Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 20 December 2005

71 articles found

Setback for the nation

Setback for the nation From Gatra The public servants are again becoming the target of political parties to make them a tool for achieving the parties' goals -- this, after they (public servants) stated a few years ago that they would be officially neutral in politics. This is a challenge facing political parties in every general election.

Govt's rigidity and obstinacy

Govt's rigidity and obstinacy From Kompas The government is aware that any non-populist decision with a direct impact on people's livelihood, such as the fuel price increase, is like sowing the wind to reap big storms. But the government also realizes that the storms will not last long. Since most Indonesians are quick to forget an event as another happening follows, government leaders do not hesitate to make decisions even if they are unpopular and impose a great burden on society.

Textile sector faces overlapping problems

Textile sector faces overlapping problems Anissa S. Febrina The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The already-ailing Indonesian textile sector had the ladder kicked away from it this year. Early in 2005 it was charged with being ill-prepared to face the termination of the Multi Fabric Agreement (MFA), which 20 percent of textile manufacturers here were previously reliant upon. The termination agreement was in fact reached a decade ago.

WTO deal means 'little' without strong policies

WTO deal means 'little' without strong policies The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Last week's last-gasp deal at the Hong Kong Ministerial Meeting, which among other things sets a 2013 deadline for farm export subsidies to be cut, would mean little for Indonesia without strategic domestic policies to increase competitiveness, say observers.

SBY starts war on corrupt immigration

SBY starts war on corrupt immigration The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Corruption at the Directorate General of Immigration has reached Rp 1 trillion (US$102 million) per annum, the country's top officials say, including some Rp 200 billion from departure tax at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Venezuela to cooperate with RI in oil and gas sector: Envoy

Venezuela to cooperate with RI in oil and gas sector: Envoy Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Venezuela, an oil-rich South American nation, wants to strengthen cooperation with Indonesia -- a major oil producer -- in the oil and gas business and other mutually beneficial areas, the country's new charge d'affaires for Indonesia said. With its capacity of 2.6 million barrels of oil per day (bpd), Venezuela is one of the world's leading oil producers.

Ruling ends Golkar's chances in Depok election row

Ruling ends Golkar's chances in Depok election row The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Ministry of Home Affairs said on Monday it would respect the Supreme Court's ruling in the high-profile Depok mayoral election dispute, a statement that will likely prevent the giant Golkar Party from further legal maneuvering to keep its men in control of the West Java administration. "The ministry will respect the law," the secretary-general of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Progo Nurdjaman, said on Monday.

BP, CNOOC hire 7 lenders for a $1.3b Tangguh loan

BP, CNOOC hire 7 lenders for a $1.3b Tangguh loan Denise Kee, Bloomberg/Singapore BP Plc and CNOOC Ltd. have hired seven banks to help arrange a S$1.3 billion loan to develop the Tangguh liquefied natural gas project in easternIndonesia, a banker involved in selecting the lenders said.

Graft suspect misses trial

Graft suspect misses trial PALU, Central Sulawesi: Graft suspect Said Unok failed to appear for the opening day of his Rp 2.9 billion (US$290,000) corruption trial on Monday because he was being treated at a hospital. The former third assistant to the Morowali regency administration was scheduled to go on trial on Monday at the Palu District Court, along with Morowali Regent Andi Muhammad AB.

1. AMM ----- 1x36

1. AMM ----- 1x36 Monitors to stay longer in Aceh as disarmament ends 2. AIDS ---- 2x28 Jakartans 'living with HIV/AIDS up by 34%' or People living with HIV/AIDS up by 34% in Jakarta 3. Tsunami - 3x15 Tsunami response was world's best ever, UN says 4. Depok --- 1x38 Ruling ends Golkar's chances in Depok election row

Violence mars mass labor demos

Violence mars mass labor demos The Jakarta Post, Cimahi/Medan/Surabaya Thousands of workers have jammed the streets of the main cities of Medan, Surabaya and Cimahi in massive protests over the newly set minimum wages, which they say are below the cost of living. In the protests on Monday several workers were injured in Medan when security personnel tried to hold back the crowd.

Modest celebrations urged in Aceh

Modest celebrations urged in Aceh BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The police here appealed on Monday to all sides, including foreigners, to celebrate New Year's in Aceh modestly. "We ask people and foreigners here on humanitarian missions not to stage major events, particularly to welcome the new year in the province," Aceh Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Djoko Turochman said in Banda Aceh, the provincial capital city.

BI chiefs seek Rp 2.5b a year

BI chiefs seek Rp 2.5b a year Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The board of governors of Bank Indonesia has submitted a proposal calling for each of its eight members to receive an annual salary of over Rp 2.5 billion (US$272,296). The proposal calls for the central bank's governor, senior deputy governor and six deputy governors each to receive a monthly pay package of between Rp 107.29 million and Rp 141.32 million.

1. GAS 4 x 13

1. GAS 4 x 13 Victim of gas tank explosion struggles to get justice 2. FLU: 1 x 30 Two more deaths from bird flu confirmed 3. GLODOK: 2 x 30 Megaglodok see brighter future as shopping center for industry 4. FUEL: 1 x 28 Villagers report officials to police JP/8/fuel 5. SPEAK: 1 x 32 'Most women here are super' JP/8/

Familiar faces pull their weight at nationals championships

Familiar faces pull their weight at nationals championships Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Gold-medal winners from the 2004 National Games were out in force on the second day of the National Weightlifting and Powerlifting Championships on Monday as one national mark fell.

Two more deaths from bird flu confirmed

Two more deaths from bird flu confirmed Agencies, Jakarta The Ministry of Health revealed on Monday the results of laboratory tests confirming that the deaths of an eight-year-old boy and a 39-year-old man were caused by the H5N1 strain of bird flu virus. "Tests conducted by our laboratory showed that both of them died after having contracted the (avian flu) virus," said Hariyadi Wibisono, who heads the directorate for the eradication of animal-borne diseases with the Ministry.

Three cheers for E. Asian Summit: A bullish view of Asian regionalism

Three cheers for E. Asian Summit: A bullish view of Asian regionalism Michael Vatikiotis, Singapore Amid all the hype and humbug about last week's East Asian Summit, the significance of the event for Southeast Asia has been missed.

Bonds fall on inflation, weaker currency

Bonds fall on inflation, weaker currency Shamim Adam, Bloomberg/Singapore Indonesia's four-year bonds fell for a fifth day as concern about accelerating inflation and a weaker currency led some investors to sell the securities. The rupiah last week had its biggest slide since August. Bank Indonesia, the central bank, has raised its benchmark interest rate six times since August to stem rising consumer prices.

Tsunami wreckage huge but human impact greater

Tsunami wreckage huge but human impact greater Michael Casey, Associated Press/Banda Aceh There's enough tsunami trash in this Indonesian city to make a three-story-high pile covering 30 football fields. In Sri Lanka, the volume of waste dumped in lagoons and waterways is more than twice what was generated by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, by UN estimate.

Pump priming

Pump priming The government's decision to pump prime the economy in the first semester of next year to bolster growth by ordering the finance ministry to accelerate the disbursement of Rp 10 million to Rp 15 trillion (US$1 million to $1.5 billion) in development appropriations carried over from the 2005 state budget is very appropriate.

Equity investment shines as bonds, mutual funds collapse

Equity investment shines as bonds, mutual funds collapse Rendi A. Witular The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Jakarta stock market is in for another shining year this year, hitting record highs along the way, driven in part by the influx of investors from the bond and mutual fund markets as a result of their declining yield due to various economic factors at home and overseas.

PT KAI reports more cable thefts

PT KAI reports more cable thefts JAKARTA: State train operator PT KAI has reported the theft of three separate sections of power cable over the weekend. "The loss of the cable has disturbed the operation of our trains," spokesman of PT KAI's Greater Jakarta division Ahmad Sujadi was quoted by detik.com as saying on Monday.

Permata targets loan expansion

Permata targets loan expansion JAKARTA: PT Bank Permata is planning to increase its loan disbursed by between 15 percent and 20 percent next year, despite the country's sluggish economic growth caused by soaring inflation and interest rate hikes. "Although high inflation and interest rates -- also tough business competition -- will be major obstacles next year, the company has set up a strategy to expand the loans," the seventh largest bank's president director, Stewart D. Hall, said on Monday.

TV Program: Tuesday, December 20, 2005

TV Program: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Children Drama 7:30 Children Show 8:30 Music: Asik-asik 9:30 Documentary 10:00 Talk Show: Agribiz 11:00 News: Berita Nusantara 1:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang 1:30 Quiz 2:30 Channel Dangdut 3:00 English News Service 3:30 Mimbar Indonesia 4:30 Documentary 5:30 Music 6:30 Kedai Bagus 7:00 News: Berita Nasional 9:00 News: Dunia Dalam Berita 9:30 Music: Kamera Ria TPI 5:30 a.m.

1. Central Java village chiefs in job protest Page 5

1. Central Java village chiefs in job protest Page 5 2. Daihatsu plans 20% increase in output Page 15 3. Tsunami wreckage huge but human impact greater Page 17

Investment climate still walking a tightrope

Investment climate still walking a tightrope Urip Hudiono The Jakarta Post/Jakarta "Philip Morris buys Sampoerna for US$5.2 billion." If there was one sentence that could summarize Indonesia's investment sector in 2005, that could well be it. The U.S. tobacco giant's purchase in March of a 97 percent stake in Indonesia's third largest cigarette producer was clearly the event of the year for investors and the business community.

Greedy government?

Greedy government? I was both sad and angry to learn from news reports about the famine in Papua. How could this be? What has the local government been doing so far? Is the local government so greedy that it allows the people to live in hunger? Mr. President, how can you let those officials ruin the community? Why don't you punish them? YULI ASTUTI, Jakarta

Young scientist with high hopes

Young scientist with high hopes Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Long, loud applause and cheers reverberated at the Jogja Expo Center building here on Monday as the master of ceremonies announced that Yosua Mickael Maranatha was the Absolute Winner of this year's International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO).

Police chiefs ordered to focus on gambling and corruption

Police chiefs ordered to focus on gambling and corruption Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Thirteen new regional police chiefs took up their posts on Monday with an order from National Police chief Gen. Sutanto to crack down on gambling, illegal logging, corruption and terrorism. National Police spokesman Sr. Comr.

Village heads in job protest

Village heads in job protest Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang Over 1,000 village leaders from across Central Java staged a protest outside the governor's office on Monday, the latest in a series of protests demanding legal certainty over their positions.

Government comes to the rescue of ailing Merpati

Government comes to the rescue of ailing Merpati The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government will soon disburse Rp 75 billion (some US$7.5 million) in fresh funds to bail out ailing state-owned domestic airliner PT Merpati Nusantara to speed up its financial restructuring program, a top official says. "If Merpati requests the funds today, then we will disburse it today as well," the Ministry of Finance's director general of the treasury, Mulia P. Nasution, said on Monday.

Stocks gain as oil prices slide

Stocks gain as oil prices slide Naila Firdausi, Bloomberg/Jakarta Indonesia's key stock index climbed 1.7 percent, the biggest move among equity markets included in global benchmarks, after oil prices had their biggest drop in almost three months. PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) and PT Gudang Garam led gains as concerns eased higher fuel costs will dent economic growth. Indonesia is the only member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries that is a net importer of oil.

JP/4/Flu

JP/4/Flu UN urges RI to anticipate bird flu pandemic Tb. Arie Rukmantara The Jakarta Post/ Jakarta The United Nations (UN) urged Indonesia on Monday to prepare a contingency plan for the possibility of the avian influenza turning into a global pandemic, a senior UN official said.

Reform in tax regime not going anywhere

Reform in tax regime not going anywhere Rendi A. Witular The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Rising public expectation over a substantial reform in the country's tax regime seems to be fading away now as vested interests within the Ministry of Finance's Directorate General of Taxation have stalled the deliberation of the tax law amendments.

A conversation took place in a modest house, one with unplastered

A conversation took place in a modest house, one with unplastered walls and the exposed roof covered in cobwebs -- in a traditional fisherfolk's village in Labuan, Banten, some five hours drive from Jakarta. The house belongs to a neighborhood unit (RT) chief and he was talking with his son, who had returned from working in Malaysia.

Foreigners can be Malaysia tour guides

Foreigners can be Malaysia tour guides MALAYSIA: Foreign students in Malaysia will be allowed to work as temporary tour guides as part of efforts to boost tourism, Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Monday. "This is part of our effort to improve the ability of tourist guides so that visitors to Malaysia can feel more comfortable," Najib was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.

Equity investment shines as bonds, mutual funds collapse

Equity investment shines as bonds, mutual funds collapse Rendi A. Witular The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Jakarta stock market is in for another shining year this year, hitting record highs along the way, driven in part by the influx of investors from the bond and mutual fund markets as a result of their declining yield due to various economic factors at home and overseas.

Blatter backs bid to make Asian soccer more professional

Blatter backs bid to make Asian soccer more professional Agence France-Presse, Tokyo FIFA chief Sepp Blatter has joined Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohammed Bin Hammam in urging a more professional approach to help soccer grow in the region. Blatter, an old ally of bin Hammam who has keenly supported his Vision Asia philosophy to develop the game, said clubs needed to understand that they must be run as commercial entities.

Police investigate apparent suicide

Police investigate apparent suicide YOGYAKARTA: The Gunungkidul Police are investigating the apparent suicide of a 10-year-old girl who reportedly hanged herself at her house in Playen village, Gunungkidul regency, on Thursday. "When we examined the girl's body we found some sort of injury on her cheek, which raised some suspicion," Gunungkidul Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Heri Purwanto said in Yogyakarta on Monday. He said officer would question the girl's parents and other witnesses.

Busway trial held on Tuesday

Busway trial held on Tuesday JAKARTA: Motorists are advised to avoid passing streets affected by the new busway corridors on Tuesday as the Jakarta administration has arranged for bus drivers to try out the routes. Jakarta administration spokesman Catur Laswanto said on Monday that the administration would stick to its plan to operate some buses at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, although some sections of the lanes were still under construction.

Peace monitors to stay longer in Aceh as disarmament ends

Peace monitors to stay longer in Aceh as disarmament ends Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is expected to extend the presence of international peace monitors in Aceh, previously scheduled to finish their job in March, for another three months in a bid to help ensure a lasting peace in the province.

Papua Governor Solossa dies

Papua Governor Solossa dies The Jakarta Post, Jayapura/Jakarta Papua Governor Jacobus Perviddya Solossa died on Monday shortly after he was admitted to the hospital due to a suspected heart attack. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono immediately sent his condolences to the family over the death of the governor, who was a persistent advocate of special autonomy for the natural resource-rich but underdeveloped province.

Community stations call for new radio rule to be revised

Community stations call for new radio rule to be revised Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, The Jakarta Post, Padang Community radio operators in West Sumatra have requested the central government revise several articles in Government Regulation No. 51/2005 on community broadcasters that was implemented last month.

Government to spend $1.82b for infrastructure projects

Government to spend $1.82b for infrastructure projects The government will spend Rp 18 trillion (about US$1.82 billion) next year for a range of infrastructure projects including irrigation, roads, dams and bridges, to help drive higher economic growth and reduce employment. The expenditure would exclude funds required for toll road projects and telecommunications infrastructure, which could be sufficiently provided by the private sector, Minister of Public Works Djoko Kirmanto said on Monday.

Emerging Asia may grow 7.2%

Emerging Asia may grow 7.2% Agence France-Presse, Manila East Asia, excluding Japan, will grow 7.2 percent next year, up from 7.1 percent in 2005 on the back of a rise in demand for electronics products, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Monday. The ADB said individual performances are likely to vary significantly, with China to slow to slightly below 9.0 percent after estimated 9.3 percent growth in 2005.

'Most women here are super'

'Most women here are super' On Dec. 22, the country will celebrate Women's Day, which is dedicated to respecting the role of women in the past struggle for independence. The Jakarta Post interviewed some residents about their opinion of the role of women in today's community. Riva Lazuardi, 30, works at a transportation company in Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta. He resides in Bintaro, South Jakarta.

Golkar to break blood drive record

Golkar to break blood drive record JAKARTA: The Golkar Party is looking to break the country's blood drive record. The drive, scheduled for Dec. 30 in cooperation with the Indonesian Red Cross, is targeted to collect some 14,200 liters of blood and involves all 33 of the party's provincial branches.

201 foreigners deported by Tual immigration

201 foreigners deported by Tual immigration M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon Over 201 non-nationals have been deported by the Tual Immigration Office in Southeast Maluku, Maluku, in the last eight months over problems with their passports or immigration documents, an official says. Head of Tual Immigration Office J. Saija said on Monday his office had sent 201 non-nationals -- 133 Burmanese, 53 Thais, 13 Cambodians and two Myanmarese -- back to their home countries since April this year.

1. OBITUARY: 1 X 30

1. OBITUARY: 1 X 30 Papua Governor Solossa dies 2. FISCAL: 2 X 15 SBY starts war on corrupt immigration 3. BI: 1 X 27 BI governors' yearly pay Rp 2.5b 4. WORKERS: 3 X 10 Violence mars mass labor demos

AirAsia plans strong growth in Southeast Asia with new A320 jets

AirAsia plans strong growth in Southeast Asia with new A320 jets Carolyn Lim, Associate Press, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia's AirAsia, the No. 1 budget airline in Southeast Asia by revenue, plans to rapidly expand services in the region next year as it takes delivery of new Airbus A320 jets, chief executive Tony Fernandes says. The airline has ordered 60 of the 182-seater A320s with the option to buy another 40.

Three arrested for trafficking attempt

Three arrested for trafficking attempt JAKARTA: Police arrested three people for allegedly trying to traffic teenaged girls from Indonesia's tsunami-devastated Aceh province to Malaysia, an official said on Monday. Col. Bambang Prihadi said the arrests followed reports that two 16-year-olds escaped from their captors three months ago as they were being brought to Medan, North Sumatra, on their way to Kuala Lumpur. He had no other details. Immediately after the Dec.

Victim of gas tank explotion struggles to get justice

Victim of gas tank explotion struggles to get justice Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta When Steve Sugita, 65, decided to run his car on compressed natural gas (CNG) in 1995, it was the government program to reduce air pollution and conserve energy that convinced him. His good intentions, however, ended in tragedy in 1999. Steve told members of the National Ombudsman Commission on Monday how he had been driving along a road in Depok, the capital's neighboring town, in February 1999.

Famine in Papua

Famine in Papua I was both sad and angry to learn from news reports about the famine in Papua. How could this be? What has the local government been doing so far? Is the local government so greedy that it allows the people to live in hunger? Mr. President, how can you let those officials ruin the community? Why don't you punish them? YULI ASTUTI Jakarta

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 19, 005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec. 19, 005 _____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading volume ______________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Waters 1,690 0 0 Adhi Karya 740 50 7,974,500 Adira Dinamika 1,700 -30 12,500 AGIS Tbk 90 0 80,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 200 0 100,500 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,500 -100 974,500 Alakasa Industrindo 220 0 0 Alfa...

Filth and sloth on Kuta Beach

Filth and sloth on Kuta Beach I have visited Bali at least 20 times and have always been very happy to meet the very friendly Balinese people, to see the great culture and the beauty of the island. After the first bomb (2002) I even came twice a year to help and to promote tourism in Bali again. The problem I noticed last year, was that the beach in Kuta was very dirty, but now, this December 2005, the situation is unbearable.

Embassy bombers' death penalty upheld

Embassy bombers' death penalty upheld Agence France-Presse, Jakarta The Jakarta High Court has rejected appeals by two militants against their death sentences for their roles in last year's bombing of the Australian Embassy, court documents show. The court said on Monday it upheld the death sentences handed to Achmad Hasan and Iwan Darmawan Mutho, alias Rois, for the September 2004 van bombing, in which 11 Indonesians were killed, including the suicide bomber.

Soldier faces 15 years in jail

Soldier faces 15 years in jail Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura A soldier court-martialled for killing a civilian in Papua is facing 15 years in jail, although military prosecutors say the defendant opened fire in self-defense. Prosecutor Maj. Budiarto told the Jayapura Military Court on Monday that Prv. Zulkarnaen Lubis, a 31-year-old member of the 643rd Infantry Battalion, had shot a sawmill employee Liborius Oka in his leg and chest during a fight on Dec.

16 Head:

16 Head: 1. ASIA ( 1 X 24 ) Emerging Asia may grow 7.2%

E. Timor refugees demand compensation

E. Timor refugees demand compensation Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang Hundreds of displaced persons from East Timor taking refuge in East Nusa Tenggara province demanded on Monday that the central government compensate them with Rp 263 billion (US$26.3 million) for the assets they left behind in East Timor following the 1999 autonomy plebiscite.

2005: Another year of reactive measures to cut energy consumption

2005: Another year of reactive measures to cut energy consumption Leony Aurora The Jakarta Post/Jakarta From elementary school on, students have the postulate drummed into them that Indonesia is rich in natural resources, including abundant oil and gas, to be used for the greater good of all.

Myanmar and ASEAN's goodwill

Myanmar and ASEAN's goodwill V.K. Chin, The Star, Asia News Network/Selangor, Malaysia Every ASEAN summit can be regarded as useful as it enables its 10 leaders to air their views and to spell out their intentions on how to make the regional grouping more effective. However, the real success of such meetings could only be described as fruitful if all the proposals contained in the joint declaration are implemented for the benefit of its citizens.

JP/19/XMAS1

JP/19/XMAS1 RICE CHRISTMAS IN THE WEST c Duncan Graham 2005 head Christmas diners who always eat rice on the big day Duncan Graham Contributor/The Jakarta Post Poke your head into the nave of this Gereja Kristen Indonesia (GKI - Indonesian Christian Church) and there's the congregation squirreling away with Christmas decorations. There's tinsel aplenty, a tree blossoming with baubles and no shortage of advice. Nothing unusual here -- it's happening this week right across the archipelago.

Villagers report officials to police

Villagers report officials to police Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor Residents of Cibodas village in Rumpin district, Bogor regency, West Java, reported the village chief and other officials to the Bogor Police on Sunday for embezzling fuel compensation funds and intimidation. One resident, Umar, said village officials deducted Rp 100,000 (US$10) from the Rp 300,000 eligible families were meant to receive after fuel prices were raised earlier in the year.

Russia and RI sign satellite deal

Russia and RI sign satellite deal Mikhail Tsyganov, RIA Novosti/Kuala Lumpur In December during Russia Hi-Tech 2005 exposition in Malaysia's capital acting CEO of Russian state-owned Russian Satellite Communications Company Yury Izmailov and President Director of No 1 Indonesian satellite telecoms operator Telkom Arwin Rashid signed a memorandum on the launch of a communications satellite.

JP/20/HASSAN

JP/20/HASSAN Showing illegal loggers zero tolerance Oyos Saroso H.N. The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung One September night in 2005, a reporter met with the chief of military command district 0422 West Lampung, Albar Hasan Tanjung, in his Liwa residence, begging that the vehicle the chief's men had just seized in a recent raid against illegal logging be released.

Megaglodok sees brighter future as shopping center for industry

Megaglodok sees brighter future as shopping center for industry The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Herry Chandra, a businessman who owns a factory in the Jababeka Industrial Estate in Bekasi, West Java, was extremely pleased when he heard a retail center would open in Jakarta offering a large selection of industrial equipment under one roof.

BRI revises down lending target

BRI revises down lending target JAKARTA: State-run Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), the country's fourth-largest bank, plans to expand loan growth by 20 percent next year, lower than this year's target of 25 percent. BRI Director Gayatri Rawit Anggraeni said on Monday that the target was set due to higher inflation and interest rates that would slow down the country's economic growth until next year's third quarter.

Jakartans living with HIV/AIDS up by 34%: Agency

Jakartans living with HIV/AIDS up by 34%: Agency Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The number of people in Jakarta living with HIV/AIDS rose 34 percent in 2005, according to a report released on Monday by the Jakarta Narcotic Agency (BNP). BNP Jakarta chairman Fauzi Bowo said the number of reported cases of HIV/AIDS in the capital soared to 3,373 during 2005, from a total of 2,505 reported cases at the end of last year.

RI lawmakers get poor reception in Egypt

RI lawmakers get poor reception in Egypt Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Public uproar over an alleged study tour by 15 lawmakers to Egypt heightened on Monday with a critical report of their activities from Cairo fueling admonishments from fellow legislators here.

JP/19/XMAS2

JP/19/XMAS2 Indonesians find Perth attractive The Indonesian Consulate in Perth says about 10,000 Indonesians are living in the Western Australian capital. About half are students, the rest retired or in business. Probably the most famous are members of the Gudang Garam tobacco empire who are reported to have spent millions of dollars on buying prime waterfront real estate. They include the family of the company's president commissioner, Rachman Halim.

Four variants on minimum wage set

Four variants on minimum wage set BEKASI: Unlike his Jakarta counterpart, West Java Governor Danny Setiawan has decided to regulate minimum wages for workers in Bekasi, Jakarta's neighboring city, according to business sectors. While Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso has set the minimum wage for workers in 2006 at Rp 819,100 for all business sectors here, Dany has grouped business sectors into four categories with different minimum wages.