Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 7 April 2005

79 articles found

JP/18/KAMASA

JP/18/KAMASA Aging painter keeps Kamasan style alive Tri Vivi Suryani Contributor/Denpasar Ni Made Suciarmi, one of the oldest female painters in Banjar Sangging, Kamasan village, Klungkung, east Bali, works meticulously on a canvas, drawing two-dimensional wayang shadow puppet figures in a painting style known as Kamasan. Her home has become a kind of art gallery and workshop for dozens of students, both locally and from overseas.

Puteh faces new charge of malfeasance

Puteh faces new charge of malfeasance The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) Prosecutor's Office named on Wednesday suspended governor Abdullah Puteh and the head of the provincial legal and public relations bureau, A. Hamid Zein, as suspects in a Rp 4.13 billion (US$475,773) graft case.

Maritime Museum tower catches fire

Maritime Museum tower catches fire JAKARTA: The tower of the Maritime Museum in North Jakarta, caught fire at about 2 p.m. on Wednesday. However, the fire did not destroy the building, which was built in 1652, as firefighters extinguished it within an hour. "We are yet to investigate the cause of the fire," a North Jakarta firefighter said. Earlier in the day, a fire swept through at least 27 semi- permanent houses in the dense Tanjung Duren Selatan subdistrict of West Jakarta.

Tangerang prosecutors urged to follow up BPK findings

Tangerang prosecutors urged to follow up BPK findings Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Students and non-governmental organization (NGO) activists have demanded that prosecutors follow up a Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) investigation detailing Rp 24.6 billion (US$2.73 million) of irregular spending in the Tangerang regional budget.

Inflationary pressures

Inflationary pressures Inflation is rearing its ugly head again. Though the 1.91 percent inflation in March was widely predicted after the March 1 fuel price increases of 29 percent, along with the price rises they triggered in the costs of other goods and services, the figure was still rather high, apparently reflecting the impact of some panic reactions.

Indomobil asks for annulment of recent import tariff cut

Indomobil asks for annulment of recent import tariff cut Primastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta PT Indomobil Sukses International Tbk., which produces Hino and Volvo buses, has requested that the government annul its policy easing import tariffs on buses, spare parts and components for public transportation, arguing it could scare off investors and jeopardize the local industry. "Of course, the policy will have a negative impact on the local automotive industry.

Expired cigarettes destroyed in Makassar

Expired cigarettes destroyed in Makassar Makassar Customs and Excises Office destroyed 250 boxes, or 151,388 packs, of expired cigarettes of various brands on Wednesday (see photo) in order to protect consumers as well as discouraging distributors from putting expired cigarettes into the market. The cigarettes came from cities in Java, like Surabaya and Semarang, and were confiscated during market operations by customs and excises officials in Makassar.

Rupiah boosted by dolar's slide against major rivals

Rupiah boosted by dolar's slide against major rivals Dow Jones, Jakarta The rupiah ended higher on Wednesday as offshore market participants unwound some of their long-dollar positions after the U.S. unit lost ground against major rivals, dealers said. The dollar closed at Rp 9,480 down from its close on Tuesday at Rp 9,495. "The rupiah was helped by dollar-unwinding across Asia after the dollar lost ground against major rivals," a dealer with a foreign bank said.

Reshuffle at Jamsostek questioned

Reshuffle at Jamsostek questioned The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two major labor unions have questioned the recent reshuffle at state insurance company PT Jamsostek, which they said was conducted abruptly and not transparently.

Australia's Howard presses case for closer Asian ties

Australia's Howard presses case for closer Asian ties Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Australian Prime Minister John Howard pressed his case for closer ties with Asian countries in an interview published here on Wednesday, dismissing concerns over Canberra's links with Washington and threats of pre-emptive military action in the region.

;JP;DAN;

;JP;DAN; ANPAf..r.. Rupiah-conversion-rates Rupiah Rates April 6 JP/13/Conver Rupiah Rates April 6 Bank notes rates Selling Buying Rp Rp Australian dollar 1 7,644.84 6,873.95 Brunei dollar 1 6,013.02 5,406.95 Canadian dollar 1 8,192.35 7,368.03 Swiss franc 1 8,276.63 7,445.04 Danish krone 1 1,723.24 1,549.68 Euro 1 12,836.83 11,547.24 Poundsterling 1 18,766.97 16,879.28 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,278.94 1,150.69 Japanese yen 100 9,226.71 8,299.43 Malaysian ringgit 1 -- -- Norwegian krone 1 1,572.87...

Remote villages to have better access to health services

Remote villages to have better access to health services The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Manling, short for mantri keliling, or mobile male nurses, will soon color the local vernacular in villages in Lebak regency, Banten, and later on throughout Indonesia, as the Ministry of Health plans to make them available in remote areas across the country.

Disabled yet to be accommodate

Disabled yet to be accommodate JAKARTA: The number of disabled people in Greater Jakarta has reached over 9,000 in the past two years, an official says. Head of the social rehabilitation division of the City Mental and Spiritual Development, Social Welfare Agency Jadium Sebayang, said his office recorded 9,607 disabled people in 2004, not including 3,482 people with mental health problems.

Conference on corruption in Asia

Conference on corruption in Asia Managing Corporate Governance in Asia is holding a two-day conference titled Corruption in Asia -- Its Effect on Business and Nations, at Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Jimbaran, on April 7 and April 8. The conference is mainly aimed at discussing ways, including the enforcement of anticorruption laws and regulations, to create good governance and to enhance business performance.

Rising fuel prices pressure airlines

Rising fuel prices pressure airlines The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Airline operators are optimistic that passengers will still use their services although some fares will increase due to rising prices of aviation fuel -- avigas and avtur. "Even if it (the fare increase) discourages some, the number will not be significant," state-owned Merpati Nusantara Airlines corporate secretary Jaka Pujiyono told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

Jet Airways to make maiden flight to KL

Jet Airways to make maiden flight to KL KUALA LUMPUR: Indian carrier Jet Airways will make its maiden flight to Malaysia on April 29, marking growing economic ties between Kuala Lumpur and New Delhi, a senior airport official said on Wednesday. Malaysia Airports Holding Bhd. senior marketing manager Mohamed Sallauddin Mat Sah told AFP that Jet Airways would launch daily roundtrip flights from Chennai to Kuala Lumpur using its new Boeing 737-800 aircraft. "India is another emerging market.

Ex-army colonel and communist prisoner dies of lung failure

Ex-army colonel and communist prisoner dies of lung failure Associated Press, Jakarta Abdul Latief, a former army colonel who spent 33 years in jail for alleged links with a communist coup attempt in 1965, died on Wednesday of lung failure, a relative said. Latief, 79, passed away at a local hospital in Tangerang west of Jakarta, where he was treated in the past two months, said Hartono, one of Latief's relatives who took care of him since his release from jail six years ago.

New town to eat into protected mangrove forest

New town to eat into protected mangrove forest Wahyuana, The Jakarta Post, Bekasi The Bekasi regency plans to build an exclusive new industrial town that will encroach upon about 10,000 hectares of the protected mangrove forest in Muara Gembong coast. The town, to be called City of Jakarta Bay, would sit on around 30,000 hectares of land in the Muara Gembong, Cabang Bungin, Tambelang and Babelan districts, the area adjacent to Jakarta Bay.

How ASEAN countries can benefit from a dynamic Asia

How ASEAN countries can benefit from a dynamic Asia Goh Chok Tong, Jakarta We must admit that ASEAN has lost some shine. Perceptions of Southeast Asia are affected by the series of bad news -- in particular, the overhanging sword of terrorism. Bilateral disputes, highlighted in the media, also appear to threaten ASEAN's cohesiveness. No wonder analysts perceive ASEAN to be in drift, an organization mired in mid-life crisis. Moreover, a gap is developing between Southeast and Northeast Asia.

'I have no alternative besides taxis'

'I have no alternative besides taxis' One month after the central government raised fuel prices by 29 percent, the Jakarta administration eventually nodded to the taxi operators' demand for new fares, despite the fact that the service provided by many of them is substandard. The Jakarta Post asked residents their opinions on the issue. Yanti, 33, works at a foreign cement company in South Jakarta. She lives with her only child in Pasar Rebo, East Jakarta: I'm a regular user of taxis.

Open dumping system hazardous

Open dumping system hazardous From Kompas The recent landslide at the Leuwigajah municipal dump in Cimahi, West Java, buried several settlements, with 103 victims so far reported and 40 others missing. The slide was caused by a lack of response from the municipal administration to a study of the Leuwigajah dump, which found that the open dumping system in use was unsafe. Weak municipal coordination and dump management also contributed to the disaster.

India Club Jakarta celebrates fiesty spirit of 'Holi' festival

India Club Jakarta celebrates fiesty spirit of 'Holi' festival Joyeeta Dutta Ray, Contributor, Jakarta On March 26, an army of 600 prepared for an attack. The targets were each other. The battleground was Hotel Plaza, Kota Bukit Indah, Purwakarta. The warriors were members of the India Club of Jakarta. The trigger Holi, the festival of colors. Holi, India's celebration of the arrival of spring, is an occasion that brings out the spirit of boisterous joy in all.

Stock prices at the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on April 6, 2005:

Stock prices at the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on April 6, 2005: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,950 0 8,000 Adhi Karya 860 -30 4,117,000 Adira Dinamika 2,350 0 0 AGIS Tbk 135 5 4,668,500 Akbar Indo 320 0 500 AKR Corporindo 1,180 0 1,276,000 Alakasa 165 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 1,010 10 500...

Working together to promote human rights

Working together to promote human rights Benny YP Siahaan, Jakarta The testimony of Suciwati, widow of human rights activist Munir, before the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) at its 61st session in Geneva recently has certainly sparked public attention. In Geneva, Suciwati was accompanied by NGO compatriots such as Raffendi Jamin and others. I personally was also present at this session, however I did not feel as if is was something extraordinary.

Body recovery a tough job, says Army sergeant

Body recovery a tough job, says Army sergeant Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Nias Sergeant Edi Ginting's face turned red from the effort of shifting a rock from a house in Gunung Sitoli, Nias island, which collapsed when a 8.7-magnitude earthquake rocked the western coastal area off Sumatra last week. He finally managed to lift the rock with the help of residents. "Evacuation of quake victims here is extremely difficult as it's done manually.

Open dumping system hazardous

Open dumping system hazardous From Kompas The recent landslide at the Leuwigajah municipal dump in Cimahi, West Java, buried several settlements, with 103 victims so far reported and 40 others missing. The slide was caused by a lack of response from the municipal administration to a study of the Leuwigajah dump, which found that the open dumping system in use was unsafe. Weak municipal coordination and dump management also contributed to the disaster.

Aid distribution for quake victims still a problem

Aid distribution for quake victims still a problem Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan Nine days after the 8.7-magnitude earthquake rocked islands off the west coast of Sumatra, slow distribution was still a major problem, leaving aid piling up at Sibolga port and Polonia Airport in North Sumatra.

Indonesian economy to grow 5.5%, ADB says

Indonesian economy to grow 5.5%, ADB says Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia's economy is set to grow moderately by 5.5 percent this year and later pick up to over 6.0 percent in the next two years on the back of buoyant consumption and improving investment, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) says.

Serious drought in NTT

Serious drought in NTT The serious drought in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has been evident for quite some time. The meteorological office in Kupang, however, stated a few weeks ago in Pos Kupang that the current rainy season was quite normal.

Air Force personnel stationed in Kupang

Air Force personnel stationed in Kupang KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The Air Force has stationed 175 personnel, along with radar and surveillance equipment, in a subdistrict in Kupang regency to monitor the country's airspace. The personnel, from the Air Force's special unit, will monitor the country's airspace along the borders between Indonesia, East Timor and Australia, said First Marshall Lalu Amdaniq during an official ceremony in Kupang.

South Africa wants to host next AAS

South Africa wants to host next AAS Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The South African government has expressed its readiness to host the next Asian-African Summit expected to be held some time in 2009, a senior official at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Garuda responds

Garuda responds In response to a letter from Audrey Ng, who complained about the delayed departure of flight GA-417 on March 27 from Denpasar to Jakarta, we would like to apologize for the inconvenience caused to her and her husband, Glenn Cheng, who later proceeded on to Singapore. We wish to clarify that Audrey Ng, who was informed of the delay of flight GA-417 from 5 p.m.

President Susilo vows justice for Australian woman facing execution

President Susilo vows justice for Australian woman facing execution Agence France-Presse, Sydney President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has insisted that justice will prevail in the case of a young Australian woman facing the death penalty over the smuggling of drugs to the resort island of Bali. Schapelle Corby was found with 4.1 kilograms of marijuana in her unlocked boogie board bag when she arrived at Denpasar airport last October.

Toyota aims to sell more models in tough RI market

Toyota aims to sell more models in tough RI market Imanuddin Razak, The Jakarta Post, Gold Coast, Australia With its experience in sales and distribution, as well as networking, car manufacturer Toyota plans to grab a larger share of Indonesia's car market by introducing models that have sold well in other countries.

SBY plans to visit Santa Cruz cemetery

SBY plans to visit Santa Cruz cemetery Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Wellington President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is planning to visit the Santa Cruz Cemetery, where a massacre involving the Indonesian Military (TNI) took place in 1991, during his trip to East Timor. Susilo is scheduled to arrive in the neighboring country on Friday, the last stop of his overseas trip, which also took him to Australia and New Zealand.

Munir's case at the UNHCR

Munir's case at the UNHCR Aboeprijadi Santoso, Amsterdam President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's remark that the case of Munir would hopefully "change history" may be a significant development. But what did the President precisely mean? And what history was he referring to? It was an unusual event on an unusual sunny spring day in The Hague last week, when a number of Indonesian human rights activists, all in dark clothing, entered the Dutch parliament.

1. COMMENTARY: 1 X 50

1. COMMENTARY: 1 X 50 Megawati's reelection a setback for democratic development 2. MISUSE: 4 X 10 City official defends principal over graft 3. FUND: 3 X 14 Int'l bodies, govt seek ways to deter corruption in aid 4. NIAS: 2 X 27 Aid distribution for quake victims still a problem

Challenges of building an East Asian community

Challenges of building an East Asian community Jusuf Wanandi, Jakarta The idea of an East Asian community is now being seriously pursued following the decision at the ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and Korea) Summit in Vientiane at the end of 2004 to hold the first ever East Asian Summit in Kuala Lumpur at the end of 2005. However, there are still big hurdles to overcome, and a step- by-step approach should be taken.

More illegal logs seized in Sumatra, Sulawesi waters

More illegal logs seized in Sumatra, Sulawesi waters Fadli and Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Tanjung Karimun/Makassar Government officials have again confiscated thousands of undocumented logs from several ships in the waters off Sumatra and Sulawesi. Lt. Col. Bambang Wahyudi, the chief of Tanjung Balai Karimun Naval Base, announced on Wednesday that Navy personnel had apprehended the Sandi Dewa Samudera boat carrying over 2,500 logs of meranti early on Tuesday morning.

JP/19/QURAN

JP/19/QURAN Koran in braille changes students' lives Indra Harsaputra Contributor/Surabaya A smile bloomed on the face of Adi Subroto, who runs Surabaya's Yayasan Tunanetra Islam Karunia (Yaptunik), an Islamic foundation for the blind, when he learned that some of his students were each able to read a verse from the Koran in turn. He was happy because his students had benefited from Koran- reading lessons taught to them at Surabaya's school for blind learners, SLB 99.

Geneva villa controversy hits home

Geneva villa controversy hits home Tony Hotland and Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While the controversial purchase of a plush villa for Indonesia's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, does not appear to have contravened any procedures, politicians and analysts nevertheless voiced consternation on Wednesday over the unfortunate timing of the move.

Ecology park provides practicum

Ecology park provides practicum Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor In a bid to introduce children to ecological and environmental issues, the Indonesia Institute of Sciences (LIPI) invited five elementary schools located near the institute's office in Cibinong, West Java, to join field activities on Wednesday. The students learned how to plant trees in wetlands in LIPI's ecological park (see photo).

Pertamina's appeal trial delayed

Pertamina's appeal trial delayed JAKARTA: The Central Jakarta District Court postponed on Wednesday the first hearing of an appeal filed by state oil company Pertamina against penalties imposed by the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) on the firm for violations in its super tanker sales.

Korean school struggles to uphold home values

Korean school struggles to uphold home values The Jakarta Post, Jakarta When Korean companies operating in the city established the Jakarta International Korean School (JIKS) in 1976, it had only 26 students. Twenty nine years later, however, the school has become the biggest South Korean school overseas.

KPK to examine officials' wealth

KPK to examine officials' wealth Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will soon examine the wealth reports of 831 of the city's top-ranking officials. City personnel office head Sukesti Martono said on Wednesday that the echelon II and III, the heads of working units, district heads and subdistrict heads, and officials who hold key positions in city agencies would be included.

Papua agree to share fund

Papua agree to share fund JAYAPURA, Papua: The Papuan provincial government hammered out an agreement with local administrations late on Tuesday on the sharing of Rp 1.7 trillion ($US188.8 million) in autonomy funds. According to the agreement, 40 percent of the Rp 1.7 trillion will be managed by the provincial government, while the remaining amount will be managed by the 29 regency and municipal administrations in the country's easternmost province.

Separatist protest mars Susilo visit to NZ

Separatist protest mars Susilo visit to NZ Rendi A.Witular, The Jakarta Post, Wellington President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono began his two-day visit on Wednesday to New Zealand aimed at boosting trade and regional security, amid two separatist protests against Indonesia that marred his arrival. During their talks, Susilo and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark agreed to improve bilateral cooperation in economic issues, trade and combating transnational crimes.

*Mega's reelection a setback for democratic development Page 2

*Mega's reelection a setback for democratic development Page 2 *Geneva villa bought at odd timing Page 3 *Body recovery in Nias a tough job: Army sergeant Page 5 *Working together to promote human rights Page 7 *More detainees escape Jakarta police cell Page 8 *Indonesia's Rachman retains IBF title Page 10 *Premier Wen tells Asia China will never be a threat Page 11 *Indonesian economy to grow 5.5%, says ADB Page 13 *Indomobil asks for annulment of import tariff cut Page 14 *Haro, a committed...

RI crude palm oil exports rose by 35.63% last year

RI crude palm oil exports rose by 35.63% last year Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia exported 8.66 million tons of crude palm oil last year, or up about a third from the previous year's 6.39 million tons, thanks to better production, according to data from the Central Statistic Agency (BPS) and Gapki. Last year's exports also far exceeded Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association (Gapki)'s exports estimation of 7 million tons for 2004.

Maluku school buildings in disrepair

Maluku school buildings in disrepair M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon Some 423 elementary schools in Maluku are in such a poor state that without renovation, it is no longer safe for children study there, an official says. Head of Maluku National Education Office Ismail Titapele told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that most of the schools in question had been built by the government in the 1970s and were state owned.

More detainees escape police cell

More detainees escape police cell Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Just three days after seven detainees escaped from the Bojong Gede police detention center, three detainees broke out of the East Jakarta police detention center shortly before noon on Wednesday by sawing through the bars of their cell. City police spokesman Sr. Comr. Tjiptono said on Wednesday that officers quickly launched a manhunt for the three after they discovered at 12 p.m. that the cell was empty.

Kalimantan to offer offroaders challenge

Kalimantan to offer offroaders challenge Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Local and foreign four-wheel-drive enthusiasts will get an opportunity to take on the wilderness of rain forest-blanketed Kalimantan when they take part in the inaugural Diplomat Challenge of Indonesia. The organizers announced that the number of entries would be restricted to 50 cars in the event that is scheduled to take place from Dec. 8 to Dec. 18.

Rachman retains IBF title

Rachman retains IBF title The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Muhammad Rachman of Indonesia may have retained his world mini-flyweight belt but he would have preferred a knock-out win rather than a technical draw. Rachman said after the fight that he wished he had knocked out Thai Fahlan Sakkreerin in their International Boxing Federation (IBF) bout in Merauke, Papua, on Tuesday night. "It disappoints me that I couldn't floor him. I should have been able to KO him," he said as quoted by Antara.

Megawati's reelection a setback for democratic development

Megawati's reelection a setback for democratic development M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The reelection of Megawati Soekarnoputri as leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) during the party's congress in Bali last Thursday reinforces the proposition that after more than six years from the fall of the Soeharto dictatorship, democracy has not yet entrenched itself into one of the key institutions that is supposed to uphold its existence.

Gorgon accord may help find buyers

Gorgon accord may help find buyers Bloomberg, Sydney ChevronTexaco Corp., the second- biggest U.S. oil company, said the A$11 billion (US$8.4 billion) Gorgon LNG venture should find customers more easily after an agreement to include two Exxon Mobil Corp. fields in the project. The agreement, announced yesterday, doubles the amount of gas included in the Australian project, improves its returns and its competitiveness, Peter Coghlan, a Gorgon spokesman, said on Wednesday.

Trial on eviction case continues

Trial on eviction case continues JAKARTA: About 200 people representing a group of squatters evicted from a plot of land near Taman Anggrek shopping mall in West Jakarta attended the civil suit trial they filed against the authority on Wednesday. After weeks of postponements, the trial at the West Jakarta District Court continued on Wednesday with the accused presenting land ownership documents.

10 police officers arrested for assault

10 police officers arrested for assault BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Lampung Police detained on Wednesday 10 officers from the Tulangbawang Police for an alleged assault that led to the death of civilian Hasanudin Rubai, 42. The 10 officers were detained after being questioned on Monday and Tuesday. Rubai was found dead on Friday in his cell at the Tulangbawang Police station after being picked up from his house for allegedly stealing a motorcycle.

SMS led to arrest of officer

SMS led to arrest of officer Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu An anonymous short message service (SMS) received by the Central Sulawesi Police chief led to the arrest of Adj. Comr. Saleh Iskandar over a string of attacks on churches last December. Brig. Gen. Aryanto Sutadi told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that he received a tip over his cellular phone to investigate Iskandar, whose police firearm was allegedly used in shootings at the Immanuel and Anugerah churches.

Berries teaches easy way to learn Chinese language

Berries teaches easy way to learn Chinese language Learning how to speak Chinese and to write Chinese characters can be a burdensome activity. But Berries World of Learning, a Chinese enrichment center in Graha Rekso Kelapa Gading, East Jakarta, knows the secret of how to help children learn the richness of the language. Operated under license from Berries World of Learning in Singapore, the center is designed to create excitement about learning Chinese among children aged three to 12.

Govt to hold Asia-Africa Trade Fair

Govt to hold Asia-Africa Trade Fair The Jakarta Post, Jakarta On the sidelines of the upcoming Asian-African Summit later this month, a trade fair will be held to exhibit and promote products to encourage investment and trade relations among the nations of the two continents. The Trade Fair is mainly to exhibit consumer goods, investment opportunities and tourism, and will be held from April 18 to April 20 at the Bung Karno Indoor Stadium (Istora) in Senayan, according to a media statement.

Candidates set to race for PAN chairmanship

Candidates set to race for PAN chairmanship Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang Five candidates competing for the leadership of the National Mandate Party (PAN) have passed the selection process to join the race at the party's congress beginning on Thursday, according to an official. The candidates are businessman Soetrisno Bachir, Minister of Transportation Hatta Radjasa, former minister of finance Fuad Bawazier, economist Didik J. Rachbini, and Afni Ahmad.

Garuda service

Garuda service After a blissful four-day holiday in Bali, my husband and I made our way to the airport at Denpasar on March 27. We were scheduled to travel on Garuda Indonesia's GA 417, scheduled to depart at 5 p.m., arriving in Jakarta at 5:40 p.m. My husband had a same-day connecting flight on Singapore Airlines' last flight of the day, scheduled to depart at 8:15 p.m.

Myanmar 'must stick to reform pledges'

Myanmar 'must stick to reform pledges' PHILIPPINES: Myanmar could face opposition to its chairmanship of ASEAN at a meeting of foreign ministers next week if it does not show its commitment to pushing ahead with democratic reforms, the Philippines said on Wednesday. Myanmar is due to take over the chairmanship of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year, raising pressure on its military junta to free opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and improve its human rights record.

City official defends principal over graft

City official defends principal over graft Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city administration defended on Wednesday the principal of state 232 Junior High School in Pulogadung, East Jakarta, who had used a scholarship fund for his students to buy electronic goods and furniture. "I think the principal (Tri Jumena) had his own reasons for using the money to buy those goods.

1. Puteh (1x36)

1. Puteh (1x36) Puteh faces new charge of malfeasance 2. Pan (2x24) Candidates set to race for PAN leadership 3. Gugat (1x24) Reshuffle at Jamsostek questioned 4. Ausi (2x32) President Susilo vows justice for Australian woman facing execution

Tsunamis create 2 million new poor

Tsunamis create 2 million new poor Cecil Morella, Agence France-Presse/Manila Two million more Asians have joined the ranks of the poor following the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster even though the overall impact on the economies of the affected countries looks small, the Asian Development Bank said on Wednesday. The bank warned that it could take the affected populations many years to recover from poverty.

Kampar regent making comeback

Kampar regent making comeback PEKANBARU, Riau: A senior official in the Riau provincial administration said on Wednesday Minister of Home Affairs Mohammad Ma'ruf had approved ousted Kampar regent Jefri Noer resuming office beginning on Thursday. "The minister signed the order and it will take effect on Thursday," said the official, who asked not to be identified. Jefri Noer was dismissed by the Kampar Regency Council last year after it passed a motion of no confidence.

Committed ranger and macaque tamer

Committed ranger and macaque tamer Andi Hajramurni, Makassar He has spent over half his life taking care of the 1,000-hectare Karaenta Nature Reserve. No wonder, Haro, 48, knows everything about the forest located in Kampung Kappang, Labuaja village, Cendrana district, Maros regency, some 60 kilometers east of Makassar, South Sulawesi. He can even communicate with macaques, Karaenta's black monkeys (Macaca maura).

Favorites advance to A Mild third round

Favorites advance to A Mild third round Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Kuta, Bali Several top-ranked players advanced to the third round of the main draw at the A Mild Billiard Bali International Open at Paradiso Bowling and Billiard Center here on Wednesday. Among players with easy wins were world No. 3 Alex Pagulayan of Canada, world No. 5 Efren Reyes of the Philippines, world No. 7 Fransisco Bustamante of the Philippines, 13th-ranked Mika Immonen of Finland and world No.

The rules of the diplomatic game in Southeast Asia go

The rules of the diplomatic game in Southeast Asia go something like this. Whatever a government, despotic or otherwise, chooses to do within the privacy of its borders is its business. Specifically, the key neighborhood club -- the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) -- lists as a core principal the "non-interference in the internal affairs" of another member state. When ASEAN was founded in 1967 this cosy deal was enthusiastically embraced.

Balinese Catholics pray for Pope John Paul II

Balinese Catholics pray for Pope John Paul II Rita A.Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar Like millions of Catholics around the world, Catholics living on Hindu-dominated Bali also held a series of masses to honor the late Pope John Paul II. Thousands of mourners flocked to Denpasar Cathedral for the morning and afternoon masses led by the bishop of Denpasar on Wednesday.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, April 7, 2005

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, April 7, 2005 .TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions * Painting Faces by I Nengah Wirakusuma, at Ganesha Gallery Four Season Resort at Jimbaran Bay, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until April 22 * Solo Art Exhibition The Secret Studio by Bruce Granquist, at Danes Art Veranda Jl. Hayam Wuruk 159 Denpasar, until April 26 * Photo by D. Candra Kirana, at Griya Santrian Gallery, Jl. Danau Tamblingan No.

Seminar on tourism and IT in Sanur

Seminar on tourism and IT in Sanur Indo.com, which focuses on Internet and mobile technology for the tourism industry in Indonesia, plans to hold a seminar on tourism, the Internet and the mobile technology revolution at Wantilan Convention Center, Sanur Beach Hotel, Sanur, on April 7 at 8 a.m. The seminar will present a view of the most recent Internet and cellular technologies and their strategic implications for the tourist industry.

Learning to be thrifty

Learning to be thrifty Simple things sometimes become very complicated because of a simple lack of empathy. Here in Indonesia there are many examples of this, the latest being the purchase of a Rp 70 billion mansion to serve as the (official) residence for the head of Indonesia's permanent mission to the United Nations in Geneva. There is certainly nothing questionable about the purchase, as far as official procedures are concerned.

Garuda responds

Garuda responds In response to a letter from Audrey Ng, who complained about the delayed departure of flight GA-417 on March 27 from Denpasar to Jakarta, we would like to apologize for the inconvenience caused to her and her husband, Glenn Cheng, who later proceeded on to Singapore. We wish to clarify that Audrey Ng, who was informed of the delay of flight GA-417 from 5 p.m. Central Indonesia Time (WITA) to 5:50 p.m. (WITA), asked a Garuda officer to be switched to flight GA-635 (at 2:45 p.m.

~Guns "n" poses Will Europe arm China?

~Guns "n" poses Will Europe arm China? Chinese armed forces do not lack funds for their modernization: China is booming, and the government is on a military spending spree. What they lack is access to Western weaponry, cut off under sanctions imposed after the 1989 Tiananmen massacres. They are dependent almost wholly on Russia for armaments, which limits their modernization program.

ASEAN pledge 'timely' action on inflation

ASEAN pledge 'timely' action on inflation Southeast Asia's finance ministers pledged "timely" action to curb inflation, a sign some may embrace stronger local currencies to restrain rising energy costs. Ministers "recognize the need to manage any downside risks," to growth, they said in a joint statement in Vientiane, Laos, where they met earlier on Wednesday.

From ugly duckling to cherished swan

From ugly duckling to cherished swan Imanuddin Razak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Among the five innovative international multipurpose vehicles (IMVs) introduced during the recent test drive session in the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, was the Kijang Innova, the fifth generation of Indonesia's most popular Toyota Kijang van. The van, popularly referred to as a multipurpose vehicle (MPV), originated from Indonesia and gained its popularity here before it began to make its name abroad.

Ba'asyir contests jail sentence

Ba'asyir contests jail sentence JAKARTA: Lawyers of Abu Bakar Ba'asyir filed on Wednesday an appeal to a higher court to revoke his 30-month prison sentence for his role in conspiring the 2002 Bali bombings. The lawyers enclosed a written statement from convicted Bali bomber Amrozi, who said he had been banned by prosecutors from testifying before the judges or had never been asked to do so.