Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 16 June 2005

93 articles found

Many still need convincing over importance of education

Many still need convincing over importance of education The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Should poverty be blamed for people ignoring the importance of education? Or is it their lack of education that leads to poverty? Creating a system of community-based education, which also empowers them economically, would help cut the vicious circle, sociologists said on Wednesday.

* Heavy rains in Jakarta predicted to stop by Saturday Page 2

* Heavy rains in Jakarta predicted to stop by Saturday Page 2 * State audit agency official admits accepting 'gift' Page 4 * Foreign ship impounded near Batam Page 5 * Criminalizing adultery Page 6 * Monorail work on again as fresh funds begin to flow Page 8 * Asafa Powell of Jamaica breaks 100m World Record Page 9 * U.S.

UNDP introduces Internet program to combat poverty

UNDP introduces Internet program to combat poverty Blontank Poer The Jakarta Post/Magelang Entranced by the new technology, Sutrisno, a fish breeder from a remote area in Magelang, Central Java, admits to initially knowing little about the Internet and its potential to improve his livelihood.

Lawyer arrested for bribery

Lawyer arrested for bribery JAKARTA: A lawyer for suspended Aceh governor Abdullah Puteh has been arrested after being caught red-handed paying Rp 250 million (US$26,300) as a bribe to a Jakarta High Court clerk. The prosecutor in the Puteh graft case Khaidir Ramli said on Wednesday that he and fellow prosecutors busted the lawyer, Tengku Syaifudin Popon, and the clerk, Syamsul Rizal, while in a meeting at the latter's office on Tuesday afternoon and found the cash kept in a black suitcase.

Bomb found at railway station

Bomb found at railway station Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/Jakarta One week after a bomb exploded in Pamulang, Tangerang, the Jakarta Police's bomb squad have defused a bomb placed inside a shopping bag in the parking lot of Tanjung Barat Railway Station in South Jakarta, just before midnight on Tuesday. It was the first bomb to be found in a public place after weeks of bomb hoaxes that have put police and security officers in the capital on high alert.

Susilo to visit the Philippines

Susilo to visit the Philippines MANILA: Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is to visit the neighboring Philippines next week for talks with President Gloria Arroyo, the Filipino government said on Wednesday. His wife Kristiani Herawati, foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda and trade minister Mari Elka Pangestu are to accompany the president during the June 20 to June 21 visit, a government statement said.

Graft suspects contesting polls

Graft suspects contesting polls Andi Hajramurni and A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Makassar/Jakarta Building a clean government! This was the vision expressed by Ichsan Yasin Limpo, a candidate running for regent, when he delivered his manifesto to Gowa regental councillors a few days ago in an attempt to prove his anticorruption credentials ahead of the June 27 local leadership election in the regency.

Not good program for children

Not good program for children I was deeply disturbed by a reality crime show aired by Metro TV on May 25. It showed a street prostitute and her client who were nabbed by policemen at night. Surprized by the arrest, the prostitute and her client had to put their clothes on in a hurry. Unfortunately, they accidentally put on each other's underwear. The camera remained on, filming all of this.

Senen, Jakarta's real mess

Senen, Jakarta's real mess From Warta Kota The Senen area in Central Jakarta has long been a gathering place for artists as well as a hoodlum operational area. The predominance of a serious criminal element has now even made the zone "untouchable" --- Jakarta security personnel and police will not go near the area, let alone curb any crime.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, June 16, 2005

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, June 16, 2005 .TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions * Arts Post-coma Reflections by AA. Made Jelantik at Art Danes Veranda, Jl. Hayam Wuruk No. 159, Denpasar, until July 1 * Arts Reflections of Life by Made Mahendra Mangku, at Ganesha Gallery, Four Season Resort Bali, Jimbaran Bay, until June 24 * Woodcut Printing Exhibition Aku, Badanku, Jiwaku, Masa Laluku, by Edo at Klinik Seni Taxu, Jl. Gunung Rinjani Blok IXA no. 8 Denpasar (Tel.

Workers protest over low pay

Workers protest over low pay BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Hundreds of workers of PT Sweet Indo Lampung protested outside the sugar producer's factory complex in Gedungmeneng, Tulangbawang on Tuesday. The workers, who arrived in several trucks, were continuing their sometimes violent protest on Wednesday. Two cars and a truck were set on fire and several windows were broken inside the complex. Police on the scene have attempted to maintain peace. The protesters are upset over low pay.

There is more to China than business

There is more to China than business The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two Sinologists here said more people should study China for academic reasons, rather than just for business. Ignatius Wibowo and Abdullah Dahana, both of whom hold doctorates in Chinese studies, told The Jakarta Post the small number of Indonesians with expertise in the field should be increased by motivating young scholars to study China for academic reasons.

Textile Museum offers interesting holiday programs

Textile Museum offers interesting holiday programs The Jakarta Post Jakarta To welcome the school holidays and also Jakarta's 478th Anniversary this month, the Textile Museum is offering a number of interesting batik painting programs in addition to its regular ones. Meanwhile, starting on June 15 (Wednesday), the museum is scheduled start an 11-day exhibition of Madurese batik, displaying more than 100 batik fabrics.

Reluctant anticorruption 'czar' warms to his job

Reluctant anticorruption 'czar' warms to his job Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta "This is not my dream; I don't really want to be in this position if you'd like to know what I really think." These were Hendarman Supandji's own words when he was asked about how he felt being named as the new deputy attorney general for special crimes at the Attorney General's Office (AGO).

1. Munir (4x12)

1. Munir (4x12) BIN attacks team for going public on Munir case 2. Student (2x24) Many still need convincing over importance of education 3. KPK (1x28) Zainie admits receiving KPU 'gift' 4. PIN (1x28) Govt plans vaccination drive 5. Funds (1x34) Giving of gratuities common in RI

Council seeks closure of warehouses in W. Jakarta

Council seeks closure of warehouses in W. Jakarta Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Councillors are urging the Jakarta administration to close down some 50 warehouses operating illegally since 1998 in Tegal Alur and Kamal subdistricts in West Jakarta. They also questioned why West Jakarta municipality officials seemed to be turning a blind eye to the warehouses.

Intel to help make 'digital Vietnam'

Intel to help make 'digital Vietnam' HANOI: The world's largest chipmaker Intel signed on Wednesday an agreement with the Vietnamese government to improve accessibility of information technologies throughout the country, the company's CEO said. Intel president Paul Otellini said the foundation would aim to boost communication infrastructure across ministries, government, provinces and various organizations.

Studying abroad has

Studying abroad has special meaning Every year, several Indonesian students travel abroad in order to obtain their bachelor, master and Ph.D degrees. There are several advantages in obtaining or continuing their studies abroad. First of all, is the experience of assimilating with an environment that is quite different compared with the one in Indonesia, especially in the developed West, where life is quick and the system more complicated.

Rain will end soon, BMG says

Rain will end soon, BMG says Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The heavy rain of the past two days has inconvenienced many Jakartans, especially motorists. The overnight downpour on Tuesday until Wednesday morning caused traffic jams across the capital. In some parts of the city, traffic congestion was caused by dozens of motorcyclists taking shelter under bridges and overpasses, while Jl.

Susilo announces new public hotline number, 9949

Susilo announces new public hotline number, 9949 Rendi A. Witular and Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bandung After his private mobile phone crashed just a day after its number was made public last week, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono made public on Thursday a new phone number, 9949, through which members of the public can directly forward complaints and information.

Heavy buyings on Astra shares lift JSX index

Heavy buyings on Astra shares lift JSX index Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesian shares ended higher on Wednesday led by foreign buying in automotive company Astra International ahead of its ex- dividend date on Thursday, dealers said. They said foreign investors, who were active buyers, also bought shares in certain mining and infrastructure-related blue chips on expectations of improved earnings this year.

Be careful criminalizing adultery

Be careful criminalizing adultery Nurrohman, Bandung One of the articles in the revision of the Criminal Code that sparked controversy among activists is the inclusion of adultery or extramarital sex as a crime that could be punished by state. Although most Muslims and those of other faiths acknowledge that adultery is a sinful act that should morally be avoided, they may well be of a different opinion about whether it should be included in any criminal code.

Yogya sees rise in HIV/AIDS cases

Yogya sees rise in HIV/AIDS cases YOGYAKARTA: The number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Yogyakarta province has risen from 48 last year to 187 this year, according to official figures. Some 90 percent of the people living with HIV/AIDS in the province are university students. Doctor Yanri Wijayanti said these figures only included those people who had sought medical treatment.

RI sailors turned over to lawmakers

RI sailors turned over to lawmakers PHILIPPINES: Two Indonesian sailors, freed after more than two months of captivity, were turned over on Wednesday to an Indonesian lawmaker, while the Philippine military said efforts were under way to rescue a third hostage. The three tugboat crewmen were kidnapped by suspected Muslim guerrillas in March. Two were rescued on Sunday on southern Jolo island after a firefight between troops and al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf extremists.

Suspect named in haj fund scam

Suspect named in haj fund scam Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A senior official at the Ministry of Religious Affairs was declared a suspect on Wednesday in a corruption case involving Rp 684 billion (US$72 million) in haj pilgrimage funds. The suspect has been identified as Taufiq Kamil, the ministry's director-general of Islamic guidance and haj management.

0811109949

0811109949 That is, arguably, the most famous cellular phone number in the country -- along with a few popular TV reality show and game show phone-in numbers, of course. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in a display of public relations bravado blurted out his private number, which he has had for several years. The President's intention of allowing for a more participatory government is welcome. Inviting public input is a sign of a responsible democratic government.

Balinese women promote herbal remedies

Balinese women promote herbal remedies Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar Ni Wayan Krinting's five-year-old son had a high fever. His temperature was 40 degrees Celsius. A dedicated mother of three, Krinting ran to the backyard and started picking some leaves from plants she had started to grow two years ago. She picked several daluman (Cyclea barbata) leaves and boiled them with water and a block of palm sugar.

Banks told to lower loan rates

Banks told to lower loan rates Vice President Jusuf Kalla called on local banks on Wednesday to lower their interest rates in order to help revitalize the private sector as well as improve the competitiveness of their businesses in the global market.

;AFP;

;AFP; ANPAf..r.. Asia-economy-outlook sched Slower growth, risks seen in 2005 for Pacific Rim economies: PECC JP/16/ASIA Slower growth, risks seen in 2005 for Pacific Rim economies: PECC Agence France-Presse Singapore The average economic growth of 18 key economies in the Pacific Ocean rim will slow down to 4.2 percent in 2005 from 5.4 percent last year and risks could further affect their outlook, a regional think-tank said on Wednesday.

Problems of migrant workers

Problems of migrant workers We refer to the report Singapore a killing field for RI migrant workers (The Jakarta Post, May 16) and the Singapore Embassy's reply to that article on May 25 . Allow us to contribute another perspective as Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) - a Singapore NGO engaged with this issue.

Acehnese long to return to their province when peace comes

Acehnese long to return to their province when peace comes Harry Bhaskara, The Jakarta Post, Medan If the longed-for peace was achieved in Aceh it could increase the province's population by more than 20 percent, as people who fled separatist conflict and the recent tsunami returned. The Medan-based Aceh Sepakat foundation said it had half-a- million members living in North Sumatra. Should they return, the population of the province would swell to about 4.5 million.

Bogor gardens to help develop mangrove conservation area

Bogor gardens to help develop mangrove conservation area Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor The Jakarta administration has plans to develop a mangrove conservation area on the northern coast of Ancol in cooperation with the Bogor Botanical Gardens, the garden's director says. Irawati said Jakarta officials had asked her to find experts on mangroves to be involved in the project, Jakarta's first mangrove-only botanical park.

Zainie admits receiving KPU 'gift'

Zainie admits receiving KPU 'gift' The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) deputy chairman Abdullah Zainie acknowledged receiving "a present" from the General Elections Commission (KPU) as antigraft investigators were beginning to investigate allegations that influential people outside the commission had received misappropriated KPU funds.

JP/1/heads

JP/1/heads June 16, 2005 1. GRAFT: 2 X 14 Graft suspects contesting polls 2. ENVOY: 2 X 23 Indonesia to withdraw ambassador to Australia 3. BOMB: 2 X 24 Bomb found at busy Jakarta railway station 4. HAJI: 1 X 32 Suspect named in haj fund scam

1. Discourse (55) - 42 pts 7 cols 1line (1x45)

1. Discourse (55) - 42 pts 7 cols 1line (1x45) New Aceh commander vows to bring peace to Acehnese 2. Aceh (45) - 48 pts 4 cols 2lines (2x26) Acehnese long to return to their province when peace comes 3. Poverty (45) - 36 pts 3 cols 2lines (2x21) Misguided poverty eradication drive blamed for malnutrition or Misguided programs to reduce poverty blamed for malnutrition or Misguided govt programs blamed for malnutrition 4. Rain (45) - 36 pts 4 cols 1lines (1x28) Rain will end soon, BMG says --- 5.

Britain's Islamic Help provides assistance in Aceh

Britain's Islamic Help provides assistance in Aceh The grief of the Acehnese following the tsunami has touched people throughout Indonesia and abroad. A pervading mood of deep sorrow has lingered in the wake of the tsunami disaster on December 26, 2004, in which more than a hundred thousand people perished. The losses inflicted by the devastating calamity were immense, including valuable heritage of the Acehnese and Nias civilizations.

What is bilingual education?

What is bilingual education? Jan Dormer Malang, East Java Apparently, misconceptions abound as to the nature and purpose of bilingual education.

Islamic Help, NU continue work in Aceh

Islamic Help, NU continue work in Aceh Delegates of British Muslim charity group Islamic Help visited Indonesia recently to continue their work with Nahdlatul Ulama rebuilding the tsunami-hit Aceh province. Upon arrival in Jakarta, Help leaders Mohammad Masood Alam Khan and Sheikh Sultan Niaz Hasan, accompanied by their Indonesian representatives Muhammad Agus Mulyana and Mabroer MS, met with NU executives, led by chairman Ahmad Hasyim Muzadi.

Batam Navy patrol detains foreign ship, crew

Batam Navy patrol detains foreign ship, crew The Jakarta Post, Batam A Batam Navy patrol boat apprehended Singaporean MV Bourbon Aladin ship and its 65-member crew on Wednesday for entering Indonesian waters without the required documents. The arrest was made in Nipah Island waters, Riau Island province, which is rarely frequented by large ships. Batam Navy Commander Col. Djoko Harijanto said the ship's captain was unable to produce the proper documents for entering the country.

UNDP web project to combat poverty

UNDP web project to combat poverty Blontank Poer , The Jakarta Post, Magelang Entranced by the new technology, Sutrisno, a fish breeder from a remote area in Magelang, Central Java, admits to initially knowing little about the Internet and its potential to improve his livelihood.

Australian apology

Australian apology I would like to apologize for the actions of some radical Australians, who are reacting wrongly to Schapelle Corby's sentencing. I am an Australian citizen and have no opinion of her guilt or innocence, but what I do know is she had a body board bag and it was an illegal substance. I was not in the court room, I did not hear the witnesses or evidence. The Balinese court has found her guilty and she should go through the system as anyone else does.

Health ministry appoints officials

Health ministry appoints officials JAKARTA: Minister of Health Siti Fadilah Supari appointed five new senior officials in a ceremony on Wednesday. Four of the newly appointed officials will head the ministry's directorate general. The new directors general are: Sri Astuti Soedarso (community health), Farid Wadjdi Husain (medical services), I Nyoman Kandun (disease control and environmental health) and Krissna Tirtawidjaja (pharmacy and medical equipment).

BIN attacks team for going public on Munir case

BIN attacks team for going public on Munir case The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As the end of its tenure nears, the fact-finding team probing the murder of top human rights activist Munir dealt another blow on Wednesday when it was accused of exceeding the scope of its jurisdiction. State Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Maj. Gen.

Govt plans vaccination drive

Govt plans vaccination drive The Jakarta Post, Jakarta "Aku anak sehat, tubuhku kuat ..." (I'm a healthy, fit child ...) This almost-forgotten song composed for a past government immunization drive will soon be heard again as the Ministry of Health is planning another national immunization drive called Pekan Imunisasi Nasional (PIN), starting in August.

Capacity-building workshop at N. Dua

Capacity-building workshop at N. Dua The World Bank plans to hold a workshop on sustainable approaches to local government capacity building at Hotel Inna Putri Bali, Nusa Dua, from June 19 through June 21. The workshop, aimed at providing knowledge for local governments in the decentralization era, will present a number of prominent speakers. Vice President of the World Bank Institute Dr Frannie Leautier will present a keynote speaker. He will be followed by several others including Prof. Dr.

Indonesia to withdraw envoy from Australia

Indonesia to withdraw envoy from Australia The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is seeking a replacement for Indonesian ambassador to Australia Imron Cotan, who will receive a promotion at the foreign ministry. The announcement comes as relations between the two neighbors were put to the test following the 20-year jail sentence handed down to Australian Schapelle Corby for drug smuggling in Bali, sparking an outcry on her home soil.

Garuda adds weekly Bali-Australia flight

Garuda adds weekly Bali-Australia flight Associated Press, Sydney Despite calls for Australians to boycott Bali, Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia on Wednesday announced an extra weekly flight between Australia and the popular tourist island to cope with increasing demand. The return flight from Sydney to Denpasar, Bali, with a stop at Brisbane, brings the weekly total to five and increases weekly seats by 146 to 1,318.

Ambon students say no to legal gambling

Ambon students say no to legal gambling Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon Pattimura University students protested on Wednesday a proposal by the Student Representative Council to the Ambon administration and city council to establish a legal lottery in the city. The protesters accused the chairman of the student council, Yoga Papulaja, of damaging the university's reputation with the proposal.

New drainage works for Tangerang

New drainage works for Tangerang TANGERANG: The municipal administration says remedial works in the flood-prone Gebang Raya, Periuk Jaya and Gembor subdistricts of Periuk district are about to commence. The project, which is set to commence on Friday and is expected to completed next year, has been assigned to housing developer PT Darma Tunggal Usaha Mandiri, which is also building the Wisma Harapan housing complex on a 30-hectare site in the area.

Visa snag holds up table tennis players' training

Visa snag holds up table tennis players' training Moch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A 10-strong contingent of table tennis players, due to leave for training in Guangdong, China, on Wednesday, are biding their time until the issuance of their visas. "We have yet to receive the visas for China," overseas mission team manager Dedi Kurniawan Wikanto said on Wednesday.

Malnutrition affects thousands in Cirebon

Malnutrition affects thousands in Cirebon CIREBON, West Java: Some 4,000 children in Cirebon regency are suffering from malnutrition, a senior government official said on Tuesday. Poverty has left many parents unable to provide their children with nutritious food, leading to rampant malnutrition, said Retina Sri Sedjati, the chief of the Cirebon Health Agency.

Senen, Jakarta's real mess

Senen, Jakarta's real mess From Warta Kota The Senen area in Central Jakarta has long been a gathering place for artists as well as a hoodlum operational area. The predominance of a serious criminal element has now even made the zone "untouchable" --- Jakarta security personnel and police will not go near the area, let alone curb any crime.

Lampung Mayor candidates take aims at young voters

Lampung Mayor candidates take aims at young voters Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung After completing their national exams, a group of senior high school students were excited seeing someone bringing posters of the box office film The Matrix. They approached the stranger, who was seen distributing the posters to students, but on closer inspection the students were rather surprised.

UN: Asia leads in reducing poverty, falters elsewhere

UN: Asia leads in reducing poverty, falters elsewhere Paris Lord, Agence France-Presse/Bangkok Asia leads the world in meeting a key development goal of halving extreme poverty by 2015 but has fallen well short in other areas including education, HIV/AIDS and child mortality, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

Remembering Sukarno after collective amnesia

Remembering Sukarno after collective amnesia M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta One of the greatest smear campaigns ever committed in the country's modern history was the one that was waged against the country's first president, Sukarno.

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.

Questions raised over refugee funds

Questions raised over refugee funds AMBON, Maluku: Several provincial councillors here raised allegations of the misappropriation of refugee funds on Wednesday following an official visit to the Dobo and Aru Islands regency. Councillor Demianus Laimasian said that according to the Maluku provincial council report in 2003, 150 houses were to have been built for refugees in Dobo using Rp 1.5 billion (US$166,666) in funds. However, the councillors were unable to find the houses during their visit.

Importers grouping opposes safeguard

Importers grouping opposes safeguard The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Surging ceramic imports in the past five years has prompted the Importers Association of Indonesia (GINSI) to oppose any proposed safeguard measures for the local ceramic industry, although the imports have jeopardized the local industry's existence. "Safeguards mean that prices will rise and consumers will lose," said GINSI chairman Amirudin Saud in a press conference on Wednesday.

Confederations Cup shown on TV

Confederations Cup shown on TV JAKARTA: Private television station SCTV will provide live broadcasts of 14 games in the Confederation Cups in Germany. Station spokesman Budi Darmawan said last week the broadcasts would be at 11 p.m. or 3 a.m., depending on the kickoff time. Argentina, Australia, Germany and Tunisia are in Group A, while world champion Brazil, Greece, Japan and Mexico are in Group B.

Ong Hock Chuan

Ong Hock Chuan Jakarta 2. Wandi -- Peace is the only option 1 x 30 Peace the only option for Aceh Aguswandi London 3. Nur -- Looking to the past before criminalizing adultery 1 x 30 Be careful criminalizing adultery Nurrohman Bandung

'Social welfare programs don't work'

'Social welfare programs don't work' Over 8,400 children under five in Jakarta are suffering from malnutrition. The figure represents 1 percent of a total of 923,000 children under five years old recorded by the Jakarta Health Agency in the city. The Jakarta Post asked residents their thoughts on the issue. Cecep Rukendi, 27, is a civil servant at the Ministry of Tourism. He lives with his wife in Ciputat, South Jakarta: Malnutrition cannot be separated from poverty.

Bali to host Asian Film Conference

Bali to host Asian Film Conference The Asian Film Commissions Network (AFCNet) aims to make Asia the center of film production for the future, gaining greater exposure for the region in the world film market. Founded in 2004 by film commissioners from Japan, Malaysia, Korea, China, Russia, Vietnam and Indonesia (the Bali Film Commission), AFCNet is a regionally based, full-service, trade organization of industry professionals dedicated to promoting the region through film.

Eni requests rescheduling of work in Ambalat block

Eni requests rescheduling of work in Ambalat block Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta On the back of the ongoing territorial dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia, Italian oil giant Eni SPA has asked for a rescheduling of its exploratory work in the disputed Ambalat oil block, a top official says.

Surabaya street dancer fights for livelihood

Surabaya street dancer fights for livelihood Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya Street dancer Laksmi's heavily made up face glistens with perspiration. The heat is stifling but the 42-year-old, who makes a living performing the jaranan (traditional dance), barely notices.

Monorail work again as fresh funds begin to flow

Monorail work again as fresh funds begin to flow Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta PT Jakarta Monorail has resumed its long delayed construction work and will soon announce its foreign financiers it said on Wednesday. Workers have been seen erecting concrete piles for the elevated monorail track on Jl. HR Rasuna Said in Kuningan, South Jakarta, in the past week. "We have erected five new piles on Jl. HR Rasuna Said since early this month. We can install one pile per day.

Interest in Mandarin grows along with Chinese economy

Interest in Mandarin grows along with Chinese economy The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Mandarin language courses are mushrooming across Greater Jakarta as Indonesian businesspeople, impressed by China's rapid economic growth, rush to establish contacts with Chinese businesses. The Wen Hua Mandarin Institute and the Han Lin Mandarin Course told The Jakarta Post that many of their students were studying the language in order to establish ties with Chinese businesspeople in China and around the world.

Rupiah Rates June 15

Rupiah Rates June 15 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,702.49 6,934.94 7,357.61 7,279.59 Brunei dollar 1 6,026.15 5,425.64 5,756.33 5,695.28 Canadian dollar 1 8,063.10 7,261.48 7,702.08 7,622.36 Swiss franc 1 7,912.06 7,125.51 7,557.80 7,479.63 Danish krone 1 1,634.05 1,471.23 1,560.89 1,544.35 Euro 1 12,159.43 10,952.20 11,614.99 11,496.50 Poundsterling 1 18,241.67 16,431.03 17,424.90 17,247.61 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,298.61 1,169.90 1,240.46 1,228.04...

Giving of gratuities common in RI

Giving of gratuities common in RI Yuli Tri Suwarni and Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Bandung/Medan Diah Nurwitasari, a legislator of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) at the West Java Legislative Council expressed serious concern over gratuities given by a certain unit of the provincial administration to a group of councillors following a recent official visit by the latter to the office.

Nahdlatul Ulama and 'dayah' in Aceh

Nahdlatul Ulama and 'dayah' in Aceh The grass roots of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Muslim organization, is found in Islamic boarding schools, known as pesantren in Java or dayah in Aceh. Thus, in the wake of the Dec. 26 tsunami, the NU chose the dayah in Aceh as the base of its humanitarian operation in the region. The partnership with dayah has facilitated much of the NU's humanitarian work in Aceh. Moreover, a good number of dayah leaders are also executives of local NU branches.

JP/18/REDY

JP/18/REDY Redy's sculpture embodies passion and emotion Bambang Widjarnarko Contributor/Jakarta Some philosophers believe there is only one thing unending beyond death and the inconceivable infiniteness of the universe. It is, they say, the never-ending depths of desire (or passion) that is intrinsic to humankind.

Like me, love me, please!

Like me, love me, please! Ong Hock Chuan, Jakarta There is something terribly wrong with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's image advisors if the latest brouhaha over the president giving out his mobile number is any indication. Saturday's exercise, where the president gives out his mobile number and asks anyone who had been maltreated by officials to call or sms him takes the cake. Any one who knows anything about public relations (PR) would not have advised him to make such a move.

Padang councillors jailed for corruption

Padang councillors jailed for corruption Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, The Jakarta Post, Padang Thirteen out of 45 Padang councillors were sentenced to four years in jail each on Tuesday following their convictions on graft charges. In a precedent-setting case, the councillors were also ordered to return the money they had misappropriated to the tune of between Rp 207 million and Rp 324 million each.

Bomb found at busy Jakarta railway station

Bomb found at busy Jakarta railway station Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta One week after a bomb exploded in Pamulang, Tangerang, the Jakarta Police's bomb squad have defused a bomb placed inside a shopping bag in the parking lot of Tanjung Barat Railway Station in South Jakarta, just before midnight on Tuesday. It was the first bomb to be found in a public place after weeks of bomb hoaxes that have put police and security officers in the capital on high alert.

Visa snag holds up table tennis players' training

Visa snag holds up table tennis players' training Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An eight-strong contingent of table tennis players, due to leave for training in Guangdong, China, on Wednesday, are biding their time until the issuance of their visas. "We have yet to receive the visas for China," overseas mission team manager Dedi Kurniawan Wikanto said on Wednesday.

New Aceh commander vows to bring peace to Acehnese

New Aceh commander vows to bring peace to Acehnese Along with foreign and local volunteers, the Indonesian Military has been instrumental in rebuilding Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam following the total destruction brought about by the Dec. 26 tsunami. The following is an interview with Maj. Gen. Supiadin A.S., the new military commander in the province, by local journalists including Harry Bhaskara of The Jakarta Post and Australian journalists sponsored by the Asia Pacific Journalism Center.

Batam journalists support gubernatorial candidates

Batam journalists support gubernatorial candidates Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam Bagong Sastranegara, a reporter cum cameraman at Batam TV, has mobilized his colleagues since February to support the campaign of Soeryo Respationo, a candidate for governor of Riau Islands province. Bagong knows that his involvement in the campaign is not ethical because, as a journalist, he is supposed to be impartial. However, he has his own reasons for supporting Soeryo.

Kutai election challenged

Kutai election challenged KUTAI KARTANEGARA, East Kalimantan: A candidate in the recent Kutai Kartanegara regency election refused to sign the final vote count on Wednesday to make the vote official. "Before the Kutai Kartanegara Election Committee counts the votes and announces the winner, it should look at reports of violations," the candidate, Sofyan Alex, said on Wednesday.

[b]

Monorail work on again as fresh funds begin to flow 2. WARE -- 1x32 Council demands warehouse closures 3. SCHOOL -- 1x36 Students deal with filth, flies of nearby dump 4. KEBUN -- 2x30 Bogor gardens to help develop mangrove conservation sites 5. SPEAK -- 1x30 'Welfare programs do not work'

TV Today: Friday, June 17, 2005

TV Today: Friday, June 17, 2005 .TB.30" .90" TVRI .tb .30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon: Tabaluga 8:30 Music: Asik-Asik 9:30 Documentary 11:00 News: Berita Nusantara 11:30 Religious Teachings 1:00 p.m.

Sino-Indonesia ties: Economy comes first

Sino-Indonesia ties: Economy comes first Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta If there is anything we can say about the Sino-Indonesian relationship, it is probably the fact that politics have always come second to sociocultural and economic ties.

Misguided poverty eradication drive blamed for malnutrition

Misguided poverty eradication drive blamed for malnutrition Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The current outbreak of malnutrition that is affecting thousands of children in some provinces might be considered a slap in the face for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, not only because such reports have been concealed from him, but also because the reports have dealt a major blow to his government's poverty eradication programs.

Jamsostek to invest more in stock

Jamsostek to invest more in stock Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Hoping to take advantage of the booming stock market amid rising confidence among foreign investors, state-owned social security firm PT Jamsostek is planning to increase its investments in the local bourse.

Peace the only option for Aceh

Peace the only option for Aceh Aguswandi, London Irresponsible statements from politicians in Jakarta is the last thing Acehnese need at this time, post-disaster. Yet this is what we hear from members of the House of Representatives in Jakarta, as they issue statements criticizing the peace talks in Helsinki. Tjahjo Kumolo, the chairman of Indonesian Democracy Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction, has described the negotiations as a waste of time.

700 students study amid flies

700 students study amid flies Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Students of Babakan state elementary school have put up with flies and the stench of garbage emanating from a dump positioned right outside their school for over two years now. Hundreds of residents of three villages around the 3.5 hectare dump in Cisauk, Tangerang regency say they are worried about the health risks of living near the dump.

Award for dirtiest city

Award for dirtiest city A few days ago I wrote about Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, as a prime candidate to receive an award for the dirtiest city in Eastern Indonesia. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono now has stated ( The Jakarta Post, June 7) that "A city with a dirty environment shows the inability of its leaders to manage their cities". Noise pollution, of course, should also be added as a major target for the "Dirtiest City Award".

Mas Kus, Website, ini yang dipakai

Mas Kus, Website, ini yang dipakai Visa snag holds up table tennis players' training Moch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post/Jakarta An eight-strong contingent of table tennis players, due to leave for training in Guangdong, China, on Wednesday, are biding their time until the issuance of their visas. "We have yet to receive the visas for China," overseas mission team manager Dedi Kurniawan Wikanto said on Wednesday.

Councillor complains of illegal fishing

Councillor complains of illegal fishing AMBON, Maluku: Golkar councillor Rahman Holle accused on Tuesday businesspeople from Java of illegally purchasing fish from Maluku, depriving the provincial government of needed revenue. The businesspeople buy the fish directly from boats out at sea, thus avoiding having to pay taxes to the provincial government, said Rahman. "The fish are then transported back to Java, especially East Java," he said.

Joint office urged for tsunami and quake prevention, handling

Joint office urged for tsunami and quake prevention, handling Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan Representatives of five countries hit by the tsunami disaster a few months ago recommended on Tuesday that the five countries establish a joint office that would function as an information, data and training center for tsunami prevention and handling.

Taiwan investing big in Indonesia

Taiwan investing big in Indonesia Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Putting all political differences aside, Taiwan -- like China -- is one of Indonesia's important economic partners. According to data from the Taiwan Economic and Trade Office (TETO) in Jakarta, two-way trade between Indonesia and Taiwan performed impressively last year, amounting to nearly US$6 billion in value, representing strong growth of almost 35 percent from 2003.

Herbal approach the road to inner and outer harmony

Herbal approach the road to inner and outer harmony People in Eastern countries have long believed that a balance between inner and outer harmony maintains physical and mental health. Indonesians have practiced traditional medicine and herbal remedies for centuries, as stated in many inscriptions and other historical artifacts.

Pertamina to start operating new 30,000-ton tanker

Pertamina to start operating new 30,000-ton tanker The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State oil and gas firm Pertamina has taken delivery of MT Fastron, the biggest tanker ever built locally with a capacity of 30,000 Long Tons Dead Weight (LTDW), which will strengthen its domestic fuel distribution fleet. The tanker was handed over by manufacturer PT PAL Indonesia to Pertamina in the East Java capital of Surabaya on Wednesday. The hand over ceremony was witnessed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Rain will end soon, BMG says

Rain will end soon, BMG says Damar Harsanto The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The heavy rain of the past two days has inconvenienced many Jakartans, especially motorists. The overnight downpour on Tuesday until Wednesday morning caused traffic jams across the capital. In some parts of the city, traffic congestion was caused by dozens of motorcyclists taking shelter under bridges and overpasses, while Jl.

BIN attacks team for revealing findings in Munir case

BIN attacks team for revealing findings in Munir case The Jakarta Post Jakarta As the end of its tenure nears, the fact-finding team probing the murder of top human rights activist Munir was dealt another blow on Wednesday when it was accused of exceeding the scope of its jurisdiction. State Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Maj. Gen.