Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 17 March 2005

80 articles found

Gubernatorial meals stipend increases to Rp 1.1b

Gubernatorial meals stipend increases to Rp 1.1b Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung The food and beverage allowance for the West Java governor and deputy governor for fiscal year 2005 has been increased by more than 60 percent to Rp 1.138 billion (US$126,450). The budget allocated for that same purpose last year was Rp 701 million.

Center to host talk by culture expert

Center to host talk by culture expert The Indian Cultural Center Bali plans to hold a special lecture titled India and South East Asia -- Exploring the Cultural Linkages, presented by Prof. Sachchidananda Sahai, Fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies in Simla, India. The lecture will be given at the center, Jl Raya Puputan 42 to 44, Renon, Denpasar, on March 18, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Prof Sahai is an internationally acknowledged expert on southeast Asian culture.

Women artists show glimpses of their lives

Women artists show glimpses of their lives Made Arya Dwita Dedok, Contributor, Denpasar Ten women artists working in different mediums share aspects of their lives through the current exhibition at Danes Art Veranda, Denpasar, titled Lifestyles. The show, which opened on Feb.

Big bikes join traffic patrol

Big bikes join traffic patrol JAKARTA: The city police introduced 25 new Harley Davidson motorcycles to their traffic corps on Wednesday. Police chief Insp. Firman Gani said that the "hogs" had been donated by the city administration.

Govt ready to face worst scenario in Cemex dispute

Govt ready to face worst scenario in Cemex dispute Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Ahead of the hearing on the dispute between PT Semen Gresik and Cemex SA at the International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington D.C., scheduled to last from July 28 through July 30, the Indonesian government says it has prepared itself "for the worst".

Astini faces execution

Astini faces execution SURABAYA: Astini, a 49-year old woman on death row for multiple murders in Surabaya, East Java, will likely face the police firing squad this week, officials said here on Wednesday. "The execution will be carried out in the near future. I cannot specify the date. God willing, this week," said Surabaya High Prosecutor's Office head AF Darmawan. Surabaya prison chief Wibowo Joko Harjono confirmed the plan to execute Astini this week.

Takes two to tango

Takes two to tango Abdillah Toha's article in The Jakarta Post, March 1, titled Extradition talks and Singapore's lectures reflects an Indonesian citizen's impatience regarding the signing of the extradition treaty that has been discussed over the past three decades. In fact, the majority of Indonesians, in my opinion, share his views.

Bird flu isolates in S. Sulawesi, W. Java

Bird flu isolates in S. Sulawesi, W. Java Rendi A. Witular and Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar/Jakarta The government is taking steps to isolate outbreaks of avian influenza, or bird flu, in South Sulawesi and West Java. The South Sulawesi Husbandry Agency took samples from 25,500 chickens found dead in the past week in five regencies -- Wajo, Soppeng, Sidenreng Rapang, Pinrang and Maros -- and sent the samples to laboratories in Makassar, Bogor and Yogyakarta.

Friction in U.S.-South Korea ties

Friction in U.S.-South Korea ties The chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on International Relations, Henry Hyde, has said that if South Korea expects military assistance from the United States, it should clearly state who its enemy is. Hyde's strong remarks came during a hearing dealing with the North Korean nuclear crisis.

Adiguna trial set to resume Thursday

Adiguna trial set to resume Thursday JAKARTA: Prosecutor confirmed on Wednesday that Thursday's hearing on whether to proceed with the trial of murder suspect Adiguna Sutowo would go ahead as scheduled, even though the defendant was still being treated in hospital for asthma. "We haven't received any news from the doctors, but he will probably attend the hearing. However, the trial will continue with or without him," prosecutor Danu Sebayang told The Jakarta Post.

No talks without 'tyranny' retraction: North Korea

No talks without 'tyranny' retraction: North Korea Jack Kim, Reuters/Seoul North Korea ruled out on Wednesday a return to stalled six-way talks on its nuclear weapons programs unless the United States retracted its labeling of Pyongyang as an "outpost of tyranny". A spokesman for the North Korean Foreign Ministry also said recent comments by U.S.

Four die in traffic accident in Cirebon

Four die in traffic accident in Cirebon CIREBON, West Java: A commercial bus crashed into a truck carrying cement in Cirebon regency late on Tuesday, leaving four people dead and five others injured. Among the dead was Tayoni, 30, the truck driver's assistant, who was a resident of Majalengka regency in West Java. The three other fatalities were bus passengers. The accident occurred as the bus was heading west from Kudus, Central Java, to Jakarta, said Cirebon Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr.

Malaysian consulate temporarily closes

Malaysian consulate temporarily closes Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan Several people line up outside the office of the Malaysian consulate in Medan. They were just a few of the hundreds of would-be migrant workers who were stranded on Wednesday following the closure of the consulate, apparently due to the rising anti- Malaysian sentiments in Indonesia. Due to the closure three days ago, people wanting to work legally in Malaysia have not been able to obtain their work visas.

GMI guarantees part available

GMI guarantees part available JAKARTA: There are now spare parts available for Chevrolet Blazer owners which could be bought through the company's Chevy Sedia program, PT General Motors Indonesia (GMI) says. "As long as there are Blazers on the road in Indonesia, we will continue to provide owners a comprehensive and reliable supply of spare parts. This will be accompanied by service in our authorized service centers," director of sales, marketing and after-sales service Antonio Zara said.

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.

Oil consumption down after fuel price hike: Pertamina

Oil consumption down after fuel price hike: Pertamina Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Following the recent fuel price increase, the country's fuel consumption has declined by 16 percent compared to the previous month. State oil and gas company Pertamina said in a statement on Wednesday that fuel consumption this month averaged 158,000 kiloliters per day, compared to last month's 189,700 kiloliters per day.

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Office affair leads to ouster of Boeing's CEO Aziz Munich, Germany 2. Todung -- KPPU can't count: Sales of tankers let to a big profit for 1 x 30 Pertamina's tanker sales brought profit or Pertamina profited in tanker sales Todung Mulya Lubis Jakarta 3. nation -- OIC summit to bring unwanted attention 1 x 30 OIC summit facing sensitive issues OIC summit to bring unwanted attention Don Pathan The Nation Asia News Network Bangkok

Survey institutions hired to assess governor candidates' popularity

Survey institutions hired to assess governor candidates' popularity Jonker Rumteh, The Jakarta Post, Manado A team of researchers hired by Christian-based Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) presented on Tuesday night the methodology used in a survey held recently in the province to assess the popularity of PDS gubernatorial candidates.

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.

Court to speed up verdict on poll case

Court to speed up verdict on poll case JAKARTA: The Constitutional Court said on Wednesday it is slated to issue a verdict on the judicial review of Law No. 32/2004 on the direct elections of regional administration heads on March 22. The issuance of the verdict had originally been scheduled for March 23, the court's media center added.

Dadap people seek way to halt reclamation

Dadap people seek way to halt reclamation Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang A group of 4,000 Dadap residents in Tangerang, Banten, have appealed for a second time on Wednesday for the House of Representatives to halt the ongoing reclamation of the village's beaches, which they say has detrimentally impacted the environment. "Coral reefs, marine life and mangrove forests have been destroyed because of the reclamation," said the leader of the group, Gatot Yan.

Irene, Corke finish all square

Irene, Corke finish all square JAKARTA: Women's Grand Master Anya Sun Corke came back to beat local prodigy Irene Kharisma on Wednesday in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, to tie their six-match series. FIDE Master Irene, 13, held a 3-2 lead over her Hong Kong opponent as the final match began, and dominated the early stages of the contest. However, Corke, 14, was able to overcome her in another hard-fought match. The players split US$1,500, the combined purses of the winner's and runner's up.

Spanish navy diver dies on duty in Aceh

Spanish navy diver dies on duty in Aceh BANDA ACEH, Aceh: A Spanish naval diver died during a routine underwater operation to inspect the hull of his ship, which is helping relief efforts in Indonesia's tsunami-hit Aceh, his unit said on Wednesday. Sgt. First Class Justo Jesus Picallo Martinez, 36, died on Tuesday while cleaning the underside of the ship Galicia, anchored off Aceh province, the Spanish Engineers unit said in a statement.

Australia and RI officials to decide on tsunami aid

Australia and RI officials to decide on tsunami aid Agencies, Canberra/Jakarta An Indonesian Cabinet team will visit Canberra later this week to discuss how to spend an Australian pledge of A$1 billion ($787 million) in aid to redevelop tsunami-devastated Aceh. Rebuilding the province's main hospital is likely to be among the first projects, Reuters reported on Wednesday citing officials as saying. Australia's single largest aid pledge was made to its northern neighbor after the Dec.

The value of workers' remittances

The value of workers' remittances Paul Sutaryono, Jakarta There is a business opportunity besides tragedy in illegal migrant workers. Every month most migrant workers send money to their spouses or relatives in Indonesia. In banking terminology, such a transaction is called remittances. How are the national banks competing to win the handling of those remittances?

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.

Former PKI prisoners to get compensation

Former PKI prisoners to get compensation Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has moved to restore the rights of and provide compensation for former political prisoners exiled on Buru Island in Maluku between 1969 and 1979. Most were accused of having links to the outlawed Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

'Aceh rebels may be behind tugboat attack'

'Aceh rebels may be behind tugboat attack' Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur/Tokyo Indonesian separatist rebels may have carried out the armed attack on a Japanese tugboat in the Malacca Strait and the kidnapping of three crewmen, Malaysia's marine police said on Wednesday. "The pirates are from Indonesia. They may be GAM rebels. I will not rule it out," Mokhtar Othman, operations officer for Malaysia's northern region marine police, told AFP.

Altria to boost output of high-tar clove cigarettes

Altria to boost output of high-tar clove cigarettes Bloomberg, Jakarta Altria Group Inc.'s Philip Morris division, the world's biggest cigarette maker, may increase production of cigarettes with higher tar and more nicotine as the company enters Indonesia's US$7.4 billion market for clove-flavored kretek cigarettes.

Roy Morgan research enters RI

Roy Morgan research enters RI The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country's market research industry now has a new player with the entry of PT Roy Morgan Research starting on Thursday. Having started conducting surveys in the country early last year, Roy Morgan Research in Indonesia now has 21 clients, including Bank Mandiri, Bintang Toedjoe, Indosat, Telkomsel, Ultrajaya, Gramedia and ANTeve, according to a release received by The Jakarta Post.

TV Program: Thursday, March 17, 2005

TV Program: Thursday, March 17, 2005 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon: Maya the Bee 8:00 Cartoon: Hero Classics 8:30 Music: Asyik-Asyik 10:00 Talk Show: Wirausaha 11:00 Sport Superstar 12:00 p.m.

Potholes the bane of Tangerang regency

Potholes the bane of Tangerang regency Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang How do you tell Tangerang regency from Tangerang municipality? Attentive travelers might be able to tell from the condition of the roads, as Tangerang regency is fast becoming notorious for its damaged infrastructure. Regency officials estimate that some 720 kilometers, or around 80 percent of the regency's 1,100 kilometers of roads are in urgent need of repair.

Central Java top of the lot in tae kwon do

Central Java top of the lot in tae kwon do Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Central Java finished atop the medal standings for a second year in a row at the 5th LG National Tae kwon don championship, narrowly beating West Java. The winner garnered five golds three silvers and one bronze, with West Java taking home four golds, four silvers and two bronzes. Jakarta was third with four golds, two silvers and two bronzes.

Indian culture, beliefs preserved

Indian culture, beliefs preserved The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A mother of Indian descent stood in front of the altar inside the Gurdwara, a Sikh temple, holding the hands of a toddler to show him how to bow toward the Sikh holy book, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Clad in a light blue sari, the mother whispered praises in Punjabi over and over to her son, "My God is one, and He is my protector".

New houses required to install plastic septic tanks

New houses required to install plastic septic tanks Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city administration will require all Jakarta residents wanting to build new houses to install fiber-reinforced plastic septic tanks, as part of measures to curb contamination of groundwater and rivers with untreated waste.

ExxonMobil ups tsunami donation

ExxonMobil ups tsunami donation JAKARTA: U.S.-based oil and gas giant ExxonMobil will increase its cash donation for tsunami-hit nations in the region to more than US$9 million, the majority of which will go to hardest-hit Indonesia. Visiting ExxonMobil vice president for Asia Pacific/Middle East R.M.

Govt told to control police conduct

Govt told to control police conduct Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has urged the government to set up mechanisms to control the conduct of police amid a rising trend of human rights violations by law enforcers in various parts of the country.

PBSI calls up 16 new players

PBSI calls up 16 new players JAKARTA: The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) announced on Wednesday the 16 players admitted to the National Training Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta. The association's head of development affairs and director of the training center, Icuk Sugiarto, said the players were chosen based on the trials of 56 hopefuls held in February, taking into account their competition results, health, physique, a psychological test and an evaluation of their future prospects.

Hundreds of schools in need of repair

Hundreds of schools in need of repair SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Though East Kalimantan is rich in natural resources, many of the schools in the province have fallen into disrepair from neglect. A top official at the East Kalimantan Education Office, Syafrudin Pernyata, said on Wednesday there were 628 elementary schools in desperate need of reconstruction, or about 30 percent of the 2,094 elementary schools in the province.

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.

Debt moratorium to push deficit below 1 percent of GDP

Debt moratorium to push deficit below 1 percent of GDP Urip Hudiono and Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government will be able to keep the 2005 budget deficit below 1 percent of gross domestic product if it accepts a debt moratorium offer from the Paris Club of creditor nations, a senior official says.

Government blasts for neglecting electronics sector

Government blasts for neglecting electronics sector Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta "The government has been neglecting the electronics industry," Adhi Sukmono, secretary of the Association of Indonesia Electronic and Electrical Appliances Industries, said on Wednesday during a discussion between industry players and journalists.

Garuda to fully tap Japanese market

Garuda to fully tap Japanese market Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar Speaking to about 100 Japanese journalists, Bali provincial tourism service chief Gede Nurjaya spoke about Japanese tourist arrivals in Bali during the past five years. During this period, the number fluctuated but since 2000 Japanese tourists visiting Bali have always topped the list of foreigners coming to the island, followed by those from Australia and Taiwan.

House members questions BIN on Munir's murder

House members questions BIN on Munir's murder Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives questioned on Wednesday the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) in a closed-door meeting to determine what knowledge the agency had regarding the murder of prominent human rights activist Munir.

2 headings for page 18

2 headings for page 18 1. JAPAN -- 1 x 40 Garuda to tap Japanese market more extensively or Garuda to fully tap Japanese market 2. FEMALE -- 1 x 45 Women artists show glimpses of their lives

Opie's Tribe Art on its way to capital

Opie's Tribe Art on its way to capital Setya Masriyanti, Contributor, Jakarta Julian Opie refers to his work as Tribe Art, but it is not traditional, nor is it ethnic. The tribespeople that Opie refers to are those bound by a common occupation or interest -- whether in Formula One racing or art. The term is no doubt familiar to art lovers in London, Tokyo and Milan as Tribe Art shows have been held in those cities since 2002.

Conflict over Ambalat

Conflict over Ambalat It is clear that the Ambalat Block is rich in offshore oil. That is why it has become an area of conflict between Indonesia and Malaysia. Dutch oil company Shell had bought the rights to drill in the area from Indonesia earlier and then sold it to an Italian company. Now Indonesia and Malaysia will discuss the ownership of the block.

Moonshine maker faces imprisonment

Moonshine maker faces imprisonment JAKARTA: Prosecutors recommended to the West Jakarta District Court that it sentence alleged moonshine brewer Ayong, 48, to 11 months in prison for selling fabricated whiskey and vodka. During Tuesday's hearing, the prosecutors alleged that Ayong, a resident of Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, had sold 330 crates of his concoction, branded as McDonald and Mansion House products, to Acuan, a liquor store owner, on Dec. 11 last year.

JP/04/HEALTH

JP/04/HEALTH Indonesia needs to allocate more funds to fight tuberculosis The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia, which ranks as the third highest tuberculosis burdened country in the world after India and China, must be more persistent in fighting tuberculosis (TB) to meet its own target of detecting 60 percent of TB cases this year and to achieve the global target of detecting 70 percent next year.

Aceh funds mostly for infrastructure

Aceh funds mostly for infrastructure The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is planning to allocate Rp 22.5 trillion (US$2.4 billion), or around 50 percent of the Aceh reconstruction total budget of Rp 45 trillion, for infrastructure projects in the tsunami-stricken province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam.

US hospital ship 'Mercy' leaves Aceh after six-week aid stint

US hospital ship 'Mercy' leaves Aceh after six-week aid stint Agence France-Presse/Jakarta A U.S. navy hospital ship was due to leave Indonesia's tsunami- hit Aceh province on Wednesday, ending six weeks of humanitarian aid for victims of the December disaster, the U.S. embassy said. The USNS Mercy has provided medical services in Aceh since Feb. 2 with the help of volunteers from the US-based non- government group Project Hope and American health officials.

House fuel talks erupt into brawl

House fuel talks erupt into brawl Tony Hotland and Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A brawl among legislators ended the second day of the House of Representatives plenary session to discuss the government's fuel hike policy, leaving the public disgusted by the immaturity of their representatives.

Cheap original to be sold to curb piracy

Cheap original to be sold to curb piracy Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Domestic recording business players and distributors announced on Wednesday that they were planning to produce and distribute inexpensive original CDs, VCDs and DVDs directly for local markets in a bid to compete with pirated copies.

M'sia, RI vie for oil in troubled waters

M'sia, RI vie for oil in troubled waters Reuters, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia could challenge neighbor Indonesia to become Southeast Asia's top oil producer, in a high-stakes rivalry underscored by a tense dispute over little-explored waters off Borneo. Malaysia's output is estimated to be less than 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) behind Indonesia and its quest for oil and gas is taking it into deeper waters and grey areas of sovereignty where drilling can be deemed a hostile act.

Pertamina's tanker sales brought profit

Pertamina's tanker sales brought profit 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) 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.

Public transportation operators fret over CNG change

Public transportation operators fret over CNG change Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Demands for public transportation operators to switch to compressed natural gas (CNG) have mounted following the fuel price hikes and a corresponding rise fares. However, converting vehicles to CNG is not easy as it may sound.

1. House (49) - 65 pts 2 cols 3lines (3x9)

1. House (49) - 65 pts 2 cols 3lines (3x9) House fuel talks erupt into brawl 2. Garuda (45) - 36 pts 3 cols 1line (1x27) Garuda board of directors fired 3. Bomb (34) - 36 pts 3cols 1lines (1x30) Trial linked to embassy blast begins 4. TV (31) - 42 pts 6 cols 1line (1x42) TV mysticism blamed for increase at asylums --- 5. Photo and ad

'Be consistent. Gambling is a crime'

'Be consistent. Gambling is a crime' Gambling, which is illegal in the country, is a common activity among certain circles in the capital, reportedly due to military and police backing. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their response to former governor Ali Sadikin's suggestion that the profitable business be made legal. Intan, 23, is a student of a private university in Central Jakarta.

Govt mulls idea of free education for children

Govt mulls idea of free education for children Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Despite its policy on fuel price increases not yet getting approval from the House of Representatives, the government has proposed a new scheme to be financed from welfare funds derived from the removal of fuel subsidies, which would provide free elementary education for students throughout the country.

Wizer turns garbage into art

Wizer turns garbage into art Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Most people perceive garbage as something with many unpleasant attributes and something that they must get rid of as soon as possible. Yet, with creativity and concern for the environment, trash can be turned into functional, fashionable consumer items or artistic works of art.

Japanese artist holds concert for Aceh

Japanese artist holds concert for Aceh The InterContinental Resort Bali held a charity concert for Aceh on on Saturday featuring famous Japanese traditional musician Atsuko Suetomi. At the concert, held in the resort's Saraswati Lounge, Suetomi played a selection of unique ancient Japanese music to a packed audience. A regular international performer, Suetomi is well-known for her altruism and has performed in many charity concerts in Asia, the United States and South America.

1. Gas ---- 1x45

1. Gas ---- 1x45 Public transportation operators fret over CNG change 2. Tapol -- 2x18 Former PKI prisoners to get compensation 3. Quake -- 2x22 Major quake feared near Dec. 26 site: Scientists 4. Birdflu - 1x32 Bird flu isolated in S. Sulawesi, W. Java

Anwar: Malaysia has become more corrupt since Mahathir left

Anwar: Malaysia has become more corrupt since Mahathir left Vijay Joshi, Associated Press/Kuala Lumpur Charismatic dissident Anwar Ibrahim has unleashed an unexpected attack on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, saying Malaysia has become far more corrupt since the scholarly leader known as "Mr. Clean" took over. "The level of corruption is pervasive, it is much hidden. It is sophisticated," former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim told The Associated Press in an interview this week.

2 x 25

2 x 25 House members question BIN on Munir's murder JP/4/AUSTRA 2 x 25 Australia, RI officials to decide on tsunami aid JP/04/HEALTH 3 x 20 Indonesia needs to allocate more funds to fight tuberculosis JP/4/Rights 1 x 34 Govt told to control police conduct JP/4/PILKADA 1 x 40 Problems ahead for regional elections

Government earmarks 46,000 tons of rice for NTT residents

Government earmarks 46,000 tons of rice for NTT residents Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang The State Logistics Agency (Bulog) has earmarked 46,000 tons of rice for residents in 10 regencies in the drought-affected area of East Nusa Tenggara province. Out of the total 46,000 tons of rice, 36,000 tons were taken from Bulog's depot in East Nusa Tenggara while the remaining 10,000 tons were on the way on Wednesday from East Java province.

OIC summit facing sensitive issues

OIC summit facing sensitive issues Don Pathan, The Nation, Asia News Network, Bangkok It is not very often that the 57-member states of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) can agree on something. But thanks to the Thai government's mishandling of the violence in the three Muslim-majority provinces in the South, the OIC is likely to finally have an issue behind which most, if not all, of its member states can rally.

Ambalat, nationalism and popular interests

Ambalat, nationalism and popular interests Israr Iskandar, Padang The fact that people's nationalism is still quite strong is quite admirable, given the host of problems the country is at present facing. The Ambalat case has at least demonstrated how the spirit of nationalism has "pushed back" waves of protests against the increase in fuel prices.

New envoys submit credentials

New envoys submit credentials President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono received on Wednesday credentials from new European Union Delegation of the European Commission Ambassador Jean Breteche, South African Ambassador Griffiths Mandlekosi Memela and Qatari Ambassador Yousif Khalifa Abdullah Al-Sada. The three submitted their credentials at the State Palace.

Trial linked to embassy blast begins

Trial linked to embassy blast begins Agencies, Jakarta The first of six alleged militants accused in last year's suicide bombing outside the Australian Embassy here went on trial on Wednesday, with prosecutors saying the group carried out the attack to punish Canberra for its support of the U.S.-led war on Iraq. Irun Hidayat was charged under tough antiterror laws with persuading the suicide bomber to carry out the Sept. 9 bombing in Jakarta. If found guilty, he could face the death penalty.

TV mysticism blamed for increase at asylums

TV mysticism blamed for increase at asylums Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Imagine One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest with a supernatural twist. Or just visit the psychiatric ward of Dr. Sardjito General Hospital in Yogyakarta, where you will meet the likes of "Hardi", 29, and "Heri", 26. Inside a tiny isolation cell and wearing a straitjacket, Hardi laughs frequently and repeats the same two sentences over and over. "I have the power to become invisible.

IT solutions offered for traffic woes

IT solutions offered for traffic woes Benget Simbolon Tnb, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The traffic congestion seems never ending in Jakarta as the number of cars increases much faster than the number of new roads and people become ever more mobile. Some analysts have even predicted that in five years' time, traveling five kilometers in this sprawling city will take one hour on average. This will, of course, lead to a lot of wasted time and energy, and worsening air pollution.

Toddler injured in grenade blast

Toddler injured in grenade blast JAMBI, Jambi: A grenade exploded in Jambi municipality on Tuesday afternoon, injuring a four-year-old boy. The accident occurred as scores of toddlers and children were playing in a field in Legok subdistrict, Jambi municipality. Without warning an explosion was heard in a nearby garbage can. A piece of shrapnel from the grenade hit the boy, identified as Indra, in the stomach.

Major quake feared near Dec. 26 site: Scientists

Major quake feared near Dec. 26 site: Scientists Richard Ingham, Agence France-Presse/Paris Seismologists say there is a heightened risk that a major earthquake may soon strike the western coast of Sumatra as a result of the monster quake that generated the Dec. 26 tsunami.

Doctor combines business, medicine

Doctor combines business, medicine M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Upon entering the University of Indonesia's microbiology laboratory on Jl. Pegangsaan Timur, Central Jakarta, every new medical student is greeted by a plaque on the doorway that reads "to become a doctor is noble, to become a businessperson is no less noble, but to combine the two is loathsome".

U.S. hospital ship leaves Aceh

U.S. hospital ship leaves Aceh JAKARTA: After a six-week humanitarian mission, the San Diego- based U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy left tsunami-affected Aceh on Wednesday. Working with the Indonesian government, Mercy volunteers provided assistance to international relief organizations and host nation medical teams in the tsunami-affected areas.

Garuda board of directors fired

Garuda board of directors fired The Jakarta Post, Jakarta National flag carriers Garuda Indonesia has fired its entire 13- member board, in a government move to improve the management of the carrier and its financial performance, a minister said. The government, which owns Garuda, dismissed six commissioners and seven directors of the Jakarta-based airline on Tuesday, said State Minister of State Enterprises Sugiharto. "I'm reforming the management of Garuda.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, March 17, 2005

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, March 17, 2005 .TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions * Photo You Know Me, Therefore I am by Hanneke Adinda Tumbuan (Keke Tumbuan), at Klinik Seni Taxu Jl. Gunung Rinjani Blok IX No. 8 Denpasar, until March 31 * Photo by D. Candra Kirana, at Griya Santrian Gallery, Jl. Danau Tamblingan No.

Govt dismisses Garuda board of directors

Govt dismisses Garuda board of directors Agencies Hong Kong/Jakarta PT Garuda Indonesia, the nation's largest airline, has fired its entire 13-member board in a government move to improve the management of the carrier and its financial performance, a minister has said. The government, which owns Garuda, fired six commissioners and seven directors of the Jakarta-based airline on Tuesday, said State Minister of State Enterprises Sugiharto. "I'm reforming the management of Garuda.

Problems ahead for regional elections

Problems ahead for regional elections Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Provincial election commissions (KPUD) are facing a number of problems, including a lack of clear guidelines, in organizing the country's first direct elections for local government chief executives.

East Timor to open consulate general

East Timor to open consulate general SURABAYA: East Timor plans to open a consulate general in Surabaya, an Indonesian government official said on Wednesday. The new consulate general will speed up the processing of documents, and enhance economic and educational ties between Surabaya and East Timor, said Suparwoko, the head of the Information and Communications Office at the East Java provincial administration.