Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 26 March 2005

83 articles found

Lower prices mean lower quality: Producers

Lower prices mean lower quality: ProducersThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Sony BMG International's local agents in Jakarta have responded with confusion on Monday at last week's announcement by the Indonesian Recorders and Traders Association that they would start selling original CDs, VCDs, and DVDs for...

Munir's wife pushes for UNHCR involvement

Munir's wife pushes for UNHCR involvementThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Munir's wife, Suciwati, has won the support of international human rights groups in her struggle to bring those responsible for her husband's assassination to justice, and is pushing for the United Nations High Commission on Human...

Bush's retreat on Indonesian human rights

Bush's retreat on Indonesian human rightsBrad Simpson Washington, D.C. There is a bitter irony to the Bush Administration's announcement in late February that it will restore military training for the Indonesian armed forces, which came just days before the State Department's annual human rights...

Police nab mirror thieves

Police nab mirror thieves JAKARTA: Taman Sari district police in West Jakarta arrested five persons on suspicion of stealing vehicle wing mirrors on Thursday.In addition to arresting the suspected thieves, who usually operated in front of Bank BNI 46 on Jl.

Fraud found at Chinese bank

Fraud found at Chinese bank BEIJING: China's banking regulator said it discovered fraud amounting to 115 million yuan (US$13.9 million) at two subbranches of the Agricultural Bank of China.Forged documents related to the case, dated between July 2003 and June 2004, were discovered during an...

RI awaits Shell's response over Ambalat

RI awaits Shell's response over AmbalatRendi A. Witular and Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Indonesia is still waiting for a response from Dutch company Shell in the matter of the oil-rich Ambalat maritime area, a senior official said in Jakarta.

Thworn Wiratchant leads the way in Indonesia Open

Thworn Wiratchant leads the way in Indonesia OpenMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta With Scotland's Colin Montgomerie and fellow Thai Thongchai Jaidee grabbing the headlines for their bid to make the Masters in April, Thaworn Wiratchant is letting his game do the talking at the US$1...

Thailand won't follow Malaysia's suit on Myanmar: Minister

Thailand won't follow Malaysia's suit on Myanmar: MinisterAgence France-Presse, Bangkok Thailand will not be a part of a Malaysia-led campaign to suspend Myanmar from chairing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year but would instead continue engaging its military-ruled neighbor,...

Government feels heat of Fed rate hike

Government feels heat of Fed rate hikeThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta In another change of mind over its plans to offer up to US$1 billion in bonds on the global market this month, the government has decided to temporarily postpone the sales amid rising inflation and interest rates in the U.S.

NGOs dought independent local elections despite court ruling

NGOs dought independent local elections despite court rulingRidwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Despite the recent Constitutional Court ruling, observers are doubtful about whether the direct elections for governors, regents and mayors will be free from central government intervention.

Sampoerna profit rises on cigarette prices, demand

Sampoerna profit rises on cigarette prices, demandBloomberg, Jakarta PT H.M. Sampoerna, which attracted a Rp 48 trillion (US$5.1 billion) buyout offer from the world's biggest cigarette maker, had a 36 percent gain in fourth-quarter profit, aided by higher prices and demand for its A Mild brand.

Traffic law

Traffic law It is great to see ideas on dealing with the gridlock in our nation's capital city. The monorail and busway should provide excellent solutions if they are implemented extensively and managed professionally.

VP, Sutiyoso discuss hospital status

VP, Sutiyoso discuss hospital statusThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Vice President Jusuf Kalla summoned Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso on Thursday to discuss his decision to convert three city-run hospitals into profit-oriented companies.

Thai auto show revs up despite high oil prices

Thai auto show revs up despite high oil pricesMichael Mathes, Agence France-Presse/Bangkok Asia's second largest auto show has expected thousands of enthusiasts to pour into the Bangkok event starting on Friday and lay out hundreds of millions of dollars on new wheels but experts warned high fuel...

Former Vietnamese refugees hold reunion

Former Vietnamese refugees hold reunionFadli, The Jakarta Post/Galang Island Melissah Ghew's face shone on Thursday when she arrived at the former Vietnamese refugee camp on Galang island, Batam city, the Riau Islands, where she lived for a year with her parents.

Ambalat

Ambalat Regarding the report on this page dated March 24 (Indonesia, Malaysia stand by claims) we incorrectly reported that "Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa said the two sides had expressed concern about local militias deployed to the area who were reportedly preparing for an...

MOSAIC gets the punters on their feet in Singapore

MOSAIC gets the punters on their feet in SingaporeCarla Bianpoen, Contributor/Jakarta Singapore's Esplanade Theatres on the Bay is continuously working on its mission to entertain, engage, educate and inspire.

Province, regency battle over project

Province, regency battle over projectApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post/Medan A controversial hotel development in Merek, Karo, encroached into a protected forest, a team from the North Sumatra forestry office and forest area protection bureau said on Thursday.

Megawati told to start sweeping reform within PDI-P

Megawati told to start sweeping reform within PDI-PM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) risks failing miserably in future elections, and faced the prospect of losing the bulk of its loyal supporters, unless the party's next leadership...

Dangerous degrees

Dangerous degrees It is well-known in Medan and I'm sure also in the rest of Indonesia, that it's easy to obtain a university degree or diploma in Indonesia. There are of course many students who gain their degrees by honest hard work, but how can potential employers know who has genuinely earned...

Merger not easy way out for RI insurers

Merger not easy way out for RI insurersThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Poorly trained human resources, weak capital, inadequate information technology systems and low amounts of risk-based capital (RBC) are stopping local insurance companies from competing succesfully against foreigners in ASEAN,...

Terminal impressions

Terminal impressions One of the most consistent and persistent complaints, whether through letters to the editor or news stories, in this and other newspapers has been the quality of service at Indonesia's main port of entry -- Sukarno-Hatta International Airport.

Monty shows his lighter side as coach

Monty shows his lighter side as coachMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Colin Montgomerie is known for a notoriously short fuse, something that has worked to his detriment as one of golf's most talented players to remain winless at the Majors.

Mataram archery continues despite lack of promotion

Mataram archery continues despite lack of promotionBambang M, Contributor/Yogyakarta Every 70 days, on a Selasa wage day according to the Javanese calendar, archers, in Mataram-kingdom style, gather at Kemandungan, inside the Yogyakarta Palace complex, to compete.

Blueprint completed, Aceh reconstruction set to start

Blueprint completed, Aceh reconstruction set to startRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The reconstruction of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and the surrounding tsunami-stricken areas will be able to start in the immediate future now that the government has completed the final draft of its...

Inauguration of West Irian Jaya council protested

Inauguration of West Irian Jaya council protestedRidwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A 23-member delegation from the Papua provincial legislative council is protesting the installment of the controversial West Irian Jaya council.

JP/6/ED

JP/6/EDAnother Wolfowitz mission In announcing his nomination of the incumbent Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz as the next World Bank president, U.S. President George W. Bush described his hawkish inner-circle person as "a compassionate and decent man," and emphasized Wolfowitz's experience...

RI in need of affordable computers

RI in need of affordable computersThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The newly formed National Association of Secondhand Computer Traders Association (Apkomlapan) is calling for the Ministry of Trade to lift its restriction on importing secondhand computers implemented in October.

Sugar Council sweet on imports

Sugar Council sweet on importsZakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Indonesian Sugar Council (DGI) has suggested that sugarcane farmers start harvesting their cane in mid May, a two-week delay from the initial date, to allow more time for listed importers to meet their sugar import quotas,...

Jamsostek reaches out to politicians

Jamsostek reaches out to politiciansThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Politicians taking part in their party congresses should feel safer -- now they are insured, state insurer PT Jamsostek's president says.Achmad Djunaidi called the unprecedented move "a breakthrough" for Jamsostek into a new market.

Worker dies in drum explosion

Worker dies in drum explosion JAKARTA: A thirty-year-old construction worker died after an empty drum of frying oil, which he was welding, exploded in his face on Thursday.The body of Sandi, a resident of Ciracas, East Jakarta, who at the time was working on a construction project at the Siti...

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 24, 2005:

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on March 24, 2005: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades...

JP/1/HEADING

JP/1/HEADING 1. UNHCR: 4 LINES, 10 COUNTS UNHCR will leave Aceh 3 months earlier 2. ACEH: 2 LNES, 21 COUNTS Acehnese want foreign volunteers to stay 3. FUEL: 4 LINES, 10 COUNTS 8 Jakarta gas stations caught meter cheating 4. GOLF: 1 LINE, 40 COUNTS Thaworn Wiratchant leads the way in Indonesia Open

Acehnese want foreign volunteers to stay

Acehnese want foreign volunteers to stayNani Afrida, The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh Three months after the tsunami hit Aceh on Dec. 26, many Acehnese dread the departure of foreign aid workers, as they are not yet confident of making it on their own.

Indians a notable feature in Pasar Baru

Indians a notable feature in Pasar BaruAnton Doni, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Passer Baroe, known nowadays as Pasar Baru, was originally the Chinatown of Jakarta.Since the late 1940s, people of Indian descent began to contribute to a more colorful Pasar Baru.

Punjabi: A man of cinematic vision

Punjabi: A man of cinematic visionJoyeeta Dutta Ray, Contributor/Jakarta In the city of Surabaya, a little boy of eight once propped himself up on a stool, peeping through the windows of a cinema hall, watching a Hindi film for three hours at a stretch.

Regional dances on TV

Regional dances on TVFrom Media IndonesiaA program to mark private TV station TPI's recent anniversary showcased some regional dances, beginning with a Sundanese dance performed gracefully by Raden Hedi Junus.

No cases of bird flu in RI: Minister

No cases of bird flu in RI: Minister JAKARTA: Minister of Health Siti Fadilah Supari said that no cases of bird flu has been found among poultry or humans in Indonesia."The public should not hesitate to consume poultry and its products, under the condition that it has to be boiled first," she said...

Female deaths in tsunami far outnumber males: Oxfam

Female deaths in tsunami far outnumber males: OxfamAchmad Sukarsono, Reuters/Banda Aceh, Aceh The Asian tsunami that devastated countries fringing the Indian Ocean on Dec. 26 may have killed up to four times as many women as men, the international aid group Oxfam says.

Southeast Asia's club of nations turns up heat on Myanmar

Southeast Asia's club of nations turns up heat on MyanmarMark Bendeich, Reuters/Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asia is finally losing its patience with Myanmar.After eight years of polite engagement, the region's club of nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), appears prepared to nudge...

1. AMBALAT: 2 X 21

1. AMBALAT: 2 X 21 RI waits for Shell's response over Ambalat 2. BLUEPRINT: 2 X 21 Blueprint completed, Aceh reconstruction set to start 3. DEATH: 2 X 24 Female deaths in tsunami far outnumber males: Oxfam 4. KYRGYZS: 1 X 36 Kyrgyz opposition names president 5.

USAID to help RI in fighting TB

USAID to help RI in fighting TB JAKARTA: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will provide US$2.5 million this year and over $7.8 million in the next five years to help the fight against tuberculosis (TB) in Indonesia, the agency said on Thursday.

Smoke clouds Singaporean skies

Smoke clouds Singaporean skies SINGAPORE: Singapore experienced hazy skies on Thursday due to smoke drifting from neighboring Malaysia and Indonesia, the environment agency said.Bush fires in parts of Singapore following a long dry spell in the region have also contributed to the hazy conditions,...

RI needs law on human trafficking

RI needs law on human trafficking JAKARTA: Indonesia needs a law on human trafficking to protect the country's female workers at home and abroad against violence, an expert says."The recent United Nations conference on the status of women highlighted the issue of women trafficking as a problem that...

Indonesia, Philippines on alert for Easter attacks by new Islamic

Indonesia, Philippines on alert for Easter attacks by new Islamic militants Agence France-Presse JakartaIndonesia and the Philippines were on alert on Friday for Islamic militant attacks aimed to disrupt Christian celebrations of Easter while foreigners were warned over their safety.

Will democracy and security sector reform discourage terrorism?

Will democracy and security sector reform discourage terrorism?Anak Agung Banyu Perwita Bandung The tragedy of Sept. 11 in the United States and other terrorist attacks in many regions of the world, including in Indonesia, have increased the significance of security sector reform in general and in...

Vendors disturb

Vendors disturb neighborhoodFrom KompasFor almost 50 years there have been hundreds of sidewalk vendors operating in Rawa Badak Utara subdistrict, Koja district, North Jakarta. These vendors disturb our residential neighborhood, while a commercial center that was built for them is not being...

Carrefour to add stores in China and Thailand

Carrefour to add stores in China and ThailandLaurent Malespine and Jianguo Jiang, Bloomberg/Bangkok/Shanghai Carrefour SA, the world's biggest retailer after Wal-Mart Stores Inc., plans to increase revenue from Asia by adding stores in China and Thailand as sales in the French company's home market...

UNHCR to leave Aceh three months earlier

UNHCR to leave Aceh three months earlierAgencies, Jakarta The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has ceased operations in tsunami-ravaged Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam after getting no response from the government to its proposal to participate in the reconstruction process there.

Teachers' strike harms students

Teachers' strike harms studentsFrom Koran TempoMost teachers of the state junior high school in Jembatan Baru, West Jakarta, went on strike on March 16 to demand transparency in the school's fund management and fee increase.The action triggered a student demonstration in the school grounds.

Eight gas stations tamper with meters

Eight gas stations tamper with metersThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta At least eight gas stations in Greater Jakarta were found to have tampered meters, prompting state-owned oil company PT Pertamina to cut off gasoline supplies and shut down their operations.The eight gasoline stations are located on Jl.

House urges govt to curb corruption

House urges govt to curb corruptionThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives closed its third assembly period on Thursday and went into a month-long recess, with calls for the government to materialize its promise to stamp out widespread corruption in the country.

1. Guruh (1x35)

1. Guruh (1x35) PDI-P race still open to candidates 2. Agung (1x32)House urges govt to curb graft3. Jamsos (3x15) Jamsostek reaches out to politicians 4. Papua (1x45) Inauguration of W. Irian Jaya council protested

Novotel introduces new chef

Novotel introduces new chef Four-star Novotel Yogyakarta hotel on Jl. Sudirman is introducing its new chef, Arif Samsul Hadi, with a pledge to serve international menus with a local touch."Arif is an expert in Asian cooking as well as European, especially French," said Novotel public relations...

Vendors disturb neighborhood

Vendors disturb neighborhoodFrom KompasFor almost 50 years there have been hundreds of sidewalk vendors operating in Rawa Badak Utara subdistrict, Koja district, North Jakarta. These vendors disturb our residential neighborhood, while a commercial center that was built for them is not being...

PDI-P race still open to candidates

PDI-P race still open to candidatesM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Despite being denied an invite to the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) national congress, a candidate for the party's top post, Guruh Soekarnoputra, remains eligible to challenge the incumbent leader, his...

Vendors, students clash with officers

Vendors, students clash with officers JAKARTA: Street vendors in Salemba Raya, Central Jakarta and students from the Indonesian Christian University (UKI) clashed with Jakarta public order officers on Thursday evening.

Tsunami Aid: It's Time to Deliver

Tsunami Aid: It's Time to Deliver Thang D. Nguyen The Straits Times Asia News Network Singapore As a United States military aircraft carrying former presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush Senior touched down in Banda Aceh, the area worst hit by the Asian tsunami, the only buildings they saw still...

Companies told to invest more in computer security

Companies told to invest more in computer securityThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian firms have been told to spend more on protecting their computer systems now that information technology plays a pivotal role in businesses.

RI, RP on alert for Easter attacks by militants

RI, RP on alert for Easter attacks by militantsAgence France-Presse, Jakarta Indonesia and the Philippines were on alert on Friday for militant attacks aimed to disrupt Christian celebrations of Easter while foreigners were warned over their safety.

JP/2/heads

JP/2/headsMarch 26, 2005 1. PDI-P (45) - 48 pts 3 cols 3lines (3x18)Mega told to start sweeping reform within PDI-P2. MK (35) - 36 pts 4cols 2line (2x28) NGOs doubt independent local elections despite court ruling 3. Japan (45) - 36 pts 4 cols 1lines (1x28) Indonesia, Japan sign deal on loans 4.

Surviving the tsunami, bracing for the future

Surviving the tsunami, bracing for the futureNani Afrida, The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh If you visit a refugee camp in Lampuuk, Aceh Besar regency, you will find the food to be in abundant supply and varied, ranging from instant noodles to rice. Mineral water is also plentiful.

JP/6/AAN

JP/6/AANA nation obsessed with riceA'an Suryana JakartaSurya, an Indonesian exchange student, drags his feet into his room in a student dormitory. He has just returned from a McDonald's outlet, some 30 minutes walk from the dormitory, located in the compound of the Nanyang Technological University...

India Club Jakarta a popular meeting place

India Club Jakarta a popular meeting placeJoyeeta Dutta Ray, Contributor/Jakarta Indonesia has a flourishing Indian community of business professionals and executives who are rapidly making a name for themselves.As a forum for bringing them together, The India Club Jakarta plays a prominent role.

A heartfelt thank you

A heartfelt thank you Miles away from the areas rendered unrecognizable by the tsunami, we sense survivors' anxiety, as the deadline has come for foreign troops to leave those areas.Even without today's deadline, representatives of foreign countries and their armed forces, who have been working in...

Acehnese women begin rebuilding lives

Acehnese women begin rebuilding lives===============================================================Women play a prominent role in society, especially in the family. Yet, their existence is often neglected by many, including the government.

Quality, validity important in exam

Quality, validity important in examSimon Marcus Gower, Jakarta The national tests for schools in Indonesia seem to be a perennial source of concern and even conflict. Debate swings between the ideas that the government here wants to enter into a process of recentralization, and the rights of...

City Council supports plan to impose road pricing

City Council supports plan to impose road pricingBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta While the city administration is still involved in negotiations with PT Jakarta Monorail on a number of controversial issues, the City Council's development commission D has thrown its political support...

Avoid war

Avoid warFrom Media IndonesiaIndonesia is facing a new problem following Malaysia's claim of the Ambalat Block in the Sulawesi Sea, which according to the directorate general of oil and gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, has rich oil and gas deposits.

Former regent reported to KPK

Former regent reported to KPK SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Former Pasir regent Yusriansyah Syarkawi, who ended his term of office in January, was reported to the Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK) over Rp 130 billion (US$14.4 million) in reforestation funds.

* Government finalizes Aceh reconstruction blueprint Page 2

* Government finalizes Aceh reconstruction blueprint Page 2 * House speaker urges govt to curb corruption Page 4 * N. Sumatra officials battle over hotel, golf course projects Page 5 * Is there a place for tolerance in Islam? Page 7 * Jakarta Council supports road pricing plan Page 8 * Golf swings,...

RI's chances of getting UNSC seat remote: Alatas

RI's chances of getting UNSC seat remote: AlatasAdianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Indonesia -- the world's largest majority-Muslim country -- is not only one of the few moderate Muslim countries but also one of the biggest democracies in the world.

In search of a quality education at public schools

In search of a quality education at public schoolsMateus Yumarnamto, Surabaya In the discussion on the future of the national examination which was held by Forum Wartawan Peduli Pendidikan (Journalists' Forum for Education) and Balitbang Departemen Pendidikan Nasional (the R & D Unit of the...

Thousand of fish die in Jambi lake

Thousand of fish die in Jambi lake JAMBI: Thousands of fish in fish farms on Lake Sipin in Bulurankenali subdistrict, Telanaipura district, Jambi city, have died over the last several days."The fish died because the temperature of the lake rose," said the head of the provincial fisheries and marine...

Kaliwadas, the town where tambourines are made

Kaliwadas, the town where tambourines are madeAgus Maryono, The Jakarta Post/Bumiayu, Central Java If you happen to see musicians from Brunei or Malaysia playing a rebana (traditional tambourine), there is a good chance the instruments were created in Kaliwadas village, Bumiayu subdistrict, Brebes,...

;JP;DAN;

;JP;DAN; ANPAf..r.. Rupiah-conversion-rates Rupiah Rates March 24 JP/13/ConverRupiah Rates March 24 Bank notes rates Selling Buying Rp Rp Australian dollar 1 7,645.67 6,871.10 Brunei dollar 1 6,028.24 5,416.34 Canadian dollar 1 8,125.51 7,303.37 Swiss franc 1 8,276.93 7,437.57 Danish krone 1 1,727.

People suffer more

People suffer more From Media IndonesiaSome circles in society agree with the increase in fuel prices because it provides a compensation fund for the poor, while others are against it because the people will be further burdened.

Four injured in border clash

Four injured in border clash PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: At least four people were injured in a clash over the border between Muara Enim regency and Prabumulih district on Wednesday.One of the injured was from Karang Endah Selatan village in Gelumbang Prabumulih district.

'Metro TV' journalist considers herself lucky

'Metro TV' journalist considers herself luckyThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Meutya Hafid, a Metro TV journalist who was held captive late last month by Iraqi insurgents, must have considered herself lucky twice over when she was finally freed by her captors.

'I don't place much hope in our legislators'

'I don't place much hope in our legislators' The government decision to raise fuel prices by an average of 29 percent early this month has divided members of the House of Representatives. The dispute turned ugly last week when House members supporting the policy got involved in a fight with those...

Wedding Fair 2005 at Santika Jogja

Wedding Fair 2005 at Santika Jogja A special exhibition on wedding-related matters is to be held at Santika Jogja hotel on Jl. Sudirman, Yogyakarta, on March 26 and March 27.Themed One-stop Weddings, the exhibition will present a variety of facilities and accessories needed at a wedding ceremony,...

Asian govts pledge to reduce disparities to help children

Asian govts pledge to reduce disparities to help childrenAgencies, Siem Reap, Cambodia Twenty-six Asian governments pledged on Friday to work towards reducing disparities within their countries in a bid to improve the lives of the region's 600 million children.

TNI personnel arrested in Papua

TNI personnel arrested in Papua JAYAPURA: Capt. Kaspar, the deputy commander of the Army's subdetachment in Sorong, was named a suspect in an illegal logging investigation in Papua, according to a military official."He has been named a suspect and was arrested two days ago.