Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 22 July 2005

94 articles found

Working together to end conflict

Working together to end conflict Kim Howells, Jakarta In September 2002 the leaders of the three great monotheistic faiths, Islam, Christianity and Judaism, met in the Egyptian city of Alexandria to proclaim that they shared values as much as they shared prophets. Indonesia and the UK are taking the process a step further.

Artists confront modern-day leviathan: Television

Artists confront modern-day leviathan: Television M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta One need look no further than the OK. Video Sub/Version Video Festival at the National Gallery to learn that the most terrifying leviathan in modern life is television.

Slamet and the story of 'barongan' performance

Slamet and the story of 'barongan' performance Slamet, a lecturer at the Indonesian Arts College Surakarta, never imagined the barongan performances he used to enjoy as a child would one day turn him into a barongan researcher and earn him a master's degree in 1998.

Public told to be alert, not panic about bird flu

Public told to be alert, not panic about bird flu Bambang Nurbianto and Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Tangerang Breakfast on Wednesday evening might be the last time that Hariyanto, 35, will enjoy his favorite meal: fried chicken. "I read the news on the Internet in the afternoon that the deaths of three people at the Villa Melati Mas housing complex in Tangerang last week was likely caused by avian flu virus ...

UNICEF to award three RI children

UNICEF to award three RI children JAKARTA: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Office of the State Minister for Women's Empowerment jointly announced on Thursday the bestowing of awards on three Indonesian high school students for their roles in promoting the rights of Indonesian children.

House proposes budget rise

House proposes budget rise From 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. This indicates the government is continuing to ignore the interests of the public. In the case of the fuel subsidy, for instance, the government used the budget deficit as an excuse, resulting in fuel price hikes and higher prices for basic necessities.

Australia has agreed to sign ASEAN amity pact: Malaysia FM

Australia has agreed to sign ASEAN amity pact: Malaysia FM Jasbant Singh, Associated Press/Kuala Lumpur Australia has agreed to sign a nonaggression pact with its Southeast Asian neighbors, the Malaysian foreign minister said on Thursday, and an Australian analyst said the decision will likely be announced next week at a regional security forum. Syed Hamid Albar told The Associated Press that his Australian counterpart, Alexander Downer, personally conveyed the decision to him a few days ago.

JP/19/LOSMN2

JP/19/LOSMN2 Australian government's hard line The Australian government has taken a tough stance against people smuggling from Indonesia with a "border protection" policy of turning back boats and locking asylum seekers who make landfall in offshore camps. During the past 20 years the average number of asylum seekers has been about 1,000 a year. At the height of the people- smuggling controversy only 4,000 made it to Australia. Now few boats attempt the journey.

Photo A:

Photo A: JP/Arief Suhardiman HAVING FUN: Acehnese children have fun on a swing in a playground near the refugee camp in Calang Aceh. The playground was created to help the traumatized children regain their confidence. Photo B: JP/Arief Suhardiman NEW SCHOOL: Acehnese children gather outside the newly built elementary school building in Calang, Aceh.

Zheng He, the eunuch admiral and ruler of the seas

Zheng He, the eunuch admiral and ruler of the seas Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang Chinese immigrants, or hoakiau, as well as native people have hoped to gain knowledge and wisdom from the great explorer Zheng He (also called Cheng Ho) when he visited Semarang city some 600 years ago. As a well-learned person who had mastered untold knowledge, most people felt they needed him, and had urged him to stay.

Court opens hearing into local election

Court opens hearing into local election JAKARTA: The Supreme Court held its first hearing on Thursday to determine the validity of the results of last month's gubernatorial election in South Sulawesi, which saw the posts of governor and deputy governor going to Sinyo Sarundayang and Freddy Sualang. The challenge to the results was filed by two losing tickets -- Maj. Gen. (ret) Ferry FX Tinggogoy and Hardi Paputungan; and Wenny Warauw and Marhainy Pua.

Belinfante claims fear hampers interfaith dialog

Belinfante claims fear hampers interfaith dialog Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali Despite Indonesia's nonrecognition of Israel, Judaism was not left out at the two-day Bali Interfaith Dialog, which began on Thursday. Among participants from different religious traditions, Judith Belinfante, a former Dutch parliamentarian and currently head curator at the library of the University of Amsterdam, is the sole Jewish participant in this two-day meeting.

Dance sport team hopes hard work pays off

Dance sport team hopes hard work pays off Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian dance sport athletes are working hard in a bid to beat odds against hot rivals at the next SEA Games where the discipline will be on display for the first time at the region's biennial multi-event sporting competition.

Hostage to fuel subsidies

Hostage to fuel subsidies While the government is stepping up its fuel-conservation programs and strengthening their implementation, it should continue preparations for removing, once and for all, fuel subsidies next year, except for kerosene for household use. Otherwise, the state budget will remain a "hostage" to these wasteful spendings. Certainly, raising again fuel prices within the second semester, after the 29 percent increase in March, seems more than politically unacceptable.

Quake jolts Aceh, no fatalities

Quake jolts Aceh, no fatalities JAKARTA: An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale rocked the western coast of Indonesia's tsunami-hit Aceh province on Thursday but there were no reports of damage or casualties, meteorologists said. The undersea quake occurred at 8:42 a.m. and its epicenter was 33 kilometers under the floor of the sea, some 17 kilometers southeast of Meulaboh, the main town in West Aceh district, they said.

Brazilian envoy moving to Manila

Brazilian envoy moving to Manila JAKARTA: Brazilian Ambassador to Indonesia Carlos Eduardo Sette will be leaving Jakarta soon after serving here for almost three years, a source close to the Brazilian Embassy in Jakarta said. Ambassador Sette, who submitted his credentials to then president Megawati Soekarnoputri on Nov. 8, 2002, is one of the most popular as well as jovial diplomats in town. When The Jakarta Post contacted him about leaving Indonesia, Sette confirmed the news.

Kontras urges SBY to speed up Munir probe

Kontras urges SBY to speed up Munir probe The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) urged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to make public the report of a fact-finding team assigned to help the police in investigating the murder of top rights campaigner Munir.

Coal-miners initiate benchmark

Coal-miners initiate benchmark Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Coal mining companies in Indonesia are developing an output- specific price index that will be used as a reference in domestic and international trade. Indonesian Coal Mining Association chairman Jeffrey Mulyono said the Indonesian Coal Index (ICI) would reflect the average of transactions concluded with local and global consumers over a certain period of time, possibly a week.

JP/2/heads

JP/2/heads July 22, 2005 1. DISCOURSE: 1 X 42 'Important for GAM, government to trust each other' 2. GAM: 2 X 21 Not all GAM members to receive amnesty: Official 3. AHMADIYAH: 1 X 32 Scholars urge MUI to lift Ahmadiyah ban 4. BOMB: 1 X 40 Embassy bomber sentenced to three-and-half years

JP/18/BRIEFS

JP/18/BRIEFS Nine 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. Cricket-fighting, according to chief of Sukawati police Adj. Comr. I Nyoman Budiarta took place three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays. Budiarta deployed 30 officers to storm the premises.

Political will needed to solve Ambalat issue: Malaysian envoy

Political will needed to solve Ambalat issue: Malaysian envoy Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The problems affecting Malaysian-Indonesian relations, including the Ambalat issue and the deportation of illegal Indonesian workers, can only be solved by the political will of both countries' leaders, the former Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia has said.

Pribadi Sutiono

Pribadi Sutiono London 2. Howell -- interfaith dialog 1 x 30 Working together to end conflict Kim Howells Jakarta

Gamblers have last laugh in last car

Gamblers have last laugh in last car The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Days after city police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani vowed to eradicate gambling in three days, gamblers on an economy-class commuter train plying the Kota-Rangkas Bitung route were making a mockery of the campaign. The men were playing dominoes for money on the train from Kota to Banten province, which stops at Serpong, Parung Panjang, Tenjo, Tiga Raksa and Rangkas Bitung stations. "Police! Police!

Govt plans a mass cull

Govt plans a mass cull The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is to do mass cull to control the spread of the deadly bird flu virus and has proposed that the House of Representatives set aside Rp 82.5 billion (US$8.42 million) to finance the measures as well as to compensate farmers.

Police campaign to target unruly pedestrians

Police campaign to target unruly pedestrians Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The city police launched on Thursday a one-month campaign aimed at punishing traffic law violators -- pedestrians and passengers of motorcycles, public vehicles or private cars. City traffic police chief Sr. Comr. Djoko Susilo said that during the operation, called Zebra Simpatik (Sympathetic Zebra), police officers would stop people who violated traffic regulations, including passengers and pedestrians.

Dialog, understanding the best ways to end theological terror

Dialog, understanding the best ways to end theological terror Ahmad Fuad Fanani and Alpha Amirrachman, Jakarta In the 1990s, Western media such as Newsweek and Time cautiously recognized Islam in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, as Islam with a friendly face. There was a line of distinction between "Islam" practiced in the region and that of the Middle East -- the repression of which was infamous. However, the Sept.

Religion enters the realm of foreign affairs

Religion enters the realm of foreign affairs Endy M. Bayuni and Wahyoe Boediwardhana, Nusa Dua Beach, Bali Diplomats, bureaucrats and journalists take note: Religion, long regarded as one's personal and private domain, is entering the realm of foreign affairs. Religious scholars and leaders took center stage in Bali as President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono opened an interfaith dialog on Thursday, bringing representatives from 39 countries grouped to the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) forum.

House proposes budget rise

House proposes budget rise From 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. This indicates the government is continuing to ignore the interests of the public. In the case of the fuel subsidy, for instance, the government used the budget deficit as an excuse, resulting in fuel price hikes and higher prices for basic necessities.

Govt to get extra funds for rural phone coverage

Govt to get extra funds for rural phone coverage Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has signed a regulation obliging telephone operators to contribute 0.75 percent of annual gross revenues for the state's rural telephone program, as agreed upon by all stakeholders.

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 21, 2005

Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on July 21, 2005 _____________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume _____________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk 1,120 0 0 Adhi Karya 780 30 7,681,000 Adira Dinamika 2,500 0 7,500 AGIS Tbk 135 10 956,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 265 0 182,000 AKR Corporindo Tbk 1,210 10 1,639,000 Alakasa Industrindo 165 0 0 Alfa...

Honda to double engine output

Honda to double engine output BANGKOK: Thailand's second-largest automaker, Honda of Japan, said on Thursday it plans to double its engine production, which would make its facility here its fourth-largest engine plant. The company plans to invest 1.45 billion baht (US$34.5 million) to double the engine production capacity of its manufacturing and assembly plant in the central province of Ayutthaya, Honda (Thailand) said in a statement.

Mirza Tirta Kusuma

Mirza Tirta Kusuma Chicago 2. Fanani -- Is "Terror theology" embedded in Islam? 2 x 30 Dialog, understanding the best ways to end theological terror Ahmad Fuad Fanani and Alpha Amirrachman Jakarta

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, July 22, 2005

Where to go in Jakarta: Friday, July 22, 2005 Exhibitions * Lampung Traditional Textile, at Museum Textile Indonesia, Jl. KS Tubun No. 4, West Jakarta (Tel. 5606613, mustekstil@telkom.net) until July 27 * Painting by Ivan Sagita at CP Artspace Jl. Suryopranoto 67 A, Central Jakarta (Tel. 3448126), until July 29 * Jakarta Video Festival 2005 OK. Video: Sub/Version at Galeri Nasional Indonesia, Jl. Merdeka Timur 14, Central Jakarta, open daily Monday - Friday, 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

JP/18/IMAGES

JP/18/IMAGES Street children come together to enjoy communal meal Reports have circulated recently about the incidence of malnutrition in Indonesian children, a cause of much concern.

RP to up ASEAN imports tariffs if sales tax impasse remains

RP to up ASEAN imports tariffs if sales tax impasse remains Agence France-Presse, Manila Philippine tariffs on imports from ASEAN countries will rise by a percentage point to compensate for a key sales tax if a legal impasse over its introduction is not resolved, officials said on Thursday.

Buddhists 'Asadha' to be observed

Buddhists 'Asadha' to be observed MAGELANG, Central Java: Commemorating the Buddhist celebration of Asadha, the Buddhist community is to hold the Sejuta Pelita Sejuta Harapan procession at Borobudur Temple on Saturday. Asadha celebrates the first rotation of the Buddhist Dharma wheel when Buddha first spelled out his teaching to five Buddhist monks. According to chairman of the organizing committee Djunaidi, the procession will start at 5 p.m.

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 Islamic terrorism. This heads off the obvious question "what is wrong with Islam?", but results in questionable arguments.

Progressive vehicle tax 'won't affect investment'

Progressive vehicle tax 'won't affect investment' Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government's plan to impose a higher taxes on private vehicles as part of its energy saving campaign is unlikely to affect investments in the automotive sector, a government official says.

Telekom to work on XL IPO to raise $300m

Telekom to work on XL IPO to raise $300m B.K. Sidhu, Asia News Network, The Star/Kuala Lumpur Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) is believed to be working with at least two advisers on the initial public offering (IPO) for its Indonesian unit, PT Excelcomindo Pratama (XL), from which it plans to raise about US$280 million to $300 million.

Govt responsible for education

Govt responsible for education From Koran Tempo The high cost of education in Indonesia gives poor people no choice but to keep their children at home, as it is already difficult for them to meet their daily needs, even before considering school fees. For kindergarten and elementary education, a student has to pay Rp 500,000 to Rp 1 million and for secondary and high school education above Rp 1 million.

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. Only sometimes my memory returns," said 15-year-old Meutia. "If I feel afraid, I will pray to Allah," said Farida, also 15. "I still have my fear, especially because I have lost my parents," said Irwan, 16.

Jakarta mulls use of smart card

Jakarta mulls use of smart card JAKARTA: The city administration is considering replacing identity cards with an integrated smart card that would contain the holder's personal information, including fingerprints. Head of the Population and Civil Registration Agency Khamil Abdul Kadir said on Thursday the officials would first discuss the plan to make an integrated data bank with other institutions, such as the police, health agency and tax office. "The smart card is a multipurpose one ...

Environmentalists eye middle class in recycling drive

Environmentalists eye middle class in recycling drive The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A car stops in front of a blue and green tent in a hypermarket's parking lot on a Saturday. Not long afterwards, instead of loading plastic bags of shopping into her car, the driver unloads a broken rice cooker, a couple of flat tires and piles of plastic bags filled with cartons and paper cups.

Three army officers killed in Aceh military plane crash

Three army officers killed in Aceh military plane crash The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Surabaya/Medan An Indonesian Air Force plane crash landed onto an Aceh airport on Thursday, killing three Army officers -- including one member of Indonesia's nobility -- and injuring 20 others. The accident came five hours after another Indonesian Air Force plane reportedly went missing in Malang, East Java. The three Army officers killed in the accident at 11 a.m were Lt. Col. Otteman Mahmud Perkasa Alam, Lt.

Edwin's Gallery celebrates 21 successfull years in Jakarta

Edwin's Gallery celebrates 21 successfull years in Jakarta Carla Bianpoen, Contributor, Jakarta As Edwin's gallery in Jakarta celebrates its 21st anniversary, its owner, Edwin Raharjo, deserves sincere admiration and congratulations. To survive amid a number of other galleries closing down is no small achievement, but to do so with such significant accomplishment is an achievement in the superlative.

Shares index hits record high

Shares index hits record high Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesian shares ended sharply higher on Thursday, with sharp gains in telecommunication and bank blue chips driving the main index to close at a record high, dealers said. They said foreign investors continued to buy blue chips after U.S.-based investment house Bear Stearns upgraded Indonesian equity to overweight from market weight.

RI-Singapore trade rose 7.8% in Q2

RI-Singapore trade rose 7.8% in Q2 SINGAPORE: Singapore said on Thursday bilateral trade with Indonesia in the second quarter rose 7.8 percent from the previous quarter to reach S$8.3 billion (US$4.97 billion). The city-state only began making bilateral trade data with Jakarta public in 2004, ending a decades-old policy of keeping secret its trade figures with its Southeast Asian neighbor.

Not all GAM members to receive amnesty: Official

Not all GAM members to receive amnesty: Official Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government said on Thursday that not all members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) would receive amnesty, with those being jailed for criminal offenses remaining in jail. State Minister of Communications and Information Sofyan Djalil said that only political prisoners would be released.

Two nabbed for mixing fuel

Two nabbed for mixing fuel JAKARTA: City police arrested on Thursday two suspects for mixing diesel with kerosene and selling it to the public. Chief of detectives Sr. Comr. Syahrul Mamma said the two suspects operated illegal fuel outlets on Jl. Angkasa in Gunung Sahari Selatan subdistrict, Kemayoran district, Central Jakarta. Syahrul said the suspects received diesel fuel from fuel trucks that were meant to distribute the fuel to licensed gas stations.

Stop equating Islam with the Arab world

Stop equating Islam with the Arab world Pribadi Sutiono, London Leading international scholars and senior government and public figures are gathering in Bali this week to discuss mutual understanding and mutual respect among all faiths and religions in Asia and Europe. Under the framework of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) initiative sponsored by Indonesia and the United Kingdom, the dialog will also actualize interfaith harmony within the international community.

Where to go in Semarang: Friday, July 22, 2005

Where to go in Semarang: Friday, July 22, 2005 The 600th Anniversary of Zheng He (Cheng Ho)'s Journey Cheng Ho Festival will be commemorated at Sam Poo Kong Temple in Semarang from Aug. 1 to Aug. 7: Performances; * Traditional ceremony, at 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Aug. 1 to Aug. 2 Sam Poo Kong Temple commemoration at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., on Aug. 3 * Thousands of lanterns commemoration at 8 p.m., Sam Poo Parade, at 5 a.m., on Aug.

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. Shortly before the tsunami struck Umong Seribee village in Lhoong Aceh Besar district, 13-year-old Mariana was in her house planning to go to a friend's. Suddenly people outside were scrambling about yelling "water rising, water rising" and she was unsure of what they meant.

RI to buy back treasury bonds

RI to buy back treasury bonds JAKARTA: The Indonesian government will offer to buy back an undisclosed amount of Treasury bonds from lenders and investors today as it endeavors to save on interest costs. The government is looking to repurchase bonds maturing between Jan. 1, 2006, and Dec. 31, 2010, the Ministry of Finance said in a faxed statement.

KPK questions two judges

KPK questions two judges The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two Jakarta High Court judges were questioned on Thursday as witnesses in a bribery investigation involving a lawyer of graft convict Abdullah Puteh, the suspended Aceh governor. Sudiro and Husaeni Andinkasim arrived at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) office at 8:30 a.m. for eight hours of questioning in connection with the bribery case against Tengku Syaifudin Popon.

Gambling bosses facing hard times

Gambling bosses facing hard times Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya Arif (not his real name), a prominent numbers racket (togel) operator in Surabaya, shows a scar on his head to The Jakarta Post. "When I was riding a motorcycle last year, suddenly somebody hit me on the back of the head with a lump of wood. I fell off the bike as a result," said Arif. Arif then received treatment at the police's Bhayangkara Hospital in the city.

Military sets up 50 border posts

Military sets up 50 border posts BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: The Tanjungpura Military Command has built 30 more outposts along the Indonesian and Malaysian border, bringing the total number of posts to 50. The posts were constructed to help prevent illegal logging, smuggling and other transnational crimes along the 1,800- kilometer border between Malaysia and Indonesia, Tanjungpura Military Command chief Maj. Gen. Erwin Sudjono said.

Canadian Embassy holds photo expo

Canadian Embassy holds photo expo JAKARTA: The Canadian Embassy is cosponsoring a photo exhibition titled Warisan Perang Untuk Rakyat (Legacy of War) as part of its support for the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia Randolph Mank said. The other sponsors of the event are the United Nations Children's Fund and the Jesuit Refugee Services. The three-day exhibition, which opened on Thursday, is being held at the National Museum in Jakarta.

KPU receives international award

KPU receives international award JAKARTA: The General Elections Commission (KPU) has received an international award amid graft allegations that have seen three of its members named suspects and put behind bars. KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti said on Thursday the poll body had received the Golden World Award from the International Public Relations Association for administering a peaceful legislative election last year.

Environmentalists eye middle class in recycling drive

Environmentalists eye middle class in recycling drive The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A car stops in front of a blue and green tent in a hypermarket's parking lot on a Saturday. Not long afterwards, instead of loading plastic bags of shopping into her car, the driver unloads a broken rice cooker, a couple of flat tires and piles of plastic bags filled with cartons and paper cups.

Depok workers paid below minimum wages

Depok workers paid below minimum wages Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State-owned insurance firm PT Jamsostek announced on Thursday that 13 companies in Depok, West Java, were paying their workers less than the local monthly minimum wage of Rp 681,804 (US$71.7). PT Jamsostek's Depok office director Supardi said that the 13 companies paid their workers only between Rp 95,000 and Rp 576,000 per month.

Rupiah Rates July 21

Rupiah Rates July 21 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,837.01 7,076.68 7,494.52 7,419.12 Brunei dollar 1 6,132.27 5,534.77 5,864.28 5,802.60 Canadian dollar 1 8,460.40 7,637.47 8,090.67 8,007.05 Swiss franc 1 8,051.18 7,269.32 7,699.33 7,621.09 Danish krone 1 1,684.32 1,520.37 1,610.71 1,593.94 Euro 1 12,569.76 11,348.96 12,020.44 11,898.15 Poundsterling 1 18,016.66 16,268.06 17,229.30 17,055.28 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,326.90 1,198.28 1,268.92 1,256.27...

Govt prepares regulation on W. Irian Jaya provinces

Govt prepares regulation on W. Irian Jaya provinces Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In line with the Constitutional Court's verdict that upheld the creation of West Irian Jaya province, the government is drafting a law that will regulate the administration in the region. Despite the absence of the law, the provincial government has confirmed it planned to hold the first-ever direct regional elections in six regencies simultaneously on July 28.

Indonesia Cellular Show rings in the changes

Indonesia Cellular Show rings in the changes This week, cell phone producers and authorized dealers nationwide are ringing in the changes; exhibiting new products and telecommunication technologies at the second Indonesia Cellular Show. Despite the cell phone industry's rapid growth here, the country's market penetration, estimated at 18 percent, still lags behind many of its ASEAN peers, meaning there is huge potential for increased sales.

1. Water (3x18)

1. Water (3x18) Walhi vows to refile petition over water law 2. Munir (2x18) Kontras urges SBY to speed up Munir probe 3. Judge (1x27) KPK questions two judges 4. Irja (2x24) Govt prepares regulation on West Irian Jaya

Zheng's expedition feted in Semarang

Zheng's expedition feted in Semarang SEMARANG, Central Java: Commemorating the 600th anniversary of the journey of Chinese Admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho, as he is known locally) to Semarang, a week-long festival is to be held here from Aug. 1 to Aug. 7.

TV Today: Saturday, July 23, 2005

TV Today: Saturday, July 23, 2005 TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon 7:30 Religious Teachings 8:00 Talk Show: Hembing 10:30 Music 11:30 Oto Screen 1:00 p.m.

Push for use of renewable energy intensified

Push for use of renewable energy intensified Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta To help promote the use of clean fuel and renewable energy in generating electricity and bring European investors to the region, the ASEAN Center for Energy (ACE) has launched a small power station financing competition.

'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. She does not live with her parents in Lamno, but stays with an older sister in Lingke, Banda Aceh. Farida used to be paralyzed and relied on her sister to take care of her. "My sister loved me despite my paralysis," she said. On Dec.

Companies give hope to Acehnese children

Companies give hope to Acehnese children Debbie A. Lubis Contributor Jakarta Many companies have shown their concern for the welfare of the children of Aceh following the tsunami that struck the province last December. Some companies have helped the children return to school and resume normal lives by building schools and providing school supplies such as stationery and books. Others have provided decent housing and introduced small enterprise schemes.

First-half domestic cement sales up 9%

First-half domestic cement sales up 9% Soraya Permatasari, Bloomberg/Jakarta Indonesia's domestic cement sales rose 9 percent in the first half from a year earlier, led by growth in West Java and Banten provinces, PT Semen Gresik, the nation's biggest cement maker, said.

New S. Korean envoy feels comfortable in Indonesia

New S. Korean envoy feels comfortable in Indonesia Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Attempt the impossible in order to improve your work. This has been the main motto of South Korea's new ambassador to Indonesia, Lee Sun-jin, during his entire diplomatic career. Traveling to foreign countries was a childhood dream for Ambassador Lee, who loves to work on difficult things.

Child doctors to make Jakarta a healthier city

Child doctors to make Jakarta a healthier city Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With her bright eyes looking straight at the audience, 10-year- old Garnis faultlessly answered all the questions posed regarding her duties as a "child doctor". "I will always remind my friends to keep our surroundings clean so that we don't catch any diseases.

'Barongan' in the mystical life of Blora

'Barongan' in the mystical life of Blora Blontank Poer, The Jakarta Post, Karanganyar, Central Java Two huge tiger masks are placed in the two corners of the front of the stage. Right at the center, a man, sitting cross-legged, burns incense while saying prayers and incantations before finally standing up and cracking his whip. That is the way the man, or pawang (a person endowed with magical powers), opens a barongan performance.

Gasohol BE 10, a fuel substitute from cassava

Gasohol BE 10, a fuel substitute from cassava The nation's fuel crisis has made many aware of the urgent need for Indonesia to seek alternative fuel sources to prevent such problems from reoccurring. One fuel mix that would economize the use of gasoline and is also more environmentally friendly than traditional mixes is Gasohol BE 10. Oyos Saroso, The Jakarta Post stringer in Bandarlampung, writes the first of two articles about gasohol.

Susilo's visit to Japan boosts investment by US$1.3 billion

Susilo's visit to Japan boosts investment by US$1.3 billion President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's visit to Japan from May 31 to June 3 has attracted investment commitments from Japanese businessmen of US$1.3 billion, Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Yutaka Iimura said on Thursday. The new projects from these investments were predicted to be able to provide up to 2,900 job opportunities, Yutaka said.

Vendors protest against evictions

Vendors protest against evictions JAKARTA: Dozens of street vendors from Kalideres, West Jakarta, demonstrated in front of the City Council on Jl. Kebon Sirih in Central Jakarta on Thursday to protest their evictions by public order officers earlier in the morning. Ade, a chicken vendor, said as many as 235 street vendors had been evicted. He said the vendors were evicted because certain parties were jealous of how well their businesses were doing.

Impose progressive taxes on private transport: Experts

Impose progressive taxes on private transport: Experts Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Transportation experts on Thursday welcomed the city's plan to impose progressive taxes on cars and motorcycles and urged the administration to use the funds collected from higher taxes to expedite the development of a public transportation system in the capital. "The administration must ensure that taxes collected from car owners be used to expedite the improvement of public transportation ...

'Important for GAM, government to trust each other'

'Important for GAM, government to trust each other' The government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) are scheduled to sign a peace deal on Aug. 15 in Helsinki, Finland. The Jakarta Post's Tony Hotland spoke with Imam Syuja, an Acehnese legislator from the National Mandate Party (PAN) about peace prospects in the war-torn province.

Aceh's new peace deal

Aceh's new peace deal Aceh, located at the northwestern tip of Sumatra island, is Indonesia's westernmost province and is roughly the size of Kyushu. Aceh has been beset for as many as 30 years by bloody conflicts between government troops and separatist rebels seeking the province's independence. In December, a huge tsunami caused by a giant earthquake off the Indian Ocean coast struck the region, sweeping away nearly 170,000 of Aceh's residents.

Walhi to refile petition against water law

Walhi to refile petition against water law The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Shortly after its petition was rejected by the Constitutional Court, the Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) said on Thursday it planned to file a new one with additional evidence in a determined bid to challenge the water resources law. The court rejected on Tuesday a request from Walhi and other non-governmental organizations for a judicial review of the controversial law.

'Poorly lit areas are prone to crime'

'Poorly lit areas are prone to crime' As part of the government's efforts to save energy, the Jakarta administration has reduced lighting at its offices, as well as along the city's thoroughfares and in parks. Television stations also obeyed to the call to reduce broadcasting hours by four hours. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their reactions to the campaign. Ervina Nur Amaliasari, 30, is a lecturer at the hotel and tourism school at Sahid University in Jakarta.

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 separated from their families.

Indonesia Cellular Show rings in the changes

Indonesia Cellular Show rings in the changes This week, cell phone producers and authorized dealers nationwide are ringing in the changes; exhibiting new products and telecommunication technologies at the second Indonesia Cellular Show. Despite the cell phone industry's rapid growth here, the country's market penetration, estimated at 18 percent, still lags behind many of its ASEAN peers, meaning there is huge potential for increased sales.

Scholars urge MUI to lift Ahmadiyah ban

Scholars urge MUI to lift Ahmadiyah ban Theresia Sufa and Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Bogor/Denpasar The authorities in Bogor have ordered a halt to the activities of the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI), although debate is continuing over whether the group's teachings go against Islam.

* Embassy bomber jailed, McDonald's suspect faces death

* Embassy bomber jailed, McDonald's suspect faces death Page 2 * Walhi vows to refile petition over water law Page 4 * Gambling bosses facing hard times Page 5 * Stop equating Islam with the Arab world Page 7 * Impose progressive taxes on private transport: Experts Page 8 * Abdullah vows to purge graft Page 10 * Push for use of renewable energy intensified Page 13 * 'Barongan' in the mystical life of Blora Page 18 * Armstrong hails team triumphs on Tour de France Page 22

JP/18/IMAGES

JP/18/IMAGES Street children come together to enjoy communal meal Reports have circulated recently about the incidence of malnutrition in Indonesian children, a cause of much concern.

Yogyakarta to host terrorism seminar

Yogyakarta to host terrorism seminar YOGYAKARTA: The Yogyakarta State Islamic University has invited 100 scholars and religious figures from several countries to attend a seminar next week on terrorism and the clash of civilizations. The director of the university's Center for Women's Studies, Siti Ruhaini, said the seminar was aimed at changing the global perception that Muslims condone terrorism. "There undoubtedly has been an intensifying of opinion associating Islam with terrorism.

'Pesantren' English debate kicks off

'Pesantren' English debate kicks off Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bogor Over 150 students from Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) and universities across the country began on Thursday a two-day debate and speech competition at the Jaya Raya Resort outside of Bogor. In the competition, the first ever in the country for pesantren students, the participants are competing to show their abilities in expressing their thoughts in English on such subjects as human rights and democracy.

Embassy bomber sentenced to three-and-half years

Embassy bomber sentenced to three-and-half years The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Makassar The first suspect to face charges in the 2004 bombing of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta received three-and-a-half years in prison on Thursday, while prosecutors sought the death sentence for the alleged mastermind of the 2002 attack on a McDonald's outlet in South Sulawesi.

An era of ironies

An era of ironies It has been widely reported and also shown on TV how motorists are queuing at gasoline stations to fill their fuel tanks. This is truly convincing evidence that Indonesia is facing a severe energy shortage. For most people this situation is beyond their comprehension. Why does Indonesia -- a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, have to endure this sad situation?

No picnic, but a school that's losts of fun

No picnic, but a school that's losts of fun The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Sitting quietly in a circle on the floor of a two-story gazebo, the children can see their friends planting seedlings and playing on a rope climbing frame in the garden. "Can we learn math first today?," asked Alfa, one of the third grade students. His two teachers responded at once, asking the other students for approval before kicking off the day with Math.

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. "Having fun and feeling happy are rights of children and we must honor that," he told the Post. Therefore, he said, play therapy is necessary for traumatized children.

Making ethanol from cassava is easy, Lampung BPPT researcher says

Making ethanol from cassava is easy, Lampung BPPT researcher says Oyos Saroso HN, The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung Besides being a sugar producer, Lampung province also produces cassava. In 2004, there were 300,000 hectares of cassava fields in four regencies. Even though Lampung's cassava fields are huge, most Lampung farmers remain poor, with one hectare only producing a maximum of 14 tons of cassava. Several months ago, the price of cassava stood at Rp 120 (0.012 U.S.

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 Islamic terrorism. This heads off the obvious question "what is wrong with Islam?", but results in questionable arguments.