabinet reshuffle.

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.

EVA flies to Tokyo with Hello Kitty

EVA flies to Tokyo with Hello Kitty JAKARTA: Taking an advantage of famous Japanese cartoon character Hello Kitty, Taiwan-based EVA Air will launch its Taipei-Tokyo route on board an "EVAHello Kitty" jet, starting on Nov. 10. The airline said in a release that it had launched the Taipei- Fukuoka route on Oct. 22, and has achieved a 90 percent load factor.

Govt to take action on food prices to ease inflation

Govt to take action on food prices to ease inflation With analysts predicting that inflationary pressures will remain high in the mid term, the government is taking immediate action to stabilize the prices of staple foodstuffs to help hold back rising prices. Minister of Trade Mari Elka Pangestu told reporters on Tuesday that her ministry would launch "market operations" to help reduce the prices of rice and sugar, which are the only main commodities the government can still directly control.

From Suara Pembaruan

From Suara Pembaruan Since the Subversion Law was repealed, the security forces no longer have the power to take preemptive measures. Meanwhile, the terrorist actions continue. Actually, what we need is a legal system under which we can take preemptive measures, including repressive actions. There is much debate nowadays about how to make Indonesia a democratic country and at the same time uphold human rights.

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Is anybody really in charge in Aceh? 2. ;JP; 2 x 30 ANPAk..r.. How free is Indonesian press?

Interconnection charges may be lowered

Interconnection charges may be lowered Anissa S. Febrina, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Trying to keep his phone bill as low as possible, Fajar, a 25- year-old police officer stationed in Semarang, Central Java, has to subscribe to two different cellular service providers. "My girlfriend (in Jakarta) uses Telkomsel and I have to pay more whenever I call her using my first number (provided by a different operator)," he said. So he subscribed to Telkomsel too, for love ... and for money.

SingTel mobile users riase 4.1%

SingTel mobile users riase 4.1% Andrea Tan, Bloomberg/Singapore Singapore Telecommunications Ltd., Southeast Asia's largest telephone company, said the total number of mobile-phone users in seven countries in Asia rose 4.1 percent as of Sept. 30 from three months earlier. The number of mobile-phone users from Australia to India rose to 74 million in the fiscal second quarter, from 71.14 million at the end of June, the company said on Tuesday in a statement to the Singapore Exchange.

Terrorists fail to scuttle India-Pakistan peace process

Terrorists fail to scuttle India-Pakistan peace process Siddhartha Kumar, Guardian News Service, New Delhi Even fire-crackers ignited by children ahead of the Hindu festival Diwali are now enough to make Delhi residents' heart skip a beat. A rude reminder of the powerful blasts that ripped through the city's marketplaces Saturday, making the busy Indian capital lapse into a grim, melancholy silence seen only in the aftermath of a such an attack.

'We have to send unskilled workers homes'

'We have to send unskilled workers homes' Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso has vowed to prevent unskilled migrants from entering the city after the Idul Fitri celebrations. The Jakarta Post talked to some residents about the policy. Tony Wibowo, 31, works for a manufacturing company in Meruya, West Jakarta. He lives with his family in Kedoya, also in West Jakarta. Personally, I agree with Sutiyoso's policy of not allowing unskilled migrants to come here. They will only cause more problems for the city.

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!

Papua's removal from U.S. bill 'welcome'

Papua's removal from U.S. bill 'welcome' The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia has greeted with a sigh of relief a decision by the United States Congress to omit references to Papua from the State Department Authorization Bill, saying it reflected the consistent support of both the U.S. government and Congress for Indonesia's national integrity. Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Marty Natalegawa said the removal of the references to Papua from the bill was welcome.

TNI criticized over antiterror desks policy

TNI criticized over antiterror desks policy Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An order from the military leadership to all 11 regional military commands to set up special counterterrorism desks has been criticized by right activists concerned the move could lead to the stifling of government critics.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will reshuffle the Cabinet

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will reshuffle the Cabinet soon, probably by the end of the month, according to a party leader. Sutrisno Bachir, leader of the National Mandate Party (PAN), said after meeting the President on Tuesday night at the president's residence in Cikeas, Bogor, that Susilo was still reviewing his ministers' performance. Susilo will disregard any suggestions made based solely on the interest of certain groups, Sutrisno said. --Antara

Four suspects named in Batavia case

Four suspects named in Batavia case Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar South Sulawesi Police on Tuesday named four suspects allegedly responsible for supplying adulterated fuel that caused a Batavia Air aircraft fail to take off from Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar in October. Chief of South Sulawesi Police, Insp. Gen. Saleh Saad, said on Tuesday that the four suspects were employees of state oil and gas company PT Pertamina assigned to the airport's fuel station.

Trigana airline survives rough conditions of Papua

Trigana airline survives rough conditions of Papua Its harsh geographical conditions -- full of mountains and dense forests -- means that Papua province is heavily reliant on air transportation. However, the same geographical conditions, plus unpredictable weather, also make it less than ideal for flying, posing serious challenges to surviving airlines. The Jakarta Post's Nethy Dharma Somba looks into the mater and filed the following report.

Govt to ink deal with Japan on LNG

Govt to ink deal with Japan on LNG Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government plans to sign the heads of an agreement (HoA) by the end of this month with Japanese buyers to extend an existing liquified natural gas (LNG) supply contract of six million metric tons per annum that expires in 2010.

SBY's allies seek more seats in the Cabinet

SBY's allies seek more seats in the Cabinet Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The political parties supporting the administration of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Tuesday they wanted more seats in any reshuffled Cabinet -- something that is creating a headache for the President who has been facing public pressure to choose technocrats rather than politicians for key Cabinet posts.

RI still optimistic over U.S. arms sales

RI still optimistic over U.S. arms sales Rendi Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has expressed guarded optimism that the United States will not extend its 13-year military embargo on Indonesia. Even if Congress maintains the ban, Indonesia can still expect the U.S. administration to seek alternative policies that would enable Washington to export the equipment Jakarta needs, presidential spokesman Dino Pati Djalal said on Tuesday. Dino said a renewed campaign by several U.S.

Toyota recalls 246,000 vehicles

Toyota recalls 246,000 vehicles Associated Press, Tokyo Top Japanese automaker Toyota Motor said on Tuesday it will recall 246,592 vehicles in Japan, including Crown sedan and Hiace van models, produced between 1998 and 2005, due to possible corrosion of parts in the engine. Toyota Motor Corp.

1. DISCOURSE: 1 X 49

1. DISCOURSE: 1 X 49 Dealing with peace in Aceh one step at a time 2. AUSSIE: 1 X 35 Australia foils 'final stage of terror attack' 3. ADB: 2 X 24 Global bird flu outbreak to slow growth, says ADB 4. ART: 1 X 30 Parrot painting fetches $3.7m 5. PHONE: 4 X 10 Consumers to pay lower cell phone charges

Is anybody really in charge in Aceh?

Is anybody really in charge in Aceh? Saiful Mahdi, Banda Aceh Preliminary survey results by Unifem (United Nations Development Fund for Women) involving around 6,500 Acehnese women, survivors of the tsunami, indicated that almost 70 percent of them make decisions on their own. Important decisions the survivors make range from simple daily choices, to livelihood options, to whether they want to return to their original villages, relocate, or stay in temporary shelters.

Papuan airspace poses extra challenges for pilots

Papuan airspace poses extra challenges for pilots The Jakarta Post, Jayapura Papua's unfriendly typography, old and poorly maintained aircraft and fast-changing weather are the extra challenges pilots flying in the province have to face and air accidents are common. Already three have taken place this year, claiming the lives of 32 people with five others missing, presumed dead.

Asian poultry industry faces wrenching change from bird flu

Asian poultry industry faces wrenching change from bird flu Richard Ingham, Agence France-Presse/Geneva The Asian poultry industry, which has boomed in the past decade to meet the needs of a fast-growing, wealthier population, faces dramatic change as a result of avian influenza, a study presented here on Tuesday said.

Sleman prohibits undersized houses

Sleman prohibits undersized houses SLEMAN, Yogyakarta: The Sleman regency administration has banned developers from building on less than 120 square meters of land, Sleman Regent Ibnu Subiyanto said on Monday. "We will not give permits to build houses on plots of land that do not measure up to regulations. Every developer that wants to build residential houses in Sleman must meet regulations," Ibnu said.

Police quiz child over fatal shooting

Police quiz child over fatal shooting JAKARTA: A child and a resident of Jl. Langgar in Kramatjati, East Jakarta, are currently being interrogated at the Kramatjati Police subprecinct as suspects over the fatal shooting of Panji Asmara, nine. "We will bring the case to the juvenile court since one of the suspects is a child," said Kramatjati Police chief Comr. Dedy Tetra.

Clash erupts in Ambon

Clash erupts in Ambon AMBON, Maluku: An unresolved land dispute between Wakololo and Lisabata villages in Taniwel district, West Seram regency in Maluku triggered a clash which has obstructed a plan to return displaced people from the villages. The clash between people in the two villages erupted when the refugees from Wakalolo were about to clean up their village before moving back. The clash injured three Wakalolo residents.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will reshuffle the Cabinet

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will reshuffle the Cabinet soon, probably by the end of the month, according to a party leader. Sutrisno Bachir, leader of the National Mandate Party (PAN), said after meeting the President on Tuesday night at the president's residence in Cikeas, Bogor, that Susilo was still reviewing his ministers' performance. Susilo will disregard any suggestions made based solely on the interest of certain groups, Sutrisno said. --Antara

Judo calls up veterans for Cebu campaign

Judo calls up veterans for Cebu campaign Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Judo is relying on experienced athletes in its goal to secure three golds in the 23rd Southeast Asia (SEA) Games later this month, although the national association is hopeful of exceeding its target. "We expect three golds this year like in the 2003 Games, when we brought home three golds, four silvers and four bronzes.

Postal firm sees fewer customers

Postal firm sees fewer customers Antara, Yogyakarta With e-mail is just a click away and SMS a popular means to communicate, sending Idul Fitri greetings by regular mail is a thing of the past. And this Idul Fitri, postal company PT Pos Indonesia has felt the bite. The company's deputy head in Yogyakarta, Rahmat Gumilar, said the decline was mostly due to a drop in individual customers. "So we are trying to focus our marketing now on corporate or institution customers," Rahmat said.

Titi Kamal misses playing in movies

Titi Kamal misses playing in movies JAKARTA: Having played in a number of TV soap opera, actress Titi Kamal, who soared to fame after costarring in popular teen flick Ada Apa Dengan Cinta, said she missed playing in movies. Her role as Maura, a friend of Cinta played by famous Dian Sastrowardoyo, has now made her one of the most sought-after young actresses amid the boom in Indonesian movies.

1. MRP (3x9)

1. MRP (3x9) MRP elects speaker 2. Terror (2x24) TNI criticized over antiterror desk policy 3. Terror (4x12) 'Probosutedjo could be cleared of bribery'

Jakarta to make unskilled migrants feel unwelcome

Jakarta to make unskilled migrants feel unwelcome Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta administration will launch what it says will be a major dragnet to net unskilled migrants starting mid-November.

JP/13/Park

JP/13/Park Bantimurung: A cool respite from city life A nice-day trip for travelers and a great escape for Makassar City residents, Bantimurung National Recreational Park in South Sulawesi is a beautiful spot to enjoy nature and chill out. Set in tall, jutting limestone hills, deep hollows, springs and caves, the park boasts pretty views under a cool forest canopy, the sounds of chirping birds and the relaxing splash of waterfalls cascading into swimming holes.

HeidelbergCement 3Q profit rises 60%

HeidelbergCement 3Q profit rises 60% Bloomberg, Frankfurt HeidelbergCement AG, the German cement- maker bought by billionaire Adolf Merckle, said profit rose 60 percent in the third quarter, driven by demand in the U.S. Net income advanced to 273.6 million euro (US$320.9 million) from 171.4 million euro, the Heidelberg-based company said on Tuesday. Sales advanced 14 percent to 2.25 billion euro. HeidelbergCement is pushing through price increases in markets such as Indonesia and the U.S.

Police arrest suspects in taxi robbery

Police arrest suspects in taxi robbery Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The police announced on Tuesday they had arrested two suspects in last week's robbery and murder of a taxi driver, and denied once again that any officers were involved in the crime. Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. I Ketut Untung Yoga Ana said they had arrested two people in the robbery.

Global bird flu outbreak slows growth, says ADB

Global bird flu outbreak slows growth, says ADB Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A global bird flu pandemic could have a severe impact on regional consumption and productivity, crippling the economies of Indonesia and the East Asian region, a new study from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) reveals.

JP/13/Banti

JP/13/Banti Bantimurung, The Kingdom of Butterflies Andi Hajramurni Correspondent/Ujung Pandang British zoologist Alfred Russel Wallace once called Bantimurung National Recreation Park the Kingdom of Butterflies. The park is home to butterflies of numerous colors, patterns and sizes. They fly freely, alighting on the banks of a swimming hole and flitting from place to place. For hundreds of years, Bantimurung butterflies have been known, at home and abroad, for their beauty.

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?

Two Poso students shot by unidentified men

Two Poso students shot by unidentified men Two senior high school students in Poso were shot by unidentified men at around 7 p.m. on Tuesday, more than a week after the conflict-prone town was shocked by the beheadings of three Christian schoolgirls. The condition of the two 17-year-old students, Ivon and Nuraini, who have been admitted to Poso Kota General Hospital, has been described as critical.

Kalla to open Bugis trade event

Kalla to open Bugis trade event MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd. Najib Bin Tun Abdul Razak is scheduled to attend the 7th Bugis Makassar Entrepreneurs Conference here this weekend. Event organizing committee chairman Halim Kalla said Najib would be among the foreign guests of Bugis Makassar origin attending the event from Friday through Sunday.

WB offers RI funds for bird flu fight

WB offers RI funds for bird flu fight Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Amid concerns over Indonesia's shortcomings in dealing with the bird flu outbreak, the World Bank (WB), one of the country's major lenders, has offered financial assistance to the government to overcome the virus.

Scorching heat to continue until December, BMG says

Scorching heat to continue until December, BMG says Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Constan, in his 30s, a resident of Kedoya in West Jakarta, said the heat wave that has baked the city over the last several weeks made it impossible to keep his clothes dry. "Not just during the day, but also in the evening I just sweat so much. I have to change clothes six or seven times a day," Constan said on Tuesday.

Acehnese tsunami survivors want certainty in life

Acehnese tsunami survivors want certainty in life Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh Rahmawati broke into tears while packing her belongings. The 30- year-old native of Aceh Jaya regency could not help but be sad. "I feel like a cat having to move and move all over again. Now I don't know where to go," said the tsunami survivor, who was taking shelter in Lamreung village, Daru Imarah district, Aceh Besar regency.

Whistle-blower wins TI award

Whistle-blower wins TI award Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Berlin-based Transparency International has named former State Audit Agency (BPK) auditor Khairiansyah Salman as one of the winners of its Integrity Awards for 2005 for his part in exposing corruption cases in the General Elections Commission (KPU).

Oblivious to the flu

Oblivious to the flu Indonesians come across as being a laid back lot. Their warm smiles and patient manner seem incongruous to the harsh realities they face. This mildness makes them lackadaisical, so much so that many are oblivious to fears that an outbreak here could put them at the center of one of the worst multi-country pandemics in half a century. This country has been warned.

Ayu, Septi post Challenger wins

Ayu, Septi post Challenger wins JAKARTA: Local players Ayu Fani Damayanti, Septi Mende and Patricia Soesilo advanced to the second round of the US$25,000 Women's Challenger at the Hilton hotel's hard courts in Central Jakarta on Tuesday. Ayu, 16, came through with a straightforward 6-2, 6-2 win over local qualifier Angelika Jogasuria. She next plays second seed Chan Yung-jan from Chinese Taipei, who thrashed local wildcard Jessy Rompies 6-1, 6-0.

The Jakarta Post

The Jakarta Post Jayapura Papua's unfriendly typography, old and poorly maintained aircraft and fast-changing weather are the extra challenges pilots flying in the province have to face and air accidents are common. Already three have taken place this year, claiming the lives of 32 people with five others missing, presumed dead. In the first crash in February, 15 people died when a police Cassa 212 aircraft nose-dived into an estuary meters in front of Papua's Sarmi airport.

RP issues subpoenas for U.S. troops

RP issues subpoenas for U.S. troops THE PHILIPPINES: Philippine prosecutors issued subpoenas on Tuesday to question six U.S. soldiers accused of gang-raping a Filipino woman in a van after military exercises earlier this month. Jovencito Zuno, the chief state prosecutor, said the suspects had 10 days to respond with counteraffidavits and that he hoped an initial investigation would be completed in 60 days. The six soldiers, who have not been charged with any offense, remain in U.S.

Headless body found in Bali

Headless body found in Bali DENPASAR: Two villagers of Tabanan regency, Bali, were shocked when they found a dismembered human body in a bag on Monday. I Nyoman Ganti, of Baturiti district, spotted a black traveling bag near a local temple and found the mutilated human body inside. Police said the victim was believed to be a man of about 35 years old, who was about 160 c.m. in height.