Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 7 May 2005

101 articles found

Thailand promotes gas vehicles

Thailand promotes gas vehicles BANGKOK: Thailand's national petroleum company pledged on Friday to invest five billion baht (US$128 million) to transform Bangkok's 9,000 public buses into natural gas vehicles (NGVs), media reports said. "Turning the city's buses to use natural gas for vehicles (NGV), instead of diesel, will help the nation save a lot of money for oil imports and reduce the country's reliance on imported oil.

Indian food attracts wider market

Indian food attracts wider market Evi Mariani The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Thanks partly to Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee and other Bollywood people, all things Indian are gaining popularity here, including its spicy and pungent cuisine. Until recently, very few could afford Indian cuisine regularly because Indian eateries in Jakarta were mostly upmarket. Now, for less than Rp 40,000 you can enjoy a complete Indian meal plus soft drink at a number of eateries.

RP gives residency to RI immigrants

RP gives residency to RI immigrants PHILIPPINES: The Philippines has given permanent residency to thousands of Indonesian immigrants who entered the country illegally years ago but have reported themselves to authorities, immigration officials said on Friday. The government estimated six years ago that more than 7,000 Indonesians were staying in southern Mindanao island without travel papers, Deputy Immigration Commissioner Teodoro Delarmente said in a statement.

~Tsunami - 125 days after

~Tsunami - 125 days after Message from Minister for Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Agnes van Ardenne-van der Hoeven In Indonesia, on the streets of Banda Aceh, the impact of the tsunami is still being felt. Children are still crying because their parents died. Fathers and mothers are missing their lost children every day. Men cannot work, children cannot go to school, the roads are ruined and many still have no running water or electricity.

JP;VIN;CD;

JP;VIN;CD; ANPAk..r.. ~Investment-BKPM JP/6/Editorial Investment licensing realigned Stripping the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) of its licensing authority will do little to speed up the process of business start-ups in the country unless the government acts firmly to realign cumbersome procedures and expedite the issuing of permits by government agencies.

'AirAsia to miss profit target due to plane shortage'

'AirAsia to miss profit target due to plane shortage' Khoo Hsu Chuang, Bloomberg/Kuala Lumpur AirAsia Bhd., Southeast Asia's biggest discount airline, may miss its profit target for the year ending June because it lacks the aircraft needed to meet rising demand for low-fare air travel, analysts said.

Rugby tourney held at ISCI sports club

Rugby tourney held at ISCI sports club JAKARTA: Rugby fans can head for some fun on Saturday for the ISCI Rugby 10-a-side competition at the ISCI sports club in Ciputat, South Jakarta. Ten teams, including visiting squads from Hong Kong, Brunei, Balikpapan and Papua as well as the Jakarta Japanese rugby club and defending cup champion Jakarta International School, are registered to compete for the cup, plate and Indonesian bowl competitions, the organizers said in a statement.

Government issues crucial decree on land acquisition

Government issues crucial decree on land acquisition Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The government has finally issued the much-awaited regulation on land acquisition in an effort to speed up the construction of massive infrastructure projects, sacrificing rights of property owners opposed to the projects. Presidential spokesman Andi Malarangeng said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had already signed Presidential Regulation No.

Stores bring Japanese merchandise to Jakarta

Stores bring Japanese merchandise to Jakarta Lovers of Japanese animation, toys and other pop culture creations do not have to travel to Tokyo to fill out their collections. Shops across Jakarta are stocking up on original Japanese anime, figurines and music. The must-have items include gashapon, or small resin figurines, comics, animated movies and Japanese pop or rock music, known as "J-pop" and "J-rock". Hobby Japan at Ciputra Mall in West Jakarta has been serving anime fans since 1999.

Where to go in Yogyakarta: Saturday, May 7, 2005

Where to go in Yogyakarta: Saturday, May 7, 2005 Exhibitions * Fine Arts Ke-semut-an by Beny Dewo, at Parkir Space, Jl. Prawirotaman 2, until May 18. * Fine Arts Perempuan dalam Nafsu at Balai Rupa Tembi Satu dan Dua, Jl Parangtritis Km 8,4 Tembi, Bantul (Tel. 0274 368001), until May 10 * Painting Survivors at Galeri OmBo, Jl. Sosrowijayan 10 (FM cafe & Resto), Tel. 0274 7489865, until May 22 * Fine Arts Alat Bantu Yusra Martunus and friends, at Bentara Budaya Jl. Suroto No 2 Kotabaru (Tel.

Jogjakarta Plaza gives education aid

Jogjakarta Plaza gives education aid YOGYAKARTA: In observance of National Education Day on May 2, 2005, the Jogjakarta Plaza Hotel on Jl Gejayan made a donation to the state SDN Pangukrejo elementary school in Cangkringan, Sleman. The grant of more than Rp 7 million was given in the form of cash, textbooks and scholarships for 10 of the school's 91 students.

Reform of the Security Council has two alternatives

Reform of the Security Council has two alternatives The United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed five special envoys, including former foreign minister Ali Alatas, to help promote his report on much-awaited UN reforms. He talked with The Jakarta Post's Kornelius Purba and Adianto P. Simamora about his new jobs and other foreign policy issues. The following are excerpts from the interview. Question: Could you talk about your new assignment?

Police want greater role in city's eviction plans

Police want greater role in city's eviction plans Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Concerned by the violence that often accompanies the eviction of squatters and street vendors, the police have asked the city administration for a more prominent role in future operations.

Presidential Regulation No. 36/2005 covers:

Presidential Regulation No. 36/2005 covers: 1. Public roads, toll roads, railways, water pipes and sanitation 2. Dams, reservoirs, irrigations, ditches 3. Public hospitals and public health centers 4. Seaports, airports, railway stations, bus terminals 5. Religious facilities 6. Schools 7. Markets 8. Public cemeteries 9. Public shelters 10. Post and telecommunication facilities 11. Sports venues 12. Television, radio stations and their supporting facilities 13.

Karta Pustaka helps preserve Yogyakarta heritage

Karta Pustaka helps preserve Yogyakarta heritage Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta If you happen to pass along Jl. Bintaran 16 in Yogyakarta, you are likely to see a beautifully preserved 100-year-old joglo hall connected to an equally impressive Javanese-colonial-era style house. The previously unsightly and dilapidated building is now noticeably brighter, with newly painted white walls and orange roofing tiles.

Stocks gain as rupiah strengthens, Telkom rises

Stocks gain as rupiah strengthens, Telkom rises Bloomberg, Jakarta Indonesia's key stock index had its biggest advance in two months amid optimism costs of servicing debt and importing goods will fall after the rupiah rose to a five-week high against the dollar. Companies that rely on imported materials, such as PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia and PT Astra International, led gains. The Jakarta Composite Index rose 18.70, or 1.8 percent, to 1068.28 at the 4 p.m.

The impact of the decentralization of education

The impact of the decentralization of education Alpha Amirrachman Contributor/Sydney In his article published on The Jakarta Post on April 16, Mateus Yumarmanto raised concern that the government had adopted an approach that groups schoolchildren according to their intellectual abilities and the financial capacity of their parents. According to him, this is against the principle that the competency of all students should meet minimum national standards.

Dentist preserves Javanese scripts

Dentist preserves Javanese scripts Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post/Kediri With precision, Sutjahjo Gani, a dentist by profession, rearranges the books in his library. The task is a nightly one that he takes great pleasure in. Even though the books, of which there are thousands, are old, they are in mint condition. The books have not been rebound, though they have been read over and over again -- but only by a select group.

Malaysian Embassy responds

Malaysian Embassy responds The Embassy of Malaysia refers to a report in The Jakarta Post dated April 26 entitled TNI denies deal over warships withdrawal. The Embassy regrets that the report is not only a misrepresentation of facts but also mischievous in nature.

Increasing dialogue between EC and Indonesian civil society

Increasing dialogue between EC and Indonesian civil society Since 1999, the European Commission (EC) has more than doubled its cooperation with the Indonesian government. From around 20 million euros in 1999, the EC has now an average of around 50 million euros per year set aside for cooperation in a variety of sectors - education, health, justice reform, natural resources management.

ICRC gives US$600m for Aceh, Nias

ICRC gives US$600m for Aceh, Nias BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) signed on Friday a memorandum of understanding on a US$600 million grant for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of disaster-stricken Aceh and North Suamtra. The money will primarily be used for construction of 20,000 permanent houses in Aceh and some 2,500 more in Nias, North Sumatra, according to the reconstruction plan set by the government.

Govt plans export tax on industrial, agricultural raw materials

Govt plans export tax on industrial, agricultural raw materials Dow Jones Jakarta The Ministry of Finance has drafted a bill aimed at taxing raw or semifinished industrial and agricultural products exported out of the country, a senior government official said on Friday.

Maluku government owes PLN Rp 60b

Maluku government owes PLN Rp 60b M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post/Ambon Twenty-seven schools in Ambon were left in the dark recently after state electricity company PLN cut off their power over unpaid bills, and now it has emerged that the Maluku provincial administration may find itself in the same situation.

Towards a closer partnership

Towards a closer partnership Message from EU Presidency It is a great honor for me to send a message to the Indonesian people on behalf of the Presidency of the European Union on the occasion of Europe Day 2005. The 18-month long Dutch Presidency of the EU in Indonesia is coming to its end, and it is safe to say that these last 18 months have brought highly intense and challenging developments to Indonesia.

Indonesia still struggling with ABCs of education

Indonesia still struggling with ABCs of education Leo Landep Contributor/Jakarta leolandep@yahoo.com The Indonesian government is failing to uphold the Constitution. That sentiment was not expressed by the late founding father of Indonesian education, Ki Hadjar Dewantara, who was famous for his struggles with the Dutch colonial government for fair laws, especially those relating to education for Indonesians.

Malaysia, RI agree to ease tension in disputed area

Malaysia, RI agree to ease tension in disputed area Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia and Indonesia on Friday agreed to ease tensions in the disputed oil-rich South Sulawesi Sea, with Kuala Lumpur saying there was no need to stage shows of force in the area.

Int'nal programs promote student autonomy

Int'nal programs promote student autonomy Simon Marcus Gower Contributor/Jakarta The role of the teacher in a classroom is quite often a difficult one. Trying to lead a group of students in their classroom studies consistently requires a balancing act of establishing and maintaining direction and being responsive to students' needs. A class ideally should be a group of like-minded people who share the same aims, and intention to learn, but this is not always possible.

1. 8RS: 3 x 18

1. 8RS: 3 x 18 City to construct new hospital in Thousand Islands 2. 8PKL: 2 x 21 Police want greater role in city's eviction plans 3. 8EDDY: 1 x 30 Eddy busted over lottery fraud 4. 8JAPAN: 1 x 49 Stores bring Japanese merchandise to Jakarta 5. 8SPEAK 1 x 36 'I would be good to have a park in the city'

Down with smugglers!

Down with smugglers! The recent Asian-African Summit concluded successfully. The hurly-burly of the golden jubilee commemoration of the Asia- Africa Conference may continue, but smugglers are operating like it's business as usual. At least two coincidences occurred during the summit involving one of the summit members, China.

If non-government organization people often perceived

If non-government organization people often perceived themselves or being perceived by the public perceived as clean and honest persons, we should rethink the perception, since the arrest and detention of Mulyana W. Kusuma, a member of the General Elections Commission (KPU), in an alleged corruption case. He was appointed as one of National Election Commission (KPU) since three years ago.

Facilitating investment, who is responsible?

Facilitating investment, who is responsible? Riyadi Suparno, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Many people had all but forgotten about the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), which used to play a major role in attracting and facilitating foreign investment in the country. It was only the recent fiasco at the Jakarta International School (JIS), where the then chairman of the board reportedly assaulted a number of expatriates during a children's basketball game, that reminded us about this institution.

Eddy busted over lottery fraud

Eddy busted over lottery fraud Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The Jakarta Prosecutor's Office said on Friday it had detained PT Sari Kebon Jeruk director Eddy Yowono on charges of embezzling Rp 40 billion (US$4.25 million) from the Social Welfare Foundation, the former operator of a sports lottery. Farried Harjanto, the head of the intelligence unit at the prosecutor's office, said Eddy had been detained at Salemba Penitentiary in Central Jakarta since April 4.

Lion Air plane suffers flat tires

Lion Air plane suffers flat tires MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: A Lion Air aircraft has experienced a blown-out tire on Friday upon landing at the Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar, South Sulawesi. The 149 passengers and crew members were unharmed. The aircraft was flying from Jakarta to Manado, North Sulawesi, with the incident occurring during a transit in Makassar at 10.42 a.m. local time.

Retirement age needs change

Retirement age needs change From Kompas The retirement age for civil servants is now divided into three categories. For echelon I bureaucrats (e.g. researchers/rectors) the age is 65, for echelon II (e.g. teachers/lecturers) 60 and for echelons III and IV (ordinary staff) 56. I would like to propose that the three categories be reduced to two, comprising echelon I personnel at the age of 65 and echelons II, III and IV at 60.

City to construct new hospital in Thousand Islands

City to construct new hospital in Thousand Islands Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Officials in the Thousand Islands Regency announced plans on Friday to build a hospital to provide improved medical services for the 19,200 residents of the regency, but city officials indicated they might not approve the plan.

President to chase corruptors

President to chase corruptors From Koran Tempo The President has promised to hunt down corruptors who have fled, so let us join hands to help the head of state with the manhunt. If necessary, I am ready to help locate and notify the authorities of the presence of such Indonesian criminals in the country where I live at present. As part of the effort to promote public welfare, it is indeed a tough job to chase wrongdoers.

Surtiningsih Wiryo Taruno, 67, our mother and Mbah Uti (Grandma)

Surtiningsih Wiryo Taruno, 67, our mother and Mbah Uti (Grandma) returned to Allah 'Azza wa Jalla, on Tuesday, 3 May 2005, at 1.15 AM at the Nurul Fikri Clinic, Kelapa Dua, Depok. She died a gentle and beautiful death -- the kind of death that we had always asked God to give her. Our gratitude goes to our father and Mbah Kung (Grandpa), Soekanto S.A., 74. The two of them are the best parents we've ever known, both here and in the hereafter, insya Allah.

U.S. 'may revive military ties with RI'

U.S. 'may revive military ties with RI' Ivy Susanti and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Adm. William J. Fallon, the newly-appointed commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, said on Friday he was upbeat that his country would soon resume full military ties with Indonesia, which were downgraded 13 years ago. "I'm very optimistic that we're going to be on a move forward," he said after separate talks with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and other top officials in Jakarta.

1. COMMENTARY: 1 X 40

1. COMMENTARY: 1 X 40 Facilitating investment, who is responsible? 2. THEO: 2 X 22 Theo's 'supporters' raise discrimination issue 3. TEAM: 1 X 28 Antigraft teams may overlap 4. FUEL: 1 X 28 Pertamina could face fuel scarcity

'It would be good to have a park in city'

'It would be good to have a park in city' The city administration plans to convert the Menteng Soccer Stadium into a park, which would include cafes and a jogging track. This despite the fact that the capital, home to about nine million people, has only five large sports stadiums open to the public. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their thoughts on the plan. Yvette Worang, 30, works as a public relations officer for the Pura Indah Group at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Cricket final in Cibubur on Sunday

Cricket final in Cibubur on Sunday JAKARTA: Senayan CC will take on Ceylon CC in the grand final of the JCA Kabelvision Cricket League at the Ceylon Cricket Ground in Cibubur on Sunday. The event, starting at 9 a.m., will also include an exhibition match played by schoolchildren from Bogor. The children have studied the game under a coaching scheme to popularize cricket in the country. From Jakarta, the ground can be reached by taking the Jagorawi toll road, via the Cibubur exit.

'Corby is guilty' prosecutor insists

'Corby is guilty' prosecutor insists DENPASAR, Bali: The team of prosecutors prosecuting drug suspect Schapelle Leigh Corby insisted on Friday that Corby was guilty of smuggling marijuana into Bali, and that she should be jailed for life. At the trial session in the Denpasar district court, prosecutors also demanded that the panel of judges reject Corby's defense statements.

EU solidarity for tsunami-affected Aceh and North Sumatra

EU solidarity for tsunami-affected Aceh and North Sumatra The scale of the tsunami disaster sparked massive sympathy and solidarity around the world. The European Union (EU) has played a leading role in that international response. The assistance from the EU - its member states and the European Commission (EC) - to affected countries has reached 1.5 billion euros. European Commission President Josi Manuel Barroso attended the Special ASEAN Leaders Meeting in Jakarta on Jan. 6.

AirAsia to miss profit goal due to plane shortage

AirAsia to miss profit goal due to plane shortage Khoo Hsu Chuang Bloomberg/Kuala Lumpur AirAsia Bhd., Southeast Asia's biggest discount airline, may miss its profit target for the year ending June because it lacks the aircraft needed to meet rising demand for low-fare air travel, analysts said.

JP/7/let

JP/7/let New Criminal Law If the interpretation of the new law given here is correct, the points elaborated on are a total farce. Criminal charges for those who criticize government officials gives those people immunity and they will continue with their corrupt practices. Dear President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, if you sign this bill you are propelling Indonesia back to the stone age.

TV Program: Monday, May 9, 2005

TV Program: Monday, May 9, 2005 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon: Tabulaga 8:00 Children Drama 8:30 Music: Asyik Asyik 10:00 Talk Show 12:30 p.m.

4heads

4heads 1. Islam (3x16) Islam-State relations suffered setback: Scholars 2. PKB (1x32) Muhaimin won't recall PKB lawmakers 3. Press (1x32) Local media vows to keep fighting graft

N. Korea nuclear threat, Myanmar haunt ASEM meet

N. Korea nuclear threat, Myanmar haunt ASEM meet Linda Sieg and Masayuki Kitano, Reuters/Kyoto Asian and European foreign ministers meeting in Japan on Friday fretted about North Korea's nuclear threat, while the European Union pressed Myanmar to release opposition leaders and improve its human rights record. Almost a year after the last round of six-country talks aimed at resolving the crisis over North Korea's nuclear programs, worries about an atomic test by the reclusive state are growing.

Government admits to more polio cases

Government admits to more polio cases The Jakarta Post, Bandung/Yogyakarta/Jakarta Following investigations into two recently-found polio-cases in Sukabumi, West Java, the government has confirmed three more cases, causing alarm that an epidemic of polio has broken out after ten years of being free of the disease.

Dewa must bow to Islamists

Dewa must bow to Islamists From Koran Tempo A number of Islamic organizations have reported the Dewa pop rock band to the Jakarta police for failing to change the group's newest album cover, which bears a logo resembling the word Allah. Group leader Dhani, as a Muslim, should apologize to his fellow citizens of the same faith who have given him advice and suggestions to do something good for the sake of Islamic brotherhood.

Dewa must bow

Dewa must bow to Islamists From Koran Tempo A number of Islamic organizations have reported the Dewa pop rock band to the Jakarta police for failing to change the group's newest album cover, which bears a logo resembling the word Allah. Group leader Dhani, as a Muslim, should apologize to his fellow citizens of the same faith who have given him advice and suggestions to do something good for the sake of Islamic brotherhood.

All KPU officials got kickbacks: Treasurer

All KPU officials got kickbacks: Treasurer Tony Hotland The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Apparently not wanting to go down alone, General Elections Commission (KPU) treasurer Hamdani Amin, who has recently been declared a graft suspect, told investigators on Friday that all the KPU officials had received money from private companies, which had won business tenders from the commission.

JP/4/SCENE

JP/4/SCENE Man dies after communal clash AMBON, Maluku: Sayuti Roroa, a victim of a recent communal conflict in Kei Kecil district, Southeast Maluku regency, died on Thursday afternoon as a result of gunshot wounds. Sayuti was rushed to Tual Hospital on Tuesday after he was shot in the left hip by police who were trying to quell a riot that broke out in Kei Kecil district. He was among 22 people, four of whom were police personnel, who were wounded in the incident.

Be proud of yourself

Be proud of yourself I refer to the letter of Fenty Ang (an Indonesian student in Singapore) that appeared in The Jakarta Post on April 23 and felt sorry for her having such a low opinion about her country and its people. I have lived in Indonesia for about 12 years, mainly in Surabaya and Jakarta working in three private enterprises mainly connected to making, shaping and treating of steel. Two of the three are industrial units employing 600 to 700 blue and white collar workers.

Down with smugglers!

Down with smugglers! The recent Asian-African Summit concluded successfully. The hurly-burly of the golden jubilee commemoration of the Asia- Africa Conference may continue, but smugglers are operating like it's business as usual. At least two coincidences occurred during the summit involving one of the summit members, China.

Nature's gift

Nature's gift "Unforgivable!" Such was the remark of Heart of Borneo national coordinator Bambang Supriyanto on the destruction of pristine forest on the world's third largest island. No expression could be more apt to describe the annihilation of some of the most unique creatures on earth as a result of man's reckless ways.

Blame Game over Human Rights

Blame Game over Human Rights Benny YP Siahaan Jakarta The common question addressed to a state undergoing a democratic transition is how long the transition is to continue and last. The answer to this of course is not simple. Indonesia has undergone a dramatic change after the fall of the Soeharto regime in 1998. However, some of us, especially human rights activists, are impatient to see the transition completed, since, perhaps we think it can be done overnight.

Dao makes it three in a row to lead Susanto

Dao makes it three in a row to lead Susanto Musthofid, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A cool-headed GM Dao Thien Hao, bearing no resemblance to the faltering player of earlier in the week, ran GM Susanto Megaranto ragged on Friday to lead 3-2 in their matchup at the Japfa Chess Festival. A Vietnamese hat trick of wins appeared a given when he embarked on an offensive game, leaving the 17-year-old Indonesian trying to defend before having to surrender in 48 moves of a King's Indian game.

Theo's 'supporters' raise discrimination issue

Theo's 'supporters' raise discrimination issue Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta As the police prepared to summon the recently fired head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Theo Toemion on Monday over an assault case he was at the center of that occurred at Jakarta International School (JIS) on April 17, a group of protesters on Friday drew the race card.

Employers-workers

Employers-workers relationship People who lived during the Dutch colonial times used to refer to unskilled laborers as contractual kuli. The relationship between employers and laborers, however, was not set out in a contract. It was a relationship that was peculiar to the colonizers and the colonized people, who were subjected to the regulations made by the colonial rulers.

1. Discourse (75) - 48 pts 7 cols 1line (1x42)

1. Discourse (75) - 48 pts 7 cols 1line (1x42) Reform of the Security Council has two alternatives 2. Ambalat (35) - 36 pts 3 cols 2lines (2x21) KL, RI agree to ease tension in disputed area 3. Analysis (54) - 36 pts 3 cols 2lines (2x21) Tony Blair back in power -- but for how long? 4. Land (50) - 36 pts 4cols 2lines (2x28) Government issues crucial decree on land acquisition --- 5. Photos, Table

Ambon separatist arrested for treason

Ambon separatist arrested for treason M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post/Ambon Alleged separatist Semmy Waeleruny was arrested on Friday on treason charges, only a day after arriving in Ambon from Jakarta. "We have named him a suspect because there is enough evidence suggesting that he has been involved in subversive activities," said Ambon and Lease Islands Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Leonidas Braksan.

2 X 23

2 X 23 Casuarina can protect our coasts from tsunamis ; ANPAk..r.. Sugar-industry JP/6/Opinion page 1 X 30 cm Sugar industry deserves our support

Islam-state relations suffer setback: Scholars

Islam-state relations suffer setback: Scholars Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The current uncertain relationship between the state and Islam stems from the Soeharto regime's unclear vision about how it dealt with extremist movements, Muslim scholars say. Ulil Abshar Abdalla of the Liberal Islam Network (JIL) said the concept adopted by Soeharto's New Order regime, under which the state ideology and religion were separated, actually resembled the vision of progressive groups.

Over 25 schools take part in Bogor spelling bee

Over 25 schools take part in Bogor spelling bee Gerald Donovan Contributor/Bogor At 06:30 a.m. There were still two hours before Sekolah Bogor Raya's inaugural interschool spelling bee, but Nadia Firdaus, 12, was already preparing herself for the day's event. "P-e-r-c-e-p-t-i-b-l-e" she spelt under her breath while uncovering the word in the dictionary to check her accuracy.

Rupiah Rates 6 May

Rupiah Rates 6 May Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,768.62 6,986.73 7,415.65 7,339.57 Brunei dollar 1 6,091.90 5,477.53 5,815.10 5,754.15 Canadian dollar 1 8,004.82 7,199.04 7,641.11 7,562.60 Swiss franc 1 8,345.89 7,504.39 7,966.68 7,883.38 Danish krone 1 1,733.97 1,558.70 1,655.19 1,637.42 Euro 1 12,906.17 11,608.08 12,319.76 12,194.30 Poundsterling 1 18,961.94 17,055.56 18,100.38 17,916.89 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,279.57 1,151.18 1,221.43 1,209.32...

Abolish democracy

Abolish democracy in RI, too costly From Media Indonesia Democracy in Indonesia today tends to ruin nationhood and statehood because its implementation is high-cost and leads to a waste of public funds. The three elections held last year, for instance, cost a lot of money, and then we discover that the General Elections Commission is allegedly involved in a bribery case to cover up its embezzlement of large portions of the election fund.

European community to liven up local TV

European community to liven up local TV JAKARTA: Representatives from embassies, associations and educational institutes will participate in Siapa Berani, or Who Dares live quiz show on Monday at 9:30 a.m. The program, on Indosiar TV, is part of the station's Europe Day specials. "Cheer along and have loads of laughs as you watch the following five brave teams try to outdo each other," Indosiar says in its promotion of the event.

Officials hail anti-illegal logging operation

Officials hail anti-illegal logging operation Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A two-month joint operation against illegal logging in Papua has ended with "satisfying" results, the National Police and the Ministry of Forestry said on Friday. The head of the operation, Comr. Gen. Ismerda Lebang, who also heads the security and order department at the National Police, said his team met its target by preventing Rp 2 trillion (US$210 million) in potential losses from timber theft.

Sugar industry deserves our support

Sugar industry deserves our support Agus Pakpahan, Jakarta If we assume that the average annual growth of the Indonesian economy is 5 percent, Indonesia will reach the level of Malaysia's 2002 per capita income in 2035. Using Malaysia's 2002 economic structure as our benchmark shows that in 2035 our economy will still be dependent on agriculture. It means that we have not only to focus our attention on how to revitalize agriculture but also have to care for agriculture.

1. Blair --- 3x13

1. Blair --- 3x13 Blair remains Prime Minister, but weakened 2. KPU ----- 1x25 All KPU officials 'got kickbacks' 3. Polio --- 1x32 Government admits to more polio cases 4. Military -- 1x25 U.S. 'may revive military ties with RI'

Export tax bill on the works

Export tax bill on the works Dow Jones, Jakarta The Ministry of Finance has drafted a bill aimed at taxing raw or semifinished industrial and agricultural products exported out of the country, a senior government official said on Friday. "The bill is aimed at ensuring sufficient supply of raw materials for domestic industry, and stabilizing commodity prices in the domestic market," said Muhammad Najib, director of exports for agriculture and mining products at the Ministry of Trade.

Activities return to normal after flooding

Activities return to normal after flooding KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Activities in Konawe regency have started to return to normal over the past few days following flooding that hit the area last month. Trading activity in the several markets, including Kuratao market, was again bustling on Friday with traders and buyers packing the market. Cars and motorcycles have begun using roads that were earlier cut by the flooding.

b]

b] Chinese back Thai as next UN chief China said on Friday it would support Surakiart Sathirathai of Thailand to succeed Kofi Annan as secretary-general when his term ends next year, and urged the rest of Asia to support him. Surakiart, Thailand's deputy prime minister, is backed by the 10- member ASEAN to become the first East Asian to head the world body since U Thant, who left office in 1971.

AirAsia to miss profit goal due to plane shortage

AirAsia to miss profit goal due to plane shortage Khoo Hsu Chuang Bloomberg/Kuala Lumpur AirAsia Bhd., Southeast Asia's biggest discount airline, may miss its profit target for the year ending June because it lacks the aircraft needed to meet rising demand for low-fare air travel, analysts said.

Hotels offer high-speed Internet access

Hotels offer high-speed Internet access YOGYAKARTA: Star-rated hotels in Yogyakarta are competing to offer wireless, high-speed Internet connections to meet customers' demands for rapid access to information. The five-star Melia Purosani Hotel on Jl Suryotomo offers a 24-hour wireless service in its lobby area, Soka Lounge, Parangsari Poolside Garden and in its Ching San, and El Patio restaurants. "We call these areas 'hotspots'," public relations manager Atik Damarjati said.

Be proud of yourself

Be proud of yourself I refer to the letter of Fenty Ang (an Indonesian student in Singapore) that appeared in The Jakarta Post on April 23 and felt sorry for her having such a low opinion about her country and its people. I have lived in Indonesia for about 12 years, mainly in Surabaya and Jakarta working in three private enterprises mainly connected to making, shaping and treating of steel. Two of the three are industrial units employing 600 to 700 blue and white collar workers.

Bimantara Q1 revenue up 65.6%

Bimantara Q1 revenue up 65.6% The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Publicly listed media and telecommunications company PT Bimantara Citra Tbk recorded a decline in profit during this year's first quarter, however its revenue increased significantly.

*Overlapping jobs await antigraft teams: Observers Page 2

*Overlapping jobs await antigraft teams: Observers Page 2 *Islam and state relations suffer setback: Scholars Page 4 *Ambon separatist arrested for treason Page 5 *Casuarina can protect our coasts from tsunami Page 6 *Thousand Islands to have new hospital Page 8 *Air Asia to miss profit target due to plane shortage Page 13 *Tool art shows more than functionality Page 17 *Yao Ming so tall, so funny Page 20

UN helps build houses in Aceh

UN helps build houses in Aceh JAKARTA: The United Nations Human Resettlements Program (UN- Habitat) has agreed to help rebuild homes and safe shelters for people in Aceh and Nias affected by the Dec. 26 tsunami and the March 28 earthquake. UN-Habitat will work with the Aceh and North Sumatra provincial governments in organizing the housing and rehabilitation of the affected communities to build sustainable settlements, and to mobilize international resources.

Pertamina could face fuel scarcity

Pertamina could face fuel scarcity Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta With the year's fuel subsidy already spent and the House of Representatives only starting to deliberate the 2005 state budget revision next week, the nation risks jeopardizing its fuel supplies if PT Pertamina fails to get additional funds to import oil.

Soekarno-Hatta International

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and the community From Kompas Since its operation, the Soekarno-Hatta airport in Cengkareng has financially benefited Perum Angkasa Pura II as the airport management company and the city administration of Tangerang, while its negative impact has to be experienced by the community near its runway. We live in an educational institution near the airport runway, so that classes have to be halted when airliners take off or land due to their rumble.

PKB won't recall dissenting lawmakers

PKB won't recall dissenting lawmakers Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimin Iskandar asserted on Friday he would not dismiss or recall any dissenting PKB legislators who had opposed the party's national congress last month. Muhaimin, also a House of Representatives deputy speaker, made the statement because he was perceiving fears from these PKB members that he would recall them from their legislative posts.

All KPU officials 'got kickbacks'

All KPU officials 'got kickbacks' Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Apparently not wanting to go down alone, General Elections Commission (KPU) treasurer Hamdani Amin, who has recently been declared a graft suspect, told investigators on Friday that all the KPU officials had received money from private companies, which had won business tenders from the commission.

The number of schools offering international programs

The number of schools offering international programs continues to grow in the country's major cities, particularly in Jakarta. The increase in the number of these world-class schools not only offers parents a wide range of options to provide high- quality education for their children, but also creates attractive job opportunities for would-be teachers. Teaching at international schools, with students of different cultural backgrounds, can also be quite challenging.

AirAsia to miss profit goal due to plane shortage

AirAsia to miss profit goal due to plane shortage Khoo Hsu Chuang Bloomberg/Kuala Lumpur AirAsia Bhd., Southeast Asia's biggest discount airline, may miss its profit target for the year ending June because it lacks the aircraft needed to meet rising demand for low-fare air travel, analysts said.

RI Chinese fight to position themselves in media industry

RI Chinese fight to position themselves in media industry ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post/Surabaya As if enthralled, a crowd of people attending an event in a field in Madura suddenly turn their heads toward a fair-skinned female walking past them on the edge of the field. Their eyes were glued to her wherever she went, followed by laughter, wolf cries and whistles. "Isn't that the Yellow Princess," said a spectator, followed by howls of laughter from the crowd.

These young people write their own history

These young people write their own history Evi Mariani The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta For Nona Yoani Sara, 12, history is no longer a boring subject full of irrelevant events taking place years even before her father was born, that have to be memorized in order to pass a test in school.

$270m spent in transshipment costs

$270m spent in transshipment costs Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Indonesia could have saved US$270 million in transshipment costs every year if its exporters and importers did not use Singapore as a hub for exports and imports, an Indonesian Exporters Association (GPEI) official says. GPEI secretary-general Toto Dirgantoro said on Friday that currently 80 percent of Indonesia's total exports and imports went through Singapore.

Antigraft teams may overlap

Antigraft teams may overlap Eva C. Komandjaja and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The antigraft team set up recently by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono may overlap with the duties of other existing anticorruption bodies, thus could put efforts to eradicate the crime in disarray, observers say.

Tension rises after village clash

Tension rises after village clash AMBON, Maluku: Tension prevailed on Friday in Haruku island, Maluku, following a clash a day earlier between Kabauw and Rohomoni subdistrict residents. The sound of homemade bombs and gunfire was heard on Thursday night and Friday morning in both neighboring subdistricts, but there have been no reports of fatalities.

Govt to give names to 9,000 islets

Govt to give names to 9,000 islets JAKARTA: The government is expected to name some 9,000 islets across the archipelago before submitting them to the United Nations in 2009, in a bid to affirm the country's sovereignty. Minister of Maritime and Fisheries Freddy Numberi said on Friday that the government will name the islets according to local suggestions. "We'll discuss it during a meeting next month," he said, referring to a meeting of the Indonesian Maritime Council.

Europe-Indonesia, building stronger relations

Europe-Indonesia, building stronger relations Message from the Head of the European Commission Delegation Every May we commemorate the end of the last great European war. The European dream of unity emerged out of that horrific experience. This year is particularly significant, since it is 60 years since the end of that war, and the dawn of the longest period of peace Western Europe has ever known.

Message from the EuroCham Chairman

Message from the EuroCham Chairman This month marks the first anniversary of EuroCham, the European Business Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia. Funded by a number of major European companies, the national European Business Associations in Indonesia and including Indonesian partners with links to Europe, Eurocham gives some 1000 European companies operating in Indonesia a distinctly European voice.

Over 300 vehicles ticketed in Bekasi

Over 300 vehicles ticketed in Bekasi BEKASI: Police ticketed around 300 vehicles for violating various traffic regulations in an operation on Jl. Achmad Yani, Bekasi municipality, on Wednesday. The majority of motorists ignored traffic lights, traffic signs or did not have complete documents for their vehicles. "We ticketed all traffic violators without exception," said Bekasi traffic police chief Comr. Gatot Subroto.

Casuarinas can protect our coasts fron tsunamis

Casuarinas can protect our coasts fron tsunamis Suhardi, Yogyakarta Sukristijono Sukardjo was correct when he wrote in his article published in The Jakarta Post of April 28, that planting mangroves and casuarinas (Casuarinas equisetifolia) can prevent damage to coastal areas and help absorb the power and damage of a tsunami.

Our style is May and then the date, May 12, etc. Thanks.

Our style is May and then the date, May 12, etc. Thanks. Recent Events * EU Days -- A series of EU events held in Yogyakarta from May 2 until May 4, includes seminars, exhibitions and film screenings. The events are organised by the Delegation of the European Commission in cooperation with the embassies, cultural centers and educational institutions of the European Union member states, Komunitas Cangkir and Pusat Studi Jerman of the Gadjah Mada University.

Giving access to world's top universities

Giving access to world's top universities Most international schools in Indonesia, particularly in Jakarta, have designed their programs to give students access to the world's top universities. The schools not only adopt their national curriculum but also offer internationally respected curriculums such as International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP) and Cambridge International Examination.

Gas pipeline bids to end in November

Gas pipeline bids to end in November Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The government expects the bidding for two gas pipeline projects in Java to be completed in November, with the construction to start early next year, a top official says.

Local media vows to keep fighting graft

Local media vows to keep fighting graft Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung Local journalists say the nine-month imprisonment of two of their colleagues over a report on alleged corruption will not discourage them from unveiling more graft cases. The chief editor of the Lampung Pos newspaper Djadjat Sudradjat said on Friday that the press would not surrender its freedom to report on corruption as many state institutions remained unable to eradicate the crime.

Police raid gambling den

Police raid gambling den BEKASI: The police raided a gambling den on Thursday after two journalists from Indopos newspaper reported an alleged assault perpetrated by the establishment's security guards last week. Renza Guievara, Riko Noviantoro and a reporter from Dakta Radio were threatened not to write about the venue. Located at Ruko Bekasi Mas on Jl.