Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 16 March 2005

82 articles found

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

BPK finds over 2,000 irregularities, state loses Rp7.1 trillion Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The 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 7.12 trillion (about US$765 million).

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

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

Sutiyoso to heed public on gambling

Sutiyoso to heed public on gambling The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Governor 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. "I am all ears to the growing discussions over the issue. But, so far, we have not yet received any proposals from anyone about creating the special, controlled zones.

The route to democracy at the IMF

The route to democracy at the IMF Kenneth 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." They want more policy influence the next time the Fund decides to bail out a fellow emerging-market country like Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, and Turkey.

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 suspect was arrested at his telecommunications kiosk in Pasir Jaya, Jatiuwung district, following complaints from the victims, each of whom was asked to pay a fee of Rp 100,000 and Rp 200,000 for the job offer.

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. AS Reniban said the decision was made after an investigation turned up evidence that Michel Heller, 56, had sexually assaulted at least three children in Karangasem district.

Garuda pilot grilled over poisoning death of Munir

Garuda pilot grilled over poisoning death of Munir Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Five National Police investigators on Tuesday questioned Garuda pilot Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto over his alleged role in the murder of rights activist Munir last September. National police chief of detectives Comr. Gen. Suyitno Landung said the questioning focused on the pilot's activities during the flight between Jakarta and Singapore, and during the stopover at Singapore's Changi Airport.

Criminal Code revision draws more flak

Criminal Code revision draws more flak Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Already 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 practicing violence.

Tangerang to claim back Cipondoh lake

Tangerang to claim back Cipondoh lake Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Located 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. In five years, illegal reclamation and occupation of the lake's banks have narrowed Cipondoh from 170 hectares to 126 hectares.

BP Migas questioned role over Ambalat

BP Migas questioned role over Ambalat Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Prior 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 ongoing dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia over the Ambalat offshore oil field.

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 Tbk 2,150 -50 123,000 Adhi Karya 970 -50 19,589,000 Adira Dinamika 2,450 0 40,000 AGIS Tbk 135 15 12,251,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 375 0 172,500 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,150 0 1,225,000 Alakasa Industrindo...

Taxi firms eagerly await compulsory use of CNG

Taxi firms eagerly await compulsory use of CNG Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Taxi 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 corruption Ardimas 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 illness. Up to now Susilo has repeated the vow at least three times -- first during the election campaign, second in his inaugural speech on Oct.

Jakarta prepares for historic meeting

Jakarta prepares for historic meeting Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After 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, including 70 heads of state/government from Asia and Africa. The meeting, known as the Asian-African Summit (AAS), will be held on April 22 and April 23 in Jakarta.

Activists stand up for maids

Activists stand up for maids The 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 treated needed a "revolution" in gender perspectives. "Domestic chores are still considered the sole responsibility of women.

Govt to raise pasport fee

Govt to raise pasport fee JAKARTA: 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. "The lighthouses are not only meant for sea navigation but will also mark Indonesia's sovereignty in those particular waters," he said at the presidential office. He added the ministry would have to allocate between Rp 40 billion to Rp 50 billion (US$5.43 million) to finance the project.

Indonesian runs plush hotel in Tashkent

Indonesian runs plush hotel in Tashkent The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian 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 Group, also from Indonesia. Jay took over the hotel last October but the price he paid was not revealed.

Ambalat row concerns KL students

Ambalat row concerns KL students Yuli Tri Suwarni and Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Bandung/Yogyakarta Azrah 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 Lumpur over the Ambalat offshore area. A post has been set up in front of the Gedung Sate government building on Jl.

Council speaker named suspect

Council speaker named suspect JAMBI: 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 allegedly embezzling Rp 8 billion (US$888,888) of the regency's 2002 budget. "The police named him a suspect after questioning several witnesses in the case," said Djoko on Tuesday. -- JP

Kabelvision teams up with Malaysian Astro for multimedia service

Kabelvision teams up with Malaysian Astro for multimedia service The Jakarta Post Jakarta PT Broadband Multimedia Tbk., better known as cable TV operator Kabelvision, and Malaysian cross-media operator Astro All Asia Network Plc., have agreed to set up a joint venture company to provide multi-channel satellite and multimedia services in Indonesia. The partnership will invest US$1 billion over the next five years.

'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. The Jakarta Post asked some Jakarta people for their opinions on the issue. Jeannyal, 23, works for a finance company located in the Jakarta Stock Exchange building on Jl. Jend. Sudirman, South Jakarta.

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

Indonesia's planned $1 billion bonds rated B+ by S&P Bloomberg, Jakarta Indonesia'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. The rating is supported by the country's declining debt and the government's handling of the budget, S&P analysts Agost Benard and Ping Chew said in a statement from Singapore. The rating applies to a total of $145.4 billion of overseas debt.

WGM Corke making her moves on the world

WGM Corke making her moves on the world Musthofid, 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. At times, as she prepared to make her next move, she stroked her long hair, absent-mindedly nuzzling strands of it against her cheek.

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. The traders claim that the Bogor administration "was told to evict them by the developer of the new Plaza Dua Raja shopping mall, PT Jamrud Dua Raja Perkasa". "We once met the developer to discuss the latter's plan to acquire our plots, but we rejected the land prices it offered.

Proportional response needed

Proportional response needed From Koran Tempo The government announcement on fuel price increases has triggered student demonstrations but ironically, the support for ordinary people's complaints has been less. In addition, the public is also disappointed with the students unconstructive actions such as their boycotting of fuel tankers -- vehicles that have nothing to do with the government's fuel price policy.

India-ASEAN strategic partnership

India-ASEAN strategic partnership Salman 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. Each saw in the other an inclination towards the Cold War adversary from which it felt itself distant. Also, in their economic policy, they followed different paths.

Grave matter of rental fees to be laid to rest

Grave matter of rental fees to be laid to rest Damar Harsanto The Jakarta Post/Jakarta It 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 burden. "The decision (to scrap rental fees and provide a burial subsidy) is almost final.

Finally, the dead may rest in peace

Finally, the dead may rest in peace Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It 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 burden. "The decision (to scrap rental fees and provide a burial subsidy) is almost final.

Government admits food shortage in West Timor

Government admits food shortage in West Timor Yemris Fointuna and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government promised on Tuesday to provide free rice and labor-intensive jobs for people in several drought-stricken East Nusa Tenggara regencies. Provincial head of the state commodity regulating body (Bulog) Widjanarko Puspoyo said the institution had some 27,000 tons of rice on hand in the province and had sent 2,000 tons more from East Java to the drought-affected province.

Indonesia's fragile defense

Indonesia's fragile defense From 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. We should honestly acknowledge the fact that the country's Navy and Air Force capacity is behind that of Malaysia. The recent tsunami disaster in Aceh showed the limitations of both forces in carrying out rescue operations.

Murderers of Aa' Gym's students get life imprisonment

Murderers of Aa' Gym's students get life imprisonment Yuli Tri Suwarni The Jakarta Post/Bandung Three people were sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday for killing two female students of popular Muslim preacher Abdullah Gymnastiar (Aa' Gym). The sentence was in accordance with prosecutor's demands read out earlier by S. Aworo.

Illegal migrants workers jailed in Malaysia

Illegal migrants workers jailed in Malaysia Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Dozens of people arrested this month in a crackdown on illegal immigrants in Malaysia are to be jailed and whipped, local media reported on Tuesday. Two magistrates' courts in the capital on Monday sentenced 57 Indonesian illegal immigrants to be jailed for up to three months and 16 of them to be whipped once, the Star said.

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

Killers of Aa' Gym's students sentenced to life imprisonment Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung Three people were sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday for killing two female students of popular Muslim preacher Abdullah Gymnastiar (Aa' Gym). The sentence was in accordance with prosecutor's demands read out earlier by S. Aworo.

Seven arrested for hoarding fuel

Seven arrested for hoarding fuel Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta At 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. Ahmad Haydar said many fuel agents who were supposed to sell kerosene to households had chosen to sell the product to factories for a higher profit.

Kadin suggests alternative financing schemes to TNI

Kadin suggests alternative financing schemes to TNI Zakki P. Hakim The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The 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. In response, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) chairman Mohammad S.

Ambalat, where the game nations play

Ambalat, where the game nations play Bantarto 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. This is the second time that the two countries have been involved in a high profile conflict, the first was during the konfrontasi era in the 1960s.

Erin Brokovich visits Yogyakarta

Erin Brokovich visits Yogyakarta YOGYAKARTA: Ignoring a travel advisory, several environmentalists from the United States, including Erin Brokovich, visited Yogyakarta on Tuesday and met Yogyakarta Sultan Hamengkubuwono X. The environmentalists grouped under the Save The World Air from California discussed air pollution with the sultan.

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 State Todung 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 New York, London and Oslo stock exchanges) and Goldman Sachs (a global investment bank) have colluded in the sale of two supertankers. As a result the state lost up to US$20-50 million.

Mandiri books 14 percent increase in 2004 profit

Mandiri books 14 percent increase in 2004 profit The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bank 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 94.4 trillion (about US$1.3 billion), a 24.3 percent increase from a year before, boosting its net profit to Rp 5.26 trillion.

[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/GRAFT RI must not relax campaign on corruption Ardimas 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 illness.

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. I am actively involved with a group of professional women apprentices and journey-level commercial/residential plumbers. Here in California, women work in construction, same as the men do. We receive the same training, perform the same work and earn the same wages.

Moderate earthquake jolts East Java

Moderate earthquake jolts East Java JAKARTA: 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 5.5 on the Richter scale, shook the town of Malang, over 700 kilometers southeast of Jakarta, on Monday night, Hariyanto, the local meteorological and geophysics agency head, was quoted as saying by the state-run Antara news agency.

Marlboro maker sets sights on Asia

Marlboro maker sets sights on Asia Marlboro 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. The Altria Group, whose operating arm is Philip Morris International, said the US$5.2 billion it has offered to buy Sampoerna would earn it handsome rewards, both financially and in product share in heavy-smoking Indonesia.

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. "Students get good training and qualifications here," she said during her visit to the university campus on Tuesday.

Prosecutors waiting for Adiguna medical results

Prosecutors waiting for Adiguna medical results Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Prosecutors are waiting to be advised of the medical diagnosis on Adiguna Sutowo, the sole suspect in the murder of Yohannes "Rudy" Berchmans Haerudy Natong. Adiguna, a younger brother of businessman Ponco Sutowo, was rushed to Pertamina Hospital in South Jakarta on Monday evening after he fell unconscious in his cell at Salemba Penitentiary, Central Jakarta.

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

Canadian leader visits Aceh

Canadian leader visits Aceh In 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. Hays, along with an eight-member parliamentary delegation, who came to Indonesia on a week-long trip (March 12 to March 18), arrived in Banda Aceh on Monday and will be returning to Jakarta on Wednesday.

Outgoing envoy Rajic a 'real Betawi'

Outgoing envoy Rajic a 'real Betawi' Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Generally, 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. After all, an ambassador's main function is to represent the view of his or her government and nation in a foreign land.

Govt plays down threat of fuel price hike protests

Govt plays down threat of fuel price hike protests Andi Hajramurni and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Makassar The government has played down warnings that anti-fuel price increase protests could escalate and threaten domestic security conditions, saying that rallies continue to be staged in an orderly manner. Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo Adi Sucipto said that demonstrations were part and parcel of democracy.

BKSDA officials rescue protected turtles

BKSDA officials rescue protected turtles Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya The East Java Natural Resources Conservation Body (BKSDA) has foiled a smuggling attempt of 7,275 turtles from Merauke, Papua. During the raid in Tanjung Perak seaport here on Monday, the BKSDA officials also seized a black head parrot (Lorius lorry). Chief of the BKSDA Nurhadi Utomo said that the turtles and parrots are now in good hands at the BKSDA's office in Kutisari area, Surabaya.

Death toll in boat accident rises to 11

Death toll in boat accident rises to 11 JAKARTA: 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. The search was continuing for possible survivors of the accident in which a motor boat capsized in the district of Kuala Kampar in Riau province on Sunday, said police spokesman Amin Rahimsyah.

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. It is an irony of fate that when I landed at Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport in Banda Aceh, Indonesia menangis (Indonesia cries) -- and so were we, here to share and do our bit.

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. A spokesperson for the Directorate General of Immigration, Supriyatna Anwar, confirmed there were plans to increase the fee but would not say by how much or when. "This should be covered by a government regulation, but there is no such regulation at the moment.

Prosecutors await medical diagnosis on Adiguna

Prosecutors await medical diagnosis on Adiguna Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Prosecutors are waiting to be advised of the medical diagnosis on Adiguna Sutowo, the sole suspect in the murder of Yohannes "Rudy" Berchmans Haerudy Natong. Adiguna, a younger brother of businessman Ponco Sutowo, was rushed to Pertamina Hospital in South Jakarta on Monday evening after he fell unconscious in his cell at Salemba Penitentiary, Central Jakarta.

Seven arrested for hoarding fuel

Seven arrested for hoarding fuel Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/Jakarta At 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. Ahmad Haydar said many fuel agents who were supposed to sell kerosene to households had chosen to sell the product to factories for a higher profit.

Kadin suggests funding schemes for TNI

Kadin suggests funding schemes for TNI Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The 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. In response, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) chairman Mohammad S.

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. I looked at the barrack-type wooden homes being built down the road and was not at all impressed -- in fact I was horrified.

TV Program: Wednesday, March 16, 2005

TV Program: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon: Maya the Bee 8:30 Music: Asik-asik 10:00 Talk Show: Showbiz 11:00 Cultural Program: Nusa Budaya 12:00 p.m.

Jakarta Hilton presents Balinese cuisine festival

Jakarta Hilton presents Balinese cuisine festival Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Do 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. You don't have to fly there because Jakarta Hilton hotel has flown two of the Bali Hilton's best chefs to Jakarta to bring you the best of Bali cuisine from March 7 through March 19.

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 to argue things could be much better. The last Indonesian leader to visit was Abdurrahman Wahid, in the twilight of his tenure in 2001 -- and the one before that was Soeharto in 1975.

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 day Moch. 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 crucial final bouts. With one gold and three silvers on Monday, West Java dominated day two with victories by all three of its finalists at the new national tae kwon do center in Cibubur, East Jakarta.

RI to host first Asia-Africa Business Summit

RI to host first Asia-Africa Business Summit Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As 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. Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) chairman Mohammad S.

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 funds 3. Piracy (34) - 28 pts 3cols 1lines (1x30) RI, M'sia team up to hunt pirates 4. Aceh (31) - 32 pts 3 cols 1line (1x30) Acehnese in land document rush --- 5. Photo and ad

AGO seeks members for key commission

AGO seeks members for key commission JAKARTA: 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 establishment of the commission had been issued recently.

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 Bandung Supermal," the company's general manager, Anthony Cottan, said on Tuesday during the signing of an agreement with PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA).

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. Aren't they the same officials that turn a blind eye to regulations and the same officials who issue the permits for the construction of ill-planned buildings? You have only to look at Kemang Raya to know that the land use permit system is seriously compromised.

'USNS Mercy' will head to Alor

'USNS Mercy' will head to Alor KUPANG, 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. The USNS Mercy, which has been in Aceh for a month and a half, is set to complete operations in the tsunami-hit area of Aceh soon.

House obstructs fuel policy

House obstructs fuel policy Tony Hotland and Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite 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. Only two factions -- Susilo's own Democrat Party faction and the Democratic Pioneer Star faction -- support the government's move in increasing fuel prices by an average 29 percent on March 1.

'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. Despite good relations between the two countries, recently Malaysia seems to be "bitchy", at least to some ordinary people in Indonesia.

Shares end lower; Sampoerna down

Shares end lower; Sampoerna down Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesian 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. The day's losses echoed declines in other regional markets, but gains in bellwether Telekomunikasi Indonesia helped prevent the key stock index from falling further.

Canadian leader

Canadian leader visits Aceh In 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. Hays, along with an eight-member parliamentary delegation, who came to Indonesia on a week-long trip (March 12 to March 18), arrived in Banda Aceh on Monday and will be returning to Jakarta on Wednesday.

Ministry focuses on irrigation, rural roads

Ministry focuses on irrigation, rural roads The Jakarta Post, Jakarta More 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.

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 8,026.37 Danish krone 1 1,770.32 1,588.98 1,688.99 1,670.22 Euro 1 13,178.88 11,838.73 12,573.40 12,444.03 Poundsterling 1 18,888.80 16,968.67 18,020.99 17,836.26 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,264.18 1,135.90 1,206.10 1,193.97...

Acehnese in land document rush

Acehnese in land document rush Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh Rudy, 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. For Rudy, the substitute land title certificate is very important, as it is all his family has left. The family's house was leveled by the disaster. "The land is the only part of our family's legacy that is left.

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. will have equal share in the venture that holds the right to explore the fields for the next five years and the right to commercially exploit any findings over the subsequent 25 years, Medco said in an e-mail statement on Tuesday.

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 Tbk 2,150 -50 123,000 Adhi Karya 970 -50 19,589,000 Adira Dinamika 2,450 0 40,000 AGIS Tbk 135 15 12,251,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 375 0 172,500 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,150 0 1,225,000 Alakasa Industrindo...

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 also have little to do with what they claim to be the interests of the people.

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 market Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Thanks partly to Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee and other Bollywood people, all things Indian are gaining popularity here, including its spicy and pungent cuisine. Until recently, very few could afford Indian cuisine regularly because Indian eateries in Jakarta were mostly upmarket. Now, for less than Rp 40,000 you can enjoy a complete Indian meal plus soft drink at a number of eateries.

Murderers of Aa' Gym's students get life imprisonment

Murderers of Aa' Gym's students get life imprisonment Yuli Tri Suwarni The Jakarta Post/Bandung Three people were sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday for killing two female students of popular Muslim preacher Abdullah Gymnastiar (Aa' Gym). The sentence was in accordance with prosecutor's demands read out earlier by S. Aworo.

Managing fuel price compensation fund

Managing fuel price compensation fund From 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. It is also our view that such "demos" should not worsen the present situation and that should lead to some solution.