Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 21 May 2005

89 articles found

Two more arrested for Seram attack

Two more arrested for Seram attack M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post/Ambon A police team has arrested two more people on charges of attacking a police command post on Seram island recently, a police spokesman said on Friday. The two were arrested on Thursday afternoon in two separate locations on Buru island, said Maluku provincial police spokesman Comr. Endro Prasetyo.

Council to quiz poll body supervisor

Council to quiz poll body supervisor JAKARTA: City Council's Commission A on legal and administrative affairs is set to question the City National Unity Agency (Kesbang) on Monday over the possible misuse of election funds by the Jakarta Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu). "We have assigned our commission members to examine the financial report for irregularities in preparation for the Monday meeting with Kesbang," said commission chairman Achmad Suaidy.

Election body chief detained

Election body chief detained Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The anticorruption drive has again bared its teeth, with the arrest on Friday of General Elections Commission (KPU) chairman Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin for alleged involvement in graft involving the poll body. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) issued arrest warrant No. 04/V/2005/P.KPK, which was signed by head of the antigraft body's investigation unit Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean.

Bank Mandiri told to improve image

Bank Mandiri told to improve image The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Beleaguered Bank Mandiri needs to repair its tarnished image and regain the public trust it lost after the unveiling of a high- profile loans scandal there, a top minister says. "Bank Mandiri should put an end to all outstanding issues, especially in reducing its potential bad debts," State Minister of State Enterprises Sugiharto said after his first meeting with the bank's new board of commissioners and directors on Friday.

~Checked version. OK/ FINAL

~Checked version. OK/ FINAL RI's milk consumption among the lowest in the world Nutritionists tell us that drinking fresh liquid white milk each day can help prevent diseases such as osteoporosis, hypertension and colon cancer. Making it a habit to drink fresh liquid white milk each day, certainly can be a long-term health investment. But not for most Indonesians.

SUHARTO

SUHARTO Tangerang, Banten

RI dispatches special team to RP to free hostages

RI dispatches special team to RP to free hostages Ivy Susanti, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Indonesian government has sent a special team to help free three Indonesian crew members of a ship who were taken hostage by an unidentified armed group in the Philippines, foreign affairs ministry spokesman Yuri Oktavian Thamrin has said.

Govt ready to scrap red-white IDs

Govt ready to scrap red-white IDs Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh "Oh ... you're holding a red and white identity card? You must be Acehnese then?" This sort of question is often heard during ID inspections whether within or outside of Aceh province. Since the imposition of martial law, followed by a state civil emergency, from 2003 to 2005, the Acehnese have been required to carry special red and white ID cards that set them apart from other citizens of Indonesia.

PKB rivals may seek court ruling

PKB rivals may seek court ruling Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A court decision now appears the most feasible option for putting an end to an internal rift within the National Awakening Party (PKB) as the two rival camps continue to stick by their guns in a worsening leadership dispute.

SUHARTO

SUHARTO Tangerang, Banten

Checked version. OK/ FINAL

Checked version. OK/ FINAL RI's milk consumption among the lowest in the world Nutritionists tell us that drinking fresh liquid white milk each day can help prevent diseases such as osteoporosis, hypertension and colon cancer. Making it a habit to drink fresh liquid white milk each day, certainly can be a long-term health investment. But not for most Indonesians.

Champion of vocational training

Champion of vocational training Marilyn August, Associated Press/Jakarta Indonesia's most renowned fashion designer has taken up a greater challenge than dressing stars and socialites, presidents and princesses.

1. BUMN -- 48pt

1. BUMN -- 48pt Minister uncovers corruption at more SOEs or Indications of graft at plantation companies 2. MANDIRI -- 36p Mandiri told to improve image 3. MATAHARI -- 30pt Matahari to open retail store in China 4. TRADE -- 36pt China ups tax to slow textile exports 5. TANZA -- 28pt RI to send more farmers to Tanzania

Creating jobs to benefit RI

Creating jobs to benefit RI With respect to your front page article on May 19 regarding the government's intensified push to find employment for Indonesian workers abroad, it has always amazed me why the government has not made greater efforts to promote work for these people in Indonesia as opposed to abroad. Case in point: My parents are in their late 70s and could do with home help in the form of servants to assist them in their daily lives.

Lippo's 2005 net to fall 44% on taxes

Lippo's 2005 net to fall 44% on taxes JAKARTA: Mid-sized lender PT Bank Lippo said on Friday it expected net profit to fall by 44 percent in 2005 as the bank would be required to pay an operating tax this year. "We will record at least Rp 500 billion (US$53 million) in income after tax this year, compared with Rp 893 billion in 2004," Bank Lippo President Josh Luhukay told reporters.

DIS to celebrate new toll road

DIS to celebrate new toll road JAKARTA: Anyone wishing to celebrate the opening of the new Jl. Ampera toll road connecting South Jakarta to Tangerang can join a motorcade organized by the Deutsche Internationale Schule (DIS) on Sunday. The motorcade is the German school's way of showing its appreciation to toll road developer PT Jasa Marga and the government. The toll road was completed on May 5. The school says the toll road will help DIS students avoid the annoying traffic congestion along Jl.

Chinese boats seized in Maluku

Chinese boats seized in Maluku AMBON, Maluku: A senior naval officer announced on Friday the Navy had seized two fishing boats from China and an Indonesian boat carrying illegal logs in the waters of Maluku. The ships were seized on Sunday and Wednesday near Arafura after it was found they did not have the necessary documents, said the chief of the naval base in Ambon, First Adm. Bambang Supeno.

Council welcomes plan to develop city toll roads

Council welcomes plan to develop city toll roads Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The City Council has lent its support to the Jakarta administration's plan to construct 85 kilometers of inner city toll roads worth Rp 23.6 trillion, saying that it would help ease chronic traffic congestion in the national capital.

Alwi to attend Yemeni National Day

Alwi to attend Yemeni National Day INDONESIA: Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab will attend celebrations to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Yemen's unification, Yemeni Ambassador to Indonesia said in Jakarta. "Minister Alwi Shihab left Jakarta on Friday for Yemen.

Religion and rationalism

Religion and rationalism The article The rise of Islamic protestantism in Indonesia published in The Jakarta Post on May 18 tries to reveal that Islamic protestantism is a response to the hegemony of organized religion in this country. What is the cause? What we have learned from clerics until now is almost dogma. "You should do what Allah prescribes, and do not do what is forbidden. That is all".

Sampoerna

Sampoerna Correction: In the story Sampoerna's focus is on Indonesia domestic market that appeared in The Jakarta Post Friday's edition on page 13, we mistakenly placed a photograph of Andrew White instead of Martin King. This is the correct photograph of Martin King. We apologize for the error. -- Editor

'The luckiest ex-dictator' 7 years on

'The luckiest ex-dictator' 7 years on Aboeprijadi Santoso, Amsterdam Like it or not, Soeharto is an item of hype. Whatever he did or didn't do can easily become a topic of public debate. While he reigned, it seemed as though his every statement was made into a headline. He has outlived many of his friends and foes, so when he fell ill recently he became a celebrity of sorts, emerging as a topic of spirited discourse among politicians, observers and journalists alike.

Local candidates turn to black magic

Local candidates turn to black magic Iman Dwianto Nugroho, The Jakarta Post/Surabaya It was 9.30 p.m when campaign workers for the Alisjahbana/ Wahyudin Husein ticket kicked off their meeting in the garden of Alisjahbana's house. In the large back garden, full of birds in cages and beautiful flowers, the group of campaign workers started discussing various strategies to win the Surabaya mayoral election, slated to be held on June 27.

VOA launches Indonesian bureau

VOA launches Indonesian bureau The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Washington-based broadcaster Voice of America (VOA) launched a Jakarta bureau on Thursday as part of its effort to devote more resources to Indonesia. VOA director David Jackson said that being the third largest democracy and the most populous Muslim-majority country in the world, Indonesia was one of the most important countries for the United States and VOA.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 20, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on May 20, 2005 __________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ___________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,440 0 0 Adhi Karya 750 0 295,000 Adira Dinamika 2,275 0 0 AGIS Tbk 120 0 56,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 280 0 0 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,150 0 1,177,000 Alakasa Industrindo 165 0 0 Alfa Retailindo Tbk 1,000 0...

Gaikindo revises car sales to 550,000 on robust demand

Gaikindo revises car sales to 550,000 on robust demand The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Robust domestic demand on vehicles has prompted the Association of Indonesian Automotive Manufacturers (Gaikindo) to revise its car sales growth target from 520,000 to 550,000 units this year. "Car sales these days have shown a positive trend despite the fact of increasing global steel and oil prices," Gaikindo chairman Bambang Trisulo said in a statement.

Goldman favors Indosat, Indonesian stocks

Goldman favors Indosat, Indonesian stocks Bloomberg, Jakarta Indonesian companies such as PT Indosat and PT Mitra Adiperkasa, which runs Starbucks Coffee outlets, are attractively valued and investors should buy their shares, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Strategists led by Rick Loo in Singapore raised their recommendation for Indonesian equities to "overweight" from "market weight" in a note dated May 19.

MODERN FACTORY: A view of PT Ultrajaya's fresh milk factory, one

MODERN FACTORY: A view of PT Ultrajaya's fresh milk factory, one of the most modern milk factories in Asia.

Correction to article

Correction to article Regarding 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. Referring to the 13th paragraph of the article, not all of section 299 of the Industrial Relations Act 1988 was declared invalid. Only section 299(1)(d)(ii) of the Act was declared invalid. I stated that in the draft of the article.

Alpha Amirrachman

Alpha Amirrachman Jakarta 2. Wiba -- International dimension in combating illegal logging 2 X 30 International dimension in the fight against illegal logging E. Wibanarto Jakarta

Cellular phones must-to-have gadget for Jakartans

Cellular phones must-to-have gadget for Jakartans Remmy Faizal, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Sri could not conceal her amazement when the pushcart vendor from whom she normally buys vegetables and meat offered her his cell phone number. "He told me to SMS him the night before whenever I needed meat," said Sri, who lives in Rawa Jati, South Jakarta. "I made him show me his cell phone just to make sure. He does actually have one." Cellular phones have become one of man's (and woman's) best friends.

Vehicle checks conducted after Jakarta bomb warning

Vehicle checks conducted after Jakarta bomb warning Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Jakarta Police continued making random checks of vans and trucks for explosives and terrorists on Friday in the wake of a travel warning released by the Australian government this week warning of another bomb attack on the city.

Are there lessons to learn from Buyat?

Are there lessons to learn from Buyat? Harry Bhaskara Buyat/Manado/North Sulawesi It's a classic case. A multinational company is operating in a region and the local people feel alienated. It's frequently happened in various parts of the country, from Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua to the westernmost province of Aceh. This time around, it's happening in North Sulawesi with the PT Newmont Minahasa Raya gold mining company in the spotlight.

RI's milk consumption among the lowest in the world

RI's milk consumption among the lowest in the world Nutritionists tell us that drinking fresh liquid white milk each day can help prevent diseases such as osteoporosis, hypertension and colon cancer. Making it a habit to drink fresh liquid white milk each day, certainly can be a long-term health investment. But not for most Indonesians. The awareness of the importance of milk on their health is still very low, as indicated by the low level of liquid white milk consumption in the country.

Few notice better services in selected subdistricts

Few notice better services in selected subdistricts Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Abdullah noticed something unusual in his neighborhood the last few months: the presence of street sweepers. "It was only much later that I learned they were employed by the subdistrict administration to keep our neighborhood clean," the 45-year-old resident of Petamburan subdistrict in Central Jakarta told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Broadcasting regulation for local direct election

Broadcasting regulation for local direct election R. Kristiawan Jakarta Indonesia will soon see dozens of local direct elections. Next month alone, according to Cetro (The Center for Electoral Reform), there will be 181 elections, an average of six elections per day throughout the country. For the year there will be 215 elections -- mayors, regents and governors.

Eradicate pornography

Eradicate pornography From Media Indonesia The 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. The problem of morality and character among teenagers involves not only formal education but also the role of their families, social environment and personal associations.

Seven years after Soeharto's resignation

Seven years after Soeharto's resignation J. Soedjati Djiwandono, Jakarta Exactly seven years ago on May 21, under intense pressure from university students who had been demonstrating continuously for a week on end, then-president Soeharto resigned.

Ultra Milk only uses the finest fresh milk with the lowest

Ultra Milk only uses the finest fresh milk with the lowest bacteria arriving daily at the Ultra Milk plant in less than two hours from associations of dairies all over Bandung.

~Translated version/checked

~Translated version/checked Facts about Ultra Milk Ultra Milk only uses the finest fresh milk with the lowest bacteria count, which arrives daily at the Ultra Milk plant in less than two hours from associations of dairies all around Bandung. Prior to the production process, the following are the tests used to ensure milk quality: Taste and aroma check; cleanliness check; sediment test; hygienic test; number of somatic bacteria; total bacteria; protein content; fat content; freezing point etc.

Indications of graft at plantation companies

Indications of graft at plantation companies Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A day after naming 16 state-owned enterprises he said were riddled with graft, State Minister of State Enterprises Sugiharto plans to put the spotlight on 15 more SOEs, most of them in plantation. Speaking after a meeting with Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Friday, Sugiharto said Thursday's announcement of the 16 companies was just the tip of the iceberg as far as corruption in state enterprises went.

Wrongful shooting cops undergo interrogation

Wrongful shooting cops undergo interrogation Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Armed police officers can be a bit of a paradox. On the one hand, they can provide the public with a sense of security, while at the same time posing a threat to the very members of the public they are meant to be protecting. Over the last several months, a number of people have been shot or threatened by on-duty officers and trigger-happy off-duty cops.

Susilo to lobby U.S. on arms

Susilo to lobby U.S. on arms Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono hopes to persuade U.S. legislators to withdraw the ban on the sale of U.S. military equipment and spare parts to Indonesia, which was imposed in 1991 due to the country's poor human rights record. "Hopefully, the President can settle it as he is seen as a pioneer of democracy in the world's most populous Muslim nation," Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono said on Friday.

[b]

SBY's leadership for Indonesia and the world Bantarto Bandoro Jakarta 2. kRISTI -- Broadcasting regulation for local direct election 2 X 30 The danger of poor broadcasting regulations for local elections R. Kristiawan Jakarta

POBSI to hire foreign coach

POBSI to hire foreign coach Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Indonesian Billiards and Snooker Association (POBSI) plans to hire a foreign coach to improve the team's medal chances at this year's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Manila. "It is part of our effort to win more than one gold medal at the SEA Games," POBSI chairman Putera Astaman said after signing a memorandum of understanding with Sampoerna cigarette brand A Mild here on Friday.

Human error behind Lampung train crash

Human error behind Lampung train crash BANDUNG: A train accident in Bandarlampung on Thursday night that killed six people was caused by human error, a spokesman for state train operator PT KAI said on Friday. Noor Hamidi said a PT KAI employee at the Rejosari station should have prevented the Fajar Utama Express passenger train from departing the station.

AGO seen as 'stumbling block' to Timor truth

AGO seen as 'stumbling block' to Timor truth The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) told a visiting team of United Nations experts on Friday the Attorney General's Office (AGO) was a stumbling block to the prosecution of military soldiers and police officers indicted over the 1999 violence in East Timor. Following a closed-door meeting with the UN Commission of Experts at her office in Jakarta, Komnas HAM deputy chairwoman Zoemroetin K.

Probes into Bakrie, Kalla firms dropped

Probes into Bakrie, Kalla firms dropped Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Attorney General's Office (AGO) decided on Friday to halt its graft investigations into cement company PT Semen Bosowa Maros and telecommunications firm PT Bakrie Telecom, both of which are linked to influential people in the government.

1. Insight -- 1x40

1. Insight -- 1x40 Seven years after Soeharto's resignation 2. Visit --- 2x18 China to allow mainland tourists to visit Taiwan 3. Susul --- 1x35 Experts make huge step in stemcell research 4. Swimsut - 1x40 Miss Indonesia Artika in high demand in Bangkok

ExxonMobil likely to get Cepu contract extension

ExxonMobil likely to get Cepu contract extension Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta State oil and gas firm PT Pertamina is expected to extend U.S.- based ExxonMobil Oil's contract for the Cepu block, which is currently being negotiated. "We appreciate what ExxonMobil has done (with the block), so we will extend the contract, if possible, without having to wait until the contract ends in 2010," Pertamina's chief commissioner, Martiono Hadianto, said on Friday.

Indonesia and the world

Indonesia and the world Bantarto Bandoro Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's government is only eights months old since its inception last October. The President himself realizes that as a national leader he needs to demonstrate to the public his ability to manage the country's national and international problems.

Miss Indonesia Artika in high demand in Bangkok

Miss Indonesia Artika in high demand in Bangkok Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post/Bangkok A little bit of controversy back home just may give Artika Sari Devi the popularity boost needed to win the 2005 Miss Universe contest being held here. Representing Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, Artika, who is from Belitung island, 500 kilometers northwest of Jakarta, was given the go-ahead to participate in the event just two days before she left for Bangkok on May 10.

International dimension in the fight against illegal logging

International dimension in the fight against illegal logging E. Wibanarto, Jakarta In the last few years, Indonesia has been facing an acute problem of illegal logging. Domestically, this problem brings an additional burden for the Indonesian government in implementing its policy to achieve sustainable forest management and at the same time has caused huge losses in state revenue.

1. KPU: 1 X 25

1. KPU: 1 X 25 Election body chief arrested 2. TIMOR: 4 X 10 AGO stumbling block to E.Timor truth: Komnas HAM 3. MANDIRI: 1 X 33 Probes into Bakrie, Kalla firms dropped 4. MAGIC: 1 X 32 Local candidates turns to black magic

Govt examines possible human avian flu case

Govt examines possible human avian flu case The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A Ministry of Health officer confirmed on Friday reports of a possible human avian flu case and is currently waiting for further laboratory test results in the coming two weeks. "One of the 63 specimens taken from poultry workers having had contact with H5N1-infected chickens came back with suspicious symptoms," Ministry of Health director general of contagious disease control Umar Fahmi Achmadi said.

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, May 23, 2005

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, May 23, 2005 Exhibitions * Japanese Food Promotions at Hotel Nikko Jakarta, The Olive Tree Restaurant, Jl. MH Thamrin 59, Central Jakarta (Tel. 2301122), until May 31. * Photo Images from the Heart by Arbain Rambey, Arun Taneja, Charlie Sianipar, Deniek G. Sukarya, Karin Sukarya, Keijo Fujii, etc., at Deniek G. Sukarya Gallery, Jl. Kemang Raya No. 15 South Jakarta, open daily Monday - Saturday 10 a.m.

Rupiah Rates May 20

Rupiah Rates May 20 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,565.24 6,805.54 7,221.50 7,149.23 Brunei dollar 1 6,021.26 5,413.40 5,747.67 5,686.78 Canadian dollar 1 7,922.13 7,124.70 7,562.18 7,484.51 Swiss franc 1 8,163.43 7,341.63 7,792.52 7,712.39 Danish krone 1 1,693.27 1,522.66 1,616.34 1,599.56 Euro 1 12,610.06 11,338.08 12,037.10 11,910.67 Poundsterling 1 18,315.89 16,474.30 17,483.68 17,306.28 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,279.47 1,151.06 1,221.33 1,209.19...

Ambarrukmo steadfast amid amid modernization

Ambarrukmo steadfast amid amid modernization Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta Very soon Pesanggrahan Ambarrukmo, popularly called Kedhaton Ambarrukmo, will stand between two modern buildings -- Hotel Ambarrukmo and Plaza Ambarrukmo. Kedhaton is high Javanese for small palace. The palace, once a place of leisure for Yogyakarta's sultans Hamengkubuwono V through to Hamengkubuwono VII, is surely rich in history.

Lore Lindu park decimated

Lore Lindu park decimated PALU, Central Sulawesi: More of the Lore Lindu National Park in the Central Sulawesi regency of Donggala has been destroyed, an official admitted on Friday. Park director Amir Hamzah expressed concern over a recent finding that up to 1.5 hectares of the conservation forest in Batusalome district had been severely damaged by local people. The locals, he said, had even built makeshift homes in the forest before district officials ordered them to leave.

Indonesia, Malaysia to discuss sea border

Indonesia, Malaysia to discuss sea border INDONESIA: Indonesia and Malaysia will hold a two-day technical discussion on the delimitation of Indonesia's and Malaysia's sea borders starting on Wednesday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Yuri Oktavian Thamrin says. The meeting will be the second round of a series of technical meeting to discuss the sea borders, including the Ambalat blocks, an oil- and gas-rich area off the eastern coast of Kalimantan.

Black orchid could lure tourists back to Poso

Black orchid could lure tourists back to Poso Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post/Poso While it is remains troubled by religious conflicts, the regency of Poso is one of the few in Central Sulawesi province with a great potential for tourism. Besides having the beautiful and unspoiled Tentena Lake, the regency is also home to the Lore and Megalith national parks and the beautiful Natural Orchid Park in Bancea, South Pamona, some 80 kilometers south of Poso city.

No more illegal fares, says port

No more illegal fares, says port Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Port workers, operators and users declared on Friday that they would unite in an effort to eliminate all manner of illegal fees charged at the country's biggest seaport, Tanjung Priok. They signed a declaration committing themselves to commencing "an anti-illegal port fees movement" during a ceremony at the Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT).

President calls for national pride

President calls for national pride JAKARTA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on the nation to take pride in itself and its achievements. "Let us be proud of ourselves and do the best we can for the country," he told participants of a National Awakening Day celebration on Friday. The event was televised live to Papua, North Sulawesi, Maluku and East Nusa Tenggara. Susilo urged his fellow Indonesians to remain confident in themselves, saying Indonesia would one day be a developed country.

Bad bank governance

Bad bank governance JP/6/EDIT23 Bad bank governance Lending irregularities at state-controlled Bank Mandiri, which led to the dismissal and arrest of its president and two vice presidents last week, once again shows how fragile the banking industry is, how vulnerable it is to fraud and how deficient the central bank is in its supervisory capacity.

'For the people's benefit? That's a lie!'

'For the people's benefit? That's a lie!' The issuance of Presidential Regulation No. 36/2005 on land acquisition for the development of public projects has given the government more power to compulsorily purchase land from private citizens in the name of the public interest. The Jakarta Post talked to local residents about this issue. Andre Haviziena, 29, is an employee at United Nations for Indonesian Reform.

Correction to article

Correction to article Regarding 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. Referring to the 13th paragraph of the article, not all of section 299 of the Industrial Relations Act 1988 was declared invalid. Only section 299(1)(d)(ii) of the Act was declared invalid. I stated that in the draft of the article.

Ngongap Beach offers tranquility and beauty

Ngongap Beach offers tranquility and beauty Bambang M, Contributor/Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta Traveling along the meandering road to Ngongap Beach in Gunungkidul, some 80 kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta, can be a tiring experience. But all of the fatigue washes away with the first glimpse of the beach, with its beautiful scenery and tranquil surroundings. Set between greenish hills, the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean beckon bathers.

'Without new discovery our movies will die'

'Without new discovery our movies will die' The 48th San Francisco International Film Festival took place in late April/early May. The work of some Indonesian filmmakers was screened there, including that of Garin Nugroho. Shirley Surya and Oddie Octaviadi interviewed him on the sidelines of the festival. Question: What has been the reaction so far from the audience and critics about your movie? Garin: Rindu Kami Padamu (Of Love And Eggs) is probably the most communicative film I've made.

Matahari to launch China retail store in August

Matahari to launch China retail store in August Dow Jones Jakarta Indonesia's PT Matahari Putra Prima plans to enter the Chinese market with the launch of a department store in the city of Shenzhen in southern Guangdong province in August, a senior executive said on Friday. The planned 10,000 square meter outlet will mark the first overseas location for an Indonesian retailer, Matahari's Chief Financial Officer Hendra Sidin told reporters.

RI to send more farmers, scientists to Tanzania

RI to send more farmers, scientists to Tanzania Indonesia plans to send more farmers and agricultural scientists to Tanzania as part of an effort to strengthen relations between the two countries. In an joint press conference with visiting Tanzania Vice President Ali Mohamed Shein, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said on Friday that the country would continue to help Tanzania develop its agricultural sector. "We have already sent our farmers and scientists to Tanzania to help their farmers.

* Jakarta police beef up security after attack warnings Page 2

* Jakarta police beef up security after attack warnings Page 2 * Govt examines first possible human avian flu case Page 4 * Aceh ready to scrap the infamous red-white IDs Page 5 * Nurlaila, an example of abuse against teachers Page 6 * Police under investigation for wrongful shooting Page 8 * Uzbekistan rejects call for international probe into deadly violence Page 11 * Minister reveals more corrupt state firms Page 13 * Ngongap beach offers tranquility and beauty Page 19

~Checked/Approved/Final

~Checked/Approved/Final Preserving nutrients in milk via UHT technology Made Astawan Jakarta astawan@indo.net.id Milk is the best food for land mammals because it contains an almost perfect composition of nutrients, such as water, protein, carbohydrates, minerals, fat, along with sufficient amounts of vitamins A, C and D. Today, unlike decades ago, it is seldom that milk is consumed fresh, straight from a cow.

Prayer in two languages

Prayer in two languages The recent arrest of a cleric in Malang who lead prayers in both Arabic and Indonesian shows that there is no tolerance of difference religious opinions in this country. Why should a man be charged with a criminal offense for merely praying unconventionally? By doing this, how could he have despoiled organized religion or contaminated the authenticity of the holy book when he has also recited the verses in their original language -- Arabic.

Yogyakarta hosts off-road race

Yogyakarta hosts off-road race YOGYAKARTA: Yogyakarta is hosting a three-day off-road race called the Road Diplomat Challenge of Indonesia (RDCI), with Surabaya-based cigarette producer PT Gelora Djaja as the sole sponsor. Held in the Alas Bunder region of Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, the race is the first of three series of races to be held in three cities. The next series will be held in Makasar on July 1 to July 3, while the last is in Malang, East Java, on Aug. 26 to Aug. 28.

Islands for rent north off Semarang

Islands for rent north off Semarang Tanjung Gelam Island (photo above) is a pristine island full of beauty, which is a draw for investors in the tourist sector. The island is one of 27 islands in the Karimunjawa island chain off Central Java, which have been declared a national park.

Crude oil over US$47 a barrel as OPEC warns of output cut

Crude oil over US$47 a barrel as OPEC warns of output cut Associated Press, Vienna Crude futures rose on Friday after the president of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said the group might cut output at its June meeting if stocks continue to build.

;JP;

;JP; ANPAd..r.. Tour-packages-Asia Tour packages: convenient T. Sima Gunawan Contributor Jakarta Holiday -- It is a magic word. It is a time to forget the demands at the office or annoying household chores; it is time to escape from the daily routine and to indulge in a new experience. For most people, holidays means traveling. When there are few days off, they might just drive to a nearby holiday resort and spend the night there.

Indonesian limit on budget carriers stays

Indonesian limit on budget carriers stays Bloomberg, Jakarta Indonesia's government may let Singapore Airlines Ltd. add flights to Jakarta and to the resort island of Bali, while keeping its limit on overseas low-fare carriers that want to compete with PT Garuda Indonesia, a minister said. "The issue of low-cost airlines is one of the agenda" to be discussed on May 25 with Singapore's Transport Minister Yeo Chew Tong, the Minister of Transportation Hatta Radjasa said on Thursday.

Rupiah Rates May 20

Rupiah Rates May 20 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,565.24 6,805.54 7,221.50 7,149.23 Brunei dollar 1 6,021.26 5,413.40 5,747.67 5,686.78 Canadian dollar 1 7,922.13 7,124.70 7,562.18 7,484.51 Swiss franc 1 8,163.43 7,341.63 7,792.52 7,712.39 Danish krone 1 1,693.27 1,522.66 1,616.34 1,599.56 Euro 1 12,610.06 11,338.08 12,037.10 11,910.67 Poundsterling 1 18,315.89 16,474.30 17,483.68 17,306.28 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,279.47 1,151.06 1,221.33 1,209.19...

Stop SMS gambling

Stop SMS gambling From Republika A betting game under the guise of an SMS quiz with prize money, which in Malaysia has been declared to be gambling, has absorbed a lot of funds from the public and it should be banned. The Indonesian Ulema Council should urge the government to prohibit gambling through SMS quizzes. It only pays a few million rupiah to several winners while the financiers scoop billions of rupiah.

Arts festival to open on June 7

Arts festival to open on June 7 YOGYAKARTA: The annual Yogyakarta Arts Festival (FKY) is to open this year on June 7 with Art for Environment as the main theme. "The theme is deliberately selected to rebuild the cultural civilization and awareness among Yogyakartans," Chairman of FKY 2005's organizing committee B. Siswanto said here earlier this week.

Hotels hold blood donation campaign

Hotels hold blood donation campaign YOGYAKARTA: As part of its nation-wide "Accor Blood Donation Campaign 2005" program underway since May 16, three Accor hotels in Yogyakarta, namely Grand Mercure, Novotel, and Ibis Malioboro on Thursday held a blood donor event. As many as 74 blood donors participated in the event that was held at Grand Mercure Yogyakarta Hotel on Jl. Sudirman, and resulted in the collection of 54 bags of blood.

Matahari to open retail store in China

Matahari to open retail store in China Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesia's PT Matahari Putra Prima plans to enter the Chinese market with the launch of a department store in the city of Shenzhen in southern Guangdong province in August, a senior executive said on Friday. The planned 10,000 square meter outlet will mark the first overseas location for an Indonesian retailer, Matahari's Chief Financial Officer Hendra Sidin told reporters.

UT to refinance $90m debt in 2005

UT to refinance $90m debt in 2005 JAKARTA: PT United Tractors, a distributor and producer of heavy equipment, is considering refinancing a US$90-million debt this year through an issuance of bonds or by taking out new bank loans, a senior official said on Friday. "We are making a preliminary study of the possibility of either issuing bonds or seeking bank loans to refinance the debt," United Tractors Finance Director Buntoro Muljono told a news conference.

Nurlaila, an example of abuse against teachers

Nurlaila, an example of abuse against teachers Alpha Amirrachman, Jakarta One leading national newspaper reported not long ago that some teachers and students filed a judicial review of Law No. 20/2003 on national education. They argued that basic education should be extended from elementary school to high school.

Kalla to campaign in local elections

Kalla to campaign in local elections Apriadi Gunawan and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Medan/Jakarta Some of the nation's political big guns will be out in force in Medan in the next month, lending their support to candidates running for the mayoral elections, with the Golkar Party incumbents looking to get the most heavyweight endorsement.

1. CHECK: 2 X 24

1. CHECK: 2 X 24 Vehicle checks conducted after Jakarta bomb warning 2. PERTAMINA: 1 X 32 ExxonMobil likely to get Cepu extension 3. CELFON: 2 X 24 Cellular phone must-have gadget for Jakartans 4. CUTLINE: 1 X 36 Islands for rent north off Semarang 5. FEES: 1 X 32 No more illegal fees, says port

Media and society

Media and society From Koran Tempo The public follows two lifestyles, Western and traditional, with the situation worsening rather than being corrected by the mass media. TV stations on the one hand present dramas with westernized and luxury themes, while on the other they also air programs that defy rational thought. Various irrational or mystical shows, meant to replace outdated dramas, have significant impact on public behavior.

Flicker of hope

Flicker of hope Seven years ago to this day, President Soeharto uttered that famous remark "I quit", thus ending his 32-year rule amid tumult on the streets. The abrupt termination ushered in what we now refer to as the "reform era", which supposedly put us on the path towards a more democratic, just and prosperous nation. On May 21, 1998, students danced in the streets after they successfully forced Indonesia's strongman to make that drastic but inevitable decision to step down.