Archive: 26 December 2005
114 articles found
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Clean, fresh air remains a dream for Jakarta
Clean, fresh air remains a dream for JakartaTantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, JakartaWouldn't it be nice to be able to walk along Jakarta's roads without being suffocated by exhaust fumes from passing vehicles?But even with the implementation of Bylaw No.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Disasters aplenty but some light ahead
Disasters aplenty but some light aheadThe past one year saw various disasters hit the country, starting with the horrific earthquake and tsunami that ravaged Aceh and Nias island in North Sumatra and including the latest terrorist attacks on Bali.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
People's hope is but a dream
People's hope is but a dreamFrom Kompas It seems that people have been "hypnotized" by the government's promises. Although it is true that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla have done well to promote peace and clean governance.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Maluku 2006: Hope amid the confusion
Maluku 2006: Hope amid the confusionMuhammad Azis Tunny, Ambon Following the religious and communal conflicts in Maluku that erupted in January 1999, clashes that escalated until the Maluku peace agreement was reached in February 2002.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Weaker trade prospects for 2006: Is oil to be blamed?
Weaker trade prospects for 2006: Is oil to be blamed? Puspa Delima Amri Jakarta Reading the performance of the Indonesian economy this year can be compared to a parent's reaction when the children bring home a fantastic mid-year report card: A mixture of pride, optimism and also anxiety.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Sutiyoso builds monuments, people stay poor
Sutiyoso builds monuments, people stay poorDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaJakartans can easily recount the promises made by media-savvy Governor Sutiyoso for the city in 2005 by delving into his well- documented statements in various media.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
JP/20/YEAREND
JP/20/YEARENDMainstream languishes, indie rises by leaps and boundsM. Taufiqurrahman The Jakarta Post/Jakarta At the outset, 2005 showed little promise for music fans who were hoping for new sounds and exciting gigs.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Timor Leste's past: Let it be or bare it all?
Timor Leste's past: Let it be or bare it all? John McBeth The Straits Times Asia News Network/Singapore It was five years ago. Sitting at the kitchen table in a small, nondescript house on Dili's sun-baked foreshore, the soon- to-be president of Timor Leste was talking about the future.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Bank Indonesia -- Another regulatory failure
Bank Indonesia -- Another regulatory failureJohn Le Jakarta It has been five months since Bank Indonesia introduced regulation 7/14/PBI/2005, entitled, "Restrictions on Rupiah Transactions and Foreign Currency Lending by Banks", which aimed at restoring integrity and stability to the rupiah.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Indonesian politics in 2006
Indonesian politics in 2006Rizal Sukma Jakarta As Indonesia enters 2006, the general political outlook presents a rather positive picture. There are strong grounds to believe that national politics will be characterized more by continuity than by change.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Wanted, an integrated approach to thuggery!
Wanted, an integrated approach to thuggery!Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThree days after his release from a police detention center in July, Salim, 23, was back on the streets, extorting money from drivers passing by Tanah Abang market.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
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Dudi, tolong pakai yang ini The only way is up after sad SEA Games showingBruce Emond The Jakarta Post/Jakarta National sports received a much-needed boost this year when, after eight years of languishing in the legislature, the bill on sports was finally passed into law in September.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
We have building license: Mosque
We have building license: Mosque JAKARTA: The Nurul Hidayah Al Bahar Foundation, the management of the mosque of which the minaret collapsed recently, denied allegations that it did not have a building license for the construction of the Baiturrahman Mosque in Koja, North Jakarta.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Aceh on the right road
Aceh on the right road Too slow is how critics often describe the reconstruction work being carried out in Aceh. We are of a different opinion. We do not reject the critics' findings, as much as the yardsticks they use.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Why has transition from relief to rehabilitation been so slow?
Why has transition from relief to rehabilitation been so slow?Meine van Noordwijk, Trudy O'Connor and Gerhard Manurung, Bogor Once the word was out about the hundreds of thousands of Acehnese lives destroyed in last year's Boxing Day tsunami, the international response was quick in speed, and great...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Democracy and power
Democracy and power Being one of the fledgling democracies in the world, Indonesia's general elections got a thumbs up from many countries. Beginning from the first-ever direct legislative elections in April last year to the direct presidential election, all went off successfully and peacefully.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Moving forward to becoming a developed nation
Moving forward to becoming a developed nation Still fresh from hosting the ASEAN summits, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi met with a group of international journalists, including The Jakarta Post's Endy M. Bayuni, at his office in Putrajaya near Kuala Lumpur last week.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Cabinet reshuffle caps year of silent rivalry
Cabinet reshuffle caps year of silent rivalryDwi Atmanta, The Jakarta Post, JakartaPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's face stiffened prior to announcing the first Cabinet reshuffle that night of Dec. 5.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Aceh's outlook for 2006 and a refugee's hope
Aceh's outlook for 2006 and a refugee's hopeNani Afrida, Banda Aceh Salmiati (43), a refugee in the village of Mon Ikeun in Aceh Besar regency, said she had grown weary of living in a tent.It had just rained in the settlement.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
House power play keeps checks and balances at bay
House power play keeps checks and balances at bayTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, JakartaVehemently, they took turns to press the speaker's button to voice their protests, while others impatiently moved forward from their seats to the House leadership bench.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Direct regional elections provide a taste of democracy
Direct regional elections provide a taste of democracyStevie Emilia, The Jakarta Post, JakartaFor decades, the idea of direct regional elections for local leaders was unthinkable. But things change and Indonesia embraced direct regional elections in 2005, which promises to deepen and...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
JP/ /tni
JP/ /tniWar on terror benefits only TNI, or the nation?Tiarma Siboro The Jakarta Post/JakartaDespite the precious little progress the Indonesian Military (TNI) has achieved in the area of internal reform, it has does have something to be proud this year: the lifting of the arms embargo by the...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Terrorism in Indonesia
Terrorism in IndonesiaSidney Jones Jakarta 2005 brought a sobering reminder of the lethal power of terrorism: * 6 Indonesians shot as they slept in Ceram, Maluku on May 16; * 22 Indonesians killed by a bomb in a crowded Saturday morning market in Tentena, Central Sulawesi on May 28; * 14...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Residents 'learning to live' with floods
Residents 'learning to live' with floodsAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaHaving lived along the banks of the Ciliwung river almost her whole life, Musriyati, 36, a resident of Rawa Jati, South Jakarta has experienced every major flood in the area.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Storytellers help lift up spirits in Aceh
Storytellers help lift up spirits in AcehA'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Banda AcehJunior high school student Mohammad Ichsan was literally quaking with laughter as he watched a skit being performed by a group of Aceh storytellers.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Governing through governance: SBY delivering his promises.
Governing through governance: SBY delivering his promises.HS Dillon Jakarta The business sector has repeatedly reminded the President that corruption in the government is inhibiting investment, while civil society has been pressuring him to go after the wrongdoers wholeheartedly.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Aceh on the right road
Aceh on the right road Too slow is how critics often describe the reconstruction work being carried out in Aceh. We are of a different opinion. We do not reject the critics' findings, as much as the yardsticks they use.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Islam radicalism and national security
Islam radicalism and national securitySutanto Jakarta Although radicalism is alien to the character of various religions in Indonesia, practices of radicalism are not alien in Indonesia's history. In terms of national security strategies, there were occasions in which the country's national...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Selected decisions of the Constitutional Court
Selected decisions of the Constitutional Court1. Case: challenge to Article 68 of Law No. 30/2002 giving the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) retrospective powers.Result: The court rules that the KPK's powers are prospective and that it can only investigate cases that have been dealt with by...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Peace in Aceh: A momentum too strong to resist
Peace in Aceh: A momentum too strong to resistA'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAfter several rounds of failed peace negotiations, the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) sat down again at the negotiating table in Helsinki on Aug.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Environmental Outlook 2006
Environmental Outlook 2006 The problems of environment in the years to comeE.G. Togu Manurung Bogor Indonesia is blessed with some of the most extensive and biologically diverse tropical forests in the world.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
JP/Y/FILML
JP/Y/FILMLMany local films released, but has quality improved?Lisabona Rahman and Paul F. Agusta Contributors/JakartaIndonesian cinema saw an eventful year in 2005, with more than 50 titles either released or produced, making it the most prolific year in Indonesia's film history in almost a decade.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
People's hope is but a dream
People's hope is but a dreamFrom Kompas It seems that people have been "hypnotized" by the government's promises. Although it is true that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla have done well to promote peace and clean governance.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Acehnese see little progress in reconstruction work
Acehnese see little progress in reconstruction workHera Diani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaPeople in Aceh and Nias have expressed little satisfaction in the progress of reconstruction and rehabilitation work in tsunami-hit areas, despite the government's claim that the pace of rebuilding is picking...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
BRR insistent about TNI help
BRR insistent about TNI helpA'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Banda AcehDespite mounting criticism, the Aceh-Nias Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency (BRR) is pressing ahead with its plan to request the Indonesian Military (TNI) to deploy troops to help the body rebuild Aceh.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Trends in internal security problems in 2006
Trends in internal security problems in 2006Ikrar Nusa Bhakti Jakarta The year 2005 will end in just a few days. During the year, Indonesia faced quite a number of internal security problems, such as the prolonged communal conflicts in Poso and Palu in Central Sulawesi, the terrorist attacks in...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
The only way is up after sad SEA Games showing
The only way is up after sad SEA Games showingBruce Emond The Jakarta Post/Jakarta National sports received a much-needed boost this year when, after eight years of languishing in the legislature, the bill on sports was finally passed into law in September.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
2006 as the year of economic consolidation
2006 as the year of economic consolidationDavid E. Sumual Jakarta Next year's economic difficulties are already becoming apparent. Early indications of the Indonesian economy losing its momentum are seen in slower-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the last two quarters as exports...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Y-ROUND -- 52pt
Y-ROUND -- 52pt Economy in Year of the Rooster heading for bleak finale Economy of Year of the Rooster heading for bleak finale Primastuti Handayani The Jakarta Post/JakartaFor "Donny", a 32-year-old employee of a private company in Central Jakarta, the Year of the Rooster has brought no good.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Police hailed for drive against terrorism, drug merchants
Police hailed for drive against terrorism, drug merchantsEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAlthough the police institution in the country remains a target of public criticism, mainly over the lack of professionalism and skill, it does deserve some praise for the efforts in combating...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
JP/yearend/PAPUA
JP/yearend/PAPUASpecial autonomy implementation in Papua treading water A'an Suryana The Jakarta Post/JakartaFour years after special autonomy legislation came into effect in Papua, it has been called a failure for not living up to the expectations of the people.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Enforcing smoking ban goes up in, well ...
Enforcing smoking ban goes up in, well ...Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, JakartaA man calmly lit his cigarette without so much as a by-your- leave. It does not matter that he was on a public Kopaja bus, it does not matter that he was setting a bad example for his son sitting next to him, and...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Tsunami remembered: The sad truth of the compassion industry
Tsunami remembered: The sad truth of the compassion industryThang D. Nguyen, Nias, North Sumatra One year ago, the Asian tsunami happened. Of all the affected countries, Indonesia experienced the worst human losses and physical damages caused by the tsunami of Dec. 26 and its related earthquakes.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Back on their feet
Back on their feetBad memories of the horror of the ferocious tsunami that hit Aceh and North Sumatra in Dec. 26 last year may still haunt survivors. One year may not feel like enough to time to finish grieving for loved ones lost in the catastrophe, but it is time to rise from the ruins and...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
HSDPA: You may not know it, but you want it
HSDPA: You may not know it, but you want itZatni Arbi, Contributor, zatni@cbn.net.idEarlier this month, three Indonesian journalists including myself took a ride in a specially equipped Mercedes Benz van. We all sat facing two pairs of large LCD monitors fixed on a frame in the back of the vehicle.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Cases of radicalism, conservatism in 2005
Cases of radicalism, conservatism in 2005April 10, 2005:A Muslim preacher, Wahfiudin, calls Trans TV to tell it that popular rock group Dewa, which is performing live on the private TV station, is standing on a calligraphic symbol that resembles the character "A" for Allah.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
RI rectors to visit Thailand
RI rectors to visit ThailandJAKARTA: Rectors from Indonesian and Thai universities on Monday will hold a two-day conference in Bangkok to find ways to improve education cooperation between the two countries, the organizer said on Sunday."The conference will host ...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Careful policy mix is critical now
Careful policy mix is critical nowKahlil Rowter Jakarta Without doubt 2005 was a turbulent year. The rupiah and gross domestic product (GDP) growth fell substantially while inflation and interest rates rose dramatically.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Islamic radical movements in Indonesia
Islamic radical movements in Indonesia Azyumardi Azra Jakarta The root causes of radicalism among Muslims in modern times are very complex. This complexity has become even greater lately because of the numerous driving factors that are working to influence the socio-historical course of Muslim...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Greater self-confidence and the need for
Greater self-confidence and the need for cogent foreign policy approach: Outlook for 2006Bantarto Bandoro Jakarta A free and active (proactive) foreign policy has characterized Indonesia since its independence. This basic policy has shown a remarkable degree of resilience and adaptability.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
2005: Tough year for motorists and commuters alike
2005: Tough year for motorists and commuters alikeBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThroughout 2005, the passage of motorists and commuters on many of Jakarta's streets has often been disrupted by transportation projects that only worsen traffic congestion.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Constitutional Court's compromise approach criticized
Constitutional Court's compromise approach criticizedMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe two-year-old Constitutional Court deserves credit for its efforts to ensure transparency, including publishing its verdicts online, including dissenting opinions, shortly after they are handed...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Attracting foreign investment requires substance in policy reform
Attracting foreign investment requires substance in policy reformDan Kingsley Jakarta The Indonesian economy, following the adoption of a tightening monetary stance by Bank Indonesia in mid-August and strengthening inflation due to the recent fuel price increase, has shown declining economic growth...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Golkar office attack probed
Golkar office attack probed BEKASI: Dozens of unidentified people stormed the office of the Bekasi Golkar Regional Leadership Board (DPD) on Jl. Ahmad Yani during an internal meeting, breaking computers, glass doors and tables, Antara reported on Friday.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
2006 - Building for the future
2006 - Building for the futureDavid O'Brien Jakarta Next year should mark a period of consolidation for the Indonesian economy. In the wake of the tough decision to reduce fuel subsidies and subsequent price increases, domestic demand is likely to remain somewhat weaker.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
JP/YZATNI2/
JP/YZATNI2/Gas-guzzlers and variable engine displacementZatni Arbi Contributor/JakartaThis year we saw a new era emerge in the automotive industry. We began the year with engines getting larger and larger. People flocked to dealers to check out the latest SUVs.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
2005: A year of no clean air to breath
2005: A year of no clean air to breath Tb. Arie Rukmantara The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Indonesians in many parts of the country were still unable to enjoy clean air this year due to chronic pollution. Choking haze from the annual forest fires in Sumatra earlier this year covered most of the region's...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
1. Discourse -- 48 pts 6 cols 1lines (1x40)
1. Discourse -- 48 pts 6 cols 1lines (1x40) Moving forward to becoming a developed nation 2. LSI -- 40 pts 4 cols 2lines (2x26)Acehnese see little progress in reconstruction work 3. Story -- 36 pts 4 cols 1line (1x36)Storytellers lift up spirits in Aceh 4.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Set minimum wages fairly, minister says
Set minimum wages fairly, minister saysRidwan Max Sijabat The Jakarta PostMinister of Manpower and Transmigration Erman Suparno has called on his regional counterparts to remain neutral in negotiations with employers and workers in setting regional minimum wages.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
EMP to spend more than $300m to develop blocks in 2006
EMP to spend more than $300m to develop blocks in 2006Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaPT Energi Mega Persada (EMP), the second-largest publicly listed domestic oil and gas firm, is planning to spend more than US$300 million next year to develop existing reserves and boost oil and gas...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Jakarta grows into shopping destination
Jakarta grows into shopping destinationTantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, JakartaKelapa Gading Mall in North Jakarta is the place to go for those with ticklish taste buds, or if you prefer hanging out with friends and drinking coffee then perhaps Cilandak Town Square in South Jakarta is for you.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Indonesia in 2006: The foreign policy challenge.
Indonesia in 2006: The foreign policy challenge. Michael Vatikiotis Singapore The past year has seen Indonesia weather many storms. There cannot be many countries in the world forced to deal with man- made and natural disasters simultaneously.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
RI's diseased healthcare system needs medication
RI's diseased healthcare system needs medicationHera Diani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe year 2005 saw a series of natural and health-related disasters in the country that putt huge pressures on the still wobbly healthcare system here.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Christians in Ambon visit graves
Christians in Ambon visit gravesM. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, AmbonIn the six years since the sectarian conflict broke out in Ambon, Maluku province, in 1999, the members of the Lopulalan family have never paid a visit to the grave of their mother, Wihelmina Lopulalan, who is buried in a Muslim...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Religious freedom: Quo vadis?
Religious freedom: Quo vadis?Franz Magnis-Suseno SJ Jakarta 2005 has been a bad year for religious freedom in Indonesia. More regencies introduced regulations based on religious law, thereby disregarding the legislation that stipulates that religious matters are the exclusive prerogative of the...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
RI shuttlers steal the show at Anaheim worlds
RI shuttlers steal the show at Anaheim worldsMoch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Indonesia, no longer the preeminent force in badminton of the 1960s and 1970s, can still step up and win when it matters the most, even if it's the same dependable players taking the honors.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Mixed results in govt's anticorruption campaign
Mixed results in govt's anticorruption campaignReiner S., The Jakarta Post, JakartaA massive clean-up of the country, seen by most Indonesians as deeply corrupt after decades of authoritarian rule, has become a top priority of the country's first directly elected president.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Indonesians observes peaceful Christmas
Indonesians observes peaceful ChristmasThe Jakarta Post, JakartaIndonesians observed Christmas peacefully across the country as tens of thousands of police and troops remained on high alert for possible terrorist attacks.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
FIFA, AFC help salvage soccer in Aceh
FIFA, AFC help salvage soccer in AcehSlobodan Lekic, Associated Press/Banda Aceh, Indonesia A maze of drainage ditches, water pipes and mounds of dirt crisscross the pitch at Banda Aceh's Lampineung Stadium, home of the Persiraja football club.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Sixty years after independence, Indonesia is still struggling to
Sixty years after independence, Indonesia is still struggling to provide primary and secondary educations for its school-age children, lagging far behind other neighboring countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Developing nations should prepare for services talks
Developing nations should prepare for services talksThe Jakarta Post, JakartaWhile the hottest talks at the recent World Trade Organization ministerial meeting were on agricultural, it is actually the opening up of more non-agricultural and services sectors that developing countries must prepare...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Roots of conflict and peace agendas in Papua
Roots of conflict and peace agendas in PapuaMuridan S. Widjojo Jakarta The meeting between Vice President Jusuf Kalla, flanked by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo AS, Minister of Home Affairs Mohammad Ma'ruf and Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
JP/Y/ZATNI1
JP/Y/ZATNI1IT in 2005: From the tsunami to germ-free handsetsZatni Arbi Contributor/JakartaWe did not start 2005 on a high note. The tsunami that hit several Asian coastal areas including Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam left us in deep mourning.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Lawyers to report judges in Munir case
Lawyers to report judges in Munir caseJAKARTA: Lawyers of a Garuda pilot recently convicted for murdering human rights activist Munir announced a plan to report the panel of judges that heard the case to the Judicial Commission.Lawyer M.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
No great expectations in sports for 2006
No great expectations in sports for 2006Bruce Emond Jakarta The sports year is scheduled to get off to a blazing start in January when the A1 motor racing competition stops by Sentul, Bogor.Hopefully, it will go off with a roar and not a sputter: There have been questions about the preparedness of...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
JP/ /NAJIB
JP/ /NAJIBIndonesia Outlook 2006 (Religion) Competition between Liberal and Conservative Group to Change the Very Face of Islam in IndonesiaAhmad Najib Burhani Jakarta The year 2005 saw numerous disputes between conservative Muslims and liberal Muslims to change the face of Islam in Indonesia.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
JP/xx/YHELLY
JP/xx/YHELLY please check the bold is right, thnksRI 2005 performing arts scene Helly Minarti Contributor/Jakarta Another year has passed for Indonesia's performing arts, but with a staggering rise in poverty and corruption, plus the oil crisis overshadowing the country throughout the year, the...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Tsunami survivors still searching for missing children
Tsunami survivors still searching for missing childrenNani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh"I have a hunch that my son is still alive. Someone saw him after the tsunami," said Rahmadi.His belief that his five-year-old son, Alif Miftahul Rizki, is still alive drives the 32-year-old father to...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
RI, Vietnam improve overall relationship in 2005
RI, Vietnam improve overall relationship in 2005 Veeramalla Anjaiah The Jakarta Post/JakartaThe year 2005 witnessed immense activity in the relations between two Southeast Asian giants -- Indonesia and Vietnam.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
JP/YZATNI2/
JP/YZATNI2/Gas-guzzlers and variable engine displacementZatni Arbi Contributor/JakartaThis year we saw a new era emerge in the automotive industry. We began the year with engines getting larger and larger. People flocked to dealers to check out the latest SUVs.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Councillors: Who exactly do they represent?
Councillors: Who exactly do they represent?Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe 75 city councillors have been in office for almost 18 months, long enough for them to illustrate commitment to their election pledges.When they were inaugurated on Aug.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Police chasing six trained terrorist
Police chasing six trained terrorist suspectsTb. Arie Rukmantara, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe National Police have renewed a warning here that terrorist attacks are a real and present danger in the would's largest Muslim country, saying a number of trained operatives are still at large.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Prospects for 2006
Prospects for 2006Jusuf Wanandi Jakarta I was not a supporter of Susilo Bamang Yudhoyono (SBY) during the presidential election campaign, because I thought that he would not be a decisive leader. However, now I have to admit, that while not a perfect and decisive leader, he has shown more...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Wynne helps RI women court triumph in Angie's absence
Wynne helps RI women court triumph in Angie's absenceBruce Emond The Jakarta Post/Jakarta With national number one women's player Angelique "Angie" Widjaja waylaid by injury for the whole year, no great shakes were expected from the country's tennis scene.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Significance of being a moderate and progressive Muslim
Significance of being a moderate and progressive MuslimMohamad Abdun Nasir Mataram Religious radicalism and extremism have proven to be a danger to social stability and order. While liberalism and secularism often trigger fear among Muslims that they are being secularized and cut off from Islamic...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Muslims, minorities, and the state in Indonesia
Muslims, minorities, and the state in IndonesiaMuhamad Ali Manoa, Honolulu Indonesian Islam will remain moderate and tolerant by and large, but problems and challenges will continue to exist. The future of Indonesia depends on the ways in which the government and various Muslim groups actually act...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
A better economic outlook possible in the year ahead
A better economic outlook possible in the year aheadUmar Juoro Jakarta Eventually, the government decided to put a brake on fuel subsidy spending by raising fuel prices on average by 126 percent on Oct. 1. As a consequence, inflation in that month rose to 8.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Indonesians observe peaceful Christmas amid tight security
Indonesians observe peaceful Christmas amid tight securityThe Jakarta Post JakartaIndonesians observed Christmas peacefully across the country as tens of thousands of police and troops remained on high alert for possible terrorist attacks.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
JP/Y/ZATNI1
JP/Y/ZATNI1IT in 2005: From the tsunami to germ-free handsetsZatni Arbi Contributor/JakartaWe did not start 2005 on a high note. The tsunami that hit several Asian coastal areas including Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam left us in deep mourning.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Beyond well enough
Beyond well enoughArya B. Gaduh Jakarta The economy did rather well in 2005. Estimates by the Asian Development Bank put its growth above that of the regional (Southeast Asian) average and its ASEAN-5 neighbors.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Set minimum wages fairly: Minister
Set minimum wages fairly: MinisterRidwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta PostMinister of Manpower and Transmigration Erman Suparno has called on his regional counterparts to remain neutral in negotiations with employers and workers in setting regional minimum wages.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Gang member nabbed for stealing $300,000
Gang member nabbed for stealing $300,000BLORA, Central Java: The Jakarta Police, working together with Central Java's Blora Police, arrested Zaini, a member of a gang which stole US$300,000 from visiting representatives of the Rabithah Alam Islami (World Islamic League) during their stay at a...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Economic, clean-governance approaches on Poso
Economic, clean-governance approaches on PosoRuslan Sangadji, Palu, Central Sulawesi Before President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono eventually decided to set up a special Task Force for Poso, there had been a long list of major unsolved crimes, bombings, corruption cases and human rights violations in...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
1. Aman -- 4 x 12
1. Aman -- 4 x 12 Christmas peaceful, security tight 2. Ciliwung -- 1 x 32 Residents 'learning to live' with floods3. Depok -- 1 x 36 Depok readies for mayor's inauguration 4. Speaks -- 2 x 18 'I pray that religious harmony will prevail'
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
The Indonesian economy in 2006
The Indonesian economy in 2006Ross H. McLeod Canberra Indonesia's economic performance next year is likely to be similar to that in 2005. Output growth -- the key determinant of changes in individuals' incomes -- should remain around 5.5-6 percent per annum.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Radicalism extends roots, becoming institutionalized
Radicalism extends roots, becoming institutionalizedMuhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThere is no danger that Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, will be turned into an Islamic state.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Christians in Ambon visit abandoned graves
Christians in Ambon visit abandoned gravesM. Azis Tunny The Jakarta Post/AmbonIn the six years since the sectarian conflict broke out in Ambon, Maluku province, in 1999, the members of the Lopulalan family have never paid a visit to the grave of their mother, Wihelmina Lopulalan, who is buried in a...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
JP/4/year
JP/4/yearEva C. Komandjaja The Jakarta Post/JakartaAlthough the police institution in the country remains a target of public criticism, mainly over the lack of professionalism and skill, it does deserve some praise for the efforts in combating terrorism and curbing illegal drug distribution in the...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Illegal logging: Where do we go from here?
Illegal logging: Where do we go from here? Illegal logging sees no slowing down Stevie Emilia The Jakarta Post/Jakarta When the world's biggest timber smuggling operation from Papua to China was exposed this year, it marked a turning point in the fight against illegal logging in the country.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Gambling: Can police bite the hand that feeds them?
Gambling: Can police bite the hand that feeds them?Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaImmediately after taking office in July, National Police chief Gen. Sutanto ordered police chiefs across the country to crack down on gambling, threatening that those who failed to deliver would lose their...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
'I pray that religious harmony will prevail'
'I pray that religious harmony will prevail'Members of some Muslim organizations have helped guard churches in the capital and surrounding towns during Christmas. The Jakarta Post interviewed two residents to find out their views on religious tolerance.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Economy of Year of the Rooster heading for bleak finale
Economy of Year of the Rooster heading for bleak finaleFor Dec. 27Primastuti Handayani The Jakarta Post/JakartaFor "Donny", a 32-year-old employee of a private company in Central Jakarta, the Year of the Rooster has brought no good."This year sucks," he said.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Christmas peaceful in Jakarta amid tight security
Christmas peaceful in Jakarta amid tight securityDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaChristmas services in churches across the capital proceeded peacefully on Saturday evening and Sunday morning as police and religious groups secured the events.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
RI-Singapore ties growing stronger despite hiccups
RI-Singapore ties growing stronger despite hiccupsAdianto P Simamora The Jakarta Post/JakartaDespite the changes in leadership in Indonesia and its tiny neighbor Singapore, relations between both countries have remained good and cordial in 2005.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Depok readies for Mayor's inauguration
Depok readies for Mayor's inaugurationBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Depok General Elections Commission (KPUD) has received a copy of the Supreme Court's verdict on the Depok election dispute and is preparing to inaugurate mayor-elect Nur Mahmudi Ismail.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Survivors want low-key commemoration
Survivors want low-key commemorationNani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda AcehWith billions being spent to commemorate the first anniversary of the tsunami in Aceh on Monday, Aceh residents voiced hope for a modest commemoration since many survivors are still living in wornout shelters for displaced...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Where to put your money in 2006
Where to put your money in 2006Frank van Lerven Jakarta It is never easy and straightforward to answer the question "where to put your money?". Certainly right now, with the year 2005 ending and 2006 around the corner, it is a very interesting question as regards the Indonesian financial...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
United Fiber set on Kiani buy regardless of adviser
United Fiber set on Kiani buy regardless of adviserSoraya Permatasari, Bloomberg/JakartaSingapore's United Fiber System Ltd. will press ahead with a plan to acquire PT Kiani Kertas in Indonesia regardless of whether Deutsche Bank quits advising on the sale because of pressure from environmental...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
JP/xx/YCARLA
JP/xx/YCARLAArt highlights 2005Carla Bianpoen Contributor/JakartaFor the art world 2005 was a year of milestones, one of which no doubt was the 20th anniversary of Edwin Gallery which was celebrated with a major extension of the premises and a memorable exhibition of selected works by artists who...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Workers hospitalized with food poisoning
Workers hospitalized with food poisoningMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, TangerangSome 300 workers of shoe company PT Prima Inreksa in Cikupa, Tangerang were rushed to hospital on Friday morning with suspected food poisoning.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Green Jakarta not a utopia
Green Jakarta not a utopia Nirwono Joga Jakarta Jakarta is heading toward ecological suicide. Soil subsidence has reached a depth of 40 centimeters in North, West and Central Jakarta. Seawater intrusion has led to the structural corrosion of buildings and flyovers while the contamination of...
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Removing exit tax
Removing exit tax I have a pensioner's visa and am actually a resident of Jimbaran, Bali. I am very keen to let President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono know that, as a retiree living here, I must pay departure tax (fiscal) every time we leave your country for family or medical reasons.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
1. Ambon (1x36)
1. Ambon (1x36) Christians in Ambon visit graves 2. BRR (1x32) BRR insistent about TNI help 3. UMR (1x32) Set minimum wages fairly: Minister
Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Year-end Special Edition
Year-end Special EditionIndonesia made more progress in its democratic journey this year with direct elections of regents, mayors and governors all over the country. Some 200 local elections have been conducted, and they proceeded peacefully -- quite an achievement for a country that has never...