Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 15 December 2005

74 articles found

UN tips 6.2% growth in Asia-Pacific

UN tips 6.2% growth in Asia-Pacific Agence France-Presse, Bangkok Economies in 38 developing countries in the Asia Pacific region should grow by 6.2 percent next year, on level with this year's 6.3 percent, the UN's regional body said on Wednesday. Oil prices were expected to remain high and volatile in 2006 at around US$50 a barrel, while increasing imbalances between low savings in the United States and high savings in Asian countries needed to be addressed, it said.

City needs 14,000 new employees

City needs 14,000 new employees Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With some 94,000 civil servants, the city administration should have more than enough staff to serve some 8.5 million people, but Jakarta Manpower Bureau Murdiman says the city plans to recruit some 14,000 more staff over the next three years. "Although we are already overstaffed, we have to recruit new employees for positions that must be filled by young people," Murdiman said on Wednesday.

SBY wants review of exit tax

SBY wants review of exit tax Endy M. Bayuni The Jakarta Post/Kuala Lumpur President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered his chief economics minister Boediono to review the policy of charging Rp 1 million (US$100) each time Indonesians leave the country, to decide if the tax hampers community-building in Southeast Asia.

'Go after illegal liquor traders'

'Go after illegal liquor traders' In a bid to curb liquor consumption, particularly among minors, the city administration issued a circular banning supermarkets from selling drinks with over 5 percent alcohol. The Jakarta Post interviewed some residents about the policy. Anton, 35, is a public relations manager of an apartment building in Central Jakarta. He lives in Depok, West Java. Frankly, I do drink liquor, but I never get drunk because I usually drink in moderation.

1. Famine (3x18)

1. Famine (3x18) More food aid reaches remote Yahukimo villages in Papua 2. House (2x30) House may seek police help in graft probe into lawmakers 3. Oxfam (1x32) 1.5m still living in tents, barracks: Oxfam

10 people die, 185 sick from mice moonshine

10 people die, 185 sick from mice moonshine Jonker Rumteh, The Jakarta Post, Manado At least 10 residents of Bolaang Mongondouw regency in North Sulawesi died and another 185 remained critical on Wednesday after drinking a locally made alcoholic beverage called tikus (mice). The drink is made from the fermentation of palm sugar and mixed with other substances. The beverage is popular among low- income people in North Sulawesi because it is cheap and sold in most shops across the region.

Headings

Headings 1. WASTE -- 3x12 Company trains scouts to treat waste 2. AVIAN -- 1x32 Cluster of bird flu cases feared 3. JIFFEST -- 1x30 JiFFest to screen Polish crime film 4. PEGAWAI -- 3x10 City needs 14,000 new employees 5. SPEAK -- 1x30 'Go after illegal liquor traders'

Rice heaps praise on RI's new govt

Rice heaps praise on RI's new govt Associated Press, Washington U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice praised on Tuesday Indonesia's government, lauding its stated aim of becoming a voice for moderate Islam and stressing that the southeast Asian nation exemplifies how Islam and democracy can coexist. In the government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, "we have now ... a reformist government that is forward leaning," said Rice.

Govt to boost partnership on rural ICT development

Govt to boost partnership on rural ICT development The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a world that is increasingly connected, even rural farmers can make use of the Internet to broaden their access to global markets. Suhar, a 28-year-old bean farmer from Bojonegoro, East Java, has enjoyed increased orders as a result of posting his product profile on the Internet. He did this when a community learning center, equipped with computers and Internet, was set up in his village.

1.5m still living in tents, barracks

1.5m still living in tents, barracks Nearly 1.5 million people made homeless by last year's tsunami are still living in tents, barrack blocks and other temporary shelters, a British aid organization said on Wednesday. In Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India -- the countries hardest hit by the killer waves -- land rights issues, a shortage of construction materials and government indecision initially slowed efforts to get survivors out of emergency shelters.

FIFA donates to Aceh soccer

FIFA donates to Aceh soccer JAKARTA: Soccer's international governing body FIFA is donating 1,000 pairs of soccer shoes to help the sport get back on its feet in Aceh, a local soccer official said on Wednesday. Asri Sulaiman from the Aceh branch of the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) was quoted by Antara news service as saying the donation would be presented by FIFA vice president in charge of development affairs Uhr Janitti later on Wednesday.

Govt still debating salary hike

Govt still debating salary hike JAKARTA: The government has yet to decide on the planned salary increase for civil servants next year as related authorities are still making calculations, a minister said. "We are still discussing the increase," State Minister of Administrative Reforms Taufik Effendi said on Wednesday.

Antonie Dake: Drawing a line under a critical moment in history

Antonie Dake: Drawing a line under a critical moment in history Sabam Siagian & Meidyatama Suryodiningrat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Few events in Indonesian history produce as much emotion as those surrounding the Sept. 30 to Oct. 1, 1965, slaughter of several high-ranking military officers in what the New Order defined as part of a failed coup by the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

Kid lament rampant violence against them

Kid lament rampant violence against them Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Some say a slap or two won't hurt, while others say that even the slightest smack will do psychological harm. Let's hear from children about what violence against them really means. "Anything adults do forcefully that affects children's hearts and feelings," said Anas, from Maluku.

Safer new S-Class from Mercedes

Safer new S-Class from Mercedes Novan Iman Santosa & Primastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While the birthday boy is supposed to get all the presents, in celebrating the 35th anniversary of its presence here PT DaimlerChrsyler Indonesia (DCI) gave a gift to Indonesian automotive society through the launch of the latest model of its successful S-Class. The S-Class has a history of more than five decades. First introduced in 1951, more than three million units have been sold worldwide.

BI hints at steady rate through December

BI hints at steady rate through December The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The central bank has hinted that it will not raise interest rates up until the year's end, even amid rising global rates, signifying once again its intention of maintaining a tight-biased monetary policy without sacrificing economic growth. Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Burhanuddin Abdullah said on Wednesday that BI would refrain from raising its key interest rate again despite the latest rate hike from the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Economy faces triple-whammy next year

Economy faces triple-whammy next year A. Asohan, Asia News Network/Bangkok The Indonesian economy faces a trio of challenges next year -- the high price of crude oil, decelerating economic growth and one of the highest inflation rates in Asia-Pacific. Ongoing concern about terrorist attacks, boosted by the second Bali bomb blasts on Oct.

ADB grants $6.6m for Aceh

ADB grants $6.6m for Aceh The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Indonesian government signed three grant agreements on Wednesday totaling US$6 million to help improve livelihoods, rehabilitate natural resources and provide earthquake-resistant housing in the tsunami-affected province of Aceh.

Dozens injured during student brawl

Dozens injured during student brawl KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: At least 500 students from two local universities became locked in a brawl on Wednesday morning, leaving dozens of students injured. The brawl also damaged two buildings of the Nusa Cendana University law school. Police arrested two students charged of instigating fellow students to become involved in the brawl. One was students is from Kupang Polytechnic and the other from the school of law at Nusa Cendana University.

On mining waste

On mining waste Statements by PT Meares Soputan Mining ( The Jakarta Post, Dec. 8 ) about its Toka Tindung operations deserve further comment. This gold mine plans to dump some six to eight million tonnes of mining waste into the pristine waters of Rinondoran Bay in North Sulawesi. The process of gold extraction will use cyanide heap leaching. It is nonsense for PT MSM to say that these tailings will be "similar in character to sediments on the sea bed".

Italian minister to visit Aceh

Italian minister to visit Aceh JAKARTA: With the first anniversary of the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami approaching, senior officials from donor countries are beginning to visit Aceh to witness the progress that has been made in reconstruction. Italian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Margherita Boniver will visit Aceh this week.

House members oppose exercises with Australia

House members oppose exercises with Australia Members of the House of Representatives Commission I on defense Permadi and Djoko Susilo examine various types of weaponry belonging to the Army Special Forces (Kopassus) at the unit's headquarters near the Central Java town of Surakarta. The lawmakers visited Kopassus on Wednesday to inquire about the possibility of the unit taking part in a joint exercise with Australia's elite Special Air Service (SAS) unit next year.

More food aid reaches remote Yahukimo villages in Papua

More food aid reaches remote Yahukimo villages in Papua Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Yahukimo More helicopters have been sent to drop emergency food aid in outlying villages of the famine-stricken Papua regency of Yahukimo. The government turned to helicopters to quickly reach the remote areas, which are not accessible to planes due to the absence of an airport. An Army chopper, piloted by Capt.

Semen Padang to storm markets

Semen Padang to storm markets Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Padang, West Sumatra Cement producer PT Semen Padang, a subsidiary of publicly listed cement giant PT Semen Gresik, is planning to expand its business in Jakarta and Banten by setting up a new packaging plant as well as allocating most of its cement exports to this market.

On mining waste

On mining waste Statements by PT Meares Soputan Mining ( The Jakarta Post, Dec. 8 ) about its Toka Tindung operations deserve further comment. This gold mine plans to dump some six to eight million tonnes of mining waste into the pristine waters of Rinondoran Bay in North Sulawesi. The process of gold extraction will use cyanide heap leaching. It is nonsense for PT MSM to say that these tailings will be "similar in character to sediments on the sea bed".

'Antara' embarks on aggressive expansion

'Antara' embarks on aggressive expansion Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta At the age of 68, state news agency Antara is expanding from its core business of real-time news to television and radio news in a bid to cope with tougher media competition in the country. Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Wednesday inaugurated the Antara TV content provider during the news agency's anniversary celebration here.

Documentary shows RI on and off the screen

Documentary shows RI on and off the screen Paul F. Agusta, Contributor, Jakarta It could simply have been an ordinary behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of a feature film. You know, the kind they slip in as a neat special feature on DVDs. It could have, if only it had not been directed by maverick Malaysian filmmaker Amir Muhammad.

Aceh rebels surrender more guns in fourth handover

Aceh rebels surrender more guns in fourth handover Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Jakarta Former separatist rebels in Indonesia's tsunami-ravaged province of Aceh began surrendering more weapons on Wednesday in the last stage of decommissioning aimed at ending nearly 30 years of conflict, military officials said.

Orang Laut tribe stays true to the sea

Orang Laut tribe stays true to the sea Fadli The Jakarta Post/Batam Muhammad Din was busy fixing his fishing net in the kitchen of his modest wooden house on Air Mas island, Nongsa district in Batam, Riau Islands province. No furniture was seen in the house of the 61-year-old chief of the Orang Suku Laut tribespeople apart from a kerosene stove and some plates lying on the floor.

Jero picked to head PGI

Jero picked to head PGI JAKARTA: New chairman of the Indonesian Golf Association (PGI) Jero Wacik is being called upon to produce the country's first world-class golfer. National Sports Council chairman Agum Gumelar made the demand after Jero, who is the state minister of culture and tourism, was elected early Wednesday morning. After transportation minister M.

Mercedes-Benz has had long presence here

Mercedes-Benz has had long presence here This year may be the 35th anniversary of PT DaimlerChrysler Indonesia (DCI), which locally assembles and imports German marque Mercedes-Benz, but the brand's presence here has an even longer history. The Mercedes-Benz marque first entered Indonesia with the Benz Phaeton model, which had a single cylinder, 2,000cc engine and was owned by Susuhunan Pakubuwono of Surakarta Palace.

KPU chairman gets 7 years

KPU chairman gets 7 years Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPU) chairman Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin was sentenced on Wednesday to seven years in jail for corruption in a high profile case that could eventually implicate other prominent figures, including some close to the administration.

Petrogres, Tectona Livoli champions

Petrogres, Tectona Livoli champions JAKARTA: Petrogres of East Java won the women's competition of the 2005 Volleyball League (Livoli) after crushing Tectona Bandung 3-0 (25-20, 27-25, 25-20) on Wednesday. Petrogres manager Eko Priyono said his team never let the opposition get into the match in the amateur volleyball league. "We took the lead from the outset. Tectona was able to level in the second game, but it was unable to take the lead," Eko said.

Security problems disrupt reconstruction work in Calang

Security problems disrupt reconstruction work in Calang Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh Almost a year after the tsunami devastated Aceh, survivors from the decimated city of Calang are still living in makeshift shelters because of the slow pace of reconstruction. The head of the Aceh and Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency, Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, speaking in Banda Aceh on Tuesday, blaming the lack of progress in rebuilding Calang on security problems in the area.

House may seek police help in graft probe into lawmakers

House may seek police help in graft probe into lawmakers The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives' disciplinary body may turn to the police for assistance in its investigation of the alleged embezzlement of relief funds by lawmakers, the chairman of the body, Slamet Effendi Yusuf, said on Wednesday.

Beer stock sale to fund students

Beer stock sale to fund students JAKARTA: The Jakarta administration will use the money raised form the sale of its shares in beer company PT Delta Djakarta to provide free schooling for elementary and junior high school students next year, Tempo Interaktif reported on Wednesday.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, Dec. 15, 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 * Photo by Natisa Jones at Three Monkeys Cuisine and Art Cafe, Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, from Dec. 22 to Jan. 22 * Fine Arts Beauty for Peace by Joni K.

Susilo wants review of departure tax policy

Susilo wants review of departure tax policy Endy M. Bayuni, The Jakarta Post, Kuala Lumpur President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered his chief economics minister Boediono to review the policy of charging Rp 1 million (US$100) each time Indonesians leave the country, to decide if the tax hampers community-building in Southeast Asia.

Why the East Asian Summit matters

Why the East Asian Summit matters Barry Desker, Singapore The Kuala Lumpur meeting of regional leaders on Dec. 14 was a historic event whose future impact is likely to be as significant as the first ASEAN Summit held in Bali in February 1976. The first Bali Summit led to the emergence of a cohesive ASEAN 5 (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand) in the aftermath of the emergence of communist regimes in Indo- China.

Hotels must report guests to police

Hotels must report guests to police Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta Police are requiring all hotels across the capital to report the identities of their guests to police as soon as they check in. "We already require newcomers in all neighborhoods to report within 24 hours of their arrival. Now, we want hotels to report their guests' identities to us," city police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani said on Wednesday.

Govt blamed for unfinished probe into Munir assassination

Govt blamed for unfinished probe into Munir assassination Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Human rights campaigners on Wednesday blamed the slow investigation into last year's murder of pro-democracy activist Munir on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's reluctance to unravel the case and bring all of the perpetrators to justice. They say they suspect the shifting of Brig. Gen.

1. Fiskal ---- 1x40

1. Fiskal ---- 1x40 Susilo wants review of departure tax policy 2. GAM ------- 3x16 GAM surrender more weapons in final stage of handover 3. Violence -- 2x15 Kids lament rampant violence against them 4. Antara ---- 1x32 Antara embarks on aggressive expansion 5. Kopassus -- 1x40 House members oppose exercises with Australia

Company trains scouts to treat waste

Company trains scouts to treat waste Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Boy scout instructors from several provinces were amazed by how well students of State Junior High School No. 49 (SMP 49) in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, explained and demonstrated ways to turn garbage into fertilizer or recycled paper. "By pouring a bottle of this liquid to the garbage we can turn it into fertilizer in a week.

East Asia forum seeks community beyond borders

East Asia forum seeks community beyond borders Endy M. Bayuni, The Jakarta Post, Kuala Lumpur The inaugural East Asia Summit concluded here on Wednesday with 16 leaders vowing to work towards building a community that is defined by their shared strategic, geopolitical and economic interests rather than strictly by geography. "The East Asia Summit was a success.

East Asia leaders vow to boost cooperation to fight bird flu

East Asia leaders vow to boost cooperation to fight bird flu Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur Sixteen Asia-Pacific countries pledged on Wednesday to boost cooperation in the fight against bird flu, saying they will report all outbreaks rapidly and transparently.

ASEAN and China form strategic partnership

ASEAN and China form strategic partnership Jusuf Wanandi, Jakarta A new era has dawned in East Asia. ASEAN and China have forged a Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity. This partnership will have positive implications that go beyond the relationship between ASEAN and China. It will benefit the wider East Asian region and the world. The strategic partnership is a means to making an effective contribution to regional and global peace and prosperity.

Rupiah Rates Dec.14

Rupiah Rates Dec.14 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,770.65 7,010.11 7,429.74 7,350.80 Brunei dollar 1 6,158.64 5,557.88 5,888.45 5,827.99 Canadian dollar 1 8,969.55 7,094.91 8,576.04 8,488.31 Swiss franc 1 8,019.35 7,237.56 7,667.52 7,589.30 Danish krone 1 1,660.77 1,498.01 1,587.91 1,570.81 Euro 1 12,366.84 11,161.98 11,824.29 11,704.45 Poundsterling 1 18,252.14 16,472.00 17,451.39 17,272.53 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,325.78 1,196.77 1,267.62 1,254.93...

Chevrolet Estate braves unchartered waters in RI market

Chevrolet Estate braves unchartered waters in RI market Undeterred by the current economic upheaval, PT General Motors Indonesia (GMI) is making a brave move in silently launching the Chevrolet Estate, which will be available by the time you are reading this article at its dealerships. It is quite a daring move from the American carmaker as the market here is not so friendly to estates or station wagons. Many consider them as unfashionable with the advent of multipurpose vehicles (MPVs).

Polio vaccination reaches over 95%

Polio vaccination reaches over 95% JAKARTA: Despite heavy rain and the enormous logistical difficulties in reaching 24 million children across the country, the third round of a polio vaccination drive targeting children under five successfully reached over 95 percent, WHO and UNICEF said in a joint statement on Wednesday. Figures from the week-long campaign, which started on Nov. 30, are expected to rise as data continues to arrive from outlying provinces.

Cluster of bird flu cases feared

Cluster of bird flu cases feared The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Heavy rain over the past week may have contributed to five new cases of suspected avian influenza, the head of the avian influenza surveillance unit at Sulianti Saroso Hospital said on Wednesday. After a quiet week on the bird flu front, five new suspected avian influenza patients were admitted to Sulianti Saroso Hospital this week, with one of the patients dying of respiratory distress on Tuesday evening.

1. ASIA ( 1 X 36 )

1. ASIA ( 1 X 36 ) UN tips 6.2% growth in Asia Pacific

Riri Riza plans to return film award

Riri Riza plans to return film award JAKARTA: In response to blasphemy allegations made by the World Hindu Youth Organization (WHYO) to Garin Nugroho's movie Opera Jawa (Requiem from Java), young film director Riri Riza said he wanted to return the award he received from Bali International Film Festival, organized by WYHO. Garin's movie is an interpretation of the Ramayana epic.

Indofood to lay off more workers

Indofood to lay off more workers The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Aiming to boost efficiency, the world's largest instant noodle maker, PT Indofood Sukses Makmur, has dismissed thousands of workers and plans to keep on doing so until at least 3,500 workers have been laid off by the end of the year. "As of September, we had laid off 2,900 workers who were mostly nearing retirement age.

CapitaLand to build Orchard Road site

CapitaLand to build Orchard Road site SINGAPORE: Southeast Asia's largest property developer and its Hong Kong partner have been awarded the tender to develop a prime plot of land in Singapore's Orchard Road district, the government said on Wednesday. Singapore-listed CapitaLand and partner Gresward Pte. Ltd., a unit of Sun Hung Kai Properties in Hong Kong, won the tender with their bid of S$1.38 billion (US$825 million), the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said in a statement.

Encouraging ASEAN

Encouraging ASEAN During the annual ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur this week, including the ASEAN + 3 (China, Japan and South Korea) summit on Monday and the first East Asia Summit on Wednesday, there were at least three interesting issues: ASEAN reproaching Myanmar, the tension between Japan with China and South Korea, and the divergence of views on the modality of the East Asia Community.

Indonesia and the United States: A re-energized relationship

Indonesia and the United States: A re-energized relationship JP/6/SETH Indonesia and the United States: A re-energized relationship S.P. Seth Sydney What has impressed the United States most about Indonesia, leading to the lifting of the ban on military ties, is the unwavering commitment of the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono government to fight terrorism. The killing of Azahari Husin, the mastermind of the Bali and other terrorist bombings in Indonesia, was its most concrete and dramatic proof.

Key index falls, Mandiri leads declines

Key index falls, Mandiri leads declines Arijit Ghosh, Bloomberg/Jakarta Indonesia's key stock index fell, snapping a 7.8 percent, eight- day winning streak. PT Bank Mandiri led declines in lenders on concern a 20 percent rally in financial shares in the past month had been excessive. The Jakarta Composite Index fell 8.31, or 0.7 percent, to 1173.71 at the 4 p.m. close after declining as much as 1.4 percent. The eight-day winning steak was the longest in 10 months.

Tsunami alert systems being fast-tracked: UN

Tsunami alert systems being fast-tracked: UN Jay Shankar, Agence France-Presse/Hyderabad, India Indian Ocean nations are rapidly upgrading tsunami detection systems and plan to put in place a deep-sea sensor network so those at risk can be warned faster, a UN conference heard on Wednesday.

Australia is 'no juniorally' in East Asia

Australia is 'no juniorally' in East Asia Elisia Yeo, Agence France-Presse/Kuala Lumpur Australia insisted on Wednesday it was not a junior partner at East Asia's first summit, after China suggested that it was on a second tier in the grouping which it fought hard to join. "No, I don't think so," Prime Minister John Howard told reporters when asked whether it was a second-class participant at the inaugural 16-nation talks which covered security and trade issues.

JP/18/BRIEFS

JP/18/BRIEFS New shopping at Bali Collection NUSA DUA: An exclusive shopping complex called Bali Collection, within the Nusa Dua resort complex, will be officially opened on Dec. 15. The complex will house a Sogo department store, numerous branded boutiques and shops selling fashion and luxury goods. Located on the site of former Galeria Nusa Dua, the complex has undergone a major face-lift, both inside and out. Visitors should feel the new ambience there while shopping or relaxing.

Australia donates braille books

Australia donates braille books BANDUNG, West Java: The Australian government donated 2,400 braille books on Wednesday for distribution to special schools for the blind across the country. The donation was handed over to school representatives during a ceremony held on Wednesday at the Wyata Guna Residence, which houses blind people in Bandung. The ceremony was attended by executives from four schools for the blind across the country.

JP/1/heads

JP/1/heads 1. KPU -- 65 pts 5 cols 1lines (1x26) KPU chairman gets 7 years 2. East -- 42 pts 6 cols 1line (1x40) East Asia forum seeks community beyond borders 3. WTO -- 28 pts 1 col 4 lines (4x8) WTO looks beyond HK; cotton ups stakes 4. Hotels -- 28 pts 2 cols 2lines (2x20) Jakarta Police to require hotels to report guests --- 4. Photos, ad, hours

Integrating Southeast Asia

Integrating Southeast Asia There is a need for bold moves by ASEAN countries to further open up their markets, dismantle their internal barriers, and harmonize their rules and procedures before goods, services, investment and labor can flow productively. The European Union began with coal and steel. What will it take to get the ball rolling for ASEAN?

Man nabbed trying to use fake card

Man nabbed trying to use fake card JAKARTA: Police arrested a man, identified as Jatmiko, for attempting to use a fake credit card to purchase a bed at Mega Glodok in Central Jakarta, Antara reported. "The suspect attempted to buy a Romance spring bed priced at Rp 2.4 million (about US$245), plus delivery charge of Rp 125,000, using a fake Citibank credit card," Adj. Sr. Comr. Aris Munandar, head of the fiscal, monetary and foreign exchange unit at the Jakarta Police, said on Tuesday.

Posthumous appreciation only?

Posthumous appreciation only? From Kompas The Directorate General of Defense Forces in its letter dated April 1, 2003 to the minister of finance stated that allowances for some of Indonesia's veterans were limited to the government's social aid fund due to economic considerations. Based on data of the Ministry of Defense, the country has 803,341 war veterans, retired policemen and civil servants and the present regulation limits the number of those entitled to allowances to only 271,325.

UIN to train women preachers

UIN to train women preachers JAKARTA: The British Government has signed an agreement with the Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) on the holding of a development workshop for women preachers in Banten. The memorandum of understanding sets out an agreement to carry out various activities, including a workshop for women preachers and a residential meeting for British and Indonesian Muslim women community leaders.

Sampoerna Foundation clarifies

Sampoerna Foundation clarifies First of all, I, on behalf of the Sampoerna Foundation, would like to express our deepest gratitude for your coverage related to our latest project to build a high school in Yogyakarta. However, we would like to clarify the following in the article titled World-class school to be built in Yogya (The Jakarta Post, Dec. 9): 1. Elan Merdy is Sampoerna Foundation's chief operating officer and not "the school's chief operating officer Elan Merdy." 2.

Riri Riza plans to return film award

Riri Riza plans to return film award JAKARTA: In response to blasphemy allegations made by the World Hindu Youth Organization (WHYO) to Garin Nugroho's movie Opera Jawa (Requiem from Java), young film director Riri Riza said he wanted to return the award he received from Bali International Film Festival, organized by WYHO. Garin's movie is an interpretation of the Ramayana epic.

An attractive, alternative destination

An attractive, alternative destination Andrew Charles, Contributor, Canggu, Bali Bali is suffering from the effects of the latest bombing -- not as badly as after the attacks in 2002 -- so I was curious as to where people are going now. I recently visited Lombok, which is just a 25-minute flight east of Bali, and stayed at the magnificent Oberoi Lombok Hotel.

Where to go in Jakarta: Thursday, December 15, 2005

Where to go in Jakarta: Thursday, December 15, 2005 Exhibitions * Painting by Riduan Thompkins at Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Jl. Palmerah Selatan no. 17, Central Jakarta (Tel. 5483008), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Dec. 18 * Photo Zimbabwe - Permata Afrika by Deniek G. Sukarya at Victoria Cafe, Plaza Senayan, Atrium Wing, open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., from Dec. 15 to Dec.

WTO Hong Kong talks head

WTO Hong Kong talks head toward another failure in Hong Kong Sunny Tanuwidjaja Dekalb, U.S. 2. Seth -- Indonesia and the United States: A re-energized relationship 1 x 30 Indonesia and the United States: A re-energized relationship RI, the U.S.: a new relationship S.P. Seth Sydney

Riau tribe stays true to the sea

Riau tribe stays true to the sea Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam Muhammad Din was busy fixing his fishing net in the kitchen of his modest wooden house on Air Mas island, Nongsa district in Batam, Riau Islands province. No furniture was seen in the house of the 61-year-old chief of the Orang Suku Laut tribespeople apart from a kerosene stove and some plates lying on the floor.

Indonesia and the United States: A re-energized relationship

Indonesia and the United States: A re-energized relationship S.P. Seth, Sydney What has impressed the United States most about Indonesia, leading to the lifting of the ban on military ties, is the unwavering commitment of the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono government to fight terrorism. The killing of Azahari Husin, the mastermind of the Bali and other terrorist bombings in Indonesia, was its most concrete and dramatic proof.

16 people die of measles in West Seram

16 people die of measles in West Seram M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon Sixteen West Seram residents have died of measles in the past three weeks, a senior government official said on Wednesday. The huge fatalities were due to low awareness among people about the communicable disease, said Hugmon Sesa, the head of the Seram Health, Manpower and People's Welfare Office. "People don't believe in modern science.