Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 21 July 2005

84 articles found

HK lab confirms bird flu deaths

HK lab confirms bird flu deathsMuninggar Sri Saraswati and Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government confirmed on Wednesday the first fatal victims of bird flu in the country as tests on a man and his two children who died this month showed they had the virus.

Susilo orders troops in Aceh to back off

Susilo orders troops in Aceh to back offRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered the Indonesian Military (TNI) to stop its offensive against Aceh rebels in a bid to facilitate the signing of peace deal scheduled for Aug. 15 in Jakarta.

Marking traditional loyalties

Marking traditional loyaltiesI Wayan Juniartha, Denpasar, BaliHundreds of Balinese women walked solemnly along the waterline in a long procession.Their traditional white and yellow garments created a stunning panorama against the natural backdrop of the deep blue ocean and sky.

Sub-par athletes may get the axe

Sub-par athletes may get the axeMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Local track and field athletes vying to make the national team for the 2005 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games face dismissal from the national training program if they lose at the upcoming national championships, according to...

'Paralysis gone thanks to tsunami'

'Paralysis gone thanks to tsunami' Nani Afrida The Jakarta Post Banda Aceh Sixteen-year-old Farida is a pretty girl with bluish-brown eyes. She comes from Lamno district, Aceh Jaya, an area populated by Acehnese with Portuguese blood.

Cell phone market continues rapid growth

Cell phone market continues rapid growthThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Indonesian Cellular Telecommunications Association (ATSI) is optimistic that the market penetration of cellular phones in Indonesia next year will reach a level equivalent to 40 percent of the population.

Banks acquired for good

Banks acquired for good Many will see foreign investors' preliminary agreements to acquire a controlling ownership in Bank Buana and Bank Lippo as more strong evidence of an improving economic outlook. Other more narrow-minded nationalists, meanwhile, may instead express concern that Singaporean...

PTPN eyes Canadian tea market

PTPN eyes Canadian tea marketWahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, BaliState-owned plantation firm PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) VIII would like to expand its exports to Canada, where demand for the commodity is increasing.

Japan backs Australian, NZ and Indian bids for summit

Japan backs Australian, NZ and Indian bids for summitAgence France-Presse, SingaporeJapan said in Singapore on Tuesday it supports bids by Australia, New Zealand and India to join an inaugural East Asia Summit in Malaysia later this year, as well as possible observer status by the United States.

Strong quake hits Manado city

Strong quake hits Manado cityMANADO, North Sulawesi: A moderate earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale shook Manado city on Tuesday morning, but no fatalities were reported. The quake's epicenter was located in the Maluku Sea, some 200 kilometers southeast of Manado.

Food security policies need reevaluation

Food security policies need reevaluationUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIn a bid to provide wider public access to food supplies as well as to prevent malnutrition cases from reoccurring, the government needs to thoroughly reevaluate its current food security policies.

Power consumption declines on energy saving drive

Power consumption declines on energy saving driveRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government said on Wednesday that peak-time power consumption had declined by more than half after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono issued a presidential instruction on energy conservation last week.

7 more bodies found in Papua sinking

7 more bodies found in Papua sinking JAYAPURA, Papua: Residents and a search and rescue team found seven more bodies in the sea on Tuesday, bringing the number of discovered after the Boven Digoel ship accident to 74.

Govt to sign railway deal with Sam-An

Govt to sign railway deal with Sam-AnRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government will sign a US$270 million investment deal with South Korean engineering company Sam-An Corp. next month to help modernize the railway system in Greater Jakarta.

Threat of terrorist attacks is not limited to far South

Threat of terrorist attacks is not limited to far South JP/7/NATIONThreat of terrorist attacks is not limited to far SouthPavin Chachavalpongpun The Nation Asia News Network/Bangkok Right after my visit to London last year, I wrote an article that emphasized how the British government effectively...

JP/2/heads

JP/2/heads July 21, 2005 1. AHMADIYAH: 3 X 18 Government mulls ban on Ahmadiyah due to 'permit violation' The government is considering a ban against Ahmadiyah as an organization in the country, saying it has sparked public disorder.

Privatization, clear rules key to getting railway on track

Privatization, clear rules key to getting railway on trackAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaDue to the huge investment needed to build or upgrade railways and improve train services, experts have urged the government to speed up the involvement of the private sector in the railway business and...

Singapore F-Cell test evaluation produces positive results

Singapore F-Cell test evaluation produces positive resultsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta One year since the practical fleet-testing program for fuel- cell (F-Cell) cars has hit Singapore roads, evaluation results show that such vehicles are feasible in the future.

Death sentence for servants

Death sentence for servantsFrom RepublikaAn Indonesian migrant worker, Rohana, could face the death penalty for allegedly killing her employer in Singapore, according to a report on July 4. In March 2004, two other domestic servants, Juminem and Siti Aminah, were also charged with murder in that...

Five rebels killed as peace deal reaches

Five rebels killed as peace deal reachesIndonesian soldiers shot dead five rebels in Aceh province at the weekend as a new peace deal was agreed between the government and separatist leaders, a report said on Tuesday.

Mariana, an Aceh orphan hopeful about future

Mariana, an Aceh orphan hopeful about future Annastashya Emmanuelle Contributor Jakarta Left orphaned by the tsunami is not the end of the world. There is more to life than just grief, an Aceh orphan believes.

NTT plagued with malnutrition

NTT plagued with malnutritionThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe malnutrition problem in West and East Nusa Tenggara that has been widely reported in the media recently is comparable to Pandora's Box. When the story was reported, it was quickly followed by similar revelations in other areas nationwide.

Road barriers outside Oz embassy to stay

Road barriers outside Oz embassy to stayAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Attention motorists: Traffic jams caused by the road barriers in front of the Australian Embassy on Jl. Rasuna Said, Kuningan, South Jakarta will probably continue for the next few months.

Astro hopes to start Indonesia service

Astro hopes to start Indonesia service KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Astro cable television service said on Wednesday it expected to start operations in Indonesia with a local partner by the end of this year.

Details to be ironed out for Aceh peace agreement

Details to be ironed out for Aceh peace agreementHaris Azhar, Jakarta The peace deal between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) deserves a positive response because its main agenda is to restore the lost peace in Aceh, a region that has undergone many phases of violence...

Earthquake damages nine buildings

Earthquake damages nine buildingsKUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Nine buildings were damaged during a moderate earthquake in Kualin and Kuanfatu districts in South Central Timor regency here on Monday morning.

Gani defends failure in wiping out gambling

Gani defends failure in wiping out gamblingAbdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/JakartaCity police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani on Wednesday defended the police's failure to eradicate gambling here, arguing that a weak legal system had prevented city police from arresting suspected gambling bosses.

Locusts invade Cirebon regencies

Locusts invade Cirebon regenciesNana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon At least 1,700 hectares of rice fields in four regencies in Cirebon have been severely damaged by locust swarms and farmers fear the insect menace left uncontrolled could threaten the region's entire harvest.

Unocal takes Chevron bid, snubs China's CNOOC

Unocal takes Chevron bid, snubs China's CNOOCAgence France-Presse, Los Angeles/BeijingU.S. oil firm Unocal said on Wednesday it had accepted an improved takeover bid by Chevron of US$17.1 billion, snubbing a higher but politically controversial bid from China's state-owned CNOOC.

TNI to withdraw outside troops from Maluku as security improves

TNI to withdraw outside troops from Maluku as security improvesRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAs security situation has gradually improved, the government is planning to withdraw some 3,000 non-organic troops from conflict- torn Maluku next year, but maintain other 1,650 of non-organic...

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...

The need for understanding Papua's history, grievances

The need for understanding Papua's history, grievancesCarmel Budiardjo, London It has been asserted in your columns this week (Local Elections and Papuan Politics, July 11, 2005) that because the majority of West Papuans participated in general elections in 2004, they were therefore participating...

Teater Mandiri presents gloomy viev of Motherland

Teater Mandiri presents gloomy viev of MotherlandM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The theater company of prominent playwright Putu Wijaya, Teater Mandiri, is known for promoting performance art as a tontonan (spectacle) -- a genre that gives primacy to visual forms that often shun...

'Bad traffic makes us unreliable'

'Bad traffic makes us unreliable'The government has appealed to the public to cut back fuel consumption in order to save energy. It has also reduced lighting along the city's thoroughfares and in parks. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their reaction to the campaign.

To be combined with a story on Aceh children

To be combined with a story on Aceh children Meanwhile, the chairman of the National Commission for Child Protection, Seto Mulyadi, emphasized the importance of adopting effective approaches for handling traumatized children to allow them to have fun and be happy.

Intro:

Intro: This special page is in observance of National Children's Day, which is commemorated on July 23 each year. This page takes a look at how children in Aceh are doing following the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami that devastated much of the province, leaving many children homeless, orphaned or...

Jamsostek enjoys Rp 8t windfall profit

Jamsostek enjoys Rp 8t windfall profitRidwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, JakartaMinister of Manpower and Transmigration Fahmi Idris has asked state insurance company PT Jamsostek to pay back part of the funds collected under health care, life insurance and occupational accident benefit programs,...

Aburizal, Hatta oppose VAT for ports

Aburizal, Hatta oppose VAT for portsRendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government will review a recently issued regulation that allows a value-added tax (VAT) to be imposed on regional ports doing transactions with global shipping firms, following protests from the international...

We're no longer safe after Ahmadiyah attack: Followers

We're no longer safe after Ahmadiyah attack: FollowersYuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung"Love for all, hatred for none." It was this simple verse that attracted Ahmad Bakir, 69, to become a devotee of the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI) when he was young.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 20, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 20, 2005 ____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume _____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo...

Govt preparing decree on Poso

Govt preparing decree on Poso JAKARTA: The government is preparing a draft decree to upgrade security in the Central Sulawesi town of Poso, where terror attacks and sectarian conflict have taken place in recent years.Minister of Home Affairs M.

ExxonMobil, Pertamina from Cepu joint venture

ExxonMobil, Pertamina from Cepu joint ventureLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe production sharing contract (PSC) to develop the oil-rich Cepu block will be signed by the government and a joint venture composed of subsidiaries of U.S.

BenQ to tap RI's cellular phone market

BenQ to tap RI's cellular phone marketThe Jakarta Post, JakartaExpecting to tap the growing cellular phone market in Indonesia, BenQ, a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer, launched on Wednesday its cellular products here."We believe there is a big potential market here.

JP/18/BRIEFS

JP/18/BRIEFSMaya Resort & Spa, a favorite for Aussie couplesMaya Ubud Resort & Spa grabbed the Gold Category Award in the Best Resort Spa Overseas and Silver Category Award in Best Hotel/Resort in Southeast Asia based on Holidays for Couples Magazine Readers' Choice Awards 2005.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, July 21, 2005

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, July 21, 2005 .TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions* The New Video and The New Paintings by Filippo Sciascia, at at Gaya Gallery Jl. Raya Sayan, Ubud (Tel. 0361 979252 or 979253, www.filipposciascia.it), until Aug. 16.

Ford launches Focus, targeting sedan market

Ford launches Focus, targeting sedan marketThe Jakarta Post, JakartaAfter concentrating on marketing sports utility vehicles (SUVs) over the past five years, PT Ford Motor Indonesia (FMI) is targeting the sedan segment by launching the all-new Ford Focus.

Firman defends failure in curbing gambling

Firman defends failure in curbing gamblingAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaCity police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani on Wednesday defended the police's failure to eradicate gambling here, arguing that a weak legal system had prevented city police from arresting suspected gambling bosses.

Police question ex-PDI-P executives

Police question ex-PDI-P executivesEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaPolice investigators continued their probe into a defamation case involving former president Megawati Soekarnoputri -- leader of the second biggest political party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) --...

Airport guards hold protest

Airport guards hold protest TANGERANG: Around 500 security guards at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport held a protest on Wednesday to demand the replacement of the branch manager and security division chief for allegedly failing to improve their working conditions.

checked -- JSR

checked -- JSR Ford launches Focus, targeting sedan marketThe Jakarta Post JakartaAfter concentrating on marketing sports utility vehicles (SUVs) over the past five years, PT Ford Motor Indonesia (FMI) is targeting the sedan segment by launching the all-new Ford Focus.

House proposes budget rise

House proposes budget riseFrom Republika The House of Representatives plans to propose a budget increase for legislators in July of Rp 1.105 trillion, comprising Rp 760.98 billion for allowances and Rp 389.34 billion for the House Secretariat.

Govt prepares to open labor market

Govt prepares to open labor marketRidwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government is lobbying foreign countries and making the necessary preparations ahead of the liberalization of regional labor markets.

Corby gets chance to find new witnesses

Corby gets chance to find new witnessesWahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, DenpasarThe Denpasar District Court gave another chance on Wednesday for lawyers of convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby to find more witnesses who can support claims that marijuana found in her surfboard bag was...

TV Today: Friday, July 22, 2005

TV Today: Friday, July 22, 2005 .TB.30" .90"TVRI .tb .30" .90" 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 Cartoon: Hello Kitty8:30 Music: Asik-Asik 9:30 Religious Teachings11:00 News: Berita Nusantara11:30 Koran Recital1:00 p.m.

PT Exertainment Indonesia apologizes

PT Exertainment Indonesia apologizes The management of PT Exertainment Indonesia would like to extend a sincere apology to the writer of the letter, who was charged additional membership payments after termination of the membership, as a result of a computer error.

JP/18/BRIEFS

JP/18/BRIEFSNine suspects, 585 crickets taken Sukawati police arrested on Monday nine suspects and confiscated 585 crickets in a raid on a gambling den in Tegal hamlet, some 15 kilometers east of Denpasar.Two suspects, including the owner of the den, escaped arrest.

Govt knocks back demands of railway workers

Govt knocks back demands of railway workersThe Jakarta Post, Jakartahe government has turned down demands from thousands of protesting workers of state railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) to reinstate their status as civil servants, thus making more likely the possibility of a nationwide...

Freeport Has 2nd-Qtr Profit as Metal Production Soars

Freeport Has 2nd-Qtr Profit as Metal Production Soars Claudia Carpenter Bloomberg/New York Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., owner of the world's biggest gold mine, had its fourth straight profitable quarter on increased output from Indonesia and higher metal prices.

Tangguh plant secures 7 vessels to ship LNG

Tangguh plant secures 7 vessels to ship LNGLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaA BP Plc.-led consortium has named three consortia as winners in a tender to provide seven vessels to ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Tangguh plant in Papua to customers in Korea and Mexico.

Working for change from within

Working for change from withinM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An expression encapsulates the transformation of the former leader of a radical student movement, Budiman Sudjatmiko: The only security human beings have is their ability to change.

Govt mulls ban on Ahmadiyah due to 'permit violation'

Govt mulls ban on Ahmadiyah due to 'permit violation'Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government is considering a ban against Ahmadiyah as an organization in the country, saying it has sparked public disorder.

Energi restates Q1 profit by 57 percent

Energi restates Q1 profit by 57 percentArijit Ghosh, Bloomberg/JakartaPT Energi Mega Persada (EMP), Indonesia's second-biggest publicly traded oil and gas company, restated its first-quarter profit lower by 57 percent because of a change in deferred tax expense calculations.

New chief to restore police image

New chief to restore police imageFrom RepublikaThe police should set a good example for society and conduct an internal reordering to restore the image of the police as a public protector. With the change of leadership at the National Police, it is expected the police's image will be restored.

[b]

Details to be ironed out for Aceh peace agreement or Details need ironing out for Aceh agreement Haris Azhar Jakarta 2. Nation -- Threat of terrorist attacks is not limited to far South 2 x 21 Threat of terrorist attacks in Thailand or Threat of terrorist attacks in Thailand underestimated Pavin...

Death sentence for servants

Death sentence for servantsFrom RepublikaAn Indonesian migrant worker, Rohana, could face the death penalty for allegedly killing her employer in Singapore, according to a report on July 4. In March 2004, two other domestic servants, Juminem and Siti Aminah, were also charged with murder in that...

City antiterror unit gets new chief

City antiterror unit gets new chief JAKARTA: Jakarta police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani swore in on Wednesday Adj. Sr. Comr. Hasanuddin as the new chief of the antiterror detachment Unit 88.Unit 88 deals with bombings and other forms of terrorist activities in the capital.

Police detain 5 illegal ships

Police detain 5 illegal ships JAKARTA: City water police have seized five unlicensed ships in Muara Baru and Muara Angke earlier this week.City police spokesman Sr. Comr. Tjiptono said that the ships were seized on July 13 to July 15.

Journalists look at role of media in interfaith relations

Journalists look at role of media in interfaith relationsThe Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua Beach, Bali When two religious communities clash, should the media report this story and ignore the possible negative consequences for society? Or should it suppress it completely in the name of preserving...

JP/5/BALI

JP/5/BALISouth Africa to forge cooperation with Bali Sutha Sastradhinata Antara/DenpasarBali is a small island with magnificent scenery, is rich in unique arts and culture and possesses an allure all of its own.

Terrorism and terrorists

Terrorism and terrorists Opinion articles in The Jakarta Post often share an angle on Indonesian Islamic terrorism: It is not Indonesian and it is not Islamic. Karen Armstrong's article Blame the politics, not the religion of Islam(The Jakarta Post, July 13), offers a similar view of international...

Trauma slowly slips from memory of Acehnese children

Trauma slowly slips from memory of Acehnese children Nani Afrida The Jakarta Post Banda Aceh Trauma suffered by tsunami survivors has slowly slipped from memory of most children, but orphans keep their traumatic experience longer. "I'm not traumatized.

Court fails to hear ex-prisoners' lawsuit

Court fails to hear ex-prisoners' lawsuit JAKARTA: Around 30 former political prisoners who were jailed for their alleged link to the outlawed Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) filed a complaint with the Supreme Court over the stalled hearing of their lawsuit against the government.

City company to launch CNG-powered busway in December

City company to launch CNG-powered busway in DecemberDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe city administration said on Wednesday that the second and third busway corridors would start operating in December, despite delays in their construction due to financial problems.

KPK says it's in need of new blood

KPK says it's in need of new blood JAKARTA: The National Police are completing the paperwork required for the best graduates of the Police Staff College to work on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Toyota aims to strengthen SUV market with Fortuner

Toyota aims to strengthen SUV market with FortunerThe Jakarta Post, JakartaIndonesia is an important market for Toyota; therefore, PT Toyota Astra Motor (TAM) has continually released new products in a bid to maintain its 30 percent share in the domestic automotive market.

Hoop takraw:

Hoop takraw: Silly or spicy? Clement Tan ANN/The Straits Times/Singapore The biennial Southeast Asia Games is becoming more and more exotic in recent years. More and more oddball sports have come on board. Some are serious. Some less so -- and others simply silly.

ASEAN on track for zero-tariff goals, but challenges remain

ASEAN on track for zero-tariff goals, but challenges remainMartin Abbugao, Agence France-Presse, Singapore The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is on track to achieve a zero-tariff regime by 2015, a key ingredient for its ambitious plan to create a single market and production base by...

City wants to impose tax on owners of more than one cars

City wants to impose tax on owners of more than one carsDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe city administration is drawing up plans to introduce a progressive tax system for cars and motorcycles as part of efforts to cut fuel consumption and save energy.

Local food irreplaceable for Indonesians in America

Local food irreplaceable for Indonesians in AmericaArmando Siahaan, Contributor, Jakarta Assimilation, a process whereby immigrants integrate with the culture of the host country, is probably the norm for many Indonesians who emigrate abroad to the United States.

Cipularang toll road brings positive impacts to local economy

Cipularang toll road brings positive impacts to local economyKelik Dewanto, Antara/JakartaPresident Bambang Susilo Yudhoyono officially opened on July 12 the second section of the Cikampek-Purwakarta-Padalarang toll road, better known as the Cipularang II, spanning 41 kilometers.

Fuel campaign targets vehicle owners

Fuel campaign targets vehicle ownersUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAfter asking households and offices to make sacrifices in its nationwide energy conservation campaign, the government is now turning its attention to private vehicle owners.

U.S. Senate renews Myanmar sanctions ahead of ASEAN talks

U.S. Senate renews Myanmar sanctions ahead of ASEAN talksAgence France-Presse, WashingtonThe U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed a resolution on Tuesday (Wednesday morning in Jakarta) renewing a one-year ban on all imports from Myanmar ahead of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)...

JP/5/AHMAD

JP/5/AHMADMob attack strengthens Ahmadi's faithYuli Tri Suwarni The Jakarta Post/Bandung"Love for all, hatred for none."It was this simple verse that attracted Ahmad Bakir, 69, to become a devotee of the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI) when he was young.

KPK to summon judges over bribery case

KPK to summon judges over bribery caseThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will summon two judges at the Jakarta High Court as witnesses in a high profile bribery case allegedly committed by a lawyer of suspended Aceh governor Abdullah Puteh.