Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 7 June 2005

68 articles found

Monitoring the lizards

Monitoring the lizards Komodo lizards may well have been the source for the myth of Chinese dragons. Ancient seafarers heard stories of these weird monsters even if seldom encountered. The first description was published following a 1910 Dutch expedition to the area which shot and skinned two beasts. Komodo dragons (known locally as ora) are monitor lizards and the largest left on earth.

PLN wants to raise power rates 12 percent

PLN wants to raise power rates 12 percent The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State utility company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) is seeking government approval to increase electricity rates by an average of 12 percent next year to help offset higher fuel costs, company executives say. During a hearing with lawmakers on Monday, Parno Isworo, PLN finance director, said the company wanted to increase power prices to Rp 659 (about 7 US cents) per kilowatt hour, from the current price of Rp 588.

Scientists worried by possibility of another huge Sumatra quake

Scientists worried by possibility of another huge Sumatra quake Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, The Jakarta Post, Padang The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) is worried about the possibility of another massive earthquake that could trigger a tsunami of the west coast of Sumatra, thus endangering the lives of the 800,000 inhabitants of Padang, West Sumatra.

RI can be a great country

RI can be a great country I refer to the account in The Jakarta Post on May 21 of the presidential address on the occasion of National Awakening Day, wherein he urged the Indonesian people to "feel proud of themselves and do the best they can for the country". He further urged them to "remain confident in themselves" and expressed his confidence that Indonesia will one day be a developed country.

Komodo dragon kingdom under threat

Komodo dragon kingdom under threat Duncan Graham, Contributor, Surabaya The few Australians who venture east of Kuta and enter Wallacea -- the Indonesian islands crunched between Kalimantan, New Guinea and Australia -- often find the terrain curiously familiar. The people, language, culture and lifestyle are all strikingly different but in many areas the landform, savannah and some of the wildlife are just like parts of Northern Australia.

Chief of Denpasar court receives suspicious letter

Chief of Denpasar court receives suspicious letter The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Bali police were investigating on Monday a letter that had a "bad odor" sent to the chief of the Denpasar court that recently convicted a young Australian woman to 20 years in prison on drug charges. The police probed the case after Denpasar District Court chief I Nengah Suriada reported that he had received a letter with a bad odor on Friday. "The letter with the bad odor that made me dizzy was found on Friday.

Local elections could expand Golkar's political power base

Local elections could expand Golkar's political power base Amy Chew, New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur Indonesia's largest political party, Golkar, looks set to further expand its power as the party enters the country's first- ever regional elections, which kicked off on June 1, as the contender widely tipped to win the most seats.

RI democratic

RI democratic consolidation From Bisnis Indonesia The deepening and expansion of democracy, or democratic consolidation, needs behavioral and institutional changes that reflect socioeconomic demands and democratic values in society. Studies of democratization have mentioned several factors contributing to such consolidation: the quality of civil society, the levels of consensus and nonconsensus among elite circles, the bureaucracy's capacity and effectiveness, and the rule of law.

Scavengers complain over dump closure

Scavengers complain over dump closure JAKARTA: More than 400 scavengers have lost their source of livelihood over the past three weeks after a temporary dump in Semper Timur, East Jakarta, was closed down by the members of the Betawi Brotherhood Forum (FBR). "The FBR members have guarded the dump and prevented garbage trucks from entering the site since May 9," Kasimin, one of the scavengers' coordinators, was quoted as saying by Tempointeraktif.com.

Kadin seeks stronger partnership with local administrations

Kadin seeks stronger partnership with local administrations Zakki P. Hakim and Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Hoping to take advantage of its increasing influence, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) wants to recruit more local businesspeople and strengthen public-private partnerships with local administrations.

1. Secure (1x42)

1. Secure (1x42) Police name new suspect in Tentena blasts 2. KPU (1x28) KPK to summon minister this week 3. Gempa (2x28) LIPI worried by possibility of another huge Sumatra quake 4. Box (2x18) Quake altered Nias' position 6. Busung (3x15) Minister blames local government for malnutrition

Arbitration as mechanism to resolve disputes

Arbitration as mechanism to resolve disputes Budiono Kusumohamidjojo, Jakarta "Fairness as justice" is in no way simply the reverse of "justice as fairness" being the theoretical principle embraced by the renowned American legal thinker John Rawls in 1971 in his A Theory of Justice and reconfirmed in 1990. The other way around, fairness as justice should be conceived as a practical implementation of Rawls' concept.

Minister blames local govts for malnutrition

Minister blames local govts for malnutrition Rendi A. Witular and ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Surabaya Regional autonomy is to blame for the recent high number of cases of malnutrition in some provinces, as local governments have failed to extend enough state funds to the poor, a minister said.

China's snack-food demand boosts palm oil sales

China's snack-food demand boosts palm oil sales Bloomberg, Jakarta/Beijing Malaysia's IOI Corp. and Indonesia's PT Astra Agro Lestari are selling more palm oil in China, the world's biggest consumer of the edible oil, as rising wages and growing city populations stoke demand for snacks and fast foods. Palm oil demand in China almost tripled between 2000 and 2004 to 3.71 million tons, U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows.

Correction to article

Correction to article Regarding my opinion piece titled Media, defamation and judicial review: Comparison with Australia published in The Jakarta Post on May 12, I would like to correct a small error in the article. Referring to the 13th paragraph of the article, not all of section 299 of the Industrial Relations Act 1988 was declared invalid. Only section 299(1)(d)(ii) of the Act was declared invalid. I stated that in the draft of the article.

Local loyalties raise concerns ahead of Sulawesi elections

Local loyalties raise concerns ahead of Sulawesi elections Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar The influence of royal lineage has been evident in the run up to direct regional elections, which are slated to be held in coming weeks in South Sulawesi province. While the campaign has not yet begun, many candidates running for mayor and regent are already trying to attract voters by stating that they are of noble blood.

BHP may invest US$300m in Indonesian coal mine

BHP may invest US$300m in Indonesian coal mine Bloomberg, Melbourne BHP Billiton, the world's biggest exporter of coking coal used by steelmaker, may spend US$300 million developing a new mine in Indonesia to help meet rising demand for the fuel through 2010, Merrill Lynch & Co. said. BHP Billiton plans to start mining at the Maruwai site in Kalimantan in 2008, producing 5 million tons of coking coal a year, Merrill analysts led by Vicky Binns said in a June 2 note.

The challenge of the new Indonesia

The challenge of the new Indonesia The alarm bells went off again this week. However, the shrill response to the terrorism scare at the Indonesian embassy in Canberra was not just more of the same old sniping across the bilateral divide. Since the fall of Indonesia's authoritarian leader Soeharto in 1998, Australia and Indonesia have been feeling around for a new footing.

Headings

Headings 1. ADIPURA Experts cold-shoulder Adipura award winners 2. KAYU -- 1x32 Schools to replace wood furniture 3. GRAFT -- 1x32 Peruri chiefs no-show on summons 4. SPEAK -- 1x30 'Recycling is good business'

Aboeprijadi Santoso

Aboeprijadi Santoso Helsinki 2. New -- Golkar may ride back on regional muscle 2 x 30 Local elections could expand Golkar's political power base Amy Chew New Straits Times

1. PLN2 -- Securing reliable electricity supply: The challenge of

1. PLN2 -- Securing reliable electricity supply: The challenge of project 1 x 38 Part 2 of 2 The challenge of financing power projects Hardiv H Situmeang Jakarta 2. Budi -- Arbotratopm: Fairness as justice 2 x 21 Arbitration as mechanism to resolve disputes Budiono Kusumohamidjojo Jakarta 3. Dyer -- The coming pandemic 2 x 21 Coping with the coming pandemic in poultry Gwynne Dyer London

Religious obligations

Religious obligations I would like to reply to the letter from Yani Prasatya published in The Jakarta Post on of June 1. If Yani Prasatya read my previous letter carefully, she will find that I have never claimed that my views are a proven science. I have always used the word "teach": Shalat (praying) teaches this and puasa (fasting) teaches that, and so on. If a teacher teaches his/her students something that is right but the students do not take it to heart, who is wrong?

'Recycling is good business'

'Recycling is good business' Think globally, act locally, environmentalists say. The proper handling of household waste, though often overlooked, could eventually save natural resources and reduce pollution. In observance of World Environment Day on June 5, The Jakarta Post asked residents about public awareness of the need to conserve natural resources and their thoughts on the importance of recycling. Vina Khairunisa, 21, is a student at the University of Indonesia.

Corby's sentence too severe

Corby's sentence too severe Surely, your chief editor (The Jakarta Post, May 30) is not suggesting that the lengthy prison sentence imposed on Schapelle Corby was determined, in part, by widespread Australian discontent about the fairness of her trial. Would you expect us to meekly bow our heads when innocence is sacrificed to demonstrate a political point? Were the situation reversed, Indonesians would have every cause to protest too.

Stock prices on the Jakatarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 6, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakatarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 6, 2005 ______________________________________________________________________________ Share Close Change Trading Volume ______________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,500 0 0 Adhi Karya 790 0 1,864,500 Adira Dinamika 2,300 200 1,000 AGIS Tbk 125 0 15,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 280 0 7,000 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,150 0 817,000 Alakasa Industrindo 165 0 0 Alfa...

Rupiah Rates June 6

Rupiah Rates June 6 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,624.51 6,867.20 7,282.62 7,209.05 Brunei dollar 1 6,049.33 5,447.56 5,778.07 5,718.74 Canadian dollar 1 8,077.57 7,274.48 7,715.36 7,636.60 Swiss franc 1 8,059.49 7,258.77 7,698.09 7,620.11 Danish krone 1 1,659.67 1,493.96 1,585.25 1,568.33 Euro 1 12,344.98 11,117.55 11,791.41 11,670.98 Poundsterling 1 18,295.20 16,473.84 17,474.82 17,293.91 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,295.51 1,166.92 1,237.42 1,225.00...

Experts blame urban problems for rising teen suicide rate

Experts blame urban problems for rising teen suicide rate Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With the glamor of life in the metropolis a constant attraction for the young and a source of frustration for those who cannot afford to enjoy it, the family of 17-year-old Yuni Anggraeni never expected that she would go that far. "She often told me how depressed she was when looking at her friends who could buy fancy dresses or shoes," auntie Icih Nuraisah recalled.

Helsinki talks essential for Aceh and Indonesia

Helsinki talks essential for Aceh and Indonesia Aboeprijadi Santoso, Helsinki The Helsinki peace talks on Aceh may have to find a way to respect the Acehnese right to their own political parties, which the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) apparently is asking for as a compromise for dropping its independence demands. If this key factor is not agreed upon, the talks may be in jeopardy.

Patrol boat heads to Malacca Strait

Patrol boat heads to Malacca Strait TOKYO: Japan sent an armed patrol vessel to the Malacca Strait on Monday as Tokyo steps up its cooperation in the fight against rampant piracy in the region. The 5,200-ton Yashima with a surveillance helicopter on board left Yokohama port southwest of Tokyo for Jakarta, where the two countries are to carry out a joint drill, a Japanese Coast Guard spokeswoman said.

New suspect named in Tentena blasts

New suspect named in Tentena blasts Ruslan Sangadji and Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Poso/Jakarta The police have named another suspect in connection with the deadly bombings in the Christian town of Tentena, Central Sulawesi, as an intelligence analysis has revealed that the perpetrators are graduates of a military-style training camp in Mindanao in the Philippines. National Police chief Gen.

Peruri chiefs no-show on summons

Peruri chiefs no-show on summons Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The president director and two directors of state banknote printing company Peruri, suspects in a Rp 2.3 billion (US$242 million) graft case, failed to show up at city police headquarters on Monday for questioning. Jakarta Police special crimes chief Sr. Comr. Syahrul Mamma said the police would issue second summonses on Tuesday. "According to the law, it is permissible that they did not respond to our first summons.

KPK to summon minister this week

KPK to summon minister this week The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has requested the President's permission to question Minister of Justice and Human Rights Hamid Awaluddin in relation to alleged corruption in the General Elections Commission (KPU). "We sent the letter to the president today," KPK investigator Adi Derian told the media on Monday.

Now in high demand, vocational schools suffer funding constraints

Now in high demand, vocational schools suffer funding constraints Vocational schools, high in demand but suffering funding constraints The Jakarta Post, Jakarta At a time when skilled workers are most needed, vocational schools, aiming to supply the professional market, find themselves favored by both students and businesses.

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.

RI farm sector needs Rp 77.7t in new investment

RI farm sector needs Rp 77.7t in new investment Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The country's agricultural sector needs fresh investment of up to Rp 77.7 trillion (US$8.11 billion) in the next five years for the sector to grow by just 3.58 percent -- up from this year's estimated 2.97 percent -- according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

*Chief of Denpasar court receives suspicious letter Page 2

*Chief of Denpasar court receives suspicious letter Page 2 *Scientists worried by another possible huge quake in Sumatra Page 4 *Why is Helsinki talk essential for Aceh and Indonesia? Page 6 *Precocious Nadal unlikely to be a one-Slam wonder Page 10 *PLN wants to raise power rates 12 percent Page 13 *Shares end up led by gains in Semen Gresik, Mandiri Page 14 *Komodo dragon kingdom under threat Page 17 *Offering hope, freedom for Indonesia's wildlife Page 18

Offering hope, freedom for RI wildlife

Offering hope, freedom for RI wildlife Maria Lisa K., Contributor, Jakarta Like all macaques that end up in Jakarta, this particular one had been taken as a baby from his mother in the jungles of Lampung, Sumatra, only to live out a solitary life neglected and finally abandoned by the owners in South Jakarta when it became too difficult to control.

TV Program: Wednesday, June 8, 2005

TV Program: Wednesday, June 8, 2005 TVRI .TB.30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon: Tabaluga 8:30 Music: Asik-asik 10:00 Talk Show: Showbiz 11:30 Cultural Program: Rona Daerah 12:00 p.m.

JP/13/G33

JP/13/G33 G-33 ministers to meet in Jakarta this weekend Zakki P. Hakim The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Ministers from the "Group of 33" developing countries will meet here over the weekend to reaffirm their commitment to fight for special and differential treatment for staple farm products at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The meeting would be a formal meeting to consolidate the G- 33's position and strategy ahead of the WTO ministerial meeting in December in Hong Kong.

Prayer in two languages

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

Fighting for fair threatment

Fighting for fair threatment ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya Loud cheering and expressions of gratitude to God were heard in the state administrative courtroom last Wednesday, the moment presiding judge Ibrahim accepted the suit filed by Wuri Handayani. Scores of people attending the hearing took turns to congratulate the woman in her wheelchair. "Thank you, thank you," Wuri said, her eyes welling up with tears.

City lifestyle triggers teenage suicide

City lifestyle triggers teenage suicide Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/Jakarta With the glamor of life in the metropolis a constant attraction for the young and a source of frustration for those who cannot afford to enjoy it, the family of 17-year-old Yuni Anggraeni never expected that she would go that far. "She often told me how depressed she was when looking at her friends who could buy fancy dresses or shoes," auntie Icih Nuraisah recalled.

Poll body chairman evades questioning

Poll body chairman evades questioning JAKARTA: The Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPU Jakarta) chairman Muhammad Taufik failed to show up for questioning at the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office on Monday. His lawyers sent a notice that the corruption suspect was being treated at Agung Hospital in Manggarai, South Jakarta, for liver problems and high blood pressure.

More monkey business

More monkey business ProAnimalia has implemented several successful programs, one of which was started in July 2004 in Kalimantan to save wild macaques that were being beaten to death or drowned in the river by locals who saw them as pests for raiding their crops. The actual call for help came from these same locals who were worried about the effects the killings were having on their children.

IFC provides $24m loan to Astra

IFC provides $24m loan to Astra JAKARTA: International Finance Corporation, the private-sector investment arm of the World Bank Group, signed an agreement on Monday to provide a US$24-million loan to PT Astra Otoparts to fund product and operational development. "The loan will support the development of a local Indonesian company and help it remain competitive in an increasingly open global marketplace," said Dimitris Tsitsiragos, director of IFC's Global Manufacturing and Services Department.

1. Pilkada (45) - 48 pts 3 cols 3lines (3x18)

1. Pilkada (45) - 48 pts 3 cols 3lines (3x18) Local loyalties raise concerns ahead of Sulawesi elections 2. Kadin (45) - 36 pts 4 cols 2lines (2x28) Kadin seeks stronger partnership with local administrations 3. Bali (40) - 36 pts 3 cols 2lines (2x21) Chief of Denpasar court receives suspicious letter 4. Vocational (45) - 4 cols 2lines (2x28) Now in high demand, vocational schools suffer funding constraints --- 5. Photos and oddworld

Scholarships for school students

Scholarships for school students JAKARTA: In a bid to ease the burden of students entering vocational schools, the Ministry of National Education plans to disburse scholarships to 180,000 students entering school this year.

Schools to replace wood furniture

Schools to replace wood furniture Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta On the heels of the observance of World Environment Day on Sunday, Governor Sutiyoso is recruiting city schools to the campaign to save forests by reducing the demand for wooden furniture. Sutiyoso said on Monday his administration would take part in the fight against illegal logging, which is rampant in the country.

Shares end up led by gains in Semen Gresik, Mandiri

Shares end up led by gains in Semen Gresik, Mandiri Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesian shares ended higher on Monday led by gains in cement maker Semen Gresik, which is expected to build a new plant as part of a sales drive, and a rebound in Bank Mandiri, dealers said. Firmer Asian markets also provided support. "Foreign investors continued to buy select blue chips that have solid fundamentals," said a trader with a foreign securities firm.

Aceh rebels warn TNI may wreck peace deal

Aceh rebels warn TNI may wreck peace deal Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Free Aceh Movement (GAM) warned the peace deal it was negotiating with the government could be undermined by the Indonesian Military (TNI), which the separatist group said had an interest in ensuring the armed conflict in the natural resources-rich province did not end. "Aceh is a source of income, a place to loot. The tsunami was a godsend for them because the foreign aid is a new source of loot.

Permata's rating raised by Moody's

Permata's rating raised by Moody's JAKARTA: PT Bank Permata, Indonesia's seventh- largest lender, had its bank financial strength rating raised by one level by Moody's Investors Service, which cited the reputation of the bank's shareholders. The Jakarta-based lender's financial strength rating was raised to E+, its fourth-lowest rating, from E, with a positive outlook, Moody's said today in an e-mailed statement.

Susilo wants public to shame dirty cities

Susilo wants public to shame dirty cities Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Cipanas, West Java President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono urged the public on Monday to become involved in the campaign to make their cities or towns clean by mocking governors, mayors and regents who fail to provide a decent environment.

Commerce sets out strategy to become regional bank

Commerce sets out strategy to become regional bank Eileen NG, Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia's second-largest banking group on Monday announced a major restructuring to consolidate its assets - including an Indonesian bank and a stockbroking firm in Singapore - as part of an ambitious plan to become a regional banking giant. The revamp of Commerce Asset-Holding Bhd. will create an enlarged group with assets of around 100 billion ringgit (US$26.3 billion).

1. GAM ------ 2x18

1. GAM ------ 2x18 Aceh rebels warn TNI may wreck peace deal 2. Kalpataru - 2x16 Susilo wants public to shame dirty cities 3. Munir ----- 2x18 Team fails to question Hendro over Munir case 4. Suicide --- 2x26 Experts blame urban problems for rising teen suicide rate

Regulations expected to curb discs piracy

Regulations expected to curb discs piracy The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government expects the recent enactment of a set of regulations on optical discs will enable it to significantly curb rampant piracy, which one estimate says accounts for about 90 percent of optical discs produced in the country. The Ministry of Industry's director general for agricultural, chemical and forestry products, Benny Wahyudi, said that Government Regulation No.

Overseas trips and homework

Overseas trips and homework Several legislators have been questioning the results of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's 12-day overseas trip that took him and the First Family to the United States, Vietnam and Japan until Friday. As we published in our Monday headline, Legislator Abdillah Toha from the National Mandate Party (PAN) faction specifically criticized the President for not being able to fully bring to an end United States' military sanctions against Indonesia.

Experts cold-shoulder Adipura award winners

Experts cold-shoulder Adipura award winners Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Central Jakarta and South Jakarta may have impressed the judges of the Adipura awards, being honored on Monday in the category of cleanest metropolis, but environmentalists were decidedly unimpressed. "I am really stunned by that ... I do not think they deserve an award because they are guilty of what I call the urban neglect of their residents," environmentalist Darrundono told The Jakarta Post.

Thousands protest poll violations

Thousands protest poll violations SAMARINDA: Thousands of people demonstrated on Monday in front of the office of the Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) in Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan, to protest violations of election rules in last week's polls. The demonstrators demanded that Panwaslu immediately investigate the cases and called for a delay in the inauguration of regent elect Syaukani HR and vice regent elect Samsuri Aspar.

Govt attempts to nurture stagnant high-tech industry

Govt attempts to nurture stagnant high-tech industry Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia is striving to become a supplier of telecommunication equipment and infrastructure within five years, with a blueprint currently being drafted that contains the necessary policies for developing the industry.

Earthquake altered Nias' position

Earthquake altered Nias' position The massive quake that hit Nias island on March 28 has altered its position. Based on a LIPI study, the island shifted 12 meters westwards, away from Sumatra, a few seconds after the quake. Telo island in the Batu islands moved 70 centimeters farther away from Sumatra.

Stop human exports

Stop human exports From Koran Tempo The news carried by Koran Tempo labeling Indonesia as the world's largest human exporter is interesting and surprising -- especially the quantity of this human traffic -- from 75,000 to 1 million citizens sent overseas a year, including women and children as the most vulnerable groups. This trade in humans has become a lucrative business for entrepreneurs.

Aussie lawmakers to visit Aceh

Aussie lawmakers to visit Aceh JAKARTA: A delegation of the Australian Parliament is scheduled to make a three-day visit to Indonesia from Monday to assess the use of Australian aid in tsunami-hit Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, among other things. The eight-member delegation, led by Bruce Billson, will meet with Australian aid workers in Aceh and the chairman of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Executing Agency for Aceh and Nias, Kuntoro Mangkusubroto.

Part 2 of 2: The challenge of financing power projects

Part 2 of 2: The challenge of financing power projects Hardiv H Situmeang, Jakarta Though project finance is not cheap, it remains the most promising mechanism for financing new generating capacity in Indonesia. Most of the IPPs developed during the 1990s relied on project finance. Yet the question remains as to why it is so difficult to attract project finance in the current environment.

Failure of NPT nuclear review conference

Failure of NPT nuclear review conference J. Soedjati Djiwandono, Jakarta The United Nations NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) Review Conference of 2005 was held on May 2-27. However, with Indonesia being so preoccupied with serious domestic problems the nation's media has barely covered this very important event that has far-reaching implications for the entire world. The conference closed without even a final document. This commentary will only touch on the main issues of this complex problem.

Stop human exports

Stop human exports From Koran Tempo The news carried by Koran Tempo labeling Indonesia as the world's largest human exporter is interesting and surprising -- especially the quantity of this human traffic -- from 75,000 to 1 million citizens sent overseas a year, including women and children as the most vulnerable groups. This trade in humans has become a lucrative business for entrepreneurs.

Corby's sentence too severe

Corby's sentence too severe Surely, your chief editor (The Jakarta Post, May 30) is not suggesting that the lengthy prison sentence imposed on Schapelle Corby was determined, in part, by widespread Australian discontent about the fairness of her trial. Would you expect us to meekly bow our heads when innocence is sacrificed to demonstrate a political point? Were the situation reversed, Indonesians would have every cause to protest too.

Ex-BIN chief snubs team investigating Munir case

Ex-BIN chief snubs team investigating Munir case Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With just two weeks left of its mandate, a government-sanctioned fact-finding team remains unable to speak with former National Intelligence Body (BIN) chief A.M. Hendropriyono over possible links between the body and the poisoning death of rights activist Munir last September.

Govt secures approval for key assistance funds

Govt secures approval for key assistance funds Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Previous concerns of a delay in the disbursement of the much needed assistance funds for low-income families have proved unfounded now that the House budget commission has agreed to the government's proposed 2005 state budget revision.