Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 19 February 2005

109 articles found

'City should no a better job"

'City should no a better job" On average, 10 people with dengue fever are admitted to city- owned hospitals every day, bringing the total of dengue cases since the beginning of this year to nearly 2,000.

* RI, GAM ready to resume talks Page 2

* RI, GAM ready to resume talks Page 2 * ICW takes textbook allegation to KPK Page 4 * Parties told to consider power-sharing deals Page 5 * Teachers must have respect and adequate pay Page 7 * Investors ask city to finance monorail project Page 8 * Bill shows concern for athletes' welfare Page 10...

NISP's 2004 profit rises 63% on lending

NISP's 2004 profit rises 63% on lendingBloomberg, Jakarta PT Bank NISP, an Indonesian lender partly owned by Singapore's Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp., said net income in 2004 rose 63 percent as low interest rates and faster economic growth boosted demand for loans.Profit rose to Rp 288.

Alleged marijuana dealer nabbed

Alleged marijuana dealer nabbed JAKARTA: Fauzi Daud, 23, a resident of Langsa, Aceh province, was arrested late on Thursday for alleged possession of 3.2 kilograms of marijuana.Fauzi was riding on a public minivan that was stopped during a routine traffic check in Jl.

Da Vinci to launch exclusive apartments

Da Vinci to launch exclusive apartments JAKARTA: Singapore-based high-end furniture importer Da Vinci Group will launch its exclusive apartments in the distinct Da Vinci Tower located on Jl. Sudirman, Central Jakarta, on Feb. 22.

ASEAN-Australia-NZ trade talks to start Monday

ASEAN-Australia-NZ trade talks to start MondayDow Jones, Canberra Amid a welter of negotiations for free trade agreements in the region, Australia, New Zealand and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations begin their talks on Monday in Melbourne.

Yogya gets one-stop licensing office

Yogya gets one-stop licensing office YOGYAKARTA: In a bid to provide better services to the community, the Yogyakarta municipal government is planning to establish a one-stop licensing office, where people can obtain the licenses they need to run businesses or carry out other activities in the...

Lost sympathy for GAM

Lost sympathy for GAMFrom Kontan I was still a university student when the New Order regime collapsed. I was then "against" the government and believed that the uprisings in the regions, including the ongoing on in Aceh by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) reflected a rejection of the then government as...

Rosihan calls for 'chatty' journalism

Rosihan calls for 'chatty' journalism JAKARTA: Veteran journalist Rosihan Anwar has hailed a new trend in journalistic reporting, advising younger generation journalists to write more in a "chatty" style.

ICW takes textbook allegation to KPK

ICW takes textbook allegation to KPKThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) alleged on Friday that corrupt practices are taking place in the provision of textbooks by local officials, administrators and legislators in four regencies.

Weighing the urgency of constitutional amendments

Weighing the urgency of constitutional amendmentsMunafrizal Manan Jakarta The Regional Representatives Council (DPD) is eager to propose an amendment to Article 22D of the Constitution of 1945. Article 22D regulates the role of the DPD in law making.

Solutions for pollution

Solutions for pollution As one of the largest metropolitan cities in the world, Jakarta only needs to fix three major sources of pollution. First, emissions created largely by diesel engines (public buses, public minivans). Second, trash burning (remember we live in the city not in the village.

Education must be given top priority

Education must be given top priority President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) has started his administration with some good gestures, like combating graft, creating a conducive environment for investment and enhancing law enforcement.

Singapore vows to promote Bahasa to non-Malays

Singapore vows to promote Bahasa to non-MalaysAgencies, Singapore Singapore wants to promote the Indonesian and Malaysian languages in the predominantly ethnic Chinese city-state to strengthen ties with its Malay-Muslim neighbors, the country's education ministry said on Friday.

Sudan wants improved ties with Indonesia

Sudan wants improved ties with IndonesiaVeeramalla Anjaiah and Ivy Susanti, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Sudan, Africa's largest country in terms of area, wants to strengthen its relations in all aspects with Indonesia, which has world's largest population of Muslims, Sudan's National Assembly Speaker...

Aceh's radios back on air

Aceh's radios back on air JAKARTA: Five private radio stations in Aceh have resumed broadcasting after the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami that damaged most of their equipment."We've been back on air since Jan. 18.

City beefs up security fearing gang war

City beefs up security fearing gang warThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two days after the fatal shooting of a gang member by a public order officer, the city administration mobilized its full forces on Friday to anticipate a possible retaliatory attack.

Govt-Cemex agreement

Govt-Cemex agreement The article Govt's court battle with Cemex looms in The Jakarta Post on Feb. 16 prompted me to offer some comments. I have followed this story ever since the government considered an amicable out-of-court settlement.

1. Timber --- 4x12

1. Timber --- 4x12 Investigators tell how they uncovered timber smuggling or Investigators tell how they exposed timber smuggling operation 2. Bahasa --- 2x16 S'pore vows to promote Bahasa to non-Malays 3. Corrupt -- 2x25 Finance ministry signs MOU on corruption eradication 4.

While many people seem to believe that "Fuel subsidies are

While many people seem to believe that "Fuel subsidies are enjoyed by the rich", I think that these subsidies (for gasoline and diesel) are instead enjoyed by most poor Indonesians, directly or otherwise.If the government goes through with its plan to cut fuel subsidies, the poor will suffer.

Govt-Cemex agreement

Govt-Cemex agreement The article Govt's court battle with Cemex looms in The Jakarta Post on Feb. 16 prompted me to offer some comments. I have followed this story ever since the government considered an amicable out-of-court settlement.

Stronger RI-S'pore ties

Stronger RI-S'pore ties Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's realism is an essential part of the many qualities that he brings to his job. In a lecture during his visit to Singapore this week, he said that countries must adapt to a new, competitive world environment.

Ivana calls for fine tuning of talent scouting, coaching

Ivana calls for fine tuning of talent scouting, coaching Moch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Find them young.That is the message of former top badminton player Ivana Lie, who believes the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) needs to start scouring elementary school playgrounds for a...

'Student protesters have other motives'

'Student protesters have other motives' JAMBI: A lecturer said here on Friday that some student groups have hidden agendas for staging protests in the province ahead of the direct elections of regional administrations.

Indonesia's rights image improves

Indonesia's rights image improvesFrom Koran Tempo Despite the negative domestic evaluation of Indonesia's upholding of human rights, the image in the international community is positive. Indonesia is seen as actively promoting rights.

President plans more overseas trips

President plans more overseas tripsMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is planning to visit a number of countries including Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., and several other Asian and European nations, according to an official.

ILO helps tsunami victims find jobs

ILO helps tsunami victims find jobsAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh, NAD In the space of two weeks over 3,000 job seekers in Banda Aceh have registered with an employment service center jointly set up by the ILO and the Indonesian government.

Ivana calls for focused talent scouting

Ivana calls for focused talent scoutingMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Find them young.That is the message of former top badminton player Ivana Lie, who believes the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) needs to start scouring elementary school playgrounds for a potential women's...

Envoys read poems to console tsunami victims

Envoys read poems to console tsunami victimsJP/18/EnvoyEnvoys read poems to console tsunami victimsM. Taufiqurrahman The Jakarta Post/Jakarta In the aftermath of the tsunami that swept across Aceh and North Sumatra, countries around the world have contributed much to ease the suffering of survivors.

RI, GAM ready to resume talks, focus on autonomy

RI, GAM ready to resume talks, focus on autonomyMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The government is ready to resume peace talks with Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebel leaders after they agreed negotiations should focus on the government's offer for special autonomy, a senior minister...

Cable thieves stop train service, again

Cable thieves stop train service, again TANGERANG: Cable thieves disrupted trains services between Tangerang and Jakarta for the second time in a month on Friday.Ahmad Sujadi, spokesman of state railway operator PT KAI, said that 18 trains were affected by the theft.

Australian yachtsman gets three month sentence

Australian yachtsman gets three month sentenceWahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post/Denpasar Australian yachtsman Christopher Packer has been sentenced to three months jail by the Denpasar District Court on Friday for his failure to declare six firearms to local port authorities.

AGO told to tolerate criticism

AGO told to tolerate criticismTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta House of Representatives Speaker Agung Laksono has spoken out against Thursday's commotion between legislators and the Attorney General's Office (AGO), asserting that state officials should be prepared to take criticism.

Govt mulls turning Dipasena into SOE

Govt mulls turning Dipasena into SOERendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The government has been considering turning privately-owned PT Dipasena Citra Darmaja, Southeast Asia's largest shrimp farming company, into a state-owned firm after failing to sell it to prospective investors due to a...

Solutions for pollution

Solutions for pollution As one of the largest metropolitan cities in the world, Jakarta only needs to fix three major sources of pollution. First, emissions created largely by diesel engines (public buses, public minivans). Second, trash burning (remember we live in the city not in the village.

Three artists portray President in pop art paintings

Three artists portray President in pop art paintingsEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Painter Hardi, who in 1978 rocked the Indonesian art world with a portrait of himself as the third president, has collaborated with a digitalist and a photographer to create 21 neo-pop art paintings of...

Indonesia's rights image improves

Indonesia's rights image improvesFrom Koran Tempo Despite the negative domestic evaluation of Indonesia's upholding of human rights, the image in the international community is positive. Indonesia is seen as actively promoting rights.

Foreign investment in Indonesia

Foreign investment in Indonesia Minister of Trade Mari E. Pangestu's comments and concerns with regard to "out of control regional administrations' levies on foreign investors" (The Jakarta Post of Feb. 14) are to be commended.

On stay permits

On stay permits I am referring to the letter regarding foreign investment in Indonesia by Frank Zieschank (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 11). What the gentleman says here is only the tip of the iceberg. A friend of mine who is married to an Australian and arranging for stay permits for her kids is going...

Sports bill shows concern for athletes' welfare once

Sports bill shows concern for athletes' welfare once Moch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The sports community's long-sought goal for the government to pay attention to outstanding athletes once their competitive days are over is a step closer to realization.

Political parties told to consider power-sharing deal

Political parties told to consider power-sharing dealRuslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post/Poso To help put an end to religious violence in the area, political parties in Poso should consider power-sharing deals when naming candidates for the June regional elections, observers have said.

Finance ministry signs MOU on corruption eradication

Finance ministry signs MOU on corruption eradicationUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Despite his "I don't care" response to a recent survey that found two institutions under his supervision to be among the most corrupt a day earlier, Minister of Finance Yusuf Anwar on Friday signed a...

Indonesia's oil industry trapped in a web of rules

Indonesia's oil industry trapped in a web of rules JP/7/OIL21Indonesia's oil industry trapped in a web of rules John Mcbeth The Straits Times Asia News Network Singapore The recent oil strike by Australian-owned Santos off the coast of East Java and major untapped oil and gas deposits in...

Looking into terrorism in economic, social terms

Looking into terrorism in economic, social termsS.P. Seth Sydney Until very recently if anyone sought to understand and explain terrorism in economic and social terms, he/she was likely to be branded as a terrorism sympathizer by the U.S. and Australian establishments.

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.

Middle Eastern hookah pipes produced in Weleri

Middle Eastern hookah pipes produced in WeleriSuherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Weleri, Central Java Thirty-year-old Sohir looked very serious when trying to inhale smoke through his mouth from a hookah, an instrument of Middle Eastern origin that is used to smoke tobacco."It tastes strange.

Sleman to distribute 20,000 goats

Sleman to distribute 20,000 goats YOGYAKARTA: As part of its poverty alleviation and community empowerment programs, the government of Sleman regency is planning to distribute a total 20,000 goats this year to young farmers in its villages, to be further bred for meat.

JP/17/AUCT

JP/17/AUCTBachelor auction romantic way to raise fundsEvi Mariani The Jakarta Post/JakartaThe hottest bachelor at the charity auction was Alexander Jovanovic, 43, an Aussie with a pair of hazel-colored eyes, 180 centimeters in height, sexy streaks of gray hair in his wavy, dark hair and charm that...

Confused perceptions about national identity

Confused perceptions about national identityMochtar Buchori, Jakarta Do we know what kind of a nation we really are? Aren't we oftentimes confusing our "real", actual identity with our imagined one?These questions keep coming up in my mind, especially since I took part in a discussion on how to...

Eliezer Ministry helps singles find life partners

Eliezer Ministry helps singles find life partnersIndra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post/Surabaya To kill time, Hariono Eko, an interior designer from Surabaya browses through a Dragon Ball comic book while waiting for the launching of an event organized by the Eliezer Ministry at JW Marriott Hotel...

LPDS runs workshop for journalists

LPDS runs workshop for journalists YOGYAKARTA: Some 20 senior journalists representing print media with both local and national circulation are attending a workshop on feature reporting and writing held here by the Jakarta-based Dr. Soetomo Press Institution (LPDS).

Hundreds of corpses still found every day in Banda Aceh

Hundreds of corpses still found every day in Banda AcehMargie Mason, Associated Press/Banda Aceh Yusniar Amara and her boyfriend watched a beautiful sunset over the beach in Banda Aceh just after finishing a dive together.

Simon G. Bell

Simon G. Bell Jakarta2. Oil -- Indonesia's oil industry trapped in a web of rules 2 x 30 Indonesian petroleum industry caught in confusing web of rules Web of rules trap RI oil industry John Mcbeth The Straits Times Asia News Network 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.

Top UN official to visit Aceh

Top UN official to visit Aceh JAKARTA: Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Hafiz Pasha is scheduled to visit the tsunami-stricken province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam on Feb. 25.Pasha, who is director of the regional bureau of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), also...

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...

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.

Release of youth leader demanded

Release of youth leader demanded KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Hundreds of residents staged a protest on Friday outside the East Nusa Tenggara council building, demanding the release of a local youth leader allegedly detained by soldiers.

Lost sympathy for GAM

Lost sympathy for GAMFrom Kontan I was still a university student when the New Order regime collapsed. I was then "against" the government and believed that the uprisings in the regions, including the ongoing on in Aceh by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) reflected a rejection of the then government as...

RP overseas labors to hit one million

RP overseas labors to hit one million MANILA: The Philippines government hopes to deploy at least one million overseas workers in 2005 as companies abroad continue to prefer Filipinos, an official said on Friday.

Investigators tell how they uncovered smuggling

Investigators tell how they uncovered smugglingThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta "This is a smuggler...ha...ha.... He is a mafia (member)...ha...ha...," an unidentified man told undercover investigators. He pointed his finger at a Singaporean in a yellow checked shirt, who was counting stash of cash on his...

JP/1/MISS2

JP/1/MISS2Susilo appeals to Iraqi group to free journalistsRendi A. Witular and Ivy Susanti The Jakarta Post/JakartaTwo Indonesian television journalists, who have been incommunicado since driving through a notorious rebel stronghold in Iraq, got the attention of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,...

Welfare flats taken over by urban professionals

Welfare flats taken over by urban professionalsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Eleven years after his family's home in Bendungan Hilir, Central Jakarta, burned down, Ali -- not his real name -- now lives on the third floor of an apartment complex that was built on top of the charred ruins by the city...

Smokers and Corruption

Smokers and CorruptionFrom Koran Tempo Some people say that a fine of Rp 50 million to be imposed on people who smoke in public places is absurd. However, I believe it is now time for the Jakarta city administration to have its own bylaw that bans smoking in public places.

BII profit increases on robust borrowings

BII profit increases on robust borrowingsBloomberg, Jakarta PT Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII), a lender partly owned by South Korea's largest bank, said 2004 net income more than doubled as the lowest interest rates in six years spurred borrowing by consumers and companies.

Investors ask city to finance monorail project

Investors ask city to finance monorail projectDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Financial questions surrounding the PT Jakarta Monorail consortium, which the city administration appointed to develop an ambitious monorail system, has left the fate of the project in doubt.

Minister vows to curb illegal logging

Minister vows to curb illegal loggingMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Minister of Forestry Malam Sambat Kaban said on Friday he planned to meet with Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo Adi Sucipto to help resolve the rampant illegal logging in...

Helping Aceh -- What helps and what doesn't

Helping Aceh -- What helps and what doesn'tSimon G. Bell JakartaA team of international scientists studying the effects of the tsunami in Banda Aceh recently reported in a Seattle newspaper that the initial announcements relating to the height and speed of the tsunami were significantly understated.

RI imported 300,000 bpd of fuel in 2004

RI imported 300,000 bpd of fuel in 2004Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Indonesia imported about 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) of processed fuel last year to meet domestic demand for the oil- based commodity, according to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

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.

Adiguna trial to start on Feb. 24

Adiguna trial to start on Feb. 24 JAKARTA: The trial of Adiguna Sutowo, who is to be tried for the murder of a waiter on New Year's over a disputed bill, will begin on Thursday at the Central Jakarta District Court.

Local direct elections may be delayed: Minister

Local direct elections may be delayed: MinisterTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The central government has agreed to delay the first direct elections of regional administration chiefs as some remote areas may need more time to prepare election materials.Minister of Home Affairs M.

1. Fuel (50) - 60 pts 3 cols 2 lines (2x18)

1. Fuel (50) - 60 pts 3 cols 2 lines (2x18) Govt pours trillions in poverty program 2. Ties (40) - 36 pts 2 cols 2lines (2x18)RI hails U.S. efforts to revive military ties 3. Missing (40) - 36 pts 3cols 1lines (1x24) RI journalists missing in Iraq4.

RI journalists missing in Iraq

RI journalists missing in IraqRendi A. Witular and Ivy Susanti, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Two Indonesian television journalists, who have been incommunicado since driving through a notorious rebel stronghold in Iraq, got the attention of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who publicly appealed for...

Moody's raises Indonesia's ratings outlook as debt ratios improve

Moody's raises Indonesia's ratings outlook as debt ratios improveAgence France-Presse, Jakarta Rating agency Moody's Investors Service said on Friday it was raising its outlook on Indonesia's sovereign ratings to "positive" from "stable", citing continued improvement in the country's debt ratios.

Popularize ban on smoking

Popularize ban on smokingFrom Koran Tempo The governor of Jakarta, Sutiyoso, is of the opinion the people of Jakarta are not yet ready to accept a ban on smoking at public places as stipulated in the city administration's bylaw on the control over air pollution.

Where to go in Yogyakarta: Saturday, February 19, 2005

Where to go in Yogyakarta: Saturday, February 19, 2005Exhibitions* Painting Radius 1 KM: Jogja Bergera, Kedai Kebun Forum Jl. Tirtodipuran 3 (Tel. 0274-376114), until March 27 * Painting Kaum Miskin Kota by Suryo Indratno, at Sriwedari Art Festival, until Feb. 20.

Susilo delays naming new military commander

Susilo delays naming new military commanderMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The powerful Indonesia Military (TNI) will not get a new chief in the near future as President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono needs more time to choose one of the four candidates, a senior presidential aide says.

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.

4 x 16

4 x 16 ICW takes textbook allegation to KPK JP/4/Log1 x 35 Minister vows to curb illegal logging JP/4/VISIT4 x 9 President plans more overseas visits JP/4/Pilkada2 x 25 Local direct elections may be delayed: Minister JP/4/AGO 1 x 30 AGO told to tolerate criticism

Villagers create forests, improve environment

Villagers create forests, improve environmentBambang M, Contributor, Wonogiri, Central Java Wonogiri has long been known for its dry, barren areas that recurrently experience clean water shortages during the dry season.

Bill shows concern for athletes' welfare

Bill shows concern for athletes' welfareMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The sports community's long-sought goal for the government to pay attention to outstanding athletes once their competitive days are over is a step closer to realization.

JP/20/GUESS

JP/20/GUESSRosihan calls for more "chatty" journalism JAKARTA: Veteran journalist Rosihan Anwar has hailed a new trend in journalistic reporting, advising younger generation journalists to write more in a "chatty" style.

Group of charities to set up association

Group of charities to set up association JAKARTA: A number of charities are planning to set up a fundraising association aimed at upgrading fund raising activities and making them more professional in terms of accountability and transparency.

Bandung Asian-African Summit to proceed as planned: Official

Bandung Asian-African Summit to proceed as planned: OfficialThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian foreign ministry has confirmed that the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Bandung Conference and the Asian- African Summit will not be affected by the Dec.

Official declared murder suspect

Official declared murder suspectThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city police have declared Krisman Siregar, unit operation head of the Jakarta Public Order Agency, as the prime suspect in the killing of gang member John Albert on Wednesday afternoon.

Govt pours trillions in poverty program

Govt pours trillions in poverty programThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Prior to its fuel price hike plan in April, which will eventually reduce budget expenditures for the fuel subsidy, the government has been preparing an additional Rp 10.5 trillion (US$1.13 billion) from the budget to assist the poor.

Three Dji Sam Soe Award winners selected from field of thousands

Three Dji Sam Soe Award winners selected from field of thousandsUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta In appreciation of the role that small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) play in the economy, PT HM Sampoerna presented on Thursday its Dji Sam Soe Award to three SMEs it regarded as the best in...

b]

b] Russian military winds up mission in Aceh Russia on Friday handed over to Indonesian authorities a military field hospital it had been operating in the tsunami-shattered province of Aceh, as the contingent prepared to pull out.

1. TNI: 2 X 24

1. TNI: 2 X 24 Susilo delays naming new military commander 2. BODIES: 2 X 28 Hundreds of corpses still found every day in Banda Aceh 3. GAM: 2 X 24 RI, GAM ready to resume talks focused on special autonomy 4. ACEH: 1 X 36 ILO helps tsunami victims find jobs

National Exams must not determine students' fate

National Exams must not determine students' fateMateus Yumarnamto, Surabaya Ignoring the controversies surrounding the National Examination for junior and senior high schools in Indonesia, the Minister of Education Bambang Sudibyo has issued the schedule for the examinations.

Rotary celebrates 100th anniversary

Rotary celebrates 100th anniversary JAKARTA: The Rotary Club of Jakarta will hold a charity dinner for Acehnese children on Tuesday to commemorate the centennial of the organization, first established in Chicago, USA.

Flying on humanitarian mission

Flying on humanitarian missionDedy Ardiansyah, Contributor/Medan The devastating earthquake and tsunami on the western coast of Sumatra aroused world sympathy.The Dec. 26 tragedy triggered international solidarity.

19 councillors named suspects

19 councillors named suspects PALU, Central Sulawesi: Central Sulawesi Police named as suspects on Friday 19 councillors for their alleged involvement in the embezzlement of Rp 2.9 billion (US$322,222) in Buol regency budgetary funds between 2001 and 2004.Central Sulawesi chief of detectives Sr.

Singapore wants more non-Malays to speak bahasa

Singapore wants more non-Malays to speak bahasa Agencies Singapore Singapore wants to promote the Indonesian and Malaysian languages in the predominantly ethnic Chinese city-state to strengthen ties with its Malay-Muslim neighbors, the country's education ministry said on Friday.

Renee Olstead, new chanteuse marks her territory

Renee Olstead, new chanteuse marks her territoryM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta She is still a teenager, 15 years old. She has just branched out from an impressive acting career and embarked on a full-fledged singing career by releasing a self-titled debut album.

Govt to import more sugar

Govt to import more sugarJAKARTA: Indonesia, the world's biggest importer of refined sugar, will allow companies to buy an extra 200,000 metric tons of the sweetener from Thailand to plug domestic shortages, Trade Minister Mari Pangestu said.

While many people seem to believe that "Fuel subsidies are

While many people seem to believe that "Fuel subsidies are enjoyed by the rich", I think that these subsidies (for gasoline and diesel) are instead enjoyed by most poor Indonesians, directly or otherwise.If the government goes through with its plan to cut fuel subsidies, the poor will suffer.

Introductory Workshop on

Introductory Workshop on LPG and LNG Processing Operations PT OTI Transformasi Lintas Internasional will run an introductory workshop on natural gas handling, conditioning and processing operations to help companies face the highly competitive market.

Jakarta shares index off to new high

Jakarta shares index off to new highDow Jones, Jakarta Indonesian shares ended at a record high on Friday after Moody's Investors Service changed the outlook on certain key currency ratings to positive from stable, dealers said.

Busway, not the dream come true

Busway, not the dream come true "You are late for class," my English teacher said, "Sorry, Miss. There is a lot of traffic on the way to school lately." This has most definitely become a regular excuse for many of the people residing in Jakarta.

Progress, despair evident in Aceh

Progress, despair evident in AcehChris Brummitt, Associated Press/Banda Aceh Trucks piled high with bodies speed through the city en route to freshly dug mass graves, passing a busy market stocked with fresh goat meat and bananas.

'Less than 20% hike won't affect land transport'

'Less than 20% hike won't affect land transport'Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Ministry of Transportation has assured the public that there will not be any increase in tariffs for inter-city land transport if the government does not increase fuel prices by more than 20 percent.

~CONVENTION AGENDA

~CONVENTION AGENDAMarch 14, 200508.30 - 09.10 Report from the Organizing Committee, Gunadi Sugiharso (Co-Chairman of APMF - Indonesia) Opening Speech from the Steering Committee Chairman, Senyon Kim (Chairman of Steering Committee APMF) Opening Ceremony, Aburizal Bakrie (Coordinating Minister for...

Corruption, who cares?

Corruption, who cares? "I don't care," has apparently become a catchphrase among government officials, following President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's example. Responding to a survey showing his declining popularity, the President said earlier this month: "I don't care about my popularity.

TV Program: Monday, February 21, 2005

TV Program: Monday, February 21, 2005TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 Cartoon: Maya the Bee7:30 Children Show8:30 Music: Asyik Asyik10:00 Talk Show11:00 Singing Contest: Konteswara 1:00 p.m.

RI hails U.S. efforts to revive military ties

RI hails U.S. efforts to revive military tiesIvy Susanti, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Indonesian government has welcomed the U.S. government's gesture to restore full military training ties with Indonesia, which was downgraded 13 years ago.

TKI, govt's responsibility

TKI, govt's responsibilityFrom Media IndonesiaIndonesian migrant workers (TKI) are so unlucky. After being exploited by unscrupulous brokers and public officials before departure and on their return, they are also pursued by law enforcers in their destination countries.

Gun owners face tougher license screening

Gun owners face tougher license screeningThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta Police are acting on the assumption that although you might not be able to judge a person's character by their appearance, you should be able to gain some insight into an individual's potential for criminal behavior from...