Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 7 December 2005

78 articles found

Police identify other 'terrorists'

Police identify other 'terrorists' DENPASAR, Bali: Police said here on Tuesday a 31-old high school teacher had assisted Noordin M. Top, the country's most wanted terrorist suspect, in providing information technology, including setting up a terrorist website on the Internet. Bali Police spokesman Sr. Comr. A.S. Reniban said that Abdul Aziz, who taught at the SMA Al-Irsyad senior high school in Pekalongan, Central Java, built and updated the website regularly at Noordin's request.

'MTV' to stage music summit for HIV/AIDS campaign

'MTV' to stage music summit for HIV/AIDS campaign The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Spread the message, not the virus. The message on HIV/AIDS awareness is going to be spread through music, which has phenomenal power to move people and speak to young people, according to TV channel MTV. To commemorate World Aids Day, which fell on Dec. 1, MTV, in cooperation with Fiesta Condom and the Commission for AIDS Eradication (KPA) will stage MTV Staying Alive Music Summit 2005 on Dec.

Fire rages in Marriott kitchen

Fire rages in Marriott kitchen JAKARTA: A fire that began in the kitchen of Syailendra restaurant in the basement of JW Marriott Hotel in Mega Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Tuesday morning, caused severe damage to the ceiling of the restaurant. South Jakarta fire agency head Freddy Alling said that the fire started at around 10:45 a.m. Firefighters arrived at the scene at about 11 a.m. No one was injured in the blaze. "We sent 12 trucks and dozens of personnel to the location.

Expats want to relax for holidays

Expats want to relax for holidays Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam Christmas and the New Year are nearing but expatriates working in Batam are taking a low-key approach to the holidays, in keeping with the lack of overall fuss in the city. Julia, a 40-year-old South Korean, said she would stay at home and spend Christmas Eve with friends and family. "It will be no different from normal days. We will sit down together, drink, watch television and make a toast at night.

JP/19/SUB2

JP/19/SUB2 Indonesian fleet in sorry state Although Indonesia maintains the biggest navy in Southeast Asia its fleet is not in good repair. It can put to sea but its combat abilities are questionable. On Dec. 8 there will be an exercise involving 40 warships from Surabaya moving through the Straits of Makassar to seas near the Ambalat region.

Illegal migration a 'global threat'

Illegal migration a 'global threat' Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua The surge in illegal migration, partially due to human trafficking by organized crime syndicates, is posing a serious threat to world security, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Hamid Awaluddin says.

pake logo JiFFest!!

pake logo JiFFest!! Indonesian punks star in Canadian documentary M. Taufiqurrahman The Jakarta Post/Jakarta If local bands or performers have found it hard to make it big beyond the country's music scene, Balinese punk band Superman Is Dead (SID) have made their international debut in a rather simple, yet unusual way: being featured in a documentary film.

Xanana to celebrate Christmas in Kupang

Xanana to celebrate Christmas in Kupang Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang Timor Leste President Xanana Gusmao is scheduled to embark on a five-day state visit to West Timor, East Nusa Tenggara, from Dec. 23 to Dec. 27, 2005. During his visit, he will celebrate Christmas with tens of thousands of refugees from Timor Leste (formerly East Timor) who are still living in camps here.

Court sides with KPPU on Pertamina's tanker sale case

Court sides with KPPU on Pertamina's tanker sale case The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) confirmed on Tuesday a report saying the Supreme Court had ruled in favor of the anti-monopoly watchdog in the high-profile case involving the tender for Pertamina's two super tankers.

Illust. credit: Wahyu Gumelar

Illust. credit: Wahyu Gumelar Inset photo credit: WWF Kayan Mentarang/Dave Augeri New 'red carnivore' found in E. kalimantan A possible new species of mammal, referred to as a "red carnivore", was found in Kayan Mentarang National Park, East Kalimantan, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) announced on Monday in Jakarta. "It is very rare nowadays to discover a new mammal species.

Andung or Fahmi? Neither shows up

Andung or Fahmi? Neither shows up Antara, Sanur, Bali Confusion over the Cabinet reshuffle has resulted in the absence of the minister of industry -- both outgoing Andung A. Nitimihardja and incoming Fahmi Idris -- at a ministry's forum in Sanur, Bali. "The organizers had actually arranged accommodation for both Pak Andung and Pak Fahmi ... but the two were not certain they could attend the event," the ministry's secretary-general Agus Tjahajana said on Tuesday after opening the forum.

2. three columns, 1 x 27

2. three columns, 1 x 27 City police appeal for public help 3. six columns, 1 x 48 Lippo Karawaci named Indonesia's best developer 4. four columns, 1 x 26 'Allocate jobs to disabled people'

AirAsia seeks to fly bulk of MAS domestic routes

AirAsia seeks to fly bulk of MAS domestic routes Kyunghee Park, Bloomberg, Singapore AirAsia Bhd., Southeast Asia's biggest discount carrier, said it has proposed to operate all but three of Malaysian Airline System Bhd.'s domestic routes as part of the government's reorganization of the network. The review of the domestic routes is part of the government's plan to help Malaysian Airline recover from losses of 367.7 million ringgit (US$97.3 million) in the second quarter ended Sept. 30.

[b]

The Cabinet reshuffle: Never too late to learn! J. Soedjati Djiwandono Jakarta 2. Makmur -- Is this the state Indonesia is expecting to have? 2 x 30 Why is Indonesia unable to cope with global market challenges? Makmur Keliat Jakarta

JP/19/SUB1

JP/19/SUB1 Submarine surfaces as tourist attraction in Surabaya On Dec. 5 the Indonesian Navy celebrated its 60th birthday in Surabaya. There was a parade and other events to mark this important day, though most were for VIPs at the docks. The closest ordinary people get to a warship is alongside a McDonald's restaurant. The Jakarta Post contributor Duncan Graham reports: What do you do with a weapon of mass destruction when it has passed its use-by date?

Ministers to keep inflation, interest rates in check

Ministers to keep inflation, interest rates in check Slamet Susanto and Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta/Jakarta The newly appointed economics and finance ministers shall be focusing their attention on reviving Indonesia hard-gained macroeconomic stability, currently under serious threat amid high inflation and interest rates, while at the same time encouraging investment in order to boost growth and job creation.

Passage of illegal timber intercepted

Passage of illegal timber intercepted BATAM, Riau Islands: Police officers have intercepted a tugboat and a ship carrying 94 containers of processed timber in Karimun Kecil waters, Karimun in the Riau Islands. The ships and crew were apprehended on Sunday for transporting timber without the proper documentation, said Riau Islands Police chief of detectives Adj. Sr. Comr. Wawan Irawan.

President teaches students in Magelang

President teaches students in Magelang SEMARANG: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono taught math to 1st year students of the Muhammadiyah junior high school in Blabak village during his visit to Magelang regency, Central Java, on Tuesday. In his 45-minute visit to the private school, he was accompanied by several ministers, Central Java governor Mardiyanto and Magelang regent Singgih Sanyoto.

12 soldiers in Papua die of AIDS, says military

12 soldiers in Papua die of AIDS, says military Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura Breaking a long-held tradition of secrecy, the Indonesian Military disclosed on Tuesday that 48 of its soldiers in Papua had contracted HIV/AIDS since 2000, with 12 of them having died so far.

ADVERTORIAL/Fujitsu -- Tuesday

ADVERTORIAL/Fujitsu -- Tuesday Fujitsu set to grab more from RI's US$1.9 billion IT market Fujitsu Indonesia expresses optimism to be able to grab a significant part of the US$1.9 billion Indonesian IT market in 2007 as the company relies on various world-class products, including PRIMEPOWER Unix/SPARC Server, PRIMEQUEST Mission- Critical Server, and PRIMERGY Inter-architecture Server.

Candidates ready for Papua election

Candidates ready for Papua election JAYAPURA, Papua: After a racial dispute delayed the process, the Papua General Election Commission (KPUD) officially named on Tuesday five candidates for Papua Governor. The five candidates are incumbent Jaap Salossa nominated by the Golkar Party, Constant Karma (current deputy governor), Lucas Enembe, Barnabas Suebu, as well as Dick Henk Wabiser. The last four candidates were nominated by coalitions of several political parties.

Cabinet shakeup may reunite rift-riddled PKB

Cabinet shakeup may reunite rift-riddled PKB The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The limited Cabinet shakeup announced by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday night appears to be a blessing in disguise for the fractured National Awakening Party (PKB). The reshuffle, which included two PKB figures from the two rival factions, is expected to help end the bitter conflict within the party founded by former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid.

TV Today: Friday, December 9, 2005

TV Today: Friday, December 9, 2005 .TB.30" .90" TVRI .tb .30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Koran Recital 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon 7:30 Talk Show: Kiat Sehat 8:30 Music 9:30 Psychology 10:30 Religious Teachings 11:00 News: Berita Nusantara 1:00 p.m.

ExxonMobil commits to Cepu MOU

ExxonMobil commits to Cepu MOU U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil Corp. has renewed its commitment to comply with its memorandum of understanding (MOU) and production sharing contract (PSC) with the Indonesian government before deciding to exploit the untapped oil-rich Cepu block. Joint operators should comply with the deals that depict a clear revenue-sharing scheme and mechanism, said new Exxonmobil Indonesia president Peter J. Coleman during a visit to Bojonegoro on Tuesday.

Bank Indonesia again hikes key rate, this time by 50 bps

Bank Indonesia again hikes key rate, this time by 50 bps Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The central bank raised on Tuesday its key interest rate by another 50 basis points (bps) to 12.75 percent in an attempt to strike a balance between containing inflation and maintaining economic growth.

Tackling polio in Sukabumi a long, slow journey

Tackling polio in Sukabumi a long, slow journey Last month, under-fives in the country were immunized against polio for the third time in four months. The outbreak started in Sukabumi, West Java, and has spread across 10 provinces. It has crippled 295 children. There is no cure. While the virus continues to circulate, the only way to protect children is to keep vaccinating. There are plans for a further national immunization round early next year.

The Boediono factor

The Boediono factor Boediono's appointment as coordinating minister for the economy is surely the main point of interest in the Cabinet shuffle announced by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday night. The Wharton-trained economist, who was finance minister during Megawati Soekarnoputri's administration from 2001 to 2004, more than any other person was responsible for Indonesia's return to macroenomic stability following the 1997 financial crisis.

City police appeal for public help

City police appeal for public help Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With only around 24,000 personnel, Jakarta Police acknowledged during their 56th anniversary on Tuesday that they could not maintain security in the capital alone, and appealed to the public to work hand-in-hand with police in the effort. Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen.

Give one thumb up for Cabinet mini-reshuffle

Give one thumb up for Cabinet mini-reshuffle Endy M. Bayuni, Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono earns one thumbs up for reshuffling his Cabinet. Albeit limited, the President revamped his economics team, considered one of the weakest links in his administration this past year.

Nias begs for more

Nias begs for more world attention Page 4 Police seek public help in maintaining security Page 8 U.S. may make 'mistakes' in war on terror: Rice Page 11

Teacher bill passed, problems remain

Teacher bill passed, problems remain The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With little fanfare, the House of Representatives unanimously agreed on Tuesday to pass the bill on teachers and lecturers, which aims to improve the educators' welfare. Reception of the endorsement was generally subdued across the country, in spite of the fact that the bill requires the government to remunerate teachers and lecturers at state schools and universities at a level that is above the minimum cost of living.

'Allocate jobs to disabled people'

'Allocate jobs to disabled people' Every year countries around the world, including Indonesia, mark Dec. 3 as International Day of Disabled Persons. But, how much attention do we give to disabled people? The Jakarta Post interviewed some city residents. Annisa, 22, is a student of a private university in Jakarta. She lives in a rented room in Senen, Central Jakarta.

Jones back in town and back at work

Jones back in town and back at work Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta American terrorism expert Sidney Jones has resumed her work in Indonesia after her entry ban was lifted by the government last week. Marking her first public appearance after the lifting of the ban, she addressed a two-day international conference on security challenges in the Asia-Pacific region in Jakarta, which began on Tuesday.

Government aims to lower birth rate

Government aims to lower birth rate MEDAN, North Sumatra: The government aims to lower the birth rate from 2.6 children per fertile woman to 2.1 in 2015 by introducing a new birth control program, an official said here on Tuesday. Head of the National Family Planning Coordination Board (BKKBN) Sumarjati Aroso said her institution plans to increase its performance by giving better access to birth control services.

Cabinet reshuffle keeps Golkar firmly on board

Cabinet reshuffle keeps Golkar firmly on board Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Vice President Jusuf Kalla was not feeling well, according to his aides, but his face was wreathed in smiles as he boarded the Fokker F-28 presidential plane that would take him back to Jakarta on Monday night.

Lippo Karawaci named Indonesia best developer

Lippo Karawaci named Indonesia best developer Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Real estate developer PT Lippo Karawaci was voted best developer in Indonesia and ranked ninth in Asia Pacific according to London-based financial magazine Euromoney's 2005 Real Estate Awards.

Nias begs for more world attention

Nias begs for more world attention Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Almost a year after two devastating natural disasters struck Nias Island in North Sumatra, some 4,000 families are still living in makeshift shelters and thousands of students are studying under tents, desperately waiting for aid from donor countries.

Why people commit corruption

Why people commit corruption From Kompas It makes us wonder why some people with established status, sufficient wealth and savings as well as a luxury living standard have become perpetrators of corruption syndicates. What surprises us even more is the fact that those involved in embezzlement are mostly in their advanced age, with a lot of grandchildren. This reflects how greedy they are, while they should show repentance and get closer to God for a peaceful life.

Where to go in Jakarta: Wednesday, December 7, 2005

Where to go in Jakarta: Wednesday, December 7, 2005 Exhibitions * 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. 31 * Documentation Saint-John Perse at CCF - French Cultural Center, Jl. Salemba Raya 25, Central Jakarta (Tel. 3907716), until Dec. 10 * Documentation Paul Claudel at CCF - French Cultural Center, Jl. Wijaya I/48 South Jakarta (Tel.

AirAsia Seeks to Fly Bulk of Malaysian Air's Domestic Routes

AirAsia Seeks to Fly Bulk of Malaysian Air's Domestic Routes Kyunghee Park Bloomberg/Singapore AirAsia Bhd., Southeast Asia's biggest discount carrier, said it has proposed to operate all but three of Malaysian Airline System Bhd.'s domestic routes as part of the government's reorganization of the network. The review of the domestic routes is part of the government's plan to help Malaysian Airline recover from losses of 367.7 million ringgit (US$97.3 million) in the second quarter ended Sept.

KPK, prosecutors agree to join forces

KPK, prosecutors agree to join forces Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Renewing their commitment to the fight against corruption, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) signed on Tuesday an agreement that enables them to fully cooperate in addressing one of the country's most chronic problems.

The Cabinet reshuffle: Never too late to learn!

The Cabinet reshuffle: Never too late to learn! J. Soedjati Djiwandono, Jakarta During the more than three-decade long New Order regime of president Soeharto, many people described the leadership style of Soeharto using a rhythmic Javanese saying that meant "slow but sure". In contrast, one could aptly describe the leadership style of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) in the first year of his presidency as "slow and never sure".

15 clubs set for Livoli event

15 clubs set for Livoli event JAKARTA: Fifteen first division clubs will compete in the Rp 100 million 2005 Livoli Sampoerna Hijau volleyball competition when it makes a long-awaited stop in the capital beginning on Thursday.

Fujitsu set to grab more from RI's $1.9b IT market

Fujitsu set to grab more from RI's $1.9b IT market Rudijanto, Contributor, Jakarta Fujitsu Indonesia has expressed optimism it will be able to grab a significant part of the US$1.9 billion Indonesian IT market in 2007 as the company relies on various world-class products, including PRIMEPOWER Unix/SPARC Server, PRIMEQUEST Mission-Critical Server, and PRIMERGY Inter-architecture Server.

1. 5HPH (2x18)

1. 5HPH (2x18) Walhi opposes forest concessions in Aceh 2. 5XANANA (2x21) Xanana to celebrate Christmas in Kupang 3. 5BATAM (1x30) Expats want to relax for holidays 4. 5TOLL (2x24) Cipularang turnpike prone to accidents and landslides

Alexander Downer to visit Indonesia

Alexander Downer to visit Indonesia AUSTRALIA: Australia's foreign minister said he would visit Indonesia on Wednesday to discuss counterterrorism and fighting the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

pake logo JiFFest!!

pake logo JiFFest!! Indonesian punks star in Canadian documentary M. Taufiqurrahman The Jakarta Post/Jakarta If local bands or performers have found it hard to make it big beyond the country's music scene, Balinese punk band Superman Is Dead (SID) have made their international debut in a rather simple, yet unusual way: being featured in a documentary film.

Honda looks at hybrid car plant in Thailand

Honda looks at hybrid car plant in Thailand Japan's Honda Motor is mulling a plan to build its hybrid car in Thailand, its first outside Japan, if the government provides tax incentives, the automakers's regional office said on Tuesday. Asian Honda, the carmaker's Bangkok-based Asia-Pacific headquarters, said increasing demand for hybrid cars driven by surging global oil prices has prompted Honda to look for more production plants outside Japan.

KPK urges tax officials be subject to criminal law

KPK urges tax officials be subject to criminal law Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has suggested that the tax law amendments currently being drafted stipulate that wrongdoings by tax officials be considered criminal acts of corruption that should be open to legal prosecution, in order to provide a sense of equality in the tax system.

PKS clarifies

PKS clarifies We would like to comment on the article by Sadanand Dhume that appeared in The Jakarta Post on Dec. 5, PKS and the future of RI's democracy, which was reprinted from an article that previously appeared in a magazine. * First, we thank the chief editor of the Post for agreeing to speak with us, to provide his views and to hear our views on this article.

Walhi opposes forest concession in Aceh

Walhi opposes forest concession in Aceh Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh A leading non-governmental organization (NGO) has opposed a plan by the government to grant forest concessions to 11 businessmen intended to secure a supply of timber for reconstruction work in Aceh. If the plan materializes, the 11 businessmen will be permitted to cut some 500,000 cubic meters next year in designated forest areas. The forested area in Aceh currently covers 3.265 million hectares.

U.S. closes Manila embassy after threat

U.S. closes Manila embassy after threat PHILIPPINES: The U.S. Embassy in Manila temporarily shut its doors on Tuesday after a security threat, with Philippine police warning of potential suicide bombings by Jamaah Islamiyah, a regional network of militants linked to al-Qaeda. The embassy did not specify the "plausible threat information" in a statement on its Website -- http://manila.usembassy.gov.

Conveniently located at the heart of Singapore, Swissttel The

Conveniently located at the heart of Singapore, Swissttel The Stamford, Singapore, is a deluxe hotel that boasts of a prime location amid the diversions of the Raffles City Shopping Complex. Southeast Asia's tallest hotel, it offers panoramic views of Singapore, Indonesia and parts of Malaysia. Moreover, the hotel is just 20 minutes away from the Changi International Airport and Singapore Expo.

Sutiyoso gets statue as gift

Sutiyoso gets statue as gift JAKARTA: As a gift to Governor Sutiyoso, who celebrates his 61st birthday on Tuesday, property tycoon Ciputra handed over a statue of national hero Prince Diponegoro to the Jakarta administration. The new statue, which is at the end of Jl. Pangeran Diponegoro, replaces the statue of national heroine Raden Ajeng Kartini. The statue of Kartini was a gift from the Japanese government on April 21, 1962.

The Indonesian economy: Lessons from the past

The Indonesian economy: Lessons from the past Boediono Jakarta 2. RIA -- Russia-ASEAN: From strangers to close partners 1 X 30 Russia, ASEAN becoming close partners Dmitry Kosyrev RIA Novosti Moscow 3. Guard -- Where the rich hide their cash 2 x 21 Where the rich hide their cash to evade taxes Duncan Campbell Guardian News Service London

1. COMMENTARY: 1 X 42

1. COMMENTARY: 1 X 42 Give one thumb up for Cabinet mini-reshuffle 2. MAID: 1 X 32 Singapore must halt maid abuse: HRW 3. RATE: 3 X 18 Bank Indonesia again hikes key rate, this time by 50 bps

Singapore must halt maid abuse: HRW

Singapore must halt maid abuse: HRW Reuters, Singapore A human rights group urged Singapore on Tuesday to provide better legal protection for foreign maids, many of whom face "abysmally" long hours, "pitiful" wages and conditions amounting to "forced labor". The 128-page report by New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) is based on 90 interviews and case studies and describes numerous instances of cruelty and abuse. It included comments based on interviews with Singapore government officials.

Fresh hope for economy with new man at helm

Fresh hope for economy with new man at helm Bhimanto Suwastoyo, Agence France-Presse/Jakarta The appointment of a well-regarded technocrat to Indonesia's embattled economic team promises greater unity of purpose and policy, giving fresh hope for Southeast Asia's largest economy, analysts say.

Vietnam lays out ambitious plans as donors call for more reform

Vietnam lays out ambitious plans as donors call for more reform Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Hanoi Vietnam plans to nearly double its GDP to US$1,000 per capita by 2010 with the help of some $11 billion in foreign aid, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan told international donors on Tuesday Vietnam's communist government laid out its ambitious new five-year plan to international donors who are expected to pledge a record amount of foreign aid at the annual Consultative Group (CG) meeting this week.

Snatcher in the train

Snatcher in the train From Republika On Nov. 25, I took the electric train at Bojonggede station at about 11:30 a.m. The carriage I was in was not too crowded and all the passengers were seated. When the train arrived at Depok station, a group of children aged between eight and ten years old, wearing monkey masks, got into the train, and began entertaining the passengers with songs and dances. Their show attracted more passengers, while new passengers got onto the train.

KL approves nine bio-diesel projects

KL approves nine bio-diesel projects KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government said on Tuesday it has approved nine license applications for bio-diesel manufacturing projects, mostly from foreign investors keen on tapping the potential of alternative fuel. "These are all investment proposals that have been approved," Plantations, Industries and Commodities Minister Peter Chin told reporters.

Ministers discuss crisis facing Muslims ahead of OIC summit

Ministers discuss crisis facing Muslims ahead of OIC summit Salah Nasrawi, Associated Press/Jiddah, Saudi Arabia Representatives of more than 50 Islamic countries met on Tuesday ahead of a two-day summit, with delegates saying the world's largest Islamic organization must reform if it is to deal with the "great challenges and dangers" it faces.

HIV/AIDS the `reality', `the spread', `tomorrow'

HIV/AIDS the `reality', `the spread', `tomorrow' David and Joyce Jaelani Gordon, Contributors, Bogor, West Java Greater Jakarta, Bali, Maluku, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Malang, Manado, Makassar, Papua, Medan -- all are areas where new cases of HIV and AIDS are increasing. Many of us who are closely involved with the pandemic expect an increase of approximately 35,000 new cases of HIV in 2006 in Indonesia.

Cipularang turnpike prone to accidents and landslides

Cipularang turnpike prone to accidents and landslides Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung The old saying about shortcuts only leading to disaster rings true in the case of the Cipularang (Cikampek-Purwakarta- Padalarang) turnpike, which was rushed to completion only to suffer two major problems last week. First, a section of the road subsided, creating a massive sinkhole. Then a couple of days later a huge chunk of the embankment fell away.

Part 2 of 2: The Indonesian economy: Lessons from the past

Part 2 of 2: The Indonesian economy: Lessons from the past Boediono, Jakarta The third lesson is that there is a vital need for a coherent and credible strategy. Another lesson we can learn from New Order economic management is the coherence of its strategy. The core of its macroeconomic and development policies basically derived from mainstream economics, with some Indonesian emphases added, especially to the development policies.

Kupang the dirtiest city

Kupang the dirtiest city When they hand out the 2005 Adipura environmental awards, Kupang should be named the dirtiest city in Indonesia (The Jakarta Post, Dec. 1). I trust the selection panel will assess all aspects of a city's environment, including noise, use of green zones, the state of the infrastructure, public sanitation facilities, traffic conditions, etc.

Rupiah Rates Dec.6

Rupiah Rates Dec.6 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,851.71 7,095.98 7,642.66 7,561.85 Brunei dollar 1 6,205.85 5,609.28 5,971.56 5,908.82 Canadian dollar 1 9,040.99 8,171.29 8,534.42 8,446.17 Swiss franc 1 7,996.18 7,230.25 7,857.81 7,778.04 Danish krone 1 1,653.83 1,495.17 1,628.54 1,611.39 Euro 1 12,323.31 11,140.83 12,150.43 12,025.90 Poundsterling 1 18,210.52 16,463.99 17,870.83 17,688.55 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,348.55 1,219.09 1,299.91 1,286.51...

U.S. tanks to help secure Malacca Strait

U.S. tanks to help secure Malacca Strait JAKARTA: The U.S. navy has promised to give several of its 40- year-old landing ship tanks (LST) to Indonesia to support the routine patrols in the Strait of Malacca. Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono said here Tuesday the U.S. government made the offer as it was renewing its military equipment, especially that owned by its Navy.

Open societies make good Muslims

Open societies make good Muslims Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta To be a good Muslim, it is far more virtuous and valuable to be in an open society, instead of living in a closed society where people are forced to follow the dictates of the religion, a prominent Thai Muslim scholar says. Surin Pitsuwan, a former Thai foreign minister, said here on Tuesday that every human being must be responsible for their own conduct and exercise free will.

Russia, ASEAN becoming close partners

Russia, ASEAN becoming close partners Dmitry Kosyrev, RIA Novosti, Moscow An unusual diplomatic situation is unfolding around the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Kuala Lumpur for the first ever Russia-ASEAN summit on Dec. 13. Every year one of the 10 ASEAN capitals hosts an annual summit of heads of ASEAN member countries followed by their meetings with leaders of the dialog partners, whose foreign ministers take part in annual summer sessions.

Why is Indonesia unable to cope with global market challenges?

Why is Indonesia unable to cope with global market challenges? Makmur Keliat, Jakarta The Indonesian government has relied on three popular arguments to convince the people that the increases in the fuel prices were the right decision. First, the price of fuel, domestically, was far below the price of the international market.

TV Program: Thursday, December 8, 2005

TV Program: Thursday, December 8, 2005 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 TV Drama 8:30 Music 10:00 Talk Show: Wirausaha 11:00 News: Berita Nusantara 12:00 Talk Show: Gado-gado Plus 1:00 p.m.

PetroChina, Medco start production

PetroChina, Medco start production JAKARTA: Indonesia raised its oil production 0.8 percent in November as PetroChina Corp. and PT Medco Energi Internasional started pumping from new fields. Output rose to 946,431 barrels per day (bpd) from 939,200 bpd in October, Trijana Kartoatmodjo, deputy of operations at Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Body (BP Migas) said on Tuesday.

Fire razes 55 homes in Kemayoran

Fire razes 55 homes in Kemayoran JAKARTA: At least 256 residents of Kemayoran in Central Jakarta lost their homes after a massive fire engulfed 55 plywood and brick houses on Jl. Kemayoran Barat I and Kemayoran Utara on Sunday. An eyewitness, Sopiah, 56, said that the fire started at 11:30 a.m. on the second floor of a house belong to one Muslimin. The fire spread rapidly to other semipermanent homes in the area owing to the strong wind, she said.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec.6, 2006

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Dec.6, 2006 ____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading volume _____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Waters 1,750 -10 8,500 Adhi Karya 630 -20 18,394,000 Adira Dinamika 1,690 40 28,000 AGIS Tbk 90 -5 165,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 200 0 0 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,590 -10 922,500 Alakasa Industrindo 220 0 0 Alfa...

Snatcher in the train

Snatcher in the train From Republika On Nov. 25, I took the electric train at Bojonggede station at about 11:30 a.m. The carriage I was in was not too crowded and all the passengers were seated. When the train arrived at Depok station, a group of children aged between eight and ten years old, wearing monkey masks, got into the train, and began entertaining the passengers with songs and dances. Their show attracted more passengers, while new passengers got onto the train.

Stock index rises to 16-Week high on Cabinet shuffle

Stock index rises to 16-Week high on Cabinet shuffle Naila Firdausi, Bloomberg/Jakarta Indonesia's key stock index climbed to a 16-week high as investors bet Boediono, who was named chief economics minister in a cabinet shuffle on Monday night, will control inflation and attract investment. PT Astra International and PT Gudang Garam led the gains.

Public, private places required to install CCTV

Public, private places required to install CCTV Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As part of an effort to improve security in the capital, Jakarta Police revealed on Tuesday that all hotels, malls, apartment complexes and office buildings are now required to install closed circuit television (CCTV) systems, whose recordings can be used by the police in their investigations. City police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani said the directive has been circulated on Nov. 30.