Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 1 December 2005

83 articles found

Displaced persons get cash aid

Displaced persons get cash aid MAGELANG, Central Java: More than 300 displaced persons from Aceh, Maluku and East Timor, currently living in Magelang, Central Java, received Rp 3.5 million (US$350) each in cash assistance on Wednesday. The assistance was presented by Magelang Regent Singgih Sanyoto to representatives of the 319 displaced persons at the Gemilang sports complex.

JP/19/BUSTER

JP/19/BUSTER pakai logo JIFFEST Buster Keaton silent films brought to life in JiFFest M. Taufiqurrahman The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Three films from the man whose "stone face" showed every emotion from joy to despair, comic genius Buster Keaton, feature in this week's promotional program for the Jakarta International Film Festival (JiFFest). The silent films, The General (1927), The Cameraman (1928) and Steamboat Bill Jr.

Council urged to back truck plan

Council urged to back truck plan JAKARTA: The Jakarta Sanitation Agency has asked the City Council to lend support to a proposal to provide all subdistricts across the capital with at least one modern garbage-compacting truck to ferry trash to the dump.

Rp 17.38b sought to fix median strips

Rp 17.38b sought to fix median strips JAKARTA: The Jakarta Parks Agency has requested Rp 17.38 billion to rebuild the median strips affected by the development of new busway projects, but the city planning agency has decided to only allocate it Rp 12.38 billion out of the 2006 city budget. "We need to redesign and redo the landscaping along the median strips and replant the trees felled as part of the new busway projects," said the agency's director, Sarwo Handhayani.

Fuel prices for industry down

Fuel prices for industry down JAKARTA: State oil and gas firm PT Pertamina cut prices of kerosene, automotive diesel, gasoline, marine diesel and fuel oil sold to mining companies, exporters and oil companies by as much as 14.4 percent to reflect market prices. Pertamina cut the price of kerosene by 14.4 percent to Rp 5,550 rupiah (55 U.S. cents) a liter, spokesman Mohammad Harun said in an e-mailed statement.

Unsrat relocation to cost Rp 1.7t

Unsrat relocation to cost Rp 1.7t MANADO, North Sulawesi: It will cost about Rp 1.7 trillion (US$170,000) to relocate Sam Ratulangi University (Unsrat) in Manado, rector Lucky Sondakh said on Wednesday. He said the Rp 1.7 trillion would pay for all phases of the move, including the construction of academic and research facilities for the university's nine schools.

Double take for Martina Navratilova

Double take for Martina Navratilova MANILA: There was a buzz of excitement as spectators checked out the program of bouts in tae kwon do. Representing Indonesia was none other than Martina Navratilova. But those expecting an appearance by the outspoken Czech-born, evergreen tennis star -- still playing doubles on the women's tour at the age of 49 -- were to be disappointed, Antara news service reported.

Southeast Asian Games results

Southeast Asian Games results Select results on Wednesday Athletics Men's 200 meters final 1. Sittichai Suwonprateep (Tha) 20.94 seconds. 2. John Herman Murai (Ina) 21.27. 3. Sompote Suwannarangsri (Tha) 21.40. 4. Achmad Sumarsono Sakeh (Ina) 21.70. 5. Albert Salcedo (Phi) 21.87. 6. Mohd Shameer B. Ayub (Sin) 21.94. Women's 200 meters 1. Kay Khine Lwin (Mya) 23.77 seconds. 2. Vu Thi Huong (Vie) 23.86. 3. Jutamass Tawoncharoen (Tha) 23.97. 4. Le Ngoc Phuong (Vie) 24.01. 5.

Piracy down in Malacca Strait thanks to Indonesia patrols: IMB

Piracy down in Malacca Strait thanks to Indonesia patrols: IMB Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Indonesia's efforts to boost naval and air patrols in the notorious Malacca Strait helped suppress piracy there this year, but any let-up will see the attacks quickly resume, a top official has warned. Pottengal Mukundan, London-based director of the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), said there was a dramatic reduction in attacks on ships in the strategic waterway this year.

1. Survey (3x18)

1. Survey (3x18) Acehnese's sense of patriotism remains low: Survey 2. Polio (2x24) Govt kicks off third round of polio vaccination drive 3. Asean (1x30) ASEAN to fight militant ideas 4. KPI (1x32) Govt ruling lessens KPI's power

HIV-positive Dolvince keeps spirit of life aflame

HIV-positive Dolvince keeps spirit of life aflame Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post/Jayapura The mere mention of the term "PLWHA" (person living with HIV/AIDS) will make people's imagination immediately form the image of a frail person characterized by a severe inferiority complex and a strong urge to keep himself aloof from society. This is a common image about a PLWHA because the people in this country, generally, still find it difficult to accept them.

Ancient beliefs still rule in Southeast Asia

Ancient beliefs still rule in Southeast Asia Michael Vatikiotis, The Straits Times, Asia News Network/Singapore People have grown accustomed in Southeast Asia to very concrete notions of time and place. Modernity and development have shunted to the margins indigenous traditions that view places as inhabited by spirits and those that govern time in accordance with the moon, stars and soothsayer's whim.

Four RI fighters fall at first hurdle

Four RI fighters fall at first hurdle Moch. N Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Cebu City, Cebu Only two of the six national team pencak silat fighters competing on Wednesday advanced to the second round of competition at Cebu Coliseum. On the first day of competition, Yohanes Edison Buru, in the men's 60-65 kilograms B division, beat Zan Lon Khot of Myanmar 3- 2. His hard-fought win was followed by the 5-0 romp of Dian Krisanto over Bruneian Ak Mohd Khairul Alimin in the men's 45-50 kgs A division.

Developers refuse to shake SBY's hand

Developers refuse to shake SBY's hand JAKARTA: While most people are eager to shake hands with the President, members of the Indonesian Real Estate Developers (REI) do not fancy the idea. Over 100 REI members passed up the opportunity when Minister of Public Housing Yusuf Asy'ari said they could either shake the hand of the President or speak with him during a get-together at the State Palace on Wednesday.

Fight against HIV/AIDS must focus on young people

Fight against HIV/AIDS must focus on young people Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta As young people represent the largest percentage on the HIV infection charts, an activist says shifting the focus to youth in the fight against HIV/AIDS was inevitable. Indonesia, as warned by the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), is on the brink of an AIDS epidemic, with infection rates running high.

AWAIR changes name to Indonesia AirAsia

AWAIR changes name to Indonesia AirAsia The Jakarta Post, Jakarta AWAIR announced on Wednesday it had changed its name to Indonesia AirAsia, in a move that will help the low-cost carrier capitalize on the goodwill and name recognition generated by shareholder AirAsia, the successful Malaysian-based no-frills airline. The name change was approved during a shareholders' meeting in September and will take effect on Dec. 1, president director Sendjaja Widjaja said on Wednesday.

Indonesia perks up with seven-gold sweep

Indonesia perks up with seven-gold sweep Musthofid, The Jakarta Post/Manila The national contingent enjoyed its best day of the Games so far on Wednesday, with a haul of seven gold medals, including one thanks to the unexpected reversal of a judging decision and another from a perennial favorite in the pool.

Cirebon farmers want limit on imported rice

Cirebon farmers want limit on imported rice Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post/Cirebon A legislator representing major rice growing areas in West Java is urging government action to restrict sales of imported rice to protect current market prices at between Rp 3,400 (34 US cents) and Rp 3,500 per kilogram.

RI-Turkey hope to triple trade volume

RI-Turkey hope to triple trade volume Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Turkey and Indonesia are set to jack up bilateral trade volume threefold to some US$2 billion next year, by strengthening the existing trade in natural-resource products, while also seeking other potentials in the services sector and manufactured goods.

Musthofid

Musthofid The Jakarta Post/Manila Bary Agustini Said failed to make it into the top three in her Southeast Asian (SEA) Games debut in the Philippines in 1991. On Wednesday, at the same venue where she lost 14 years ago, the mother of three held her nerve to set a new Games record in the women's 10-meter air rifle and take the gold.

Banks want tax system to respect banking secrecy

Banks want tax system to respect banking secrecy Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The banking sector has voiced its opposition to provisions in the proposed tax law amendments that would give the tax office the power to directly require banks to disclose information on their customers' accounts for investigative purposes, arguing that this would hurt the industry's essential nature as a "business based on trust".

'President, VP deserve high salary'

'President, VP deserve high salary' JAKARTA: The President and the vice president deserve higher pay in accordance with a law regulating the issue, State Secretary Yusril Ihza Mahendra says. Under Law No. 7/1978 on the administration of the President and vice president, the President is paid six times the salary of the highest state official under the President, while the vice President receives four times the amount.

Bali cafes told to boost security

Bali cafes told to boost security NUSA DUA, Bali: Following two deadly terrorist bombings on the island, security experts have recommended that cafes in Bali increase security by installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems. "With CCTV, all activities around the cafes can be monitored," the chairman of the Bali Tourism Institute, I Made Sudjana, said during a seminar in Nusa Dua.

MUHAMMAD ARTANTO SOERODJO

MUHAMMAD ARTANTO SOERODJO Depok, West Java

Probosutedjo put behind bars

Probosutedjo put behind bars Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Business tycoon Probosutedjo, who is also the half-brother of the country's former authoritarian president Soeharto, was sent to the Cipinang Penitentiary on Wednesday to serve a four-year jail term for embezzling state money, in what is seen as part of the current government's drive to fight rampant corruption. Probosutedjo becomes the second member of the Soeharto family to be put behind bars.

An epidemic by neglect?

An epidemic by neglect? It seems all the world's epidemics are descending on us here in Indonesia, but the warning of HIV/AIDS becoming an epidemic here is not new at all. What the chief of the UN Program on HIV/AIDS was saying earlier this week was not that we already have this epidemic, but that all the signs are right here for the rapid spread of HIV and all its consequences. The nagging feeling is that we have been told this before.

HIV/AIDS information in W. Java patchy

HIV/AIDS information in W. Java patchy Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post/Bandung, West Java Siti Suhyati, a 38-year-old housewife in south Bandung, could only shudder when her daughter Della, a 12-year-old junior high school student, asked her about HIV/AIDS. "Basically, it is an incurable disease. Just pray to God that we never contract this disease," Siti, who sells snacks to support her three children, told her daughter.

TV Today: Friday, December 2, 2005

TV Today: Friday, December 2, 2005 .TB.30" .90" TVRI .tb .30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Koran Recital 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Children Film 7:30 Talk Show: Kiat Sehat 9:30 Psychology 10:30 Religious Teachings 11:00 News: Berita Nusantara 1:00 p.m.

JP/2/heads

JP/2/heads 1. AIDS -- 48 pts 4 cols 2lines (2x24) Fight against HIV/AIDS must focus on young people 2. Toll -- 36 pts 3 cols 2lines (2x20) Jakarta-Bandung toll road back in operation 3. Bird Flu -- 36 pts 3 cols 2lines (2x20) Another 'bird flu' patient dies in Jakarta 4. Myanmar -- 32 pts 4 cols 1lines (1x34) UNSC urged to look into Myanmar's situation -- 5. Photos and oddworld

ASEAN to fight militant ideas

ASEAN to fight militant ideas Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post/Bandung Top religious affairs officials from four ASEAN member states agreed on Wednesday to intensify efforts to steer young Muslims away from extremist versions of Islam.

Stock index rises to best monthly gain since July

Stock index rises to best monthly gain since July Naila Firdausi, Bloomberg/Jakarta Indonesian stocks rose, helping the key stock index to its biggest monthly advance since July. PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) closed at a record for a second day on expectations rising gas prices would boost earnings. PT Bank Mandiri gained after Kim Eng Securities in Jakarta said it may revise up earnings estimates for the company after the lender said non-performing loans declined.

Another 'bird flu' patient dies

Another 'bird flu' patient dies Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The husband and his five-year-old daughter could not hide their grief while seeing the most important woman in their lives laid to rest on Wednesday. The 25-year-old woman, who tested positive for avian influenza virus in a test conducted by the Ministry of Health laboratory, died on Tuesday evening of acute pneumonia worsened by liver disease.

A Mexican in Bali: Covarrubias book sheds new lights on the artist

A Mexican in Bali: Covarrubias book sheds new lights on the artist Bruce Carpenter, Contributor/Sanur, Bali Covarrubias in Bali by Adrianna Williams and Yu-Chee Chong Editions Didier Millet, Singapore, 2005 Hard Cover, 144 pages in full color Retail Price: US$50 or Rp 500,000 Both art lovers and Baliphiles will be quite pleased with this splendid new book that focuses exclusively on the colorful and inspired Balinese oeuvre of the celebrated Mexican artist, Miguel Covarrubias, who lived on the...

EU committed to protecting forests in Indonesia: Envoy

EU committed to protecting forests in Indonesia: Envoy Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The 25-member European Union (EU), through its executive arm, the European Commission (EC), is committed to protecting Indonesian forests by actively supporting the Indonesian government's efforts to fight against illegal logging and the associated illegal timber trade, the head of the EC delegation to Indonesia said in Jakarta.

Govt to lose Rp 237.8t on planned plantation

Govt to lose Rp 237.8t on planned plantation Anissa S. Febrina, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Apart from potential losses due to environmental destruction, the planned 1.8 million hectares of oil palm plantations in Kalimantan will cause the state financial losses of Rp 237.8 trillion (US$23.69 billion), an environmental group warns.

Ex-drug users on mission to stop spread of HIV

Ex-drug users on mission to stop spread of HIV Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post/Bandung The Cemara House story began in 2002 when a group of drug users in Bandung decided to get together and help each other become more aware of the negative affects of drugs. They then decided to give up drugs altogether. On the sidelines of a discussion that year, one of them revealed that he was HIV positive.

Polio drive boosted by vocal officers

Polio drive boosted by vocal officers Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta After their experience in the first two rounds of the polio vaccination program, most officers seemed better prepared in the third round of vaccinations on Wednesday.

Real estate body cuts housing sales forecast

Real estate body cuts housing sales forecast Indonesia's real estate association cut its forecast for new home sales this year by as much as 20 percent because higher fuel costs slowed demand for houses. The Indonesian Real Estate Developers Association reduced its forecast to as low as 80,000 homes from the previous estimate of 100,000, said Lukman Purnomosidi, chairman of the association.

Thaksin slams Philippines for biased judging

Thaksin slams Philippines for biased judging Associated Press, Bangkok Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra joined his country's sporting officials on Wednesday in saying that host Philippines was unfairly favoring its own competitors. The situation had gotten so bad, Thaksin said, that the leaders of the participating countries should consider holding an official summit meeting to discuss fair play in sport.

Bary Agustini on target in Manila

Bary Agustini on target in Manila Musthofid, The Jakarta Post/Manila Bary Agustini Said failed to make it into the top three in her Southeast Asian (SEA) Games debut in the Philippines in 1991. On Wednesday, at the same venue where she lost 14 years ago, the mother of three held her nerve to set a new Games record in the women's 10-meter air pistol event and take the gold.

Demolition of mosque, five churches dismays members

Demolition of mosque, five churches dismays members Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Turning a blind to appeals from local people, officials in Curug, Tangerang, demolished five churches and one mosque on Wednesday on Jl. Danau Sentani Biru, Curug, in Tangerang. The authorities argued that the places of worship were located on land owned by the State Secretariat.

Headings

Headings 1. POLIO -- 3x11 Health workers update approach in polio drive 2. WASTE -- 2x21 City seeks Rp 12b to clean up Jakarta Bay 3. CHURCH -- 4x10 Demolition of mosque, 5 churches protested 4. SPEAK -- 1x50 'Free schooling for children would be good news indeed'

Indonesian civil society sidelined from policy making

Indonesian civil society sidelined from policy making Endy M. Bayuni, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Civil society organizations in Indonesia, considered pillars of democracy, are in disarray, and as a result are missing out on a chance to fully participate in the policy-making process in the country, according to a leading civil society figure.

Dirty cities to be announced

Dirty cities to be announced JAKARTA: The government will announce the cleanest and dirtiest cities in the country in mid-December to mark the start of the race for the Adipura environmental awards. A total of 365 cities are vying for the awards, which are presented annually in June in conjunction with Environment Day. "The announcement of the dirtiest cities will compel all cities in the country to stay clean.

Govt ruling lessens KPI's power

Govt ruling lessens KPI's power Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The power to issue and revoke broadcasting licenses lies in the hands of the government, say a set of four new government regulations, much to the chagrin of the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) and lawmakers. On Nov. 16, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono signed Government Regulation No. 49/2005 on foreign broadcasters, No. 50/2005 on private broadcasters, No. 51/2005 on community broadcasters and No.

Jazzy carols to enliven charity do

Jazzy carols to enliven charity do JAKARTA: The non-denominational Indonesian Christian Church in Bekasi Timur (GKI Bektim) will host a charity concert on Friday in the hall of the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology's building on Jl. MH Thamrin, Central Jakarta.

Soldiers attack and loot hamlets

Soldiers attack and loot hamlets Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post/Makassar A group of Army soldiers are facing dismissal for attacking and looting houses in three remote South Sulawesi hamlets, in a blow to the military's efforts to restore its tarnished image. Wirabuana Military commander overseeing Sulawesi Maj. Gen. Arief Budi Sampurno said during his visit to the hamlets on Wednesday that he would discharge members of the 700th Raider Infantry Battalion and their chief Lt. Col.

JP/17/PEGGY

JP/17/PEGGY Something about Peggy Emmy Fitri The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Clearly this is not girl that just wants to have fun. Her role requires something beyond acting, literally a natural act that only works well when in touch with one's inner self. It is Peggy Melati Sukma, who hosts a television reality show called Rejeki Nomplok (Sudden Fortune) on TV7. Peggy, who is a political and social science graduate from the University of Indonesia, deals with poverty.

Garuda to give away free Bali tickets

Garuda to give away free Bali tickets JAKARTA: National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia launched its Cinta Bali (Love Bali) program, in which the airline will give away 10,000 tickets to Bali -- half for domestic flights and the rest for international flights -- to help the island's economy recover. The program was launched on Tuesday here by State Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik, State Minister of State Enterprises Sugiharto and Garuda President Emirsyah Satar.

Busan roadmap to the Bogor goals

Busan roadmap to the Bogor goals Romeo A. Reyes Jakarta Roadmaps have become fashionable as an instrument for nurturing global and regional peace and economic cooperation. The most famous is the roadmap guiding the peace process between Israel and Palestine, albeit struggling in its implementation.

Officers better prepared for polio vaccination

Officers better prepared for polio vaccination Damar Harsanto The Jakarta Post/Jakarta After their experience in the first two rounds of the polio vaccination program, most officers seemed better prepared in the third round of vaccinations on Wednesday.

Civil society sidelined from policy making

Civil society sidelined from policy making Endy M. Bayuni The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Civil society organizations in Indonesia, considered pillars of democracy, are in disarray, and as a result are missing out on a chance to fully participate in the policy-making process in the country, according to a leading civil society figure.

HIV prevention in Asia

HIV prevention in Asia Prasada Rao and Bindu N. Lohani, Jakarta In a region that is home to two-thirds of the world's population, the HIV prevalence rate of 0.4 percent -- significantly lower than Sub-Sahara Africa -- translates into more than 8 million adults and children living with HIV. More than one million people were newly infected with HIV in South and Southeast Asia in 2005. The good news is that infection rates need not continue to rise.

Dewi lands bronze, promotion for coach

Dewi lands bronze, promotion for coach MANILA: Dewi Prahara's bronze-medal winning performance in the vault in the women's all-round competition on Wednesday was also a windfall for her coach. Dewi, the only Indonesian to medal in gymnastics at this year's Games, will get the honors, but her coach Wahid Wahyuni is set to land a promotion, Antara news service reported.

UK press trip to promote tourism

UK press trip to promote tourism NUSA DUA: Royal Brunei Airlines is organizing a special press trip for prominent journalists, travel writers and media people from the United Kingdom for a four-day stay at Nusa Dua Beach Resort from Nov. 30 through Dec. 3. The British media will meet with people from the Balinese tourist-related industry to seek first-hand information on the current situation on the island and its tourist industry.

Residents demand fire department

Residents demand fire department TANGERANG: Residents living in the northern part of Tangerang regency (Pantura) have asked the regency administration to establish a fire department in the area. "If there is a fire, we have to wait for fire trucks to come from Curug district, which is 30 kilometers from here," said Surta Wijaya, a community leader in Teluk Naga district. "We have to put out the fires ourselves ... If we were to wait, the fire would consume everything," he told The Jakarta Post.

Soldiers attack and loot hamlets

Soldiers attack and loot hamlets Andi Hajramurni The Jakarta Post/Makassar A group of infantry soldiers, including their commander, are facing dismissal for attacking and looting houses in three remote South Sulawesi hamlets, in a blow to the military's efforts to restore its tarnished image. Wirabuana Military commander overseeing Sulawesi Maj. Gen.

New auction house to deal in 'affordable art'

New auction house to deal in 'affordable art' Carla Bianpoen, Contributor/Jakarta On Dec. 3, another auction house plans to touch base in Jakarta. Launched as Sidharta Auctioneer, its debut auction, however, will have a distinctly different face, with most of the works falling into the category of what could be described as "affordable art". Names like Hendra Gunawan, Le Mayeur, Lee Man Fong -- usually staple items on the auction "menu" will be conspicuous by their absence.

Southeast Asian Games Medals Table

Southeast Asian Games Medals Table Standings Wednesday after 168 of 439 medal events at the 23rd SEA Games Nation G S B Total Philippines 53 31 37 121 Vietnam 32 31 36 99 Thailand 27 40 45 112 Malaysia 20 19 24 63 Indonesia 17 21 31 69 Singapore 12 13 22 47 Myanmar 8 9 17 34 Laos 0 2 3 5 Brunei 0 2 2 4 Cambodia 0 0 2 2 East Timor 0 0 0 0 Total 169 168 219 556 G: Gold, S: Silver, B: Bronze

AWAIR changes name to Indonesia AirAsia

AWAIR changes name to Indonesia AirAsia The Jakarta Post Jakarta AWAIR announced on Wednesday it had changed its name to Indonesia AirAsia, in a move that will help the low-cost carrier capitalize on the goodwill and name recognition generated by shareholder AirAsia, the successful Malaysian-based no-frills airline. The name change was approved during a shareholders' meeting in September and will take effect on Dec. 1, president director Sendjaja Widjaja said on Wednesday.

Busan roadmap to the Bogor goals

Busan roadmap to the Bogor goals Romeo A. Reyes, Jakarta Roadmaps have become fashionable as an instrument for nurturing global and regional peace and economic cooperation. The most famous is the roadmap guiding the peace process between Israel and Palestine, albeit struggling in its implementation.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005 .TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions * Fine Arts Spirit of Change by Wayan Santrayana, Ganesha Gallery Four Season Resort Bali, at Jimbaran Bay, until Dec. 16 * Painting, Hand Painted Ceramic The Abstraction of Leaves by I Nyoman Sujana, at Jenggala Art Gallery, Jl. Uluwatu 2, Jimbaran, until Dec. 15 Performances * Siluet Band, Hard Rock Hotel, Jl. Pantai, Banjar Pande Mas, Kuta (Tel.

Civil society sidelined from policy making

Civil society sidelined from policy making Endy M. Bayuni The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Civil society organizations in Indonesia, considered pillars of democracy, are in disarray, and as a result are missing out on a chance to fully participate in the policy-making process in the country, according to a leading civil society figure.

1. Unfir-1 --- 2x25

1. Unfir-1 --- 2x25 Indonesian civil society sidelined from policy making 2. Unfir-2 -- 2x20 Kadin is deeply involved in policy-making 3. Tax ----- 1x45 Banks want tax system to respect banking secrecy

Mandiri to set up SPV to manage bad debts

Mandiri to set up SPV to manage bad debts The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia's largest lender by assets, Bank Mandiri, plans to set up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) next year to reduce the number of large non-performing loans (NPLs), a company executive says.

Labor-intensive projects, not cash

Labor-intensive projects, not cash From Kompas When the government raised fuel prices on Oct. 1, I was surprised by the big increase, although I could understand it. In the next phase, when cash assistance was distributed to the poor, I could not understand, or did not see it from a political viewpoint. Handing out money is not educative and spoils the poor, making them take things for granted.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov. 30, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Nov. 30, 2005 ____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading volume _____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Waters 1,800 90 386,000 Adhi Karya 530 0 447,500 Adira Dinamika 1,630 30 32,000 AGIS Tbk 85 0 140,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 190 0 0 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,590 30 2,483,000 Alakasa Industrindo 220 0 0 Alfa...

Ford's Focus Sporty lives up to its name

Ford's Focus Sporty lives up to its name Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Rain all day long last Saturday did not deter some 40 journalists from trying out the new five-door Ford Focus Sporty hatchback at the National Monument (Monas) IRTI parking lot. Part of the area was transformed into a small circuit, thereby allowing us to test the car's performance and handling. The test drive marked the launch of the hatchback variant of the popular Ford Focus.

Another 'bird flu' patient dies in Jakarta

Another 'bird flu' patient dies in Jakarta Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The husband and his five-year-old daughter could not hide their grief while seeing the most important woman in their lives laid to rest on Wednesday. The 25-year-old woman, who tested positive for avian influenza virus in a test conducted by the Ministry of Health laboratory, died on Tuesday evening of acute pneumonia worsened by liver disease.

Kadin deeply involved in policy making

Kadin deeply involved in policy making One "civil society" organization that does not appear to have a problem in participating in the policy-making process is the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) with the presence of several businessmen in the Susilo Cabinet.

Christo and Puspa find it takes two for success

Christo and Puspa find it takes two for success Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Cebu City, Cebu In a manner of speaking, they are "gold lovers". Karatekas Christo Mondolu and Puspa Meonk, who are dating, also shared the joy of winning gold in the 2005 Southeast Asia (SEA) Games. Christo and Puspa, both 23, were part of the teams that won gold in the men's and women's karate kumite team events; Christo also bagged gold in the men's individual kumite under 75 kilograms class.

The world 'won't abandon Aceh'

The world 'won't abandon Aceh' Reuters, Banda Aceh Former U.S. President Bill Clinton promised survivors of Indonesia's tsunami-ravaged province of Aceh on Wednesday that the international community would never abandon them. Clinton, the U.N's envoy for tsunami relief, is assessing the progress of reconstruction efforts following the Dec. 26 tsunami that left up to 232,000 people dead or missing in a dozen Indian Ocean nations, including nearly 170,000 in Aceh.

City seeks Rp 12 billion to clean up Jakarta bay

City seeks Rp 12 billion to clean up Jakarta bay Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Those brave enough to participate in water sports in Jakarta Bay and around the Thousand Islands may enjoy somewhat cleaner water in the future thanks to a city proposal to clean up the bay, which environmentalists often dub "Jakarta's cesspool".

Table tennis players fall short of final

Table tennis players fall short of final Musthofid, The Jakarta Post/Manila A lack of experience in international matchplay was blamed for the twin semifinal defeats of the national men's and women's table tennis teams at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex here on Wednesday. Yon Mardiyono was the only team member to contribute a point in the Indonesian men's 1-3 defeat by Singapore while the women fell by the same score to Thailand. "The players are lacking in international tournament experience.

Don't award Soeharto, try him

Don't award Soeharto, try him It is to be admitted that Soeharto differed from Sukarno who focused his struggle on political development, national unity and national pride. In economics Soeharto prevailed where Sukarno didn't, greatly changing the national attitude to development. This is the success story of the Soeharto regime. However, the benefits of development were not evenly distributed among the people.

Govt kicks off third round of polio vaccination drive

Govt kicks off third round of polio vaccination drive The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Semarang/Bandung The third round of the nationwide polio vaccination campaign took place on Wednesday as health authorities work to wipe out the crippling disease, which reemerged here in April a decade after the country was declared polio-free. First Lady Kristiani Herrawati kicked off this latest round of the campaign by administering oral vaccines to 10 children at a vaccination post in Jakarta.

Papua residents told not to celebrate 'independence day'

Papua residents told not to celebrate 'independence day' Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post/Jayapura Papua Governor JP Solossa on Wednesday told residents not to celebrate the self-declared independence anniversary of Papua on Dec. 1. "All residents should go about their day as usual. Do not be provoked by groups that are planning to commemorate Papua's 'independence'," Solossa said.

Acehnese's sense of patriotism remains low: Survey

Acehnese's sense of patriotism remains low: Survey Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Despite the Aug. 15 peace pact that is helping to restore security in the once-restive Aceh, Acehnese devotion to the unitary state of Indonesia remains low, according to a survey.

'Free schooling for children would be good news indeed'

'Free schooling for children would be good news indeed' Not all state schools, some of them the popular ones, are impressed with the Jakarta administration's policy to provide free education for all children. Arguing that the money given by the administration was not sufficient to cover the school expenses, they want more money, and so will continue to collect it from students. The Jakarta Post asked residents about their opinions on the issue.

Civil society sidelined from policy making

Civil society sidelined from policy making Endy M. Bayuni The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Civil society organizations in Indonesia, considered pillars of democracy, are in disarray, and as a result are missing out on a chance to fully participate in the policy-making process in the country, according to a leading civil society figure.

BI to maintain tight monetary policy in 2006

BI to maintain tight monetary policy in 2006 The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank Indonesia will maintain its tight monetary policy next year to curb inflationary pressure, the central bank's governor Burhanuddin Abdullah said on Wednesday. Speaking a day ahead of the expected release of inflation data for November, he said the cost of living was likely to remain high next year due to a fuel price hike in October as well as other price hikes.

Indonesia perks up with seven-gold sweep

Indonesia perks up with seven-gold sweep Musthofid, The Jakarta Post/Manila The national contingent enjoyed its best day of the Games so far on Wednesday, with a haul of seven gold medals, including one thanks to the unexpected reversal of a judging decision and another from a perennial favorite in the pool.

Jakarta-Bandung toll road back in operation

Jakarta-Bandung toll road back in operation Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post/Bandung The speedy startup and completion of roadwork on a section of the Cipularang turnpike, which subsided on Monday night, has impressed motorists.