Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 18 April 2005

70 articles found

Improving knowledge of Constitution

Improving knowledge of ConstitutionFrom Koran TempoAccording to plan, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) will this year again disseminate the amendments to the 1945 Constitution to elaborate on its contents to society at a cost of Rp 22 billion.

* Acehnese squeezed by conflict, dream of peace Page 2

* Acehnese squeezed by conflict, dream of peace Page 2 * Major earthquake shakes Nias island Page 4 * Eco-villages constructed in defiance of government Page 5 * Reforming the UN Human Rights Commission Page 7 * Souped-up 'bajaj' in bid for survival Page 8 * Asia trounces Japan to win Dynasty Cup...

Investors' struggle for Adaro control heats up

Investors' struggle for Adaro control heats upLeony Aurora and Riyadi Suparno, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAs coal prices are soaring, a fight between investors to gain control of PT Adaro Indonesia, one of the country's largest coal mining companies, is heating up with the parties trying to drag the...

Investment to pick up: Experts

Investment to pick up: ExpertsUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, JakartaWith a new administration in office and current investments in the country in need of replenishment, Indonesia is on a promising path toward an investment boom this year, analysts say.

JP/5/DISABLE

JP/5/DISABLELosing leg, Nurlaili faces tough lifeNani Afrida The Jakarta Post/Banda AcehNurlaili, 20, has barely smiled since the tsunami catastrophe on Dec. 26 last year, when she lost her right leg. The resident of Lhok Nga district in Aceh Besar regency, is among thousands of Acehnese who are...

Souped-up 'bajaj' in bid for survival

Souped-up 'bajaj' in bid for survivalWahyuana, The Jakarta Post, BekasiA total makeover may be the answer to the prayers of bajaj drivers who don't want to lose business but at the same time are unable to replace their Indian-made three-wheelers with the expensive, locally made kancil (mini-taxi,...

Bandung's 1955 Asia-Africa Conference and Indonesia

Bandung's 1955 Asia-Africa Conference and IndonesiaAmitav Acharya, Singapore Fifty years ago, the Asia-Africa Conference held in Bandung represented the largest ever conclave to date of new states entering the post-war international system.

Aceh survivors squeezed by conflict, dream of peace

Aceh survivors squeezed by conflict, dream of peaceDan Eaton, Krueng Raya/ReutersFearful of saying the name of the Free Aceh Movement rebels out loud, a young woman scribbles its short form, GAM, on a scrap of paper as she warily eyes the tape recorder in front of her.

Australia edges closer to Asia after release from Oceania group

Australia edges closer to Asia after release from Oceania groupAgence France-Presse, Sydney Australia took another step on Sunday towards joining the Asian Football Confederation when it received an official release from the Oceania Football Confederation.

JP/18/SIA

JP/18/SIA'Enchanting Bali' and boarding pass aim to lure guests to BaliRita A.Widiadana The Jakarta Post/DenpasarIt was a rainy April morning, unusual weather for normally sunny Bali. This was the result of minor cyclone Juliet, which swept through East Indonesian waters from April 7 through to...

Govt, Aceh rebels agree to keep on talking peace

Govt, Aceh rebels agree to keep on talking peace Nina Larson, Agence France-Presse, Helsinki The Indonesian government and Aceh separatists on Saturday agreed to hold a fourth round of peace talks next month, saying the third round ended on a "constructive note", the Finnish hosts said.

Close of school brings misery to students

Close of school brings misery to studentsAndi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, MakassarMuhammad Nur, an elementary school teacher, scolds his students several times as they are not concentrating on the lesson.

Another quake hits Nias island, residents flee

Another quake hits Nias island, residents fleeThe Jakarta Post, Medan/Padang/YogyakartaA major earthquake shook Nias island late on Saturday, causing panic among residents, an official said on Sunday. No fatalities were reported, but the undersea quake measuring 6.

Different ways to work remotely

Different ways to work remotelyThe word "telework" was so sexy back in the mid-1980s. Today, around 20 years later, the idea is still attractive, especially if you live in places like Jakarta where, because of chronic traffic problems, the average speed of your car is expected to go down to only...

On shop-house hotels in Batam

On shop-house hotels in Batam Your article that blames Batam shop-house hotels for taking business away from star-rated hotels tells only half the story (The Jakarta Post's April 11 edition, page 5).Shop-house hotels fulfill a valuable social role in helping this expensive city stay economically...

Volcano warning system

Volcano warning system The way people look at the apocalyptic Dec. 26 tsunami in Aceh has changed somewhat. With a magnitude of 9 on the Richter scale, the catastrophe looks like the apex of a string of major earthquakes in this archipelago, both before and after Boxing day.

Volcano warning system

Volcano warning system The way people look at the apocalyptic Dec. 26 tsunami in Aceh has changed somewhat. With a magnitude of 9 on the Richter scale, the catastrophe looks like the apex of a string of major earthquakes in this archipelago, both before and after Boxing day.

JP/18/WASUR

JP/18/WASURIndigenous people marginalized at Wasur R. Kristiawan Contributor/Merauke, South Papua Wasur National Park is essential for the well-being of Merauke, South Papua. Located 13 kilometers from the city, Rawa Biru, the 10,400 (checking units) area of open water in the center of the park is...

'Many big corrupters are untouchable'

'Many big corrupters are untouchable'Judges at the Central Jakarta District Court sentenced Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh to 10 years in jail last week, while the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested General Elections Commission member Mulyana W. Kusuma for alleged bribery.

Obituary

ObituaryThe country's first female gynecologist, Koen Soeparti Martiono, died on Sunday at the age of 89 after a succumbing to a lung ailment.Koen, who was also the cofounder of the family planning program in the country, was rushed to Pertamina Hospital on April 9 after she fell unconscious.

Puncak needs place for street vendors

Puncak needs place for street vendors BOGOR: The Bogor municipal administration is currently seeking a strategic spot in Puncak to accommodate its street vendors."We're now trying to talk two tea plantations into letting 4.

Gus Dur wins unexpected support from Saifullah

Gus Dur wins unexpected support from SaifullahThe Jakarta Post, SemarangIn a bizarre move, National Awakening Party (PKB) leadership contender Saifullah Yusuf announced his support on Sunday for his bitter opponent Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's reelection as the party's powerful chief patron.

East Timorese recall better life during Indonesia occupation

East Timorese recall better life during Indonesia occupationRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Dili, East TimorRich in oil, gas and coffee, the East Timorese had high hopes that the new country would be prosperous after its independence from Indonesia in 1999.

Pertamina's cash-flow problems and domestic fuel stocks

Pertamina's cash-flow problems and domestic fuel stocksVincent Lingga, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIs the government so strapped for cash that it failed to pay Pertamina Rp 23 trillion (US$2.42 billion) in fuel subsidies for the first quarter?"No, we are by no means facing a liquidity crisis.

Who does the House really speak for?

Who does the House really speak for?From Media IndonesiaWith members of the House of Representatives failing or refusing to listen to the voice of people they represent, I wonder who they are really speaking for.

14 drug abusers nabbed in Jambi

14 drug abusers nabbed in JambiJAMBI, Jambi: Police personnel arrested 14 drug users and traffickers during a raid in separate locations in Jambi city on Friday, an obvious sign that drugs are widely available in Jambi city. "Five among the 14 people are drug traffickers," said Sr. Comr.

Missing aircraft found in foothills of Papua mountain

Missing aircraft found in foothills of Papua mountainNethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, JayapuraThe GT Air Twin Otter aircraft that went missing on Tuesday with 17 people on board was found on Sunday at the foot of Boba mountain on the border between East Paniai district and Dumadama district,...

JP/5/RELAWAN

JP/5/RELAWANForeign volunteers free to stay as long as they wish on NiasApriadi Gunawan The Jakarta Post/MedanThe North Sumatra provincial administration, which is in charge of disaster mitigation on Nias island, on Thursday announced that it would give ample time for the foreign relief workers...

1. INSIGHT: 1 X 54

1. INSIGHT: 1 X 54 Bandung's 1955 Asia-Africa Conference and Indonesia 2. ISLAM: 2 X 15 Muslims told to promote peace 3. JAKARTA: 1 X 32 AAS far bigger than 1955 Conference 4. ADARO: 2 X 25 Investors' fight for Adaro control heats up

KL police bust Indonesian gang

KL police bust Indonesian gangMALAYSIA: Malaysian authorities have arrested four Indonesian robbers who allegedly targeted homes of VIPs, news reports said on Sunday.The so-called Gang Selamat used machetes, axes and crowbars to break into several victims' houses in Kuala Lumpur over the last year,...

Mulyana says Hamid not involved in bribery case

Mulyana says Hamid not involved in bribery caseThe Jakarta Post, JakartaMulyana W. Kusumah, in a statement issued from prison, has cleared Minister of Justice and Human Rights Hamid Awaluddin, a former official of the General Elections Commission (KPU) of any involvement in the decision to bribe a...

Hunger, malaria claim more lives in Maluku

Hunger, malaria claim more lives in MalukuM. Azis Tunny and Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Wawasa/KupangHunger and malaria have claimed 22 lives in Wawasa hamlet in Amarsekaru village, Gorom island district in East Seram regency, Maluku in the last three months, officials say.

Taking nature's way around paradise island

Taking nature's way around paradise islandBruce Emond, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta There is the inevitable risk that a guidebook is dated as soon as it reaches bookstands. One only has to flip through the most recent edition of Lonely Planet's guide to Indonesia, with its eerie description of the...

Yogya Tomkins inflicted with 7th loss in Proliga

Yogya Tomkins inflicted with 7th loss in ProligaMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Yogya Tomkins was denied a place in the women's division semifinals of the 2005 Sampoerna Hijau Proliga volleyball tournament after taking its seventh loss in the fifth series here on Saturday.

Tourism feels the heat of volcanic scare

Tourism feels the heat of volcanic scareThe Jakarta Post, Tanjung Lesung, AnyerAs Mount Anak Krakatau comes to live again and mild tremors rattle the crater, tourist attractions along Banten's coastline are deserted, as visitors, mostly from Jakarta, choose to stay away.

KL police bust Indonesian gang

KL police bust Indonesian gangMALAYSIA: Malaysian authorities have arrested four Indonesian robbers who allegedly targeted homes of VIPs, news reports said on Sunday.The so-called Gang Selamat used machetes, axes and crowbars to break into several victims' houses in Kuala Lumpur over the last year,...

Frequent taxi robberies make passengers worry

Frequent taxi robberies make passengers worryAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaA recent spate of robberies committed against taxi passengers by drivers and their accomplices has created unease among passengers, particularly women.

JP/5/FOCUS

JP/5/FOCUSTwo killed in ferryboat accidentPALU, Central Sulawesi: A ferryboat packed with 40 passengers and crew sank on Thursday afternoon in Tomini Gulf, Central Sulawesi, leaving two passengers dead and another missing. Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen.

A portrait of dedicated volcano watchers

A portrait of dedicated volcano watchersID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, LumajangIt was drizzling on one of the peaks of Mount Semeru in Lumajang on Friday night, drenching the earth, plants and rocks at the mountain top. The volcano is some 250 kilometers east of the capital of East Java, Surabaya.

Credit Suisse eyes Asia for biggest change of growth

Credit Suisse eyes Asia for biggest change of growthAndrew Batson, Associated Press/Hong KongCredit Suisse Group, Switzerland's second-largest bank, is looking to Asia for much of the future growth in its core private banking business, a top executive says.

Developing countries worry about uneven world economic

Developing countries worry about uneven world economicHarry Dunphy, Associated Press/WashingtonThe sharp increase and continuing volatility of oil prices risk serious harm to a growing global economy, the Group of 24 developing countries said on Friday.

JP/18/SELO1

JP/18/SELO1checked -- JSR Fifteen green years at SelolimanIn May, conservationists worldwide celebrate the 15th anniversary of Indonesia's first non-commercial, non-governmental, environment center. Jakarta Post contributor based in Surabaya Duncan Graham reports:When Kermit the TV cartoon frog...

Three women's teams reach semis

Three women's teams reach semisMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakarta 46 BNI, Jakarta Electric PLN and Bandung Art Deco Bank Jabar secured slots on Sunday in the women's division semifinal of the 2005 Sampoerna Hijau Proliga volleyball tournament.

RI seeks Japan's help in boosting competitiveness

RI seeks Japan's help in boosting competitivenessZakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Indonesian government was still seeking Japan's help in enhancing its own industrial competitiveness to optimize trade relations, in a bid to eventually establish a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), a...

Inculcating

Inculcating creativity in our daily life Dewi Susanti Jakarta Muhammad Zuhdi wrote an attractive article entitled Education and Creativity, published in The Jakarta Post on April 2. The article discussed the importance of creativity and suggested that it should be part of formal education, a...

Asia, Africa need new strategy for cooperation

Asia, Africa need new strategy for cooperationYash Tandon and Chandra Kant Patel, Geneva The conjuncture of rapid structural transformation in a growing number of economies of Asia, the adoption of reforms to revive Africa's economic prospects, and the expected leveling -- off in demand and income...

Shark fins from Indramayu, West Java are in demand by people in a

Shark fins from Indramayu, West Java are in demand by people in a number of countries in East Asia as indicated by the amount that is exported each month -- up to 90 tons. Hong Kong, Japan and China are the main destinations for shark fins, with Singapore and Malaysia not too far behind.

Libraries provide respite for homesick Koreans

Libraries provide respite for homesick KoreansBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaFor Koreans living in Indonesia, a Korean library is not so much a place to satisfy their reading habit, but a cure for homesickness.

1. Analysis -- 1x40

1. Analysis -- 1x40 Pertamina's cash-flow problems and domestic fuel stocks 2. GAM ---- 2x24 Aceh survivors squeezed by conflict, dreams of peace 3. Mount ---- 1x30 A portrait of dedicated volcano watchers 4. Taxi --- 2x22 Frequent taxi robberies make passengers worried

State of confusion: Learning from Icuk's exit

State of confusion: Learning from Icuk's exitIcuk Sugiarto's sudden resignation from the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) earlier this week left the Sudirman Cup team without a manager. Although PBSI quickly shifted into damage control mode and said a new replacement would be appointed by...

JP/5/DEPORT

JP/5/DEPORTWorkshop participants to be deported for visa violationApriadi Gunawan The Jakarta Post/MedanAfter seven hours of questioning, four foreigners participating in a trauma counseling workshop in Medan will soon be deported for visa violations. Syarief O.

Reforming the UN Human Rights commission

Reforming the UN Human Rights commissionJonny Sinaga and Mulyadi, Jakarta On Dec. 2, 2004, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan released a report, A More Secure World: Our Shared Responsibility, in which he proposed, inter alia, a reform of the UN Commission on Human Rights.

23 die of diarrhea in Morowali

23 die of diarrhea in MorowaliPALU, Central Sulawesi: At least 23 children have died of diarrheal illnesses in Morowali regency, Central Sulawesi since January, an official said on Saturday.Evelin Wenas, a senior official at the Morowali Health Office, blamed late medical treatment for the huge...

A 'master plan' by the people, for the people

A 'master plan' by the people, for the peopleThe Jakarta Post, Banda AcehThe initiatives taken by a number of villages that were badly hit by the tsunami is admirable. Needless to say, the homes where residents lived and worked are no more, but the remaining locals are intent on rebuilding their...

Rivalry heightens as PKB opens leadership race

Rivalry heightens as PKB opens leadership raceBlontank Poer And Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang Rivalry between groups contesting the leadership of the National Awakening Party (PKB) heightened on the first day of its three-day national congress here on Saturday, which was opened by party...

Who does the House

Who does the House really speak for? From Media IndonesiaWith members of the House of Representatives failing or refusing to listen to the voice of people they represent, I wonder who they are really speaking for.

HSBC tidies up botanical garden

HSBC tidies up botanical garden BOGOR: Some 250 employees of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) cleaned up the Bogor Botanical Garden on Sunday and planted three trees, which are endemic to southern Sumatra and central Sulawesi.

Falling oil prices delay output hikes

Falling oil prices delay output hikes KUWAIT CITY: The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) would likely postpone increasing its production ceiling by 500,000 barrels per day in May if prices continue to slide, OPEC spokesman Abdul Rahman al-Khreiji said on Saturday.

Baby born in public minivan

Baby born in public minivan TANGERANG: A young mother delivered a baby boy in a public minivan on her way to the Tangerang General Hospital late on Friday.Three months before the baby was due, Jumani, 21, started having contractions and was rushed to the hospital from a maternity clinic she sought...

President Susilo tells Muslims to promote peace

President Susilo tells Muslims to promote peaceTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, JakartaPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on Indonesian Muslims to show the true face of Islam in order to change the world's perception that the religion's adherents were partial to terrorism.

Support up for proposal to scrap death sentence

Support up for proposal to scrap death sentenceThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The proposal to reduce the death sentence to life imprisonment in cases where a convict has not been executed five years after their verdict was handed down has won support among lawyers and legal experts.

Eco-villages constructed in defiance of government

Eco-villages constructed in defiance of governmentNani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh"We don't want to live in the hills, Mr. Minister," Burhanuddin, a village chief, tells State Minister of Environment Rahmat Witoelar.

AAS far bigger than 1955 Conference

AAS far bigger than 1955 ConferenceVeeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, JakartaToday is Monday, April 18, 2005. At exactly 9 a.m., 50 years ago, the leaders from the 29 Asian and African countries gathered in Bandung to promote goodwill and cooperation among themselves and promote world peace.

City digging deep for busways

City digging deep for buswaysDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe ambitious idea of Governor Sutiyoso to provide the city with 12 more busway corridors by 2007, when his term comes to an end, has kept his subordinates busy finding funding sources.

Gaikindo sticks to target despite promising Q1 sales

Gaikindo sticks to target despite promising Q1 salesThe Jakarta Post, JakartaEven though several automotive industry players have expressed optimism that car sales may surpass their targets this year, the Association of Indonesian Automotive Manufacturers (Gaikindo) remains conservative with its...

Lions Club Int'l president praises local Lions Club

Lions Club Int'l president praises local Lions ClubAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaLions Club Indonesia received a roar of approval from Lions Club International president Clement F. Kusiak on Sunday for its work in the country.

Germany to help rebuild Nias schools

Germany to help rebuild Nias schoolsGUNUNG SITOLI, Nias: The German Government has approved the disbursement of US$5 million in building materials to help rebuild schools in Nias and South Nias regencies affected by recent massive quake, an official said on Saturday.

On shop-house hotels in Batam

On shop-house hotels in Batam Your article that blames Batam shop-house hotels for taking business away from star-rated hotels tells only half the story (The Jakarta Post's April 11 edition, page 5).Shop-house hotels fulfill a valuable social role in helping this expensive city stay economically...

Why apologize?

Why apologize? The Ambassador of the Holy See asked The Jakarta Post for an apology on the publication of an article published on April 6. I don't share the opinion of the archbishop, but would have found it more fitting had asked the writer of the said article for an exchange of opinions rather...

Hong Kongers lured to South Korea by TV soap opera: report

Hong Kongers lured to South Korea by TV soap opera: report Hong Kongers are flocking to South Korea on holiday after a popular TV soap opera set in ancient Korea began airing on television here, Korean officials and a media report here said Monday.