Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 16 March 2005

82 articles found

BP Migas questioned role over Ambalat

BP Migas questioned role over AmbalatTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, JakartaPrior to its scheduled meeting with Oil and Gas Regulatory Implementing Body (BP Migas) and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the House of Representatives questioned the role of those bodies in preventing the...

Tangerang to claim back Cipondoh lake

Tangerang to claim back Cipondoh lakeMulta Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, TangerangLocated in the center of the quickly growing Tangerang municipality, the once beautiful Lake Cipondoh now looks like an abandoned swamp, ringed by shanties and shacks.

Criminal Code revision draws more flak

Criminal Code revision draws more flakHera Diani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAlready the subject of widespread criticism from liberals, the draft revision of the Criminal Code has sparked further protests for being too harsh on crimes committed by citizens but failing to deter the state from...

Garuda pilot grilled over poisoning death of Munir

Garuda pilot grilled over poisoning death of MunirEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaFive National Police investigators on Tuesday questioned Garuda pilot Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto over his alleged role in the murder of rights activist Munir last September.

Bali Police probe suspected pedophile

Bali Police probe suspected pedophile DENPASAR, Bali: Police here said on Tuesday they would delay the extradition of a Frenchman wanted in his homeland on child sex charges because he was a suspect in similar crimes in Bali.Bali Police spokesman Sr. Comr.

Kalla's name used in scam

Kalla's name used in scam TANGERANG: Police arrested Deddy, 40, on Tuesday for allegedly deceiving hundreds of people by promising to get them jobs by March 15 in a company located in Cikande, Lebak regency, Banten, which was said to belong to Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

The route to democracy at the IMF

The route to democracy at the IMFKenneth Rogoff, Project Syndicate Emerging market countries from Chile to China have been arguing for some time that the International Monetary Fund -- the nerve center of the international financial system -- needs to become more "democratic.

Sutiyoso to heed public on gambling

Sutiyoso to heed public on gamblingThe Jakarta Post, JakartaGovernor Sutiyoso said that his administration needed more feedback from the public over the controversial idea proposed by his predecessor Ali Sadikin on the legalization of gambling and prostitution in the capital.

F-16 fighter jets remain on alert near Ambalat oil block

F-16 fighter jets remain on alert near Ambalat oil blockAn F-16 fighter jet stationed at Sepinggan Airport in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, takes off on a routine patrol near the Ambalat offshore oil field, which is disputed by Indonesia and Malaysia.The chief of the Navy's eastern fleet, Adm.

BPK finds over 2,000 irregularities, state loses Rp7.1 trillion

BPK finds over 2,000 irregularities, state loses Rp7.1 trillionUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) found 2,128 cases of irregularities in the management of state funds during the second semester of last year, with potential losses to the state totaling Rp 7.

Erin Brokovich visits Yogyakarta

Erin Brokovich visits YogyakartaYOGYAKARTA: Ignoring a travel advisory, several environmentalists from the United States, including Erin Brokovich, visited Yogyakarta on Tuesday and met Yogyakarta Sultan Hamengkubuwono X.

Government admits food shortage in West Timor

Government admits food shortage in West TimorYemris Fointuna and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government promised on Tuesday to provide free rice and labor-intensive jobs for people in several drought-stricken East Nusa Tenggara regencies.

Indonesia's fragile defense

Indonesia's fragile defenseFrom Koran Tempo The Indonesia-Malaysia border dispute over the Ambalat oil block off East Kalimantan should be given serious attention, but it is not enough for the nation to only mobilize militia volunteers against Malaysia.

Murderers of Aa' Gym's students get life imprisonment

Murderers of Aa' Gym's students get life imprisonmentYuli Tri Suwarni The Jakarta Post/BandungThree people were sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday for killing two female students of popular Muslim preacher Abdullah Gymnastiar (Aa' Gym).

Illegal migrants workers jailed in Malaysia

Illegal migrants workers jailed in MalaysiaAgence France-Presse, Kuala LumpurDozens of people arrested this month in a crackdown on illegal immigrants in Malaysia are to be jailed and whipped, local media reported on Tuesday.

Killers of Aa' Gym's students sentenced to life imprisonment

Killers of Aa' Gym's students sentenced to life imprisonmentYuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, BandungThree people were sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday for killing two female students of popular Muslim preacher Abdullah Gymnastiar (Aa' Gym).

Seven arrested for hoarding fuel

Seven arrested for hoarding fuelAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAt least seven people have been arrested for hoarding and selling fuel at higher prices than that set by the government.City police natural resources crime unit chief Adj. Sr. Comr.

Kadin suggests alternative financing schemes to TNI

Kadin suggests alternative financing schemes to TNIZakki P. Hakim The Jakarta Post/JakartaThe much-hyped Ambalat dispute has encouraged the Indonesian Military (TNI) to renew its demands for more up-to-date weaponry, with the constraints on the military budget forcing it to look for new funding...

Ambalat, where the game nations play

Ambalat, where the game nations playBantarto Bandoro, Jakarta The row between Indonesia and Malaysia over Ambalat has dragged the military as well as diplomats from both sides into a kind of a game where both are committed to defend their strategic stakes.

Finally, the dead may rest in peace

Finally, the dead may rest in peaceDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIt may be of small comfort to those who have just lost a loved one, but the Jakarta administration's plan to abolish rental fees for grave spaces and subsidize burials outside the city will at least decrease their financial...

KPPU can't count: Sales of tankers let to a big profit for

KPPU can't count: Sales of tankers let to a big profit for Pertamina and the StateTodung Mulya Lubis Jakarta The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) ruled on March 3 that Pertamina, Frontline (one of the largest independent operators of supertankers in the world, with a listing in...

Mandiri books 14 percent increase in 2004 profit

Mandiri books 14 percent increase in 2004 profitThe Jakarta Post, JakartaBank Mandiri, the country's largest lender in terms of assets, booked a 14.6 percent increase in its 2004 net profit, thanks to its lending expansion.Publicly listed Mandiri boosted its lending portfolio last year to Rp 94.

[b]...the possibility of success for the government's

...the possibility of success for the government's anticorruption program is in fact slim.;JP;CD; ANPAk..r..RI must not relax campaign on corruption JP/7/GRAFTRI must not relax campaign on corruptionArdimas Sasdi Jakarta It was remarkable to see President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono promise to lead...

Women's concern

Women's concern I read with great interest the article about the Soroptimist women's group raising money to rebuild homes in Aceh. This is a wonderful example of how women can band together to help one another and their communities.

Moderate earthquake jolts East Java

Moderate earthquake jolts East JavaJAKARTA: A moderate earthquake jolted a small town in East Java province -- the latest in a series of tremblers to rock the archipelago in recent months, an official said on Tuesday.The earthquake, measuring 5.

Marlboro maker sets sights on Asia

Marlboro maker sets sights on AsiaMarlboro maker Philip Morris said on Monday in Washington that its bid for a major Indonesian tobacco firm would give it vital local knowledge to expand in Asia -- including into the world's biggest cigarette market China.

Germany minister visits Indonesian university

Germany minister visits Indonesian university "It's very impressive," said Germany's education and research minister Edelgard Bulmahn (right, with handbag), commenting on the Swiss German University in Serpong, West Java.

Prosecutors waiting for Adiguna medical results

Prosecutors waiting for Adiguna medical resultsAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaProsecutors are waiting to be advised of the medical diagnosis on Adiguna Sutowo, the sole suspect in the murder of Yohannes "Rudy" Berchmans Haerudy Natong.

Council speaker named suspect

Council speaker named suspectJAMBI: Mailuddin Achmad, the former speaker of West Tanjungjabung regental council, has been named a graft suspect.Jambi Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Djoko Turrochman said that Mailuddin, who served the regental council between 1999 and 2004, was named suspect for...

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Echange (in rupiah) on March 15, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Echange (in rupiah) on March 15, 2005 _____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume _____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo...

Taxi firms eagerly await compulsory use of CNG

Taxi firms eagerly await compulsory use of CNGBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaTaxi companies have said they are ready to make the switch to compressed natural gas (CNG) if the Jakarta administration builds more CNG stations across the city.

Govt must not waver in its battle against corruption

Govt must not waver in its battle against corruptionArdimas Sasdi, Jakarta It was remarkable to see President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono promise to lead the anticorruption crusade personally, though skeptics would have been curious to know from the start just how he intended to fight the malignant...

Jakarta prepares for historic meeting

Jakarta prepares for historic meetingAdianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAfter successfully hosting a series of high-profile meetings during the first 75 days of this year, Indonesia is gearing up to host one of the biggest meetings of this century involving around 105 countries,...

Activists stand up for maids

Activists stand up for maidsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesians must change the way they perceive domestic chores and show their maids more appreciation, activists say.Tati Krisnawati of the National Commission of Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) said that the way domestic workers were...

Govt to raise pasport fee

Govt to raise pasport feeJAKARTA: The government plans to build 25 lighthouses this year to assert its control of the nation's outlying islands, Minister of Transportation Hatta Radjasa said on Tuesday.

Indonesian runs plush hotel in Tashkent

Indonesian runs plush hotel in TashkentThe Jakarta Post, JakartaIndonesian businessman Jay Abdul Alatas has taken over and relaunched the plush Le Grande Plaza Hotel situated in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.The hotel was previously known as the Bumi Tashkent International Hotel and was run by the Bakrie...

Ambalat row concerns KL students

Ambalat row concerns KL studentsYuli Tri Suwarni and Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Bandung/YogyakartaAzrah Hamzah, a 22-year-old Malaysian studying in Bandung, is both saddened and concerned by rising anti-Malaysian sentiment in Indonesia as a result of the dispute between Jakarta and Kuala...

Ardimas Sasdi

Ardimas Sasdi Jakarta 2. Bando -- Ambalat is where the game nations play 1 x 30 Ambalat, where the game nations play Bantarto Bandoro Jakarta

Kabelvision teams up with Malaysian Astro for multimedia service

Kabelvision teams up with Malaysian Astro for multimedia serviceThe Jakarta Post JakartaPT Broadband Multimedia Tbk., better known as cable TV operator Kabelvision, and Malaysian cross-media operator Astro All Asia Network Plc.

'Make sure no kids visit the casinos'

'Make sure no kids visit the casinos'Not all City Council members have expressed interest in the idea floated by former Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin that gambling and prostitution should be legalized so as to produce additional tax revenue that could ease the city's budgetary constraints.

Indonesia's planned $1 billion bonds rated B+ by S&P

Indonesia's planned $1 billion bonds rated B+ by S&PBloomberg, JakartaIndonesia's proposed US$1 billion global bond was assigned a B+ foreign-currency rating by international ratings company Standard & Poor's Corp., four levels below investment grade.

WGM Corke making her moves on the world

WGM Corke making her moves on the worldMusthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The rat-a-tat-tat of Anya Sun Corke drumming her feet on the floor sounded in the hushed hall in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta.

Traders complain of evictions

Traders complain of evictions JAKARTA: Hundreds of kiosk owners in Ciluar market, Bogor, filed a complaint with the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) on Monday over their eviction from the market area last week.

Proportional response needed

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

India-ASEAN strategic partnership

India-ASEAN strategic partnershipSalman Haider, The Statesman, Asia News Network, Calcutta At the start, India and ASEAN were no more than distant cousins. They were friendly enough -- deep-rooted cultural and historical links were not to be denied. But the Cold War divided them.

Grave matter of rental fees to be laid to rest

Grave matter of rental fees to be laid to restDamar Harsanto The Jakarta Post/JakartaIt may be of small comfort to those who have just lost a loved one, but the Jakarta administration's plan to abolish rental fees for grave spaces and subsidize burials outside the city will at least decrease their...

Ministry focuses on irrigation, rural roads

Ministry focuses on irrigation, rural roadsThe Jakarta Post, JakartaMore than 80 percent of rural infrastructure projects -- to be financed by the low-income assistance fund derived from slashing the fuel subsidy -- will be concentrated on the construction of roads and irrigation channels.

AGO seeks members for key commission

AGO seeks members for key commissionJAKARTA: The Attorney General's Office (AGO) will open registrations for potential candidates for the Prosecutors Commission from March 16 to 26.AGO spokesman R.J. Soehandoyo was quoted by Antara as saying on Tuesday that a presidential decree on the...

Four more Starbucks planned for Indonesia

Four more Starbucks planned for Indonesia JAKARTA: PT Sari Coffee Indonesia plans to open four more Starbucks outlets in the next three months."In the next three months, we will open new outlets at the under-construction Sudirman Place, Wisma Metropolitan and Mal Ciputra, all in Jakarta, and at the...

On land use permits

On land use permits I don't know why when The Jakarta Post reports on some new environmental degradation (City reaches new depths as land use plan fails to sink in, March 1), the officials quoted always seem so surprised.

'USNS Mercy' will head to Alor

'USNS Mercy' will head to AlorKUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The floating hospital USNS Mercy will provide humanitarian assistance for the victims of an earthquake in Alor, East Nusa Tenggara province, after it winds up its humanitarian operations in Aceh, a senior U.S. official said on Tuesday.

House obstructs fuel policy

House obstructs fuel policyTony Hotland and Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, JakartaDespite President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono saying that the fuel price increases were final, seven of 10 factions at the House of Representatives continue to convey their rejection of the government's policy.

'We must remain suspicious of KL'

'We must remain suspicious of KL' They did it again! Malaysia has awarded two oil concessions to the Dutch company Shell .. in Indonesian territory. After a successful campaign in the Sipadan-Ligitan island case, Malaysia is now "going forward" to get more.

Shares end lower; Sampoerna down

Shares end lower; Sampoerna downDow Jones, JakartaIndonesian shares ended lower on Tuesday, led by profit-taking in cigarette blue chips and selling in Bank Mandiri on expectations that the bank will book lower first-quarter earnings because of higher loan-loss provisions, dealers said.

Canadian leader

Canadian leader visits AcehIn an effort to highlight Canada's long-term commitment to post- tsunami relief operations in Indonesia, Parliament Speaker Dan Hays is currently visiting tsunami-affected areas in Aceh province, the Canadian Embassy in Jakarta said.

JP/1/head

JP/1/head March 16, 2005 1. House (49) - 65 pts 6 cols 1line (1x24)House obstructs fuel policy 2. BPK (45) - 42 pts 2 cols 3line (3x14) BPK finds 2,128 cases of irregularities in use of Rp7.1t funds3. Piracy (34) - 28 pts 3cols 1lines (1x30) RI, M'sia team up to hunt pirates 4.

Rupiah Rates March 15

Rupiah Rates March 15 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,778.55 6,987.00 7,421.18 7,344.23 Brunei dollar 1 6,077.04 5,457.35 5,797.84 5,736.37 Canadian dollar 1 8,171.04 7,339.30 7,795.64 7,714.55 Swiss franc 1 8,501.47 7,635.96 8,110.88 8,026.

Acehnese in land document rush

Acehnese in land document rushNani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda AcehRudy, a Banda Aceh resident, breathes a sigh of relief. He has just acquired a document that substitutes for his land title certificate that was lost as a result of the tsunami on Dec. 26 last year.

Medco to explore in Libya's fields

Medco to explore in Libya's fields JAKARTA: PT Medco Energi Internasional, Indonesia's largest publicly traded oil producer, signed an agreement to explore and produce oil in Libya's Ghadames Basin.Medco and partner Verenex Energy Inc.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Echange (in rupiah) on March 15, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Echange (in rupiah) on March 15, 2005 _____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume _____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo...

The pointless debates

The pointless debates JP/6/Ed16 Fuel for debate The arguments made by several factions at the House of Representatives to support their stubborn demands for the total cancellation of the March 1 fuel price hikes not only miss the whole point of good energy policy and prudent fiscal management but...

Tenants complain over poor facilities

Tenants complain over poor facilities TANGERANG: Tenants of Amartapura Condominium in Lippo Karawaci, Tangerang, filed a lawsuit against developer PT Lippo Hyunday Development with the Tangerang District Court on Monday over the premises' poor facilities.

Indian food now attracts wider market

Indian food now 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.

Murderers of Aa' Gym's students get life imprisonment

Murderers of Aa' Gym's students get life imprisonmentYuli Tri Suwarni The Jakarta Post/BandungThree people were sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday for killing two female students of popular Muslim preacher Abdullah Gymnastiar (Aa' Gym).

Seven arrested for hoarding fuel

Seven arrested for hoarding fuel Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/JakartaAt least seven people have been arrested for hoarding and selling fuel at higher prices than that set by the government.City police natural resources crime unit chief Adj. Sr. Comr.

Canadian leader visits Aceh

Canadian leader visits AcehIn an effort to highlight Canada's long-term commitment to post- tsunami relief operations in Indonesia, Parliament Speaker Dan Hays is currently visiting tsunami-affected areas in Aceh province, the Canadian Embassy in Jakarta said.

Outgoing envoy Rajic a 'real Betawi'

Outgoing envoy Rajic a 'real Betawi'Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, JakartaGenerally, governments appoint ambassadors to foreign countries, who have had distinguished careers in diplomacy, public service or politics.Sometimes, well-known public figures are also appointed as ambassadors.

Govt plays down threat of fuel price hike protests

Govt plays down threat of fuel price hike protestsAndi Hajramurni and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/MakassarThe government has played down warnings that anti-fuel price increase protests could escalate and threaten domestic security conditions, saying that rallies continue to...

BKSDA officials rescue protected turtles

BKSDA officials rescue protected turtlesIndra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, SurabayaThe East Java Natural Resources Conservation Body (BKSDA) has foiled a smuggling attempt of 7,275 turtles from Merauke, Papua.

Death toll in boat accident rises to 11

Death toll in boat accident rises to 11JAKARTA: Rescuers searching for victims of a boat accident on a river in Indonesia's Sumatra island have found more bodies, bringing the death toll to 11 with 19 missing, police said on Tuesday.

An inspiring personal experience

An inspiring personal experience When I got married seven years ago, my wife and I mulled over spending our honeymoon on Bali. The exigencies of government service held us from fulfilling that dream. Romanticism attached to the Indonesian islands however remained on our minds.

Govt to build 25 lighthouses

Govt to build 25 lighthouses JAKARTA: The government is expected to increase the administrative fee for issuing passports, as the current fee of Rp 260,000 (about US$27) does not cover production costs.

Prosecutors await medical diagnosis on Adiguna

Prosecutors await medical diagnosis on AdigunaAbdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/JakartaProsecutors are waiting to be advised of the medical diagnosis on Adiguna Sutowo, the sole suspect in the murder of Yohannes "Rudy" Berchmans Haerudy Natong.

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.

Kadin suggests funding schemes for TNI

Kadin suggests funding schemes for TNIZakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe much-hyped Ambalat dispute has encouraged the Indonesian Military (TNI) to renew its demands for more up-to-date weaponry, with the constraints on the military budget forcing it to look for new funding sources.

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.

TV Program: Wednesday, March 16, 2005

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

Jakarta Hilton presents Balinese cuisine festival

Jakarta Hilton presents Balinese cuisine festivalEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaDo you have a craving for Balinese dishes like sate lilit and bebek betutu but do not have time to fly to the island?There's good news.

Flying high with SBY

Flying high with SBY Have relations between Indonesia and Australia ever been closer?With Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono due here later this month, and a bilateral forum scheduled for Canberra on Thursday featuring no fewer than nine Indonesian government ministers, it would be hard...

1.KUHP ---- 1x40

1.KUHP ---- 1x40 Criminal Code revision draws more flak 2. Gas ---- 2x16 Taxi firms eagerly await compulsory use of CNG 3. NTT ------ 2x24 Government admits food shortage in West Timor 4. Murder -- 2x22 Student gets 20 years in jail for killing pregnant girlfriend

West Java wows on tae kwon do nationals' second day

West Java wows on tae kwon do nationals' second dayMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta West Java grabbed the lead from defending champion Central Java on Tuesday in the 5th LG National Tae kwon do championship, with the two teams set to vie for all-round medal honors in Wednesday's...

RI to host first Asia-Africa Business Summit

RI to host first Asia-Africa Business SummitZakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAs a prelude to the upcoming Asia-Africa Conference next month, Indonesia will host the first Asia-Africa Business Summit, which aims to encourage investment and trade between the two continents.