Archive: 26 December 2005
114 articles found
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Disasters aplenty but some light ahead
Disasters aplenty but some light ahead The 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. On a brighter note, significant progress was recorded this year in the fight against corruption with several major suspects already convicted and sent to jail.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
People's hope is but a dream
People's hope is but a dream From 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. Unfortunately, SBY and Kalla have not been successful in fulfilling the people's aspirations.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Maluku 2006: Hope amid the confusion
Maluku 2006: Hope amid the confusion Muhammad 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. However, the euphoria of peace did not settle all the remaining sensitive issues among the community.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
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. Will the brilliant performance be sustainable throughout the year?
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Sutiyoso builds monuments, people stay poor
Sutiyoso builds monuments, people stay poor Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakartans 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. But, asking which promises and plans have been materialized by his administration raises more concerns on unfulfilled promises and unmet plans than satisfaction over achievements.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/20/YEAREND
JP/20/YEAREND Mainstream languishes, indie rises by leaps and bounds M. Taufiqurrahman The Jakarta Post/Jakarta At the outset, 2005 showed little promise for music fans who were hoping for new sounds and exciting gigs. They year started with a three-date benefit concert from Scandinavian soft-rock has-beens Michael Learns to Rock -- a fitting omen for worse things to come, namely the release of a self-titled album by the Surabaya, East Java-based pop-rock band, Padi.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
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, 00:00 WIB
Bank Indonesia -- Another regulatory failure
Bank Indonesia -- Another regulatory failure John 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. Contrary to Bank Indonesia's intention, however, it has also been five months of rough riding for the rupiah in the foreign exchange market.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian politics in 2006
Indonesian politics in 2006 Rizal 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. In other words, no major political upheavals are expected over the next year.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Wanted, an integrated approach to thuggery!
Wanted, an integrated approach to thuggery! Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Three 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. "I was arrested together with dozens of others in a big raid in July. I spent one week inside the cell and was released after my family paid the police Rp 200,000.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
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Dudi, tolong pakai yang ini The only way is up after sad SEA Games showing Bruce 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, 00:00 WIB
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, 00:00 WIB
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. The Aceh and Nias Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency (BRR) was only set up in April, four months after the tsunami struck on Dec. 26, 2004.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Clean, fresh air remains a dream for Jakarta
Clean, fresh air remains a dream for Jakarta Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Wouldn'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. 2/2005 on air pollution control in February next year, this utopian dream may probably stay just that: a dream.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
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. Following that, more direct elections were held for governors, regents and mayors, and they too were peacefully staged.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
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. He talked at length about his vision and the challenges Malaysia faces. The journalists were part of a visit Malaysia program organized by the Institute for Strategic and International Studies.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Cabinet reshuffle caps year of silent rivalry
Cabinet reshuffle caps year of silent rivalry Dwi Atmanta, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's face stiffened prior to announcing the first Cabinet reshuffle that night of Dec. 5. He spent most of his introductory speech denying media reports regarding an alleged tug-of-war that preceded the changes to his Cabinet team, which he said were speculative and baseless. Why did he bother responding to such unsubstantiated news in that case?
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Aceh's outlook for 2006 and a refugee's hope
Aceh's outlook for 2006 and a refugee's hope Nani 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. The ground around her tent was muddy and she was trying in vain to clean her leaking shelter. The widow shares the abode with her two children. Their father perished as he was swept away by the tsunami a year ago.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
House power play keeps checks and balances at bay
House power play keeps checks and balances at bay Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Vehemently, 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. A brawl was imminent, and journalists readied themselves. The same fracas recurred a week later, with the same faces, same floor and the same debate, which stretched to midnight.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Direct regional elections provide a taste of democracy
Direct regional elections provide a taste of democracy Stevie Emilia, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta For 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 institutionalize democratic traditions at the grassroots level. Direct regional elections -- the first in the country's history -- are scheduled to be held in over 200 mayoralties, regencies and provinces.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/ /tni
JP/ /tni War on terror benefits only TNI, or the nation? Tiarma Siboro The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Despite 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 United States. The U.S. decision last November was linked to George W. Bush's global war on terror.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Terrorism in Indonesia
Terrorism in Indonesia Sidney 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 Indonesians and 6 foreigners killed by suicide bombers in Bali on 1 October.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Residents 'learning to live' with floods
Residents 'learning to live' with floods Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Having 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. "Every year we learn more about our surroundings.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Storytellers help lift up spirits in Aceh
Storytellers help lift up spirits in Aceh A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh Junior high school student Mohammad Ichsan was literally quaking with laughter as he watched a skit being performed by a group of Aceh storytellers. The combination of drama and storytelling has made a positive impression on the young tsunami survivor, who lost his mother and his brother when disaster struck exactly one year ago in his village in Krueng Cut subdistrict.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
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. In times such as these, we find him calling for a culture of excellence. How can one reconcile these calls? Lest one be accused of drawing too hasty a conclusion, let us try to look at the facts.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
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. The Aceh and Nias Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency (BRR) was only set up in April, four months after the tsunami struck on Dec. 26, 2004.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
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 in magnitude. Yet despite the obstacle of poor security being removed by the creation of a peace treaty, the transition from relief to rehabilitation of livelihoods has been slower than expected.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Careful policy mix is critical now
Careful policy mix is critical now Kahlil 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. Late policy responses caused the crisis to spread from microeconomic to macroeconomics. Therefore policy adjustments caused a shock to the system. The situation has since stabilized, and confidence in economic management has resurfaced.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
RI rectors to visit Thailand
RI rectors to visit Thailand JAKARTA: 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 ... delegates from more than 40 Indonesian universities and another 25 from Thailand," spokesman Zainal Abidin Achmad told The Jakarta Post by email.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Cases of radicalism, conservatism in 2005
Cases of radicalism, conservatism in 2005 April 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. The symbol also adorns Dewa's album cover for Laskar Cinta (Love Army).
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
HSDPA: You may not know it, but you want it
HSDPA: You may not know it, but you want it Zatni Arbi, Contributor, zatni@cbn.net.id Earlier 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. We were driving around Ericsson's South East Asian headquarters in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, where a High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) tower had been erected.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Back on their feet
Back on their feet Bad 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 endeavor on a new beginning. Some survivors -- from toddlers to school-aged teenagers -- have found a second home at a pesantren (Muslim boarding school) after being orphaned by the tsunami.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Tsunami remembered: The sad truth of the compassion industry
Tsunami remembered: The sad truth of the compassion industry Thang 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. More than 130,000 persons died, and about 40,000 remain missing, while about 500,000 were made homeless in the province of Aceh and the island of Nias, both in northern Sumatra.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Enforcing smoking ban goes up in, well ...
Enforcing smoking ban goes up in, well ... Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A 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 he probably cares little for the distasteful looks of others bothered by his cigarette smoke.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/yearend/PAPUA
JP/yearend/PAPUA Special autonomy implementation in Papua treading water A'an Suryana The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Four 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. Special autonomy has not improved the lives of Papuans, many of whom live in poverty in spite of the funds channeled to regional administrations for the autonomy drive, which total between Rp 1.3 trillion and Rp 1.5 trillion a year.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Police hailed for drive against terrorism, drug merchants
Police hailed for drive against terrorism, drug merchants Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Although 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 country. However, the corruption eradication campaign is still far from satisfactory.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Islam radicalism and national security
Islam radicalism and national security Sutanto 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 security was declared to be under the threats stemming from the radicalism of right-wing and left-wing extremists.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
2006 as the year of economic consolidation
2006 as the year of economic consolidation David 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 eased and investor appetite diminished. The leading economic indicators, which typically move around six to 12 months ahead, also indicated the same thing.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
The only way is up after sad SEA Games showing
The only way is up after sad SEA Games showing Bruce 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, 00:00 WIB
Trends in internal security problems in 2006
Trends in internal security problems in 2006 Ikrar 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 Jimbaran and Kuta in Bali in October 2005, conflicts related to industrial relations following the fuel price increases in October 2005 in some areas in Java and so on.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
BRR insistent about TNI help
BRR insistent about TNI help A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh Despite 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. The troop deployment is crucial to speed up reconstruction projects in the tsunami-ravaged province, said BRR spokesman Sudirman Said here on Sunday.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Acehnese see little progress in reconstruction work
Acehnese see little progress in reconstruction work Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta People 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 up, according to a survey.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
People's hope is but a dream
People's hope is but a dream From 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. Unfortunately, SBY and Kalla have not been successful in fulfilling the people's aspirations.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/Y/FILML
JP/Y/FILML Many local films released, but has quality improved? Lisabona Rahman and Paul F. Agusta Contributors/Jakarta Indonesian 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, 00:00 WIB
Environmental Outlook 2006
Environmental Outlook 2006 The problems of environment in the years to come E.G. Togu Manurung Bogor Indonesia is blessed with some of the most extensive and biologically diverse tropical forests in the world. But the tragedy is that Indonesia has one of the highest rates of tropical forest loss in the world. Minister of Forestry M.S. Kaban, in his many speeches at various events, repeatedly warns that Indonesia's forests are under serious threat.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Peace in Aceh: A momentum too strong to resist
Peace in Aceh: A momentum too strong to resist A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After 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. 15 this year, and finally agreed on a landmark peace deal that could help end almost 30 years of conflict in Aceh.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Selected decisions of the Constitutional Court
Selected decisions of the Constitutional Court 1. 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 police or the prosecution service before its establishment in 2002. However, it rejects the challenge as the article does not satisfy the criteria for retroactivity adopted in international law. 2.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
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/Jakarta For "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, 00:00 WIB
Indonesians observes peaceful Christmas
Indonesians observes peaceful Christmas The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesians 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, 00:00 WIB
Mixed results in govt's anticorruption campaign
Mixed results in govt's anticorruption campaign Reiner S., The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A 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. So far Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's results have been mixed; and there are worrying signs that corrupt forces are fighting back -- and are equally as aggressive.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
RI shuttlers steal the show at Anaheim worlds
RI shuttlers steal the show at Anaheim worlds Moch. 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, 00:00 WIB
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 central government. The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) declared the Ahmadiyah organization as a dissenting Islamic movement in July.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Christians in Ambon visit graves
Christians in Ambon visit graves M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon In 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 area.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
RI's diseased healthcare system needs medication
RI's diseased healthcare system needs medication Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The 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. It began with the colossal work of dealing with the health problems and the destruction of the healthcare system, in the aftermath of the Dec. 26 tsunami in Aceh province.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
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. For Indonesia's newly elected government there was the tsunami and a succession of terrorist acts to recover from.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta grows into shopping destination
Jakarta grows into shopping destination Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Kelapa 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, 00:00 WIB
EMP to spend more than $300m to develop blocks in 2006
EMP to spend more than $300m to develop blocks in 2006 Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta PT 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 production.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
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 societies as a whole. Looking at the whole history of radicalism among Muslims, I would argue that radicalism among Muslims is more political than religious.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
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. Money -- 28 pts 2 cols 2line (2x18) Survivors want low-key commemoration
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
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.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/YZATNI2/
JP/YZATNI2/ Gas-guzzlers and variable engine displacement Zatni Arbi Contributor/Jakarta This 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. Suddenly, we had a worldwide oil crisis and the price of gasoline skyrocketed. Right away, the sales of gas-guzzling cars, trucks and SUVs plummeted, even in the U.S.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
2006 - Building for the future
2006 - Building for the future David 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. This is not necessarily a bad thing. The economy was exceedingly dependent upon the consumer, with estimates of this sector driving 80 percent of economic growth.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
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. Salo, an employee at the office, said that about 50 people using five vehicles stormed the office demanding that the meeting be stopped.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Attracting foreign investment requires substance in policy reform
Attracting foreign investment requires substance in policy reform Dan 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 in the last half of 2005.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Constitutional Court's compromise approach criticized
Constitutional Court's compromise approach criticized Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The 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 down.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
2005: Tough year for motorists and commuters alike
2005: Tough year for motorists and commuters alike Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Throughout 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, 00:00 WIB
Greater self-confidence and the need for
Greater self-confidence and the need for cogent foreign policy approach: Outlook for 2006 Bantarto 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. It will remain so in the future.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Set minimum wages fairly, minister says
Set minimum wages fairly, minister says Ridwan Max Sijabat The Jakarta Post Minister 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. Partiality could otherwise spark industrial conflicts and disrupt political stability in the regions, he said.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Set minimum wages fairly: Minister
Set minimum wages fairly: Minister Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post Minister 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. Partiality could otherwise spark industrial conflicts and disrupt political stability in the regions, he said.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Beyond well enough
Beyond well enough Arya 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. Exports became one of the main sources of growth, contributing to around 80 percent of total growth in the first two quarters of 2005.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/Y/ZATNI1
JP/Y/ZATNI1 IT in 2005: From the tsunami to germ-free handsets Zatni Arbi Contributor/Jakarta We 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. For many months, we were wondering what Mother Nature was telling us through this disaster.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Indonesians observe peaceful Christmas amid tight security
Indonesians observe peaceful Christmas amid tight security The Jakarta Post Jakarta Indonesians 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, 00:00 WIB
A better economic outlook possible in the year ahead
A better economic outlook possible in the year ahead Umar 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 8.7 percent, much higher than anybody expected. By the end of 2005, inflation is expected to be around 18 percent as firms make price adjustments in line with higher prices for energy, transportation, credit, wages and intermediate goods.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Muslims, minorities, and the state in Indonesia
Muslims, minorities, and the state in Indonesia Muhamad 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 in public life.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Significance of being a moderate and progressive Muslim
Significance of being a moderate and progressive Muslim Mohamad 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 doctrines that govern the daily lives of Muslims.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Wynne helps RI women court triumph in Angie's absence
Wynne helps RI women court triumph in Angie's absence Bruce 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. The former Wimbledon and Roland Garros junior champion underwent surgery on her right knee in November 2004, and was out of commission for the rest of 2005. An expected return for the U.S.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Prospects for 2006
Prospects for 2006 Jusuf 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 willingness to bite the bullet on many crucial issues, albeit after a lot of pressure, advise and deliberation.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Police chasing six trained terrorist
Police chasing six trained terrorist suspects Tb. Arie Rukmantara, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The 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. National Police chief of detectives Comr. Gen. Makbul Padmanegara said on Sunday at least six graduates of terrorist training camps in Afghanistan and Moro in southern Philippines were hiding across Indonesia.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
FIFA, AFC help salvage soccer in Aceh
FIFA, AFC help salvage soccer in Aceh Slobodan 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. The stands are mostly stacks of warped boards, which dozens of construction workers are removing in preparation for a major renovation.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/YZATNI2/
JP/YZATNI2/ Gas-guzzlers and variable engine displacement Zatni Arbi Contributor/Jakarta This 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. Suddenly, we had a worldwide oil crisis and the price of gasoline skyrocketed. Right away, the sales of gas-guzzling cars, trucks and SUVs plummeted, even in the U.S.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
RI, Vietnam improve overall relationship in 2005
RI, Vietnam improve overall relationship in 2005 Veeramalla Anjaiah The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The year 2005 witnessed immense activity in the relations between two Southeast Asian giants -- Indonesia and Vietnam. In May, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited Hanoi and his Vietnamese counterpart, Tran Duc Luaong, paid back the favor in April to enhance cooperation between the two countries.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Tsunami survivors still searching for missing children
Tsunami survivors still searching for missing children Nani 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 keep searching for him, even a year after the tsunami devastated Aceh on Dec. 26 last year, killing 126,915 people and leaving 37,063 listed as missing.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/xx/YHELLY
JP/xx/YHELLY please check the bold is right, thnks RI 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 government continues to keep the arts at arm's length.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/ /NAJIB
JP/ /NAJIB Indonesia Outlook 2006 (Religion) Competition between Liberal and Conservative Group to Change the Very Face of Islam in Indonesia Ahmad Najib Burhani Jakarta The year 2005 saw numerous disputes between conservative Muslims and liberal Muslims to change the face of Islam in Indonesia. A number of incidents that occurred this year were a manifestation of these disputes.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
No great expectations in sports for 2006
No great expectations in sports for 2006 Bruce 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 the circuit to host the championships -- a rival to F1 featuring 24 teams representing different nations -- on Jan. 15.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Lawyers to report judges in Munir case
Lawyers to report judges in Munir case JAKARTA: 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. Assegaf, who represented Pollycarpus Budihari Prihanto, said on Saturday that they would file the report in the coming days as they suspected that certain parties had tried to influence the judges' decision.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/Y/ZATNI1
JP/Y/ZATNI1 IT in 2005: From the tsunami to germ-free handsets Zatni Arbi Contributor/Jakarta We 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. For many months, we were wondering what Mother Nature was telling us through this disaster.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Roots of conflict and peace agendas in Papua
Roots of conflict and peace agendas in Papua Muridan 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. Endriartono Sutarto, and the official leaders of the province of Papua on Nov. 24, followed by the talks with the leaders of West Irian Jaya province the next day, resulted in a positive consensus.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Developing nations should prepare for services talks
Developing nations should prepare for services talks The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While 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 themselves for, activists say.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
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. According to Ministry of Education figures from 2004, the number of elementary school dropouts reached 650,000, and more than 500,000 others did not continue on to secondary education.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Councillors: Who exactly do they represent?
Councillors: Who exactly do they represent? Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The 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. 26, 2004, more than 1,000 people demonstrated outside the City Council building to remind them of their election promises -- clean governance and improved welfare for the public at large.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Year-end Special Edition
Year-end Special Edition Indonesia 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 directly elected its local leaders before.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
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, 00:00 WIB
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. Since we are not working here, are we not excluded from the obligation of paying fiscal? ALBERTO VAZQUEZ YARZA Jimbaran, Bali
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
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 groundwater has encroached on some 14 kilometers of land around the National Monument (Monas) Square, or a third of the territory of the capital city of Jakarta.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Workers hospitalized with food poisoning
Workers hospitalized with food poisoning Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Some 300 workers of shoe company PT Prima Inreksa in Cikupa, Tangerang were rushed to hospital on Friday morning with suspected food poisoning. Vera Damayanti, 24, one of workers treated at the Tangerang General Hospital (RSU), said that she and friends had dinner at the company's cafeteria at around 7 p.m. on Thursday. She ordered a piece of fried chicken and chilly sauce with rice.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/xx/YCARLA
JP/xx/YCARLA Art highlights 2005 Carla Bianpoen Contributor/Jakarta For 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 had been part of the gallery's history.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
United Fiber set on Kiani buy regardless of adviser
United Fiber set on Kiani buy regardless of adviser Soraya Permatasari, Bloomberg/Jakarta Singapore'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 groups.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Where to put your money in 2006
Where to put your money in 2006 Frank 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 markets! Will the bull run that the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) has enjoyed for an unprecedented 3-1/2 year period come to a halt?
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Survivors want low-key commemoration
Survivors want low-key commemoration Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh With 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 persons.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Depok readies for Mayor's inauguration
Depok readies for Mayor's inauguration Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The 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. "We will convey the verdict to the City Council and copies of the notice will also be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs and West Java Governor Danny Setiawan," KPUD member Abdul Kholik told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Gang member nabbed for stealing $300,000
Gang member nabbed for stealing $300,000 BLORA, 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 Jakarta hotel early this month.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Christmas peaceful in Jakarta amid tight security
Christmas peaceful in Jakarta amid tight security Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Christmas services in churches across the capital proceeded peacefully on Saturday evening and Sunday morning as police and religious groups secured the events. At Saint Yoseph church in Matraman, East Jakarta, where a bomb went off in front on Christmas Eve 2000 and killed three people, around 5,000 people attended the Christmas celebration.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Economy of Year of the Rooster heading for bleak finale
Economy of Year of the Rooster heading for bleak finale For Dec. 27 Primastuti Handayani The Jakarta Post/Jakarta For "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, 00:00 WIB
'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. Tasha, 25, is an employee of a property company in Jakarta. She lives with her family in Jembatan Tiga, West Jakarta. I am glad there have been no terror attacks during the Christmas celebrations so far.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Gambling: Can police bite the hand that feeds them?
Gambling: Can police bite the hand that feeds them? Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Immediately 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 posts and face criminal charges. Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
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, 00:00 WIB
JP/4/year
JP/4/year Eva C. Komandjaja The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Although 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 country. However, the corruption eradication campaign is still far from satisfactory. Starting with the replacement of the national police chief in July, the president's hand-picked successor, Gen.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Christians in Ambon visit abandoned graves
Christians in Ambon visit abandoned graves M. Azis Tunny The Jakarta Post/Ambon In 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 area.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
Radicalism extends roots, becoming institutionalized
Radicalism extends roots, becoming institutionalized Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta There is no danger that Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, will be turned into an Islamic state. One reason for this is that most Indonesians practice a moderate strain of Islam and are tolerant of different religions. Another reason is that the nation's founding fathers, who included charismatic Muslim leaders and ulema, never wanted Indonesia to be an Islamic state.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
The Indonesian economy in 2006
The Indonesian economy in 2006 Ross 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. Inflation is likely to decline steadily, with significant reductions in the year-on-year rate in March and October as the impact of the 2005 fuel price increases disappears.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
1. Aman -- 4 x 12
1. Aman -- 4 x 12 Christmas peaceful, security tight 2. Ciliwung -- 1 x 32 Residents 'learning to live' with floods 3. 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, 00:00 WIB
Economic, clean-governance approaches on Poso
Economic, clean-governance approaches on Poso Ruslan 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 conflict-torn Poso regency in Central Sulawesi. The President's decision has encouraged more people to cooperate with the police.
Mon, 26 Dec 2005, 00:00 WIB
RI-Singapore ties growing stronger despite hiccups
RI-Singapore ties growing stronger despite hiccups Adianto P Simamora The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Despite the changes in leadership in Indonesia and its tiny neighbor Singapore, relations between both countries have remained good and cordial in 2005. The days have gone when two consecutive Indonesian presidents, B.J. Habibie and Abdurrahman Wahid, launched verbal onslaughts on the city-state for the latter's non-cooperation on certain matters.