Archive: 9 March 2005
96 articles found
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Illegal logs seized in Riau
Illegal logs seized in Riau PEKANBARU, Riau: Forest rangers in Riau seized at truck at dawn on Tuesday that was loaded with 32 cubic meters of undocumented kulim wood. Sahnan Nasution, chief of forest rangers at the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Body (BKSDA), said that the wood was being transported from Tesso Nilo National Park to Bagansiapi-api in Rokanhilir regency. "Besides confiscating the wood, we are also detaining the truck driver, Zulis Martin," said Sahnan.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
RI most corrupt in Asia: Survey
RI most corrupt in Asia: Survey William Foreman, Associated Press/Hong Kong Indonesia is the most corrupt country in Asia, followed by Vietnam and the Philippines, but graft in China poses the biggest global threat because of the country's growing economic influence, a consulting firm said Tuesday in a study. The report by Political & Economic Risk Consultancy Ltd said that Indonesia was Asia's most corrupt nation, ranking 9.25 on a scale from zero to 10.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
'Mahabarata', 'Ramayana' cement two countries' cultural ties
'Mahabarata', 'Ramayana' cement two countries' cultural ties A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Yogyakarta-born businessman Gunawan nodded his head in appreciation while watching a puppet show at the Taman Mini Indonesia in Miniature Park in East Jakarta on Saturday night. During the show, Manteb Sudarsono, one of Indonesia's foremost puppet masters, put on the Wahyu Makutoromo -- which contains teachings on good and clean governance and is a sequel to the Mahabrata epic.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
For SPOTLIGHT: Tuesday, March 8, 2005
For SPOTLIGHT: Tuesday, March 8, 2005 MEDEF DELEGATION: Ambassador of France to Indonesia H.E. Renaud Vignal (third from left), alongside French Minister for Foreign Trade Francois Loos (fourt from left), Hotel Sofitel Gran Mahakam's General Manager Sylvain Julien (third from right), France's Counselor Economy Commercial Patrick Olivier Berron (right) and other MEDEF delegates at the Sofitel Gran Mahakam, Jakarta.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
PPP members protest
PPP members protest in front of HQ JAKARTA: Some 100 members and supporters of the Untied Development Party (PPP) protested outside the party's headquarters in Jakarta, carrying a coffin to symbolize the death of democracy in the party. "Democracy dies in PPP," said Azwar Abbas, a member of the party's Jakarta chapter and the leader of the rally on Tuesday.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
*Construction of Tangguh LNG plant may start soon Page 2
*Construction of Tangguh LNG plant may start soon Page 2 *Aceh fishermen reject resettlement program Page 4 *Lake Toba Summit aims for sustainable development Page 5 *Fuel price rise keeps fishermen tied up Page 8 *Rachman to defend belt against Thai in Merauke Page 10 *Massive pro-Syrian protest as troops begin pullback Page 11 *Govt to propose two state budget revisions Page 13 *House alleges wrongdoings in Texmaco asset sales Page 14 *No agreement on reforming Stability and Growth Pact Page...
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Forestry head declared illegal logging suspect
Forestry head declared illegal logging suspect Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura The head of the Papua forestry office, Marthen Kayoi, has been declared a suspect of illegal logging following a high-profile report on the smuggling of 300,000 cubic meters of timber per month from Indonesia -- mostly Papua province -- to China.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
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.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Most lakes' ecosystems under threat: Minister
Most lakes' ecosystems under threat: Minister The Jakarta Post, Medan Severe chemical pollution threatens most lakes in the country and has the potential to create further environmental disasters, a state minister says.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Bringing 'Das Kapital' to Indonesia
Bringing 'Das Kapital' to Indonesia Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta One cold night in 1979, 41 political prisoners from a Buru Island penitentiary disembarked from a ship north of Madura. Among these was "prisoner number 001", Oey Hay Djun, a former legislator from the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), and "prisoner number 007", Pramoedya Ananta Toer.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
[b]
RI needs diplomatic strength in dealing with Malaysia Wahyu Susilo Jakarta 2. Strait -- A little diplomacy can help calm troubled waters 1 x 30 Diplomacy can calm troubled sea Graham Gerard Ong The Straits Times Asia News Network Singapore
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Mid-life reflections on ASEAN and the EU
Mid-life reflections on ASEAN and the EU Apichai Sunchindah, Jakarta Indonesia is hosting in Jakarta this week the 15th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting to discuss developments in the relations and cooperation between the two regional blocs, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU). One interesting observation is that both entities are "middle-aged"; the EU will soon reach its 48th anniversary come March 25.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
RI needs diplomatic strength in dealing with Malaysia
RI needs diplomatic strength in dealing with Malaysia Wahyu Susilo, Jakarta The diplomatic tensions between Indonesia and Malaysia have been escalating over a border dispute concerning the oil in the Ambalat block. It started nearly two weeks ago when Malaysia's state oil company Petronas claimed that the oil field in the Sulawesi Sea was its exploitation area, and proceeded to sell a concession to the multinational company, Shell.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Govt to issue Rp2t in T-bills next month
Govt to issue Rp2t in T-bills next month Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government plans to offer up to Rp 2 trillion (about US$215 million) in one-year treasury bills, or T-bills, next month, according to a finance ministry official. Director General of State Treasury Mulia Nasution said on Tuesday the auction of the short-term promissory notes would take place in April, after the planned sale of dollar-dominated overseas bonds slated for later this month.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Fuel protests mark Women's Day
Fuel protests mark Women's Day The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Makassar/Cirebon While women in other parts of the world launched rallies to demand equal rights in commemorating International Women's Day on Tuesday, women here launched protests nationwide against the recent fuel price hike. In Makassar, South Sulawesi, about 100 women gathered to protest the price increase in front of the local council's compound.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Lake Toba summit aims for sustainable development
Lake Toba summit aims for sustainable development Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan Leaders from 43 countries have confirmed participation in the three-day Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development conference in North Sumatra with the theme, "Global Partnership on Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Post-Disaster Settlements".
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
PPP members protest in front of HQ
PPP members protest in front of HQ JAKARTA: Some 100 members and supporters of the Untied Development Party (PPP) protested outside the party's headquarters in Jakarta, carrying a coffin to symbolize the death of democracy in the party. "Democracy dies in PPP," said Azwar Abbas, a member of the party's Jakarta chapter and the leader of the rally on Tuesday.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
PKB mulls changing party structure
PKB mulls changing party structure JAKARTA: The National Awakening Party (PKB) plans to reorganize its structure with the aim of conceding a very powerful position for its next leader, a party executive said on Tuesday.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Rupiah Rates March. 8
Rupiah Rates March. 8 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,801.12 7,003.50 7,441.80 7,362.60 Brunei dollar 1 6,056.77 5,440.27 5,780.65 5,719.21 Canadian dollar 1 8,007.65 7,188.77 7,638.82 7,557.36 Swiss franc 1 8,375.20 7,521.71 7,989.44 7,907.37 Danish krone 1 1,747.26 1,569.33 1,666.79 1,649.79 Euro 1 13,008.75 11,679.87 12,409.57 12,278.74 Poundsterling 1 18,831.07 16,915.49 17,963.72 17,782.80 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,260.95 1,132.71 1,202.87 1,190.78...
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
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.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
'We have to start cutting back on things'
'We have to start cutting back on things' Shortly after the government announced fuel prices were going up beginning March 1, the prices of basic commodities and transportation costs began rising. This proved to be a double whammy for residents already trying to cope financially with the fuel price hike. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their opinion on the matter. Joice Adelina, 24, is an accountant at an export company on Jl. Guntur in South Jakarta.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Councillors jailed for corruption
Councillors jailed for corruption BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Three Bandarlampung councillors have been sentenced to 18 months jail for corruption. Gani Parlaungan, the presiding judge at Bandarlampung court, said that the three were guilty of embezzling funds from Bandarlampung's 2002 and 2003 budgets totaling Rp 3.7 billion (US$ 398,000). The councillors had stolen the money using various means, including insurance fraud.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Nortier, Medan-born composer of U.S. hymns
Nortier, Medan-born composer of U.S. hymns Puji Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru It is common for patriotic Americans to write marches or hymns to celebrate their country. But what if the composer is an Indonesian, who has out-marched and out-hymned a songwriting great like Michael Jackson. Nortier Simanungkalit is such a songwriter. His hymn for the American Red Cross beat out songwriters from many other countries, including Jackson's effort. The song now accompanies every U.S.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Aceh fishermen reject resettlement program
Aceh fishermen reject resettlement program Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh Hundreds of people from 14 villages in Aceh Besar regency and Banda Aceh municipality gathered in Lam Isiek village here on Tuesday to pledge to rebuild their homes, which were destroyed by the tsunami. The villagers, who have formed a joint team (udeep beusare), said they would not live in government camps for internally displaced people but seek assistance from other parties.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Children take a hike after price increase
Children take a hike after price increase Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has allocated a total of Rp 17.8 trillion (US$1.8 billion) to lessen the impact of the recent fuel price hike on the city's poor. However, the fuel price hike has also affected people in the low-income bracket, who are not classified as poor.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Kuala Lumpur gearing up for more airlines
Kuala Lumpur gearing up for more airlines Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur A second terminal will be built at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to accommodate rapidly growing passenger traffic, as at least four more foreign airlines including two Indian carriers get set to fly to Malaysia, an official said.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Lack of money might ruin Riau Islands election plan
Lack of money might ruin Riau Islands election plan Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam A decision to cut the proposed election budget from Rp 39.6 billion to Rp 25 billion would jeopardize Riau Islands' plans to hold regional elections, an official says. General election commission official Surya Makmur Nasution said the provincial government's decision to cut the proposed election budget was not yet final but the proposal had caused concern among election workers.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Origins of the Indian community
Origins of the Indian community Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Medan, North Sumatra Selvam, 35, of Indian descent, said he did not know how his family came to Indonesia from India. "When I was a child, my grandfather used to tell us his father came from a place called Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu. None of my family members have any knowledge of where this 'Dharmapuri' is.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Houses built for Poso refugees
Houses built for Poso refugees POSO, Central Sulawesi: The Poso regental government will build 100 low-cost houses in several subdistricts of Poso City. The houses will be allocated to people currently living in several refugee camps in the regency, said acting Regent of Poso regency, Andi Azikin Suyuti, without elaborating further whether the houses would be for Christian or Muslim refugees. Earlier, the government had built some 70 houses for Muslim refugees in the Sintuwulemba subdistrict.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
SBY needs to act faster
SBY needs to act faster President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), during his visit to Bali last month, said that he wanted corruptors to be punished severely so that state revenue would be higher, which would help alleviate poverty (Republika, Feb. 28). Susilo's statement and his other previous statements -- to a certain extent -- sound like mere rhetoric, as they have not been followed up on by his law-enforcement agencies. Since he announced that Dec.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/17/DAMAR
JP/17/DAMAR Forest conservation through resin, Krui style Oyos Saroso HN The Jakarta Post/Lampung Yati, 28, deftly climbed a 60-centimeter-in-diameter resin tree with a rattan rope tied around her back and the trunk, using notches on the tree stem, from which she scraped dry resin gum and put it in a basket. In spite of her hard work -- actually more suited to men -- the lady from Pahmungan village, Pesisir Utara district (capital: Krui town), West Lampung regency, is a fortunate woman.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Illegal workers tell Susilo of their plight
Illegal workers tell Susilo of their plight The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Nunukan Indonesian illegal migrant workers, stranded in Nunukan, East Kalimantan after being expelled from Malaysia, have told visiting President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday that they wanted to return to Malaysia as soon as possible.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
House alleges wrongdoing in Texmaco asset sales
House alleges wrongdoing in Texmaco asset sales Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A House of Representatives' commission called on the police to investigate possible conspiracy in the recent controversial asset sale of PT Perkasa Indosteel, a unit of the troubled Texmaco Group.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Most food, medicine not 'halal': MUI
Most food, medicine not 'halal': MUI JAKARTA: Only 12 percent of 7,000 food products and medicine sold in the country are certified as halal (permitted under Islamic law) by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI). MUI secretary-general Din Syamsuddin said on Tuesday the council had called on all companies to obtain halal certificates "in order not to spark anxiety among Muslims".
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Rachman to defend belt against Thai in Merauke
Rachman to defend belt against Thai in Merauke Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Mohamad Rachman of Indonesia will defend his mini-flyweight division crown next month against Fahlan Sakkreerin of Thailand in Merauke, Papua. Boxing promoter Ndondo Sugiarto said on Tuesday that the April 3 12-round bout would be held in the open venue of Hasanabsai recreation park at 3 p.m. local time (1 p.m. Jakarta time).
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Government to submit two budget revisions
Government to submit two budget revisions Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government will submit revisions to the 2005 state budget twice this year to address changing financial needs, including the Rp 10.5 trillion (US$1.13 billion) welfare program to be financed from the slashed fuel subsidy.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Ba'asyir alleges conspiracy
Ba'asyir alleges conspiracy Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Alleging a wicked plot to put cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir behind bars by any means, his lawyers met legislators on Tuesday and demanded a probe into the suspected conspiracy. The lawyers also filed an appeal with the Jakarta High Court to overturn Ba'asyir's 30-month jail term.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Thais found dead in Maluku
Thais found dead in Maluku AMBON, Maluku: Two Thai nationals have died at separate locations in Maluku recently. Hamthong Ladbasri, 35, a fisherman, was discovered dead aboard a fishing vessel on its way to Danar Tual seaport in Southeast Maluku regency. Adj. Sr. J. Timisela, chief of Southeast Maluku regental police, said that the death of Hamthong was suspicious as there were bruises on parts of his body. Police were investigating the case, said Timisela.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Businesses in Indonesia find success in similiar culture
Businesses in Indonesia find success in similiar culture Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Many Indonesians would recognize the name Texmaco but not Ispat Indo. Both are Indian companies, each with different fates, and between them they represent the wide range of Indian businesses in Indonesia. Texmaco is a business group that still has massive debts following the monetary crisis.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
School cherishes diversity among students of varied nationalities
School cherishes diversity among students of varied nationalities The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It's lunchtime at the Gandhi Memorial International School (GMIS) and students, who are generally able to converse in at least three languages, sometimes during a single exchange, are heading to the cafeteria. Bonding and mixing together around circular tables are Koreans munching on samosas, Indians eating sushi, Africans chewing on hamburgers and Indonesians nibbling on crepes.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Cases of violence against women increase
Cases of violence against women increase Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta What a parrot says can tell you something about its master. A parrot kept at former president Soeharto's home reportedly still greeted its owner with "Good morning, Mr. President" every single day. Meanwhile, a certain parrot kept at a house in Bekasi, West Java, portrays a sad reality that sometimes occurs between a husband and a wife. "Stupid!
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Indian food attracts wider market
Indian food 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.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
TV Today: Friday, March 11, 2005
TV Today: Friday, March 11, 2005 .TB.30" .90" 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 10:30 Religious Teachings 1:00 p.m.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Accountability in Aceh
Accountability in Aceh There is a common joke among government officials that attempts to explain the supposedly assertive nature of the Acehnese people: "When 10 Acehnese gather to work out a consensus, they will come up with at least 11 different opinions." That yarn reflects the impatience, and sometimes the frustration, that central government officials and other outsiders often endure when trying to understand and accommodate the aspirations of the Acehnese.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Court rejects Total bankruptcy petition
Court rejects Total bankruptcy petition Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Commercial Court has ruled in favor of oil and gas producer Total E&P Indonesie on Tuesday over a bankruptcy petition filed by two of the company's contractors. The panel of judges declared the bankruptcy petition to have no legal basis, citing the lack of evidence establishing a contractual relationship between Total and the first plaintiff, PT Istana Karang Laut (IKL).
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
One-stop slowdown
One-stop slowdown The tantalizing promise held out to the undocumented foreign workers from Indonesia was that if they accepted the amnesty and returned to their homeland voluntarily before the Feb. 28 deadline, they would not only be allowed to come back to work in this country legally but also that this would be done speedily. But the unfortunate reality is that this fast-track has not materialized. In its place are procedures which seem to be administered at a snail's pace.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Australian academic clarifies
Australian academic clarifies In your article about my recent difficulties entering IndonesiaAustralian academic barred entry to RI, March 4, your journalist cites an anonymous source alleging that I had worked as an advisor to a Free Aceh Movement (GAM) activist in Canberra. A similar allegation was repeated in your newspaper on March 5. This allegation is completely false. I have not worked as an advisor to anyone, much less GAM.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
1. ANALYSIS: 1 X 42
1. ANALYSIS: 1 X 42 Corruption at Pertamina looms over fuel price hike 2. FARE: 2 X 21 City announces fare increases of 9% to 19% 3. DRAFT: 1 X 32 Gender equality demand wins support 4. TKI: 1 X 40 Illegal workers tell Susilo of their plight
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
1. Malay --- 4x10
1. Malay --- 4x10 Tension eases as RI pulls out warships 2. Hiccup -- 1x28 Oil dispute a hiccup in relations: KL 3. Maid ---- 1x35 Indonesian jailed in U.S. for slavery 4. Women --- 1x36 Cases of violence against women increase
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Mega plans Rp 600B sub-debt issuance
Mega plans Rp 600B sub-debt issuance JAKARTA: Indonesia's Bank Mega plans a domestic rupiah sub-debt issuance of up to Rp 600 billion (US$64 million) by June, a senior bank executive said on Tuesday. The bank will use the proceeds from the planned sub-debt issuance to expand business operations, Bank Mega's president Yungki Setyawan told reporters.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Diplomacy can help calm troubled sea
Diplomacy can help calm troubled sea Graham Gerard Ong, The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore The dispatch of three Indonesian warships to the Sulawesi Sea last week, in protest against Malaysia's decision to award a contract to an Anglo-Dutch firm to explore and mine the Ambalat and East Ambalat oil and gas blocks, may appear to be a straightforward case of "gunboat diplomacy".
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Oil dispute a hiccup in relations: KL
Oil dispute a hiccup in relations: KL Jasbant Singh, Associated Press/Kuala Lumpur The tense standoff between Malaysia and Indonesia over a disputed offshore oil field is merely a hiccup in relations that's being blown out of proportion by the Indonesian media, Malaysia's foreign minister said on Tuesday.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Firm pollutes Gondrong River
Firm pollutes Gondrong River TANGERANG: People in Gondrong, Tangerang, are threatening to close down a silk screen-printing factory that they claim is polluting the Gondrong River. According to residents, the pollution from the factory, which they say is not properly licensed, has changed the river's color and rendered its water unsuitable for watering plants. "We have warned the owner not to dump chemicals into the river, but to no avail," said a resident, Saridun.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Ivy Susanti
Ivy Susanti The Jakarta Post/Jakarta 2. Apicai -- ASEAN and EU: Mid-life Reflections 2 x 21 Mid-life reflections on ASEAN and the EU Apichai Sunchindah Jakarta 3. Pro3 -- Create growth-linked bonds 1 x 30 Creating growth-linked bonds Robert J. Shiller Project Syndicate
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Ba'asyir off lightly
Ba'asyir off lightly Given Abu Bakar Ba'asyir's likely acquittal on appeal, the real surprise was not the terrorist group leader's conviction over involvement in the 2002 Bali bombings, or even the risible 30-months' jail sentence handed to him by a Jakarta court, frustratingly and infuriatingly inadequate as the punishment is.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Tension eases as RI pulls out warships
Tension eases as RI pulls out warships The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Sebatik Island Tension between Indonesia and Malaysia over border and mineral resources subsided on Tuesday with the Navy pulling out its warships from the disputed maritime area of Ambalat in the Sulawesi Sea.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Pawnshop loss reaches Rp 3.7b
Pawnshop loss reaches Rp 3.7b BOGOR: The losses resulting from a robbery at the state-owned Tajur pawnshop in Bogor, West Java, on Feb. 24 amount to Rp 3.7 billion (US$397,849) according to the most recent estimate. The operations manager for pawnshops in the Greater Jakarta area, Markus, said there was a possibility that this figure would climb higher, Tempointeraktif.com reported on Tuesday.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Tsunami survivors get free glasses
Tsunami survivors get free glasses JAKARTA: Hundreds of tsunami survivors in Aceh line up each day to receive free eyeglasses from members of the U.S. naval ship, USNS Mercy. The patients are examined and given their glasses at Zainoel Abidin Hospital in Banda Aceh. Patients came from as far away as Sigli, some 112 kilometers from Banda Aceh, on Tuesday. They began lining up early in the morning. One woman said she had been waiting for three days to get a pair of glasses.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Government to review ban on rice imports
Government to review ban on rice imports Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Agriculture Anton Apriyantono said on Tuesday the government would review its rice import ban in May after the domestic rice harvest, considering that Indonesia would be producing sufficient rice for its own needs this year. "If there is any failure (in local rice production), then the import tap will be opened ... but not now," he told a press conference at the Vice Presidential Office.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Jakarta to host ASEAN-European Union ministerial meeting
Jakarta to host ASEAN-European Union ministerial meeting Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta At least 11 ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU), including Malaysia's Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, will meet in Jakarta on Thursday to discuss ASEAN-EU relations, the reconstruction of tsunami-affected areas, terrorism, transnational crime and other matters related to regional cooperation.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Case files in murder of Barkah complete
Case files in murder of Barkah complete JAKARTA: The Jakarta police have sent the case files on the murder of Barkah Hanim, the wife of a director of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN), and her driver, Rachmat Rohat, to prosecutors last Monday, Tempointeraktif.com reported on Tuesday. Police investigator Comr.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
BCA 2004 net profit up 33%
BCA 2004 net profit up 33% PT Bank Central Asia's 2004 net profit jumped 33 percent to Rp 3.2 trillion (US$341 million) due to a rise in net interest income, BCA President Djohan Emir Setijoso told reporters on Tuesday. Net interest income for Indonesia's second-largest bank in terms of assets rose 25 percent year-on-year to Rp 6.6 trillion from Rp 5.3 trillion, thanks to lower interest rates that helped cut interest expenses.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Construction of Tangguh likely to start soon
Construction of Tangguh likely to start soon Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The long-delayed construction of the Tangguh LNG plant in Papua may well start soon, with contentious issues between the government and the BP-led consortium that manages and controls the gas fields finally being resolved. The government has extended BP's production sharing contracts in the three blocks that supply Tangguh -- Berau, Muturi and Wiriagar -- until 2035.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
'IndoIndians.com' brings Indians in Indonesia together
'IndoIndians.com' brings Indians in Indonesia together An Indian woman planning to visit Indonesia posted a message on the message board of a portal on Jan. 16. She wrote that it would be her first visit to Indonesia, so she needed more information about traveling to the country. The first reply was sent on Jan. 24, eight days after the first message was posted. The second reply came on Feb. 8.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
1. Rumah (1x42)
1. Rumah (1x42) Aceh fishermen reject resettlement program 2. Munir (2x20) Cops quiz Garuda staff again over Munir case 3. Baashir (1x28) Ba'asyir alleges conspiracy 4. Demo (3x16) Women's Day marked by fuel protests
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Oiling Indonesia's squeaky wheel of diplomacy
Oiling Indonesia's squeaky wheel of diplomacy Ivy Susanti, Jakarta Over the past two weeks, oil has raised the collective temperature in Indonesia. The heat is not only limited to this country, but has spilled over to neighboring Malaysia, and -- most regrettably -- has fueled quite a lot of narrow-minded "nationalism".
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Asia-Pacific Media Forum to start next week
Asia-Pacific Media Forum to start next week The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia will host the first Asia-Pacific Media Forum (APMF) from March 13 to March 15 in Tanah Lot, Bali, organized by the Association of Asia Pacific Advertisement Media. "During the forum participants will discuss critical issues in advertising media," the co-chair of the APMF organizing committee, Gunadi Suharso, said on Tuesday.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
TV Program: Wednesday, March 9, 2005
TV Program: Wednesday, March 9, 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.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Forests could be key to curbing global warming
Forests could be key to curbing global warming Alister Doyle Reuters/Oslo Effective control of forest fires may prove crucial in the fight against global warming since blazes from Alaska to Indonesia spew out vast amounts of heat-trapping gases, Canadian foresters said on Thursday. "Forests are a wild card in the debate" about rising world temperatures, said Brian Stocks, a forest fire expert with the government-run Canadian Forest Service.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Yoga moves from spirituality to medication
Yoga moves from spirituality to medication K. Doren Singh, Jakarta Yoga as we know it today is the product of thousands of years. It belongs to the earliest manifestations of India's cultural heritage. It refers to that enormous body of spiritual values, attitudes, precepts, and techniques that have been developed in India over at least three millennia and that may be regarded as the very foundation of the ancient Indian civilization.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP;WYS;Cd;
JP;WYS;Cd; ANPAk..r.. ~Letter-poor people The fate of poor people JP/7/let The tragedy of the impoverished What is the fate of poor people in Indonesia? A friend of mine has the answer. According to him, grass in Indonesia is much more respected than poor people. How is that? Well, we can see everywhere announcements saying "Do not step on the grass". We seldom see "Do not step on poor people".
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
If slimming not enough, get firm
If slimming not enough, get firm Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The dark side to living a modern lifestyle is the growing demand for women to get slimmer. Fitness centers, body shaping parlors and "fat doctors" are mushrooming in the city, whose denizens are becoming increasingly image conscious. However, doctors say the best and safest way of getting a healthy and ideal body shape is still the oldest way, by regularly exercising and controlling one's diet. Physician Inca R.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
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.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Flood produces sinking feeling for Bekasi traders
Flood produces sinking feeling for Bekasi traders The Jakarta Post Jakarta It's was far from being business as usual at the Mal Mega Bekasi shopping complex on Tuesday with the flood waters that have been inundating the center since early on Sunday yet to subside. The water in the shopping mall's ground floor was still up to one meter deep. One of the 600 traders in the mall, Alay, 45, said that the 2.5-meter-deep flood on Sunday had destroyed his merchandise -- mostly electronics goods.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Govt to issue Rp2t in T-bills next month
Govt to issue Rp2t in T-bills next month Urip Hudiono The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The government plans to offer up to Rp 2 trillion (about US$215 million) in one-year treasury bills, or T-bills, next month, according to a finance ministry official. Director General of State Treasury Mulia Nasution said on Tuesday the auction of the short-term promissory notes would take place in April, after the planned sale of dollar-dominated overseas bonds slated for later this month.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Gender equality demand wins support
Gender equality demand wins support Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Prominent Muslim scholars threw their weight behind a demand for the revival of the alternative draft Islamic law code, which they say will encourage gender equality in the country. Syafiq Hasyim of the International Center for Islam and Pluralism (ICIP) said he believed that the alternative draft would not cause disquiet among Muslims as some influential Muslim institutions had predicted.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
JP/16/Airport
JP/16/Airport KL to build second terminal as it gears to receive more airlines Associated Press Kuala Lumpur A second terminal will be built at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to accommodate rapidly growing passenger traffic, as at least four more foreign airlines including two Indian carriers get set to fly to Malaysia, an official said.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Flood gives sinking feeling to traders
Flood gives sinking feeling to traders The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It was far from business as usual at Mal Mega Bekasi shopping complex on Tuesday, with floodwater inundating the center since early Sunday. Floodwater on the ground floor was still up to one meter deep. One of the 600 traders in the mall, Alay, 45, said the 2.5- meter-deep flood on Sunday had destroyed his merchandise -- mostly electronic goods.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Jimbaran Villas gets loan for Bvlgari
Jimbaran Villas gets loan for Bvlgari JAKARTA: PT Jimbaran Villas, a subsidiary of media company MRA Group, has received a syndicated loan from one international and four local banks to build a Bvlgari hotel in Bali.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
RI manufactures lagging behind neighbors
RI manufactures lagging behind neighbors Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Lack of investment in manpower skills, infrastructure and research and development in Indonesia's manufacturing industry over the past three decades have slowed down the country's industrialization process compared to its neighbors.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
India promotes CNG at technology expo
India promotes CNG at technology expo The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With air pollution becoming a serious problem, especially in Jakarta and other big cities, Indonesia plans to adopt Indian compressed natural gas (CNG) technology.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
People applying for passports drops
People applying for passports drops JAMBI, Jambi: The number of people applying for passports at the Jambi Immigration Office has decreased from 20 people per day to an average 10 people after the March 1 crackdown on illegal workers in Malaysia, a senior official said on Tuesday.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Kuwait moved to give aid
Kuwait moved to give aid After having read the two articles in your daily newspaper entitled Tsunami couple's cafe helps family cope on March 5, and Closer work needed to find Aceh children a home on March 6, I am greatly touched to donate a generator, which I hope would help the couple get over their misery and earn a decent living. Referring to Finding Aceh children a home, it will be worked out soon, hand in hand, together with the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS).
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Irene faces Corke in chess matchup
Irene faces Corke in chess matchup JAKARTA: Teenage FIDE Master (WFM) Irene Kharisma of Indonesia will take on Women's Grand Master (WGM) Anya Sun Corke of Hong Kong in a five-day chess matchup starting on Saturday. Irene, 13, won a silver medal as the second best point winner on board three in last year's Chess Olympia in Calvia, Spain. Corke, now 15, was the youngest woman to attain a GM title at 14.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Aceh fishermen to rebuild houses, refuse resettlement
Aceh fishermen to rebuild houses, refuse resettlement Nani Afrida The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh Hundreds of people from 14 villages in Aceh Besar regency and Banda Aceh municipality gathered in Lam Isiek village here on Tuesday to pledge to rebuild their homes, which were destroyed by the tsunami. The villagers, who have formed a joint team (udeep beusare), said they would not live in government camps for internally displaced people but seek assistance from other parties.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Flood produces sinking feeling for Bekasi traders
Flood produces sinking feeling for Bekasi traders The Jakarta Post Jakarta It was far from business as usual at Mal Mega Bekasi shopping complex on Tuesday, with floodwater inundating the center since early Sunday. Floodwater on the ground floor was still up to one meter deep. One of the 600 traders in the mall, Alay, 45, said the 2.5- meter-deep flood on Sunday had destroyed his merchandise -- mostly electronic goods.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Hungary vies for projects in Indonesia
Hungary vies for projects in Indonesia Endy M. Bayuni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Hungary is vying for economic projects in Indonesia as a way of enhancing relations between the two countries, with sectors such as the construction of roads, bridges and railways, and information technology (IT) and automotive parts featuring prominently on its wish list.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Fuel price rise keeps fishermen tied up
Fuel price rise keeps fishermen tied up Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang For almost one hour, Nano, 34, just sat silently in his boat. Looking straight out to sea, he completely ignored his fellow fishermen who had their boats tied up next to his on the Perancis River in Dadap village, Tangerang regency, Banten, on Saturday morning. "This is not my own boat. Myself and four other fishermen just rent it and we share the takings.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
KONI set to aid E. Timor athletes
KONI set to aid E. Timor athletes JAKARTA: The National Sports Council (KONI) said on Tuesday it would provide assistance to East Timor for sports development in the neighboring country. KONI secretary-general Djohar Arifin said the council would begin its assistance by donating athletic equipment, with more help to follow.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Corruption at Pertamina looms over fuel price hikes
Corruption at Pertamina looms over fuel price hikes Vincent Lingga, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta So what! That may be the skeptical reaction of most people to the ruling by the Business Competition Supervisory Commission that state oil and gas company Pertamina and three of its business partners conspired to rig the tender for the sale of two very large crude carriers in mid-2004.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
City announces fare increase of 9% to 19%
City announces fare increase of 9% to 19% Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso approved on Tuesday increases of between 9 percent and 19 percent for public transportation fares. Under Gubernatorial Decree No. 412/2005, the new fares came into effect on March 8. The new fares, approved by the City Council, are higher than the fare increases of between 6 percent and 15 percent recommended by the City Transportation Council.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Jazz fashionable again on Java in festival's wake
Jazz fashionable again on Java in festival's wake M. Taufiqurrahman and Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta March 9 is National Music Day, as it marks the birth date (in 1903) of Wage Rudolph Supratman, composer of Indonesia Raya, the national anthem. It may therefore be fitting to reflect on what impact the recently concluded and hugely popular Java Jazz festival may have had on the musical life of the country.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Indian traders feel at home in Pasar Baru
Indian traders feel at home in Pasar Baru The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A sixty-year-old man of Indian descent sat behind the counter of his textile store in Pasar Baru, a 184-year-old market complex in Central Jakarta, waiting for customers to pay for the cloth they had selected. "Actually, I don't like it if people see me as an Indian. I'm an Indonesian.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Cops quiz Garuda staff again over Munir case
Cops quiz Garuda staff again over Munir case Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police investigators questioned four Garuda Indonesia stewardesses on Tuesday and were scheduled to question another airline employee, Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto, on Thursday as part of their investigation into the murder of top human rights activist Munir. Head of the investigating team, Sr. Comr.
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
1. TANGGUH: 3 LINES, 15 COUNTS
1. TANGGUH: 3 LINES, 15 COUNTS Construction of Tangguh likely to start soon 2. JAZZ: 2 LINES, 24 COUNTS Jazz fashionable again on Java in festival's wake 3. CORRUPT: 1 LINE, 28 COUNTS RI most corrupt in Asia: Survey 4. TOTAL: 1 LINE, 36 COUNTS Court rejects Total bankruptcy petition 5. EU: 1 LINE, 36 COUNTS Jakarta to host ASEAN-EU meeting
Wed, 09 Mar 2005, 00:00 WIB
Indonesian jailed U.S. for slavery
Indonesian jailed U.S. for slavery Agence France-Presse, Los Angeles, California An Indonesian woman was jailed for nearly four years on Monday for forcing a maid from her home country into virtual slavery in the United States. U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder put Mariska Trisanti behind bars for 46 months and warned that she could face deportation upon her release after she admitted a year ago to holding a young woman in involuntary servitude. As U.S.