Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 18 June 2005

80 articles found

Public told to conserve water

Public told to conserve water President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono refreshes himself with water from a well in Sumber village, Wonogiri, Central Java.The President urged the public on Friday to help conserve water in order to avoid shortages.

Russia offers aircraft

Russia offers aircraft JAMBI: A Russian aerospace company offered multipurpose aircraft to the Jambi government on Friday in order to help in the fight against forest fires.The BE-200 aircraft can carry 12 tons of water to be dropped on the fires, Jambi administration officials were told by...

Tunisia establishes consulate in Yogya

Tunisia establishes consulate in Yogya YOGYAKARTA: In a bid to improve the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and the Republic of Tunisia, an honorary consulate has been established in Yogyakarta, the first ever in the province.

17,000 infants suffer from malnutrition

17,000 infants suffer from malnutrition INDRAMAYU, West Java: Although known as one of Indonesia's rice bowls, Indramayu nevertheless has 17,847 malnourished infants.The infants are found in all 28 districts of the regency.

1. EXXON: 4 X 10

1. EXXON: 4 X 10 ExxonMobil may accept 13.5% share of revenue 2. DEPAG: 2 X 26 Said wants other ex-ministers summoned over haj graft 3. JAMSOSTEK: 1 X 27 New suspect named in Jamsostek case 4. SURVIVOR: 1 X 45 Syaiful Kamal: Survivor of three tsunamis

Syaiful Kamal: Survivor of three tsunamis

Syaiful Kamal: Survivor of three tsunamisHarry Bhaskara, The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh Ask anyone in Aceh about the tsunami, and the chances are you will get his or her personal account of it.One Aceh resident says that he gave his children five minutes to eat breakfast before they fled to safety.

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. In a recent The Jakarta Post's article (Foreign Teachers not Qualified, May 21), Alex Tubagus decried the use of English in National Plus Schools, asking,...

Corruption and regional elections

Corruption and regional electionsFrom KompasCorruption can be grouped into three categories: Corruption by design (done intentionally), corruption by accident (done unintentional), and corruption by need (out of urgent necessity). The first group deserves the most severe punishment.

Islamic Help, NU continue joint work

Islamic Help, NU continue joint work Delegates of British Muslim charity group Islamic Help visited Indonesia recently to continue their work with Nahdlatul Ulama rebuilding the tsunami-hit Aceh province.

Nurdin's acquittal leads to calls for court shake-up

Nurdin's acquittal leads to calls for court shake-upThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The acquittal of businessman and Golkar Party member Nurdin Halid by the South Jakarta District Court drew strong reactions on Friday, with anticorruption critics calling for a performance review and reshuffle of judges...

Clashes of new ASEAN and old Myanmar

Clashes of new ASEAN and old MyanmarU Ne Oo, Adelaide In recent months, there have been growing voices against Myanmar taking up her ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) chairmanship. As things stand, Myanmarese military junta will take up the chairmanship position of ASEAN, which rotates...

Poor campaign turnouts big headaches for candidates

Poor campaign turnouts big headaches for candidatesOyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung Candidates for mayor Sjachrazad Z.P. and deputy mayor Rudy Syawal were surely disappointed when 2,000 people turned up at their election rally last Friday, as they had earlier declared there would be...

Japanese ready to invest in Yogya

Japanese ready to invest in Yogya YOGYAKARTA: After seeing for themselves conditions in Yogyakarta, a group of 15 businesspeople from Japan expressed their commitment to invest in the province but declined to reveal the total value of the planned investment.

WTO rejects EU charges against Hynix

WTO rejects EU charges against HynixAgence France-Presse, Seoul Microchip giant Hynix Semiconductor has scored a partial victory in a battle with the European Union over tariffs imposed on exports by the South Korean company, officials said on Friday.

Corruption and regional elections

Corruption and regional electionsFrom KompasCorruption can be grouped into three categories: Corruption by design (done intentionally), corruption by accident (done unintentional), and corruption by need (out of urgent necessity). The first group deserves the most severe punishment.

Maritime and fisheries setbacks

Maritime and fisheries setbacksFrom RepublikaThe establishment of the ministry of sea exploration at the start of the reform period in 1999 offered new hopes for public welfare promotion, in view of the fact that Indonesia's sea area constitutes 70 percent of its total territory.

Govt to offer additional frequencies to 3G operators

Govt to offer additional frequencies to 3G operatorsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government plans to offer additional frequencies to companies that will operate cellular services based on advanced third generation (3G) technology if they can develop their businesses.

Exxon case close to settlement, Kalla says

Exxon case close to settlement, Kalla saysThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta U.S. energy giant ExxonMobil Corp. may accept the revenue sharing scheme proposed by the government and end its prolonged row with state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina in developing the oil-rich Cepu block, according to Vice...

Rp 30.6b allotted to curb malnutrition

Rp 30.6b allotted to curb malnutrition MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Chief welfare minister Alwi Shihab announced here on Thursday Rp 30.6 billion (US$3.22 million) has been allocated to fight malnutrition in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province.

Oil prices rise amid supply worries

Oil prices rise amid supply worries Agence France-Presse London World oil prices extended recent strong gains on Friday amid worries about the possibility of supply shortages later in the year. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in July, rose 21 U.S. cent to US$56.

BI seeks tame inflation, stable rupiah

BI seeks tame inflation, stable rupiahKaren Lane Dow Jones/Hong KongTighter central bank rules on foreign exchange trading unveiled by Indonesia recently are aimed primarily at stemming inflation and the weaker rupiah that is accompanying it, Miranda Swaray Goeltom, senior deputy governor of Bank...

Sigma puts on somber theatrical performance

Sigma puts on somber theatrical performanceArmando Siahaan, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A combination of absurdist choreography, gloomy music and a dark, simplistic setting produced a somber evening at Gedung Kesenian, Central Jakarta.

Policewoman helps convict flee

Policewoman helps convict fleeAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A policewoman with the Central Jakarta Police has been arrested for allegedly assisting in the escape of her boyfriend, a convicted murderer.City Police chief Insp. Gen.

Misconceptions abound about nature of bilingual education

Misconceptions abound about nature of bilingual educationJan Dormer, Malang, East Java Apparently, misconceptions abound as to the nature and purpose of bilingual education. In a recent The Jakarta Post's article (Foreign Teachers not Qualified, May 21), Alex Tubagus decried the use of English in...

Police meet Hendropriyono on Munir case

Police meet Hendropriyono on Munir caseTiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Police investigators have quietly questioned former National Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief A.M. Hendropriyono as a witness in connection with the poisoning of rights activist Munir.National Police chief Gen.

Jakarta shares up; Telkom gains on dividend hopes

Jakarta shares up; Telkom gains on dividend hopesDow Jones, Jakarta Jakarta shares ended higher on Friday led by further foreign buying in bellwether Telekomunikasi Indonesia amid hopes that the company will pay a higher 2004 dividend, dealers said.

Surabaya municipal government to regulate school fees

Surabaya municipal government to regulate school feesIndra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post/Surabaya With a tired face, Sayuti, 37, takes the thousands of rupiah in notes from a pawnshop employee after cashing in a small bracelet.

Poverty widepsread in East Kalimantan

Poverty widepsread in East KalimantanRusman, The Jakarta Post/Samarinda It was 4:30 in the morning and the sun was not yet shining, but 13-year-old Rizki Gunawan and his little sister Astari had to leave the warmth of their beds and head to the main intersection in Samarinda city, East Kalimantan...

[b]

Experts criticize light sentence for Adiguna 2. Bomb -- 2 x 24 Man arrested for role in Pamulang bombing 3.Nutrisi -- 1 x 32 City to provide food for poor children 4. Woman -- 1 x 27 Policewoman helps convict flee 5. Baby -- 2 x 27 Nia dies, gives her skin to her living twin sister

Aleksius Jemadu

Aleksius Jemadu Bandung2. Tejo -- Deadly starving in rice barn 2 x 30 Malnutrition caused by fundamental failure in food security policy Tejo Pramono Jakarta

NU empowers the neglected 'dayah'

NU empowers the neglected 'dayah' 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.

U.S., UK closes Lagos consulates

U.S., UK closes Lagos consulates NIGERIA: The consular offices and diplomatic services of the United States and Britain in Lagos, Nigeria's economic capital, were temporarily shut on Friday for security reasons, British diplomatic personnel said.

Law against human trafficking 'urgent'

Law against human trafficking 'urgent'The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives is being urged to immediately deliberate on the much-waited bill against human trafficking, a serious problem in the country, which mostly affects women and children.

Rehabilitation of Aceh and Nias

Rehabilitation of Aceh and Nias Public support for the reconstruction effort in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam is vital. The task ahead of us is monumental and urgent. To see the devastation first hand is to be moved beyond compassion. The people of Aceh and Nias continue to suffer.

1. Traffic (1x32)

1. Traffic (1x32) Law against human trafficking 'urgent' 2. Fuel (2x26) Poor students to get free education: Official 3. WWF (2x27) Trade in orangutans from RI rife: Int'l conservation group

Studying abroad has special meaning

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.

Progressive Islam remains immature: Scholar

Progressive Islam remains immature: ScholarHera Diani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Islamic progressive movements need to drop their superficial, segregated attitudes and instead put their energy into pluralism, equality and democracy, according to one Muslim scholar.

Sugiharto opens SMS center for reports on graft at SOEs

Sugiharto opens SMS center for reports on graft at SOEs A week after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono gave out his number to enable the public submit their concerns, State Minister of State Enterprises Sugiharto followed suit on Friday by announcing his number -- 0813-1857-7202 -- to get reports...

~Be a Super Shopper in Hong Kong!

~Be a Super Shopper in Hong Kong! Are you gutsy, determined, focused and willing to give your all to prove that shopping genuinely runs in your blood? Do you have what it takes to be the Indonesian representative to the Hong Kong Shopper of the Year contest , organized by Hong Kong Tourism Board?...

All-woman wayang gives amusement

All-woman wayang gives amusementEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta For a traditional art form that is often accused of being on its last legs, a performance by Wayang Orang Putri Kunti Nalibroto (WOPKN) was surprisingly well received.

Said wants other ex-ministers summoned over haj graft

Said wants other ex-ministers summoned over haj graftEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta In an apparent move to shift the blame, former religious affairs minister Said Agil Hussein Al-Munawar, who has been named a suspect in a haj fund scandal, demanded that his two predecessors also be...

Deadly starving in rice barn

Deadly starving in rice barn Tejo Pramono Jakarta The child malnutrition outbreak has now spread from West Nusa Tenggara, to West Sumatra, Lampung and now South East Sulawesi Provinces. It is ironic, as these provinces have long been known as rice self-sufficient areas.

'We have our share of malnutrition cases'

'We have our share of malnutrition cases' Non-governmental organizations have pointed out that the government's poverty eradication program is not sustainable, a condition believed to be contributing to the high number of malnutrition cases in the country.

Busway monopoly

Busway monopolyFrom KompasThe plan to add more busway lanes to the existing ones in Jakarta should be greeted with ambivalence. On one hand, busway services offer comfort to some groups of citizens while on the other, the service will potentially increase traffic congestion.

New audit system sought to eliminate 'tactical funds'

New audit system sought to eliminate 'tactical funds'Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A review of the audit systems in this country are necessary to eliminate the raising and usage of slush funds, which have become a common practice in the bureaucracy, experts say.

Man arrested for role in Pamulang bombing

Man arrested for role in Pamulang bombingAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta A man identified as Ucok was arrested last Wednesday by city police for his alleged role in a bombing outside the house of Muslim cleric Abu Jibril on June 8, police said on Friday.City police chief Insp. Gen.

Madura batik tells tale of barren land

Madura batik tells tale of barren landEvi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta While their menfolk were at sea, Madurese women made batik at home; this is the familiar story about Madurese batik.While the seamen braved the waves of the Java sea, the women let their minds accompany their husband and...

City to provide food for poor children

City to provide food for poor childrenBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso announced on Friday that his administration would provide additional food for children from poor families in the city.

City considering motorcycle lanes

City considering motorcycle lanes JAKARTA: Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso says his administration will study the possibility of establishing special lanes for motorbikes in the capital."There are several roads where special motorcycle lanes could be established," Sutiyoso said on Thursday at his offices.

The dark side of Jakarta

The dark side of Jakarta Does a dead body need money? Surely not. The relatives of the deceased usually made do for the burial. It is, then, a serious matter if a father has no money for the funeral of his child.

Central bank seeks tame inflation and stable rupiah

Central bank seeks tame inflation and stable rupiahKaren Lane, Dow Jones/Hong Kong Tighter central bank rules on foreign exchange trading unveiled by Indonesia recently are aimed primarily at stemming inflation and the weaker rupiah that is accompanying it, Miranda Swaray Goeltom, senior deputy...

Local autonomy, local benefits

Local autonomy, local benefits JP/6/EDIT20Autonomous benefits There is some good news regarding Indonesia's decentralization program, which was launched with a big bang in 2001 when the country was still reeling from the severe 1998 political and economic crisis.

Greenpeace to hold conference in Aceh

Greenpeace to hold conference in Aceh JAKARTA: Greenpeace, along with other international and national aid and environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs), plans to organize a conference on "Good environmental practices for reconstruction in tsunami and earthquake affected areas.

New suspect named in Jamsostek case

New suspect named in Jamsostek caseEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Former director of state-owned insurance firm PT Jamsostek was named as a suspect on Friday following an investigation into alleged graft inflicting more than Rp 250 billion (US$26.

Athletes sweat it out in sweltering Sidoarjo

Athletes sweat it out in sweltering Sidoarjo Athletes preparing for Saturday's Asian Grand Prix in Sidoarjo, East Java, are finding the local hot weather -- with a drenching humidity factor of 97 percent -- not to their liking.

Indomobil exercises Nissan share option, allocates $8.3 million

Indomobil exercises Nissan share option, allocates $8.3 millionThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta PT Indomobil Sukses International, the country's third largest automobile distributor, will exercise its option to buy back shares in PT Nissan Motor Indonesia (NMI).

Islamic Help UK provides assistance in Aceh

Islamic Help UK 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...

Jakarta Great Sale kicks off

Jakarta Great Sale kicks off JAKARTA: To mark Jakarta's official 478th anniversary, the Jakarta Great Sale 2005, formerly known as the Jakarta Discount Extravaganza, is set to kick off on Saturday.The event, jointly organized by the Jakarta Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Jakarta Tourism...

*Calls for S. Jakarta court review Page 2

*Calls for S. Jakarta court review Page 2 *Police question Hendropriyono over Munir's death Page 4 *Poverty widespread in resource-rich E. Kalimantan Page 5 *Indonesia needs to support access to knowledge treaty Page 6 *Experts criticize Adiguna's light sentence Page 8 *Sunita puts her past behind...

'Ketoprak' community strives to regain past glories

'Ketoprak' community strives to regain past gloriesSlamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta The sounds of the kenthongan (a traditional drum made of bamboo or wood) being played in specific, rhythmic patterns were heard almost every evening across Bantul regency quite recently.

CNOOC on verge of making counterbid for Unocal

CNOOC on verge of making counterbid for UnocalAgence France-Presse, Beijing China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) is on the verge of making a counterbid in an attempt to beat ChevronTexaco Corp's US$16 billion takeover offer for US oil major Unocal, reports said on Friday.

Auto parts makers eye RI: Govt

Auto parts makers eye RI: GovtThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia's promising automotive sales outlook along with the country's positive economic growth and current stable political environment have persuaded some Japanese automotive manufacturers to commit themselves to setting up component plants...

Marasmus found in Jakarta

Marasmus found in JakartaThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Looking pale, Rahmatulloh, a two-and-a-half-year old boy who is afflicted with marasmus, or extreme malnutrition lies helplessly in his hospital bed at the Koja public hospital in North Jakarta.

'Becak' drivers entertain themselves in 'ketoprak' group

'Becak' drivers entertain themselves in 'ketoprak' groupSlamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta A group of becak (pedicab) drivers here have a unique way of entertaining themselves. Realizing that they could not afford to enjoy the existing entertainment spots, they formed their own group of...

Rupiah Rates June 17

Rupiah Rates June 17 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,822.58 7,049.06 7,473.36 7,398.23 Brunei dollar 1 6,053.09 5,453.62 5,782.87 5,723.76 Canadian dollar 1 8,187.77 7,376.12 7,822.25 7,741.49 Swiss franc 1 7,960.53 7,172.61 7,605.16 7,527.

Indonesia needs to support access to knowledge treaty

Indonesia needs to support access to knowledge treatyMohamad Mova Al Afghani, Jakarta In 1997, South Africa imported patented drugs sold in a third country and passed a law endorsing the importation of medicine being sold in another nation's market with the consent of the patent owner.

Marasmus boy lives with single parent

Marasmus boy lives with single parentThe Jakarta Post Jakarta Looking pale, Rahmatulloh, a two-and-a-half-year old boy who is afflicted with marasmus, or extreme malnutrition lies helplessly in his hospital bed at the Koja public hospital in North Jakarta.

Experts criticize light sentence for Adiguna Sutowo

Experts criticize light sentence for Adiguna SutowoAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta The seven-year sentence handed down on Thursday to murderer Adiguna Sutowo is too lenient and will not deter others from criminal acts, experts say.

Nia dies, gives her skin to her living twin sister

Nia dies, gives her skin to her living twin sisterThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Nia died on Friday, seven days after doctors at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta surgically separated her from her twin sister, Mia.Meanwhile, Mia is still in a critical condition.

Maritime and fisheries setbacks

Maritime and fisheries setbacksFrom RepublikaThe establishment of the ministry of sea exploration at the start of the reform period in 1999 offered new hopes for public welfare promotion, in view of the fact that Indonesia's sea area constitutes 70 percent of its total territory.

JP/ /

JP/ /The Philippines: A Reality CheckJamil Maidan Flores Jakarta On the eve of the observance of the 107th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence, there seems to be little to celebrate, if you go by all the bad news bannered by the newspapers and blared by the other media.

SMS reports inefficient

SMS reports inefficientFrom Media IndonesiaThe news that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has opened a 24-hour cellphone service for SMSs indicates his great attention to the public interest and deserves praise.

OIC countries move to boost trade

OIC countries move to boost tradeAgence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) will launch a preferential trading system that will cut tariffs in order to boost trade, a Malaysian minister reportedly said on Friday.

UNFPA to fund Aceh, Nias census

UNFPA to fund Aceh, Nias census JAKARTA: In a bid to get accurate post-tsunami demographic data, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Friday announced US$2.4 million in funding support for the government of Indonesia to conduct a census in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, including the island of...

Life returns slowly to Aceh[b]

Life returns slowly to Aceh Earthquakes still shake Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam six months after the Dec. 26 tsunami. Banda Aceh residents say the city is jolted every two or three days, mostly by minor quakes. An unusually large one occurred on Sunday June 5.

Poor students to get free education, says official

Poor students to get free education, says officialThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Elementary and junior high school students from poor families will be entitled to completely free education starting this academic year, while others will have their burgeoning school fees reduced, after the government...

Govt to upgrade status of hospitals

Govt to upgrade status of hospitals JAKARTA: The government will upgrade the status of its nonprofit social service agencies into public service enterprises this year, starting with 13 state hospitals, the finance ministry announced on Friday.

Trade in orangutans from RI rife: Int'l Conservation group

Trade in orangutans from RI rife: Int'l Conservation groupThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The populations of endangered orangutans and gibbons in Indonesia are being seriously threatened by the widespread illegal trade of the animals, a wildlife conservation group says.

~ASEAN must stiffen its resolve on Burma

~ASEAN must stiffen its resolve on BurmaYangon has for too long been allowed to take advantage of the wobbles that have plagued the grouping's approach to engagement Until Myanmar's military junta decides one way or another whether it intends to retain the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2006, the wobbly...

Myanmar in hot water as Suu Kyi's birthday nears

Myanmar in hot water as Suu Kyi's birthday nearsAgencies, United Nations/Kuala Lumpur/Brussels Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi should be out promoting democracy and not under house arrest when she celebrates her 60th birthday this Sunday, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Thursday.