Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 10 March 2005

112 articles found

Growing internationalism vital for modern education

Growing internationalism vital for modern educationSimon Marcus Gower Jakarta It has, to some extent, become habit for people to propose that we now live in "the age of globalization", but globalization has been an on-going process for literally centuries now.

THAI FOOD FESTIVAL: Hotel Borobudur's General Manager Poul E.

THAI FOOD FESTIVAL: Hotel Borobudur's General Manager Poul E. Bitsch (left) and the Ambassador of the Royal Thai Embassy H.E. Atchara Seriputra jointly cut a ribbon to open the Thai Food Festival at the hotel's Bogor Cafe.

Police make arrests in credit cards scam

Police make arrests in credit cards scamThe Jakarta Post, JakartaCity police on Wednesday arrested two people who they allege were involved in fraudulently using a number of Citibank and HSBC credit cards, purchasing products at several shopping centers.

Prosecutors close in on Adiguna

Prosecutors close in on AdigunaThe Jakarta Post, JakartaProsecutors have requested that the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday resume the trial of Adiguna Sutowo, a prominent businessman charged with murder, rejecting the defense team's motion to throw the case out of court.

Clarification sought on governor's status

Clarification sought on governor's statusKUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Councillors in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province are demanding an explanation from the police over the naming of NTT Governor Piet Tallo as a suspect in a corruption case.

House opposes extra funds for local elections

House opposes extra funds for local electionsTony Hotland The Jakarta Post/JakartaLawmakers opposed on Wednesday a government proposal for an additional Rp 1 trillion (US$107.5 million) in funds to support upcoming regional elections, saying the requested amount was too much.

AirAsia to serve China: Report

AirAsia to serve China: Report BEIJING: Malaysia's AirAsia is to offer daily services between Bangkok and the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen, becoming the first no-frills foreign airline to fly to China, state media said on Wednesday.

No paper

No paperIn observance of the Hindu Day of Silence, The Jakarta Post will not be published on Friday. The Post will reappear on Saturday.-- Publisher

Harmful wate too close at home

Harmful wate too close at homeFadli, The Jakarta Post, Galang Baru IslandThe environment minister has gone to Galang Baru Island to personally make sure 3,000 tons of dangerous waste illegally imported from Singapore goes back to that country.

Post-tsunami deal on debt swap signed

Post-tsunami deal on debt swap signedZakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, JakartaItaly and Indonesia agreed on Wednesday to swap some of Jakarta's debt for the reconstruction of tsunami-affected areas in northern Sumatra and poverty alleviation programs.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, March 10, 2005

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, March 10, 2005.TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions* Video Installation VIDEO Spa : Therapy For Everyday Living by Krisna Murti, at Gaya Gallery, Gaya Fusion of Senses, Jl. Raya Sayan Ubud (Tel. 0361 979252, www.gayafusion.com). Opening ceremony at 7:30 p.m.

Joint master plan a must, Ali says

Joint master plan a must, Ali saysDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaFormer governor Ali Sadikin told the city administration on Wednesday to work with neighboring cities on a joint master plan for Greater Jakarta that would address urban woes such as overpopulation, unemployment and...

Settling migrant worker problems

Settling migrant worker problemsV.K. Chin, The Star, Asia News Network, Selangor, Malaysia A month should be sufficient for the Indonesian government to put its house in order so that it will be easier for its workers to return to work legally in Malaysia.

SBY told to summon AG over general's E. Timor acquittal

SBY told to summon AG over general's E. Timor acquittalTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, JakartaPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been urged to summon Attorney General Abdul Rahman Saleh over an Army general's acquittal of human rights violations in the 1999 East Timor carnage.

The ASEAN-EU Partnership

The ASEAN-EU PartnershipBenita Ferrero-Waldner, Jakarta Today Indonesia is hosting the 15th regular meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the European Union (EU) and of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Grey Global Group joins WPP

Grey Global Group joins WPPThe Jakarta Post JakartaAnother marketing and communications firm is flying under the wings of the WPP Group, after the global conglomerate, which has also swallowed up communications firms such as J.

Indonesia, India hope for improved trade, investment

Indonesia, India hope for improved trade, investmentThe Jakarta Post, JakartaIndonesia and India are exploring the possibility of improving investment and trade relations in the coming years, says Minister of Trade Mari E. Pangestu.

Hindu priest impresses upon Balinese gift of life

Hindu priest impresses upon Balinese gift of lifeI Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, DenpasarHindu high priest Ida Pedanda Gde Bang Buruan Manuaba nodded gently and immediately people began to lower the eight turtles into the salty water of Candidasa beach, some 70 kilometers east of the...

Two Indian auto firms to invest in RI

Two Indian auto firms to invest in RIThe Jakarta Post, JakartaSeeing potential in Indonesia's automotive market, two Indian companies -- Bajaj Auto Ltd. and TVS Motor Co. -- plan to set up manufacturing and assembly plants in the country next year.

Speaker supports pay hike proposal

Speaker supports pay hike proposal JAKARTA: House of Representatives Speaker Agung Laksono defended on Wednesday the proposal to increase the salaries of House members by some Rp 15 million (US$1,612) each, saying the current salary was insufficient to cover their operational expenses.

Tae kwon do nationals to be held

Tae kwon do nationals to be heldMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Tae kwon do Association (PB TI) announced on Wednesday its upcoming national championship would be used to select athletes for the Southeast Asia (SEA) Games later this year.

BI plans to raise rates to stem inflation

BI plans to raise rates to stem inflation Indonesia's central bank said it will raise interest rates in "a gradual and measured manner" this year because a government decision to increase fuel prices threatens to stoke inflation.

*Forum seeks to set up body for Aceh recovery Page 2

*Forum seeks to set up body for Aceh recovery Page 2 *More women fat than underfed around world: Study Page 3 *Lake Toba Summit to discuss post-tsunami issues Page 4 *Dangerous waste too close to home Page 5 *Sparring in the sulawesi sea Page 6 *Joint master plan 'a must for Greater Jakarta' Page 8...

The political economy of (foreign) language

The political economy of (foreign) languageAziz Munich, Germany Most people when asked to name the international language of business and trade would quickly answer English.And recent surveys show that English is frequently nominated as the most useful and sought-after foreign language in most non-...

JP/7/let

JP/7/let Proportional response needed From Koran TempoThe government announcement on fuel price increases has triggered student demonstrations but ironically, the support for ordinary people's complaints has been less.

The EU way

The EU wayWith little fanfare, Indonesia today hosts the 15th regular meeting of foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The EU's standing compared to high-profile, and often controversial, ASEAN affairs related to the United States, Japan or...

1. TNI: 1 X 42

1. TNI: 1 X 42 Military to up spending to modernize equipment 2. ACEH: 2 X 24 Forum seeks to set up body for Aceh recovery 3. MAID: 2 X 28 Activists call for ruling to protect domestic workers 4. SAWAH: 2 X 24 Villagers evaded tsunami but struggle to survive

THAI FOOD FESTIVAL: Hotel Borobudur's General Manager Poul E.

THAI FOOD FESTIVAL: Hotel Borobudur's General Manager Poul E. Bitsch (left) and the Ambassador of the Royal Thai Embassy H.E. Atchara Seriputra jointly cut a ribbon to open the Thai Food Festival at the hotel's Bogor Cafe.

Activists call for ruling to protect domestic workers

Activists call for ruling to protect domestic workersThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe fact that no single law exists to ensure the rights of domestic workers is endangering the rights of millions of maids across the country, activists said on Wednesday.

Lesotho man nabbed for dealing drugs

Lesotho man nabbed for dealing drugs JAKARTA: Police arrested a citizen of Lesotho, Ramakau Jonas, 32, outside a Hero grocery store in Ciputat, South Jakarta, on Monday and charged him with dealing drugs.The head of the Jakarta Police's narcotics division, Sr. Comr.

1. Toba (1x35)

1. Toba (1x35) Summit to discuss post-tsunami issues 2. Women (2x26) RI women face obstacles in improving political role 3. Pilkada (2x26) House opposes extra funds for local direct elections

Businesses in Indonesia find success in similiar culture

Businesses in Indonesia find success in similiar cultureAdianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Many Indonesians would recognize the name Texmaco but not Ispat Indo. Both are Indian companies, each with different fates, and between them they represent the wide range of Indian businesses in...

Ali Sadikin throws gambling issue on Council's table

Ali Sadikin throws gambling issue on Council's tableDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaFormer Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin, who made his name legalizing gambling in the city during his tenure from 1966 to 1977, proposed on Wednesday that the city administration reintroduce gambling in the...

Krung fends off Persebaya at home

Krung fends off Persebaya at homeID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya Krung Thai Bank jumped out to an early lead and held off the concerted fightback of Persebaya Surabaya to win 2-1 in an Asian Champions League game in Surabaya on Wednesday.

Military to up spending to modernize equipment

Military to up spending to modernize equipmentRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe recent dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia over territory and resources has rung alarm bells for the Indonesian military (TNI) to immediately increase spending to modernize its tattered war machines.

Ambalat & TNI law

Ambalat & TNI lawFrom Media Indonesia The Indonesian Navy has played a very important role in transporting illegal migrant workers from Malaysia and volunteers to tsunami-stricken Aceh. And lately it is flexing some muscle in the Ambalat border dispute.

HS Dillon, a fearless campaigner

HS Dillon, a fearless campaignerJoyeeta Dutta Ray, Contributor, JakartaIn a country rife with corruption it takes a person of immense courage to fight for justice without once giving in. Dr. Harbrinderjit Singh Dillon is one such. As Dr. H. S.

On 'Bahasa'

On 'Bahasa' I have long wanted to write to correct the widespread use of the short form Bahasa to describe the Malay language. When the media reports that Singapore is considering teaching Bahasa as a third language in schools, they are saying that Singaporean children are going to be taught...

Lake Toba summit to focus on sustainable development

Lake Toba summit to focus on sustainable developmentApriadi Gunawan The Jakarta Post/MedanThe Lake Toba summit, scheduled to officially begin on Thursday, will be an important forum for Indonesia to learn how to promote sustainable development following the Dec.

East Ambalat row started as 'corporate dispute'

East Ambalat row started as 'corporate dispute'Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIn the midst of increasing tension over the territorial dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia, it seems that the matter started as a business dispute between multinational oil giants.

Govt plans mass reshuffle in bureaucracy

Govt plans mass reshuffle in bureaucracyThe Jakarta Post, JakartaAround 50 percent of first echelon government officials are facing imminent reshuffle due to their poor performance, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said.

Business sentiment low in December-January period

Business sentiment low in December-January periodThe Jakarta Post, JakartaEven before it was announced, the government's intention to raise domestic fuel prices caused a decline in business sentiment, as gauged by the Business Sentiment Index (BSI), in the December- January period, according to a...

Poultry farmers blame govt for industry's collapse

Poultry farmers blame govt for industry's collapseNana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, CirebonIndonesian Poultry Breeders Association has claimed that the government is responsible for the collapse of the poultry industry across the nation.Association chairman, M.

GAM's unreasonable demands

GAM's unreasonable demandsFrom Koran TempoCoordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo Adi Sucipto has rightly rejected the involvement of international advisers who would be brought by delegates of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to the third round of talks scheduled for...

Indonesia and Malaysia spar in the Sulawesi sea

Indonesia and Malaysia spar in the Sulawesi seaMichael Vatikiotis, Singapore Things were going so well between Indonesia and Malaysia, it is hard to believe that one of ASEAN's most critical relationships is foundering on a territorial dispute.

Broaching new frontiers in the ASEAN-EU Partnership

Broaching new frontiers in the ASEAN-EU PartnershipBenita Ferrero-Waldner Jakarta Today Indonesia is hosting the 15th regular meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the European Union (EU) and of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Acehnese barracks

Acehnese barracks The letter by Peter Droege from Australia (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 24) raises a number of good points. I have just returned from Aceh after staying in a refugee camp at Lhoknga for a few nights that was adequate but not easy for everyone to live in.

Newmont mulls bringing case to arbitration court

Newmont mulls bringing case to arbitration courtEmbattled PT Newmont Minahasa Raya said on Wednesday it was considering taking the government to an international arbitration court following the environment minister's move to file a civil suit against the company.

Timor Sea boundary negotiations to continue

Timor Sea boundary negotiations to continueRoad McGuirk, Associated Press, Canberra The latest round of negotiations between Australia and East Timor on how to divide billions of dollars in revenues from sea bed oil and gas ended on Wednesday with an agreement to hold more talks soon, a negotiator...

Elsham wins international award

Elsham wins international awardJAYAPURA, Papua: Human rights group Elsham Papua has won an international accolade for defending human rights.The acting chairman of Elsham Papua, Aloysius Renwarin, said that the accolade came from the Regional Rights Resource Team, which is affiliated with the...

Extradition treaty must exclude terrorism: Protect RI's interests

Extradition treaty must exclude terrorism: Protect RI's interestsBambang Widjojanto and Mohamad Mova Al 'Afghani Jakarta Dubbed a "red dot on the map" by former President Habibie, Singapore has become a sanctuary for some extremely rich Indonesian tycoons accused of fraud in Jakarta.

'Watch where the money is going'

'Watch where the money is going'The government had promised to allocate an extra Rp 10.5 trillion (US$1.13 billion), which will be saved from fuel subsidy cuts, to finance programs targeted at the poor, such as the provision of subsidized rice, subsidized education, rural infrastructure projects...

Ministry approves transportation subsidy

Ministry approves transportation subsidyUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Ministry of Finance has approved a land transportation subsidy in the form of fiscal incentives on import duties and taxes.

Rachel Davies

Rachel Davies Sydney 2. Simon -- Growing internationalism vital for modern education 2 x 30 Growing internationalism vital for developing modern education Simon Marcus Gower Jakarta

TV Today: Saturday, March 12, 2005

TV Today: Saturday, March 12, 2005TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:30 Religious Teachings8:00 Talk Show: Hembing10:00 Sports11:30 TV Drama1:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang1:30 Documentary: Survival2:00 Music3:00 English News Service4:30 Comedy5:00 Documentary6:00 Battle of...

Bank Central Asia's 2004 Profit Rises 34% on Loans

Bank Central Asia's 2004 Profit Rises 34% on Loans Bloomberg JakartaPT Bank Central Asia, Indonesia's second-largest lender by assets, said profit rose 34 percent last year as an expanding economy spurred companies and individuals to borrow more. Net income rose to Rp 3.

Two Indian auto companies to invest in Indonesia

Two Indian auto companies to invest in IndonesiaThe Jakarta Post JakartaSeeing potential in Indonesia's automotive market, two Indian companies -- Bajaj Auto Ltd. and TVS Motor Co. -- plan to set up manufacturing and assembly plants in the country next year.

Managing fuel price compensation fund

Managing fuel price compensation fundFrom Republika Various demonstrations have been held to oppose the fuel price increases. Prices of daily needs even began to climb before the fuel price hike. The president has warned against uncontrolled protests that may produce undesirable consequences.

Honda Jazzes up life after fuel price hikes

Honda Jazzes up life after fuel price hikesZakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta I thought the emcee made a slip of the tongue, when he said that a Honda Jazz could drive 45 kilometers on a liter of fuel.Later on, and 80 kilometers later, I learned this was no mistake.

Locals want better dump management

Locals want better dump management BEKASI: At least 30 Bantar Gebang residents and environmentalists staged a protest at the Bekasi municipal office on Wednesday, demanding better facilities for local residents living in the vicinity of the Bantar Gebang dump.

Govt revives idea for tax amnesty

Govt revives idea for tax amnestyRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaWhile the pace of reform of the tax system to prevent corruption is not yet in full swing, the government has revived a controversial idea for providing a tax amnesty for certain tax evaders.

RI women face religious obstacles in improving role

RI women face religious obstacles in improving roleHera Diani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaConservative religious understanding and cultural elements have hampered the development of the political role of women here, the Women's Research Institute (WRI) revealed on Thursday.

Fire at waste processing firm

Fire at waste processing firmTheresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, BogorFire engulfed on Wednesday a warehouse used to store drums of toxic materials in Bogor.No injuries were reported in the blaze.The warehouse is part of the Klapa Nunggal facility, owned by Prasadha Pamunah Limbah Industri (PPLi), the...

Swedish government vows to help Indonesia on GAM issue

Swedish government vows to help Indonesia on GAM issueAdianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaSweden's Minister of Foreign Affairs Laila Freivalds said on Wednesday her government was prepared to help Indonesia resolve its standoff with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), several of whose leaders...

History of classical Indian music old as the land itself

History of classical Indian music old as the land itselfKousik Dutta, Jakarta The classical music of India is one of the oldest unbroken musical traditions in the world. Its origins go back to the Vedas (ancient scripts of the Hindus).

'IndoIndians.com' brings Indians in Indonesia together

'IndoIndians.com' brings Indians in Indonesia togetherAn Indian woman planning to visit Indonesia posted a message on the message board of a portal on Jan. 16. She wrote that it would be her first visit to Indonesia, so she needed more information about traveling to the country.

Origins of the Indian community

Origins of the Indian communityVeeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Medan, North Sumatra Selvam, 35, of Indian descent, said he did not know how his family came to Indonesia from India."When I was a child, my grandfather used to tell us his father came from a place called Dharmapuri in...

People-profile-Dillon

People-profile-DillonJP/20/DILLONHS Dillon -- a man who knows no fearJoyeeta Dutta Ray Contributor/JakartaIn a country rife with corruption it takes a person of immense courage to fight for justice without once giving in. Dr. Harbrinderjit Singh Dillon is one such person.

Managing fuel price compensation fund

Managing fuel price compensation fundFrom Republika Various demonstrations have been held to oppose the fuel price increases. Prices of daily needs even began to climb before the fuel price hike. The president has warned against uncontrolled protests that may produce undesirable consequences.

Students stage hunger strike

Students stage hunger strikeBANDUNG: At least 15 students in Bandung have begun a hunger strike on Wednesday, as prolonged street protests against the fuel price hike fall on deaf ears.Macko, a hunger striker, said that the students would stay on the hunger strike until the government canceled the...

Indian traders feel at home in Pasar Baru

Indian traders feel at home in Pasar Baru The Jakarta Post, JakartaA sixty-year-old man of Indian descent sat behind the counter of his textile store in Pasar Baru, a 184-year-old market complex in Central Jakarta, waiting for customers to pay for the cloth they had selected.

2 x 27

2 x 27SBY told to summon AG over general's Timor acquittalTiarma Siboro The Jakarta Post/JakartaPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been urged to summon Attorney General Abdul Rahman Saleh over an Army general's acquittal of human rights violations in the 1999 East Timor carnage.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange(in rupiah)on March 9, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange(in rupiah)on March 9, 2005 _____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo...

Sutiyoso defends new hospital status

Sutiyoso defends new hospital statusDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaDespite mounting protests against the corporatization of three city-run hospitals, Governor Sutiyoso refuses to reverse the decision.In a letter dated Mar.

'Mahabarata', 'Ramayana' cement two countries' cultural ties

'Mahabarata', 'Ramayana' cement two countries' cultural ties A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, JakartaYogyakarta-born businessman Gunawan nodded his head in appreciation while watching a puppet show at the Taman Mini Indonesia in Miniature Park in East Jakarta on Saturday night.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner

Benita Ferrero-Waldner Jakarta 2. Katopo -- Reflections on International women's day 1 x 30 Reflecting on Women's Day Marianne Katoppo Jakarta3. Star -- Important that Indonesia resolves worker delay quickly 1 x 30 Settling migrant worker problems V.K.

Cultural movement more effective

Cultural movement more effectiveFrom Media IndonesiaIn our quest for a quality improvement of democracy to keep pace with advanced countries, the emerging views of bureaucrats and religious institutions constitute a natural phenomenon.

Pereira puts spark into Jakarta Electric

Pereira puts spark into Jakarta ElectricMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It could have been a listless Aline "Lily" Pereira who took the court for the opening of the 2005 Proliga Volleyball championship.

ADB tsunami meeting to sustain momentum

ADB tsunami meeting to sustain momentumThe Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Wednesday it aims to sustain the momentum in the rebuilding of tsunami-affected countries when it hosts a ministerial conference to discuss the recovery effort next week.

Mitsubishi Grandis offers (more) affordable luxury MPV

Mitsubishi Grandis offers (more) affordable luxury MPVNovan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIndonesia is known, at least in Southeast Asia, as a lucrative market for multipurpose vehicles (MPVs), from the most basic models to the most expensive and deluxe.

Krung fends off Persebaya in Champions League

Krung fends off Persebaya in Champions LeagueID Nugroho The Jakarta Post/Surabaya Krung Thai Bank jumped out to an early lead and held off the concerted fightback of Persebaya Surabaya to win 2-1 in an Asian Champions League game in Surabaya on Wednesday.

1. Malay --- 3x12

1. Malay --- 3x12 RI, Malaysia differ on ways to solve roworRI, Malaysia differ on ways to mend rift 2. Timor ----- 1x28 RI, E. Timor seal deal on past atrocities 3. Kalla --- 1x28 Govt plans mass reshuffle in bureaucracy 4. Gamble --- 1x42 Ali Sadikin throws gambling issue on Council's table

Bank Central Asia's 2004 profit rises 34% on loans

Bank Central Asia's 2004 profit rises 34% on loansBloomberg, JakartaPT Bank Central Asia, Indonesia's second-largest lender by assets, said profit rose 34 percent last year as an expanding economy spurred companies and individuals to borrow more.Net income rose to Rp 3.

Summit to discuss post-tsunami issues

Summit to discuss post-tsunami issuesApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, MedanThe Lake Toba summit, scheduled to officially begin on Thursday, will be an important forum for Indonesia to learn how to promote sustainable development following the Dec.

Mercedes-Benz introduces compact B-Class vehicle

Mercedes-Benz introduces compact B-Class vehicleThe Jakarta Post, JakartaGerman carmaker Mercedes-Benz has recently introduced its new compact hatchback Mercedes B-Class with the company calling it a Compact Sports Tourer. The B-Class is the second compact produced by the company after the A-Class.

Govt to seek $100m

Govt to seek $100m from NewmontJAKARTA: The government plans to file a civil suit demanding that mining firm PT Newmont Minahasa Raya pay US$100 million in damages for allegedly polluting Buyat Bay in North Sulawesi.

[b]

Sparring in the Sulawesi sea Michael Vatikiotis Singapore2. Pro10 -- The China threat, part two? 1 x 30 China's military threat, part two? Jinichi Matsumoto The Asahi Shimbun Tokyo3. Asahi -- Failed states give al-Qaeda safe haven 1 x 30 Failed states protect al-Qaeda Jinichi Matsumoto The Asahi...

Slowly but surely, Mandarin becomes second foreign language

Slowly but surely, Mandarin becomes second foreign languageEvi Mariani The Jakarta Post/JakartaAfter four years of freedom for the expression of Chinese culture, the Mandarin language has started attracting Indonesians, as private schools begin to provide Mandarin courses in response to popular...

Govt to seek $100m from Newmont

Govt to seek $100m from Newmont JAKARTA: The government plans to file a civil suit demanding that mining firm PT Newmont Minahasa Raya pay US$100 million in damages for allegedly polluting Buyat Bay in North Sulawesi.

RI, Malaysia take steps to mend rift

RI, Malaysia take steps to mend riftAdianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIn an effort to prevent xenophobia fueled by the Ambalat dispute from spreading in the two countries, Indonesia and Malaysia met in Jakarta on Wednesday and agreed to solve the row peacefully on the negotiating table,...

Rachel Davies

Rachel Davies Sydney 2. Simon -- Growing internationalism vital for modern education 2 x 30 Growing internationalism vital for developing modern education Simon Marcus Gower Jakarta

Villagers survived tsunami disaster, but strunggle to farm devastated land

Villagers survived tsunami disaster, but strunggle to farm devastated landLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, LhokseumaweThe situation just outside Lhokseumawe in the northern part of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam is not as gloomy as you might imagine.

Flood produces sinking feeling for Bekasi traders

Flood produces sinking feeling for Bekasi tradersThe Jakarta Post, JakartaIt was far from business as usual at Mal Mega Bekasi shopping complex on Tuesday, with floodwater inundating the center since early Sunday.Floodwater on the ground floor was still up to one meter deep.

Forum seeks to set up body for Aceh recovery

Forum seeks to set up body for Aceh recoveryDedy Ardiansyah, The Jakarta Post, MedanAlthough the central government has aborted its plan to establish a special body to take charge of reconstruction of Aceh, the recently held Aceh Recovery Forum was adamant that such a body was badly needed by the...

Diplomacy persists

Diplomacy persists The article written by Graham Gerard Ong titled Diplomacy can calm troubled sea (March 9) contains misleading arguments that require clarification. The deployment of an Indonesian naval fleet to Ambalat should not be considered as flexing its muscles aimed at resorting to the use...

Finance ministry approves land transportation subsidy

Finance ministry approves land transportation subsidyUrip Hudiono The Jakarta Post/JakartaThe Ministry of Finance has approved a land transportation subsidy in the form of fiscal incentives on import duties and taxes.

[b]Hypermarket proliferation

Hypermarket proliferation should be regulated properlyFajar Hidayat Jakarta The hypermarket concept, which combines a supermarket and a department store in a gigantic retail facility with a wide range of products under one roof, including full lines of fresh groceries, apparel and appliances, was...

Fuel price hike: Is it truly going to help the poor?

Fuel price hike: Is it truly going to help the poor?Azas Tigor Nainggolan Jakarta On March 1 the government raised the prices of most fuel products despite many protests from the community. The present price hike, the government said, was necessary to cut the subsidies, which have become too...

1. COMMENT: 2 LINES, 28 COUNTS

1. COMMENT: 2 LINES, 28 COUNTS Nyepi, a spiritual journey to silence and emptiness 2. AMBALAT: 2 LINES, 20 COUNTS E. Ambalat row started as 'corporate dispute' 3. EXPO: 2 LINES, 24 COUNTS Indonesia, India hope for improved trade, investment 4. FAT: 1 LINE 27 COUNTS 'More women fat than underfed'

RI, E. Timor seal deal on past atrocities

RI, E. Timor seal deal on past atrocitiesIvy Susanti and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaEast Timor President Xanana Gusmao said on Wednesday that the Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF), jointly set up with Indonesia, would seek to uncover the truth and not seek vengeance.

Indian food attracts wider market

Indian food attracts wider marketEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThanks partly to Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee and other Bollywood people, all things Indian are gaining popularity here, including its spicy and pungent cuisine.

Increase asphalt prices

Increase asphalt prices State oil and gas company Pertamina should increase asphalt prices. Pertamina is Indonesia's major oil refiner and producer of asphalt, which is mainly used for road building and maintenance.

RI hackers vent anger against KL

RI hackers vent anger against KLINDONESIA: A territorial dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia moved into cyberspace on Wednesday as Indonesian hackers launched attacks on Malaysian websites.Government sites were the main targets of the campaign which came on top of three days of street protests...

Workers demand higher salaries

Workers demand higher salaries BATAM, Riau Islands: Some 2,000 hotel and entertainment workers in Riau Islands province staged a protest on Wednesday in Batam, demanding that the government raise the minimum wage in the area.

Forest fire agency demand autonomy

Forest fire agency demand autonomyPEKANBARU, Riau: A senior government official proposed on Wednesday that the Riau Forest Fire Management Agency be declared an autonomous entity."We don't have our own budget, which makes us reliant upon government budgetary funds for our operational expenses.

Banks, offices close for 3 days

Banks, offices close for 3 days State and private banks in Bali will be closed from March 9 to March 11 for the Hindu religious holidays of Galungan and Nyepi (the Day of Silence), but most ATMs will continue to operate.

HS Dillon, a fearless campaigner

HS Dillon, a fearless campaignerJoyeeta Dutta Ray, Contributor, JakartaIn a country rife with corruption it takes a person of immense courage to fight for justice without once giving in.Dr. Harbrinderjit Singh Dillon is one such person.

Danamon to extend up to Rp15t in loans

Danamon to extend up to Rp15t in loans JAKARTA: PT Bank Danamon, Indonesia's fifth largest lender, plans to extend as much as Rp 15 trillion (US$1.6 billion) in loans this year, 74 percent more than last year, even if lending rates increase, a bank official said on Wednesday.

House opposes extra funds for local elections

House opposes extra funds for local electionsTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, JakartaLawmakers opposed on Wednesday a government proposal for an additional Rp 1 trillion (US$107.5 million) in funds to support upcoming regional elections, saying the requested amount was too much.

Frantic week of work for Balinese women

Frantic week of work for Balinese womenI Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, DenpasarFor Wartini and millions of Balinese women across the island, this week is one of the busiest and confusing seven days of the year.The week sees two major religious festivals taking place only a day apart.

Rupiah Rates March 9

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Ngruki: A school of terrorism?

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