Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 28 February 2005

89 articles found

The competition landscape of three financial giant

The competition landscape of three financial giantPaul Sutaryono, Jakarta The merger trend has struck not only Indonesia, but other countries around the world as well. In Korea, Citibank of South Korea, a member of Citigroup, the U.

Local innovation for national prosperity

Local innovation for national prosperityWilliam M. Frej, Jakarta The Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami have had an enormous impact on Indonesia and the economic program of the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono government. USAID Indonesia and a host of U.S.

Freedom of expression remain in the back seat: Experts

Freedom of expression remain in the back seat: ExpertsHera Diani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAfter last year's landmark direct presidential election, the upcoming direct election of local administration chiefs may further lead Indonesia toward being a full-fledged democracy.

'Councillors have already forgotten us'

'Councillors have already forgotten us'Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso has "set" the housing allowance for the City Council: Rp 15 million (US$1,650) a month for councillors and Rp 20 million for its leaders. The Jakarta Post interviewed some folks to get their comments on such seeming extravagance.

Get rid of old buses

Get rid of old buses I'm happy to hear that the Jakarta governor, Bapak Sutiyoso, dreams about a green Jakarta. I'm only wondering why he doesn't take any action on the local bus system -- rotten old vehicles that pollute the air significantly and endanger citizens by the way they are being...

Jakarta is sinking fast, agency says

Jakarta is sinking fast, agency saysBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe construction of high-rise buildings and the overexploitation of groundwater has caused the capital to sink by up to 100 centimeters over the past 12 years, according to an expert.

Government may OK audit agency in Aceh

Government may OK audit agency in AcehUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, JakartaOne way of paying our respects to the more than 200,000 people who died or are still missing, and the nearly half a million others left homeless by the tsunami disaster in Aceh, is to ensure that every penny in aid is...

Obstacles to peace remain in Aceh

Obstacles to peace remain in AcehThe Nation, Asia News Network, Bangkok The international community has welcomed the progress that the Indonesian government and the rebels in Aceh have made towards resolving their differences, as both sides have shown a willingness to be flexible and make necessary...

'Radar Timor' daily goes belly up

'Radar Timor' daily goes belly up KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The daily newspaper Radar Timor, owned by former governor of East Timor, Abilio Jose Osario Soares, was officially closed down on Friday due to financial problems.

IPv6 technology use grows by 150 percent

IPv6 technology use grows by 150 percentThe Jakarta Post, JakartaA new form of internet protocol that will allow users bigger, faster downloads is quickly growing in popularity in the country, a study says.

JP/5/FOCUS

JP/5/FOCUS Flooding may cost farmers $5 million BANDUNG: Flooding in the past few days has damaged several thousand hectares of rice fields in several regencies in West Java, which will mean little or no harvests this season in the affected areas, a senior official has said.

The furel price rise dilemma

The furel price rise dilemma From Koran TempoAn Indonesian economic think tank has proposed that the government postpone its plan to raise fuel oil prices until 2006, because the increase would trigger price hikes as a psychological consequence of the public reaction.

Plug a wireless adapter into your USB Port

Plug a wireless adapter into your USB PortZatni Arbi, Contributor, JakartaThe Universal Serial Bus (USB) has been one of the advances in computer technology that I appreciate the most: It has opened up a lot of possibilities.

JP/8/Head

JP/8/Head Headings for page 81. Park 36pt 3/2 2x18 Parking attendants oppose rate hike 2. Univ, 48pt 3/2 2x21 UI to use English as medium of instruction 3. Cut line 28pt 3/1 1x27 Orchids get new home in Bogor 4. Limbo 30pt 3/1 1x23 Reclamation work in limbo 5.

Writers discuss their craft at World Economic Forum

Writers discuss their craft at World Economic ForumHarry Bhaskara, The Jakarta Post, Davos Most young writers dream of someone offering them a retreat for a season, somewhere in the hills, where the view over the lake and the absence of a telephone would inspire in them absolute dedication.

New condominiums sell like hotcakes

New condominiums sell like hotcakesT. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta Apartment units, be they mid-market or exclusive, are selling like hotcakes. When it comes to comfort, money apparently does not matter.

Planned reshuffle at AGO will affect senior officials

Planned reshuffle at AGO will affect senior officialsMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government plans to reshuffle senior officials at the Attorney General's Office (AGO) in the near future after growing public complaints about its poor performance, particularly in prosecuting...

Improvement needed to bring badminton center up to standard

Improvement needed to bring badminton center up to standardMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A quick tour of the National Badminton Training Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta, shows that some parts of it have seen better days.

1. HIV: 2 X 24

1. HIV: 2 X 24 Botswana beauty pageant crowns Miss HIV 2. ILLEGAL: 1 X 50 Malaysia prepares for biggest crackdown ever on illegals 3. GRESIK: 1 X 50 Semen Gresik union wants govt maintain majority stake

1. Fuel (55) - 48 pts 5 cols 1 line (1x30)

1. Fuel (55) - 48 pts 5 cols 1 line (1x30) Fuel price hike fair for all: SBY 2. ADB (50) - 36 pts 4 cols 1line (1x28) 'Govt requires coordination' 3. Police (45) - 36 pts 3 cols 2lines (2x21) Corruption rampant in police, says ADB4.

ASEAN and the EC agree to strengthen cooperation

ASEAN and the EC agree to strengthen cooperationThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Commission (EC) agreed on Saturday to work to toward future cooperation.The EC is the executive arm of the European Union (EU).

Hot and bothered by porn

Hot and bothered by pornFrom RepublikaPublic anxiety has climaxed as pornographic video compact disks (VCDs) are widely circulated in the city. The police should seek ways to deal with this problem after the recent drive against steamy pictures.

Activists to report regent salary schemes

Activists to report regent salary schemesOyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, BandarlampungLampung activists said on Saturday they planned to take several controversial salary schemes created by regents in the province to the Minister of Home Affairs.

Direct elections of regional chiefs could be fraught with problems

Direct elections of regional chiefs could be fraught with problemsC. Effendi, Jakarta While the majority of senior Ministry of Home Affairs officials prefer to be regarded as serious and unapproachable, Progo Nurdjaman, the director general of regional autonomy, comes across as being a friendly...

Martha dies after negligence report

Martha dies after negligence report JAKARTA: After the family of Martha Manulang, 25, reported St. Carolus Hospital in Central Jakarta to the police over alleged negligence on Friday, the patient died in the afternoon.Tempointeraktif.

RI's efforts to restore investor confidence similar to E&Y's

RI's efforts to restore investor confidence similar to E&Y'sFollowing the scandalous Enron collapse that precipitated a fall in business for consulting and auditing firms, big public accountant firms, including Ernst & Young, had to fight to restore client and investor confidence.

City parking attendants against hike

City parking attendants against hikeThe Jakarta Post JakartaParking attendants working for the city-owned parking operator BP Perparkiran, said that more transparency and better management was needed before any rate hikes went into effect.

PPP wants to replace Hamzah Haz

PPP wants to replace Hamzah HazHera Diani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe internal strife in the United Development Party (PPP) appears to be worsening after members gathered for informal talks over the weekend demanded that the party bring forward its congress to the end of the year from the...

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.

Raising the profile of 3G technology

Raising the profile of 3G technologyKornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post, Cannes/France Alcatel, the French telecommunications giant, invited three Indonesian journalists, including The Jakarta Post's Kornelius Purba to cover, from Feb. 6 through Feb.

Corruption management

Corruption management It is very interesting to analyze the 2004 survey conducted by Transparency International Indonesia of governmental institutions in 21 cities in Indonesian. More details of the survey should be published to let the public know more about corruption in Indonesia.

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.

Leased apartments expect more guests this year

Leased apartments expect more guests this yearWith the improvement in business sentiment, the demand for leased and serviced apartments in Jakarta is likely to continue to revive this year. New demand is expected to come from the increase in the number of short-term business visitors and...

Parking attendants oppose rate hike

Parking attendants oppose rate hikeThe Jakarta Post JakartaParking attendants at city-owned parking operator BP Perparkiran said more transparency and better management at the company was needed before any rate hikes went into effect.

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.

Jakarta to have 54 more apartment buildings

Jakarta to have 54 more apartment buildingsHendarsyah Tarmizi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta At least 54 new condominium (strata-titled apartment) projects are under construction in Jakarta, adding more than 3,400 new apartment units to the growing condominium market in the capital.

Badminton training center falls behind the times

Badminton training center falls behind the timesMoch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A quick tour of the National Badminton Training Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta, shows that some parts of it have seen better days.

Another Ngruki alumni in hot seat

Another Ngruki alumni in hot seatThe Jakarta Post, JakartaA Muslim cleric has revealed that one of two Indonesians arrested in the Philippines and charged with terrorism was a former student at Al Mukmin Ngruki Islamic Boarding School in Surakarta.

Police succeed in foiling a crime

Police succeed in foiling a crimeKUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Police officers and a government agency here foiled on Friday an attempt to smuggle 22 undocumented Indonesian women from a Kupang port to Malaysia.

Marksmen set to target snipers in Ambon

Marksmen set to target snipers in AmbonTwo groups of paramilitary marksmen have been stationed in conflict-prone areas of Ambon city to combat snipers during any rioting.The marksmen, equipped with high-powered rifles, will be stationed atop high-rise buildings in conflict-prone areas like Talake,...

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.

Malaysia to induce rain

Malaysia to induce rainMALAYSIA: Authorities hope to induce rain soon over the Malaysian capital, which is shrouded in a thick smoky haze amid a dry spell that has sparked forest fires, news reports said on Sunday.

UI to use English as medium of instruction

UI to use English as medium of instructionThe University of Indonesia (UI) is planning to use English as a medium of instruction beginning the 2005/06 academic year as part of an effort to boost its competitiveness in the globalized world, UI Rector Usman Chatib Warsa said.

Illegally felled logs found in Jambi

Illegally felled logs found in Jambi JAMBI: Jambi provincial administration's forestry office is investigating the discovery of some 60,000 illegally felled logs as part of its efforts to curb illegal logging activities in the province.

Reclamation work in limbo

Reclamation work in limboMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, TangerangThree companies involved in the reclamation of Tangerang's northern coastline have complained over the House of Representatives' recommendation the project be halted.

Again, fine for littering

Again, fine for litteringFrom Kompas It seems Jakarta's regional regulations on fines for littering in public places will be imposed again soon. The regulation has always existed -- but inadequate implementation means it has been less-than effective.

Kornelius Purba

Kornelius Purba The Jakarta Post/Cannes, France Alcatel, the French telecommunications giant, invited three Indonesian journalists, including The Jakarta Post's Kornelius Purba to cover, from Feb. 6 through Feb. 17, the Alcatel Forum 2005 in Paris and the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes.

AHM to open 3rd plant in 2005

AHM to open 3rd plant in 2005Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaGiant motorcycle producer PT Astra Honda Motor (AHM) plans to spend up to US$200 million this year, particularly as it is constructing its third plant in Bekasi, east of Jakarta.

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.

Haj pilgrimage for

Haj pilgrimage for Islamic bodiesFrom Koran Tempo The Religious Affairs Ministry's Director General for Haj Affairs, Tulus, has stated that the operational improvements of the haj should be realized by amending the Haj Pilgrimage Law of 1999.

Jakarta-KL relations put to test over oil contract

Jakarta-KL relations put to test over oil contractVeeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, JakartaDespite the generally cordial relations between Indonesia and Malaysia, a long list of problems like illegal migrant workers, haze, illegal logging and sensitive border problems have long been a strain on...

Loans and foreign control

Loans and foreign controlFrom Media IndonesiaIndonesia has become the focus of world attention following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Aceh. One of the manifestations of sympathy is the debt moratorium approved by the Paris Club.

Killing the Goose

Killing the Goose Regencies and cities, which lack resources -- or the capacity to capitalize on them -- should not despair when it comes to attracting private investment, because investors consider policy variables to be very important factors that influence their decisions to set up business in a...

Govt drops plan to raise logging quota this year

Govt drops plan to raise logging quota this yearRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Ministry of Forestry has decided to drop its plan to raise its logging quota this year after discovering that unscrupulous timber companies were deliberately misreporting their demand.

Fuel consumption up by 15 percent: Pertamina

Fuel consumption up by 15 percent: PertaminaFabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaState oil and gas company Pertamina announced over the weekend that fuel consumption had increased by 15 percent over the past two months from the same period last year.

Infrastructure is still not supportive

Infrastructure is still not supportive Unlike those in Europe, people in Asia, including -- if not, especially -- Indonesia like to have the most advanced cellular phone available, even if it is quite expensive.

Again, fine for littering

Again, fine for litteringFrom Kompas It seems Jakarta's regional regulations on fines for littering in public places will be imposed again soon. The regulation has always existed -- but inadequate implementation means it has been less-than effective.

* Govt urged to get its act together with plans, budgets Page 2

* Govt urged to get its act together with plans, budgets Page 2 * Malaysia a big draw for Indonesian students Page 4 * Bandung dump closure puts many out of work Page 5 * Local direct elections could be fraught with conflicts Page 6 * Jakarta parking attendants oppose rate hike Page 8 * Improvement...

E. Asia Summit's birthing pains

E. Asia Summit's birthing pains Eric Teo Chu Cheow The Straits Times Asia News Network Singapore At last October's meeting of ASEAN heads of government in Vientiane, Laos, it was announced that an East Asian Summit will be launched by Malaysia (as host of the next ASEAN Summit) towards the end of...

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.

Tangerang to transform garbage into electricity

Tangerang to transform garbage into electricity The Jakarta Post TangerangIn collaboration with a British consultancy company, the Tangerang regental administration plans to use garbage to generate electrical power.

Semen Gresik union wants government maintain majority stake

Semen Gresik union wants government maintain majority stakeThe dispute between the government and Cemex SA of Mexico over Semen Gresik has been a protracted one. Semen Gresik's labor union is often portrayed as party hindering the settlement of the dispute.

Proton told to set sights abroad

Proton told to set sights abroadAgence France-Presse, Tanjung Malim, MalaysiaMalaysia's prime minister on Saturday told Proton to set its sights abroad as he launched the national carmaker's 1.8 billion ringgit (US$474 million dollars) new manufacturing plant.

Leased apartments expect more guests

Leased apartments expect more guests With the improvement in business sentiment, the demand for leased and serviced apartments in Jakarta is likely to continue to revive this year. New demand is expected to come from the increase in the number of short-term business visitors and expatriates working...

Public areas not health certified

Public areas not health certified JAKARTA: Only about 20 percent of 3,200 public places, including hotels, restaurants and schools in East Jakarta had certified sanitation, an official revealed on Saturday.

'Tonics harmful not healthful'

'Tonics harmful not healthful' PALEMBANG: A number of tonics sold in South Sumatra markets, which are traditionally made of medicinal herbs, have been found to contain dangerous additives, an official says.

Govt programs require 'coordination'

Govt programs require 'coordination'Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, JakartaOut of control corruption is apparently not the only factor hindering the successful implementation of many development programs in the country.

Orchids get special home in Bogor

Orchids get special home in BogorTheresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor A worker at the orchid pavilion at the Bogor Botanical Gardens attaches several epiphytical orchids to the trunk of a devil tree, locally known as a Lame (Alstonia scholaris).

Parking attendants say no to planned tariff increase

Parking attendants say no to planned tariff increaseThe Jakarta Post, JakartaParking attendants at city-owned parking operator BP Perparkiran said more transparency and better management at the company was needed before any rate hikes went into effect.

Apartment living catching on slowly

Apartment living catching on slowlyRudijanto, Contributor, Jakarta Living in apartment is still a luxury for most people but for a young and dynamic executive such as Elina Ciptadi who is expected to come to the office early and return home late, an apartment is the only solution.

U.S. plans to resume military training

U.S. plans to resume military trainingAgencies, Washington/JakartaThe United States, eager to build up its alliances in Southeast Asia, has decided to resume training members of the Indonesian armed forces after cooperation was suspended in 1992, officials announced on Sunday.

New Strata-Titled Apartments in Jakarta

New Strata-Titled Apartments in JakartaNo. Development Area Completion 1. Airlangga Apartment Mega Kuningan 2005 2. Bellagio Mansions Mega Kuningan 2005 3. Bellagio Residence Mega Kuningan 2005 4. Bellezza Permata Hijau Permata Hijau 2005 5. Daksa Residence Kebayoran 2005 6.

Smoking restriction

Smoking restriction Herawati (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 16) misses the point about smoking restrictions. True, the smoker makes the decision whether or not to smoke, but his fellow passengers have no such choice.

KL out to lure more RI students

KL out to lure more RI studentsThe Jakarta Post, JakartaStudying in Malaysia is a good option for Anidia Larasati, a 17- year-old final-year student at SMAN 70 public high school in South Jakarta."I would like to take a health and medicine degree in Malaysia.

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/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...

More nurses overseas

More nurses overseas JAKARTA: Labor export company PT Binawan Inti Utama sent on Saturday 20 more professional nurses to the Netherlands, who expect to receive salaries of between US$1,200 and $1,500 a month.

Dedicating his life to helping lepers

Dedicating his life to helping lepersMulta Fidrus Contributor, TangerangDisgusting. That is the comment that most people make when they see lepers being treated at hospitals and recovered lepers begging in the streets or other public places.

Dump closure puts many out of work

Dump closure puts many out of workYuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, BandungScavenger Emay Sumarna has been "out of work" since last Monday when mountains of garbage at Leuwigajah dump collapsed, killing 89 people and burying 70 houses. As of Saturday, a total of 54 others were still missing.

Online plan needs substance to keep it from sinking

Online plan needs substance to keep it from sinking Fei Li China Daily/Asia News Network Beijing When the Government Online Initiative was launched in 1999 with great fanfare, hopes were high that the project would lead to a more efficient information flow and interaction between the government and...

Malaysia prepares for biggest crackdown ever on illegals

Malaysia prepares for biggest crackdown ever on illegalsJasbant Singh, Associated Press/Kuala LumpurMore than 300,000 officials and volunteers were set to be deployed in Malaysia's biggest crackdown against illegal migrant workers, mostly Indonesians, after a government amnesty expires on Monday.

Fuel price hike fair for the poor: SBY

Fuel price hike fair for the poor: SBYWahyoe Boediwardhana and Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar/JakartaAware that his popularity rating is likely to plunge over planned fuel price increases, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Sunday his administration would never issue a...

Bogor to increase tax revenue

Bogor to increase tax revenue BOGOR: Mayor Diani Budiarto ordered officials at district and subdistrict levels to remind residents to pay their land and property taxes by September so that the 100 percent tax collection target could be met.

The furel price rise dilemma

The furel price rise dilemma From Koran TempoAn Indonesian economic think tank has proposed that the government postpone its plan to raise fuel oil prices until 2006, because the increase would trigger price hikes as a psychological consequence of the public reaction.

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.

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.

Haj pilgrimage for Islamic bodies

Haj pilgrimage for Islamic bodiesFrom Koran TempoThe Religious Affairs Ministry's Director General for Haj Affairs, Tulus, has stated that the operational improvements of the haj should be realized by amending the Haj Pilgrimage Law of 1999.

The Peak

The PeakSerpong Town Square A scale model of the Serpong Town Square (above) now under construction in Serpong, Tangerang is comprised of apartments, a shopping mall, an office building, and other supporting facilities.

Corruption rampant in police, says ADB

Corruption rampant in police, says ADBThe Jakarta Post, JakartaIn a corner of a kiosk in suburban Jakarta, a young man brags about how he managed to escape being imprisoned after paying Rp 1 million (US$107) to a police officer who had arrested him for possession of a small amount of marijuana.