Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 17 May 2005

88 articles found

Does success on sporting field really matter?

Does success on sporting field really matter?Primastuti Handayani, Jakarta "Even if Indonesia wins, so what?" a friend asked a few days ago, prior to Indonesia's semifinal berth against Denmark at the ninth Sudirman Cup badminton mixed team championship in Beijing.

Tsunami victims soon to get new homes

Tsunami victims soon to get new homesNani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Aceh JayaHayatul Nufus smiled. "Please come in to my house", she said, welcoming her guest into her simple house in Janguet village in Aceh Jaya regency, 90 kilometers from Banda Aceh.

AIM S$27.9M from IPO

AIM S$27.9M from IPODow Jones, SingaporeSingapore's Advanced Integrated Manufacturing Corp., or AIM, expects to raise about S$27.9 million (US$16.8 million) in net proceeds from its initial public offering on Monday.

Electing our local leaders

Electing our local leaders In just over a month, Indonesians will begin witnessing and participating in a series of elections for local chief executives. This will mark the beginning of an almost perpetual cycle of elections in this country to elect governors, mayors and regents.

Tsunami survivors lack clean water

Tsunami survivors lack clean waterNani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda AcehPeople arrive in droves at the clean water facility in Simpang Lima every afternoon. Several cars, be they jalopies or swank cars, park at the site in the downtown Banda Aceh district to obtain free potable water.

Journalists protest colleagues' jail term

Journalists protest colleagues' jail term BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Hundreds of journalists and activists rallied here on Monday to protest the use of Criminal Code to imprison two local tabloid editors for defamation recently.

Quality education

Quality education starts with booksFrom RepublikaEducation is of great importance for the growth and future of a nation, so every country is striving to introduce the most suitable system for its citizens. Sadly, Indonesia still lacks a good education system.

Medan children forced to work to stay in school

Medan children forced to work to stay in schoolApriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, MedanWhile some children enjoy an education in which all expenses are provided by their parents, other more unfortunate children have to work just to stay in school.

Consumers urged to file suit over faulty gas pumps

Consumers urged to file suit over faulty gas pumpsAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIn response to the discovery that pumps at 51 gas stations in Greater Jakarta and West Java had been tampered with, a consumer rights activist urged class-action lawsuits against the stations, state oil company...

Aspac routs Angsapura

Aspac routs AngsapuraMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Mighty HP Aspac continued its winning ways with a 78-48 drubbing of lowly Angsapura Sania in the seventh series of the 2005 A Mild Indonesian Basketball League here on Monday.

Israel bans Mahathir from Jerusalem

Israel bans Mahathir from JerusalemNasser Abu Bakr, Agence France-Presse/Ramallah, West BankIsrael on Monday banned former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad, whose comments have in the past infuriated Jews, from entering Jerusalem while visiting the West Bank.

Suicide attempt changes a child

Suicide attempt changes a childYuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, BandungTwo years after his suicide attempt, 14-year-old Heriyanto is not the same boy he used to be. After undergoing a series of different medical treatments, the first of three siblings now has to spend most of his days at a...

JP/4/aceh

JP/4/acehTsunami rebuilding stalls as survivors confront government delays, political squabblingMichael Casey Associated Press/Deah Geulumpang/AcehPolitical squabbling, donor demands and government indecision have stalled the building of roads, water treatment plants and nearly 180,000 homes for...

Retirees demand higher pensions

Retirees demand higher pensions BANDUNG: Some 500 retired workers from train company PT Kereta Api Indonesia's Java and Sumatra operations demonstrated at the company's headquarters in Bandung on Monday, demanding higher pensions.

Muslims skeptical over 'Newsweek' back-track on Koran

Muslims skeptical over 'Newsweek' back-track on KoranSayed Salahuddin, Reuters/KabulMuslims in Afghanistan and Pakistan were skeptical on Monday about an apparent retraction by Newsweek magazine of a report that U.S. interrogators desecrated the Koran and said U.S.

Revisiting Aceh reconstruction

Revisiting Aceh reconstructionTeten Masduki and Firdaus Ilyas, Jakarta It is relieving to note the reluctance of Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, the chairman of the Executive Body for the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Aceh and Nias (BRR), to fully implement the Blueprint for the Development of...

Smuggled Chinese garments hurt Toray Indonesia

Smuggled Chinese garments hurt Toray IndonesiaPhelim Kyne, Dow Jones/JakartaGarments smuggled from China are flooding the Indonesian market and hurting the sales of a local unit of Japan's Toray Industries Inc., a senior company executive said recently.

Darma Henwa starts mining under contract with KPC

Darma Henwa starts mining under contract with KPCLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAfter securing financing of about US$175 million for heavy equipment and infrastructure, PT Darma Henwa has begun to mine coal in Belongan, East Kalimantan, under a contract to supply Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC)...

Is the grass really greener on the other side for RI expats?

Is the grass really greener on the other side for RI expats?Maggie Tiojakin, Contributor, Boston, U.S.Every year, hundreds of thousands of immigrants make their way across U.S. borders with the hope of finding a better life.

Seven die in predawn attack in Maluku

Seven die in predawn attack in Maluku The Jakarta Post Ambon/Jakarta Seven people, including five police officers, died during a predawn attack by unidentified gunmen in troubled Maluku province on Monday.

RI has vast potential in marine resources

RI has vast potential in marine resources I Ketut Sutika, Antara/DenpasarIndonesia's marine resources could, if developed wisely, increase state revenue and improve the welfare of the people, according to experts.

1. Seth -- What is Baffling about Indonesia?

1. Seth -- What is Baffling about Indonesia? 2 X 23 Indonesia: The amazing, and the baffling S.P. Seth Sydney 2. Israel -- Indonesia and Israel 2 x 21 RI has interests in opening ties with Israel Emanuel Shahaf Tel Aviv3.

Govt sees balanced outcome under Lamy

Govt sees balanced outcome under LamyThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government welcomes the prospect of former European Union trade commissioner Pascal Lamy of France in taking over the top job in the World Trade Organization (WTO), a minister says.Minister of Trade Mari E.

House recognizes Muhaimin-led PKB

House recognizes Muhaimin-led PKBTony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe House of Representatives says it recognizes the members of the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction loyal to Muhaimin Iskandar as the party's official legislators, despite its worsening internal conflict.

Top police general visits Jayapura

Top police general visits JayapuraJAYAPURA, Papua: National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar visited on Saturday the district court in Jayapura where last week Papua Police officers clashed with separatist supporters.

Awards to mark Nat'l Book Day

Awards to mark Nat'l Book Day YOGYAKARTA: The Indonesian Book Publishers Association will give the Adikarya Award to nine writers and publishers on Tuesday during the commemoration of National Book Day.

Prosecutors briefed on human trafficking

Prosecutors briefed on human traffickingYOGYAKARTA: As many as 41 senior prosecutors from 14 provinces attended a five-day seminar in Yogyakarta on human trafficking, prostitution and child sexual exploitation.

Govt faulted over education policy

Govt faulted over education policyHera Diani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIn many developed countries, if parents refuse to send their children to school to enjoy free education they can be taken to court.

1. Taxi -- 6 col, 1 line 1 x 36

1. Taxi -- 6 col, 1 line 1 x 36 City contradicts itself on taxi licenses Contradicting public statements that the city administration has temporarily shut the door to any requests for new taxi permits, Governor Sutiyoso quietly issued a decree that allows new taxi companies to enter the overcrowded...

Anti-Mega group files police report

Anti-Mega group files police report JAKARTA: A splinter group of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) filed a police report against party leader Megawati Soekarnoputri on Monday for her dismissal of 12 PDI-P members opposed to her leadership.Two members of the splinter group, Roy B.B.

JP/4/aceh

JP/4/acehTsunami rebuilding stalls as survivors confront government delays, political squabblingMichael Casey Associated Press/Deah Geulumpang/AcehPolitical squabbling, donor demands and government indecision have stalled the building of roads, water treatment plants and nearly 180,000 homes for...

Sawah Besar starts polio vaccinations

Sawah Besar starts polio vaccinations JAKARTA: Sawah Besar subdistrict in Central Jakarta has started immunizing 6,600 babies in the area against polio ahead of schedule after an infant tested positive for the virus there this month.

Committee head named graft suspect

Committee head named graft suspectJAMBI: The head of the budget committee at the Kerinci Regency Council has officially been named a suspect in a graft case, a senior prosecutor said on Saturday.The chief of the Kerinci Prosecutor's Office, Ilman A.

BI says rupiah

BI says rupiah to rise in 2005 JAKARTA: Bank Indonesia (BI) said it expects the rupiah to "gradually" strengthen against the dollar this year, supported by foreign investment inflows, the central bank governor said.

Rupiah Rates May 16

Rupiah Rates May 16 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,576.42 6,814.42 7,232.86 7,157.79 Brunei dollar 1 6,022.43 5,416.32 5,749.34 5,689.24 Canadian dollar 1 7,889.75 7,097.18 7,531.99 7,454.80 Swiss franc 1 8,150.44 7,331.59 7,780.86 7,701.

Letter from Michigan to Acehnese children

Letter from Michigan to Acehnese childrenNani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda AcehDear Friends,Hi, my name is Maggie, I am sorry for what happened to your country. I have heard something about that. I hope your family and friends are OK. In church, I pray for you and your family.

Susilo's war on graft: Lots of talk, little action

Susilo's war on graft: Lots of talk, little actionMerle Ricklefs, The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has just announced a new Coordinating Team for Corruption Eradication consisting of 51 prosecutors, police and financial officers.

Minister denies suit against mining firm Newmont dropped

Minister denies suit against mining firm Newmont droppedBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaState Minister of the Environment Rachmat Witoelar denied on Monday that the government had decided to drop its US$117.

Pertamina ensures enough fuel stock

Pertamina ensures enough fuel stockState oil and gas firm PT Pertamina marketing director Ari Soemarno said in a hearing with House of Representatives Commission VII on energy late Monday that the company had enough fuel stock for 20.

Dilemma caused by sand quarrying at Mt. Merapi

Dilemma caused by sand quarrying at Mt. MerapiMimin Dwi Hartono, Contributor, YogyakartaIt was 1 p.m. in Boyong hamlet, Hargobinangun village, Pakem subdistrict, Sleman, at the foot of Mount Merapi.The sun shone very brightly, while the heat was at its peak.

1. Maluku (50) - 65 pts 3 col 2lines (2x16)

1. Maluku (50) - 65 pts 3 col 2lines (2x16)Five policemen die in Maluku attack 2. Mandiri (40) - 36 pts 2 cols 3lines (3x16) Mandiri directors dismissed over lending scandal 3. Pertamina (40) -- 36 pts 6 cols 1line (1x45)Consumers urged to file suit over faulty gas pumps --- 5. Photos

Profile of Agus Martowardojo

Profile of Agus MartowardojoName : Agus MartowardojoBorn : Amsterdam, January 24, 1956Education : School of Economics at the University of Indonesia, banking and management courses in the University of New York State and Stanford University in the United States and the Institute of Banking and...

Astra International may raise prices as costs increase

Astra International may raise prices as costs increaseArijit Ghosh, Bloomberg/JakartaPT Astra International, Indonesia's biggest automobile assembler and distributor, says it may increase car prices to compensate for currency fluctuations and higher fuel costs.Astra International -- which is 49.

Indonesia: The amazing, and the baffling

Indonesia: The amazing, and the bafflingS.P. Seth, Sydney What amazes and baffles about Indonesia is that its elites can in all sincerity argue the sublime and the ridiculous at the same time. For instance, it was refreshing to hear Kuntoro Mangkusubroto of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction...

High court upholds Ba'asyir verdict

High court upholds Ba'asyir verdictAssociated Press, JakartaThe Jakarta High Court has upheld a 30-month prison sentence for accused terror chief Abu Bakar Ba'asyir for conspiracy in the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings, a court official said on Monday.

Devoting herself to 'wayang topeng'

Devoting herself to 'wayang topeng'Indra Harsaputra, Contributor, MalangWith great dexterity, Karen Elizabeth demonstrated her skill in the Malang mask dance to The Jakarta Post, showing how she performed one of the folk dances she had mastered.

Protecting a rare black hawk chick

Protecting a rare black hawk chickBambang Muryanto, Contributor, Yoygakarta The news about a pair of black hawks (Ictinaetus malayensis) rearing a chick in a forest on the slope of Mount Merapi in Cangkringan, Sleman regency, Yogyakarta, finally reached Yayasan Kutilang Indonesia.

Phelim Kyne

Phelim Kyne Dow Jones/Jakarta Garments smuggled from China are flooding the Indonesian market and hurting the sales of a local unit of Japan's Toray Industries Inc., a senior company executive said recently.

KPU chief further implicated in alleged graft case

KPU chief further implicated in alleged graft caseTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, JakartaGeneral Elections Commission (KPU) chief Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin was once again dealt a body blow on Monday that should make it harder for him to prove his innocence as another senior KPU official corroborated...

BI says rupiah to rise in 2005

BI says rupiah to rise in 2005 JAKARTA: Bank Indonesia (BI) said it expects the rupiah to "gradually" strengthen against the dollar this year, supported by foreign investment inflows, the central bank governor said.

Students demand police chief's dismissal

Students demand police chief's dismissalSuherdjoko and Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Semarang/JayapuraDiscontent with disciplinary actions taken against police officers involved in the violent handling of protesters in Papua, dozens of Papuan students demanded on Monday the dismissal of the...

Agus Martowardojo appointed to lead Bank Mandiri

Agus Martowardojo appointed to lead Bank MandiriRendi A. Witular and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe shareholders of troubled state-owned Bank Mandiri decided on Monday to appoint Agus Martowardojo as the new president of the bank and dismiss four of the nine directors of the...

Seawater turned into potable water

Seawater turned into potable water JAKARTA: The City Environmental Management Agency (BPLHD) says it plans to apply River Osmosis technology to turn seawater into potable water.Agency head Kosasih Wirahadikusumah said on Monday BPLHD had signed an agreement with city-owned company PT Pembangunan...

Former students lend support to fired teacher

Former students lend support to fired teacherThe Jakarta Post, JakartaAbout 50 former students of SMPN 56 junior high school demonstrated on Monday at the State Administrative Court in East Jakarta in support of teacher Nurlaila, who is suing Governor Sutiyoso over her dismissal.

City contradicts itself on taxi licenses

City contradicts itself on taxi licensesDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaContradicting public statements that the city administration has temporarily shut the door to any requests for new taxi permits, Governor Sutiyoso quietly issued a decree that allows new taxi companies to enter the...

Police arrest three robbers

Police arrest three robbers TANGERANG: Tangerang Police have rounded up three of a gang of five robbers who had targeted bank customers in the area.The robbers identified only by initials as RN, 26, JKI, 38, and PDN, 30, were apprehended separately at their homes.

Govt officially installs Luthfi as new BKPM head

Govt officially installs Luthfi as new BKPM headZakki P. Hakim The Jakarta Post/JakartaThe government officially installed Muhammad Luthfi as the new head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) on Monday.

Luthfi takes up BKPM post with new mission

Luthfi takes up BKPM post with new missionZakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government officially installed Muhammad Luthfi as the new head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) on Monday.

On gambling

On gambling I refer to your editorial Gambling: Yes or No? (The Jakarta Post, May 14).My experience is that Yogyakarta is in the grips of "gambling fever". There must be trillions of rupiah won and lost everyday, and all of it "black money", all of it beyond the control of regulation, and...

Govt reports fewer labor strikes

Govt reports fewer labor strikesRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaFewer labor strikes were recorded during the first quarter of this year, indicating that businesspeople and workers might be beginning to better understand their obligations under labor regulations, a report said.

Cigarette tax

Cigarette tax increase neededFrom Koran TempoVice President Jusuf Kalla has said that increased state revenue is needed to develop health and educational facilities, including additional revenue from higher cigarette tax.It is right to raise the tax on cigarettes.

Robbers break into Bukit Sentul house

Robbers break into Bukit Sentul houseTheresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, BogorFour robbers armed with sharp weapons broke into a house in the Bogor's Bukit Sentul housing complex, tied up the house's owners and got away with several sets of jewelry and Rp 10 million in cash early on Monday.

Islamic programs on TV hailed

Islamic programs on TV hailedFrom RepublikaThe programs with an Islamic tone aired by several private TV stations lately deserve a warm welcome, because such films are very beneficial and provide guidance through their important messages.

Malaysian inquiry urges reform of security laws

Malaysian inquiry urges reform of security lawsJalil Hamid, Reuters/Kuala LumpurMalaysian police have been abusing powers of preventive detention and should no longer be permitted to use internal security laws to sidestep courts and lock up suspects, an official inquiry found on Monday.

1. ENVIRONMENT: 3 X 18

1. ENVIRONMENT: 3 X 18 Minister denies suit against mining firm Newmont dropped 2. KPU: 2 X 24 KPU chief further implicated in alleged graft case 3. MANPOWER: 1 X 32 Govt report records fewer labor strikes 4. BASYIR: 1 X 32 High court upholds Ba'asyir verdict 5.

Serving people or groups?

Serving people or groups?From Media IndonesiaThe House of Representatives (DPR) has finally decided that it will ask the government to review the fuel price increase policy. The decision is indeed disappointing.As people's representatives, legislators should voice what is in the public interest.

Antiterrorism center raises profile of Indonesian police

Antiterrorism center raises profile of Indonesian policeSuherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, SemarangA bus packed with passengers passes by quickly on an empty street. It seems that everything is normal from the outside.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 16, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 16, 2005 ___________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ___________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk...

Primastuti Handayani

Primastuti Handayani Jakarta 2. Teten -- Aceh reconstruction: Blow-up or actual demand? 1 X 30 Revisiting Aceh reconstruction Teten Masduki and Firdaus Ilyas Jakarta

1. PKB (1x36)

1. PKB (1x36) House recognizes Muhaimin-led PKB 2. Exam (2x24) Independent body to oversee national exams for students 3. Edu (1x32) Govt faulted over education policy

Seven people die in Maluku attack

Seven people die in Maluku attackThe Jakarta Post, Ambon, JakartaSeven people, including five police officers, died during a predawn attack by unidentified gunmen in troubled Maluku province on Monday.The attackers hit the East Kalimantan's Mobile Brigade (Brimob)'s operations command post in Loki...

International calls: Competition getting tough

International calls: Competition getting toughRudijanto, Contributor, JakartaInternational callers might have gained some benefits of cheaper overseas rates as PT Indosat Tbk (Indosat) and PT Telkom Tbk (Telkom) engage in a tough battle to grab significant market share, but the public has a...

TV Program: Tuesday, May 17, 2005

TV Program: Tuesday, May 17, 2005TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 Cartoon: Tabaluga8:30 Music: Asik-asik10:00 Talk Show: Agribiz11:00 News: Berita Nusantara12:00 p.m.

RI has interests in opening ties with Israel

RI has interests in opening ties with IsraelEmanuel Shahaf, Tel Aviv Several weeks ago there was a demonstration in Jakarta: Tens of thousands of devout Muslims poured into the streets of Jakarta to demonstrate against Israel and support their Palestinian brothers opposing a perceived aggression by...

Quality education starts with books

Quality education starts with booksFrom RepublikaEducation is of great importance for the growth and future of a nation, so every country is striving to introduce the most suitable system for its citizens. Sadly, Indonesia still lacks a good education system.

Privatization

Privatization of educationFrom Koran TempoNational Education Day on May 2 was marked by demonstrations criticizing the government's attempt to shirk its responsibility for the provision of a nine-year basic education for all students.

Waste to be sent back to the Netherlands

Waste to be sent back to the NetherlandsBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government will soon return 20 containers of hazardous waste to the Netherlands that are now in storage in the international container terminal at Tanjung Priok port in North Jakarta.

Cell phones: Smart, trendy and more versatile

Cell phones: Smart, trendy and more versatileSudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Cell phone users now have more choices of trendy multimedia camera phones with the entry of several new series, providing them with access to a wide range of fun and business support.

Eradicate pornography

Eradicate pornographyFrom Media IndonesiaThe sexual harassment by seven Jakarta high school girls against their younger peers and cellular phone flicks that depict bare-breasted school girls masturbating should arouse our deep concern.Many other such cases have certainly escaped the media's eye.

Correction to article

Correction to articleRegarding my opinion piece titled Media, defamation and judicial review: Comparison with Australia published in The Jakarta Post on May 12, I would like to correct a small error in the article.

Debt management and govt's financial reporting

Debt management and govt's financial reportingDavid E. Sumual, Jakarta The Ministry of Finance recently introduced a new type of financial statement that will be a valuable tool in gauging the government's financial soundness in a more comprehensive way.

* Workers staging fewer strikes, but risk remains high Page 2

* Workers staging fewer strikes, but risk remains high Page 2 * Independent body to organize national exams Page 4 * Students demand Papua police chief's dismissal Page 5 * Indonesia: The amazing and the baffling Page 7 * City contradicts itself on taxi licenses Page 8 * Billups leads Pistons to...

RI's first quarter GDP grows by 6.35% due to improving FDI

RI's first quarter GDP grows by 6.35% due to improving FDIUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIndonesia's economy had a good start to the year, achieving higher first quarter growth than last year on improving foreign direct investment, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) said.

Independent body to oversee national exams for students

Independent body to oversee national exams for studentsThe Jakarta Post, JakartaPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono signed on Monday a government regulation that provides a legal basis for the controversial national final examination for students.

Lampung reserve to evict squatters

Lampung reserve to evict squattersOyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, BandarlampungUp to 15,600 squatter families living in semi-permanent homes and cultivating crops inside the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (TNBBS) will soon be removed from the forest.

Art by Acehnese orphans on display

Art by Acehnese orphans on display JAKARTA: What is the color of a tsunami? Mostly black, dark brown and blue, according to Acehnese children who lost their parents in the Dec. 26 tsunami in the province.

'Govt must have land price reference'

'Govt must have land price reference'The government has issued a regulation on land acquisition in an effort to speed up the construction of major infrastructure projects. However, many observers believe the new regulation sacrifices the rights of property owners for the benefit of these projects.

Criminal Code revision fails to address domestic violence

Criminal Code revision fails to address domestic violenceThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe draft revision of the Criminal Code has sparked new concerns about gender questions, specifically with regard to female and morality issues, a scholar said.