Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 1 July 2005

85 articles found

Governor seeks int'l support for project

Governor seeks int'l support for project JAKARTA: Governor Sutiyoso has offered Chinese businesspeople the opportunity to take part in the development of the Central Primary Tanah Abang market in Central Jakarta. As many as 35 businesspeople from China, accompanied by Indonesian businessman Tomy Winata, met with the governor at City Hall on Thursday.

'Adipura' awards

'Adipura' awards and expectations From Media Indonesia Central and South Jakarta municipal regions have received this year's national Adipura awards for clean and beautiful cities. This success should make Jakarta's citizens proud, particularly those in South Jakarta, which has been honored twice. Behind this success, however, Jakartans still have a lot of expectations. Notably, we have long yearned for a hygienic city environment, free from sources of disease.

RI remains

RI remains anti-foreigner This is a reply to your article Investors or retired people? published in The Jakarta Post on June 9. After reading the indignant reaction to a suggestion that Indonesia let elderly foreigners retire in Indonesia, I think there may be some short-sightedness when looking at issues concerning immigration, investment, etc. Clearly both threats and benefits exist and those may be different for different layers of society.

Govt won't increase fuel prices

Govt won't increase fuel prices Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The President has said the government will not increase domestic fuel prices this year even though the state budget may suffer from ballooning subsidy spending due to soaring global oil prices and rising domestic demand. President Susilo made his statement during an impromptu visit to state oil and gas firm Pertamina's fuel depot in Plumpang, North Jakarta, on Friday.

Haj fee to rice despite more efficiency

Haj fee to rice despite more efficiency Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Haj pilgrims will have to pay more in the upcoming haj season, even though the government has recorded Rp 525 billion (US$54.17 million) in unused haj funds from the last pilgrimage. Each pilgrim will have to pay between $2,600 and $2,800, depending on their places of residence during the one-month trip to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Last season, Indonesian pilgrims paid $60 less.

LUKMAN HAKIM

LUKMAN HAKIM Jakarta

40 years on, 'Kompas' sharper than ever

40 years on, 'Kompas' sharper than ever Readers of the nation's largest newspaper, Kompas, were introduced on June 28 to its new format. The daily's chief editor, Suryopratomo, spoke with The Jakarta Post's Ridwan Max Sijabat on the modernization of the 40-year-old newspaper. Question: Why did you alter the size and design of Kompas? Answer: Well, first of all, we decided to change the daily's format after many years of preliminary discussions and preparations.

Street vendors protest evictions

Street vendors protest evictions JAKARTA: Over 1,000 street vendors from across the city protested in front of City Hall on Thursday over a series of evictions. The demonstration caused serious traffic congestion as the vendors marched from Jl. Kramat Raya to Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan. Traffic backed up on Jl. Salemba Raya, Jl. Kebon Sirih, Jl. Thamrin and Jl. Budi Kemuliaan when the protesters marched from City Hall to the Presidential Palace.

Preference to white-skinned teachers

Preference to white-skinned teachers Muhammad Iqbal Jakarta The number of new schools that are being developed in the Greater Jakarta region is an indication of the growing number of options available to parents considering their children's education. However, it might also be an indication of the growing number of people that are entering into the world of education and, perhaps, their motives are not always solely philanthropic and selfless in nature.

Yacko, reflects on experience

Yacko, reflects on experience Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu, Sulawesi Tengah Another woman rapper has appeared on Indonesia's musical stage, as Denada, the country's foremost female rapper, has for some time moved away from this hip-hop music lane. The newcomer is Yacko Octaviani, more commonly known as simply Yacko. Born in Surabaya on Oct.

'I want to be a woman when I meet God'

'I want to be a woman when I meet God' Transvestites, transsexuals and other gender-benders have long been part of Indonesia's entertainment industry. Their ability to amuse and enchant often hides a great sadness. The Jakarta Post contributor Duncan Graham meets one tough, clever woman in East Java: If cruelty, rejection and hostility during childhood can determine attitudes in adult life then Lina Sutrisno has a thousand reasons to hate -- probably more.

PKS wins in low turnout Depok polls

PKS wins in low turnout Depok polls Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Muslim scholar Nur Mahmudi Ismail has been announced as the winner of the mayoral election in the fast-developing Depok. Depok General Elections Commission (KPUD) chairman Zulfadli said Nur Mahmudi, who was nominated by the Justice Party (PKS), won in five of six districts in Depok. The district of Sawangan was won by Golkar Party candidate Badrul Kamal. "We have finished counting the votes from all the districts.

Pertamina board survives, Cepu deal follow-up urged

Pertamina board survives, Cepu deal follow-up urged Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Top executives at the state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina are holding on to their seats, despite lingering reports of a shake- up in the firm's top brass to smooth the way for the Cepu block contract. At the firm's shareholders meeting on Thursday, president commissioner Martiono Hadianto confirmed that a reshuffle of the board of directors or performance appraisal was not on the agenda.

;JP;KDA;CD;

;JP;KDA;CD; ANPAa..r.. Surabaya-Market-Shopping JP/5/SHOP2 Surabaya: Shopping paradise (part II) Indra Harsaputra The Jakarta Post/Surabaya Surabaya, Blauran market, food market We arrived in a horsecart, coachman and horse Martabak, putu, mutton and chicken satay It was joyous walking at night The moon was bright in the rainy season My wife bought herself a new brassiere That was how Dutch poet Theodore Donsellar, who was born in Surabaya in 1945, portrayed Blauran market in a poem published...

3G has arrived in Malaysia; when is it Indonesia's turn?

3G has arrived in Malaysia; when is it Indonesia's turn? Zatni Arbi, Contributor, Singapore "My office is in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, and most of our customers and government offices are in Central Jakarta. If only I could use the traveling time to read and answer my e-mail or do some work on my notebook (computer)," a country manager of a world-leading telecommunications vendor for Indonesia, said recently. His Kuala Lumpur-based colleague immediately replied.

*Local media to face 'fierce competition' Page 2

*Local media to face 'fierce competition' Page 2 *House members to each get Rp 35m in take home pay Page 4 *Poso election goes ahead peacefully amid fears of conflict Page 5 *Revisiting the key concept of Muhammadiyah Page 7 *Drug abuse still prevalent despite war on drugs Page 9 *Israel gets tough with Gaza pullout protesters Page 11 *Govt to accelerate sale of unprofitable state firms Page 13 *Wastraprema displays Lampung cloth Page 19

The haunting of Semen Gresik

The haunting of Semen Gresik The government, as the controlling shareholder at publicly traded PT Semen Gresik (SG), Indonesia's largest cement group, should be commended for its determination to remove the significant uncertainties that have dogged SG and hindered its growth since 2002.

BNI to issue $300m in bonds soon

BNI to issue $300m in bonds soon JAKARTA: PT Bank Negara Indonesia, the country's third-largest lender, plans to issue as much as US$300 million of dollar- denominated bonds in the fourth quarter, after delaying the offering because of higher borrowing costs. The Jakarta-based lender plans to meet investors in Singapore, Hong Kong and Europe to gauge demand for the bond sale, Sigit Pramono, president director of Bank Negara Indonesia, said in an interview in Jakarta on Thursday.

Drug abuse starts from the home: Experts

Drug abuse starts from the home: Experts Social problems often reflect the sanity of a society, says humanistic philosopher and psychologist Erich Fromm. The more acute the social problems, the more the whole society is in dire need of cures. Psycho-social expert at the University of Indonesia (UI) Ratna Juwita attributes widespread drug abuse and drug trafficking to social failures. "We are witnessing a serious crisis in our community.

U.S. will attend ASEAN meeting

U.S. will attend ASEAN meeting USA: Either U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice or her deputy, Robert Zoellick, will attend next month's ASEAN meeting in Laos, but the State Department is not saying which one. Foreign ministry officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met briefly with Rice on Wednesday, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

You can help a drug user

You can help a drug user To treat a drug user in hospital or a rehabilitation center costs Rp 60 million a year, or Rp 5 million a month. A 2003 survey carried out by the University of Indonesia and the Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa (Love the Nation's Children Foundation, YCAB) showed 75 percent of Jakartans were aware of the risks of drug abuse, though most of them could not recognize the signs of drug addiction. Here are some tips taken from various sources, including an interview with Elsar D.A.

U.S. envoy questions govt's decision on beef import ban

U.S. envoy questions govt's decision on beef import ban The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The United States has questioned the government's decision to ban the import of U.S. beef and beef products after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed a second case of mad cow disease last week. U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Lynn B. Pascoe said at the presidential office on Thursday that he did not think the decision to impose the ban was rational it was made on the basis of just one scientific finding.

Students win 'wall magazine' prize

Students win 'wall magazine' prize The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Until his second year at state high school SMU 113 in Lubang Buaya, East Jakarta, Dion hardly paid any attention to what was on the school display wall placed beside the teachers' room. "It doesn't have an attractive layout ... It mostly just displays messages among students or, sometimes, posters of school events. Besides that, it is located near the teachers' office. Who wants to go there just to read?" the 15-year-old said.

'Anchor banks' criteria announced

'Anchor banks' criteria announced Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Stepping up its efforts to improve the country's banking industry through the Indonesian Banking Architecture (API), the central bank announced on Thursday its criteria for the so-called "anchor banks", which will act as the country's main consolidating banks.

JP/17/GOLF

JP/17/GOLF A golf tournament in a cultural carnival ID Nugroho The Jakarta Post/Surabaya The Majapahit Golf Challenge 2005 will be the first golf tournament ever that will be held simultaneously with a cultural carnival featuring traditional art performances from various cities in East Java. The two-day tournament will kick off on July 10 at Taman Dayu, a golf course measuring a total of some 72,000 square meters in Pandaan and will have up to 250 participants.

Ignorance and hostility a fatal combination

Ignorance and hostility a fatal combination Although often incorrectly labeled waria -- an acronym from wanita (woman) and pria (man) -- transsexuals are not necessarily homosexuals. Nor are they transvestites who are men with a phobia for cross-dressing. For true transsexuals the need to become totally male or female can be a life-and-death matter -- literally.

Fewer students have to sit repeats

Fewer students have to sit repeats Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Budi (not his real name) was chatting with neighbors when the postman arrived at his gate carrying a letter from SMK 32 vocational high school in South Jakarta, where Budi had studied food and beverage services for the past three years. "It was around 11 in the morning when I received the letter. I was shocked when I read it: 'You did not pass the national examination,'" he told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Students accept failure, hopes to repeat exams

Students accept failure, hopes to repeat exams The Jakarta Post, Surabaya, Yogyakarta/Aceh As her school friends cheer in happiness, Ninik quietly sobs. A student at a vocational school in Surabaya, she had has just learned that she failed to pass the national final examinations.

Australia completes move from to Asia

Australia completes move from to Asia Mike Collett, Reuters/Frankfurt, Germany FIFA's executive committee on Wednesday ratified Australia's migration from the Oceania confederation (OFC) to the Asian confederation (AFC), a move that will have a major impact on soccer in both regions.

Checked

Checked For SPOTLIGHT: SALES NETWORK: Best Western International (BWI), the world's largest hotel chain, holds a press conference luncheon on the expansion of its sales network in Southeast Asia. The conference, held at the Mercantile Athletic Club, Jakarta on June 28, appointed Abbey Travel Group as the exclusive GSA or General Sales Agent to cover the Indonesian, Malaysian and Singaporean markets.

TV Today: Saturday, July 2, 2005

TV Today: Saturday, July 2, 2005 TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon: Tabaluga 7:30 Religious Teachings 8:00 Talk Show: Hembing 10:30 Music 11:30 Oto Screen 1:00 p.m.

'Parents, children need more dialogue'

'Parents, children need more dialogue' In a recent survey of students by the Cinta Anak Bangsa Foundation, one in two respondents had a tolerant attitude toward pornography, while one in five had permissive views on drugs and violence. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their thoughts on the issue. Rudy, 40, owns a food outlet in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta.

Hendropriyono: I had nothing to do with Munir's death

Hendropriyono: I had nothing to do with Munir's death Retired four-star Army general Abdullah Makhmud Hendropriyono is likely to remain in the spotlight, as the government-sanctioned fact-finding team (TPF) has submitted its report to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on its investigation into the murder of human rights activist Munir.

Two die, dozens injured in train crash

Two die, dozens injured in train crash Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A passenger train rammed into another train in Rawa Bambu, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, early Thursday evening, killing at least two people and injuring dozens of others, three of whom are in a critical condition. A woman identified as Nuryani, 43, was killed on the spot, while an unidentified man died shortly after arriving at the Siaga Hospital in Pasar Minggu.

Gloria in trouble II

Gloria in trouble II Philippine Arroyo perhaps believed she was taking pro-active action. But in apologizing for a 'lapse in judgment' in talking to an election official last year and announcing that her husband was leaving the country to 'remove himself from any situation that will cast doubt on my presidency', she raised even more questions among her critics. Her husband, son and brother-in-law are accused of benefiting from illegal gambling, an allegation they deny.

RI's envoy submits credentials in Rome

RI's envoy submits credentials in Rome JAKARTA/ROME: Indonesia's new ambassador to Italy Susanto Sutoyo submitted his credentials to Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi in a simple ceremony at Quirinale Palace in Rome this week, the Antara news agency reported from the Italian capital. Italy's deputy foreign minister Margherita and director general for protocol and other senior officials attended the event.

Local media to face fierce competition: Observers

Local media to face fierce competition: Observers Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In line with global trends, the media industry in Indonesia has entered a new era of fierce competition, prompting print media to redesign their looks to survive and thrive. The recent redesigns undertaken by Koran Tempo and Kompas dailies were the latest examples, as the two papers responded to the competition between the electronic and print media.

Aru protesters disrupt vote count

Aru protesters disrupt vote count AMBON, Maluku: The vote count from the June 23 election in Aru Island regency was disrupted on Thursday when hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Aru Island General Elections Commission office. The protesters, upset over election process, prevented commission members from entering the office. Protesters accused the commission of backing certain candidates in the elections.

France to help build Aceh school

France to help build Aceh school JAKARTA: The French Ambassador to Indonesia Renaud Vignal has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of National Education's director general of elementary and junior high education, Indra Djati Sidi, to help build a vocational school in Aceh.

Poso election goes ahead peacefully amid fears of conflict

Poso election goes ahead peacefully amid fears of conflict Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Poso Balloting in the Central Sulawesi town of Poso proceeded peacefully on Thursday, with people shrugging off blasts that marred the preparations for the polls. Voting started at 7 a.m. and ended at 1 p.m., with residents packing some polling stations to cast their votes.

Sutanto interview open to public

Sutanto interview open to public JAKARTA: The screening process for Brig. Gen. Sutanto, the sole candidate for the post of National Police chief -- which is scheduled for Monday at the House of Representatives, will be open to the public, a lawmaker announced on Thursday. Patrialis Akbar from the National Mandate Party (PAN) faction said the decision had been agreed upon by House Commission III, which will hold the hearings.

House members to each get Rp 35m in take home pay

House members to each get Rp 35m in take home pay Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House secretariat has proposed awarding legislators generous increases in salaries and allowances, despite the generally poor performance of the lawmakers.

DI signs $80m deal with British firm

DI signs $80m deal with British firm JAKARTA: Indonesia's state aircraft manufacturer said on Thursday it had secured an US$80 million contract from prominent European defense firm British Aerospace Systems for the production of Airbus components. Under the contract signed in Jakarta late on Wednesday, Dirgantara Indonesia will produce components for the Airbus A320 and A340, company spokesman Rohendi told AFP.

1. DISCOURSE: 1 X 49

1. DISCOURSE: 1 X 49 Forty years on, 'Kompas' grows slimmer and sharper 2. PRESS: 2 X 20 Local media to face 'fierce competition' 3. DEPOK: 1 X 32 PKS wins in low turnout Depok polls 4. HAJI: 1 X 36 Haj fee to rise despite more efficiency

Cepu block settlement looks good, for the time being

Cepu block settlement looks good, for the time being Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Fresh investment. That is what comes to mind when a government- sanctioned negotiating team on the Cepu block revealed last week a deal had been reached with the U.S. energy giant ExxonMobile, ending a nagging dispute that had stalled the development of the oil-rich block since 2001.

Eni finds gas in Krueng Mane, wants 'incentives'

Eni finds gas in Krueng Mane, wants 'incentives' Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A local unit of Italian oil producer Eni SpA claims to have discovered estimated gas reserves of 200 billion cubic feet (bcf) in Natuna Sea, Riau Islands, and has asked for incentives to develop the field, a government official says.

U.S. questions beef import ban

U.S. questions beef import ban The Jakarta Post Jakarta The United States has questioned the government's decision to ban the import of U.S. beef and beef products after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed a second case of mad cow disease last week. U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Lynn B. Pascoe said at the presidential office on Thursday that he did not think the decision to impose the ban was rational it was made on the basis of just one scientific finding.

RI remains anti-foreigner

RI remains anti-foreigner This is a reply to your article Investors or retired people? published in The Jakarta Post on June 9. After reading the indignant reaction to a suggestion that Indonesia let elderly foreigners retire in Indonesia, I think there may be some short-sightedness when looking at issues concerning immigration, investment, etc. Clearly both threats and benefits exist and those may be different for different layers of society.

Da'i rues failure to catch terrorists

Da'i rues failure to catch terrorists Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar apologized on Thursday for his failure to capture the country's two top fugitive terrorist suspects as he bid farewell in advance of his replacement by Comr. Gen. Sutanto. The two fugitives, Azahari bin Husin and Noordin Mohd.

Banks shift to consumer credit

Banks shift to consumer credit The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Banks will concentrate more of their efforts on consumer lending, due to the huge growth potential and the increased scrutiny of corporate loans, according to top bankers. "For the next three years, consumer lending will continue to be the main driver of bank loans," said Bank Permata director Elvyn Masassya during a seminar here. Permata is the country's seventh largest lender in terms of volume.

Caution against liberal Islam

Caution against liberal Islam From Republika Muslims should be critical of the liberal thoughts now pervading our society, which is in fact experiencing a moral crisis so that clear thinking is sometimes hampered. Liberal Islam teaches religious tolerance, offering the inclusive theology of pluralism, with all religions having a universal truth. Politically, it rejects the application of sharia law and justifies secularism.

3 x 15

3 x 15 Revisiting the key concept of Muhammadiyah 2. China-- 2 x 21 All-out teamwork crucial to lift ASEM partnership 3. Cartoon

Revisiting the key concept of Muhammadiyah

Revisiting the key concept of Muhammadiyah Hilman Latief, Michigan In addition to leadership issues, the 45th Muhammadiyah Congress in Malang early next month will probably be enlivened by a debate about Muhammadiyah's concept of tajdid (rejuvenating or revitalizing Islam) and ijtihad (independent reasoning).

24 arrested in antiterror raids

24 arrested in antiterror raids Police have arrested 24 people over the last several days for their alleged involvement in the 2000 Bali bombings and the 2003 J.W. Marriott hotel blast in Jakarta. A source at the Central Java Police said the suspects were arrested in a series of raids by the National Police's antiterror squad as part of its investigation into the recent bombings at a market in Poso, Central Sulawesi, that killed 21 people.

Business welcome new Army base

Business welcome new Army base Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post Business people have welcomed the Army's decision to move one of its bases into the Jababeka industrial zone in Bekasi, West Java, but a noted expert cautioned that the military no longer has any authority in Indonesian civilian life. "We have to ensure that Jababeka is secure, and the presence of military personnel guarantees that.

Indonesia NPL reform to hit bank profits

Indonesia NPL reform to hit bank profits Phelim Kyne, Dow Jones/Jakarta Bank Indonesia is intensifying bank sector reform with stricter bad loan rules likely to take a sharp-but-temporary bite out of major corporate lender profits. The short-term pain will deliver long-term gain in the form of tighter loan classification standards aimed at improving the health of a sector still recovering from the impact of the 1997- 98 Asian financial crisis, central bank officials and analysts say.

Forty years on, 'Kompas' grows slimmer and sharper

Forty years on, 'Kompas' grows slimmer and sharper Readers of the nation's largest newspaper, Kompas, were introduced on June 28 to its new format. The daily's chief editor, Suryopratomo, spoke with The Jakarta Post's Ridwan Max Sijabat on the modernization of the 40-year-old newspaper. Question: Why did you alter the size and design of Kompas? Answer: Well, first of all, we decided to change the daily's format after many years of preliminary discussions and preparations.

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, July 1, 2005

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, July 1, 2005 Exhibitions * Digital Art, A Journey Through The Exotic East, by Tris Neddy Santo, Galeri Cipta 3 TIM Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jl Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta (Tel. 31937325), from July 2 to July 10 * Painting by Ivan Sagita at CP Artspace Jl. Suryopranoto 67 A, Central Jakarta (Tel. 3448126), until July 29 * Contemporary Arts Vague by Prilla Tania, Reza Afisina, Dadan Setiawan, Cecil Mariani, Dimas Nugroho, at CCF - French Cultural Center, Jl.

BI introduces new inflation scheme

BI introduces new inflation scheme The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In an attempt to better manage inflation in accordance with Indonesia's improved macroeconomic indicators, the central bank will implement a new, "forward-looking" inflation target scheme next month based on interest rates.

Settlement of Cepu looks good, for now

Settlement of Cepu looks good, for now Dadan Wijaksana The Jakarta Post Jakarta Fresh investment. That is what comes to mind when a government-sanctioned negotiating team on the Cepu block revealed last week a deal had been reached with the U.S. energy giant ExxonMobile, ending a nagging dispute that had stalled the development of the oil-rich block since 2001.

Legislators change stance on 1998-1999 shootings

Legislators change stance on 1998-1999 shootings Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Victims of the shootings of students during antigovernment protests in 1998 and 1999 were given solace on Thursday as lawmakers agreed to recommend the reopening of investigations into the incidents.

Drug abuse still prevalent despite war on drugs

Drug abuse still prevalent despite war on drugs Indonesia observed the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking on June 26. The Jakarta Post's Damar Harsanto examines drug abuse here and some ways to combat drug taking and trafficking. TV presenter Farhan once witnessed a friend buying drugs in an area in North Jakarta. "I was stunned. The drug dealer just called a boy on a bike, who seemed to be the dealer's neighbor, gave him money and told him to take the package.

Antam wants a piece of Freeport

Antam wants a piece of Freeport The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has officially requested state gold and nickel miner PT Antam to carry out a due diligence study on the possible acquisition of a 9.36 percent government stake in giant gold producer PT Freeport Indonesia. The publicly listed company would focus on the acquisition of the government's stake in Freeport rather than a stake of similar size held by PT Indocopper Investama, Antam said in an emailed statement.

'Bemo' drivers want to stay in business

'Bemo' drivers want to stay in business Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor "We demand that the Bogor administration cancel its plan to replace bemo with public minivans," said Oding Abdul Kadir, a driver of one of the small three-wheel public vehicles while waiting for passengers on Jl. Pasir Kuda Ciomas, Bogor. "We pay Rp 30,000 (US$3.10) a month in operational fees to officials," he told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Math, English put students to the test

Math, English put students to the test The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Mathematics, economics and English have been found to be the most difficult subjects for Indonesian students, despite Indonesia's apparent success recently in the international math and science Olympiad.

Andal joins BSA in bid to boost sales

Andal joins BSA in bid to boost sales The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Local software provider Andal Software has signed an agreement to join the Business Software Alliance (BSA) for Indonesia in a bid to boost sales, which have been affected by piracy.

Shopping down the ages in Surabaya

Shopping down the ages in Surabaya Indra Harsaputra The Jakarta Post/Surabaya Surabaya, Blauran market, food market We arrived in a horsecart, coachman and horse Martabak, putu, mutton and chicken satay It was joyous walking at night The moon was bright in the rainy season My wife bought herself a new brassiere That was how Dutch poet Theodore Donsellar, who was born in Surabaya in 1945, portrayed Blauran market in a poem published in De Indo Belanda magazine.

Government to accelerate sale of unprofitable, non-strategic state firms

Government to accelerate sale of unprofitable, non-strategic state firms Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is contemplating speeding up the sales of several unprofitable and burdensome state enterprises, a minister says, adding that the firms do not have any obligations to provide public services and are not strategic in any way. "We have too many state enterprises and most of them are not contributing any benefit to the state.

JP/5/SHOP1

JP/5/SHOP1 Surabaya long known as a shopping paradise Indra Harsaputra The Jakarta Post/Surabaya "Look ... cheap, but genuine silk from Saudi Arabia," shouted a cloth seller at the Ampel Market in Surabaya promoting his merchandise. However, a resident warned The Jakarta Post: "Don't be easily fooled into buying it." Not all silk cloth sold at the market is imported from the Middle East. But to convince buyers, most sellers claim their merchandise is from Saudi Arabia.

Governing via text messages

Governing via text messages Ong Hock Chuan, Jakarta We in Indonesia are so fortunate to have a President who embraces technology.

Govt promises not to evict people for profit

Govt promises not to evict people for profit Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Responding to a protest against a presidential regulation on land acquisition for public services, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered all governors not to use the regulation to evict people. Minister of Public Works Djoko Kirmanto said on Thursday the regulation was not intended to accommodate the interests of the private sector or individuals.

Police honor military chiefs

Police honor military chiefs JAKARTA: The National Police awarded the Bhayangkara Star, the highest honor in the force, to the three military chiefs of staff at the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta on Thursday. National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar presented the medals to Army chief Gen. Djoko Santoso, Navy chief Adm. Slamet Soebiyanto and Air Force chief Marshal Djoko Suyanto. Suyanto was unable to attend the ceremony because he is in Mecca on a minor haj pilgrimage.

Rupiah Rates June 30

Rupiah Rates June 30 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,798.65 7,034.13 7,454.26 7,378.46 Brunei dollar 1 6,062.93 5,465.71 5,795.19 5,733.27 Canadian dollar 1 8,307.98 7,488.42 7,941.10 7,854.99 Swiss franc 1 7,969.57 7,187.55 7,617.64 7,539.40 Danish krone 1 1,656.64 1,493.70 1,583.48 1,566.82 Euro 1 12,339.35 11,126.54 11,794.45 11,671.21 Poundsterling 1 18,450.81 16,637.76 17,636.03 17,452.22 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,314.09 1,185.38 1,256.06 1,243.41...

Temanggung regent tossed in slammer, to face graft trial

Temanggung regent tossed in slammer, to face graft trial Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Temanggung Officers from the Central Java provincial prosecutor's office detained Temanggung regent Totok Ary Prabowo on Thursday to pave the way for a speedy prosecution against him in a graft case. Even though the regent refused to sign the arrest warrant, the prosecutors nabbed him and took him directly to Temanggung penitentiary, where he will stay for at least 20 days.

Bosnia appoints new envoy to RI

Bosnia appoints new envoy to RI JAKARTA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono received credentials from Bosnia and Herzegovina's new ambassador to Indonesia Murat- Muhamed Ramadanovic at a simple ceremony held at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday. Ambassador Ramadanovic is a career diplomat as well as a respected sports figure in his country. Ramadanovic, who has a M.A.

Polish PM to visit RI to boost bilateral ties

Polish PM to visit RI to boost bilateral ties Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Poland's Prime Minister Marek Belka is scheduled to arrive in Jakarta on Friday to strengthen his country's 50-year relationship with Indonesia, the Polish Embassy in Jakarta said.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 30, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 30, 2005 ______________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume ______________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,390 -10 19,000 Adhi Karya 830 0 396,500 Adira Dinamika 2,475 250 205,000 AGIS Tbk 135 5 2,640,500 Akbar Indo Makmur 215 15 100,500 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,200 0 1,010,500 Alakasa Industrindo 165...

Buyat Bay residents get cold welcome

Buyat Bay residents get cold welcome Jongker Rumteh, The Jakarta Post, Buyat Some 66 families living in Buyat Bay decided to take their fate in their own hands, relocating from their homes in Ratatotok district, South Minahasa regency to a new location in Duminanga subdistrict in Bolaang Mangondow regency, some 130 kilometers away.

Farmers exchange snails for money

Farmers exchange snails for money JAMBI: Farmers in Sungaibaung village, Muarobulian district, Batanghari, are collecting snails from their rice fields and exchanging them for Rp 500 (less than 1 US cent) each from the Batanghari Agriculture Office. "That is a sort of compensation for farmers whose fields were attacked by snails," the office's coordinator of pest control, Suparjianto, said on Thursday.

Pertamina's management retained, Cepu deal followup urged

Pertamina's management retained, Cepu deal followup urged Leony Aurora The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Top executives at the state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina are holding on to their seats, despite lingering reports of a shake- up in the firm's top brass to smooth the way for the Cepu block contract. At the firm's shareholders meeting on Thursday, president commissioner Martiono Hadianto confirmed that a reshuffle of the board of directors or performance appraisal was not on the agenda.

S. Korean envoy submits credentials

S. Korean envoy submits credentials JAKARTA: South Korea's new ambassador to Indonesia Lee Sun-jin submitted his credentials to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Wednesday at the presidential palace. Ambassador Lee is an experienced and adept diplomat. Lee joined the South Korean foreign service in 1975 after receiving a degree in international relations from the prestigious Seoul National University.

Tiny notebook computer hopes to make big splash in RI

Tiny notebook computer hopes to make big splash in RI The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia's growing laptop market has prompted Italy-based computer manufacturer Holbe Dialogue Europe (HDE) to introduce its 8.9-inch display portable notebook, the smallest ever to enter the Indonesian domestic market, the company claimed.

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JP/19/CRAFT Crafting relationships in a Surabaya shipyard Duncan Graham, Contributor, Surabaya A famous French TV journalist has launched Indonesian wooden boat-building skills into Europe with the commissioning of a 16.5 meter sailing craft based on a traditional archipelago design. The keel of the unnamed 12-tonne boat coded K111 has been laid in the Mitra PAL shipyards in Tanjung Perak, Surabaya. The boat is expected to be ready for delivery early next year.

Wastraprema displays traditional Lampung cloth

Wastraprema displays traditional Lampung cloth Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta To commemorate its 29th anniversary, Wastraprema has organized a month-long exhibition of traditional Lampung cloth at the Textile Museum in Central Jakarta. Dozens of examples of imperial cloth, with intricate gold thread and metallic yarn embroidery, are on display.

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JP/ / INDONESIA FACES NEW TSUNAMI DANGER Disaster preparedness crucial to prevent another major catastrophe Trevor Page Jakarta We can't prevent natural phenomena like earthquakes or tsunamis. But we can reduce their effects through early-warning and disaster preparedness. Through better planning we can reduce the loss of life and the misery that always follows for the survivors of natural disasters.