Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 30 December 2005

98 articles found

Tupai/Thuggish Ex-Investment Chief Held For Alleged Corruption

December, 28 2005 @ 11:46 pmThuggish Ex-Investment Chief Held For Alleged CorruptionBy Roy TupaiFormer Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) chairman Theo F. Toemion, fired earlier this year after attacking expatriates during a children’s basketball game at a Jakarta school, has now been declared...

Jakarta's environment: Lessons from abroad

Jakarta's environment: Lessons from abroadEdward McMillan Jakarta Can you imagine paying a "congestion charge" every time you drive your car into the city centre? How about growing your own vegetables? Or using solar energy to heat your tap-water? How does paying for several dozen trees to be...

;JP;DAN;

;JP;DAN; ANPAf..r.. Rupiah-conversion-rates Rupiah Rates Dec. 29 JP/13/ConverRupiah Rates Dec. 29 Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp Australian dollar 1 7,538.89 6,807.93 7,210.07 7,136.66Brunei dollar 1 6,209.46 5,605.57 5,938.63 5,876.25Canadian dollar 1 8,868.

RI to post ambassador

RI to post ambassador in Sweden again JAKARTA: Indonesia said on Thursday it would again post an ambassador in Sweden after leaving the job vacant for a year to protest Stockholm's failure to take action against exiled Aceh separatists.

Kepulauan Seribu has its own police station

Kepulauan Seribu has its own police station JAKARTA: To better monitor the many islands off the coast of the capital, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani launched on Wednesday a new police precinct in the Kepulauan Seribu regency.Spokesman Sr. Comr.

Pollution in city rivers worse: BPLHD

Pollution in city rivers worse: BPLHDDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakartans' out of sight, out of mind attitude to domestic and industrial waste has caused the city's 13 rivers to become so polluted that if the city administration does not clean them up it will have to give up on its...

When tolerance is no longer enough

When tolerance is no longer enoughEndy M. Bayuni, Jakarta This Christmas provided another fine display to the outside world of the religious tolerance that has developed among peoples of different faiths in Indonesia, the country with the world's largest Muslim population.

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.

Marriage tax outrageous

Marriage tax outrageousDian Sasmita, Bogor Four years ago, Gadjah Mada University economist Revrisond Baswier surprised the public with a proposal that the Ministry of Finance slap a heavy tax on marriages involving celebrities in Indonesia in order to discourage them from seeking divorce too...

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.

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...

Govt may set up alternative forestry financing

Govt may set up alternative forestry financingAnnisa S. Febrina, The Jakarta Post, JakartaWith the goal of helping the ailing forestry industry, the government plans to set up an independent financing institution to revitalize and support timber-processing companies with fresh funds.

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...

Stability a feature of 2006

Stability a feature of 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.

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.

TV Today: Saturday, December 31, 2005

TV Today: Saturday, December 31, 2005 TVRI .tb .30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:30 Religious Teachings8:00 Talk Show: Hembing8:30 Rumah Kita9:00 Indonesian Designers and Cultures10:00 Live Show: Tablik Akbar11:00 News: Berita Nusantara11:30 Oto Screen12:00 Sports1:00 p.

Disposing of toxic waste

Disposing of toxic waste As a regular reader of The Jakarta Post I value the contribution of your paper to the Indonesian news coverage. Unfortunately, some articles, such as the one entitled Govt slammed for not halting MSM mining operation date Dec. 24 seem to lack responsible editorial review.

TV Program: Sunday, January 1, 2006

TV Program: Sunday, January 1, 2006.TB.30" .90"TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings6:00 Morning News 7:00 Documentary7:30 TV Drama: Tiga Serangkai8:00 Children Show: Arena 1239:00 Music: Delta10:00 Sports: Antar Gelanggang11:00 News: Berita Nusantara11:30 Music1:00 p.m.

Corrupt immigration

Corrupt immigration As foreigners, we are required to drop by to the immigration office with great frequency. It's nice that all the fees are displayed openly on the wall, but the nightmare awaits just around the corner.

'Malacca Strait route not a war risk'

'Malacca Strait route not a war risk'Agence France-Presse, SingaporeSingapore shippers have urged an international insurance body to remove the Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest waterways, from its list of "war risk" areas incurring possible higher premiums.

The challenge to the right of faith: Quo vadis?

The challenge to the right of faith: 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...

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.

Tangerang to be 'religious city': Mayor

Tangerang to be 'religious city': MayorMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, TangerangThe Tangerang municipal administration destroyed on Thursday thousands of bottles of name-brand alcoholic drinks, pornographic pirated VCDs and six gambling machines confiscated in a string of raids this month.

KPK pushes ahead with Theo probe

KPK pushes ahead with Theo probeThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) plans to question more witnesses in connection with an alleged graft case involving former chief of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Theo F. Toemion.

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...

Patching up decentralization to boost the service delivery

Patching up decentralization to boost the service deliveryRiyadi Suparno The Jakarta Post/JakartaThere were many positive changes to local democracy in 2005, especially the direct elections of regional heads, but too often this did not translate into the improved delivery of services.

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...

Promoting pluralism is Muslims' job, clerics say

Promoting pluralism is Muslims' job, clerics sayHera Diani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaWith pluralism put at risk in 2005, as illustrated by increasing conservatism and interreligious conflicts, a scholar says that Muslims as the majority in the country hold the greatest responsibility in promoting...

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.

Meeting China's demanding thirst for energy

Meeting China's demanding thirst for energyMichael Richardson, Singapore As China's energy demand has climbed in recent years to fuel its economic growth, Australia and Indonesia have emerged as important sellers of natural gas to the world's most populous nation.

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.

A focus on customer service

A focus on customer serviceCarolyn Baytion-Sunaryo, Jakarta Customer service is like the icing on the cake. When a customer decides to buy a cake, she chooses whether it's chocolate, mango or black forest.

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...

Jakarta to test e-procurement

Jakarta to test e-procurementDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a bid to minimize irregularities in city procurements, the Jakarta administration plans to test an online system for the procurement of goods and services in a number of city agencies starting next February.

Banks gear up for ATMs, on-line banking services

Banks gear up for ATMs, on-line banking servicesThe Jakarta Post, JakartaNeed to do a banking transaction? Go to the nearest automated teller machine (ATMs) instead, with banks closed on Friday.The Central Bank announced earlier that as the year had come to an end there would be no banking...

Newsmakers 2005

Newsmakers 2005Each year brings hope, sorrow, shock and happiness. The stories of everyday life that make headlines at this newspaper are stories of people who go through enduring times -- some unavoidable, others by their own doing.

Foreign tourist numbers drop 6%

Foreign tourist numbers drop 6%The Jakarta Post, JakartaWith a dip in foreign tourist arrivals already evident this year, as compared to the year before, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has allocated US$10 million to promote tourism for next year, higher than some $6 million set aside this year.

A balance between profit, readers' needs and idealism

A balance between profit, readers' needs and idealismAti Nurbaiti, JakartaThe performance of the Indonesian media is pleasantly surprising, if we can believe the Asia Democracy Index of 2005. Published by the Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia, based in Singapore, the survey covers 16...

Court rejects Ahmadiyah suit

Court rejects Ahmadiyah suitYuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, BandungThe Bandung State Administrative Court has rejected a lawsuit filed by the West Java office of the Ahmadiyah congregation to annul a decree issued by the Bogor regency consultative leadership council (Muspida) prohibiting the...

Lampung hit by leadership crisis

Lampung hit by leadership crisisJAKARTA: A number of senior members of the Lampung provincial legislative council met with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday to seek ways to resolve a leadership crisis in the province.

"Religious conflicts fueled by politics"

"Religious conflicts fueled by politics"Members of Muslim groups took the initiative to help provide security for Christians during Christmas celebrations at churches and other places across the country.

Indonesia's economic challenges

Indonesia's economic challengesStephen Schwartz Jakarta Judging by the stock and foreign exchange markets over the past few weeks, the coming of the New Year and a recent cabinet reshuffle have brought fresh hope to Indonesian market-watchers that macroeconomic stability will endure, and that...

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.

Troop withdrawal complete

Troop withdrawal completeAgencies, Banda Aceh, AcehThe Indonesian Military (TNI) withdrew its final contingent of non-local troops from Aceh on Thursday, a key step in a peace pact that was propelled forward by the devastating tsunami one year ago."The troops have pulled out...

1. KPK ------ 2x25

1. KPK ------ 2x25 KPK complains over lack of support in antigraft drive 2. LSI ---- 2x18 New survey rates SBY's popularity as high 3. Web ------ 1x35 Men want facts, women seek ties in survey 4. Banks ---- 2x24 Banks gear up for ATMs, on-line banking services 5.

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 were questions about the preparedness of the...

Trends in internal security problems

Trends in internal security problemsIkrar 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...

Leaders must be responsive, but not thin-skinned

Leaders must be responsive, but not thin-skinnedArdimas Sasdi Jakarta Referring to the diatribes launched by some of the nation's most senior leaders in response to criticism, The Jakarta Post rightly observed recently that it is not easy being a democrat.

KPK complains over lack of support in antigraft drive

KPK complains over lack of support in antigraft driveMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) complained on Thursday over a lack of support from other state institutions in its ambitious anticorruption drive.

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.

Pertamax, fuel for industry prices down

Pertamax, fuel for industry prices downLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaCiting lower oil prices in the global market, state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina will cut prices of high-octane premium gasoline and fuel for industry by up to 7.7 percent next month.

No great expectations

No great expectationsBruce 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...

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.

Radicalism and national security

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 security was...

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...

Cogent steps, self-confidence to face int'l challenges

Cogent steps, self-confidence to face int'l challengesBantarto 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.

Announce names of House absentees!

Announce names of House absentees!From KompasThe photographs of vacant seats in the meeting room of the House of Representatives (DPR) published by Kompas (Dec. 2) and the same photos carried in other newspapers do not seem to have changed the habit of absenteeism among lazy legislators.

New survey rates SBY's popularity as high

New survey rates SBY's popularity as highThe Jakarta Post, JakartaIn spite of mounting criticism of his administration following the fuel price increases, the latest survey shows that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's popularity remains high, with over half of the population deeming that he is...

NGOs demand SBY resolve Munir case

NGOs demand SBY resolve Munir caseJAKARTA: Dozens of local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have sent a letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, urging him to instruct the police to further investigate the murder of the country's top human rights activist Munir.

1. Islam (4x12)

1. Islam (4x12) Promoting pluralism is job for Muslims, clerics say 2. Theo (1x27) KPK pushes ahead with Theo probe 3. Service (1x32) No payoff, no public services OR 'Free' services criticized 4. Lampung (1x34) Formaldehyde-free products in Lampung 5. Ahmad (1x28) Court rejects Ahmadiyah suit

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.

Formaldehyde-free products in Lampung

Formaldehyde-free products in LampungThe Jakarta Post, Lampung/YogyakartaFollowing the widespread use of dangerous chemicals in food products, the Metro and Bandarlampung city administrations in Lampung province are planning to give certification to products by labeling them formaldehyde-free and...

Stable and peaceful, if improvements occur

Stable and peaceful, if improvements occurJusuf 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.

LG sees sales up 7 percent this year

LG sees sales up 7 percent this yearLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAs the economy slows down, a local unit of South Korean electronics giant LG sees a lower-than-expected 7 percent rise in sales this year, with the number of lower-end units sold on the decline.

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.

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.

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.

Garuda Indonesia may not meet target for reducing losses

Garuda Indonesia may not meet target for reducing lossesArijit Ghosh, Bloomberg/JakartaPT Garuda Indonesia, the nation's biggest airline, may not meet its target to cut losses by 50 percent this year after bookings slowed amid rising fuel costs following the Oct. 1 suicide bombings in Bali.

JP/3/Aji

JP/3/AjiPress must promote self-censorship: ExpertsTiarma Siboro The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Journalists must diligently adopt a self-censorship principle in the current press freedom era to put a stop to what is described as "legal violence," experts claim.

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...

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.

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...

Indonesia's economic challenges

Indonesia's economic challengesStephen Schwartz Jakarta Judging by the stock and foreign exchange markets over the past few weeks, the coming of the New Year and a recent cabinet reshuffle have brought fresh hope to Indonesian market-watchers that macroeconomic stability will endure, and that...

Foreign bank employee missing

Foreign bank employee missing JAKARTA: A receptionist working for the Kemang branch of Dutch bank ABN Amro in South Jakarta, Citra Sari Dewi, 23, was reported missing on Friday Dec. 24.She was last seen leaving her rented room in Rawasari, Central Jakarta, early in the morning on her way to the...

BATTLE OF THE MINDS: A cleric preachers to the masses at Al Azhar

BATTLE OF THE MINDS: A cleric preachers to the masses at Al Azhar Grand Mosque in South Jakarta during a gathering to discuss the Islamic Liberal Network. The polemic between so called "liberal" and "conservative" Islam heightened in 2005 as one side sought to demonize the other.

Formaldehyde noodles? No thanks

Formaldehyde noodles? No thanksThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta/BogorJakartans have not taken kindly to the news from the Jakarta Food and Drug Office (BB-POM) that formaldehyde is being poured into foods, such as tofu, noodles and salted fish, to keep it fresher, longer.

Hunger in Yahukimo

Hunger in YahukimoFrom KompasAfter the previous cases of hunger and malnutrition in West and East Nusa Tenggara, there have been reports that at least 50 people have died of hunger and 112 others are suffering from famine-related diseases in Yahukimo regency, Papua.

'Nyi' Sumiati highlights role of women in 'wayang'

'Nyi' Sumiati highlights role of women in 'wayang'Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, SurabayaThe woman puppeteer from Madiun remained silent for a moment before starting to work the wayang shadow puppets at this year's National Wayang Festival at the Cak Durasim Building, East Java Cultural...

Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, December 31, 2005

Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, December 31, 2005Exhibitions* Painting and lithograph by Ken Pattern at Galeri Hadiprana Jl Kemang Raya # 30 South Jakarta (Tel 7194715), Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., until Dec.

BP leads energy firms borrowing

BP leads energy firms borrowingDenise Kee and Patricia Kuo, Bloomberg/SingaporeBP Plc., the world's second-largest publicly traded oil company, led international oil companies this year in seeking loans to expand in Asia as the region's economic growth drives demand for raw materials and fuel.

Companies urged to stop paying soldiers

Companies urged to stop paying soldiersTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, JakartaMinister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono has told local and international companies not to make direct payments to the military officers guarding their operations as the practice is illegal.

A better outlook

A better outlook The verdict of economists is virtually unanimous. Despite the tough challenges -- strong inflationary pressures and high interest rates -- the economic outlook for next year is brighter because the foundations for stability are now in place.

BUDI NAWA S.

BUDI NAWA S. Tanjungbalai, North Sumatra

Acehnese reprise their lives in new documentary

Acehnese reprise their lives in new documentaryThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The suffering inflicted by the tsunami in Aceh could provide enough material for thousands of films based on the survivors efforts to come to terms with the near-apocalyptic disaster.

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...

Garin says govt leaves artistes in cold

Garin says govt leaves artistes in coldJP/20/GARINGarin: Govt leaves artistes out in coldThe Jakarta Post Jakarta Irked by the government's lack of attention toward culture and the arts, noted filmmaker Garin Nugroho has lambasted the country's leaders by labeling them as culture-blind people who...

Sect leader, followers arrested

Sect leader, followers arrestedAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIn a move that many saw as unnecessary, Jakarta Police declared on Thursday Lia Eden and 32 of her followers suspects for defamation of religion a day after members of the cult were forcibly evacuated from their headquarters on...

Competition between liberal and conservative group

Competition between liberal and conservative groupAhmad 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.

No playoff, no public services

No playoff, no public servicesTb. Arie Rukmantara, The Jakarta Post, JakartaFor over 30 years, Wati has never enjoyed "free" public services. Each time she renews her ID card, her driver's license, or applied for marriage and land certificates, as well as birth certificates for her three sons, she...

Jakarta stocks shine despite lower trading on last day

Jakarta stocks shine despite lower trading on last dayRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaDespite a slowdown in the economy as a result of the instable macroeconomic condition, the Jakarta stock market has again become the best performing bourse in Southeast Asia, booking a 16.

Positives amid disasters and conflicts

Positives amid disasters and conflicts In 2005, mankind was taught a number of harsh life lessons by natural disasters that struck with a force beyond human comprehension.But some moves are bringing rays of hope for the next year.

Court rejects Ahmadiyah suit

Court rejects Ahmadiyah suitYuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, BandungThe Bandung State Administrative Court has rejected a lawsuit filed by the West Java office of the Ahmadiyah congregation to annul a decree issued by the Bogor regency consultative leadership council (Muspida) prohibiting the...

Endy M. Bayuni

Endy M. Bayuni Jakarta This Christmas provided another fine display to the outside world of the religious tolerance that has developed among peoples of different faiths in Indonesia, the country with the world's largest Muslim population.

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.

[b]

A focus on customer service Carolyn Baytion-Sunaryo Jakarta2. James -- Civil groups need to count what counts 1 X 30 Civil groups must count what counts James Rose Brisbane3. dIANA -- "Marriage collateral" endeavor appears unfair to foreigners 1 X 30 Marriage tax outrageous Dian Sasmita Bogor

[b]

Jakarta's environment: Good lessons from abroad Edward McMillan Jakarta2. kELL -- Cronulla beach riots: Making waves for the Asia Pacific region. 2 X 30 Cronulla Beach riots make waves in Asia Pacific Peter Kell Wollongong, New South Well

Islamic radical movements in Indonesia

Islamic radical movements in IndonesiaAzyumardi 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...

Asking the right questions to fight terror

Asking the right questions to fight terrorSidney 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...