Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 16 February 2005

79 articles found

TV Program: Wednesday, February 16, 2005

TV Program: Wednesday, February 16, 2005TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 Cartoon: Maya the Bee8:30 Music: Asik-asik10:00 Talk Show: Showbiz11:00 Cultural Program: Nusa Budaya12:00 p.m.

City wants to reprimand embassies

City wants to reprimand embassiesDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Jakarta administration asked the central government on Tuesday to urge embassies in the capital to cooperate in efforts to curb a dengue fever outbreak.

* New chiefs of staff 'can be promoted to top TNI post' Page 2

* New chiefs of staff 'can be promoted to top TNI post' Page 2 * Major changes in draft of defense, security law Page 4 * Media bias feared in local election Page 5 * Witnessing the violent face of Indonesia Page 7 * Four named suspects in Barkah's murder Page 8 * Stoudemire leads Suns to victory...

Realism, idealism in diplomacy with Malaysia, S'pore

Realism, idealism in diplomacy with Malaysia, S'poreMeidyatama Suryodiningrat, JakartaLike any good neighbor, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited Indonesia's closest neighbors, Malaysia and Singapore.

Aid fund control crucial

Aid fund control crucialFrom Koran TempoThe distrust in some circles over the utilization of aid funds for the reconstruction of post-tsunami Aceh and North Sumatra is inseparable from the short-term orientation of most Indonesian officials and the lack of supervision.

JP/ /

JP/ /'Kopi luwak', the world's most expensive coffeeElvera N. Makki Contributor/Houston, Texas Are you a coffee aficionado? If your answer is yes, then you must try kopi luwak. It's the most expensive coffee you can buy here.Another thing is, it is also the rarest coffee ever.

'Dengue campaign only lip service'

'Dengue campaign only lip service'Although the current number of casualties of dengue hemorrhagic fever is lower than last year's, the government has announced an extraordinary occurrence of dengue fever in 12 provinces affected by the dengue outbreak, including Jakarta.

Unidentified gunman kills two in Ambon

Unidentified gunman kills two in AmbonOctavianus Pinontoan and M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post/AmbonTwo people were killed and two others injured after an unidentified assailant sprayed bullets from a speedboat at a karaoke club in Hative Besar subdistrict, Ambon city, at dawn on Tuesday.

Witnessing the violent face of Indonesia

Witnessing the violent face of IndonesiaThang D. Nguyen, Jakarta As 2004 came to an end, Western intelligence forces issued a warning of a potential terrorist attack at a Hilton hotel in Indonesia during the Christmas and New Year's holidays.Fortunately, no terrorist attacks happened.

JP/ /

JP/ /Susilo's 100 Days and the tsunamiThe first hundred days of President Susilo Bambang Yudhyono's mandate have passed and the pundits, predictably, are pontificating.How does one assess the President's success or failure to achieve the expected results? The situation in Indonesia today precludes...

JP/18/JAPAN

JP/18/JAPANTourist industry urged work hard to win back Japanese market Wahyoe Boediwardhana The Jakarta Post/DenpasarThe Dec. 26 tsunami that struck Aceh and North Sumatra in Indonesia and other countries in Asia and Africa, including Thailand, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, has had a dramatic impact on...

New chiefs can be promoted to top TNI post: Spokesman

New chiefs can be promoted to top TNI post: SpokesmanTiarma Siboro, Then Jakarta Post, JakartaNewly appointed military chiefs of staff have a chance to be quickly promoted as commander of the Indonesian Military (TNI), replacing Gen.

Four named suspects in BIN murders

Four named suspects in BIN murdersAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaFour people, including a woman, have been declared suspects in the murder of Barkah Hanim, the wife of a National Intelligence Agency (BNI) director, and driver Rachmat bin Rohat on Sunday.

LGEIN to provide handsets for users of Mobile-8

LGEIN to provide handsets for users of Mobile-8Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, JakartaSouth Korean giant LG Electronics Inc. expects to double its sales of fixed-wireless handsets in Indonesia to 400,000 units this year via a partnership with local service operator Mobile-8 Telecom, an executive...

NGOs demand speedy probe

NGOs demand speedy probeSEMARANG: The central government should expedite a probe into an alleged corruption case involving Temanggung Regent Totok Ary Prabowo, representatives of 35 Non-Governmental Organizations said on Tuesday.

Rupiah Rates Feb.15

Rupiah Rates Feb.15 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 1,250.06 1,121.81 7,303.87 7,226.98 Brunei dollar 1 7,660.58 6,870.50 5,659.32 5,599.90 Canadian dollar 1 5,935.71 5,323.68 7,527.74 7,448.41 Swiss franc 1 7,895.38 7,081.01 7,758.30 7,677.

M'sia asked not to deport migrants

M'sia asked not to deport migrantsThe Jakarta Post, Kuala Lumpur, JakartaRights group Amnesty International urged Malaysia on Tuesday not to deport migrants caught in a crackdown set to begin March 1, warning that some refugees and asylum-seekers among the migrants faced torture or detention at...

RI, Singapore agree to speed up talks on extradition treaty

RI, Singapore agree to speed up talks on extradition treatyAgencies, SingaporePresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong agreed on Tuesday to speed up talks on an extradition treaty which Jakarta considers crucial in its fight against corruption.

Susilo tempts neighbors with five oil and gas projects

Susilo tempts neighbors with five oil and gas projectsFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has put five oil and gas projects on offer during his three-day visit to neighboring countries Malaysia and Singapore."These five projects are our main priorities.

Indramayu short of school funds

Indramayu short of school fundsINDRAMAYU, West Java: Indramayu Regency is short of funds to finance the renovation of 276 damaged elementary school buildings in the area, an official says.The renovations will cost the regental government Rp 30 billion (US$3.

Players vying for SEA Games chess slots

Players vying for SEA Games chess slotsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Ninety-five men and 32 women from 27 provinces are competing in the chess competition here in hopes of securing a berth on the national chess team for the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

1. CommentARY -- 1x42

1. CommentARY -- 1x42 Realism, idealism in diplomacy with Malaysia, S'pore 2. Gas --------- 3x16 Susilo tempts neighbors with five oil and gas projects 3. Emisi ------- 2x25 Carbon emissions trading new weapon to battle global warming 4. Beirut ------ 1x25 Hariri murder may cause new crisis 5.

Air accident findings no good in court: Board

Air accident findings no good in court: BoardThe Jakarta Post, JakartaFollowing last week's publication of the findings of the investigation into an accident involving a Lion Air plane in Surakarta, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on Tuesday that the findings of its...

RI eyes benefit from Kyoto Protocol

RI eyes benefit from Kyoto ProtocolTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIndonesia is in talks with a number of industrialized countries regarding environmentally friendly projects that take advantage of opportunities in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), a ramification of the 1997 Kyoto...

Jaguar to open new shop in Jakarta

Jaguar to open new shop in Jakarta JAKARTA: Due to its growing customer base, Jaguar's local distributor PT Grandauto Dinamika is set to build a full-fledged showroom and workshop in the capital.Grandauto's chief of operations Darwin Maspolin said on Tuesday that his company would invest up to Rp...

Govt agency seeks strict land use law

Govt agency seeks strict land use lawThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Land Agency (BPN) is drafting a bill that will regulate the purposes for which land may be used.BPN chairman Lutfi Nasoetion said that the planned bill was part of a revision of Law No.

Realism and idealism in diplomacy with Malaysia, S'pore

Realism and idealism in diplomacy with Malaysia, S'pore Meidyatama Suryodiningrat JakartaLike any good neighbor, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited Indonesia's closest neighbors, Malaysia and Singapore.

Local against Cangkir tourism

Local against Cangkir tourismMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, TangerangResidents of coastal villages in Kronjo district, Tangerang regency, have joined the chorus urging the administration to cancel management by state-run forestry company PT Perhutani of the sacred Cangkir islet.

RI consortium buys Henry Walker assets

RI consortium buys Henry Walker assetsFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAn Indonesian consortium led by PT Bumi Resources has agreed to buy coal producer PT Darma Henwa, local affiliate of Australian Henry Walker Eltin (HWE) group, which operates Bengalone coal mine in East Kalimantan.

Major changes in draft of defense, security law

Major changes in draft of defense, security lawTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Ministry of Defense is drafting a new law to replace the existing defense law aimed at upgrading coordination between the defense and security functions of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National...

Acehnese relocated to semi-permanent shelters

Acehnese relocated to semi-permanent sheltersRidwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Banda AcehAbdul Djalil expressed relief after the government moved him and his family from a tent into a temporary shelter in Banda Aceh on Tuesday.

Climbers should avoid Mount Egon

Climbers should avoid Mount EgonKUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara, People should not attempt to climb Mount Egon because they could be at risk from increased activity in the volcano's crater, the East Nusa Tenggara provincial government says.

Economy grows faster than expected in 2004

Economy grows faster than expected in 2004Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIndonesia's economy grew faster than projected last year, thanks to continued robust spending and signs of investment revival, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie said on Tuesday.

Malaysia targets Indonesian health tourism market

Malaysia targets Indonesian health tourism marketA. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Melaka, Malaysia"Is it ethical to profit from sick men and women?" a friend of mine asked during a recent trip to several cities in Malaysia."I don't know. But many of them are healthy.

Democracy first, but where is prosperity?

Democracy first, but where is prosperity?Mohammad Noviz Zakhrisyah, Surabaya "I do not care", responded President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to public criticism of his first 100 days in office. Susilo knows the rules of the game.

Thieves break into British citizen's home

Thieves break into British citizen's homeAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaFour burglars broke into the house of a British citizen in South Jakarta early on Sunday morning, taking away cash, a Rolex watch and electronic goods.

Court rejects plea by graft suspect to annul KPK law

Court rejects plea by graft suspect to annul KPK lawMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Constitutional Court rejected on Thursday the argument of a graft suspect that the authority given to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to investigate and prosecute corruption cases...

Food-KopiLuwak-sidebar

Food-KopiLuwak-sidebarJP/ /Don't worry, it's safe to drink kopi luwakElvera N. Makki Contributor/Houston, Texas Have you ever plucked up the courage to drink kopi luwak, a coffee made from luwak (civet) feces? Is it safe?"Yes, it is" said Adjunct Professor Massimo Marcone, a food scientist from the...

Investors sought for waste plant projects

Investors sought for waste plant projectsBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe city administration is inviting private companies to build waste treatment plants here in order to settle waste disposal problem once and for all.

Flooding is a commonplace problem for the people of Jakarta

Flooding is a commonplace problem for the people of Jakarta and other flood-prone areas across the country, such as Lampung, South Sumatra and Kalimantan. Almost every year, Jakarta and these areas are inundated during the wet season.

Mohammad Noviz Zakhrisyah

Mohammad Noviz Zakhrisyah Surabaya 2. Pakpa -- Investing in farmers institution: Helping farmers to evolve 1 x 30 Investing in farmers' welfare Agus Pakpahan Jakarta

NGO demands probe on KPU graft case

NGO demands probe on KPU graft case JAKARTA: The Coalition for Clean and Proper Elections (Koalisi LSM) demanded National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar on Tuesday suspend a probe into them and instead go ahead investigating a Rp 301 billion (US$33 million) graft case allegedly involving the...

Thousand Islands to get police post

Thousand Islands to get police post JAKARTA: The Kepulauan Seribu or Thousand Islands regency will soon have a police precinct, with construction of the building beginning on Tuesday.Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen.

Psychics give up the ghost as hope fades for Aceh's tsunami missing

Psychics give up the ghost as hope fades for Aceh's tsunami missingBarry Neild, Agence France Presse/Banda AcehAs tattered posters asking for news of missing relatives begin to fade in Indonesia's Aceh, people are turning to desperate means to find tsunami survivors but with even psychics drawing a...

Mandiri asked to put money into ailing firm

Mandiri asked to put money into ailing firmRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Office of the State Minister of State Enterprises has requested Bank Mandiri, the nation's largest bank by assets, to explore the possibility of injecting fresh capital into the ailing state-owned paper firm...

150 paintings to go under the gavel

150 paintings to go under the gavel JAKARTA: Art collectors will auction off some of 150 paintings at the National Museum, Central Jakarta, in a bid to collect money to support rehabilitation programs in tsunami-hit Aceh.

Smoking and pollution

Smoking and pollutionFrom Koran Tempo I would like to respond to a news story published on Feb. 1, on page B5 of this newspaper (Koran Tempo) under the title of "Rp 50 million fine for smoking in public places.

Why the parking fee hike?

Why the parking fee hike?From Media Indonesia The media has recently carried reports that the Jakarta city administration is planning to raise parking fees. Many arguments have been put forward to support this plan and the most outstanding is the one suggested by the city's parking management...

Acehnese involvement vital

Acehnese involvement vitalMEDAN, North Sumatra: The state government must do something to involve the Acehnese in its rebuilding and reconstruction programs, a group of activists said on Tuesday.Speaking after a meeting in Medan, Naimah Hasan, the spokeswoman of the 12-group NGO coalition, said...

BPC offers card processing solution to prevent fraud

BPC offers card processing solution to prevent fraudThe Jakarta Post, JakartaBanking Production Center (BPC), a Moscow-based private firm providing electronic payments and e-business solutions, is now in Indonesia to offer its integrated card processing solutions that can help in reducing credit...

Up to 10,000 Aceh children seek parents

Up to 10,000 Aceh children seek parentsKarima Anjani and Dan Eaton, Reuters/Banda Aceh As many as 10,000 children in Indonesia's tsunami-devastated Aceh province may be seeking lost parents, the United Nations and other agencies said on Tuesday.That figure represents about 2.

1. 5MEDIA (1x30)

1. 5MEDIA (1x30) Media bias feared in local election

The Violent Face of Indonesia

The Violent Face of Indonesia Thang D. Nguyen Jakarta As 2004 came to an end, Western intelligence forces issued a warning of a potential terrorist attack in a Hilton hotel in Indonesia during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Fortunately, no terrorist attacks happened.

Trade agreements with Japan

Trade agreements with Japan The article Thai-Japanese FTA threatens RI exports (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 11) gives the impression that I am advocating bilateral free trade agreements and goes so far as to quote me saying the government "should" negotiate a trade agreement with Japan.

Energy-saving light market to grow 16%

Energy-saving light market to grow 16%The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe domestic market for energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights lamps is likely to expand by 16 percent this year, an industry executive says.

Newmont wants travel ban lifted

Newmont wants travel ban lifted JAKARTA: Six executives of gold mining company PT Newmont Minahasa Raya, who were allegedly responsible for polluting Buyat Bay in North Sulawesi, on Tuesday demanded that the State Administrative Court (PTUN) order the Indonesian Immigration Office to lift travel...

Investing in farmers' welfare

Investing in farmers' welfareAgus Pakpahan, Jakarta It was C. Geertz who in 1970 used the term involution to describe Indonesia's agricultural industry. One of the meanings of involution in Webster's' New Collegiate Dictionary is "a shrinking or a return to a former size".

Davos organizers should consider moving venue to Asia

Davos organizers should consider moving venue to AsiaHarry Bhaskara The Jakarta Post/DavosIf you are fond of playing hide-and-seek, you will have a good time at the annual Davos gathering. Discussion rooms in the Congress Center can be a nightmare to locate.

1. Refugees (40) - 60 pts 4 cols 2lines (2x20)

1. Refugees (40) - 60 pts 4 cols 2lines (2x20) Acehnese relocated to semi-permanent shelters 2. Susilo (40) - 36 pts 2 cols 2lines (2x14) RI, S'pore agree to speed up talks on extradition treaty 3. Protocol (40) - 28 pts 1 col 4lines (4x10) RI eyes benefit from Kyoto Protocol 4.

Squatters demand compensation

Squatters demand compensationThe Jakarta Post, JakartaSome 200 evicted squatters from Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta, staged a demonstration at the West Jakarta District Court on Tuesday to demand more compensation.Evicted on Oct.

23 officers promoted

23 officers promoted JAKARTA: Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto confirmed on Tuesday that 23 of his officers had received promotions, including chief of the Army Training School Lt. Gen. Cornel Simbolon and Vice Marshal Iman Wahyudi.

To divorce is costly

To divorce is costly From Media Indonesia A friend has told me that she has many troubles in her marriage and would like to get a divorce from her husband. However, she cannot afford to file her request at the South Jakarta religious court because she has to pay them Rp 700,000.

Media bias feared in local election

Media bias feared in local electionID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, SurabayaThe scene in the Jawa Pos newsroom on Monday evening was no different from most evenings. Dozens of journalists sat in front of computers typing out stories ahead of the deadline.

Ballast lamps market to expand by 16 percent

Ballast lamps market to expand by 16 percentThe Jakarta Post Jakarta The domestic market for energy-efficient ballast lamps is likely to expand by 16 percent this year, an industry executive says. "We expect sales for energy-saving ballast lamps in Indonesia to increase to 70 million units this...

City watchdog sees no reform on horizon

City watchdog sees no reform on horizonThe Jakarta Post, JakartaJakarta may still be dealing with its four main problems -- garbage, flooding, a poor health system and traffic jams -- for many years to come, due to a distinct lack of professionalism, a city watchdog announced on Tuesday after...

1. TNI: 2 X 24

1. TNI: 2 X 24 New chiefs can be promoted to top TNI post: Spokesman 2. TKI: 1 X 28 M'sia asked not to deport migrants 3. CHILD: 2 X 21 Up to 10,000 Aceh children seek parents 4. DENGUE: 1 X 32 City wants to reprimand embassies 5. BURGLAR: 1 X 36 Thieves break into British citizen's home

Govt court battle with Cemex looms

Govt court battle with Cemex loomsRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government has indicated it may continue its legal battle against Mexican cement giant Cemex SA at the international arbitration court, following a deadlock between both parties in the negotiation for an out-of-court...

35 foreigners on BIN's wanted list

35 foreigners on BIN's wanted listBITUNG, North Sulawesi: The State Intelligence Agency (BIN) has sent a list of 35 foreigners suspected of criminal and immigration offenses to the Bitung immigration office so that officials there can help trace them.

Shares end up at record high on earning hopes

Shares end up at record high on earning hopesDow Jones, JakartaIndonesian shares ended higher on Tuesday, with further gains in cigarette and telecommunication blue chips on hopes of robust 2004 earnings pushing the main index to a record closing high, dealers said.

Aceh's mentally ill suffer after being affected by tsunami

Aceh's mentally ill suffer after being affected by tsunamiDan Eaton, Reuters/Banda AcehFeared by their relatives and locked away for hours every day, life was never easy for patients at the only mental hospital in Indonesia's tsunami-devastated Aceh province.

JP/7/letter

JP/7/letterSmoking and pollution From Koran Tempo I would like to respond to a news story published on Feb. 1, on page B5 of this newspaper (Koran Tempo) under the title of "Rp 50 million fine for smoking in public places.

Accommodating

Accommodating thousands of children From Republika Following the report in The Jakarta Post on Jan. 3 that there is fear about the future of the child survivors of the tsunami disaster in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, the central executive board of Hidayatullah would like to state as follows: 1.

Police seek to probe regent

Police seek to probe regent JAKARTA: The National Police said on Tuesday they would seek permission from the President to question Central Java's Temanggung Regent Totok Ary Prabowo in a Rp 12.7 billion (US$1.4 million) corruption case.National Police chief of detectives Comr. Gen.

RP hunt bombers, questions rebel claim

RP hunt bombers, questions rebel claimManny Mogato, Reuters/ManilaPhilippine security forces hunted on Tuesday for the bombers behind blasts in Manila and two other cities that killed 11 people on Valentine's Day, while investigating a Moro rebel claim of responsibility.

3 x 19

3 x 19 Court rejects plea by graft suspect to annul KPK law JP/4/SHOOT2 x 19 Unidentified gunman kills two in Ambon JP/4/bill1 x 42 Major changes in draft of defense, security law JP/4/land2 x 20 Govt land agency seeks strict land use law

To divorce is costly

To divorce is costly From Media Indonesia A friend has told me that she has many troubles in her marriage and would like to get a divorce from her husband. However, she cannot afford to file her request at the South Jakarta religious court because she has to pay them Rp 700,000.

Rupiah Rates Feb.15

Rupiah Rates Feb.15 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,660.58 6,870.50 7,303.87 7,226.98 7,303.87 7,226.98 Brunei dollar 1 5,935.71 5,323.68 5,659.32 5,599.90 Canadian dollar 1 7,895.38 7,081.01 7,527.74 7,448.41 Swiss franc 1 8,137.21 7,298.36 7,758.

Danamon's loan expansion boost profits

Danamon's loan expansion boost profitsThe Jakarta Post, JakartaBank Danamon, the country's fifth largest lender, reported on Tuesday that it posted a 57 percent increase in net profit last year from the previous year, with loan expansion being one of its main contributors.Net profit stood at Rp 2.

Taufik loses cool with badminton bosses

Taufik loses cool with badminton bossesMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat is threatening to withdraw from the Indonesia team for the All England tournament next month in protest of the Indonesian Badminton Association's (PBSI) move to cut 50 percent of his...